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Here, we report the kinetic energy distributions (KEDs) of the fragment ions produced from multiply ionized ethane (C2H6) molecules in single electron capture collisions with 1.2 MeV C2+. To systematically investigate the fragmentation dynamics, the KEDs were obtained as functions of the charge state of the intermediate C2H6r+* ions r transiently generated prior to fragmentation. r was determined from coincidence measurement of the fragment ions and the number of emitted electrons. The KEDs are drastically different depending on the number of broken C–H bonds. The underlying causes are explained by the variation of the relative contributions of the multiply ionized states and preferential fragmentation pathways. For instance, CHn+ fragment ions with smaller n exhibit lower KEs because they are likely to be correlated with H+ emission, which carries away a large portion of the KE release. In addition, we report the KEDs of H3+ produced from doubly and triply charged states. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A classical trajectory Monte Carlo approach is used to simulate the dissociation of H+···F- and K+···Cl- heavy Rydberg ion pairs induced by a ramped electric field, a technique used experimentally to detect and probe ion-pair states. Simulations that include the effects of the strong short-range repulsive interaction associated with ion-pair scattering are in good agreement with experimental results for Stark wavepackets probed by a ramped field, demonstrating that many of the characteristics of field-induced dissociation can be well described using a quasi-classical model. The data also show that states with a given value of principal quantum number (i.e., binding energy) can dissociate over a broad range of applied fields, the exact field being governed by the initial orbital angular momentum and orientation of the state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By replacing Nb with (Hf+Nb+Ta) in CoCrFeNi 2.1 (Nb) 0.2 high entropy alloy (HEA), which contained hard and brittle hexagonal C14 Laves phase, a novel CoCrFeNi 2.1 (HfNbTa) 0.2 HEA was designed. Heavy cold-rolling complemented by microstructural and nanoindentation studies produced evidence of the surprisingly soft and ductile attributes of the Laves phase in the CoCrFeNi 2.1 (HfNbTa) 0.2 HEA, in striking contrast to the almost universal brittle behavior of the Laves phases. Crystallographic and chemical analyses of the Laves phase in the CoCrFeNi 2.1 (HfNbTa) 0.2 HEA confirmed the cubic C15 structure, realized by the site occupancy preferences of the constituent elements. The unusual deformability of the Laves phase was attributed to the spectacular propensity for nano-twin formation on the {111}<112> system, presumably resulting from its increased compositional complexity. Meanwhile, the results should open a pathway for designing highly deformable Laves phases in HEAs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silicon ions have been implanted into GaN layers epitaxially grown on an AlN/(0001)-Al[sub 2]O[sub 3] substrate to a dose of 1×10[sup 15]/cm[sup 2]. The Si-implanted GaN has been rapid thermal annealed at temperatures between 800 and 1250 °C. Thermal pits are formed in the surface during annealing at 1200 °C, resulting in deterioration of the morphology. The surface deterioration is effectively suppressed by using a 140-nm-thick Si[sub 3]N[sub 4] film as an encapsulant during annealing up to 1250 °C. The electrical activation process for Si atoms has an activation energy of 3.1 eV in the range of 1000 to 1250 °C. Carrier concentration and mobility profiles for n-type layers formed by Si implantation have been examined by differential Hall-effect measurements. A very high electrical activity for implanted Si atoms of 86% can be achieved, and a highly doped n-type layer with a peak carrier concentration of 6×10[sup 19]/cm[sup 3] is formed after annealing at 1250 °C. Electrons generated from Si atoms located near the end of range are trapped by defects remaining after annealing at 1250 °C. © 2004 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Deformation and fracture analysis of thick rock specimens for impact loading. • Fracto-emission (300–650 nm light) shows clear correlation with stress waves. • Front (loading)-side and rear-side stress data show different temporal behaviors. • Front-side stress shows stronger correlation with fracto-emission than the rear-side. • Main frequency of energy loss in the specimen is in a typical acoustic emission band. In exploration for a methodology to analyze fast deformation of a thick specimen where a state of equilibrium cannot be assumed, high-speed impact tests on pumice-stone and granite sample specimens are conducted with Hopkinson bar test apparatus. A compressive stress pulse from the input bar is applied to the specimens ranging from 8 mm to 30 mm in thickness. The stresses on the front (input-bar) side and the rear (output-bar) side of the specimen are evaluated separately based on the strain gauge signals from the input and output bars. Optical emission from the specimen is captured with a photomultiplier. Analyses on the time variation of the strain gauge and photomultiplier signals lead to the following observations. (a) The front-side stress plays an important role in the deformation and fracture, (b) the transition from the elastic to plastic regime can be estimated from oscillatory features observed in the front-side stress and other quantities derived from the strain gauge signals, (c) the optical emission is highly correlated with the front side stress and step-wise energy loss in the specimen, and (d) the main frequency components of the stress wave associated with the energy-loss are found in the same frequency band as conventional acoustic emissions observed in rock fractures. A question remains, and provides an interesting subject for future study, regarding the step-wise energy loss observed in the strain gauge signal unaccompanied by the optical emission. In view of a recent fracture mechanical theory that states the evolution of fracture is accompanied by a reduction in frequency on the emission spectrum, it is possible that these energy loss is associated with emission in frequency ranges outside the sensitivity of the photomultiplier. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives We investigated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) by monitoring its serum concentration for mothers and infants in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods We measured trough concentrations of TAC in 25 pregnant patients with SLE to assess influence of TAC on the disease activity. Additionally, we measured the concentrations of TAC in umbilical arterial blood, breast milk, and breastfed infants to investigate the safety of TAC for the mothers and infants. Results The trough concentrations of TAC in the mothers significantly decreased in the second trimester as compared with those before pregnancy. However, the decrease in the trough concentrations of TAC did not lead to the deterioration of SLE. When examined, the doses of TAC were significantly lower in the second trimester and postpartum in the deteriorating group than those in the non-deteriorating group. There were no adverse events by TAC in mothers and fetuses. The concentrations of TAC in the umbilical cord blood were lower than those in the maternal blood. The relative infant dose in breastfed infants of TAC was < 1%. The level of TAC in infant bloods was below detectable limits. Conclusion These findings suggest that TAC is one of the most effective and safest immunosuppressive drugs for use in pregnant patients with SLE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which triggered electrical breakdown streamers in atmospheric air by carbon dioxide laser-induced ionization. Experiment; Result; Discussion.

Objective: The objective of this study is to investigate the effectiveness of discontinuation of risedronate for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) treated with glucocorticoid (GC). Methods: The participants were patients with SLE treated with prednisolone (PSL)≥2 mg/day and risedronate for at least three years. Lumbar spine and total hip bone mineral density (BMD) measurements were taken at baseline and 24 and 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, and bone turnover markers were evaluated at baseline, 12, 24, 36, and 48 weeks. Results: A total of 36 patients were enrolled, 25 of whom discontinued risedronate. The mean age was 46.8±11.2 years, and 23 were female. The mean duration of GC treatment was 14.8±11.4 years, the mean dose of PSL was 7.8±3.9 mg/day, and the mean duration of risedronate was 5.8±2.4 years. Seventeen patients showed decreased lumbar spine BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean lumbar spine lumbar decrease of 1.42%±3.20% (p=0.034); 17 patients (71%) showed a decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks after discontinuation of risedronate, with a mean total hip BMD decrease of 0.99%±2.10% (p=0.021). Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b)<309 mU/dl at baseline was a risk factor for decreased total hip BMD at 48 weeks compared with serum TRACP-5b<309 mU/dl (56% vs 0%, p=0.0098). One patient developed a clinical fracture of the lumbar spine at 20 weeks. Conclusions: Discontinuation of risedronate treatment in patients with SLE who had received GC therapy led to decreases in lumbar spine and total hip BMD, particularly in patients with high baseline serum TRACP-5b levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of the anterior pituitary proceeds via spatiotemporal patterning of transcription factors and signalling molecules. Among them, retinoic acid (RA) functions as an important signalling molecule for vertebrate organogenesis in many tissues. However, little is known regarding the target genes in the developing pituitary. The present study aimed to clarify the relationship between endogenous RA signalling and mRNA expression of the pituitary-specific transcription factor Prop1 in the pituitary primordium of Rathke's pouch. Gene expression analysis and in situ hybridisation demonstrated that retinaldehyde dehydrogenases (Raldhs) and all types of RA receptors (Rars) are expressed at the level of transcription in the rat Rathke's pouch. Ex vivo organ culture using Rathke's pouch and an in vitro reporter assay demonstrated that RA signalling increases the expression level of Prop1 via RARα. Moreover, a reporter assay using serial truncated constructs of the 5'-upstream region of mouse Prop1 revealed a predicted cis-regulatory element of RARα. This is the first report of a relationship between RA signalling and Prop1-expression during early pituitary development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY In recent years, the number of vehicles with automatic gap control (AGC) (e.g., adaptive cruise control) has increased with the development of vehicle control technology. AGC mainly helps to ease driver fatigue on highways. Vehicles equipped with AGC can maintain an appropriate distance between two vehicles. Therefore, the traffic flow can be improved by AGC-equipped vehicles. In this research, we develop a traffic flow model that considers AGC-equipped vehicles, and is based on the Nagel-Schreckenberg model, which is a probabilistic cellular automaton model. The Nagel-Schreckenberg model can reproduce the basic features of traffic flow. On analyzing the mathematical model for the traffic including AGC-equipped vehicles, we can obtain analytical solutions of the traffic flow and the average velocity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The electromagnetic-noise suppression sheets made of Fe-Si-Al thin flakes embedded in polymer improve their noise suppressing performance appreciably in the magnetic field. We have already confirmed that the transmission characteristics of a microstrip line exhibit a high-frequency suppressing feature when a small piece of the sheet is placed on it @S. Yoshida et al., IEEE Trans. Magn. 37, 2401 (2001). In this article we found that this filtering performance is appreciably improved by a dc magnetic field. The effect becomes explicit in a field with intensity higher than a few hundred Oe and rise of the transmission loss becomes much steeper near the frequency of magnetic resonance. An example is that in the field of 1 kOe the 3 dB width of half to the peak of frequency profile of the transmission loss at resonance is reduced to less than a quarter of the one without magnetic field. This improvement brings about a new research subject to develop the high performance electromagnetic noise absorber that is expected to work under the optimized conditions in various digital electronic devices with operation frequencies up to the GHz band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We measure kinetic energy distributions (KEDs) of product ions from singly and multiply ionized acetylene, C 2 H 2 r +∗ ( r = 1–4), generated as intermediate states prior to fragmentation in collisions between C 2 H 2 and 0.8 MeV C + ions, in single-electron capture conditions. The KEDs are systematically obtained as functions of the charge state r by performing coincidence measurements between momentum imaging of the product ions and counting of the number of emitted electrons. The KEDs of the fragment ions exhibit a variety of dependences on r , reflecting the variation of fragmentation dynamics and dominant fragmentation pathways. In particular, the KEDs of C 2 + present a characteristic dependence on r because of the different symmetries of charge distributions in three-body fragmentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To clarify the presence and properties of a unique structure which is located between the cuticle and cortex of human hair. Methods Whole hair fibre and longitudinally split hair were used. Treated with a mixture of urea, reductant and alkaline, hair was split at the interface between cuticle and cortex. The residues in the solution were observed by microscope, and the distribution of lipids and protein was determined. Results From the treated longitudinally split hair, a membrane-like structure which was located at the interface between cuticle and cortex was obtained. This structure showed especially high resistance against chemical treatment and was thought to be the region into which the proximal roots of the cuticle cells are embedded. It was supposed that some steryl glucoside-like lipid, of which the presence in the cuticle and cortex interface was previously reported, is located in this structure. Conclusion This study proposed the presence of a membrane-like structure, which is highly resistant against chemical treatment, at the region between cuticle and cortex of human hair. This may protect cortex from external stimuli more firmly than the surface part of cuticle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The management of tricuspid regurgitation (TR) during continuous-flow (CF) left ventricular assist device (LVAD) implant has remained controversial. We evaluated the effect of concomitant tricuspid valve (TV) repair during CF-LVAD implant on the early and late clinical outcomes in patients with end-stage heart failure. Between 2008 and 2020, 445 patients underwent 1st time CF-LVAD implant at our institution. Among these patients, 101 had concomitant TV repair, whereas 344 did not. The clinical outcomes between the two groups were evaluated after an adjustment with propensity-score (PS) matching based on age, gender, LVAD indication and device type, etiology of heart failure, and TR grade. The primary outcomes of interest were overall mortality and right heart failure during follow-up. The 1:1 PS-matching yielded matched 78 pairs of patients with and without concomitant TV repair. Cardio-pulmonary bypass (CPB) time was significantly longer in patients with TV repair than those without (127 ± 37 min vs. 96 ± 52 min; P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence of in-hospital mortality (9% vs 6%; P=0.548) or right ventricular (RV) failure (6% vs. 8%; P=0.754). The length of intensive care unit (P=0.018) and hospital stay (P=0.025) was significantly longer in the patients with concomitant TV repair than those without repair. The pre-LVAD TR grade was significantly higher in patients with TV repair than those without (2.9 ± 1.0 vs. 2.6 ± 0.8; P=0.023). However, the post-LVAD significant TR was found to be higher with patients without TV repair at the initial follow-up (2.0 ± 1.1 vs. 1.7 ± 0.9; P=0.032). During a median follow-up of 21.4 ± 20.4 months, post-LVAD overall mortality occurred in 22 (28%) and 23 (29%) patients with and without TV repair, respectively (Hazard ratio [HR], 1.07; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.95-1.94; P=0.82). The overall risk of re-admission from right heart failure was also comparable between the two groups (HR, 1.18; 95% CI 0.51-2.73; P=0.70). TV repair during CF-LVAD implant was associated with an increase in CPB time and overall hospital stay. However, TV repair did not confer clinical benefits in the early and long-term comparison. These study findings suggest that routine full-sternotomy approach may be avoided to manage TR during CF-LVAD implant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study that examined heteroepitaxial growth of silicon-carbon (SiC) polytypes, 3C- and 6hydrogen-SiC by chemical vapor deposition. Use of Raman spectra; Identification of the polytypes; Characteristic of the surfaces of 3C-SiC epilayers grown at high temperatures.

Reports on the fabrication of Schottky-barrier field-effect transistors (FET) of 3C-SiC grown by chemical vapor deposition. Use of triethylaluminum as a doping gas; Configuration of electrodes; Drain current-voltage characteristics of a 3C-SiC metal semiconductor FET (MESFET); Device structures of the MESFET.

Presents a study that evaluated the effect of ultraviolet preionization on carbon dioxide-laser-induced optical breakdown. Methodology; Measurement of the number of electrons; Analysis of the dependence of the electron number density on the krypton fluoride laser energy.

Analyzes the effect of ultraviolet preionization on the optical gas breakdown induced by a carbon dioxide laser pulse. Importance of seed electrons in optical gas breakdown; Results of the preliminary experiments; Details on the experimental setup.

Presents a study that applied the wavelet analysis to the human heart diagnosis. Application of the wavelet analysis to magnetocardiogram diagnosis; Conclusion.

Presents a study that developed a highly efficient chemical oxygen iodine laser (COIL) with industrial uses. Oscillation of the COIL; Design concept of the system; Efficiencies that characterize the COIL.

Objectives: The main histological change in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the villous proliferation of synovial lining cells, an important source of cytokines and chemokines, which are associated with inflammation. The aim of this study was to evaluate gene expression in the microdissected synovial lining cells of RA patients, using those of osteoarthritis (OA) patients as the control.Methods: Samples were obtained during total joint replacement from 11 RA and five OA patients. Total RNA from the synovial lining cells was derived from selected specimens by laser microdissection (LMD) for subsequent cDNA microarray analysis. In addition, the expression of significant genes was confirmed immunohistochemically.Results: The 14 519 genes detected by cDNA microarray were used to compare gene expression levels in synovial lining cells from RA with those from OA patients. Cluster analysis indicated that RA cells, including low- and high-expression subgroups, and OA cells were stored in two main clusters. The molecular activity of RA was statistically consistent with its clinical and histological activity. Expression levels of signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (STAT1), interferon regulatory factor 1 (IRF1), and the chemokines CXCL9, CXCL10, and CCL5 were statistically significantly higher in the synovium of RA than in that of OA. Immunohistochemically, the lining synovium of RA, but not that of OA, clearly expressed STAT1, IRF1, and chemokines, as was seen in microarray analysis combined with LMD.Conclusions: Our findings indicate an important role for lining synovial cells in the inflammatory and proliferative processes of RA. Further understanding of the local signalling in structural components is important in rheumatology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FDG PET/CT) was performed to detect any bone or extramedullary lesions. FDG PET/CT revealed a faint FDG accumulation in the left rib 3 months later; however, the pancreatic FDG uptake had completely disappeared (Fig. FDG PET/CT obtained 3 months after the introduction of chemotherapy showed faint FDG accumulation in the left ninth rib but complete disappearance of FDG accumulation in the pancreatic lesions (d). gl MS develops in ~9% of patients with AML as an early disease manifestation or in the relapsed setting; frequently observed following allo-SCT. [Extracted from the article]

We systematically studied the effects of metal electrodes on high-k/InGaAs gate stacks and observed that the remote reactions--both oxidation and reduction--at the interface between the high-k dielectrics and InGaAs were thermodynamically initiated by the metal electrodes. Metal electrodes with negative Gibbs free energies (e.g., Pd) resulted in the oxidation of the InGaAs surface during the forming-gas annealing. In contrast, with TiN electrodes, which have a positive Gibbs free energy, the native III-V oxides underwent the reduction between the high-k dielectrics and InGaAs. We demonstrated that the reduction of native III-V oxides by metal electrodes improved the interface quality of the high-k/InGaAs gate stacks and produced an interface trap density (Dit) at the mid-gap with a value as low as 5.2×1011 cm-2 eV-1 with a scaled capacitanceequivalent thickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims To improve the efficiency of asymmetric hydrolysis of 3-(4-chlorophenyl) glutaric acid diamide ( CGD) using a recombinant Comamonas sp. KNK3-7 amidase ( Co AM) produced in Escherichia coli. Methods and Results The Co AM gene was cloned, sequenced and found to comprise 1512 bp, encoding a polypeptide of 54 054 Da. Co AM-transformed E. coli were able to perform R-selective hydrolysis of CGD; however, complete conversion of 166·2 mmol l−1 CGD in 28 h could not be obtained. We attempted to optimize the reactivity of Co AM by mutating single amino acids in the substrate-binding domain. Notably, the methionine-substituted L146M mutant enzyme showed increased reactivity, completing the conversion of 166·2 mmol l−1 CGD in just 4 h. The Km value for L146M was lower than that of Co AM. Conclusions We succeeded in creating the L146M mutant of Co AM with increased substrate affinity and found that this was the best mutant for the hydrolysis of CGD. Significance and Impact of the Study Increasing the efficiency of hydrolysis of 3-substituted glutaric acid diamides is useful to improve the synthesis of optically active 3-substituted gamma-aminobutyric acid. This is the first report of efficient hydrolysis of CGD using amidase mutant-producing E. coli cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents case study of a 43-year-old woman with chronic painless ascites. She was diagnosed as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with secondary antiphospholipid antibody syndrome based on clinical symptoms and laboratory findings of butterfly rash, bicytopenia, and positive antinuclear antibodies, and she was treated with high-dose prednisolone. After treatment, portal vein thrombosis, acalculous cholecystitis, and pulmonary hypertension improved.

Safety countermeasures have been implemented in nuclear power plants in Japan under the new nuclear regulation. The importance of structural integrity of components which are attacked by tornado missile has been growing as one of the countermeasures. In the case of impact analysis for tornado missile, strain rate dependency needs to be considered in the stress strain relationship, which is different from static analysis. However, it is difficult to obtain the data of stress strain relationship which strain rate is over 103 s−1 due to the restriction of test equipment. Therefore, a new method to estimate strain rate dependency of stress strain relationship on the high strain rate condition was developed. An inverse analysis using the deformation data obtained by the Taylor impact test and FEM analysis was applied in the method. Stress strain relationship estimated by the method was verified by comparing it to Split Hopkinson Bar (SHB) test result. It was confirmed that the method could estimate strain rate dependency of stress strain relationship accurately. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents comments on the development of pathological dependence after intermittent use of sodium glutamate, but not sucrose or sodium chloride solutions. Topics include provide scientific evidence showing the involvement of the opioid system that led to pathological glutamate dependence; and to investigate whether intermittent consumption of sucrose, sodium chloride and monosodium glutamate solution can lead to development of pathological dependence with changes to opioid system.

Aims To investigate the effects of mannosylerythritol lipids (MELs) on the hydrophobicity of solid surfaces, their suppressive activity against the early infection behaviours of several phytopathogenic fungal conidia, and their suppressive activity against disease occurrences on fungal host plant leaves. Methods and Results The changes in the hydrophobicity of plastic film surfaces resulting from treatments with MEL solutions (MEL-A, MEL-B, MEL-C and isoMEL-B) and synthetic surfactant solutions were evaluated based on the changes in contact angles of water droplets placed on the surfaces. The droplet angles on surfaces treated with MELs were verified to decrease within 100 s after placement, with contact angles similar to those observed on Tween 20-treated surfaces, indicating decreases in surface hydrophobicity after MEL treatments. Next, conidial germination, germ tube elongation and the formation of appressorium of Blumeria graminis f. sp. tritici, Colletotrichum dematium, Glomerella cingulata and Magnaporthe grisea were evaluated on plastic surfaces that were pretreated with surfactant solutions. On the surfaces of MEL-treated plastic film, inhibition of conidial germination, germ tube elongation, and suppression of appressoria formation tended to be observed, although the level of effect was dependent on the combination of fungal species and type of MEL. Inoculation tests revealed that the powdery mildew symptom caused by B. graminis f. sp. tritici was significantly suppressed on wheat leaf segments treated with MELs. Conclusions MELs exhibited superior abilities in reducing the hydrophobicity of solid surfaces, and have the potential to suppress powdery mildew in wheat plants, presumably due to the inhibition of conidial germination. Significance and Impact of the Study This study provides significant evidence of the potential for MELs to be used as novel agricultural chemical pesticides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Material properties of two different aluminium alloys (ADC12 and AC4C) were investigated using cast samples produced by conventional gravity and pressure casting at various solidification rates. The microstructural characteristics and defect density vary depending on the cast sample. Those material characteristics affect directly the mechanical properties. The mechanical properties, including tensile strength and fatigue strength, are improved with increasing solidification rate, due to the fine grains, very small eutectic structures and low dislocation density. Tensile strength and ductility for the AC4C alloy are overall higher than those for the ADC12 alloy. The reason for this is attributed to mainly the lower volume fraction of brittle Si- and Fe-based eutectic structures. The mechanical properties are more sensitive to the eutectic structures than to the grain size, although both factors affect the properties significantly. Dimple based ductile fracture is the main feature for the AC4C alloy, while cleavage based brittle failure is the dominant feature for the ADC12 alloy. Severe lattice strain occurs around the cracks in the AC4C alloy because of the high ductility, whereas weak lattice strain occurs in the brittle ADC12 alloy. On the basis of the microstructural and defect characteristics of the cast aluminium alloys, their tensile properties could be approximated using a proposed formula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a vision-threatening disease characterized by choroidal fibrovascular membrane (FVM) formation, choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and choroidal fibrosis. No safe and effective therapeutic method has been developed for the choroidal fibrosis, although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor therapy can partially shrink the CNV. We recently reported that periostin (POSTN), which is produced by retinal pigment epithelial cells, has an important role in the formation of preretinal FVMs, but its role in choroidal FVMs has not been determined. In this study, we used Postn knockout mice to investigate the role played by POSTN in choroidal FVM formation. In addition, we used a new class of RNA interference (RNAi) agent (NK0144) that targets POSTN and determined its effect on choroidal FVM development. Genetic ablation of Postn had an inhibitory effect not only on CNV formation but also on choroidal fibrosis in a mouse CNV model. NK0144 also had a greater inhibitory effect on both the CNV and choroidal fibrosis than control RNAi with no apparent adverse effects. These findings suggest a causal relationship between POSTN and choroidal FVM formation, and also a potential therapeutic role of intravitreal NK0144 for AMD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study isoscalar (IS) and isovector (IV) densities in Ca 40 in comparison with theoretical densities calculated by Skyrme Hatree-Fock (HF) models. The charge symmetry breaking and the charge independence breaking forces are introduced to study the effect on the IV density. The effect of isospin mixing in the ground-state density is examined by using the particle-vibration coupling model taking into account the collective IV giant monopole excitation. We show a clear correlations in the IV density and isospin impurity of Ca 40 within the HF and the particle-vibration coupling model. We extract for the first time the experimental information of isospin impurity from the magnitude of IV density. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted MRI (DW-MRI) as an imaging biomarker for upper urinary tract cancer (UUTC) that has already metastasized or will metastasize soon. Methods: 61 patients clinically diagnosed with UUTC were prospectively enrolled in this study. All the patients underwent MRI, including DW-MRI, prior to any interventions. Correlations between apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) and other clinicopathological variables, including metastasis-free survival, were analysed. Results: Median follow-up period was 938 days. Of the 61 patients, 12 had any metastases at the initial diagnosis. 11 patients developed metastases during the follow-up period. These 23 patients were categorized as "Metastatic". Of the remaining 38 patients, 35 with a follow-up period longer than 400 days were categorized as "Localized". ADC was significantly lower in the Metastatic category than in the Localized (p = 0.0002) category. Multivariate analysis of pre-operative variables identified ADC (cut-off value, 1.08 x 10-3mm²s-1) and clinical T stage based on T2 weighted MRI as an independent predictive factor of metastatic UUTC. 46 patients without any metastases during the initial diagnosis were stratified into a high-risk group (16 patients with low ADC and clinical T3-4) and a low-risk group (30 patients with high ADC or clinical Ta-2). The 3-year metastasis-free survivals were 45% and 93%, respectively. Conclusion: In the current study, UUTC with lower ADC value is more likely to have metastatic potential. Incorporating ADC with clinical T stage helps to differentiate metastatic UUTC at the initial diagnosis. Advances in knowledge: DW-MRI is a potential imaging biomarker reflecting metastatic propensity of UUTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) is an important mediator in the pathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and hypertension. TNF-α inhibitors improve clinical symptoms and inhibit joint destruction in RA, but their effect on blood pressure (BP) has not been fully investigated. We measured 24-h BP using an ambulatory BP monitor in 16 RA patients treated with a TNF-α inhibitor, infliximab, to investigate its influence on BP and its association with the regulatory factors of BP and renin-angiotensin-aldosterone and sympathetic nervous systems. Infliximab significantly reduced the 24-h systolic BP (SBP) from 127.4±21.8 to 120.1±23.4 mm Hg (P<0.0001). Particularly, morning BP (0600-0800 h) decreased from 129.7±19.7 to 116.9±13.4 mm Hg (P<0.0001), and daytime BP decreased from 131.8±15.1 to 122.5±13.7 mm Hg (P<0.0001). Infliximab significantly reduced the plasma level of norepinephrine and plasma renin activity (PRA) (from 347.5±180.7 to 283.0±181.8 pg ml−1 and 2.6±2.7 to 2.1±2.9 ng ml−1 h−1, respectively) but did not significantly reduce the plasma levels of dopamine and epinephrine. The reduction in morning SBP correlated with the reduction in the norepinephrine level (P<0.05) but not with that in PRA and inflammatory parameters related to RA. This study shows the effect of infliximab on ambulatory BP, especially daytime BP, which may be partly accounted for by the reduction of sympathetic nerve activity after infliximab treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polymers have been widely used for biomedical purposes such as medical devices, tissue engineering scaffolds, and drug carriers for drug delivery system (DDS). Using polymers for such medical devices should be entirely sensible, as polymers are generally very soft, highly cost-effective, and relatively biocompatible. In order to encourage further development in the biocompatibility of the polymers for the enhanced use of the materials, the functionalization of the polymer surfaces has been deliberately introduced. Plasma modification is one of the most efficient ways for the surface treatment of polymers, since plasma treatment could selectively modify the chemical and the physical properties of the surface of the polymers by not affecting the original bulk characteristics of the polymers. Also, plasma surface modification offers shorter treatment time as compared with other surface modification methods. When plasma was applied to the polymer surface, functional groups, graft polymerization, coatings, and molecular crosslinking formation would be introduced with or without the change in the surface roughness of the polymer. The highly functionalized polymers by the plasma modifications would be effectively used for the materials in tissue engineering or drug delivery systems. In this paper, the fabrication and the characterization of polymers by several types of plasma treatments are reviewed, followed by the introduction of their applications to the materials in drug delivery systems and tissue engineering. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]