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Chemical evolution in molecular clouds in the interstellar medium is well established, with the identification of over 200 molecules and molecular ions. Among the classes of interstellar organic compounds found are the aldehydes. However, laboratory work on the aldehydes has scarcely kept pace with astronomical discoveries as little quantitative solid-phase infrared (IR) data have been published on any of the aldehydes, and the same is true for important properties such as density, refractive indices, and vapour pressures. In this paper, we examine the IR spectra of solid propanal (HC(O)CH2CH3, propionaldehyde), along with several physical properties, for both the amorphous and crystalline forms of the compound. The quantitative measurements we report, such as IR intensities and optical constants, will be useful in laboratory investigations of the formation and evolution of propanal-containing ices, will serve as benchmark data for theoretical investigations, and will inform observational studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We previously established a nanosized nasal vaccine delivery system by using a cationic cholesteryl group-bearing pullulan nanogel (cCHP nanogel), which is a universal protein-based antigen-delivery vehicle for adjuvant-free nasal vaccination. In the present study, we examined the central nervous system safety and efficacy of nasal vaccination with our developed cCHP nanogel containing pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA-nanogel) against pneumococcal infection in nonhuman primates. When [18F]-labeled PspA-nanogel was nasally administered to a rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), longer-term retention of PspA was noted in the nasal cavity when compared with administration of PspA alone. Of importance, no deposition of [18F]-PspA was seen in the olfactory bulbs or brain. Nasal PspA-nanogel vaccination effectively induced PspA-specific serum IgG with protective activity and mucosal secretory IgA (SIgA) Ab responses in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis). Nasal PspA-nanogel-induced immune responses were mediated through T-helper (Th) 2 and Th17 cytokine responses concomitantly with marked increases in the levels of miR-181a and miR-326 in the serum and respiratory tract tissues, respectively, of the macaques. These results demonstrate that nasal PspA-nanogel vaccination is a safe and effective strategy for the development of a nasal vaccine for the prevention of pneumonia in humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although many of the biological features of microfold cells (M cells) have been known for many years, the molecular mechanisms of M-cell development and antigen recognition have remained unclear. Here, we report that Umod is a novel M-cell-specific gene, the translation products of which might contribute to the uptake function of M cells. Transcription factor Spi-B was also specifically expressed in M cells among non-hematopoietic lineages. Spi-B-deficient mice showed reduced expression of most, but not all, other M-cell-specific genes and M-cell surface markers. Whereas uptake of Salmonella Typhimurium via M cells was obviously reduced in Spi-B-deficient mice, the abundance of intratissue cohabiting bacteria was comparable between wild-type and Spi-B-deficient mice. These data indicate that there is a small M-cell population with developmental regulation that is Spi-B independent; however, Spi-B is probably a candidate master regulator of M-cell functional maturation and development by another pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe the clinical features and MR-imaging findings of spontaneous spinal subarachnoid hemorrhage located in the lumbar spine associated with subdural hematoma at a higher, thoracic level in a 66-year-old man without neurological deficit. The sequential MR-imaging changes of hemorrhage at various stages in its evolution are portrayed. The possible pathogenetic mechanism for these very unusual, combined hemorrhages in both spinal compartments is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article focuses on a study conducted to investigate the use of liposomes for enhancing the ability of recombinant protein VP28, to fight the white spot disease (WSD) virus in kuruma shrimp. It reports the earlier studies done on the prevention and control of WSD, and discusses the benefits of strong biological reactivity of VP28. It also gives an overview of the experiments done during the study and explores their findings on the increase in survival rates of shrimps by liposomes use.

Abstract: Ultra-fine patterning of several ten nanometer pitch for semiconductor devices is required for higher integrations of circuit elements and, therefore, extremely high preciseness and quality are also required for patterning of microstructures on photo masks. A serious problem that causes the deterioration of pattern preciseness of photo mask is the deposition of micron or sub-micron particles, such as oil dusts, that generate from mechanical bearings of the spin processors in the grooves of the micro patterns. In this work, application of magnetic levitation utilizing high temperature superconducting (HTS) bulks to the spin processors for the photo mask production is proposed. To address this issue, a small size test spinner utilizing the magnetic levitation with the HTS bulks is developed to investigate its applicability to the spin processors for the photo mask production. The structure of the test spinner is presented and the results of levitation and rotation tests are reported in this paper. The test results show the basic compatibility of the magnetic levitation with the HTS bulks to the spin processor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We present the MR and histopathologic findings of fibrolipomatous hamartoma (FLH) of the ulnar nerve in a 54-year-old woman, a lipomatous process that rarely affects the ulnar nerve. The case illustrated is further unusual as a local soft tissue recurrent mass developed over a remarkably long course of the disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: Four cases of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging documented lumbar nerve root compression associated with a vacuum disc communicating with the epidural space are presented. OBJECTIVE: To give an insight into the mechanism of nerve root compression associated with vacuum disc phenomenon. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Few cases of lumbar radiculopathy resulting from epidural gas have been reported and illustrated using cross-sectional imaging studies. METHODS: The medical records, imaging examinations, and surgical findings (when available) of 4 symptomatic patients with epidural and intradiscal gas collections were reviewed. Three patients underwent surgery with needle aspiration of the epidural gas, and 1 patient was treated conservatively. RESULTS: Clinical symptoms of epidural gas cyst were similar to those of other more common causes of nerve root compression. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging findings showed intraspinal gas collection associated with a vacuum disc. One patient had an additional vertebral pneumatocyst. Although evacuation of intraspinal gas resulted in complete cure or major neurologic improvement in 3 patients, an initial period of observation is warranted because gas may disappear spontaneously as in 1 of our patients. All 4 patients recovered full motor and sensory functions of the lower extremities. One year later, patients were completely free of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Although the vacuum disc is considered a common imaging finding of no or not much pathologic significance, occasionally intradiscal gas may leak into the spinal canal. Detection of an epidural gaseous collection at the same level with a vacuum disc strongly suggests a communication between the intervertebral disc and the epidural space. Epidural gas collections can be implicated as a possible cause of radicular symptoms and should be considered in the differential diagnosis of lumbar radiculopathy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]