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Summary: Denosumab treatment of osteoporotic patients, except those with severe renal insufficiency, reduced cCa levels. Low baseline cCa, low estimated glomerular filtration rate, and high bone turnover increased the risk of lower cCa, while increasing bone mineral density. Pretreatment with antiresorptive agents was beneficial in reducing the risk of hypocalcemia.Introduction: Although denosumab-induced hypocalcemia has been frequently observed in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) stages 4-5D being treated with denosumab for osteoporosis, few studies have assessed the risk factors for serum-corrected calcium (cCa) reductions in patients with non-severe renal insufficiency. This study assessed the risk factors for reduced cCa concentration following denosumab administration and analyzed factors predictive of changes in bone mineral density (BMD).Methods: Seventy-seven osteoporotic patients, not including those with CKD stages 4-5D, were treated with 60 mg denosumab once every 6 months. Biochemical parameters and BMD were analyzed from prior to the initial dose until 1 month after the second dose.Results: Following the first administration of denosumab, cCa levels decreased, reaching a minimum on day 7. Multiple linear regression analyses showed that baseline cCa, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min/1.73 m2, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase-5b (TRACP-5b), and bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP) or pretreatment with antiresorptive agents were significant factors independently associated with the absolute reduction in cCa from baseline to day 7 (ΔcCa0-7 days). ΔcCa0-7 days after the second dose of denosumab was significantly lower than that after the first dose. After 6 months of denosumab treatment, both LS-BMD and FN-BMD significantly increased from baseline. LS-BMD and FN-BMD correlated significantly with baseline TRACP-5b or BAP and eGFR, respectively.Conclusions: Both low eGFR and high bone turnover were independent risk factors for denosumab-induced cCa decrement, and for increases in BMD. Pretreatment with antiresorptive agents may reduce the risk of hypocalcemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the preparation conditions of highly photosensitive hydrogenated amorphous silicon-carbon alloys from a glow discharge plasma. Applications of hydrogenated amorphous binary alloys; Details on the experiment; Discussion on the results of the study.

Summary: Serum undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC)/intact osteocalcin (iOC) ratio increased >1.0 in the patients undergoing hemodialysis, particularly in those with high bone turnover state. Consequently, serum ucOC/iOC ratio might lose its significance as a bone metabolic marker to indicate vitamin K deficiency in hemodialysis patients. Introduction: Serum intact osteocalcin (iOC), undercarboxylated OC (ucOC), and the ucOC/iOC ratio are considered clinically relevant indices in pre-dialysis chronic kidney disease (CKD) and hemodialysis (HD) patients, despite their accumulation in uremic serum. Methods: Serum iOC and ucOC were measured along with serum intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), bone alkaline phosphatase (BAP), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP)-5b in 89 pre-dialysis CKD and 189 HD patients. Results: Serum iOC and ucOC showed significantly negative correlations with estimated glomerular filtration rate in pre-dialysis CKD patients, although serum ucOC/iOC ratio did not correlate. Serum ucOC was significantly greater in HD patients than in pre-dialysis CKD patients, while serum iOC did not differ significantly, resulting in serum ucOC/iOC ratio >1.0 in 135 (71.4 %) out of 189 HD patients. HD patients with high serum ucOC/iOC ratio (>1.0) had a significantly younger age and significantly higher values of body mass index, serum creatinine, albumin, phosphate, iPTH, and TRACP-5b than those with low ucOC/iOC ratio (≤1.0). The baseline iPTH and P1NP correlated with the changes of the ucOC/iOC ratio during the 2 days of the inter-dialytic period. Multivariate analysis showed that log [ucOC/iOC] in HD patients was significantly associated with log [iPTH], log [BAP], or log [TRACP-5b]. Conclusions: Serum ucOC/iOC ratio >1.0 was observed in as high as 71.4 % of HD patients, preferentially with high bone turnover state, in comparison with pre-dialysis CKD patients. These data suggested that serum ucOC/iOC ratio might lose its significance as a bone metabolic marker to indicate vitamin K deficiency in HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Cortical porosity is increasingly recognized as an important risk for fracture in DM patients. The present study demonstrated that decreased cortical thickness, assessed using a newly developed quantitative ultrasonic bone densitometry, is a significant risk factor for vertebral fractures in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with stage 3 or higher chronic kidney disease, but not in those without. Introduction: Cortical porosity is increasingly recognized as an important risk factor for fracture in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients as well as in stage 3 chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients in whom serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) starts to increase. The present study aimed to clarify whether the coexistence of CKD might affect the relationship of decreased cortical thickness (CoTh) in the development of vertebral fractures (VF) in T2DM patients. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, trabecular bone mineral density (TrBMD), elastic modulus of trabecular bone (EMTb), and CoTh were estimated with a new quantitative ultrasound bone densitometry in 173 T2DM patients. VFs were identified radiographically. Results: Thirty-nine patients (22.5 %) had VF. Those with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) <60 mL/min/1.73 m (low eGFR) showed a significantly higher VF rate (32.4 %) than those with eGFR ≥60 mL/min/1.73 m (high eGFR, 16.2 %). Serum PTH was significantly higher with low eGFR than with high eGFR. In those with high eGFR, EMTb was significantly lower in VF(+) than VF(−). In those with low eGFR, TrBMD, EMTb, and CoTh were significantly lower in VF(+) than in VF(−). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, EMTb was independently and significantly associated with VF in T2DM patients with a high eGFR, in contrast to those with only CoTh with VF in T2DM with low eGFR. Conclusion: This study demonstrated CoTh as a factor independently associated with VF in T2DM patients with low eGFR and increasing serum PTH levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: We reported previously that serum parathyroid hormone [PTH(1–84)]/intact PTH[PTH(1–84) + PTH(7–84)] ratio provides the better marker for parathyroid function and bone turnover state than serum PTH level itself. The present study demonstrated that higher PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio, but not serum PTH(1–84) and intact PTH, predicted higher all-cause mortality in 177 male hemodialysis patients. Introduction: We reported that PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio provides a clinically relevant marker for parathyroid function and the resultant bone turnover state. The purpose of our study was to investigate the association of PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio with all-cause mortality (ACM) in male hemodialysis patients. Methods: The study was performed for 70 months. Serum PTH in 177 male hemodialysis patients was measured with PTH(1–84)-specific whole PTH assay and intact PTH assay which cross-reacts with N-truncated PTH including PTH(7–84). Results: The patients ( n = 177) were divided into higher and lower halves based on serum levels of PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio (cutoff value, 0.484), intact PTH (143.8 pg/mL), and PTH(1–84) (64.1 pg/mL). In Kaplan–Meier analysis, the higher group in whole PTH/intact PTH ratio had significantly higher ACM than the lower group ( P = 0.020 by log-rank test), in contrast with the insignificant difference between the higher and lower groups in intact PTH and PTH(1–84). Multivariate Cox regression hazard analysis identified higher log [PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio], but not log intact PTH or log PTH(1–84) as a significant independent predictor [hazard ratio 14.428 (95 % CI 2.486–83.728)] for ACM after adjustment for various factors including age, hemodialysis duration, presence/absence of diabetes mellitus, BMI, log C-reactive protein, serum albumin, calcium, and phosphate. The association existed between log [PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio] and ACM in those without vitamin D administration ( n = 95). Conclusion: Higher PTH(1–84)/intact PTH ratio, which provides a relevant marker for parathyroid function, may be a significant predictor of ACM in male hemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In cinacalcet treatment of hemodialysis (HD) patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT), not only intact parathyroid hormone (I-PTH), whole PTH (W-PTH), and bone markers, but also W-PTH/I-PTH ratio as proportion of active PTH(1-84) molecules were decreased. Changes in W-PTH/I-PTH ratio significantly correlated and predicted changes in bone marker. Introduction: Cinacalcet partly suppresses the secretion of PTH by enhancing PTH(1-84) degradation into N-truncated fragments. The objectives of this study is to investigate the significance of the N-truncated PTH/PTH(1-84) ratio for the prediction of the effect of cinacalcet in HD patients. Methods: Serum parameters were measured during 12 weeks of oral cinacalcet administration at 25 mg daily in 39 HD patients with SHPT. Results: Serum Ca, Pi, W-PTH, I-PTH, and W-PTH/I-PTH ratio all decreased significantly in a time-dependent manner during cinacalcet administration. Serum tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) 5b reflected these changes more precisely than serum N-telopeptide of type-I collagen. At 1 week, changes in I-PTH and W-PTH correlated significantly with those in serum Pi, but not Ca. Changes in serum Pi (but not Ca) and serum W-PTH also correlated significantly with changes in serum TRAP5b at both 4 and 12 weeks, while changes in serum I-PTH correlated significantly with those in serum TRAP5b only at 12 weeks. Changes in the serum W-PTH/I-PTH ratio correlated significantly with those in serum TRAP5b at both 4 and 12 weeks, and changes in serum W-PTH/I-PTH ratio at 4 weeks showed a tendency for a correlation with changes in serum TRAP5b at 12 weeks. HD patients with a reduced W-PTH/I-PTH ratio after 4 weeks had a significantly greater reduction of TRAP5b over 12 weeks. Conclusion: W-PTH and the W-PTH/I-PTH ratio allow estimation of the potency of cinacalcet in enhancement of PTH degradation, and thus no less reliable markers than I-PTH for reflecting cinacalcet-induced bone resorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Combination therapy with adefovir dipivoxil (ADV) and lamivudine (LAM) is recommended for patients infected with LAM-refractory hepatitis B virus (HBV). However, the effects of such therapy on renal function and serum phosphorus levels have not been fully evaluated. Combination therapy with ADV and LAM was given to 37 patients infected with LAM-refractory HBV, including 17 with hepatic cirrhosis. Serum HBV DNA levels decreased to below 2.6 log10 copies/mL in 23 (62%) of 37 patients at 12 months, 25 (78%) of 32 patients at 24 months, and 16 (84%) of 19 patients at 36 months. Except for one cirrhotic patient, serum alanine aminotransferase levels were below 50 IU/L in all patients during combination therapy. Serum creatinine levels increased in 14 (38%) of 37 patients, and serum phosphate levels decreased to below 2.5 mg/mL in 6 (16%) of 37 patients during combination therapy. Patients who received combination therapy for 36 months or longer had a significantly incidence of elevated serum creatinine levels. Fanconi syndrome occurred in a 57-year-old woman with cirrhosis after ADV was added to LAM. Combination therapy with ADV and LAM can maintain biochemical remission in patients with LAM-refractory HBV. However, the dosing interval of ADV should be adjusted according to renal function and serum phosphate levels in patients receiving long-term treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmonic resistive multipliers that exploit the unique current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Ag/Ge–(Sb)–Te/Pt resistive‐switching devices are demonstrated. For a Ge17Sb29Te54‐based device, an antisymmetric non‐linear I–V curve with a hump‐like structure at ±0.4 V is obtained, whereas for a Ge51Te49‐based device, an asymmetric non‐linear I–V curve with SET switching at +0.4 V and RESET switching at –0.1 V is observed. The Ge17Sb29Te54‐based device performs third harmonic multiplication for a 160 MHz input at 0 dBm, and sixth harmonic multiplication at 5 dBm under unbiased conditions without any matching circuit. For the latter device, biasing at a voltage of ±0.4 V leads to fifth harmonic multiplication, which is absent for a 0 dBm input under unbiased conditions. No harmonic multiplication is observed for an unbiased Ge51Te49‐based device due to its high resistance, but biasing at the switching voltage of 0.4 V leads to fourth harmonic multiplication for a 0 dBm input. The unique non‐linear characteristics of these devices suggest their potential for radio frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the serum calcium and glomerular filtration rate decreased, the proportion of active PTH(1–84) molecules in PTH immunoreactivity increased in serum from predialysis uremic patients, particularly those with vitamin D insufficiency. The PTH(1–84) fraction was altered in predialysis patients with chronic renal failure (CRF). Serum PTH in predialysis CRF patients without any medication was measured by PTH(1–84)-specific whole PTH assay and intact PTH assay cross-reacting with N-truncated PTH. In CRF patients, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) correlated positively with serum Ca and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25(OH)2D), and inversely with serum Pi, log intact PTH, and log whole PTH. In multiple regression analysis, including age, gender, body mass index, GFR, Ca, and Pi and 1,25(OH)2D as independent variables, serum Ca and GFR associated significantly with serum log whole PTH and intact PTH. Serum log whole PTH/intact PTH ratio, which increased as serum Ca and GFR decreased, retained a negative correlation in those with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 20 ng/ml, but not in those above 20 ng/ml. The ratio also correlated positively with serum log tartrate-resistant acid-phosphatase-5b, log cross-linked N-telopeptide of type-I collagen, and log bone alkaline-phosphatase. As GFR declined with suppression of serum Ca, the proportion of active PTH molecules increased in predialysis CRF patients, particularly those with vitamin D insufficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuropilin-1 (NRP1) functions as a coreceptor through interaction with plexin A1 or vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor during neuronal development and angiogenesis. NRP1 potentiates the signaling pathways stimulated by semaphorin 3A and VEGF-A in neuronal and endothelial cells, respectively. In this study, we investigate the role of tumor cell-expressed NRP1 in glioma progression. Analyses of human glioma specimens (WHO grade I–IV tumors) revealed a significant correlation of NRP1 expression with glioma progression. In tumor xenografts, overexpression of NRP1 by U87MG gliomas strongly promoted tumor growth and angiogenesis. Overexpression of NRP1 by U87MG cells stimulated cell survival through the enhancement of autocrine hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF)/c-Met signaling. NRP1 not only potentiated the activity of endogenous HGF/SF on glioma cell survival but also enhanced HGF/SF-promoted cell proliferation. Inhibition of HGF/SF, c-Met and NRP1 abrogated NRP1-potentiated autocrine HGF/SF stimulation. Furthermore, increased phosphorylation of c-Met correlated with glioma progression in human glioma biopsies in which NRP1 is upregulated and in U87MG NRP1-overexpressing tumors. Together, these data suggest that tumor cell-expressed NRP1 promotes glioma progression through potentiating the activity of the HGF/SF autocrine c-Met signaling pathway, in addition to enhancing angiogenesis, suggesting a novel mechanism of NRP1 in promoting human glioma progression.Oncogene (2007) 26, 5577–5586; doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1210348; published online 19 March 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RATIONALE AND OBJECTIVES: Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) is a potent regenerative factor generated after a lung injury, and HGF supplementation after surgical reduction has been shown to enhance compensatory growth in remnant lungs and improve pathophysiologic conditions in a rat model of emphysema. Adipose tissue-derived stromal cells (ASCs) produce a large amount of angiogenic factors, including HGF. After lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS), we treated rats by implanting HGF-secreting ASCs with a scaffold onto the remnant lung tissue to determine the usefulness of this technique for treating respiratory dysfunction. Methods and MAIN RESULTS: Cells were isolated from rat inguinal adipose tissue and characterized by flow cytometry. ASCs were cultured on a polyglycolic acid felt sheet as a sealant material, and were shown to secrete significantly greater amounts of HGF than other angiogenic factors. Next, ASCs on polyglycolic acid felt sheets were used to cover the cut edge of the remaining lungs after LVRS for emphysema in rats. One week after implantation of the ASCs, both alveolar and vascular regeneration were significantly accelerated as compared with the rats that underwent LVRS alone. Consequently, gas exchange and exercise tolerance were also significantly restored, with these good results persisting for more than 1 mo. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings demonstrate the therapeutic potential of cell therapy using ASCs with a scaffold for selective delivery of HGF to remnant lungs, which resulted in enhancement of compensatory growth, after surgical resection. This approach may provide a new strategy for lung tissue engineering to improve LVRS outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 23 is a recently identified circulating factor that regulates phosphate (Pi) metabolism. Since the derangement of Pi control is an important risk factor for vascular calcification, we investigated the importance of plasma FGF-23 in the development of vascular calcification in the aorta and peripheral artery in hemodialysis patients with and without diabetes mellitus (DM). Male hemodialysis patients with DM ( n=32) and without DM ( n=56) were examined. Plasma samples were obtained before the start of dialysis sessions, and the FGF-23 levels were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Roentgenography of the aorta and hand artery was performed, and visible vascular calcification was evaluated by one examiner, who was blinded to the patient characteristics. In the 56 non-DM hemodialysis patients, vascular calcification was found in the hand artery in 5 patients (8.9%) and in the aorta in 23 patients (41.1%). These levels were significantly lower ( p<0.05) than in the 32 DM patients, of whom, 19 (59.4%) and 21 (65.6%) had vascular calcification of the hand artery and aorta, respectively. Multiple regression analyses performed separately in the non-DM and DM patients showed that the plasma FGF-23 level, Ca×Pi product, and body weight are independent factors significantly associated with hand-artery calcification and that diastolic blood pressure is associated with aorta calcification in non-DM patients. In DM patients, the plasma FGF-23 level and hemodialysis duration emerged as independent factors associated with hand-artery calcification and diastolic blood pressure was associated with aorta calcification. The independent association of the plasma FGF-23 level with hand-artery calcification was retained in both non-DM and DM patients when adjusted for the Ca×Pi product. Our findings show that the plasma FGF-23 level is an independent factor negatively associated with peripheral vascular calcification in the hand artery, but not in the aorta, in both male non-DM and DM hemodialysis patients, even when adjusted for the Ca×Pi product. This study raises the possibility that the plasma FGF-23 level may provide a reliable marker for Moenckeberg’s medial calcification in male hemodialysis patients, independent of its regulatory effect on Pi metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The long-period instrumental noise (parasitic mode) of a superconducting gravimeter (SG) is investigated using observational data from the SG installed at Matsushiro, Japan. Although the mode emerges as a persistent peak in gravity spectra, the intensity of the peak is found to be variable with time and correlated well with the spectra of the SG’s tilt. Assuming resonant excitation of the parasitic mode by tilt, it is shown that the observed spectra could be consistently interpreted if the mode is a rotational motion of the superconducting sphere. It is unlikely that the existence of the parasitic mode is responsible for the enhanced noise level of the SG in seismic normal mode band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A scanning tunneling microscopy study has revealed that 532 nm laser pulses of fluences well below melt and ablation thresholds induce electronic bond rupture of Si-dimers on the Si(001)-(2x1), resulting in the formation of single dimer-vacancies followed by progressive growth into vacancy clusters. The rate of bond rupture on the intrinsic (2x1) structure shows super-linearity with respect to excitation intensity, and saturates as the number of vacancies reaches a few percent, relative to total dimer sites. The mechanism of laser-induced bond rupture is discussed based on these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of fatal mediastinal hemorrhage in a 20-year-old man caused by rupture of the major aortopulmonary collateral arteries (MAPCAs). The patient had an unoperated tetralogy of Fallot with pulmonary atresia. Plain chest radiograph and computed tomography showed a large hematoma in the upper mediastinum. Previous cardiac angiography, performed 6 years previously, demonstrated markedly tortuous vascular structures arising from the inferior aspect of the aortic arch. In this case, the mediastinal hemorrhage was thought to be due to rupture of the MAPCAs. If a patient presents with sudden cardiac arrest and mediastinal dilatation, and unoperated congenital heart disease is suggested by a plain chest film, the radiologist should consider the possibility, although rare, of mediastinal hemorrhage resulting from rupture of the MAPCAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The level of anxiety was examined before treatment by means of the Manifest Anxiety Scale (MAS) in 41 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. They received 5 days of neoadjuvant chemotherapy with cisplatin (CDDP) and 5-fluorouracil (5FU). Granisetron (KYT) was administered daily from day 1 to day 5. Nausea, vomiting, appetite, and well-being were assessed during and after chemotherapy. The relation between the effects of KYT and anxiety was studied. Seventeen patients were proven to have anxiety and were compared with the other 24 patients. In patients with anxiety, the percentage well-being was significantly lower on days 1 and 2 (P=0.008, 0.001). The rate of freedom from nausea was significantly lower from day 4 to day 9 for anxiety patients (P=0.010-0.050). The percentage of anxiety patients without loss of appetite was significantly lower from day 6 to 9 (p=0.001-0.020). The rate of freedom from vomiting was significantly lower on days 4, 5 and 7 for anxiety patients (P=0.024, 0.024, 0.014). The results indicate that the effect of KYT was significantly lower from day 3 to day 7 for anxiety patients (P=0.008-0.045). The anxiety group had significantly poorer well-being at the beginning of chemotherapy, and were not responsive to KYT in the delayed phase. Our results prove that anxiety patients show delayed emesis, and the administration of KYT is considered insufficient. It may be important to co-administer a tranquilizer to any patient who exhibit anxiety as defined by the MAS, in order to reduce delayed emesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Covalent immobilization of heparin has been developed to reduce the amount of heparin administered systematically during long-term dialysis. Recently, it was doubted partially because of the complexion during immobilization process. In this study, we investigated a novel method for specific immobilization of heparin on polysulfone (PSF) via free electron laser (FEL) irradiation. Laser wavelengths of 6.18 or 6.31 μm, the typical absorption bands of carboxyl groups of heparin and aromatic rings in PSF, respectively, were chosen to irradiate the thin heparin membrane formed on PSF surfaces. The amount of heparin immobilized on PSF was measured by the toluidine blue method. The binding of heparin on PSF was analyzed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The immobilization of heparin resulted in a hydrophilic surface on which decreased platelet adhesion was observed. The efficiency differences, depending on laser wavelengths, were discussed from the point of view of structural and environmental differences of light-absorbing groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ultrasonic particle arrangement method was used for the fabrication of composite materials with layer or lattice structures. Guest particles were periodically arranged in a host solution by using ultrasonic standing waves, and then the solution was solidified to obtain a solid composite material. The sample cell was rotated during the solidification process to prevent particle sedimentation. Polymer, glass, or metal particles with various shapes were ultrasonically arranged in a polysiloxane resin, which was useful as a host material due to its simple solidification process and suitability for forming fine structures. Composite materials with periodic structures were successfully fabricated by this method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposes a method for the modification of polysulfone with ammonium sulfamate with the assistance of argon ion irradiation with a multi-source cluster deposition apparatus. Ion irradiation on polymers; Description of multi-beam instrument; In vitro adhesion of platelet on polymer surface.

A novel unnatural amino acid, L-3-(3-N-ethylcarbazolyl)alanine, was synthesized and used for synthesis of a chiral dialkylammonium-type amphiphile. The synthetic amphiphile formed a vesicular assembly in aqueous dispersion showing gel-liquid crystalline phase transition around 25 °C. The bilayer membrane composed of the amphiphile was nearly free from excimer as evidenced by fluorescence spectroscopy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of defects in a dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) membrane on Ca permeability across the membrane was studied. Addition of teleocidin to a suspension of DPPC vesicles encapsulating Quin 2 increased the fluorescence intensity of Quin 2. Change of fluorescence intensity was significant below the phase-transition temperature of the membrane, and increased according to the kind of divalent metal ions in the medium in the order of Mg

The article presents case study of a 4-year-old boy who was diagnosed with X-linked ichthyosis, complicated by short stature, bone density reduction, epilepsy, and cryptorchidism. It mentions information on the identification of the present base change expands the spectrum of known mutations of STS in X-linked ichthyosis. It presents information on different types of epilepsy syndromes.

A letter to the editor is presented concerning a case of phosphaturic mesenchymal tumor.

Polycrystalline GaN layers were grown on W, Mo, Ta, and Nb metal substrates by gas-source molecular-beam epitaxy using an ion-removal, electron-cyclotron-resonance radical cell. X-ray diffraction rocking curves showed preferential GaN(0002) or GaN(10-11) orientations. The grain sizes ranged from 100 to 800 nm. Strong photoluminescence (PL) emission without yellow luminescence was observed from these polycrystalline GaN layers. At 77 K, PL peaks at 3.46 and 3.26 eV were observed, and their temperature dependence fit a simple relation based on the number of phonons. The higher-energy peak probably was due to the free excitonic transition in hexagonal GaN. © 2001 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normal variants of the venous system are relatively common and rarely cause severe symptoms. We report the case of a 5-month-old baby who displayed cyanotic color and swelling of arms whenever she was carried on the mother's back with a special band "Obui-himo". It was demonstrated by venography that the symptoms were caused by the absence of a cephalic vein and compression of axillary veins with the Obui-himo. In any country with a custom similar to the Obui-himo, these symptoms, if clinically encountered, are an indication that venography should be performed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly photoconductive hydrogenated amorphous Si-Ge alloys have been prepared from a SiH4/GeH4 gas mixture using a triode glow-discharge reactor. High photoconductivity (Δσp[bar_over_tilde:_approx._equal_to]10-4 Ω-1 cm-1) under the AM1 (100 mW/cm2) illumination and low dark conductivity (σd=10-8–10-9 Ω-1 cm-1) have been obtained for the optical gap in the range between 1.5 and 1.7 eV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Harmonic resistive multipliers that exploit the unique current–voltage (I–V) characteristics of Ag/Ge–(Sb)–Te/Pt resistive-switching devices are demonstrated. For a Ge17Sb29Te54-based device, an antisymmetric non-linear I–V curve with a hump-like structure at ±0.4 V is obtained, whereas for a Ge51Te49-based device, an asymmetric non-linear I–V curve with SET switching at +0.4 V and RESET switching at –0.1 V is observed. The Ge17Sb29Te54-based device performs third harmonic multiplication for a 160 MHz input at 0 dBm, and sixth harmonic multiplication at 5 dBm under unbiased conditions without any matching circuit. For the latter device, biasing at a voltage of ±0.4 V leads to fifth harmonic multiplication, which is absent for a 0 dBm input under unbiased conditions. No harmonic multiplication is observed for an unbiased Ge51Te49-based device due to its high resistance, but biasing at the switching voltage of 0.4 V leads to fourth harmonic multiplication for a 0 dBm input. The unique non-linear characteristics of these devices suggest their potential for radio frequency applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]