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Aims.The CANGAROO-II telescope observed sub-TeV gamma-ray emission from the nearby starburst galaxy NGC 253. The emission region was extended with a radial size of 0.3–0.6 degree. On the contrary, HESS could not confirm this emission and gave upper limits at the level of the CANGAROO-II flux. In order to resolve this discrepancy, we analyzed new observational results for NGC 253 by CANGAROO-III and also assessed the results by CANGAROO-II.

Charge disproportionation (CD) recently observed in many organic conductors is reviewed. CD is closely related to the charge ordering (CO) but is observed even when no long range CO is established. In a $\theta $-phase BEDT-TTF salt, (BEDT-TTF)2RbZn(SCN)4, an extremely slow dynamics of CD has been observed above TMI. A similar phenomenon is also observed in the Cs-analog, (BEDT-TTF)2CsZn(SCN)4. However, a spin-singlet ground state without CD is suggested in this salt at low temperatures. It is shown that α-(BETS)2I3exhibits CD at low temperatures, as in α-(BET-TTF)2I3. Recently, an abnormal line broadening has been observed in 13C-NMR of (TMTSF)2FSO3under pressure as well as in 77Se-NMR of λ-(BETS)2FeCl4in a high field. We expect that both are very likely caused by a large CD among the organic molecular sites.

Mellitate anions form hydrogen-bonding infinite networks in the salts with pyridinium cations. The network pattern depends on the number of deprotonation ($n)$from the mellitic acid; for n= 3, triangular hydrogen-bond units form a two-dimensional sheet, while for n= 2, dual hydrogen-bond units induce one-dimensional belts or two-dimensional grids. These self-organizing properties have been utilized for the crystal design of the TTF-type radical cation salts. Crystallization with TMTTF gave two kinds of crystals. One of the radical cation salt crystals consists of a channel network of the anions and one-dimensional columns of TMTTF in the channels. In the other TMTTF salt, the anions with $n = 1$form a two-dimensional sheet with methanol molecules. The TMTTF radicals are packed between the sheets with their molecular planes parallel to the anion planes. Key words.Hydrogen-bond – mellitate anion – crystal design – radical cation salt – infinite network.

TeV gamma-rays were recently detected from the nearby normal spiral galaxy NGC 253 (Itoh et al. [CITE]). Observations to detect the Cherenkov light images initiated by gamma-rays from the direction of NGC 253 were carried out in 2000 and 2001 over a total period of ~150 hours. The orientation of images in gamma-ray–like events is not consistent with emission from a point source, and the emission region corresponds to a size greater than 10 kpc in radius. Here, detailed descriptions of the analysis procedures and techniques are given.

The efficacy of thiopurines, including azathioprine (AZA) and 6-mercaptopurine (6MP), has been demonstrated for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The most common and serious adverse event of treatment with thiopurines altered by doctors is leukopenia. Hair loss is also a serious event that could be a critical reason for patients to decline thiopurine treatment. Thiopurine-induced severe hair loss causes cosmetic problems, and it takes a long time to recover. In a recent study, NUDT15 R139C was strongly associated with thiopurine-induced leukopenia in Korean and Caucasian populations. In this study, we performed an association study to investigate and replicate the association of R139C with adverse events of thiopurines in Japanese patients. A total of 142 Japanese patients with IBD, with histories of thiopurine treatment, were examined. NUDT15 R139C was genotyped using a custom TaqMan genotyping assay. Adverse events including leukopenia were reviewed from medical records. The 6MP dose was adjusted to AZA equivalents by multiplying with 2 as a thiopurine dose. Five patients developed severe hair loss and all of them were risk homozygous (T/T) for R139C. No early severe hair loss was observed in patients with the C/T or C/C genotype (P=3.82 × 10-16, odds ratio=212). The association of R139C with early (<8 weeks) leukopenia (white blood cells<3000 mm-3), which was previously reported in Korean patients, was replicated in our Japanese IBD cohort (P=1.92 × 10-16, odds ratio=28.4). However, we could not confirm the association with late leukopenia in the Japanese subjects. Patients with the C/T genotype discontinued treatment or required thiopurine dose reduction significantly earlier than patients with the C/C genotype (P=1.45 × 10-4); however, on manipulating the doses, there was no significant difference in the thiopurine continuation rates between the groups. In the maintenance period, the frequencies of 6MP usage were higher, and the doses of thiopurines were significantly lower in patients with the C/T genotype than in those with the C/C genotype (0.574±0.316?mg kg-1per day vs 1.03±0.425?mg kg-1per day, P=6.21 × 10-4). NUDT R139C was significantly associated with early severe hair loss in Japanese patients with IBD. We also verified the previously reported association of R139C with early leukopenia in a different East Asian population. It is recommended that treatment with thiopurines should be avoided for patients with the T/T genotype. Low-dose 6MP (0.2–0.3?mg kg-1per day) could be used rather than AZA for the patients with C/T genotype to continue thiopurine treatments. However, late leukopenia and other several adverse events could not be completely predicted by R139C genotypes.

We report the TeV gamma-ray observations of the nearby normal spiral galaxy NGC 253. At a distance of ~2.5 Mpc, NGC 253 is one of the nearest starburst galaxies. This relative closeness, coupled with the high star formation rate in the galaxy, make it a good candidate TeV gamma-ray source. Observations were carried out in 2000 and 2001 with the CANGAROO-II 10 m imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescope. TeV gamma-ray emission is detected at the ~$11\sigma$level with a flux of $(7.8 \pm 2.5)\times 10^{-12}~{\rm cm}^{-2}\,{\rm s}^{-1}$at energies >0.5 TeV. The data indicate that the emission region is broader than the point spread function of our telescope.

We show the first production of a copper (Cu) application film (AF) consisting of a novel network of crystalline metallic Cu embedded with copper-phosphorus-oxygen glasses (Cu 2(PO4) and Cu 2P2O 7) to provide new feedstock materials for crystalline silicon (Si) photovoltaics (PVs). The Cu crystal network was preferentially grown in AF, and thus, a Cu AF with low-electrical resistivity was formed in air at elevated temperatures of ≥ 450°C by using a copper-phosphorus (Cu-P) alloy paste as a starting material for the sintering. The Cu-P alloy had the role that governed deoxidization of a cuprous oxide, which was formed on heating during the sintering, by virtue of a concurrent oxidation of the Cu phosphide at elevated temperatures. Our results may open the way to the widespread use of atmospherically sintered Cu AFs for mass-production of next-generation crystalline Si PVs.

Electron spin transmission across ferromagnetic metal/semiconductor interfaces with different ferromagnetic contacts, i.e., Fe and FeGa, is studied using optical spin orientation method. The bias dependence of spin dependent photocurrent, which is the difference between the photocurrents excited with left- and right- handed circularly polarized lights, is found to show a dip-like feature at -0.058 and 0.021 V for Fe and FeGa contacts, respectively. The origin of the bias dependence of the spin dependent photocurrent is discussed on the basis of the Breit-Wigner type resonant tunneling process via interface resonant states, comparing the results for the both contacts. The results also indicate that the control of interface states is crucial to achieve efficient spin filtering effect at the ferromagnet/semiconductor interfaces.

Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) can be separated into two types: DAVF which drains through an affected sinus (sinus type) and DAVF with direct reflux to the cortical vein (non-sinus type). The present report attempted to clarify the mechanism of formation and development of DAVF focusing on the emissary vein (EV) hypothesis.First, inflammation occurs at the penetrating point of the EV on the dura due to idiopathic or secondary causes. Local inflammatory reactions induce vessel dilatation and neovascularization, and subsequently create arteriovenous (AV) connections on the arteriole level. Although EV communicating with dural arteries might play a role as draining routes at first, they start to degrade due to compression of enlarged emissary arteries or to a hemodynamic shift to the drainage pathway of least resistance. Following the occlusion of drainage pathway through EV into the sinus or cortical veins may form, resulting in clinically detectable DAVF. The AV shunt then expands to the surrounding dura associated with recruitment of feeders from distant sites induced by expression of angiogenetic factors and a shift in the hemodynamic balance. In sinus type DAVF, the sinus is progressively compartmentalized and finally occludes due to thrombogenesis with activated coagulopathy or to hemodynamic hypertrophy of the sinus wall. This progression results in the mature, aggressive DAVF with drainage impairments. Previous mechanistic hypotheses focusing on sinus hypertension and sinus thromboses cannot explain the pathogenesis of non-sinus type of DAVF. Although the etiology of DAVF may be concerned by the thrombo-occlusive change of sinus, the unique theory presented in this report may enable an understanding of the common etiology of both types of DAVF.

In order to examine the possibility of (persistent) carrier doping to molecular crystals by light exposure, some different types of molecular crystals containing photoreactive species are synthesized and characterized. The [ Ru(bpy)3] 2+cation (bpy = 2,2'-bipyridyl) yielded two different new complexes with [ Ni(dmit)2] -radical species, both of which were structurally characterized and turned out to be band insulators. Methy viologen (MV) has been found to yield a new phase of the complex with [ Ni(dmit)2] -, MV[ Ni(dmit)2] 2. The temperature dependences of electrical resistivity (decreasing with lowering temperature down to 1.0 K) and magnetic susceptibility (Pauli paramagnetism from 300 K to 1.8 K with a hysteresis below ∼100 K) clearly indicate that this phase is metallic. The thermoelectric power exhibited ∼0 μVK-1from 300 K-4.2 K. This phase turned out to be metastable, and the crystals gradually turned into insulating ones. The effects of UV-VIS light exposure to the conducting and magnetic properties of Ag(DMe-DCNQI)2have been studied, and clear differences between the exposed and the pristine crystals were observed. The ESR signal at 3.7 K suggested that the exposed sample should include the Ag(0) species. Key words.Photoreaction – doping – conductivity.

We obtained three conducting crystals based on a [ FeIII(Pc)(CN)2] molecular unit. All crystals showed a large anisotropic negative magnetoresistance arising from the $\pi $-d interaction self-contained in the [ FeIII(Pc)(CN)2] unit. The anisotropy is attributable to the anisotropic g-tensor in the [ FeIII(Pc)(CN)2] unit. We also obtained a thin film containing [ FeII(Pc)(CN)2] . The film exhibits photocurrent response for the UV irradiation. These features suggest [ M(Pc)(CN)2] molecular unit is a well-designed one for a building block of molecular devices. Key words.Molecular electronics – phthalocyanine – $\pi $-d system – thin film.

The catheter kickback phenomenon often occurs in the last stage of coil packing for cerebral aneurysms. This behavior is considered the result of either a lack of space in the sac or a stiff detaching zone. In order to clarify its mechanism, focused stretch-resistance (SR) coil simulation models were tested.Various commercially available SR coils were inserted into a cylinder or an aneurismal sac made from a silicone tube with a smaller than prescribed diameter. A magnified SR coil model (straight type) of fishing line was created for simulation. Numerical analysis for the changes in coil behavior were verified.All SR coils showed hardening and straightening at the last few millimeters, resulting in catheter kickback. In a magnified coil experiment, straightening was also realized when folding into a narrow cylinder.The SR line coursed in the canal of the first loops and shifted to the outside in the middle portion. Gaps among first coil pitches were enlarged on after insertion into the narrower space. Shortage of the SR line was calculated to reach a maximum of 32%.The straightening phenomenon is due to SR line shortening and subsequent condensation of pitches of the first loops at the coil end. Coil tail flexibility was lost, and the coil behaved as a stiff wire.Straightening is an important factor in the kickback phenomenon. Shorter final SR coils should be selected, and coil designs should be improved.

Periprocedural hypotension, which frequently occurs during carotid artery stenting (CAS), is an important risk factor for complications such as stroke or death after CAS.To determine if a scoring model can be established to predict periprocedural hypotension (systolic blood pressure < or = 90 mm Hg) and prolonged periprocedural hypotension (requiring vasopressor for > 3 hours) in CAS, we conducted a prospective cohort study of patients undergoing interventional treatment of cervical carotid artery stenosis in an urban tertiary referral hospital from April 2006 to April 2007.Forty-eight stenotic lesions in 45 consecutive patients treated with CAS were included in the study. Multivariate analysis showed three independent risk factors of periprocedural hypotension; “fibrous plaque on Virtual Histology” (P = 0.029), “stenotic lesion involving both the common carotid artery and internal carotid artery on angiogram” (P = 0.004), and “patients without history of diabetes mellitus” (P = 0.020). Further, “distance between carotid bifurcation and point of minimum lumen size < or = 10 mm on angiogram” (P = 0.003) was an independent risk factor of prolonged periprocedural hypotension. Carotid morphologic autonomic pathologic score (carotid MAPS), determined by adding one point for each of those risk factors (total 0 to 4), had good discrimination for both periprocedural hypotension (area under receiver operating characteristic curve: ROC AUC = 0.876; SE 0.053) and prolonged periprocedural hypotension (ROC AUC = 0.811; SE 0.066).Carotid MAPS is useful for predicting periprocedural hypotension and prolonged periprocedural hypotension during CAS.

To examine the origin of intestinal mucosal T cells and, in particular, unconventional CD8αα+T cells, we have undertaken a thorough analysis of the gut immune compartment in euthymic and athymic mice carrying either wild-type or mutant transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt). We identified a previously unrealized complexity of gut cryptopatch (CP) cells that challenges the previous assertion that CP cells comprise RORγt-expressing adult counterparts of fetal lymphoid tissue inducer (Lti) cells. We showed that many CP cells express intermediate T cell differentiation markers, whether or not they express RORγt, and found that CPs are not completely dependent on RORγt, as previously reported, but merely fewer in number in the RORγt-deficient condition. Indeed, c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγt−cells inside the CP and c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγt−and c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγtlowcells outside the CP basically remain in the gut mucosa of RORγt-deficient RORγtEGFP/EGFPmice. Consistent with these non-Lti-like c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−cells being gut T cell progenitors, RORγt-deficient mice develop the normal number of intestinal mucosal T cells. These results clearly reassert the intraintestinal differentiation of the body's largest peripheral T cell subpopulation.Mucosal Immunology (2008) 1, 198–207; doi:10.1038/mi.2008.4

To examine the origin of intestinal mucosal T cells and, in particular, unconventional CD8αα+T cells, we have undertaken a thorough analysis of the gut immune compartment in euthymic and athymic mice carrying either wild-type or mutant transcription factor retinoic acid-related orphan receptor-γt (RORγt). We identified a previously unrealized complexity of gut cryptopatch (CP) cells that challenges the previous assertion that CP cells comprise RORγt-expressing adult counterparts of fetal lymphoid tissue inducer (Lti) cells. We showed that many CP cells express intermediate T cell differentiation markers, whether or not they express RORγt, and found that CPs are not completely dependent on RORγt, as previously reported, but merely fewer in number in the RORγt-deficient condition. Indeed, c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγt−cells inside the CP and c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγt−and c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−RORγtlowcells outside the CP basically remain in the gut mucosa of RORγt-deficient RORγtEGFP/EGFPmice. Consistent with these non-Lti-like c-kit+IL-7R+Lin−cells being gut T cell progenitors, RORγt-deficient mice develop the normal number of intestinal mucosal T cells. These results clearly reassert the intraintestinal differentiation of the body's largest peripheral T cell subpopulation.

A charge‐transfer complex of 2,5‐dimethyl‐N,N′‐dicyanoquinonediimine (DM) with silver (crystalline Ag(DM)2, defined as α) is irreversibly transformed by UV‐vis illumination. Depending on the illumination conditions, three new types of solids (defined as γ, δ, and ϵ) with different structural and physical properties are obtained and examined by a variety of analytical techniques, including solid‐state, high‐resolution, cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CP‐MAS) 13C NMR, elemental analysis (EA), mass spectrometry (MS), X‐ray absorption fine structure (XAFS), and powder X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The CP‐MAS, EA, MS, and XAFS results indicate that compound γ is a glass state of Ag(DM)2. The transformation from crystalline (α) to amorphous (γ) solid Ag(DM)2is an irreversible exothermic glass transition (glass‐transition temperature 155.2 °C; ΔH= –126.8 kJ mol–1), which implies that the glass form is thermodynamically more stable than the crystalline form. Compound δ (Ag(DM)1.5) consists of silver nanoparticles (diameter (7 ± 2) nm ) dispersed in a glassy matrix of neutral DM molecules. The N–CN–Ag coordination bonds of the α form are not maintained in the δ form. Decomposition of α by intense illumination results in a white solid (ϵ), identified as being composed of silver nanoparticles (diameter (60 ± 10) nm). Physical and spectroscopic (XAFS) measurements, together with XRD analysis, indicate that the silver nanoparticles in both δ and ϵ are crystalline with lattice parameters similar to bulk silver; however, the magnetic susceptibilities differ from bulk silver.

Thermal analysis of Ag(DM)2, where DM = 2,5-dimethyl-N,N’- dicyanoquinonediimine, clarified that the salt had an insulating amorphous phase ( ≥ 155C). Characterization of this and related solid states of Ag(DM)2 indicated that a photo-induced process should be essential in controlling the number of carriers and thus conduction behavior of the salt by illumination. In fact, while heating could do nothing but make the salt insulating when the sample temperature exceeded 155C, ultraviolet-visible light illumination ( < 155C) could gradually change the properties to be semiconducting with retaining the crystal lattice (average structure).

Abstract: Thermal analysis of Ag(DM)2, where DM=2,5-dimethyl-N,N’-dicyanoquinonediimine, clarified that the salt had an insulating amorphous phase (≥155�C). Characterization of this and related solid states of Ag(DM)2 indicated that a photo-induced process should be essential in controlling the number of carriers and thus conduction behavior of the salt by illumination. In fact, while heating could do nothing but make the salt insulating when the sample temperature exceeded 155�C, ultraviolet-visible light illumination (<155�C) could gradually change the properties to be semiconducting with retaining the crystal lattice (average structure).

Charge disproportionation (CD) recently observed in many organic conductors is reviewed. CD is closely related to the charge ordering (CO) but is observed even when no long range CO is established. In a ? -phase BEDT-TTF salt, (BEDT-TTF)2RbZn(SCN)4, an extremely slow dynamics of CD has been observed above TMI. A similar phenomenon is also observed in the Cs-analog, (BEDT-TTF)2CsZn(SCN)4. However, a spin-singlet ground state without CD is suggested in this salt at low temperatures. It is shown that ?-(BETS)2I3 exhibits CD at low temperatures, as in ?-(BET-TTF)2I3. Recently, an abnormal line broadening has been observed in 13C-NMR of (TMTSF)2FSO3 under pressure as well as in 77Se-NMR of ?-(BETS)2FeCl4 in a high field. We expect that both are very likely caused by a large CD among the organic molecular sites.

The binuclear Cu complex salts of 1, 4, 7‐trithiacyclononane (9S3) with an inorganic anion (BF4)‐and with an organic radical anion TCNQ‐(7, 7′, 8, 8′‐tetracyanoquinodimethanide) were synthesized and their molecular and crystal structures were examined in connection with the magnetic properties. The new complex cation [Cu(9S3)CN(9S3)Cu]+varies its charges and magnetic properties depending on the counter anions; [Cu(9S3)CN(9S3)Cu](BF4) (1) was obtained as diamagnetic colorless crystals, while [Cu(9S3)CN(9S3)Cu](TCNQ)2(2) was obtained as dark blue crystals with antiferromagnetic properties. Complex 1crystallized in the monoclinic space group C2/c with a= 26.863(2), b= 7.0878(5), c= 13.4864(8) Å, β= 116.318(2)°. Complex 2crystallized in the triclinic space group P1¯ with a= 12.521(1), b= 20.2698(8), c= 8.0205(4) Å, α = 100.688(4), β= 93.846(5), γ= 94.953(4)°. Both complexes are comprised of cyano‐bridged two Cu(9S3) ions with tetrahedral coordination. The X‐ray structural study revealed that 1has two crystallographically equivalent copper(I) atoms, while 2has two crystallographically independent CuI/IIsites. The two CuI/IIsites could not be distinguished from the X‐ray structural study. For 2the IR spectra show that both crystallographically independent TCNQ species were monoanions and are strongly dimerized due to π‐stacking, which well explains their diamagnetic contribution to the magnetic susceptibility and the highly insulating property of this salt. The temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility of 2showed a deviation from the Curie‐Weiss behaviour around 60 K, which indicates a strong antiferromagnetic intermolecular interaction between the copper complexes and that such intermolecular interaction should partly occur via the TCNQ radical anion dimer.

Stabilized primary radicals can be formed from alkyl halides in an atom transfer process with Et3B. This process depends on the strength of the carbon−halogen bond and the stability of the resulting primary radical. Radicals formed from benzyl iodide and ethyl iodoacetate add to glyoxylic oxime ethers; however, more electrophilic radicals do not. Glyoxylic oxime ethers are also good radical acceptors for heterocyclic carbon-centered secondary radicals, giving novel α-amino acid derivatives.

An oxidative desulfurization process for light oil has been investigated using a vanadosilicate molecular sieve as the catalyst and H2O2 as the oxidizing agent. The catalytic activities for three kinds of vanadosilicates, having different structures and pore-size distributions, were compared with those for the corresponding titanosilicates. The oxidation of dibenzothiophene and benzothiophene in acetonitrile was catalyzed more effectively by vanadosilicates than titanosilicates, where the mesoporous vanadosilicate showed the highest activity. The vanadosilicate also accelerated the desulfurization of the actual light oil in an oil/acetonitrile two-phase system:  the sulfur content of the oil was decreased successfully from 425 ppm to less than 50 ppm (ultradeep desulfurization level). During the process, nitrogen-containing compounds were also removed successfully from the light oil. However, the vanadosilicate, recovered following the reaction, could not be reused for further treatment of light oil. This is because the catalytic activity of the vanadosilicate decreases significantly during the reaction, owing to the dissolution of vanadium species in the silica framework into the acetonitrile solution.

Tandem carbon−carbon bond-forming reactions were studied by using indium as a single-electron-transfer radical initiator. The radical addition−cyclization-trap reaction of a substrate having a vinyl sulfonamide group and an olefin moiety proceeded smoothly in aqueous media. The radical addition−cyclization reaction of hydrazone gave the functionalized cyclic products.

A desulfurization process for light oils has been investigated, based on the formation and subsequent adsorption of N-tosylsulfimides, produced by the reaction of the sulfur compounds in the light oils, with chloramine T (sodium N-chloro-p-toluenesulfonamide). Dibenzothiophenes (DBTs) in light oils are converted, by the reaction with chloramine T dissolved in methanol, to form the corresponding sulfimides and are removed into the methanol under moderate conditions, whereas benzothiophenes (BTs) gave rise to the corresponding chlorine-adduct products, on their unsaturated bond. The sulfimides of alkyl-substituted DBTs, formed during the reaction, remained in the resulting light oil, such that the deep desulfurization (0.05 wt %) failed to achieve. These compounds however were removed successfully by the addition of aluminum oxide adsorbent and the sulfur concentration of the light oil was decreased to less than 0.05 wt %. The desulfurization of high-aromatic-content light oil is relatively more difficult, because the aromatic hydrocarbons are chlorinated by reaction with chloramine T, proceeding competitively with chlorination of the sulfur compounds.

Objective: We attempted to obtain deeper understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection through comparative studies between both diseases.

The intermolecular alkyl radical addition to imine derivatives was studied in aqueous media by using indium as a single-electron-transfer radical initiator. The one-pot reaction based on radical addition to glyoxylic hydrazone provided a convenient method for preparing the α-amino acids. The indium-mediated radical addition to an electron-deficient C&dbd;C bond also proceeded effectively to provide the new carbon−carbon bond-forming method in aqueous media.

We examined the effects of simultaneous treatments with Cd and Ni on the phytochelatin (PC) biosynthesis in suspension-cultured tobacco (Nicotiana tobacumcv. Bright Yellow-2) cells. The induction of PC biosynthesis in response to Cd was not affected by the coexistence of Ni. Cd and Ni formed complexes with different compounds in cells.

Air-oxidation of the acetone–acetic acid solution of (C₇H₁₃NH)₂[Pd(dmit)₂] yielded black shiny platelets of (C₇H₁₃NH)[Pd(dmit)₂]₂. The crystal structure was characterized by a criss-cross columnar structure, which has been often observed in M(dmit)₂-based (M = Ni, Pd) superconductors. Although the quinuclidinium cation (C₇H₁₃NH)+ is found to be orientationally disordered on a 2-fold axis, the crystal exhibited metallic conductivity down to ~ 40 K. Under ambient pressure the room temperature conductivity is around 22 S cm−1 and the resistivity gradually decreased with decreasing temperature down to 200 K, where it suddenly started to decrease more rapidly and kept decreasing down to ~ 40 K, where it started to increase steeply. At ca. 200 K the structural transition occurred, yet the crystal and molecular structures remained practically unaffected including the cation site disorder and the strong dimerization of the Pd(dmit)₂ molecules. The electrical behaviour under high pressure was rather unusual but could be compared with structurally related Pd(dmit)₂-based superconductors.

Acaeruloplasminaemia is characterized by excessive neurovisceral iron accumulation due to mutation of the caeruloplasmin gene. Excess iron functions as a potent catalyst of biological oxidation, and increased iron concentration is associated with the products of lipid peroxidation in the serum and cerebrospinal fluid. We investigated whether the amount of iron accumulated paralleled lipid peroxidation levels in acaeruloplasminaemia tissues, examining brains and visceral organs of two affected patients at autopsy for iron and copper content, and oxysterols, including 7‐hydroxycholesterol and 7‐ketocholesterol, which are directly produced from cholesterol by active oxygen species. The amount of iron accumulated in various tissues was correlated with the levels of the oxysterols. These findings suggest that lipid peroxidation produced by the intracellular accumulation of iron is involved in the pathogenesis of acaeruloplasminaemia.

OBJECTIVE: Human endogenous retrovirus (HERV) has emerged as a possible causative agent of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). To investigate the role of HERV in the etiology of SLE, we performed quantitative analyses of messenger RNA (mRNA) of the HERV clone 4-1 in patients with SLE. METHODS: Reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and real-time quantitative PCR (RQ-PCR; TaqMan methodology) were used in this experiment. RESULTS: The quantities of mRNA of the HERV clone 4-1 gag region in patients with SLE were significantly higher than in healthy controls, and the amounts of such mRNA in the patients were decreased by steroid treatment. CONCLUSION: These phenomena may be related to the production of viral components derived from HERV clone 4-1 and contribute to the pathogenesis of SLE; studies using a larger number of patients are required to confirm these points.

We consider spectral criteria for the existence of bounded solutions to difference equations of the form [image omitted]  with specific spectral properties. The results will be then applied to find periodic, almost periodic solutions to [image omitted]  and [image omitted]  with (in general, unbounded) T - periodic A(·)T - periodic F(t), f(·). This provides a new and simple approach to find spectral criteria for the existence of periodic, almost periodic solutions to differential equations (*), (**)

The radical addition−cyclization reaction of substrates having two different radical acceptors such as acrylate and aldoxime ether moieties was studied. This new free radical-mediated Mannich-type reaction proceeded smoothly via a tandem C−C bond-forming process. Furthermore, the diastereoselective tandem reaction provides the novel method for asymmetric synthesis of γ-butyrolactones and β-amino acid derivatives.

The gamma-ray pulsar PSR B1509-58 and its surrounding nebulae have been observed with the Collaboration of Australia and Nippon for a Gamma-Ray Observatory in the Outback (CANGAROO) 3.8 m imaging atmospheric Cerenkov telescope. The observations were performed from 1996 to 1998 in Woomera, South Australia, under different instrumental conditions with estimated threshold energies of 4.5 (1996), 1.9 (1997), and 2.5 TeV (1998) at zenith angles of ~30°. Although no strong evidence of gamma-ray emission was found, the lowest energy threshold data of 1997 showed a marginal excess of gamma-ray-like events at the 4.1 ? significance level. The corresponding gamma-ray flux is calculated to be (2.9 ± 0.7) × 10-12cm-2s-1above 1.9 TeV. The observations of 1996 and 1998 yielded only upper limits (99.5% confidence level) of 1.9 × 10-12cm-2s-1above 4.5 TeV and 2.0 × 10-12cm-2s-1above 2.5 TeV. Assuming that the 1997 excess is due to very high energy (VHE) gamma-ray emission from the pulsar nebula, our result, when combined with the X-ray observations, leads to a value of the magnetic field strength 5 ?G. This is consistent with the equipartition value previously estimated in the X-ray nebula surrounding the pulsar. No significant periodicity at the 150 ms pulsar period has been found in any of the three years' data. The flux upper limits set from our observations are 1 order of magnitude below previously reported detections of pulsed TeV emission.

The European pine sawfly, Neodiprion sertifer(Geoffroy) (Hymenoptera: Diprionidae), is a widespread and economically important forest insect. The sex pheromone communication system of this species has been previously investigated in North America, Japan and Europe, with the acetate or propionate of the alcohol (2S,3S,7S)‐3,7‐dimethyl‐2‐pentadecanol (diprionol) shown to be the main pheromone component. In some locations, male attraction either increased or decreased by the addition of the (2S,3R,7R)‐diprionyl acetate isomer. However, these studies were made with different batches of synthetic pheromones, with different types of traps and according to different procedures, so the observed differences might not reflect true geographic variation. Here we investigate the geographic pattern of male sawfly response by using identical chemicals, traps and experimental procedures at eight field sites ranging from Japan in the east to Canada in the west. We found an increased inhibitory effect of the (2S,3R,7R)‐isomer from Japan and Siberia to Europe. At the eastern sites, increasing amounts of the (2S,3R,7R)‐isomer up to and equal to the amount of the (2S,3S,7S)‐isomer, did not influence the trap catch, whereas at sites in Europe, as little as 1% of the (2S,3R,7R)‐isomer almost completely inhibited the attraction. The response of the North American population was intermediate. The only site in which the (2S,3R,7R)‐isomer was essential for the attraction of males was in Siberia. A similar pattern was found for the (2S,3R,7S)‐isomer. Both the acetate and the propionate form of the (2S,3S,7S)‐isomer were attractive by themselves in Japan, Europe and North America, and neither the (2S,3R,7S)‐isomer nor the (2S,3R,7R)‐isomer alone were attractive, in the acetate or propionate form. We discuss the significance of our findings for the development of more efficient monitoring schemes and for the causes of population divergence and speciation in the European pine sawfly.

Abstract: Background. Recent studies suggested the possible benefits of cyclosporine (CsA) therapy in patients with membranous nephropathy, although most of these studies were short-term. An uncontrolled retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate the long-term effect of CsA therapy on idiopathic membranous nephropathy presented with refractory nephrotic syndrome. Methods. The subjects were eight patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy presenting with refractory nephrotic syndrome. All patients had received a course of corticosteroid therapy before CsA therapy, and had not responded to the corticosteroid, including one or two administrations of intravenous methylprednisolone pulse therapy. The CsA doses were adjusted to maintain trough blood level at 100 ng/ml during the first 3 months and then reduced to maintain the level at 50 ng/ml in patients who had responded to partial remission. Results. CsA therapy induced a marked decrease in proteinuria from the first month, and a significant decrease from month 3 and thereafter. The mean serum total protein and albumin levels rose, and total cholesterol fell significantly with CsA therapy. The serum creatinine level was unchanged during CsA therapy. Three patients showed complete remission and two were in partial remission, while three were nephrotic at 12 months of CsA therapy. From 18 to 24 months of CsA therapy, three patients were in complete remission, four were in partial remission, and one patient was nephrotic. There were no side effects of CsA, except for gum hyperplasia and hypertrichosis in one patient. Conclusion. These results suggest that long-term CsA therapy at a low or moderate dose is potentially effective and safe in most nephrotic patients with idiopathic membranous nephropathy refractory to corticosteroid therapy.