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Thorax 2004;59:224-230. doi: 10.1136/thx.2003.010785 Background: Previous work has shown that all-trans-retinoic acid reverses elastase induced emphysema in rats. Since there is currently no effective treatment for pulmonary emphysema, the effect [...]

Colonic macrophages induce pathogenic inflammation against commensal bacteria, leading to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although the ontogeny of colonic macrophages has been well studied in the past decade, how macrophages gain colitogenic properties during the development of colitis is unknown. Using a chemically induced colitis model, we showed that accumulated Ly6C+cells consisting of inflammatory monocytes and inflammatory macrophages strongly expressed representative colitogenic mediators such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). The interferon-γ–signal transducer and activator of transcription 1 (IFN-γ–Stat1) pathway was required for generating colitogenic macrophages, given that Stat1−/−mice had less severe colitis and fewer colitogenic macrophages. Notably, IFN-γ induced histone acetylation at the promoter regions of the Tnfand Nos2loci in the monocyte and macrophage lineage, indicating that IFN-γ-dependent epigenetic regulation instructs the development of the colitogenic monocyte and macrophage lineage in vivo. Collectively, our results provide the essential mechanism by which dysregulated colitogenic monocytes/macrophages develop at the colon mucosa during inflammation, and suggest a new drug target for treating IBD.

Foxp3+Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play a critical role in the maintenance of colon homeostasis. Here we utilized photoconvertible KikGR mice to track immune cells from the caecum and ascending (proximal) colon in the steady state and DSS-induced colitis. We found that Tregs from the proximal colon (colonic migratory Tregs) migrated exclusively to the distal part of mesenteric lymph nodes (dMLN) in an S1PR1-dependent process. In the steady state, colonic migratory CD25+Tregs expressed higher levels of CD103, ICOS, LAG3 and CTLA-4 in comparison with pre-existing LN Tregs. Intestinal inflammation led to accelerated Treg replacement in the colon, bidirectional Treg migration from the colon to dMLN and vice versa, as well as increases in Treg number, proliferation and expression of immunosuppressive molecules. This was especially apparent for CD25 very high Tregs induced in colitis. Furthermore, colonic migratory Tregs from the inflamed colon included more interleukin (IL)-10 producing cells, and demonstrated greater inhibition of T-cell proliferation in comparison with pre-existing LN Tregs. Thus, our results suggest that Tregs with superior immunosuppressive capacity are increased both in the colon and dMLN upon inflammation. These Tregs recirculate between the colon and dMLN, and are likely to contribute to the downregulation of intestinal inflammation.

Mps One Binder Kinase Activator (MOB)1A/1B are core components of the Hippo pathway. These proteins, which coactivate LArge Tumour Suppressor homologue kinases, are also tumour suppressors. To investigate MOB1A/B’s roles in normal physiology and lung cancer, we generated doxycycline (Dox)-inducible, bronchioalveolar epithelium-specific, null mutations of MOB1A/Bin mice (SPC-rtTA/(tetO)7-Cre/Mob1aflox/flox/Mob1b−/−; termed luMob1DKOmice). Most mutants (70%) receiving Dox in utero(luMob1DKO (E6.5-18.5)mice) died of hypoxia within 1 h post-birth. Their alveolar epithelial cells showed increased proliferation, impaired YAP1/TAZ-dependent differentiation and decreased surfactant protein production, all features characteristic of human respiratory distress syndrome. Intriguingly, mutant mice that received Dox postnatally (luMob1DKO(P21–41) mice) did not develop spontaneous lung adenocarcinomas, and urethane treatment-induced lung tumour formation was decreased (rather than increased). Lungs of luMob1DKO(P21–41) mice exhibited increased detachment of bronchiolar epithelial cells and decreased numbers of the bronchioalveolar stem cells thought to initiate lung adenocarcinomas. YAP1/TAZ-NKX2.1-dependent expression of collagen XVII, a key hemidesmosome component, was also reduced. Thus, a MOB1-YAP1/TAZ-NKX2.1 axis is essential for normal lung homeostasis and expression of the collagen XVII protein necessary for alveolar stem cell maintenance in the lung niche.

The prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related oropharyngeal cancers has been increasing in developed countries. We recently demonstrated that members of the apolipoprotein B mRNA-editing catalytic polypeptide 3 (APOBEC3, A3) family, which are antiviral factors, can induce hypermutation of HPV DNA in vitro. In the present study, we found numerous C-to-T and G-to-A hypermutations in the HPV16 genome in oropharyngeal cancer (OPC) biopsy samples using differential DNA denaturation PCR and next-generation sequencing. A3s were more abundantly expressed in HPV16-positive OPCs than in HPV-negative, as assessed using immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription quantitative PCR. In addition, interferons upregulated A3s in an HPV16-positive OPC cell line. Furthermore, quantitative PCR analysis of HPV DNA suggests that APOBEC3A (A3A) expression is strongly correlated with the integration of HPV DNA. These results suggest that HPV16 infection may upregulate A3A expression, thereby increasing the chance of viral DNA integration. The role of A3A in HPV-induced carcinogenesis is discussed.

In our previous clinical study, autogenous demineralized dentin matrices (DDM) prepared from the functional vital teeth (#38, #41) of thirty-five-year-old female were grafted on the bone defect, using newly developed mill, and then received to the host without troubles. In this study, we implanted the human tooth dentin adjusted previously and the dental implants into the regions of missing tooth simultaneously. Fifty-seven-year-old female presented with missing teeth (#35-#37, #45-#47). First, a non-functional vital tooth (#18) were extracted and cryopreserved immediately. 11 months after extraction, the tooth was crushed by newly developed auto-crash mill using ZrO2 vessel and ZrO2 blade for 1 minute. The crushed granules were demineralized completely in 2% HNO3 solution, rinsed in cold distilled water and lyophilized (granule size: 0.5-2.0mm). The bacteria-free of the DDM were confirmed by the bacteriological examination before use. Drilling of the prospective implant beds were then performed according to the manufacture’s protocol and a screw-type rough surface implants (Nobel Biocare® Mk III) were placed. The adjusted DDM granules were implanted into the bone defect (#45). There are no postoperative complications at 3 years after implantation. This case indicates that the preserved autogenous DDM can be used as collagenous biomaterials with osteoinductive potency.

Three new ent-trachylobane diterpenoids (1−3) were isolated and structures elucidated from Mitrephora glabra Scheff. (Annonaceae). Mitrephorone A (1) possesses a hexacyclic ring system with adjacent ketone moieties and an oxetane ring, both of which are unprecedented among trachylobanes. All compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a panel of cancer cells, where 1 displayed the most potent and broadest activity, and against a battery of antimicrobial assays, where all compounds were approximately equipotent.

Effects of Al composition on luminescence properties corresponding to Tb3+ inner level transitions are investigated. When the Al composition is larger than 0.3, luminescence corresponding to 5D4–7FJ (J = 3, 4, 5, 6) transitions is observed at room temperature, while 5D3–7FJ transition such as 5D3–7F5 can be observed only at low temperature. As the Al composition increases, the luminescence intensity is increased super linearly at first, and then linearly increased. Thermal quenching of luminescence intensity is dramatically improved as increasing the Al composition. Major effect of AlGaN is well explained by reduction of energy-back-transfer process. (© 2005 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

As part of our continuing investigation of Jordanian Colchicum species, the biologically active components of Colchicum brachyphyllum were pursued. Using bioactivity-directed fractionation, nine colchicinoids were isolated and characterized. One of these has a novel ring system, to which we have ascribed the trivial name (+)-demecolcinone (9), and it represents the first naturally occurring dextrorotatory colchicinoid. Another isolated compound was a new colchicinoid analogue, (−)-2,3-didemethyldemecolcine (8), while the remaining seven known colchicinoids were new to the species:  (−)-colchicine (1), (−)-3-demethylcolchicine (2), (−)-cornigerine (3), β-lumicolchicine (4), (−)-androbiphenyline (5), (−)-demecolcine (6), and (−)-3-demethyldemecolcine (7). The brine shrimp lethality test was used to direct the isolation of these colchicinoids. Moreover, all pure compounds were evaluated for cytotoxicity against a human cancer cell panel, for antimicrobial activity in an array of bacteria and fungi (including yeast), and for their potential to be allosteric modulators of the γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptor.

Evidence that apoptosis plays an important role in the pathophysiology of lung diseases has been accumulated. Apoptosis signaling is classically composed of two principle pathways. One is a direct pathway from death receptor ligation to caspase cascade activation and cell death. Death receptor ligation triggers recruitment of the precursor form of caspase-8 to a death-inducing complex, through the adaptor protein FADD, which leads to caspase-8 activation. The other pathway triggered by stimuli such as drugs, radiation, infectious agents and reactive oxygen species is initiated in mitochondria. After cytochrome c is released into the cytosol from the mitochondria, it binds to Apaf1 and ATP, which then activate caspase-9. Recently, endoplasmic reticulum has also been shown to be the organelle to execute apoptosis. Further understanding of molecular mechanisms of apoptosis and its regulation by novel drugs may lead to the development of effective strategies against lung diseases. We overview the signaling pathways of apoptosis and discuss the involvement of apoptosis in the pathophysiology of various lung diseases.

Two new polyprenylated benzophenones, a new polyprenylated phloroglucinol, and six new xanthone derivatives were isolated from the aerial parts of the Uzbekistan medicinal plant Hypericum scabrum. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic evidence. The isolated compounds showed moderate cytotoxicity for human tumor cells.

Two new monotetrahydrofuran Annonaceous acetogenins, montacin (1), and cis-montacin (2), along with four known acetogenins, annonacin, cis-annonacin, annomontacin, and cis-annomontacin, were isolated from the seeds of Annona montana. The structures of the new isolates were elucidated by spectral and chemical methods. The new acetogenins exhibited moderate in vitro cytotoxic activity against the 1A9 human ovarian cancer cell line. Interestingly, when Ca²⁺ was present, compounds 1 and 2 became 3- to 10-fold more active against 1A9 cells and the PTX10 subline.

Er ions are introduced into AlxGa1–xN (0 ≤ x ≤ 1) by ion implantation to investigate the effect of Al composition on the luminescence properties of 4fn inner-shell transitions of Er3+. Strong and sharp emission peaks attributed to the 4f-4f transition of Er3+ are observed in ultra-violet and blue region (400–550 nm) from the samples with AlN molar fraction of x > 0.3. These photoemissions are assigned as 2P3/2–4I15/2, 2P3/2–4I13/2, 2P3/2–4I11/2, and 2P3/2–4H11/2 transitions, and the 408 nm emission, corresponding to 2P3/2–4I13/2 transition, is the strongest in the present work. As increasing the Al composition, the intensity of Er3+-related emissions is rapidly increased and the thermal quenching properties is also improved. (© 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

In a continuing study to isolate novel antitumor agents from rainforest plants, three new isopropenylfurano-β-naphthoquinones, designated lantalucratins A (1), B (2), and C (3), and three new isoprenyl-α-naphthoquinones, designated lantalucratins D (4), E (5), and F (6), were isolated from Lantana involucrata. Their structures were determined on the basis of NMR and X-ray crystallographic analyses. Compounds 1 and 2 showed cytotoxic activities against various human tumor cell lines, including drug-resistant variants, with IC50 values of 1.0−4.9 μM.

Twenty-one compounds, including five new agarofuran sesquiterpenes, reissantins A−E (1−5), were isolated from Reissantia buchananii by means of bioassay-directed fractionation and their structures identified from spectral data. Reissantins A−C are the first reported simple agarofuran sesquiterpenes to contain a 5-carboxy-N-methyl-2-pyridone (CNMP) substituent, which has previously been found only in macroring agarofuran pyridine alkaloids. The major terpenoid components, celastrol (6) and its methyl ester derivative, pristimerin (7), were significantly active against nine cancer cell lines, including A549, MCF-7, HCT-8, KB, KB-VIN, U-87-MG, PC-3, 1A9, and PTX10 cell lines, with ED50 values ranging from 0.076 to 0.34 μg/mL.

Several bioactive acetogenins were selective against 1A9 (ovarian cancer) cell replication but did not show a corresponding hyperactivity against other cell lines. The most active compound (26, molvizarin) was a selective inhibitor of 1A9 cell replication with a potency (ED50 = 5 pg/mL) of over 1 million times more than that for other cell lines.

The physical, mechanical, and optical properties of amorphous hydrogenated silicon−carbon (a-Si:C:H) films produced by remote hydrogen plasma chemical vapor deposition (RHP−CVD) from (dimethylsilyl)(trimethylsilyl)silane have been investigated in relation to their chemical structure. The a-Si:C:H films deposited at different substrate temperatures were characterized in terms of their density, adhesion to a substrate, hardness, elastic modulus, friction coefficient, refractive index, and optical band gap. The atomic concentration ratio Si/C, controlled by the substrate temperature, appears to be an important structural parameter strongly influencing properties of the film. On the basis of the results of these studies, reasonable property−structure relationships have been determined.

Amorphous hydrogenated silicon−carbon (a-Si:C:H) films have been produced by the remote hydrogen plasma chemical vapor deposition (RHP-CVD) using (dimethylsilyl)(trimethylsilyl)methane as a single-source compound. The effect of the substrate temperature on the kinetics of the RHP-CVD process, structure, composition, and surface morphology of the resulting film has been investigated. The Arrhenius plots of substrate temperature dependencies of the mass- and thickness-based film growth rate imply that the investigated RHP-CVD is an adsorption-controlled process. The increase of the substrate temperature from 30 to 400 °C causes the elimination of organic moieties from the film and the formation of a Si-carbidic network structure. The microscopic examination revealed that the films are defect-free materials of excellent morphological homogeneity and good conformality of coverage.

A study of the use of high strength steel has been conducted from the viewpoint of design with the aim of increasing the adoption of high strength steel structures. Examples of actual constructions have been reviewed for clarification of design problems and new types of structure have been proposed. Workability and cost-effectiveness have been surveyed. Topics covered include: advantages of high strength steel; points to be considered for the design of steel structures; design problems of high strength steel structures (tensile; compressive; buckling and fatigue strength).

Amorphous, hydrogenated silicon–carbon (a-Si:C:H) films were produced by remote hydrogen plasma chemical vapor deposition (RHP-CVD) with hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) as the starting compound. Microwave hydrogen plasma was the source of the atomic hydrogen active species. The susceptibility of particular bonds in the HMDS molecule toward the initiation step was established with tetramethylsilane as a model compound. The reaction mechanisms proposed for the RHP-CVD process revealed the important role of polymerization in film growth. The temperature dependence of the film growth rate implied that the investigated RHP-CVD was a nonthermally activated process. The a-Si:C:H films produced at different deposition temperatures were characterized in terms of their chemical structure, surface and bulk composition, surface morphology, surface free energy, density, corrosion resistance, mechanical properties (adhesion and hardness), and optical properties (refractive index and optical band gap). The deposition temperature appeared to be a key parameter, precisely controlling the structure and properties of the resulting films. Based on the results of these studies, reasonable structure–property relationships were found. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 86: 1445–1458, 2002

Aims: To investigate the correlation between the level of angiotensin II and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the vitreous fluid and the severity of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Methods: During vitreoretinal surgery at the Tokyo Women's Medical University, vitreous fluid samples were obtained from 51 eyes of diabetic patients with PDR, six eyes of diabetic patients without retinopathy, and 16 eyes of non-diabetic patients with ocular disease (controls). The VEGF levels in vitreous fluid and plasma were determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay, while angiotensin II levels were measured by radioimmunoassay. Results: The vitreous fluid levels of VEGF and angiotensin II were significantly higher in patients with PDR than in non-diabetic patients or diabetic patients without retinopathy (all p<0.0001). The vitreous fluid level of angiotensin II was significantly correlated with that of VEGF (p<0.0001), and the vitreous concentrations of both VEGF and angiotensin II were significantly higher in patients with active PDR than in those with quiescent PDR (p<0.0001 and p=0.0005, respectively). Conclusion: The authors found that both angiotensin II and VEGF levels were significantly higher in the vitreous fluid of patients with PDR than in that of non-diabetic patients or diabetic patients without retinopathy, and that the levels of both angiotensin II and VEGF were elevated in the active stage of PDR. These findings suggest that angiotensin II contributes to the development and progression of PDR in combination with VEGF.

The formation of quantum structure of CdTe on ZnTe is investigated. Thin CdTe layers were deposited by hot-wall epitaxy. The thickness of CdTe layer was precisely controlled by alternate deposition of Cd and Te in an auto regulated manner. It is shown that the CdTe quantum structure is appreciably improved by depositing CdTe on thermally annealed ZnTe. We found as experimental result the ripening of CdTe surface.

Clinicopathologic characteristics and survival rates of patients with clinical Stage I tumors treated with three-field lymph node dissection have not been well investigated. This report documents the results of a series of cases of clinical Stage I squamous cell carcinomas treated with this surgical procedure in our institute.

Dimeric DNA cross-linking compounds have emerged as important new antitumor agents. We report the synthesis and biochemical evaluation of a select set of dimeric mitomycins in which the two mitomycin units are tethered at either the mitomycin C(7) amino or the aziridine N(1a) positions. Significantly, mitomycin C (1) itself is the prototypical bioreductive DNA cross-linking agent. DNA cross-linking experiments using a denaturing-gel-electrophoresis-based assay showed that the extent of DNA cross-linking for select dimeric mitomycins can exceed that of the parent compound, mitomycin C, and that the reaction proceeds, in part, at the two distal C(1) sites in the mitomycins. The efficiency of DNA cross-linking depended on the nature of the linker and the position of linker unit's attachment. When we compared the efficiency of DNA cross-linking for the dimeric mitomycins with their in vitro cytotoxicities in cultured human tumor cells, we observed a poor correlation. The mitomycins that gave the highest levels of DNA cross-linked adducts displayed the weakest cytotoxicities. These findings determined that the denaturing-gel-electrophoresis-based assay was a poor predictor of cytotoxic activity.

Three pheophorbide-related compounds (1−3) were isolated from the leaves and stems of Clerodendrum calamitosum. The methyl ester of 3 (6) and the known (10S)-hydroxypheophytin a (7) also were isolated from leaves of the related plant Clerodendrum cyrtophyllum. Compounds 1 and 6 were isolated for the first time as naturally occurring products from a plant source. All structures were elucidated by detailed spectroscopic analysis. Biological evaluation showed that 1 and 2 exhibited strong cytotoxicity against human lung carcinoma (A549), ileocecal carcinoma (HCT-8), kidney carcinoma (CAKI-1), breast adenocarcinoma (MCF-7), malignant melanoma (SK-MEL-2), ovarian carcinoma (1A9), and epidermoid carcinoma of the nasopharynx (KB), and its etoposide- (KB-7d), vincristine- (KB-VCR), and camptothecin-resistant (KB−CPT) subclones. Compound 3 was less cytotoxic than 1 and 2. Compounds 4−6, the methyl esters of 1−3, showed strongly increased cytotoxicity compared with the parent acids. Interestingly, 6 was the most active derivative among these compounds. Compound 7 was inactive.

Previously we reported that ischemia results in apoptosis and is accompanied by phosphorylation on Tyr-701 and increased expression and transcriptional activity of the signal transducer and activator of transcription-1 (STAT-1). In the present study, we show that exposure of cardiomyocytes to ischemia induced the phosphorylation of STAT-1 at another site, Ser-727. Moreover, STAT-1 is critical for the induction of Fas receptor and Fas ligand expression by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R). Transcriptional activation of Fas and FasL was dependent on Ser-727 of STAT-1 but was independent of Tyr-701. Similarly, Ser-727 but not Tyr-701 was required for enhancement of cardiomyocyte cell death by STAT-1 during I/R. In addition, inhibition of the p38 pathway prevented the induction and transcriptional activation of Fas and FasL in cardiac cells exposed to I/R, whereas inhibition of p42/p44 MAPK had no effect. Finally, I/R also induced phosphorylation of STAT-1 on Ser-727 and expression of Fas/FasL in ventricular myocytes in the intact heart ex vivo. These results indicate that Fas/FasL genes and apoptosis are activated by STAT-1 in cardiac myocytes exposed to I/R and these effects are dependent on the Ser-727 but not the Tyr-701 phosphorylation sites of STAT-1.

Abstract: Background. Based on the results of our animal experiment, we evaluated the clinical usefulness of myofascial graft materials in the reconstruction of intra-oral soft-tissue defects. Methods. An axial-pattern or random-pattern myofascial flap was grafted to reconstruct oral soft-tissue defects caused by tumor resection in ten patients. A pectoralis major myofascial flap was employed in four patients, and a platysma myofascial flap was employed in six patients. Results. All flaps survived, and epithelialization progressed gradually from the surrounding incised mucosal margin. Cicatricial contracture of the wound seemed to be mild and the regenerated mucosa was more flexible than skin. Because the myofascial tissue had only raw surfaces, the handling of the flaps in the oral cavity was very flexible. Moreover, cosmetically unsatisfactory scar formation and dysfunction at the donor site were mild. Conclusion. We feel that the myofascial graft procedure is a very useful option for the reconstruction of intra-oral soft-tissue defects, and will soon become a common procedure. We refer to this procedure as the "biological-guided mucosa regeneration (BGMR)" technique.

The efficacy of esophagectomy with three-field lymph node dissection in surgical treatment for patients with squamous cell carcinomas of the lower thoracic esophagus remains controversial. This report documents the outcomes of this surgical procedure for a large series.

Remote hydrogen and remote oxygen plasma chemical vapor depositions (RHP−CVD and ROP−CVD, respectively) of amorphous hydrogenated silicon−carbon (a-Si:C:H) and amorphous silica (a-SiO2) films, respectively, from organosilicon source compounds were selected as model processes for the mechanistic study. Hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) and trimethylsilane (TrMS) source compounds were used for RHP−CVD, whereas tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) was a source compound for ROP−CVD. The reactivity of HMDS and TrMS with atomic hydrogen and TEOS with atomic oxygen was characterized by determining the rate constants of RHP−CVD and ROP−CVD, respectively. On the basis of the values of the rate constants, the identified low-molecular-weight and oligomeric products collected from the gas phase, and the chemistry involved in their formation, the mechanisms of the precursors formation step are proposed. The results provide strong evidence for the gas-phase conversion of HMDS and TrMS to 1,1-dimethylsilene, Me2Si&dbd;CH2, and TEOS to diethoxysilanone, (EtO)2Si&dbd;O, transient intermediates as major precursors to the a-Si:C:H and a-SiO2 films, respectively. Owing to the high-reactivity π-bonds in the silene (>Si&dbd;C<) and silanone (>Si&dbd;O) units, the precursors may readily undergo polymerization. A hypothetical mechanism of the polymerization and cross-linking steps contributing to the growth of the a-Si:C:H and a-SiO2 films are discussed.

Structural and optical studies were made on the (001)GaAs surfaces nitrided at 700°C for 15min in the pressure between 0.01 and 0.5Torr, plasma-assisted NH3gas atmosphere. Reflection high-energy electron diffraction (RHEED) and PLS results indicated that the surface nitrided in 0.01Torr NH3gas consisted of cubic gallium nitride (c-GaN) with epitaxial orientation: (001), [110]c-GaN//(001), [110]GaAs, showing PL spectrum with sharp, blue emission of λ=440nm and a broad peak approximately 470nm at room temperature. The surface nitrided in 0.05Torr NH3gas was composed of a mixture of cubic and hexagonal GaN, showing blue photoluminescence (PL) emission with wavelength, approximately 440nm at room temperature. The surface nitrided in 0.5Torr NH3gas consisted of polycrystalline hexagonal GaN, showing blue PL emission with wavelength, approximately 440nm at room temperature. Results of depth profile of the nitrided surface, by AES with sputtering technique using argon gas, indicated that the nitrided layers varies approximately 50–1000Å in thickness, depending on the NH3gas pressure, as a GaNAs alloy layer. These results are in reasonable agreement with theoretical prediction on the band-gap energies in GaN–GaAs alloy system.

Gallium oxide thin film has properties of n-type semiconductor and it is stable at high temperature. The resistivity of Ga2O3changes with the concentration of oxygen in the thin film. An oxygen sensor was made on the basis of this principle. Gallium oxide thin film was deposited on the Si substrate from a sintered powder target by a rf magnetron sputtering using Ar as the sputtering gas. The sputtering condition is a very important factor to control the oxygen content of the Ga2O3thin film and hence the response characteristics of the sensor. In this present paper, an attention was paid on the sputtering pressure of Ar during the film deposition. It has been found that electrical conductivity, gas sensitivity and rising response time of the thin film depends on sputtering pressure of Ar during the deposition process. It has also been clarified that gallium oxide thin film deposited in lower sputtering pressure shows better electrical conductivity and rising response time, whereas the thin film deposited in high sputtering pressure shows higher gas sensitivity. The difference in characteristics of the deposited thin films may be considered due to the surface structure as revealed from the AFM observation.

We investigated the growth of self-organized CdTe islands on ZnTe(001) using hot-wall epitaxy (HWE), and recognized the formation of CdTe islands for the first time by HWE. ZnTe(001) layers used for islands formation were grown on CdTe (4nm thick) buffer layer deposited on GaAa(001) By HWE. The precise control of CdTe layer was performed by alternate deposition of Cd and Te in auto regulated manner (ARM). The atomic force microscope (AFM) measurements of the grown surface revealed the formation of islands with the size of about 25nm in base diameter, 1nm in height and with the density of 1011cm−2.

Abstract: Background. Although myofascial flaps are already used clinically in intra-oral reconstruction, the source and process of epithelialization remain unclear. Methods. The process of epithelialization of grafted myofascia in the oral cavity was investigated using the latissimus dorsi muscle of Wistar strain rats. Results. The use of myofascial tissue to fill in defects may maintain the space by preventing shrinkage and contracture of the wound, and this myofascial tissue may induce regeneration of the mucosal epithelium. Myofascia itself did not have the potential to epithelialize. Epithelialization progressed gradually along the surface of the granulated myofascia from the surrounding incised mucosal margin of the recipient site to the central portion. Immunohistochemical staining showed that keratinocyte growth factor-expressing cells were found mainly in the granulated myofascia. Within the study period, regenerated epithelium with orthokeratosis consisting of stratified squamous cells was thin and had scanty rete pegs, but it was similar to normal epithelium. Conclusion. Grafted myofascia in the oral cavity may play a space-making role, and induce regeneration of the mucosal epithelium, associated with the production of keratinocyte growth factor.

Abstract:  The Centro Nacional de Metrología (CENAM) has developed the MESURA Interinstitutional Network in collaboration with other research and development institutes in Mexico. This network has the aim of providing integral metrological services to industry throughout the country, with uniform standards of quality and consistency. The fulfillment of this aim has been possible because of a number of factors that have made the MESURA Program an attractor for the integration of metrological services. Among these factors are: an unswerving focus on the customer needs, an integral and logical problem solving approach to consultancy, adequate modular classification of the consultants functions, clear-cut definition of the functions of each member of interdisciplinary groups, and a uniform code of communication among the members of the network. The next stage of the strategy is to strengthen the link between metrology and its industrial applications forming a new type of consultant with the technical experts from R&D Centers. These will be consultants with general knowledge and experience in metrology, specialized in certain type of industrial processes and products. The strategy will be initiated in the year 2000 and with it the MESURA Network is expected to make a strong contribution to fostering the optimum use of metrology in industry and to act as a channel for the integration of other technologies in which the participating Centers have expertise.

As part of our continuing search for potential anticancer candidates among 2-phenyl-4-quinolones and 2-phenyl-4-quinazolinones, two series of 6,7,2‘,3‘,4‘,5‘-substituted 2-phenyl-4-quinazolinones and 6,2‘,3‘,4‘,5‘-substituted 2,3-dihydro-2-phenyl-4-quinazolinones were synthesized and evaluated for cytotoxicity and as inhibitors of tubulin polymerization. In general, a good correlation was found between the two activities. Five of the 6-substituted heterocyclic 2-phenyl-4-quinozolinones (37−51) showed significant cytotoxicity against a panel of human tumor cell lines with EC50 values in the low micromolar to nanomolar concentration ranges. Compound 38 was the most potent of these compounds, as well as the most potent inhibitor of tubulin polymerization in this series. The activity of 38 was in the same range as those of the antimitotic natural products, colchicine, podophyllotoxin, and combretastatin A-4. Substituted 2-phenyl-4-quinazolinones and 2,3-dihydro-2-phenyl-4-quinazolinones also displayed highly selective cytotoxicity against the ovarian cancer 1A9 and P-gp resistant KB-VIN cell lines.

Amorphous hydrogenated silicon–carbon (a‐Si:C:H) films were produced by atomic hydrogen–induced (AH) CVD using hexamethyldisilane (HMDS) as a single‐source precursor. Radio frequency (rf) hydrogen plasma was the source of atomic hydrogen. The effect of substrate temperature (Ts) on the chemical structure, composition, surface morphology, mechanical properties (dynamic hardness, total stress), and optical properties (refractive index, optical bandgap) of a‐Si:C:H film has been examined. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) data revealed a drastic drop in hydrogen content in the film, and a rise of the atomic concentration ratio Si/C with increasing Ts, thus accounting for the elimination of organic moieties from the film and the formation of a Si–carbidic structure. In the light of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) examinations, the films were found to be morphologically homogeneous materials with a maximum size of surface roughness not exceeding 2 nm at Ts= 300 °C. Both hardness and stress (tensile in nature) are strongly affected by the film composition, their values increasing with rising atomic ratio Si/C. The investigated optical properties of a‐Si:C:H film, i.e., refractive index (n) and optical bandgap (E0), can be controlled by the atomic ratio Si/C for a wide range of values: n= 1.58–2.02 and E0= 2.3–3.2 eV.

cDNA cloning of placental leucine aminopeptidase (P-LAP)/cystinyl aminopeptidase (CAP)/oxytocinase demonstrated that this enzyme is a type II integral membrane protein, which means that native P-LAP, found in placenta, is membrane-bound and that the soluble form of this enzyme, found in maternal sera, is most likely derived from the native form. The presence of the different forms of the protein makes it difficult to purify homogeneously. In the current study we prepared antibody specific to native P-LAP and used it to purify native P-LAP from microsomal fractions of human placenta to homogeneity, 5039-fold within 4h, by immunoaffinity chromatography. Zn2+and Cu2+strongly inhibited the enzyme but Ca2+did not. Amastatin was a more potent inhibitor than bestatin and leupeptin. Using antibodies against native P-LAP, protein having 83 per cent of l-methionine insensitive Leu-p-nitroanilide cleaving activity, was immunoprecipitated from the microsomal fraction of human placenta.