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Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium and Eriodictyon californicum) has been used for many years in traditional medicine. However, the effect of Yerba Santa on melanogenesis has not yet been investigated. We aimed to assess the biological effects of Yerba Santa on hair pigmentation.Yerba Santa extracts were assessed for their cytological effects following X-ray irradiation treatment and then tested directly for the prevention of human hair greying. Ultra-performance liquid chromatography (UPLC) was utilized to identify the individual extract components.Eriodictyon angustifolium extract significantly increased melanin synthesis in the melanoma cell line through activation of the WNT/MITF/tyrosinase-signalling pathway. In contrast, E. californicum had no effect on melanin synthesis. E. angustifolium extract also demonstrated a protective effect against the damage induced by X-ray irradiation in human keratinocytes. Application of the extracts to subjects who had grey beards demonstrated a reduced number of grey beard hair per year specifically with the E. angustifolium extract. A significant decrease in grey head hair was also observed after application of E. angustifolium extract. Upregulation of gene expression related to melanin production and WNT signalling was observed after the application of E. angustifolium extract. Sterubin was the most abundant flavonoid detected by UPLC in E. angustifolium extract. In addition, sterubin showed the highest difference in terms of quantity, between E. angustifolium and E. californicum extract.Eriodictyon angustifolium extract, which is abundant in sterubin, may be suitable as a potential cosmetic and medical agent for the prevention and improvement of hair greying.Yerba Santa (Eriodictyon angustifolium et Eriodictyon californicum) est utilisé depuis de nombreuses années en médecine traditionnelle. Cependant, l'effet de Yerba Santa sur la mélanogenèse n'a pas encore été étudié. Notre objectif était d'évaluer les effets biologiques de Yerba Santa sur la pigmentation des cheveux. MÉTHODES: Les extraits de Yerba Santa ont été évalués pour leurs effets cytologiques après un traitement d'irradiation aux rayons X, puis testés directement pour la prévention du grisonnement des cheveux humains. La chromatographie liquide ultra-performante (UPLC) a été utilisée pour identifier les composants d'extrait individuels. RÉSULTATS: L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a augmenté de manière significative la synthèse de mélanine dans la lignée cellulaire du mélanome par l'activation de la voie de signalisation WNT/MITF/tyrosinase. En revanche, E. californicum n'a eu aucun effet sur la synthèse de mélanine. L'extrait d'E. angustifolium a également démontré un effet protecteur contre les dommages induits par l'irradiation aux rayons X dans les kératinocytes humains. L'application des extraits à des sujets qui avaient une barbe grise a démontré un nombre réduit de poils gris par an spécifiquement avec l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une diminution significative des cheveux gris a également été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. Une régulation à la hausse de l'expression des gènes liée à la production de mélanine et à la signalisation WNT a été observée après l'application d'extrait d'E. angustifolium. La stérubine était le flavonoïde le plus abondant détecté par UPLC dans l'extrait d'E. angustifolium. De plus, la stérubine a montré la plus grande différence en termes de quantité entre E. angustifolium et E. californicum.L'extrait d'E. angustifolium, qui est abondant en stérubine, peut convenir comme agent cosmétique et médical potentiel pour la prévention et l'amélioration du grisonnement des cheveux.

Synchrotron radiation-induced total reflection X-ray fluorescence (SR-TXRF) analysis is a high sensitive analytical technique that offers limits of detection in the femtogram range for most elements. Besides the analytical aspect, SR-TXRF is mainly used in combination with angle-dependent measurements and/or X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy to gain additional information about the investigated sample. In this article, we briefly discuss the fundamentals of SR-TXRF and follow with several examples of recent research applying the above-mentioned combination of techniques to analytical problems arising from industrial applications and environmental research.

We carried out research in Lake Suwa from 2004 to 2008 to study how retention time affects the biomass and species composition of blue-green algae. The retention time of the lake ranged from 2.3 (rainy season in July 2006) to 120 (dry season in June 2005) days. Microcystis was predominant in summer, but Aphanizomenon was predominant in 2005 and 2006. Owing to nitrogen deficiency, the Microcystis population increase was suppressed when retention time was kept at more than 80 days. The increase in the population of Aphanizomenon flos-aquae was suppressed probably owing to the dilution and discharge of cells by precipitation, and the change of the predominant species caused by nutrient inflow. In this paper, we suggest an appropriate retention time for respective blue-green algae on the basis of changes in the predominant species caused by changes in retention time.

The process of oxygen concentration in water was examined in the presence of a magnetic field. The equilibrium concentration of oxygen was found to remain the same whether the field was present or absent, in accordance with the prediction of the laws of thermodynamics. However, it was found that the rate of oxygen dissolution in water was significantly enhanced in a magnetic field. The degree of enhancement of the dissolution rate depended on the magnetic force (x/μ0)·B· (dB/dx) showing a minimum at the position in which the magnetic field was strongest. The phenomenon was explained by assuming that liquid-phase convection is caused by the gradient distribution of dissolved oxygen in water, which in turn raises the gradient of the magnetic susceptibility in a direction perpendicular to the magnetic field gradient.

Dispersion of diamond in metal matrices is expected to improve friction and wear properties. In this paper, cluster diamonds (average grain size: 5nm) are dispersed in pure copper matrix by a P/M method. A mechanical milling method is employed for the composite powder mixing. First, the change in morphology after milling and sintering is observed by SEM. Next, the influence of milling time and cluster diamond content on the friction coefficient and the specific wear rate of the composite are examined. The friction coefficient measured by a ring-on-disk method decreases with the increase in both milling time and diamond content. About 30% reduction of friction coefficient compared with the pure copper is achieved for the composite (diamond content: 1vol%) after a milling time of 40 hours. The specific wear rate also decreases with the milling time. However, the rate increases significantly as the diamond content increases. The experimental results show the possibility of a solid lubricant of diamond-dispersed metal matrix composites.

Nutrient-induced thermogenesis (NIT) induced by parenteral infusion of amino acid (AA) mixtures of different composition and of the same AA mixtures given via different routes (parenteral or intraportal infusion) were investigated in rats using a small animal indirect calorimeter. When 8 different AA solutions of differing composition but with the same total concentration were infused parenterally, both standard NIT (each AA is assumed to generate 3.28 kcal/g) and specific NIT (heat energy of each AA is calculated assuming that it is oxidized to carbon dioxide and water, and metabolised to urea and sulphuric acid) values of the leucine (Leu)-rich and the glycine (Gly)-rich solutions were significantly greater than those of the control solution. Removal of Leu or Gly from the respective AA solutions reversed the increase of both NIT values down to control levels. When the parenteral and portal infusion routes were used in one rat, both NIT values for parenteral infusion of the Leu-rich solution were again significantly greater than those of the control. Likewise, both NIT values for intrportal infusion of the Leu-rich solution were also significantly greater than those of the control. However, no difference in NIT values was found between parenteral and portal infusion of either solution. The result of this study indicated that Leu and Gly may be thermogenic AAs, and the thermogenic effect of Leu is not dependent upon the route of infusion.

The effects of a competitive neutrophil elastase (NE) inhibitor, ONO-5046, and a recombinant human superoxide dismutase on leukotriene B4 (LTB4)-induced polymorphonuclear leukocyte (PMN)-mediated increase in microvascular permeability in isolated non-blood-perfused rabbit lungs were studied. Pulmonary microvascular permeability and lung edema were evaluated by use of the fluid filtration coefficient (Kf) and the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (W/D), respectively. Pulmonary capillary pressure was estimated by the double occlusion technique. NE activity in the perfusate was determined using a spectrophotometric method. The PMNs (2–3 x 10(8) cells) were added into the perfusate in all groups of lungs. Injection of LTB4 (5 micrograms) increased Kf and W/D without affecting pulmonary arterial or capillary pressure. The LTB4-induced lung injury was closely associated with the increase in NE activity in the perfusate. Infusion of ONO-5046 (1 or 10 mg.kg-1 x h-1) inhibited the LTB4-induced increases in Kf, W/D, and perfusate NE activity in a dose-dependent fashion. Infusion of recombinant human superoxide dismutase (80,000 U.kg-1 x h-1) attenuated the LTB4-induced increases in Kf and W/D, although it did not influence the elevation of perfusate NE activity induced by LTB4. These results suggest that both NE and superoxide anion play important roles in the LTB4-induced PMN-mediated increase in pulmonary microvascular permeability.

The effects of exogenous leukotriene B4 (LTB4) on the pulmonary microvascular permeability and the roles of polymorphonuclear (PMN) leukocytes and the cyclooxygenase products of arachidonic acid in the microvascular response to LTB4 in the isolated non-blood-perfused rabbit lungs were studied. Microvascular permeability and lung edema were evaluated by use of the fluid filtration coefficient (Kf) and the wet-to-dry lung weight ratio (W/D ratio), respectively. Pulmonary capillary pressure was estimated by the double occlusion technique. We studied five groups of lungs: lungs were given 1) both PMN leukocytes and a bolus injection of LTB4 (5 micrograms, n = 6), 2) LTB4 alone (n = 5), 3) PMN leukocytes alone (n = 5), 4) control vehicles (n = 5), or 5) indomethacin (40 micrograms/ml) before PMN leukocytes and LTB4 (n = 6). We observed that LTB4 increased Kf and W/D ratio in the presence of PMN leukocytes in the perfusate without affecting the pulmonary arterial and capillary pressures. Neither LTB4 alone nor PMN leukocytes alone produced changes in Kf and W/D ratio. Indomethacin failed to inhibit the LTB4-induced increases in Kf and W/D ratio. These results suggest that LTB4 produces lung injury that is dependent on PMN leukocytes but not on the cyclooxygenase pathway of arachidonic acid metabolism.

The effects of activated platelet (Plt) on muscle degradation were investigated, employing the in vivo disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) model induced by thrombin injection and the in vitro tissue culture system of skeletal muscles in rats. Both the release of tyrosine and leucine into the culture medium during 2 h incubation from the muscles harvested 30 min after thrombin injection increased by about 50% compared with control muscles. The addition of thrombin-activated platelet supernatant (TAPS) significantly increased the release of leucine into the incubation medium of the soleus muscles dissected from normally fed rats by 31% in comparison with the respective controls. No significant effect was observed in terms of the release of tyrosine or leucine from the incubated muscles by aspirin treatment before obtaining TAPS, or by the addition of thrombin itself up to the concentration of 0.67 micron/ml which was contained in the incubation medium of TAPS. These data suggest that protein catabolism is accelerated in the muscle from the thrombin-treated rats exhibiting DIC. The supernatant of activated Plt might contain a factor which modulates protein metabolism. That factor is different from prostaglandins or thrombin. Thus, active consumption of Plt may contribute to an increase of muscle breakdown in various catabolic states.

The assay system of chondroitin sulfate iron colloid (CSFe) was established to evaluate the reticuloendothelial system (RES) function in individual rabbits. In the multi-dose study of CSFe, CSFe was repeatedly administered to each individual rabbit with increasing doses (0.6, 1.2, 2.4, 6.0 mg/kg) at set intervals. Blood samples were serially collected after injection of CSFe and the concentration of CSFe in serum was directly measured as an iron concentration by modifying the previously described assay method [1] to minimize the sample volume. The clearance rate of CSFe at each injected dose was computed by the least-squares method and the double-reciprocal plotting of the doses against the phagocytic velocities by the Lineweaver-Burk method was obtained in each rabbit. The maximum phagocytic velocity (Vmax) and the CSFe concentration producing 1 2 V max (Kp) obtained in ten rabbits were 0.129 ± 0.025 mg/kg per min and 0.417 ± 0.121 mg/kg (mean ± S.D.), respectively. The results obtained from this multi-dose study were comparable to our previous results obtained from the mean values of five groups given different doses [1]. The clearance rates of CSFe (0.6, 1.2, 6 mg/kg) decreased after the co-injection of 80 mg/kg of carbon colloid. The calculated Vmax and Kp in 29 rabbits were 0.125 mg/kg per min and 1.167 mg/kg. The Kp was apparently greater than that of the control (Vmax = 0.128 mg/kg per min, Kp = 0.421 mg/kg). Carbon colloid (80 mg/kg) was injected to six rabbits after the completion of the first multi-dose study of CSFe and then the second multi-dose study of CSFe was repeated after 24 h. No differences were found in Vmax and Kp between the two studies as were in the control group (10 rabbits) where saline was injected instead of carbon colloid. These results indicated that carbon colloid (80 mg/kg) gives a competitive and reversible inhibition on the RES. This multi-dose study of CSFe may be applicable for a bed-side analysis of the RES function in a patient.

An intense isotropic source of multicharged carbon and oxygen ions with energy above 300 keV and particle number >108 per shot was obtained by femtosecond Ti:Sa laser irradiation of submicron clusters. The source was employed for high-contrast contact ionography images with 600 nm spatial resolution. A variation in object thickness of 100 nm was well resolved for both Zr and polymer foils.

The intense isotropic source of multicharged ions, with energy above 300 keV, was produced by femtosecond Ti:Sa laser pulses irradiation (intensity of ∼4×1017 W/cm2) of the He and CO2 gases mixture expanded in supersonic jet. High contrast ionography images have been obtained for 2000 dpi metal mesh, 1 μm polypropylene and 100 nm Zr foils, as well as for different biological objects. Images were recorded on 1 mm thick CR‐39 ion detector placed in contact with back surface of the imaged samples, at the distances 140–160 mm from the plasma source. The obtained spatial resolution of the image was ∼600 nm. A 100 nm object thickness difference was resolved very well for both Zr and polymer foils. The multicharged ion energy for Carbon and Oxygen ions passing through the 1 μm polypropylene foil is estimated to give the energy of more than 300 keV. An almost equal number of ions were measured with total number of about 108 per shot at a different direction from plasma source. Easy production of different sub‐MeV...

We have previously shown that cytosolic acidification-stimulated Na(+)-H+ exchange in LLC-PK1 cells is inhibited by calmodulin antagonists. To investigate further the role of Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent processes in intracellular pH (pHi) regulation in these cells, we studied the effects of pHi changes on cytosolic Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i). In fura-2/acetoxymethylester (fura-2/AM)-loaded cells maintained in isotonic Na(+)-free buffer containing 1.8 mM CaCl2, [Ca2+]i was 168 +/- 59 nM (n = 5). After NH4Cl-induced alkalinization, [Ca2+]i decreased to 83 +/- 28 nM and partially recovered to 126 +/- 42 nM. Cytosolic acidification, after NH4Cl washout, caused an increase in [Ca2+]i to 481 +/- 166 nM (P less than 0.05; n = 5) that was dependent on extracellular Ca2+. An increase in [Ca2+]i was also observed in cells acidified with KCl-nigericin, with a return of [Ca2+]i to baseline with cell alkalinization. No increase in 45Ca2+ efflux occurred in association with initial NH4Cl-induced [Ca2+]i decrease, suggesting Ca2+ flux into an intracellular store during alkalinization. Membrane depolarization did not alter [Ca2+]i. The acidification-induced [Ca2+]i increase was inhibited by preincubation with verapamil or the calmodulin antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). Na(+)-dependent pHi recovery in 2,'7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethylester (BCECF/AM)-loaded LLC-PK1 cells and cytosolic acidification-stimulated basolateral Na(+)-H+ exchange activity in LLC-PK1/CL4 cells were both attenuated in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. The results indicate that cytosolic acidification activates an influx of extracellular Ca2+ in LLC-PK1 cells. Furthermore, in the absence of Ca2+ influx, Na(+)-H+ exchange is inhibited.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Studies were performed to investigate regulatory pathways of loop diuretic-sensitive Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport in cultured rat glomerular mesangial cells. Angiotensin II, alpha-thrombin, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) all stimulated Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport in a concentration-dependent manner. Pertussis toxin pretreatment reduced the effects of angiotensin II and alpha-thrombin but not that of EGF. Addition of the protein kinase C inhibitor staurosporine or down-regulation of protein kinase C by prolonged incubation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate partially reduced the effects of angiotensin II and alpha-thrombin and completely blunted the phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-induced stimulation of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport but did not affect EGF-induced stimulation. Exposure of cells to a calcium ionophore, A23187, resulted in a concentration-dependent stimulation of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport, which was not significantly inhibited by down-regulation of protein kinase C but was completely inhibited by the calmodulin antagonist, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide (W-7). Stimulation of the cotransport by angiotensin II or alpha-thrombin was also partially inhibited by W-7. Inhibitory effects of protein kinase C down-regulation and W-7 were additive and, when combined, produced a complete inhibition of angiotensin II-induced stimulation of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport. In saponin-permeabilized mesangial cells, phosphorylation of a synthetic decapeptide substrate for Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase II, Pro-Leu-Ser-Arg-Thr-Leu-Ser-Val-Ser-Ser-NH3, was demonstrated. Maximal activation of the decapeptide substrate phosphorylation required the presence of Ca2+ and calmodulin and was dependent on Ca2+ concentration. These findings indicate that stimulation of Na+/K+/Cl- cotransport by angiotensin II and alpha-thrombin is mediated by protein kinase C and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinases whereas the action of EGF is mediated by other pathways.

Glomerular mesangial cells are smooth muscle-like contractile cells that mediate hormonal regulation of glomerular filtration. To gain better understanding of ionic events that accompany contraction/relaxation of these cells, flux pathways of K+ and their regulation by vasoactive agents were investigated in cultured rat mesangial cells using 86Rb+ as a tracer. Of total 86Rb+ influx (16.6 +/- 0.6 nmol x mg protein -1 x min-1), 46% was inhibited by 2 mM ouabain. Loop diuretics inhibited 43% of ouabain-insensitive 86Rb+ influx (3.9 +/- 0.2 nmol x mg protein-1 x min-1). Half-maximum inhibition was observed at 2 and 0.4 microM for furosemide and bumetanide, respectively. Loop diuretic-sensitive 86Rb+ influx was dependent on extracellular Na+ and Cl-; a hyperbolic dependency on extracellular Na+ was noted with apparent Michaels constant of 39 mM while a sigmoidal dependency on extracellular Cl- was present, which, assuming 1:1:2 stoichiometry for Na(+)-K(+)-Cl-, produced an apparent mean affinity constant of 64 mM. Moreover, a fraction of amiloride-insensitive 22Na+ influx was found to be sensitive to furosemide and dependent on extracellular K+ and Cl-, further indicating the presence of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport. Efflux of 86Rb+ followed first-order kinetics, of which 60% was inhibitable by furosemide. Manipulations of extracellular osmolarity revealed that these furosemide-sensitive 86Rb+ flux pathways were coordinately regulated in response to osmotic stress. Concentration-dependent stimulation of Na(+)-K(+)-Cl- cotransport-mediated 86Rb+ influx was induced by two vasoconstrictors, angiotensin II (ANG II) and arginine vasopressin (AVP), and by a vasodilator, atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publisher Summary Carbon dioxide (CO2) storage potential in anticline aquifers is estimated for various cases with a numerical model. Simple relationship is obtained for CO 2 storage potential, aquifer pore volume, and aquifer shape. Therefore, the CO 2 storage potential of aquifers with this relationship can be easily estimated once aquifer size and shape are determined. Long-term sealing capability of cap rock is also investigated with a numerical model. After various simulation studies, it is indicated that long-term sealing capability of cap rock is good enough when thickness permeability ratio is greater than 2.0x10 5 m/md. The storage potential must have been grasped beforehand to appropriately sequestrate CO 2 in aquifers. Until now, though the storage potential has been estimated by the volumetric method in many cases, it may greatly differ from the actual storage volume because pressure rise due to CO 2 injection and leakage of CO 2 are not considered. Therefore, the numerical modeling approach is necessary to estimate the storage potential properly considering these factors.

Localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) switching was investigated in a Au/GeSbTe/Au nanosandwich as a key active element for plasmonic integrated circuits and devices. Near-infrared single-particle spectroscopy was conducted to examine the interaction of a Au nanorod (AuNR) and Au film, between which a GeSbTe layer was incorporated as an active phase-change media. Numerical calculation revealed that hybridized modes of the AuNR and Au film exhibit a significant change of scattering intensity with the phase change. In particular, the antisymmetric (magnetic resonance) mode can be modulated effectively by the extinction coefficient of GST, as well as its refractive index. Experimental demonstration of the switching operation was performed by alternate irradiation with a picosecond pulsed laser for amorphization and a continuous wave laser for crystallization. Repeatable modulation was obtained by monitoring the scattering light around the LSPR peak at λ = 1070 nm.

Sensors with multiple crystal oscillators are effectively used for highly functional and highly sensitive chemical sensors which identify unknown or target materials in gases and liquids. This paper presents results of basic study for applying rubber materials on the sensor and a simple way for preparing crystals with various natures of sensing films. Experimental results showed that the devices with these chemical interface materials have different selectivity for various kinds of gasses and that the selectivity is controlled by bonding reactive materials on the surface of the film.

As a platform for active nanophotonics, localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) switching via interaction with a chalcogenide phase change material (GeSbTe) was investigated. We performed single-particle spectroscopy of gold nanoparticles placed on a GeSbTe thin film. By irradiation with a femtosecond pulsed laser for amorphization and a continuous wave laser for crystallization, significant switching behavior of the LSPR band due to the interaction of GeSbTe was observed. The switching mechanism was explained in terms of both a change in the refractive index and a modification of surface morphology accompanying volume expansion and reduction of GeSbTe.

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of cysteine-rich heavy-metal-binding proteins. We have investigated MT gene expression in the ventral and dorsolateral lobes of the prostate and coagulating gland of male Wistar rats. In intact rats, both MT mRNA and MT were present in the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland but not in the ventral lobe. Orchidectomy caused involution of the above organs, and both MT mRNA and MT were considerably decreased or became undetectable. An injection of testosterone propionate into orchidectomized rats restored not only the size of these organs, but also MT mRNA and MT concentrations, particularly in the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland. In the dorsolateral lobe, no selective uptake of Zn2+ preceding the increase in MT was observed, suggesting that Zn2+ ions are not associated with the increased expression of the MT gene. The present result suggests that of the male auxiliary genital organs, the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland, but not the ventral lobe, contain MT, the biosynthesis of which is regulated by testosterone.

Muscle protein degradation and intracellular protease activities were investigated in disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC), which is frequently associated with severe catabolic states such as sepsis and multiple organ failure. DIC was introduced in rats by repeated intravenous thrombin injections. Saline was injected in control rats. In the 28 rats (14 with DIC and 14 controls), the bilateral soleus (SOL) muscles were incubated in an oxygenated medium without cycloheximide (CH) to determine the release of tyrosine (Tyr) into the incubated medium. From 24 rats (12 with DIC and 12 controls), the SOL and extensor digitorum longus (EDL) muscles were harvested to measure the activities of proteasome and of cathepsins L and B. The contralateral muscles were incubated in a medium with 0.5 mM CH to determine the release of Tyr and 3-methylhistidine (3-MH). The release of Tyr without CH (net proteolysis) from SOL muscles with DIC was greater than in controls (218 +/- 83.3 vs. 145 +/- 47.7 pmol/mg/h. However, the release of Tyr and 3-MH with CH (total proteolysis) and the activities of proteasome and cathepsins in DIC were nearly the same as those in controls. In both DIC and control rats, the total release of Tyr and proteasome activity were greater in SOL than in EDL muscles. These results suggest that reutilization of Tyr, reflecting protein synthesis, is suppressed in DIC and that the red slow muscle is more active in nonfibrillar proteolysis than the white fast muscle.

The influence of surgical stress on the function of the reticuloendothelial system (RES) is not well elucidated. Because we established an in vivo functional test for the RES by using chondroitin sulfate iron colloid in rabbits, the normal range of RES function in healthy volunteers (n = 12) and the dynamic change of RES function in surgical patients after distal gastrectomy (n = 14) were examined by this method. In healthy volunteers, the maximum phagocytic velocity and membrane-particle constant were 0.0310 +/- 0.0052 mg/kg per minute and 0.575 +/- 0.205 mg/kg, respectively. In surgical patients, maximum phagocytic velocity (postoperative day 1, 0.0408 +/- 0.0088; postoperative day 3, 0.0486 +/- 0.0115; and postoperative day 7, 0.0430 +/- 0.0115 mg/kg per minute) and membrane-particle constant (postoperative day 3, 0.717 +/- 0.169 mg/kg) significantly increased postoperatively in comparison with preoperative values. These results indicate that the total capacity of the RES is augmented but that its functional phagocytic efficiency is diminished after abdominal surgery. This phenomenon is considered to be one of the immunological alterations caused by surgical stress. The chondroitin sulfate iron colloid test can be applied to monitor the dynamic change of the RES function under various conditions.

beta 2-microglobulin (beta 2-M) was secreted in a dose- and time-dependent manner after interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment of human hepatoblastoma (HuH-6) and hepatoma cells (HuH-7). Pancreatic secretory trypsin inhibitor, which is one of the acute phase proteins secreted in these cells, was also secreted dose- and time-dependently in HuH-6 cells and dose-dependently in HuH-7 cells. It is conceivable that IL-6 induces the production of beta 2-M as an acute phase protein in the liver.

The present studies examined effects of ATP depletion and calmodulin antagonism on stimulation of Na(+)-H+ exchange by cytosolic acidification in renal epithelial cells (LLC-PK1). ATP depletion significantly inhibited both amiloride-sensitive 22Na+ uptake (P less than 0.001; n = 12) and Na(+)-dependent intracellular pH (pHi) recovery in 2',7'-bis (carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein acetoxymethylester (BCECF/AM)-loaded cells. Calmodulin antagonists, N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalene-sulfonamide (W-7) and calmidazolium, both caused a concentration-dependent inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange activity. The W-7-induced inhibition of Na(+)-H+ exchange occurred in cells incubated for 24 h with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, indicating that the effect of W-7 was not mediated by protein kinase C inhibition. Both W-7 and ATP depletion shifted the pHi dependence of the antiporter, and ATP depletion also reduced the maximal activity. In LLC-PK1/CL4 cells grown on permeable filters, W-7 inhibited the cytosolic acidification-stimulated basolateral exchanger by 54 +/- 5% (P less than 0.005; n = 7) and, in contrast, stimulated the apical exchanger by 28 +/- 13% (P less than 0.05; n = 6). ATP depletion significantly inhibited apical Na(+)-H+ exchange. These results suggest that an ATP-Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent process is involved in regulation of Na(+)-H+ exchange in LLC-PK1 cells. A Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent process activated the amiloride-sensitive basolateral Na(+)-H+ exchanger and inhibited the amiloride-resistant apical antiporter. Phosphorylation of these two Na(+)-H+ exchangers or regulatory proteins by a Ca(2+)-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase may mediate this differential regulation.

Vascular clearance of chondroitin sulfate iron colloid (CSFe) was evaluated as a test for the reticuloendothelial system (RES) in rabbits. Injected CS 59 Fe was taken up by the RES in the liver (49%) and bone marrow (41%) after 60 min, suggesting its application for the RES function test. The clearance rate (K-value) of CSFe from the blood was calculated by measuring serum Fe concentrations after releasing iron from CSFe at certain intervals after injection. Depending upon different injected doses K-values were varied and the phagocytic velocity, computed by multiplying K-values by coprresponding injected doses, reached a plateau at high doses, indicating the phagocytosis of CSFe by the RES takes a saturation process. Double-reciprocal plotting of the dose and the phagocytic velocity showed a linear relationship, which provided the data on the maximum phagocytic velocity ( V max ), 0.122 mg/kg/min, and the CSFe concentration producing 1/2 V max ( K p ), 0.426 mg/kg. Thus, this CSFe clearance test can be used for the evaluation of the RES function.

Rationale Oligodeoxynucleotides containing unmethylated CpG motifs (CpG ODN) are known to elicit Th1 immune responses via TLR9 and are currently under investigation in patients with allergic diseases. However, the mechanisms involved are not fully understood. Methods To assess the effect of CpG ODN on the up-regulation of Th1-chemoattractant CXCR3 chemokines in human B cells, RPMI 8226 human B cell line and human peripheral B cells were cultured in the presence or absence of two distinct classes of CpG ODN - CpG-A and CpG-B - for up to 24 hours. mRNA levels of three CXCR3 chemokines - IP-10, Mig and I-TAC - were quantified by real-time PCR. Results In RPMI 8226 cells, mRNAs and proteins for IP-10, Mig and I-TAC were strongly up-regulated by CpG-B, but not by CpG-A. Though these CXCR3 chemokines are known to be induced by type I and II IFNs, blocking mAbs against IFN-α/β receptor or IFN-γ receptor did not inhibit induction of CXCR3 chemokines by CpG-B. Up-regulation of mRNAs for these CXCR3 chemokines was blocked by two NF-κB inhibitors - PDTC and MG132 - and a p38 inhibitor, SB202190, but not by a JNK inhibitor, SP600125 or a MEK inhibitor, U0126. In human B cells, exactly the same inhibitory pattern was observed. Conclusions These results strongly suggest that CXCR3 chemokines are directly induced by CpG-B but not by CpG-A via IFN-independent, NF-κB- and p38-dependent pathways in human B lymphocytes. This implies that CXCR3 chemokines may participate in part in the induction of Th1 responses by CpG-B.

The structure of carbon layers precipitated on Ni(111) surface by surface segregation was investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). As a result of STM observations, it was clarified that the atomic arrangement and electronic structure of the carbon layers were essentially the same as those of the highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG). And some defect structures which run along 〈1100〉 directions were observed.

We investigated the effect of dopamine and arachidonic acid on pancreatic blood flow and exocrine secretion in the isolated blood-perfused pancreas of pentobarbital sodium-anesthetized dogs without or with pretreatment with indomethacin or sodium meclofenamate in the absence and during infusion of prostaglandins I2 or E2 (PGI2 or PGE2). Intra-arterial administration of dopamine (50-500 ng/kg) produced an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation and enhanced flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion. Arachidonic acid (0.5-5 micrograms/kg) produced vasodilation without altering the flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion. In animals pretreated with indomethacin or sodium meclofenamate (10 mg/kg iv), the magnitude and the duration of the biphasic vascular response but not the increase in flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion elicited by dopamine were reduced. Arachidonic acid-induced vasodilation was abolished by the cyclooxygenase inhibitors. During infusion of PGI2 or PGE2 (10 ng X kg-1 X min-1 ia), the inhibitory effect of indomethacin or sodium meclofenamate on the vasodilator phase of the response to dopamine was diminished. These data suggest that prostaglandins, presumably PGI2 and PGE2, contribute to the effect of dopamine to increase pancreatic blood flow but not to increase pancreatic exocrine secretion in anesthetized dogs.

The surface of an austenitic stainless steel doped with N, B, and Ce (SUS304‐NBCe), which was covered with thin BN precipitated layers, has been characterized using Auger electron spectroscopy (AES), Fourier transform infrared, transmission electron microscopy, transmission electron diffraction (TED), and reflection high‐energy electron diffraction (RHEED) techniques. Thermal desorption spectroscopy method was also applied for evaluating its outgassing nature. AES spectra obtained from the BN precipitated layers coincided well with those of a hexagonal BN even in fine structures of B(KLL) and N(KLL) Auger transitions. RHEED and TED patterns obtained from them showed that the structure of the BN layer was hexagonal and that the c axis preferred to be parallel to the surface normal. That is to say, the basal plane of the hexagonal BN, which is more inert to adsorption than other planes are, preferred to cover the surface. The outgassing nature of the above surface has been measured and compared with two oth...

Specific antibodies to cell membrane antigens found on human T-cell leukemia virus (HTLV)-infected cells have been detected in Japanese patients with adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma and in asymptomatic carriers, using a live cell-membrane immunofluorescence assay. Reactivity of the positive antisera was analyzed using radioimmunoprecipitation and NaDodSO4/PAGE with the HTLV-infected tumor cell line Hut 102 (clone B2). The major cell-associated antigens identified include two glycoproteins of approximately equal to 61 and 45 kDa, which appear to be the most immunogenic species in exposed people, a nonglycosylated species of 42 kDa, and four additional species that contain gag gene-encoded antigens with sizes ranging from 19 to 55 kDa. The two glycoproteins ( gp61 and gp45 ) are encoded, at least in part, by the env gene of HTLV as evidenced by amino acid sequence analysis.

The Berg-Barrett X-ray topographic method was employed as a microstructural technique to seek correlations of the metal substructure to the morphological features of α-Al2O3 films grown on β-NiAl. An analysis of diffraction micrographs using {112} and {002} reflections from individual grains in β-NiAl revealed its subgrain structure to a depth of 30 μ. The dimensions of these subgrains were directly related to the density of oxide ridges in the α-Al2O3 films and to the dimensions and shapes of cavities at the NiAl-Al2O3 interface.

The precipitation of hexagonal BN on the surface of an austenitic stainless steel doped with 0.05 at.% boron and 0.58 at.% nitrogen has been studied using Auger electron spectroscopy. A model which explains the surface precipitation mechanism is proposed. In this model the phenomenon proceeds through three stages: (1) a precursor state in which nitrogen atoms segregate and migrate to the surface to a considerable content: (2) a surface reaction between the nitrogen and boron atoms coming from the bulk to form a basal plane of hBN; and (3) a consequent crystal growth at the interface. The outgassing nature of these BN-precipitated surfaces has been examined using thermal desorption spectroscopy. After air exposure, only H2O was adsorbed on those regions and its adsorption density was estimated to be approximately a few tenths of a monolayer.

We investigated the effect of secretin and caerulein on pancreatic circulation and exocrine secretion and its relation to prostaglandin (PG) synthesis by studying the effect of these peptides on the pancreatic blood flow and the flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion in the isolated blood-perfused pancreas of pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs without or with pretreatment with the cyclooxygenase inhibitors, indomethacin and meclofenamate. Intra-arterial administration of secretin (0.1–0.3 U/kg) produced an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation. On the other hand, caerulein (50–200 ng/kg) produced vasodilation and increased pancreatic blood flow in a dose-related manner. Both secretin and caerulein increased the flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion. In animals pretreated with either indomethacin or meclofenamate, the ability of secretin to produce an initial vasoconstriction was abolished and the subsequent vasodilator component of the response as well as caerulein-induced vasodilation were reduced in duration. The effect of caerulein but not of secretin to stimulate the flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion was reduced by indomethacin and meclofenamate. Administration of PGI2 and PGE2 into the pancreas caused vasodilation, whereas PGF2 alpha and PGD2 produced a biphasic effect, i.e., an initial vasoconstriction followed by vasodilation. Infusion of either PGI2 or PGE2 but not that of PGF2 alpha or PGD2 minimized the effect of cyclooxygenase inhibitors to reduce the duration of vasodilator response elicited by secretin and caerulein. Prostaglandins neither altered the basal nor the rise in flow rate of pancreatic exocrine secretion produced by secretin and caerulein. These data indicate that in the canine pancreas prostaglandins contribute to the effects of secretin and caerulein to increase pancreatic blood flow but not to their effect on pancreatic exocrine secretion.

The adsorption characteristics of the cleavage and edge surfaces of MoS2 were studied by Auger electron spectroscopy, and the following conclusions were obtained. The cleavage surface of MoS2 has difficulty in adsorbing the vapors, and the adsorbed vapor is easily evaporated from the surface in vacuum. On the contrary, the edge surface of MoS2 adsorbs vapors easily, and is difficult to evaporate. These experimental results could explain the difference in the frictional behaviors of cleavage and edge surfaces of MoS2. Sulfur is usually richer than the estimated stoichiometric value on the MoS2 surface, and even on the adsorbed surface. Ion etching can reduce the sulfur contents to the stoichiometric value. Presented as an American Society of Lubrication Engineers paper at the ASLE/ASME Lubrication Conference in New Orleans, Louisiana, October 5–7, 1981

An explanation of the deviation from the parabolic law is the treatment which considers both shortcircuit and lattice diffusion in the oxide scale. In this study we examine how the oxidation kinetics are influenced by changing the structure of the scale of copper oxide in order to confirm the role of short-circuit diffusion in determining the oxidation rate. In addition we explain the oxidation kinetics of copper and nickel by using a model of the scale structure which includes recrystallization and grain growth. Results are as follows: (1) The nucleation and growth behavior of oxide have a direct effect on the structure and in turn the oxidation kinetics due to short-circuit diffusion. (2) A modified treatment is valid in the region where volume diffusion and short-circuit diffusion play an important role in which it is necessary to consider the scale structure such as the grain size distribution and the boundary width. (3) When recrystallization takes place it is necessary to consider the model of a two-layered scale structure which is different in properties and morphology. (4) In this region the rate curves are S-shaped when oxide recrystallization takes place and exhibit a transition from a parabolic to an nth-power relationship (n>2) when grain growth takes place.

A study has been made of the growth of nickel oxide layers on the (100), (110), and (111) crystal faces of nickel exposed to oxygen for periods up to 100 hr at temperatures in the range 500–800°C, These layers grow at a rate dependent upon the crystallographic orientation of the nickel face even at thicknesses within the scaling range. The (100) face oxidized more rapidly than the (110) and (111) nickel faces while the latter faces oxidized at different relative rates dependent upon temperature. A diffusional model is employed to interpret the oxidation kinetics wherein nickel transport proceeds in nickel oxide both by short-circuit diffusion at grain boundaries and by lattice diffusion.

In a previous paper, the relationship between the relaxation spectrum of an amorphous high polymer in the rubbery region and the molecular weight distribution function was studied by the phenomenological theory method. We found a simple, direct proportional relationship between them. The reliability of assumptions and approximations made for the theoretical study can be evaluated by comparison of calculated and experimental data. As reported previously, selection of values for the simplified method was optional in calculating molecular weight dependence of the relaxation spectrum of a sample with a homogeneous distribution. Therefore, the feasibility of selection has to be evaluated by comparison of calculated results with observed data. For the comparison, it is necessary to obtain experimental data for a sample having a homogeneous distribution and compare it with calculated results for the relaxation spectrum and molecular weight distribution of the previous paper. However, these data are scarce in the current literature. From available past literature, we selected polystyrene, poly(vinyl acetate) and polyisobutene as typical samples of amorphous high polymers. In addition, experimental data for two samples of polystyrene were included. Thus, data for a total of five samples were compared with calculated results of the previous paper.

A study has been made on the influence of surface preparation involving abrasion, electropolishing, and vacuum annealing on the physical nature of the (100) nickel crystal face and on the morphological development of the oxide film. The structure of the initial surface was dependent upon the method of surface preparation, but electropolished specimens subjected to conventional or high vacuum anneals at 10−6 and 10−10 Torr, respectively, and temperatures of 800 and 700° C were structurally identical. Thermal faceting of surfaces prepared to correspond to the (100) plane was negligible. Oxidation at 500° C and over the oxygen pressure range 10−5−400 Torr led to formation of polycrystalline oxide crystallites randomly distributed over the surface during early stage exposures; the crystallites were only a few hundred Angstroms in size upon coverage of the surface by a nickel oxide film. These films were relatively uniform for thicknesses up to 2000 A. Crystallite growth processes led to three major epitaxial relationships between oxide and metal: (100) NiO , (111) NiO , and (211) NiO ∥ (100) Ni .