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Paint removal is an important part of steel processing for marine and offshore engineering. For centuries, a blasting techniques have been widely used for this surface preparation purpose. But conventional blasting always has intrinsic problems, such as noise, explosion risk, contaminant particles, vibration, and dust. In addition, processing wastes often cause environmental problems. In recent years, laser cleaning has attracted much research effort for its significant advantages, such as precise treatment, and high selectivity and flexibility in comparison with conventional cleaning techniques. In the present study, we use this environmentally friendly technique to overcome the problems of conventional blasting. Processed samples are examined with optical microscopes and other surface characterization tools. Experimental results show that laser cleaning can be a good alternative candidate to conventional blasting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of laser energy fluence and substrate heating on the annealing of boron-implanted silicon-germanium epitaxial layers on silicon was investigated. By making use of the difference in the melting points of silicon-germanium and silicon, a process window in the laser energy fluence can be found such that the meltdepth was confined within the silicon-germanium. Pre-heating of the substrate to 300°C was done to reduce the laser fluence required and improve the surface morphology. Cross-sectional transmission electron microscopy showed that there were no end-of-range defects due to ion implantation at the silicon-germanium/silicon interface after the laser annealing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A new X-ray diffraction technique is developed to probe structural variations at the interfaces between epitaxy thin films and single-crystal substrates. The technique utilizes three-wave Bragg-surface diffraction, where a symmetric Bragg reflection and an asymmetric surface reflection are involved. The propagation of the latter along the interfaces conveys structural information about the interfacial region between the substrate and epi-layers. The sample systems of Au/GaAs(001) are subject to the three-wave diffraction investigation using synchrotron radiation. The GaAs three-wave Bragg-surface diffractions, (006)/(11¯3) and (006)/(1¯1¯3), are employed. The images of the surface diffracted waves are recorded with an image plate. The obtained images show relative positions of diffraction spots near the image of the interfacial boundary, which give the variation of lattice constant along the surface normal and in-plane directions. With the aid of grazing-incidence diffraction, three-dimensional mapping of strain field at the interfaces is possible. Details about this diffraction technique and the analysis procedures are discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In order to investigate the safety and efficacy of sildenafil prescribed in primary care, a post-marketing surveillance study was undertaken. A total of 651 men with erectile dysfunction (ED) were enrolled from 31 family physicians in Korea from December 1999 to July 2002. Patients were regularly followed up to ascertain the safety and efficacy of sildenafil. Of the 651 patients enrolled, 572 (87.9%) returned for safety evaluation and efficacy assessment. In all, 458 (80.1%) of 572 patients reported improved erectile function with sildenafil. Hypertension, diabetes and low-dose sildenafil were associated with poor efficacy. A total of 71 adverse events were reported among 56 patients (8.6%), with the most frequent being hot flushes (5.6%), followed by headache (2.6%), palpitation (1.0%), anxiety (0.5%) and elevated ALT (0.5%). Only six patients (1.0%) discontinued sildenafil as a direct result of adverse events. These results suggest that sildenafil prescribed by primary care physicians was well tolerated and improved erectile function in patients with ED.International Journal of Impotence Research (2005) 17, 71-75. doi:10.1038/sj.ijir.3901263 Published online 14 October 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Next-generation sequencing (NGS) of cell-free circulating tumor DNA (cfDNA) enables noninvasive simultaneous genomic analysis. Although detecting genomic alterations in plasma has been shown to be reliable and reproducible, real-world data and its clinical impact are yet limited. Methods We prospectively analyzed 147 advanced NSCLC patients between December 2018 and July 2019. We collected information regarding baseline characteristics including age, gender, mutation status, date of each biopsy, and response of treatment. Addition to conventional tissue analysis, we used cfDNA NGS (Guardant360; Guardant Health, Inc. Redwood City, California) to identify targetable genomic alterations in plasma. Variants were considered actionable if they were part of the Onco-KB precision oncology knowledge database and classified in four levels of actionability based on their preclinical or clinical evidence. Results Among 147 patients, 143 (97.3%) patients had detectable levels of cfDNA at plasma. The patient with adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma were 116 (81.1%) and 20 (14.0%) respectively. Forty patients (28.0%) were treatment-naïve and one hundred three patients (72.0%) were with progressive disease after chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Potentially actionable level 1-4 genomic alterations were detected in 48 cases (33.5%), of which 15 patients (10.5%) had level 1-2 alterations. Six patients changed treatment regimen according to the result of cfDNA NGS. At the time of data cut-off, all the responses of treatment-changed patients (n = 6) were stable disease with ongoing treatment. Conclusions Real world cfDNA testing identified actionable genomic alterations in NSCLC which were not identified in conventional tissue biopsy with high feasibility. This prospective study demonstrated that profiling of NSCLC using cfDNA NGS testing can be more efficient strategy for deciding the therapeutic options at initial diagnosis and after progression. Legal entity responsible for the study The authors. Funding Has not received any funding. Disclosure All authors have declared no conflicts of interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The tumor immune microenvironment in cancer treatment response and resistance is of increasing interest. This retrospective study characterized and investigated programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1), PD-L2, and the immune gene expression signature and their association with clinical outcomes in locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (LA HNSCC)., Patients and Methods: PD-L1 and PD-L2 expression on tumor and immune-infiltrating cells (positivity defined as combined positive score or immunohistochemistry proportion score >1) and T-cell-inflamed gene expression profile (Tcell inf GEP) were evaluated in patients with LA HNSCC treated in South Korea from 2000 to 2015. Correlations among the three biomarkers and their associations with overall survival and recurrence-free survival were assessed., Results: Among 366 patients, 38.8% had human papillomavirus-positive disease. PD-L1-positive, PD-L2-positive, and high Tcell inf GEP (≤-0.162) status were observed in 83.6%, 85.4%, and 73.2% of patients, respectively; 4.1% were posttreatment samples. Correlation between PD-L1 and PD-L2 scores was moderate (r Spearman  = 0.50), and each biomarker was slightly less correlated with Tcell inf GEP (0.41-0.45). PD-L1 expression and high Tcell inf GEP status were associated with human papillomavirus positivity. Higher levels of all biomarkers were observed in oral cavity and oropharyngeal cancers compared with other HNSCC sites. In a multivariable analysis that simultaneously adjusted for all three biomarkers, only high Tcell inf GEP was significantly associated with longer overall survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.57; 95% confidence interval 0.33-0.98) and recurrence-free survival (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.41; 95% confidence interval 0.23-0.74)., Conclusion: High Tcell inf GEP status, but not PD-L1 or PD-L2 expression, was independently associated with longer survival in patients with LA HNSCC. Results may have implications for evaluating therapies targeting programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) in HNSCC., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Rates of disease recurrence and death following surgery remain high in early-stage non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), despite adjuvant treatment and curative intent. Recently, osimertinib showed overwhelming evidence for disease-free survival (DFS), as demonstrated by an overall reduction in the risk of disease recurrence or death in the adjuvant setting of 80% versus control in the ADAURA study (stage IB-IIIA; hazard ratio 0.20; 99.12% confidence interval 0.14-0.30; P < 0.001). However, due to the early unblinding of ADAURA and lack of mature overall survival data, there is a need to qualitatively confirm consensus on the clinical and patient relevance of DFS., Materials and Methods: We conducted a modified Delphi panel study consisting of two rounds of surveys, followed by a consensus meeting. An international panel of experts in the field of NSCLC and epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitors (EGFR-TKIs) (n = 13) was asked to rate agreement and comment on a list of pre-defined statements covering key consensus gaps. Statements were eliminated or updated between surveys, depending on the level of agreement. A final list of agreed-upon statements was drafted in the consensus meeting., Results: Consensus was reached on 32 qualitative statements, with topics including unmet needs in early-stage NSCLC, the value of DFS, and the value of osimertinib. Crucially, DFS was agreed to be a clinically and patient-relevant endpoint in adjuvant NSCLC. The relevance of DFS was found to relate to the ability of an adjuvant therapy, such as osimertinib, to keep patients in the clinically valuable curative intent setting, while preventing the burden associated with distant and locoregional recurrence, and progressive disease., Conclusions: Addressing the need for measures that reflect clinical benefit is essential to continue improving outcomes for NSCLC patients. To that end, this work provides a qualitative framework for clinicians to consider the clinical and patient relevance of DFS in adjuvant NSCLC and the benefit demonstrated in ADAURA thus far., Competing Interests: Disclosure MP reports being an advisor to Takeda, Pfizer, Roche, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Eli Lilly, Amgen, Sanofi, Gritstone, GlaxoSmithKline; speaker fees from Takeda, Pfizer, Roche, Chugai, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Merck Sharp & Dohme, Illumina; institutional research grants from Takeda, AstraZeneca, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim. BMS reports being a consultant to Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Galvanize Therapeutics, Flame Therapeutics; advisory boards for AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Genentech, Bristol Myers Squibb; research support to Bristol Myers Squibb; board of Lung Cancer Research Foundation; employment at Xalud Therapeutics, PPD, Pfizer. CG reports receiving honoraria, speaker’s bureau and advisory board fees from AstraZeneca, Boehringer-Ingelheim, and MSD; received travel and accommodation fees from Boehringer-Ingelheim. RC reports honoraria and consultancy fees from AstraZeneca, Boeringher Ingelheim, Lilly Oncology, Roche, Pfizer, MSD, Bristol Myers Squibb, Janssen, Takeda, Bayer, Sanofi, and Novartis; grants paid to institution for conduct of clinical trials or contracted research by Roche, AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Clovis, Lilly Oncology, MSD, BMS, Abbvie, Takeda, Janssen, and Novartis. FdM reports advisor fees from AstraZeneca, Roche, BMS, Novartis, MSD, XCovery, Takeda, Eli Lilly. RAS reports participation in advisory boards for Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, BMS, Boehringer Ingelheim, Lily, Merck, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche, Taiho, Takeda, Yuhan; research grant from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim. MT reports honoraria and lecture fees from Johnson & Johnson Japan, AstraZeneca KK, Eli Lilly Japan, Chugai Pharmaceutical CO., LTD, Taiho Pharma, Medtronic Japan, Ono Pharmaceutical CO.,LTD, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb KK, Teijin Pharma; consulting or advisory roles for AstraZeneca KK, Chugai Pharmaceutical CO Ltd, MSD, Novartis; receiving facilities research grant and commissioned research for Boehringer-Ingelheim Japan, MSD, AstraZeneca KK, Ono Pharmaceutical CO Ltd, MSD, Bristol-Myers Squibb KK, Eli Lilly Japan. SL reports receiving research support from AstraZeneca, Hutchison, BMS, Heng Rui Beigene and Roche, Hansoh; receiving speaker fees from AstraZeneca, Roche, Hansoh, Hengrui Therapeutics; advisor/consultant for Astra Zeneca, Pfizer, Hutchison MediPharma, ZaiLab, GenomiCare, Yuhan Corporation, Menarini, InventisBio Co. Ltd., and Roche. GL reports honoraria and advisory board membership/chair from AstraZeneca, Novartis, Hoffman La Roche, Pfizer, Abbvie, Merck, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Takeda; industry research funding from Takeda, AstraZeneca, and Boehringer Ingelheim; educational sessions for AstraZeneca, Takeda, EMD-Serono, Pfizer. RGC reports participating in advisory boards for MSD, Bristol-Myers, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Takeda; consulting for MSD, Bristol-Myers, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Takeda; receiving speaker honoraria from MSD, Bristol-Myers, Roche, Boehringer Ingelheim, Pfizer, Novartis, AstraZeneca, Lilly, Takeda. MT reports speaker and consultancy fees from AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Eli-Lilly, BMS, Novartis, Roche, MSD, Boehringer Ingelheim, Otsuka, Takeda, Pierre Fabre, Amgen, Merck; received institutional research grants from AstraZeneca, Boehringer Ingelheim. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest, (Copyright © 2022 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: Previous mass screening studies have shown that IgA antibodies against Epstein-Barr Virus (EBV) can facilitate early detection of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but the impact of EBV-antibody screening for NPC-specific mortality remains unknown., Patients and Methods: A prospective, cluster randomized, controlled trial for NPC screening (PRO-NPC-001) was conducted in 3 selected towns of Zhongshan City and 13 selected towns of Sihui City in southern China beginning in 2008. Serum samples of the screening group were tested for two previously selected anti-EBV antibodies. Subjects with serological medium risk were subsequently retested annually for 3 years, and those with serological high risk were referred to otorhinolaryngologists for diagnostic check-up. An interim analysis was carried out to evaluate the primary end points of the NPC-specific mortality and the early diagnostic rate, and the secondary end point of the NPC incidence, through linkage with the database of Zhongshan City., Results: Among 70 296 total subjects, 29 413 screened participants (41.8% of the total subjects) in the screening group and 50 636 in the control group, 153 (43.3 per 100 000 person-year), 62 (55.3 per 100 000 person-year) and 99 (33.1 per 100 000 person-year) NPC cases were identified. The early diagnostic rates of NPC were significantly higher in the participants (79.0%, P < 0.0001) and the screening group (45.9%, P < 0.0001) compared with the control group (20.6%). Although no differences were found between NPC-specific mortality of the screening group and the control group [relative risk (RR)= 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.37-1.79], lower NPC-specific mortality was noticed among participants from the screening group versus the control group (RR = 0.22, 95% CI 0.09-0.49)., Conclusion: IgA antibodies against EBV can identify high-risk population and was effective in screening for early asymptomatic NPC. Although the mortality reduction was not significant in the primary end point, we noted encouraging evidence of a mortality reduction in screening participants in this interim analysis., Clinical Trial Number: NCT00941538., (© The Author(s) 2019. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the European Society for Medical Oncology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oup.com.)

The enhancement of bovine serum albumin (BSA) fluorescence detection using a hierarchical laser-induced periodic surface structure (LIPSS) at the TC4 titanium alloy substrate was experimentally demonstrated. The hierarchical structure, including microgrooves, submicrometer LIPSS, and nanoparticles, has been achieved by a femtosecond laser. Due to the surface plasmon polariton induced by the LIPSS and localized surface plasmon resonance induced by nanoparticles, the enhancement factor of BSA fluorescence detection reached 74. Further, a good linear relationship between the concentration of copper ion inside and BSA fluorescence intensity was found in the range between 5 and 35 μg/mL. Our method explores a simple, reproducible, and pollution-free technique for surface-enhanced fluorescence.

Hyperactivation of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway occurs frequently in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, clinical outcomes of targeting the PI3K pathway have been underwhelming. In present study, we investigated the resistant mechanisms and potential combination therapeutic strategy to overcome adaptive resistance to PI3K inhibitor in HNSCC. Treatment of NVP-BKM120, a pan-PI3K inhibitor, led to upregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and subsequent activation of either extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) or signal transducers and activators of transcription 3 (STAT3), causing modest antitumor effects on the growth of HNSCC cells. Blockade of autocrine IL-6 signaling with siRNA or neutralizing antibody for IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) completely abolished NVP-BKM120-induced activation of ERK and STAT3 as well as expression of c-Myc oncogene, which resulted in enhanced sensitivity to NVP-BKM120. Moreover, when compared with a pharmacologic inhibitor or silencing of STAT3, trametinib, a MEK inhibitor, in combination with NVP-BKM120 yielded more potent anti-proliferative effects by inhibiting S phase transition, arresting cells at G0/G1 phase, and downregulating IL-6 and c-Myc expression. Furthermore, as compared with either agent alone, combination of NVP-BKM120 with trametinib or tocilizumab, a humanized anti-IL-6R antibody, significantly suppressed tumor growth in NVP-BKM120-resistant patient-derived tumor xenograft (PDTX) models, which was also confirmed in PDTX-derived cell lines. Collectively, these results suggested that IL-6/ERK signaling is closely involved in adaptive resistance of NVP-BKM120 in HNSCC cells, providing a rationale for a novel combination therapy to overcome resistance to PI3K inhibitors.

Mantidis ootheca (Sang Piao Xiao) is well known mantis eggs in a foamy pouch. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the underlying cellular mechanisms of the nitric oxide (NO)-releasing property of the aqueous extract of Mantidis ootheca (AMO) in rat aorta and vascular endothelial cells. AMO was examined for its vascular relaxant effect in isolated phenylephrine-precontracted rat thoracic aortic rings. The roles of the nitric oxide (NO) signaling in the AMO-induced effects were tested in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). HUVEC treated with AMO produced higher amount of NO compared to control. However, AMO-induced increases in NO production were blocked by pretreatment with N G -nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) or wortmannin. AMO increased in phosphorylation levels of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and Akt in HUVECs, which were attenuated by a NOS and Akt inhibitors. In aortic ring, AMO-induced dose-dependent relaxation of phenylephrine-precontracted aorta was abolished by removal of functional endothelium. Pretreatment with L-NAME, 1 H-[1,2,4]-oxadiazolo-[4,3-alpha]-quinoxalin-1-one (ODQ), and KT5823 inhibited the AMO-induced vasorelaxation. Similarly, wortmannin and LY-294002, an inhibitors of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K), an upstream signaling molecule of eNOS, attenuated the AMO-induced vasorelaxation. Moreover, AMO-induced increases in cGMP production were blocked by pretreatment with L-NAME or ODQ. The vasorelaxant effect of AMO was attenuated by tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine, and glibenclamide. We conclude that AMO relaxed vascular smooth muscle via endothelium-dependent activation of PI3K/Akt-mediated NO-cGMP-PKG signaling pathway and possible involvement of K + channel.

A dual-wavelength passively Q-switched Nd:GYSGG laser using vacuum evaporating tungsten disulfide (WS 2 ) as a saturable absorber was demonstrated for the first time to the best of our knowledge. The WS 2 saturable absorber was prepared simply by evaporating nanometer WS 2 powders onto a quartz substrate in a vacuum. By inserting the WS 2 saturable absorber into the laser cavity, stable Q-switched laser operation was achieved with a maximum average output power of 367 mW, a pulse repetition rate of 70.7 kHz, the shortest pulse width of 591 ns, and pulse energy of about 1.05 μJ. By vacuum evaporation method, a high-quality WS 2 saturable absorber can be produced, and it seems to be a suitable method for fabrication of 2D transition metal dichalcogenides.

A novel design of decorating microsphere surface with concentric rings to modulate the photonic nanojet (PNJ) is investigated. By introducing the concentric ring structures into the illumination side of the microspheres, a reduction of the full width at half maximum (FWHM) intensity of the PNJ by 29.1%, compared to that without the decoration, can be achieved numerically. Key design parameters, such as ring number and depth, are analyzed. Engineered microsphere with four uniformly distributed rings etched at a depth of 1.2 μm and width of 0.25 μm can generate PNJ at a FWHM of 0.485 λ (λ = 400nm). Experiments were carried out by direct observation of the PNJ with an optical microscope under 405 nm laser illumination. As a result, shrinking of PNJ beam size of 28.0% compared to the case without the rings has been achieved experimentally. Sharp FWHM of this design can be beneficial to micro/nanoscale fabrication, optical super-resolution imaging, and sensing.

Well-ordered silicon nanowires (SiNWs) are applied as surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates. Laser interference lithography is used to fabricate large-area periodic nanostructures. By controlling the reaction time of metal assisted chemical etching, various aspect ratios of SiNWs are generated. Ag nanoparticles are decorated on the substrates via redox reaction to allow a good coverage of Ag over the SiNWs. As the height of the SiNWs increases, the light scattering inside the structures is enhanced. The number of the probing molecules within the detection volume is increased as well. These factors contribute to stronger light-matter interaction and thus lead to higher SERS signal intensity. However, the light trapping effect is more significant for higher SiNWs, which prevents the detection of the SERS signals. An optimized aspect ratio ∼5:1 (1 μm height and 200 nm width) for the SiNW array is found. The well-ordered SiNWs demonstrate better SERS signal intensity and uniformity than the randomly arranged SiNWs.

Tunable lattice resonances are demonstrated in a hybrid plasmonic crystal incorporating the phase-change material Ge2Sb2Te5 (GST) as a 20-nm-thick layer sandwiched between a gold nanodisk array and a quartz substrate. Non-volatile tuning of lattice resonances over a range Δλ of about 500 nm (1.89 µm to 2.27 µm) is achieved experimentally via intermediate phase states of the GST layer. This work demonstrates the efficacy and ease of resonance tuning via GST in the near infrared, suggesting the possibility to design broadband non-volatile tunable devices for optical modulation, switching, sensing and nonlinear optical devices.

Pulsed laser ablation is increasingly being applied to locally open the rear dielectric layer of advanced silicon wafer solar cell structures, such as aluminum local back surface field solar cells. We report that the laser ablation process on the rear surface of the solar cell at a relatively low laser fluence can cause undesirable spallation at the front surface which is textured with random upright pyramids. This phenomenon is attributed to the enhancement of the surface spallation effect by up to 3 times due to the confinement of the pressure waves at the tips of these random pyramids. Laser ablation at different laser focus positions and laser fluences is carried out to achieve optimized laser processing of the solar cells.

Terahertz antenna arrays supporting narrow lattice resonances are proposed as an alternative sensor-on-chip approach to liquid sensing. An array of metallic rectangular antennas fabricated on a polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) substrate is used to demonstrate the sensing of a number of fluids. Good agreement is shown between experiment and simulation with Q-factors of around 20 and a figure-of-merit (FOM) of 3.80 being achieved. Liquid sensing with antenna arrays is simple both in terms of fabrication and setup. The working frequency can be tuned with a suitable choice of substrates and array parameters. The nature of the lattice resonance means that the whole sample is used to provide the conditions required for resonance occurrence, eliminating the need to preferentially locate the sample in small areas of high field concentration. The antenna arrays could also potentially be coupled with a microfluidic system for in situ sensing or used in a reflection setup.

Arrays of planar symmetric gold quadrumers consisting of a central nano-disc surrounded by three similar nano-discs belonging to the D(3h) point group were designed and fabricated. Since the geometrical configuration of quadrumers is the same as planar trigonal molecules, nano-discs can play the roles of artificial atoms to study the coupling trends among them. The plasmonic properties of the nano-disc structures are investigated by reflection spectrum measurement and finite-difference time-domain calculation with good agreement. Plasmon interaction among the nano-discs is also studied via a mass-spring coupled oscillator model. A pronounced Fano resonance (FR) is observed for the fabricated nano-discs with inter-disk gaps of around 18 nm during light irradiation at normal incidence. Although the obtained FR is independent of the excitation polarization, the near-field energy spatial distribution can be flexibly tuned by the polarization direction. This has potential applications in nano-lithography, optical switching and nonlinear spectroscopy.

Microscopic split-ring-resonator (SRR) arrays are fabricated on 100 μm thick polyethylene naphthalate (PEN) films by femtosecond laser micro-lens array (MLA) lithography. The transmission properties of these metamaterials are characterized by THz Time Domain Spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Tunable resonance responses can be achieved by changing SRR structural design parameters. By stacking 2D PEN metamaterial films with different frequency responses together, a broadband THz filter with full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.38 THz is constructed. The bandwidth of the resonance response increases up to 4.2 times as compared to the bandwidths of single layer metamaterials. Numerical simulation reveals that SRR layers inside the multi-layer metamaterials are selectively excited towards specific frequencies within the broadband response. Meanwhile, more than one SRR layers respond to the chosen frequencies, resulting in the enhancement of the resonance properties. The multi-layer metamaterials provide a promising way to extend SRR based metamaterial operating region from narrowband to broadband with a tunable feature., (© 2011 Optical Society of America)

Arrays of plasmonic pentamers consisting of five metallic nano-disks were designed and fabricated to achieve a pronounced Fano Resonance with polarization-independent far-field spectral response at normal incidence due to the structure symmetry of pentamers. A mass-spring coupled oscillator model was applied to study plasmon interactions among the nano-disks. It was found that the direction of the excitation light polarization can flexibly tune the spatial localization of near-field energy at sub-wavelength scales while the collective optical properties are kept constant. It can lead to a selective storage of excited energy down to sub-20 nm gap at a normal incident with a single light source.

Carbon nanoneedles (CNNs) were grown using a plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition process in which the source gas (C(2)H(2)) was turned off 10 min before the NH(3) flow and plasma were turned off. It is demonstrated that tubular carbon nanofibers (CNFs) grow while the source gas is on. However, once the source gas is turned off, the Ni catalyst at the top of each CNF splits to form a small catalyst that remains at the top of the tube and a larger catalyst that travels down the interior of the tube. We postulate that the motion of the bottom (larger) catalyst is driven by etching of the graphitic walls and 'cups' inside the CNF. This process, combined with slowing growth of the CNFs and etching of the material above the bottom catalyst, converts the carbon nanofibers to the final nanoneedle shape.

Planar hybrid metamaterial with different split ring resonators (SRR) structure dimensions are fabricated on silicon substrates by femtosecond (fs) laser micro-lens array (MLA) lithography and lift-off process. The fabricated metamaterial structures consist of: (a) uniform metamaterial with 4 SRRs at same design and dimension as a unit cell and (b) hybrid metamaterial with 4 SRRs at same design but different dimensions as a unit cell. The electromagnetic field responses of these hybrid and single dimension metamaterial structures are characterized using a terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy. Transmission spectra of these metamaterial show that a broader resonance peak is formed when 2 SRRs are close to each other. FDTD simulation proves that there is a strong mutual coupling between 2 SRRs besides a strong localized electric field at the split gap, which can enhance the electric field up to 364 times for tunable, broad band and high sensitivity THz sensing. Meanwhile, the strong coupling effect could lead to the formation of an additional resonance peak at approximately 0.2 THz in the THz spectra regime.

We report a simple and cost effective method for the synthesis of large-area, precisely located silicon nanocones from nanowires. The nanowires were obtained from our interference lithography and catalytic etching (IL-CE) method. We found that porous silicon was formed near the Au catalyst during the fabrication of the nanowires. The porous silicon exhibited enhanced oxidation ability when exposed to atmospheric conditions or in wet oxidation ambient. Very well located nanocones with uniform sharpness resulted when these oxidized nanowires were etched in 10% HF. Nanocones of different heights were obtained by varying the doping concentration of the silicon wafers. We believe this is a novel method of producing large-area, low cost, well defined nanocones from nanowires both in terms of the control of location and shape of the nanocones. A wide range of potential applications of the nanocone array can be found as a master copy for nanoimprinted polymer substrates for possible biomedical research; as a candidate for making sharp probes for scanning probe nanolithography; or as a building block for field emitting tips or photodetectors in electronic/optoelectronic applications.

The effects of a number of different elicitors on asiaticoside production in whole plant cultures of Centella asiatica were studied, including yeast extract, CdCl(2), CuCl(2) and methyl jasmonate (MJ). Only MJ and yeast extract stimulated asiaticoside production--1.53 and 1.41-fold, respectively. Maximum asiaticoside production was achieved following treatment with 0.1 mM MJ (116.8 mg/l). The highest asiaticoside production (342.72 mg/l) was obtained after 36 days of elicitation in cultures treated with 0.1 mM MJ and 0.025 mg/l 1-phenyl-3-(1,2,3-thidiazol-5-yl)urea (TDZ). Interestingly, MJ not only stimulated the production of asiaticoside but also had an important role in the senescence of C. asiatica. Although asiaticoside content did not change when TDZ was added to medium containing an elicitor, TDZ did increase shoot growth of C. asiatica. We discuss the interactive roles of MJ and TDZ in secondary metabolic production and biomass in whole plants of C. asiatica.

In order to assess the prevalence and associated factors for erectile dysfunction (ED) in primary care, a cross-sectional study was undertaken by questionnaire distributed to consecutive adult male attendees at 32 family practices. ED was assessed by the Korean five-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). In total, 3501 completed questionnaires were available for analysis. The prevalence of ED was severe (IIEF-5 score: 5-9) in 1.6% of cases, moderate (10-13) in 10.2%, mild (14-17) in 24.7%, and normal (18-25) in 63.4%. The prevalence of ED increased with age, lower educational status, heavy job-related physical activity, and lower income. ED prevalence was significantly higher in patients with chronic diseases such as diabetes, depression, and anxiety. These results suggest that the age-adjusted prevalence of ED among Korean men can be estimated as 32.2% (95% CI 30.6-33.7). Low socioeconomic status and several diseases such as diabetes, anxiety, and depression, as well as age, were associated with ED.

Purpose: A prospective randomized trial was performed to evaluate the contribution of neoadjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma., Patients and Methods: Patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated either with radiotherapy alone (RT group) or neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus radiotherapy (CT/RT group). Neoadjuvant chemotherapy consisting of two to three cycles of cisplatin (100 mg/m(2), day 1), bleomycin (10 mg/m(2), days 1 and 5), and fluorouracil (5-FU; 800 mg/m(2), days 1 through 5, continuous infusion) followed by radiotherapy was given to the CT/RT group. All patients were treated in a uniform fashion by definitive-intent radiation therapy in both groups., Results: Between July 1993 and July 1994, 456 patients were entered onto the study, with 228 patients randomized to each treatment arm, and 449 patients (225 in the RT group and 224 in the CT/RT group) were assessable. All 456 patients were included in survival analysis according to the intent-to-treat principle. The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 63% for the CT/RT group and 56% for the RT group (P =.11). The median relapse-free survival (RFS) time was 50 months for the RT group and not reached for the CT/RT group. The 5-year RFS rate was 49% for the RT group versus 59% for the CT/RT group (P =.05). The 5-year freedom from local recurrence rate was 82% for the CT/RT group and 74% for the RT group (P =.04). There was no significant difference in freedom from distant metastasis between the two treatment groups (CT/RT group, 79%; RT group, 75%; P =.40)., Conclusion: This randomized study failed to demonstrate any significant survival benefit with the addition of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Therefore, neoadjuvant chemotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma should not be used outside of the context of a clinical trial.

A novel high-resolution confocal measurement of nanometric displacement that uses a simple 2 x 1 optical fiber coupler is presented. The basic principle is to detect interferometrically the change in the phase difference between two adjacent input fibers of the coupler that results from the nonuniform wave-front curvature of the reflected light. Measurement of subnanometer axial modulation, which permits high-resolution displacement sensing by optical means, is demonstrated.

This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of angiogenesis inhibitor 6-O-(N-chloroacetyl-carbamoyl)-fumagillol (TNP-470. AGM-1470) in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) alone and in combination with cytotoxic agents. Forty-two male BALB/c nude mice bearing human NPC cell line CNE-2 were randomized into 6 groups: those treated with saline solution, TNP-470, cisplatin (DDP), fluorouracil (5-FU), TNP-470 + DDP, and TNP-470 + 5-FU, respectively. In every treatment group, tumor growth was suppressed significantly. The combination of 5-FU with TNP-470 showed significant enhancement in antitumor efficacy. TNP-470 also enhanced the inhibitory effect of DDP, although not to statistical significance. All animals gained in body weight, although treatment with 5-FU caused slight, reversible diarrhea of 2 to 3 days' duration. The results showed that TNP-470 suppressed the growth of the human NPC cell line and enhanced the antitumor effect of 5-FU without increasing its toxicity. The combination of angiogenesis inhibitors with conventional cytotoxic agents is promising in the treatment of NPC.

Interleukin-10 (IL-10) inhibits osteoclast (OC) formation in rat and mouse systems. However, little is known concerning the mechanism of this inhibitory effect. Using a coculture system of mouse bone marrow cells and primary osteoblastic cells (POB), we evaluated the potential target cells for IL-10 and components of the IL-10 activating pathway. In the coculture system, IL-10 treatment abolished OC differentiation in a dose-dependent manner. This inhibitory effect occurred regardless of the stage of cellular proliferation and differentiation, suggesting that IL-10 may act on a variety of genes participating in OC formation. IL-10 specifically abrogated the production of IL-6 by enriched bone marrow-derived mononuclear cells (BMM) but not by osteoblastic cells. IL-10 treatment also stimulated the binding of a protein in the BMM to an IL-10 response element, whereas no such activation was induced in osteoblastic cells. In contrast, interferon gamma (IFN-gamma), another inhibitory factor, stimulated tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins to bind to an IL-10 response element in both monocytes and osteoblastic cells. These data suggest that the BMM are the direct target of IL-10 action. Importantly, oligonucleotide-specific precipitation confirmed that IL-10 treatment strongly augmented 88, 85, and 70 kDa tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins in BMM. Taken together, these data show that IL-10 inhibits mouse OC formation by acting directly on hemopoietic OC precursor, through a novel signal transduction and activation pathway.

Background: Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the most potent angiogenic factor identified to date. The authors investigated the correlation between the levels of serum VEGF (S-VEGF) in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and disease progression., Methods: The sera from 65 male patients with nonmetastatic NPC, 22 male patients with metastatic NPC, and 27 healthy male volunteers were obtained. A quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to measure the concentrations of S-VEGF in the sera., Results: The mean S-VEGF levels were 371.0 pg/mL(-1) (range, 128.5-691.1 pg/mL(-1)) for healthy controls, 375.6 pg/mL(-1) (range, 72.9-1202.5 pg/mL(-1)) for patients with nonmetastatic NPC, and 958.6 pg/mL(-1) (range, 264.4-3744.9 pg/mL(-1)) for patients with metastatic NPC. The mean S-VEGF level in patients with metastatic NPC was significantly higher than in either patients with nonmetastatic NPC (P < 0.001) or healthy controls (P < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference between these results for healthy controls and patients with nonmetastatic NPC. At the level of 900 pg/mL(-1), S-VEGF indicated distant dissemination of NPC with a specificity of 95.4%, a sensitivity of 31.8%, a positive predictive value of 70.0%, and a negative predictive value of 80.5%. No significant differences in the levels of S-VEGF were found among various T classifications, N classifications, and clinical stages of nonmetastatic NPC., Conclusions: The levels of S-VEGF were significantly elevated in male patients with metastatic NPC. These levels did not correlate with locoregional progression of NPC. The usefulness of detecting S-VEGF in the early diagnosis of NPC appears to be limited., (Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society.)

Objectives: (i) To examine the components of variation in nutrient intakes for older Korean adults; (ii) To calculate the level of accuracy with varying degree of precision in order to achieve estimates of usual nutrient intakes., Design: Five or six 24 h recalls were made over a four month period on each individual., Setting: A senior school from a middle-income, urban community in Inchon, Korea., Subjects: Forty-seven males and 36 females over 60 y old with complete records for at least five dietary recalls., Results: The within-person variation of nutrient intakes (21.8-103.2%) was higher and differed more markedly by nutrients than the between-person variation (9.4-63.7%). Males (2.26-11.28) showed larger within-to-between person variance ratios than females (1.73-5.86). The variance ratios were different by nutrients for males, but no such pattern was observed for females. Depending on nutrients, 5-6 recalls over a four month period gave estimates of nutrient intakes within 30-50% of usual intakes. For most nutrients, 100-200 subjects were sufficient to obtain estimates with 10% deviation of group usual intakes. Achieving r=0.9 between observed and usual intakes required 24-54 recalls for males and 8-23 recalls for females., Conclusions: The degree of precision achieved during assessment of older Korean adults' usual nutrient intakes changes with gender and by the type of nutrients. Achieving similar level of accuracy of the estimates, older Korean adults may require more dietary recalls than the adults in western countries.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of the angiogenesis inhibitor AGM-1470 for the experimental treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC)., Methods: A NPC human tumour model was built by tumour-bearing nude mice using the NPC cell line CNE-2. Twenty-one BALB/c nude mice bearing CNE-2 xenografts were randomized into a treatment group and a control group. In the treatment group, AGM-1470 was injected 30 mg/kg subcutaneously every other day; while the vehicle (three per cent ethanol solution in 0.9 per cent saline) was given to the mice in control group. Tumour volumes and animal weights were measured every third day. Autopsy was performed after 18 days of treatment. The tumour tissue as well as the murine tissues of heart, kidney, and liver in each mouse were removed for formalin fixation and routine HE staining. Pathological evaluation was performed in these tissues., Results: There was a significant difference in tumour volume between the two groups at day 9 of treatment and this increased thereafter. At day 15 of treatment, the tumour volume was 4251 +/- 559 mm3 (n = 10) in the control group versus 3122 +/- 967 mm3 (n = 11) in the AGM-1470 treated group (p = 0.004); and T:C ratio (mean tumour volume of treated/mean tumour volume of control) was 0.73, resulting in a 27 per cent decrease in tumour growth. Central necrosis and consequential shrinkage of tumours occurred in both groups at the end of experiment. Physical toxicity and histological toxicity of heart, liver, and kidney did not result from AGM-1470 therapy., Conclusions: AGM-1470 suppresses the growth of the human NPC cell line CNE-2. Treatment by AGM-1470 has no physical nor histological toxicity. Angiogenesis inhibitors may be effective in the treatment of the local lesion of NPC.

Background: With a tourniquet on arm for arresting venous blood flow, we evaluated the efficacy of intravenous (i.v.) retention of fentanyl and lidocaine in reducing the pain on i.v. propofol injection during general anesthesia., Methods: One hundred and twelve patients were studied. Following a venous occlusion by a tourniquet inflated to 70 mmHg, patients in Group A (n = 38) received normal saline (NS) 3 ml, while those in Group B (n = 37) and in Group C (n = 37) respectively received fentanyl 150 micrograms or 3 ml and 2% lidocaine 3 ml (60 mg). The venous retention of drug was maintained for 1 min, followed immediately by tourniquet release and propofol 100 mg i.v. injection over 20 s., Results: Both fentanyl and lidocaine treatments (Groups B and C) were significantly better than placebo (Group A) in reducing pain on propofol injection (p < 0.005). Lidocaine 60 mg was more effective than fentanyl 150 micrograms in reduction of pain associated with i.v. propofol (p < 0.001). Injection of fentanyl itself caused pain in 28% of patients as compared to 2% in the lidocaine group. Mild local skin erythema was noted in 14% of patients with fentanyl venous retention versus 0% of patients with lidocaine venous retention., Conclusions: Intravenous retention of fentanyl 150 micrograms, although less effective than that of lidocaine (p < 0.001), showed local analgesic effect in reducing the pain on propofol injection. The hypothetic mechanisms of action were speculated.

By means of light- and electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry, we have demonstrated the expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase in mouse osteoclasts. In fully differentiated osteoclasts, intense immunolabeling was observed along the plasma membranes including those of ruffled borders and associated pale vesicles and vacuoles, whereas those of clear zones and basolateral cell surfaces were entirely free of immunoreaction. Specific expression of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase was also detected over polyribosomes and cisterns of the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. Multinucleated osteoclastic cells were suspended on dentine slices and cultured for 48 h in the presence or absence of either concanamycin B or bafilomycin A1, specific inhibitors of vacuolar H(+)-ATPase. Morphometric analysis of co-cultured dentine slices with backscattered electron microscopy revealed that both inhibitors strongly reduced the formation of resorption lacunae in a dose-dependent manner. These results suggest that vacuolar H(+)-ATPase is produced in the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, stored in the membrane vesicles, and transported into the ruffled border membranes of osteoclasts, and that this enzyme plays a key role in the creation of an acidic subosteoclastic microenvironment for the demineralization of co-cultured substrates.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) localization in bone cells and associated vascular endothelial cells in metaphyseal bone marrow of the rat femur was examined by a biotin-streptoavidin-horseradish peroxidase method in paraffin sections and by indirect immunogold techniques in post-embedded ultrathin sections. Mouse anti-ET-1 monoclonal antibody was used as the primary antibody. In metaphyseal bone marrow, intense immunostaining was observed over osteoclasts, osteoblasts, young osteocytes, and vascular endothelial cells. But bone and cartilage matrices and chondrocytes in the proliferating zone were negative for immunoreaction. At the subcellular level, specific immunogold labeling was localized along plasma membranes and in the cytoplasm including those of ruffled borders and clear zones of osteoclasts. Some colloidal gold particles were also detectable within pale vacuoles of osteoclasts. Immunoreactivity was also found along the plasma membranes, cisterns of rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, mitochondria, and cytoplasmic matrices of osteoblasts, but was less intense than that of osteoclasts. In endothelial cells of blood capillaries in close proximity to bone cells, intense immunolabeling occurred over the cytoplasm. None of the cases examined showed accumulation of immunogold particles in the secretion granules of these cells.

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) localization in osteoclasts in the metaphyseal bone marrow of the femur was examined by indirect immunogold techniques in post-embedded ultrathin sections. Mouse anti-ET-1 antibody and anti-mouse IgG conjugated with colloidal gold particles were used as the primary and secondary antibodies, respectively. Specific immunolabeling was localized along the plasma membranes, the cytoplasm including those of ruffled borders and clear zones, and pale vacuoles of osteoclasts. In addition, intense immunolabeling was present over the cytoplasm of vascular endothelial cells in close proximity to osteoclasts. These results suggest that osteoclasts are target cells for ET-1.

Leukemia inhibitory factor/differentiation-stimulating factor (LIF/D-factor), expression of its mRNA, and possible roles in bone metabolism were studied in murine primary and clonal osteoblast-like cells. Local bone-resorbing factors such as IL-1, TNF alpha, and LPS strongly induced expression of LIF/D-factor mRNA in both clonal MC3T3-E1 cells and primary osteoblast-like cells. Neither parathyroid hormone nor 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 stimulated expression of LIF/D-factor mRNA. LIF/D-factor per se did not stimulate expression of its own mRNA. Appreciable amounts of LIF/D-factor were detected in synovial fluids from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients but not in those with osteoarthritis (OA). Simultaneous treatment with LIF/D-factor, IL-1, and IL-6 at the concentrations found in synovial fluids from RA patients greatly enhanced bone resorption, though these cytokines did not stimulate bone resorption when separately applied. This suggests that LIF/D-factor produced by osteoblasts is in concert with other bone-resorbing cytokines such as IL-1 and IL-6 involved in the bone resorption seen in the joints of RA patients. LIF/D-factor specifically bound to MC3T3-E1 cells with an apparent dissociation constant of 161 pM and 1,100 binding sites/cell. LIF/D-factor dose-dependently suppressed incorporation of [3H]thymidine into MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, it potentiated the alkaline phosphatase activity induced by retinoic acid, though LIF/D-factor alone had no effect on enzyme activity. These results suggest that LIF/D-factor is involved in not only osteoclastic bone resorption but also osteoblast differentiation in conjugation with other osteotropic factors.

The third component of complement (C3) is a protein produced by osteoblastic cells in response to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3. The bone C3 appears to be involved in differentiation of bone marrow cells into osteoclasts in concert with other vitamin D-dependent factors. Further studies are needed to understand the precise role of C3 in bone.

We have purified a 190-kDa protein produced by mouse marrow-derived stromal cells (ST2) in response to 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 [1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3] and unequivocally identified it as mouse complement C3 (C3). In this study we examined the regulation by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 of C3 production in ST2 cells at both the transcriptional and translational levels. 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 greatly increased the protein production of C3 at 24 h, and it attained a maximum at 72 h. C3 mRNA stimulation by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 was initiated at 12 h and reached a maximum at 48 h. 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 increased the expression of C3 mRNA dose-dependently, ranging from 10(-10)-10(-8) M. The increase in the C3 production in response to 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 appeared to occur at a transcriptional level, since actinomycin-D completely inhibited both mRNA expression and protein production of C3 induced by 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. Besides 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3, local bone-resorbing agents, such as interleukin-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and lipopolysaccharides, also stimulated the expression of C3 mRNA, not only in ST2 cells, but also in primary osteoblastic cells. C3 production by hepatocytes occurred regardless of the presence or absence of 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3. These results clearly indicate that 1 alpha,25-(OH)2D3 tissue-specifically regulates the synthesis of C3 in bone. Bone C3 may play an important role in bone metabolism.

A 190 kDa protein was purified from conditioned media of mouse marrow-derived stromal cell (ST2) cultures treated with 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) and identified as the third component of mouse complement (C3). Northern and Western blot analysis revealed that the production of C3 by ST2 and primary osteoblastic cells was strictly dependent on 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3, but the production by hepatocytes was not. Adding 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 together with mouse C3 antibody to bone marrow cultures greatly inhibited the formation of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive osteoclast-like multinucleated cells. Adding C3 alone induced no TRAP-positive cell formation. These results suggest that, in bone tissues, C3 is specifically produced by osteoblasts in response to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 and somehow involved in inducing differentiation of bone marrow cells into osteoclasts in concert with other factors produced by osteoblasts in response to 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3.

Osteopontin is a matrix protein which belongs to the integrin superfamily and is involved in cell adhesion. In the present study, we examined the regulation of the mRNA expression of osteopontin by interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) in osteoblasts. IL-1 alpha greatly increased the steady-state level of osteopontin mRNA in both a mouse osteoblastic cell line (MC3T3-E1) and mouse primary osteoblast-like cells. The increase in the osteopontin mRNA expression by IL-1 alpha was dose-dependent at a range of 0.004-0.2 nM. This was most likely due to an increase in the transcriptional rate, not to an increase in the stability of osteopontin mRNA. The in vitro nuclear transcription experiment showed that IL-1 alpha-treated MC3T3-E1 cells increased the synthesis of osteopontin mRNA. Besides IL-1 alpha, tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), lipopolysaccharides (LPS) and 1 alpha,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (1 alpha,25(OH)2D3) increased the osteopontin mRNA expression in both the clonal osteoblasts (MC3T3-E1) and the primary osteoblast-like cells. In response to such bone-resorbing agents, primary osteoblast-like cells expressed osteopontin mRNA much more strongly than primary fibroblast-like cells isolated from mouse calvaria. Both IL-1 alpha and 1 alpha,25(OH)2D3 greatly increased the production of 68 and 62 kDa phosphoproteins in conditioned media of MC3T3-E1 cell cultures, which probably correspond to osteopontin. These results suggest that osteopontin plays an important role in bone remodeling, in particular bone resorption.