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We have observed directly the magnetic images of the dynamic motion of quantized interlayer vortices induced by the Lorentz force in an anisotropic high-Tc La1.87Sr0.13CuO4 single crystal. A scanning superconducting quantum interface device microscope is used for this study and it is found that three modes of flux motion exist depending on the transport current. By increasing the sample current∥c axis, a transition from the creeplike behavior to a steady flow of vortices was observed. Even higher current induced a continuous expansion of vortex-flow area depending on the inhomogeneity of the pinning force in a crystal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The letter reports the fabrication of MgB[sub 2] superconducting tape using a flexible metallic substrate as well as its strong pinning force, which was verified by direct measurement of transport critical current density. The tape was prepared by depositing MgB[sub 2] film on a Hastelloy tape buffered with an yttria-stabilized-zirconia layer. The J[sub c] of the tape exceeds 10[sup 5] A/cm² at 4.2 K and 10 T, which is considered as a common benchmark for magnet application. The J[sub c] dependence on magnetic field remains surprisingly very small up to 10 T, suggesting that the tape has much better magnetic field characteristic than conventional Nb-Ti wires in liquid helium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the layer-by-layer growth of epitaxial yttrium-iron-garnet (Y3Fe5O12) thin films on (111) and (110) Gd3Ga5O12 substrates as verified by the intensity oscillations of reflection high energy electron diffraction during pulsed laser deposition. X-ray diffraction indicates pseudomorphic lattice structure with slight expansion along out of plane from cubic one. The saturation magnetization well reproduces the full moment observed for bulk crystals. The crystallographic magnetic anisotropy was also preserved regardless of shape anisotropy in different orientations. Magnetic anisotropy similar to bulk crystals was observed for as-grown films which have not been subject to a postannealing process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both forearms of 36 patients who had been treated with an anterior locking plate using the trans-flexor carpi radialis approach for unilateral distal radial fractures were investigated by ultrasonography from the distal end of the radius to 5 cm proximally before plate removal. After fixation of the anterior locking plate, the median nerve was significantly more radially located to the flexor carpi radialis tendon than on the healthy side and showed hypertrophy and flattening at the distal end of the radius. In six cases, the median nerve on the plate side lay radial to the flexor carpi radialis tendon. The median nerve after plate fixation may lie more radially than its original position. Confirming the radial deviation of the median nerve by ultrasonography before removal of the anterior locking plate is useful to prevent the complication of median nerve injury. Level of evidence: IV., Competing Interests: Declaration of conflicting interestsThe authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Background: Hospital healthcare workers have been reported to have a high prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders, but their association with lateral epicondylitis (LE) is unknown. This study aimed to clarify the prevalence of LE and its associated factors among hospital healthcare workers., Methods: The present study included all staff members of a secondary emergency hospital who provided their consent to participate. Participants with a history of elbow joint trauma were excluded from this study. The diagnostic criteria for definite LE were: (1) pain in the elbow joint within 2 weeks of the study; (2) pain in the lateral epicondyle region on resisted extension of the wrist with the elbow extended; and (3) tenderness in the lateral epicondyle. The diagnosis of LE was defined by meeting all criteria. Age, height, weight, sex, dominant hand, occupation, years of employment, smoking history, drinking history, personal computer usage history, and smartphone usage history were investigated using a questionnaire. A physical examination, in addition to evaluation of pain in the lateral epicondyle, grip strength and wrist extension strength were measured. A statistical analysis was used to assess the prevalence of LE and its associated factors. All investigations, including the diagnosis of LE, were performed by a single orthopedic specialist., Results: We evaluated 544 individuals, corresponding to approximately 80% of all staff members. The median age was 39 years (interquartile range, 30-48). The study population included 154 males and 390 females. The occupations of the participants were as follows: nurses (n = 265), doctors (n = 47), clerks (n = 93), therapists (n = 27), certified care workers (n = 23), medical technologists (n = 22), pharmacists (n = 19), and others (n = 48). LE was diagnosed in 30 limbs/30 individuals with a prevalence of approximately 5.5%. There was no difference in the prevalence of LE among occupations ( P  = .85). A logistic regression analysis revealed that age (odds ratio, 1.05; 95% confidence interval 1.01-1.1; P  = .01) and smoking history (odds ratio, 2.94; 95% confidence interval 1.01-8.56; P  = .04) were independently associated with LE., Conclusion: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of LE among hospital healthcare workers. The prevalence of LE was 5.5%, and LE was independently associated with age and smoking history., (© 2024 The Author(s).)

An association between glomus tumor and neurofibromatosis type 1 has been reported. It is characterized by multiple tumors and young age at onset. The early diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1 is important because it is associated with a high rate of malignancy. A 25-year-old man presented to our hospital with left index finger pain that had persisted for 6 years. Physical and imaging findings suggested a benign soft-tissue tumor. Surgery was performed, and the tumor was pathologically diagnosed as glomus tumor. In this case, the patient with a young-onset glomus tumor was suspected of having neurofibromatosis type 1. An additional medical examination led to the diagnosis of unrecognized neurofibromatosis type 1. We experienced a case in which the onset of a glomus tumor led to the diagnosis of neurofibromatosis type 1. Comorbid neurofibromatosis type 1 should be kept in mind when glomus tumors are diagnosed., Competing Interests: The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article., (© The Author(s) 2023.)

Superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) are currently used as magnetic flux detectors with ultra-high sensitivity for various applications such as medical diagnostics and magnetic material microstructure analysis. Single-crystalline superconducting boron-doped diamond is an excellent candidate for fabricating high-performance SQUIDs because of its robustness and high transition temperature, critical current density, and critical field. Here, we propose a fabrication process for a single-crystalline boron-doped diamond Josephson junction with regrowth-induced step edge structure and demonstrate the first operation of a single-crystalline boron-doped diamond SQUID above 2 K. We demonstrate that the step angle is a significant parameter for forming the Josephson junction and that the step angle can be controlled by adjusting the microwave plasma-enhanced chemical vapour deposition conditions of the regrowth layer. The fabricated junction exhibits superconductor-weak superconductor-superconductor-type behaviour without hysteresis and a high critical current density of 5800 A/cm 2 .

Thin films of (117) Bi₂Sr₂Ca₂CuO 8+δ (Bi-2212) were grown by Molecular Organic Chemical Vapor Deposition (MOCVD) on (110) SrTiO₃ and (110) LaAlO₃ substrates. Substrates were vicinal with off angles up to 20°. Films are 3D epitaxial and X-ray diffraction φ - ψ scans demonstrate that, while the films grown on a flat substrate are composed of twinned grains, the films on vicinal substrate are twin-free . A higher quality is obtained if growth is performed at two temperatures: Growth starts at 550⁻600 °C and continues at 700⁻750 °C. The twin-free film grown by the two-temperature method shows a zero-resistance critical temperature of 37 and 32 K when the measuring current is applied in-plane parallel and perpendicular to [001] direction of the substrate. Twin-free non c -axis thin films are promising for fabrication of novel planar THz devices.

The hepatoprotective action of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) was previously suggested to be partially dependent on its antioxidative effect. Doxorubicin (DOX) and reactive oxygen species have also been implicated in the overexpression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), which is encoded by the MDR1 gene and causes antitumor multidrug resistance. In the present study, we assessed the effects of UDCA on the expression of MDR1 mRNA, P-gp, and intracellular reactive oxygen species levels in DOX-treated HepG2 cells and compared them to those of other bile acids. DOX-induced increases in reactive oxygen species levels and the expression of MDR1 mRNA were inhibited by N-acetylcysteine, an antioxidant, and the DOX-induced increase in reactive oxygen species levels and DOX-induced overexpression of MDR1 mRNA and P-gp were inhibited by UDCA. Cells treated with UDCA showed improved rhodamine 123 uptake, which was decreased in cells treated with DOX alone. Moreover, cells exposed to DOX for 24h combined with UDCA accumulated more DOX than that of cells treated with DOX alone. Thus, UDCA may have inhibited the overexpression of P-gp by suppressing DOX-induced reactive oxygen species production. Chenodeoxycholic acid (CDCA) also exhibited these effects, whereas deoxycholic acid and litocholic acid were ineffective. In conclusion, UDCA and CDCA had an inhibitory effect on the induction of P-gp expression and reactive oxygen species by DOX in HepG2 cells. The administration of UDCA may be beneficial due to its ability to prevent the overexpression of reactive oxygen species and acquisition of multidrug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells., (Copyright © 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Transesophageal echocardiography is an invaluable hemodynamic monitoring modality. Extended and anatomically based evaluation of cardiac function with transesophageal echocardiography is essential to prompt and accurate decision-making in anesthetic management during cardiac surgery. Fractional shortening and fractional area changes are indices widely used to assess the global systolic performance of the left ventricle. Monitoring regional function using semi-quantitative scoring has been demonstrated to be a more sensitive indicator of myocardial ischemia. Assessment of left ventricular diastolic function should be performed in a systematic way, measuring transmitral flow, pulmonary venous flow, transmitral color M-mode flow propagation velocity, and mitral annulus tissue Doppler imaging. The unique anatomical features of the right ventricle make echocardiographic evaluation complicated and therefore less frequently employed. Right ventricular fractional area change, tricuspid annular plane systolic excursion, maximal systolic tricuspid annular velocity with tissue Doppler imaging, and myocardial performance index are indices successfully incorporated into intraoperative right ventricular assessment. Left ventricular outflow tract obstruction with systolic anterior motion of the mitral valve may develop after cardiac procedures. Transesophageal echocardiography plays a central role in prevention as well as diagnosis of systolic anterior motion. Transesophageal echocardiography is extremely useful not only for detecting and locating intracardiac air, but also for guiding and evaluating the procedures to remove air. Air is likely to persist in the right and left superior pulmonary vein, left ventricular apex, left atrium, right coronary sinus of Valsalva, and ascending aorta. Accurate evaluation of cardiac function depends on performing TEE examination properly and obtaining optimal images.

Single-crystal Ca(10)(Pt(4)As(8))(Fe(1.8)Pt(0.2)As(2))(5) superconducting (SC) nanowhiskers with widths down to hundreds of nanometers were successfully grown in a Ta capsule in an evacuated quartz tube by a flux method. Magnetic and electrical properties measurements demonstrate that the whiskers have excellent crystallinity with critical temperature of up to 33 K, upper critical field of 52.8 T, and critical current density of J(c) of 6.0 × 10(5) A/cm(2) (at 26 K). Since cuprate high-T(c) SC whiskers are fragile ceramics, the present intermetallic SC whiskers with high T(c) have better opportunities for device applications. Moreover, although the growth mechanism is not understood well, the technique can be potentially useful for growth of other whiskers containing toxic elements., (© 2012 American Chemical Society)

Ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA) is widely recognized as an effective compound in the treatment of chronic hepatitis and is known to modulate the redox state of the liver accompanied by an increase of GSH. In the present study, to access the antioxidative effect of UDCA and to clarify the molecular basis of the action on GSH level, we evaluated its effects in HepG2 cells exposed to excessive iron. UDCA inhibited both a decrease in the GSH level and an increase in the reactive oxygen species caused by excessive iron in the cells. UDCA increased the gene expression of the catalytic- and modifier-units of glutamine-cysteine ligase (GCL), which is a key enzyme in GSH synthesis. We further investigated the effect of UDCA on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt pathway, and obtained results showing that UDCA-induced increase in the GSH level was prevented by LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor. In addition, Western blot analysis of Akt showed that, while the total Akt level remained unchanged, the phosphorylated Akt level was increased by UDCA, and this increase was also prevented by LY294002. Moreover, UDCA promoted the translocation of a transcription factor, nuclear factor-E2-related factor-2 (Nrf2), into the nucleus, and this action was inhibited by LY294002. From these results, it was indicated that UDCA increased the GSH synthesis through an activation of the PI3K/Akt/Nrf2 pathway. This may be a primary mechanism of antioxidative action of UDCA concerned with its therapeutic effectiveness in chronic hepatitis.

It is known that protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction is enhanced in a diabetic state, and that PKC activator phorbol esters increase the gene expression of MDR1 in human tumor cells. To clarify the expression of the liver transporters under diabetic conditions and the roles of PKCalpha and the transcription factor NF-kappaB, we investigated the expression levels of Mdr1a, Mdr1b, Mdr2, Mrp2, Bcrp, Bsep, Oct1, Oat2, and Oat3 transporters, PKCalpha, IkappaB, and NF-kappaB in the liver of rats with STZ-induced hyperglycemia. A selective increase in the gene expression of Mdr1b was detected by RT-PCR. Western blotting with C219 antibody revealed an increase in P-glycoprotein. Although the mRNA level of PKCalpha was not affected, translocation of PKCalpha to the microsomal fraction was detected. NF-kappaB p65, IkappaBalpha and IkappaBbeta mRNA levels were increased as was the level of nuclear NF-kappaB p65. From these findings, it was suggested that STZ-induced hyperglycemia caused the upregulation of Mdr1b P-gp expression through the activation of PKCalpha and NF-kappaB.

Although atopic dermatitis is known to be closely associated with food antigens, the actual changes in the gastrointestinal tract have not been clarified. The aim of this study was to investigate the macroscopic and histological features of the large intestine in patients with atopic dermatitis. We studied 15 outpatients who had generalized atopic dermatitis. Eight non-dermatitis subjects of a similar age without inflammatory bowel disease were also enrolled as controls. Total colonoscopy, pathological evaluation of biopsy specimens, and detection of Candida albicans were performed in all subjects. Four patients were re-examined after 6 months of treatment with an antifungal drug. Among the 15 patients with atopic dermatitis, 4 patients had melanosis coli. On pathological examinations, prominent infiltration of eosinophils and fragmentation of granulocyte nuclei were observed. There were no changes after an antifungal therapy. In the patients with melanosis coli, lipofuscin deposits were observed in the lamina propria. Candida albicans was not detected in any of the subjects. In conclusion, patients with atopic dermatitis may have a predisposition to develop chronic inflammation of the large intestine.

Background: Sympathetic ophthalmia occurred after removal of silicone oil(SO) from a blind eye with chronic retinal detachment for 20 years. The enucleated eye was examined histopathologically., Case: A 22-year-old man had been diagnosed with traumatic retinal detachment from blunt trauma to his left eye when he was 3 years old. Pars plana vitrectomy with SO injection was performed at that time, but he lost the sense of light in that eye. Twenty years later, he experienced ocular pain because of absolute glaucoma. Sympathetic ophthalmia has occurred after pars plana vitrectomy with removal of SO and cyclophotocoagulation. The left eye was enucleated and examined histopathologically., Result: Histopathological study of the enucleated eye revealed necrosis of the ciliary body due to cyclophotocoagulation. Multiple small round empty spaces which may have been SO droplets were observed in the preretinal membrane, the subretinal space, and the choroidal stroma. In the choroid, diffuse granulomatous inflammation which could be called "silicone oil granuloma" was observed. Calcified drusens were seen at the peripheral fundus., Discussion: An eye containing injected SO for a long period might develop SO granuloma in the choroid and such condition could be the basis for subsequent sympathetic ophthalmia if a second operation with uveal damage was added.

1. It has been reported that free radicals prevent wound healing. However, the mechanism of this effect is not yet clear. We attempted to clarify the influence of hydroxyl radicals on wound healing in vitro. 2. We used an ascorbate-copper ion system (ACS) to produce hydroxyl radicals in accordance with variables of time elapsed and concentration of copper ion. The effects of hydroxyl radical on fibroblast-mediated collagen remodelling, cell viability, the functions of fibroblasts and collagen fibrils were studied. 3. With a copper ion concentration of 100 mumol/L ACS significantly reduced contraction, while 10 mumol/L stimulated contraction. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was employed in observing these findings. ACS did not influence cell viability, the expression of alpha 2 beta 1 integrin and cellular fibronectin, or the cytoskeletal organization of fibroblasts involving actin until 3 h. A concentration of ACS at 10 mumol/L of copper ion induced the polymerization of collagen after 30 min, while ACS at 100 mumol/L induced collagen degradation; this finding was also established by using H2O2. Collagen reduced the amount of formaldehyde produced by trapping hydroxyl radical with dimethyl sulfoxide. 4. Our findings suggest that collagen is denatured by scavenging the hydroxyl radical before fibroblasts are damaged, so that the radical may influence the remodelling of collagen.