Search

Purpose: To report a case with rapid regression of scleral melting associated with tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in a surgically induced necrotizing scleritis (SINS) patient treated with local steroid therapy. Case Presentation: An 85-year-old male patient presented with conjunctival tumor in his right eye. Complete resection of the tumor lesion and conjunctival re-construction were performed. Local steroid drops were administered until 1 month after surgery, and a good clinical course was achieved. However, after stopping the local steroid, scleral melting to the uvea occurred on the center of the tumor-resected sclera. After diagnosing SINS, we immediately restarted his local steroid. After 2 weeks, there was a complete and rapid regression of the scleral melting. Following this episode, only local steroid therapy was continued for the treatment of SINS, with no recurrence observed after 6 months. Histopathological analysis revealed the infiltration of inflammatory cells during the acute phase, with TNF-α immune reactivity observed in the center of the melting site near the resected conjunctiva. Conclusion: We speculate that the observed changes were associated with the TNF-α that was present during the pathological state of SINS. Local steroid therapy may play a key role in the local immune balance in SINS.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most prevalent joint disorder associated with severe chronic pain. Although synovial inflammation is well correlated with pain severity, the molecular mechanism responsible for OA pain remains unclear. Here, we show that extracellular miR-21 released from synovial tissue mediates knee OA pain in surgical OA model rats. miR-21 was the most abundant among increased microRNAs (miRNAs) in the synovial tissue. miR-21 was released into extracellular space from the synovial tissue and increased in the synovial fluid. A single intra-articular injection of miR-21 inhibitor exerted long-term analgesia of knee OA pain, whereas miR-21 injection in naive rats caused knee joint pain. miR-21 mutant, which lacks the Toll-like receptor (TLR) binding motif, but not in the seed sequence, did not cause joint pain, suggesting a non-canonical mode of action different from translational repression. Consistent with this, the algesic effect of miR-21 was blocked by antagonizing TLR7. The TLR7 antagonist also exerted a long-lasting analgesic effect on knee OA pain. Therefore, extracellular miR-21 released from synovial tissue mediates knee OA pain through TLR7 activation in surgical OA model rats. Extracellular miRNA in the joint may be a plausible target for pain therapy, providing a novel analgesic strategy for OA.

Sakai A, Arbain, Sugiarto, Rahmawati K, Mirmanto E, Takahashi M, Ueda A. 2022. Composition and diversity of tree species after fire disturbance in a lowland tropical forest in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 1576-1587. Lowland dipterocarp forests in East Kalimantan have suffered severe forest fires after prolonged drought at least twice in recent decades. We investigated species richness, stand structure and species composition in Sungai Wain Protection Forest using circle plots (each 0.04 ha) along multiple long transects (0.5 - 4.5 km long) from the edge to the interior of this forest. The impact of forest fires remained in the form of significantly smaller tree sizes in burnt areas, although species richness and the number of stems appeared to be recovering. NMDS (non-metric multidimensional scaling) ordination revealed that the species composition of burnt areas was still considerably different from that of intact forest. However, nearly 20 years have elapsed, suggesting that it takes a long time for species composition to recover, if at all. The species composition was affected by the basal area ratio of pioneer trees, the basal area ratio of dipterocarp trees and maximum diameter at breast height, in order of its strength. Distance from the edge of the Protection Forest also had a minor effect on species composition, suggesting that forest fires had damaged marginal areas of the forest.

Oxaliplatin, a platinum-based chemotherapeutic agent, frequently causes severe neuropathic pain typically encompassing cold allodynia and long-lasting mechanical allodynia. Endothelin has been shown to modulate nociceptive transmission in a variety of pain disorders. However, the action of endothelin varies greatly depending on many variables, including pain causes, receptor types (endothelin type A (ETA) and B (ETB) receptors) and organs (periphery and spinal cord). Therefore, in this study, we investigated the role of endothelin in a Sprague–Dawley rat model of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain. Intraperitoneal administration of bosentan, a dual ETA/ETBreceptor antagonist, effectively blocked the development or prevented the onset of both cold allodynia and mechanical allodynia. The preventive effects were exclusively mediated by ETAreceptor antagonism. Intrathecal administration of an ETAreceptor antagonist prevented development of long-lasting mechanical allodynia but not cold allodynia. In marked contrast, an intraplantar ETAreceptor antagonist had a suppressive effect on cold allodynia but only had a partial and transient effect on mechanical allodynia. In conclusion, ETAreceptor antagonism effectively prevented long-lasting mechanical allodynia through spinal and peripheral actions, while cold allodynia was prevented through peripheral actions.

BACKGROUND Neuropathic pain is an intractable chronic pain condition caused by damage to the somatosensory system. Although non-coding RNAs such as microRNAs are important regulators of neuropathic pain, the role of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) is poorly understood. METHODS This study used a rat model of neuropathic pain induced by lumbar fifth spinal nerve ligation (SNL). Microarray analysis of lncRNAs in the lumbar fifth dorsal root ganglion was performed at day 14 after SNL. Expression levels of H19 were examined by using quantitative PCR. In situ hybridization was used to determine the distribution of H19 at day 14 after SNL. Schwann cells were isolated from peripheral nerves at day 14 after SNL. RESULTS H19 lncRNA was greatly increased in the L5 dorsal root ganglion at day 14 after SNL and was significantly higher at and after day 4. In the dorsal root ganglion, H19 was detected mainly in non-neuronal cells but not in primary sensory neurons. Consistent with this, H19 expression was upregulated in Schwann cells isolated from peripheral nerves after SNL. CONCLUSION Increased H19 lncRNA in Schwann cells might be involved in neuropathic pain.

Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is a lysosomal storage disease caused by an arylsulfatase A (ASA) deficiency and characterized by severe neurological symptoms resulting from demyelination within the central and peripheral nervous systems. We investigated the feasibility and efficacy of intrathecal administration of a type 9 adeno-associated viral vector encoding ASA (AAV9/ASA) for the treatment of 6-week-old MLD model mice, which are presymptomatic, and 1-year-old mice, which exhibit neurological abnormalities. Immunohistochemical analysis following AAV9/ASA administration showed ASA expression within the brain, with highest activities in the cerebellum and olfactory bulbs. In mice treated at 1 year, alcian blue staining and quantitative analysis revealed significant decreases in stored sulfatide within the hindbrain but not forebrain. Behaviorally, mice treated at 1 year showed no improvement in their ability to traverse narrow balance beams as compared to untreated mice. By contrast, MLD mice treated at 6 weeks showed significant decreases in stored sulfatide throughout the entire brain and improved ability to traverse narrow balance beams. These findings suggest intrathecal administration of an AAV9/ASA vector is a promising approach to treating genetic diseases of the central nervous system, including MLD, though it may be essential to begin therapy before the onset of neurological symptoms.

Orofacial neuropathic pain can cause considerable disruptions in patients' daily lives, especially because of a lack of effective medications as its underlying causative mechanisms are not fully understood. Here, we found neuron-specific expression of the interleukin (IL)-33 receptor in the trigeminal spinal subnucleus caudalis (Vc), distinct from the spinal dorsal horn. Reduction in head withdrawal threshold in response to von Frey filament stimulation of the whisker pad skin was inversely correlated with the upregulation of IL-33 in the Vc after infraorbital nerve injury (IONI). Neutralization of IL-33 in the Vc alleviated mechanical allodynia in the whisker pad skin after IONI; conversely, intracisternal administration of IL-33 elicited mechanical allodynia in the whisker pad skin, which was relieved by GluN2B antagonism. Moreover, IL-33 triggered the potentiation of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-mediated synaptic currents and phosphorylation of synaptosomal GluN2B in the Vc, whereas IONI-induced GluN2B phosphorylation was inhibited by neutralization of IL-33 in the Vc. IL-33-induced GluN2B phosphorylation was mediated by phosphorylation of Fyn kinase, and inhibition of the Fyn kinase pathway prevented the development of IL-33-induced mechanical allodynia. Our findings provide insights into a new mechanism by which IL-33 directly regulates synaptic transmission and suggest that IL-33 signaling could be a candidate target for therapeutic interventions for orofacial neuropathic pain.

Background Diagnostic vitrectomy is an important method for evaluating uveitis, and its diagnostic utility is high regardless of whether the uveitis is infectious or non-infectious. The course of diagnostic vitreous surgery with 27-gauge pars plana vitrectomy and perioperative complications is reported. Methods An observational retrospective study of patients who underwent 27-gauge diagnostic vitrectomy due to atypical intraocular inflammation was conducted. The final diagnosis rate, complications due to surgery, preoperative visual acuity, and postoperative visual acuity (1 month and 6 months after surgery) were examined retrospectively. Results Diagnostic vitreous surgery was performed in 32 patients and 35 eyes (14 males and 18 females, age 14–85 years, median 67 years) during the study period. The average operation time was 52 min for 19 eyes with cataract surgery and 35 min for 16 eyes without cataract surgery. Preoperative log(minimum angle of resolution [MAR]) visual acuity was 0.84 ± 0.87, 1-month postoperative logMAR visual acuity was 0.41 ± 0.55 (p = 0.004, n = 28), and 6-month postoperative average logMAR visual acuity was 0.45 ± 0.73 (p = 0.012, n = 15). The diagnosis was made by diagnostic vitrectomy in 19 cases (54%). Postoperative complications were observed in 2 of 35 postoperative patients (5%); one involved increased intraocular pressure, and the other case involved vitreous hemorrhage of the eye, necessitating reoperation. Conclusion Diagnostic 27-gauge vitrectomy could be effective for evaluating intraocular inflammation.

This paper presents analyses of anomalous behaviors during negative drain input operation of fully isolated nLDMOS. Unexpected I−V curves, i) multiple polarity switching of I S/BG , ii) I SUB leakage before the parasitic PNP activation and iii) abrupt increases of all terminal currents are shown. Physical mechanisms of those anomalous behaviors are clarified by TCAD simulation.

Purpose: To describe two cases of extremely high-IL-6 pan-uveitis with subretinal exudation and cell migration.Methods: Pre-operative and postoperative images and IL-6 values in vitreous samples of two pan-uveitis cases were analyzed.Results: Case 1 was a 76-year-old man with blurry vision in his right eye. Fundus examination and optical coherence tomography showed vitreous opacification with vitreous cells and the presence of a white-yellowish retinal exudate with peripheral choroidal detachment all around. The IL-6 value was 16,600 pg/ml. Case 2 was a 63-year-old man with blurry vision in his right eye. On fundus examination, there was severe vitreous opacification in his right eye. The IL-6 value was 26,600 pg/ml. Importantly, there was good responsiveness to steroids and the TNF inhibitor.Conclusion: Unclassified intraocular inflammation might include a new category of disease with unilateral pan-uveitis with good response to steroid therapy and extremely high vitreous IL-6 values.

Conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common ocular surface neoplasia. The purpose of this retrospective study was to examine the role of regulatory T cells (Tregs) activity in tumor immunity and investigate the tumor microenvironment as a new treatment focus in conjunctival SCC. A cancer progression gene array analysis and Immunohistochemical analysis of FOXP3 as Treg marker, CD8 as Tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte marker, and CXCR4 expression on activate Treg was also examined in a series of 31 conjunctival SCC cases. To investigate the localization of FOXP3-positive Tregs in detail, the tumor surface, tumor central, and around vessels staining patterns of FOXP3, CD8, and CXCR4 were examined separately. A significant difference in FOXP3, CD8, and CXCR4 staining in tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and FOXP3/CD8 ratio were in the carcinoma in situ group than advanced stage SCC group(each P P༜0.01). Our results show that FOXP3, the FOXP3/CD8 ratio, and the CXCR4 axis are important pathologic and prognostic factors of ocular surface neoplasia, including SCC. These tumor microenvironment of conjunctival SCC may be considered in the future development of treatment options.

Multi-trench-gate (multi-TG) cell concept is proposed for below 60V class superjunction (SJ) power MOSFETs. The proposed SJ cell improves manufacturability by relaxing too aggressive column pitch narrowing while keeping specific on-state resistance R sp reduction. Two-TG SJ cell is designed by fully utilizing TCAD and over 20% Rsp reduction with good charge imbalance margin against our 4th generation single gate SJ cell is obtained. The 1st experimental demonstration results in 13% R sp reduction and slightly lower BV dss than target because of the insufficient tuning of column implantation mask patterning and insufficient optimization of design parameters of termination region.

Objective: Rhabdophis tigrinus (Yamakagashi in Japanese) is a venomous non-front-fanged colubroid snake capable of inflicting envenoming with life-threatening defibrinating coagulopathy. However, b...

Gelatin microgels prepared inside lipid droplets have a much higher elasticity than that of bulk gels because of their differences in nanostructure. This nanostructural difference in gelatin microgels is expected to provide the microgels with unique viscoelastic properties that differ from the bulk gels. To clarify this hypothesis, here we evaluated the frequency-dependent viscoelasticity of gelatin gels by developing a cyclic micropipette aspiration. The frequency-dependent relationship between storage modulus E' (reflecting elasticity) and loss modulus E″ (reflecting viscosity) was compared between the microgels and the bulk gels. The microgels have a smaller E″/E' than that of the bulk gels. Because the ratio E″/E' of the bulk gels is constant regardless of the concentration, the microgel viscoelasticity cannot be achieved for the bulk gels with a different concentration. These findings mean that preparing biopolymer gels inside droplets is useful to change the viscoelasticity via nanostructural transition through the interaction with the droplet interface.

PurposeConjunctival squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is primarily treated with surgical resection. SCC has various stages, and local recurrence is common. The purpose of this study was to determine molecular localization of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and the possibility of EGFR as a biomarker for the management of conjunctival SCC.MethodsIn this retrospective study, we performed immunohistochemistry to evaluate EGFR expression and localization in tumor cells, EGFR mutation-specific expression (E746-A750del and L858R), and human papillomavirus expression in a series of 29 conjunctival SCCs.ResultsAll 29 tumors in our cohort were EGFR positive (100%). Twenty-one of 29 tumors (72%) showed focal EGFR staining, and seven (28%) showed diffuse EGFR staining. In addition, we calculated the percentages of the two most important mutations in EGFR (exon 19 746-A750del (8/29, 27.5%), exon 21 (L858R mutant (2/29, 6.8%)) in conjunctival SCCs. We observed that the translocation of EGFR from the membrane into the cytoplasm was related to clinical prognosis, as we detected correlations between EGFR cytoplasmic staining and final orbital exenteration and between decreased EGFR membrane staining and progression-free survival.ConclusionsEGFR is important in the pathology of ocular surface squamous neoplasia including SCC and is a prognostic factor. Increased understanding of EGFR mutations may have important implications for future treatment options.

This study aimed to examine the quality of life (QOL) in Japanese couples during the transition to parenthood with their first child.Relevant literature suggests that the health status of women drop during pregnancy and the postpartum period. However, less is known about their partner's well-being during the transition to parenthood and little research has addressed the relationship between couples' QOL across multiple domains.Participants included 9216 married Japanese men and women, including 3729 couples, who were expecting or raising their first child under the age of three. They independently completed questionnaires on baseline demographics and on WHOQOL-BREF.Men showed higher scores for psychological QOL, while women had higher scores for social and environment QOL. A significant interaction between gender and stage of transition to parenthood was found. The moderating effect of age between the stage and QOL was found for men on the physical and psychological domains. Couples' QOL scores were weakly to moderately correlated.Findings suggest that both men and women had lower QOL, with the exception of women's physical QOL, after childbirth, but they showed different trends during the transition to parenthood across different domains of QOL.

miR-17-92 is a microRNA cluster with six distinct members. Here, we show that the miR-17-92 cluster and its individual members modulate chronic neuropathic pain. All cluster members are persistently upregulated in primary sensory neurons after nerve injury. Overexpression of miR-18a, miR-19a, miR-19b and miR-92a cluster members elicits mechanical allodynia in rats, while their blockade alleviates mechanical allodynia in a rat model of neuropathic pain. Plausible targets for the miR-17-92 cluster include genes encoding numerous voltage-gated potassium channels and their modulatory subunits. Single-cell analysis reveals extensive co-expression of miR-17-92 cluster and its predicted targets in primary sensory neurons. miR-17-92 downregulates the expression of potassium channels, and reduced outward potassium currents, in particular A-type currents. Combined application of potassium channel modulators synergistically alleviates mechanical allodynia induced by nerve injury or miR-17-92 overexpression. miR-17-92 cluster appears to cooperatively regulate the function of multiple voltage-gated potassium channel subunits, perpetuating mechanical allodynia., Dysregulation of voltage gated potassium channels is a feature of neuropathic pain. Here in a rat model the authors identify the microRNA cluster miR-17-92 as a regulator of voltage gated potassium channels in the dorsal root ganglion neurons.

Cell-sized liposomes and droplets coated with lipid layers have been used as platforms for understanding live cells, constructing artificial cells, and implementing functional biomedical tools such as biosensing platforms and drug delivery systems. However, these systems are very fragile, which results from the absence of cytoskeletons in these systems. Here, we construct an artificial cytoskeleton using DNA nanostructures. The designed DNA oligomers form a Y-shaped nanostructure and connect to each other with their complementary sticky ends to form networks. To undercoat lipid membranes with this DNA network, we used cationic lipids that attract negatively charged DNA. By encapsulating the DNA into the droplets, we successfully created a DNA shell underneath the membrane. The DNA shells increased interfacial tension, elastic modulus, and shear modulus of the droplet surface, consequently stabilizing the lipid droplets. Such drastic changes in stability were detected only when the DNA shell was in the gel phase. Furthermore, we demonstrate that liposomes with the DNA gel shell are substantially tolerant against outer osmotic shock. These results clearly show the DNA gel shell is a stabilizer of the lipid membrane akin to the cytoskeleton in live cells.

Supplemental Digital Content is available in the text., Background: The authors developed a noncontact low-frequency ultrasound device that delivers high-intensity mechanical force based on phased-array technology. It may aid wound healing because it is likely to be associated with lower risks of infection and heat-induced pain compared with conventional ultrasound methods. The authors hypothesized that the microdeformation it induces accelerates wound epithelialization. Its effects on key wound-healing processes (angiogenesis, collagen accumulation, and angiogenesis-related gene transcription) were also examined. Methods: Immediately after wounding, bilateral acute wounds in C57BL/6J mice were noncontact low-frequency ultrasound– and sham-stimulated for 1 hour/day for 3 consecutive days (10 Hz/90.6 Pa). Wound closure (epithelialization) was recorded every 2 days as the percentage change in wound area relative to baseline. Wound tissue was procured on days 2, 5, 7, and 14 (five to six per time point) and subjected to histopathology with hematoxylin and eosin and Masson trichrome staining, CD31 immunohistochemistry, and quantitative polymerase-chain reaction analysis. Results: Compared to sham-treated wounds, ultrasound/phased-array–treated wounds exhibited significantly accelerated epithelialization (65 ± 27 percent versus 30 ± 33 percent closure), angiogenesis (4.6 ± 1.7 percent versus 2.2 ± 1.0 percent CD31+ area), and collagen deposition (44 ± 14 percent versus 28 ± 13 percent collagen density) on days 5, 2, and 5, respectively (all p < 0.05). The expression of Notch ligand delta-like 1 protein (Dll1) and Notch1, which participate in angiogenesis, was transiently enhanced by treatment on days 2 and 5, respectively. Conclusions: The authors’ noncontact low-frequency ultrasound phased-array device improved the wound-healing rate. It was associated with increased early neovascularization that was followed by high levels of collagen-matrix production and epithelialization. The device may expand the mechanotherapeutic proangiogenesis field, thereby helping stimulate a revolution in infected wound care.

Transcriptional changes in primary sensory neurons are involved in initiation and maintenance of neuropathic pain. However, the transcription factors in primary sensory neurons responsible for neuropathic pain are not fully understood. Dorsal Root Ganglia Homeobox (DRGX) is a paired-like homeodomain transcription factor necessary for the development of nociceptive primary sensory neurons during the early postnatal period. However, roles for DRGX after development are largely unknown. Here, we report that DRGX downregulation in primary sensory neurons as a result of post-developmental nerve injury contributes to neuropathic pain in rats. DRGX expression was decreased in nuclei of small and medium primary sensory neurons after spinal nerve ligation. DRGX downregulation by transduction of a short hairpin RNA with an adeno-associated viral vector induced mechanical allodynia and thermal hyperalgesia. In contrast, DRGX overexpression in primary sensory neurons suppressed neuropathic pain. DRGX regulated matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and prostaglandin E receptor 2 mRNA expression in the DRG. MMP-9 inhibitor attenuated DRGX downregulation-induced pain. These results suggest that DRGX downregulation after development contributes to neuropathic pain through transcriptional modulation of pain-related genes in primary sensory neurons.

This paper reports a unique phase separation behavior, a simultaneous-crosslinking-driven phase separation in co-gelation (SPSiC) core–shell microgel that spontaneously forms from a homogeneous pre-gel solution of multiple polymers. The SPSiC microgel, composed of an alginate shell and an N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) core, were synthesized by a single fabrication step wherein a mixed pre-gel solution of sodium alginate and NIPAM monomer was ejected by centrifugation with photo-polymerization and ion crosslinking instantaneously. Phase separation was modeled by varying the degree of polymerization and the size of the polymer chain. Moreover, an implantable, multi-functional drug delivery system combined with a transdermal glucose sensor was demonstrated with core–shell Janus SPSiC microgels. This work shows a macroscopic phase separation behavior, which occurs during the gelation process, and also provides a simple and unique methodology to create multifunctional bio-microprobes.

We previously reported that the seedlings of a mangrove, Rhizophora mucronate (Rhizophoraceae; formerly R. stylosa), exhibited very low survivability when cultured in the absence of NaCl. This suggests that R. mucronate is an obligate halophyte (plant that absolutely requires salt for survival), but the possible mechanism for the apparent salt requirement in R. mucronate remains unclear. In the present study, we examined the possibility that R. mucronate utilizes Na+ as a co-transport ion for the uptake of nutrient ions, as is known for the seagrass Zostera marina. To minimize the influence of individual differences in ion uptake activities among sample plants, we adopted a modified split-root method. In this method, the root system of an individual R. mucronate seedling was split into two halves by making a longitudinal cutting into the lower halves of their hypocotyl. Then, each half was respectively immersed in a culture medium that did or did not contain 240 mM NaCl, and the rates of nutrient (phosphate, nitrate, and ammonium ions) uptake in the presence or absence of Na+ were measured in a single seedling and compared. The results demonstrated that ion uptake in R. mucronate was, in contrast to the case with Z. marina, not hindered in the absence of Na+, suggesting that nutrient uptake in R. mucronate is not dependent on Na+. Based on this and other results, possible alternative mechanism(s) for the apparent Na+-requirement observed in R. mucronate seedlings are discussed.

Background and Purpose Although oxaliplatin is an effective anti-cancer platinum compound, it can cause painful chronic neuropathy, and its molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. Although miRNAs have been increasingly recognized as important modulators in a variety of pain conditions, their involvement in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain is unknown. Experimental Approach Oxaliplatin-induced chronic neuropathic pain was induced in rats by i.p. injections of oxaliplatin (2 mg·kg−1) for five consecutive days. The expression levels of miR-15b and β-site amyloid precursor protein-cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1 also known as β-secretase 1) were examined in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). To examine the function of miR-15b, an adeno-associated viral vector encoding miR-15b was injected into the DRG in vivo. Key Results Among the miRNAs examined in the DRG in the late phase of oxaliplatin-induced neuropathic pain, miR-15b was most robustly increased. Our in vitro assay results determined that BACE1 was a target of miR-15b. BACE1 and miR-15b were co-expressed in putative myelinated and unmyelinated DRG neurons. Overexpression of miR-15b in DRG neurons caused mechanical allodynia in association with reduced expression of BACE1. Consistent with these results, a BACE1 inhibitor dose-dependently induced significant mechanical allodynia. Conclusions and Implications These findings suggest that miR-15b contributes to oxaliplatin-induced chronic neuropathic pain at least in part through the down-regulation of BACE1.

The photoluminescence (PL) properties of a metal-free organoboron complex, bis(4-iodobenzoyl)methanatoboron difluoride (1BF2 ), were elucidated. At room temperature, 1BF2 emits blue fluorescence (FL) in nBuCl upon photoexcitation. In contrast, crystals of 1BF2 emit green PL comprised of FL and phosphorescence (PH). The room-temperature PH of crystalline 1BF2 is a consequence of 1) suppression of thermal deactivation of the S1 and T1 excited states and 2) enhancement of intersystem crossing (ISC) from the S1 to T2 or T1 . The results of X-ray crystallographic and theoretical studies supported the proposal that the former (1) is a result of intermolecular interactions caused by π-stacking in the rigid crystal packing structure of 1BF2 . The latter (2) is an effect of not only the heavy-atom effect of iodine, but also the continuous π-stacking alignment of 1BF2 molecules in crystals, which leads to a forbidden S1 →S0 transition and a small energy gap between the S1 and T2 or T1 .

Diels–Alder reaction of cyclic biphenylylene–acetylene compound 3 with tetraphenylcyclopentadienone (5) realized the preparation of large-sized cyclic polyphenylene array 4. This is the first example of a cyclic polyphenylene array with a complete ring arrangement of a chiral-type CNT segment with (12,3)-structure. Transformation of 4 to the chiral-type CNT segment was attempted, but resulted in the formation of a complicated mixture probably due to the partial dehydrogenation and/or the partial elimination about the long alkyl chains. Rather efficient blue emission of the cyclic compounds 3 and 4 was discussed utilizing fluorescence quantum efficiencies and lifetimes both in their solid state and in their solution. By thermal analyses triple-melting behavior of 3 was clarified.

The present study aimed to examine the relationship between sociodemographic factors and domains of quality of life (QOL) among married adults in Japan who were either rearing or expecting their first child. Our research focus was on whether different sociodemographic variables interacted with each other in predicting the first-time parents’ QOL. In total, 4374 (mean age = 34.9 years, SD = 8.4, range 18–71) community-based married couples pooled from two surveys provided their sociodemographic information (i.e., age, years of education, and annual income) and responded to the brief version of the QOL instrument developed by the World Health Organization (WHOQOL-BREF in Psychological Medicine 28(3):551–555, 1998). Series of multilevel regression analyses revealed that household annual income and education were associated with all domains of QOL, and other sociodemographic variables worked in a domain-specific manner. In addition, the effect of educational attainment on psychological domain was significant for mothers only, whereas the effects of household income on psychological and environmental domains were stronger for the younger (below age 26) than the older (over 43) couples. The effects of sociodemographic factors at couple as well as individual levels on the first-time parents’ QOL were examined for the first time in Japan using couple data. In addition to corroborating previous findings on the main effects concerning these variables, the present study demonstrated the complex patterns of interaction across different levels. These findings provide evidence for the need for financial and health measures targeted at specific parent populations.