Search

Surface potential decay (SPD) characteristics of a corona charged polyethylene terephtalate (PET) are investigated experimentally. A negative corona discharge produced in a needle - grid - plate electrode system was employed to charge the surface of the film samples (thickness: 0.5 mm; surface: 50 mm x 50 mm). The temperature effect, initial potential and relative humidity are presented. The variation domains for the three factors were respectively: 20 to 60°C; -1000 to -1800 V; 20 to 80%. All surface potential decay measurements were carried out in a commercial climatic chamber, where relative humidity RH and temperature T ?were rigorously controlled. The aim of the present work is to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Experimental methodology for evaluating the effects of these factors. This investigation has showed that the surface potential decay is highly conditioned by temperature, relative humidity and charge density initially lay down on the material. Charge injection mechanism in material bulk seems to be the more probable hypothesis to explain charge flow in PET. More over, the experiment results confirm the influence and the role of thermal activation and electrical field on the potential decay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In ruminants, the overgrowth of offspring produced by in vitro fertilization (IVF) is a common problem. Abnormal epigenetic modifications caused by environmental factors during the early embryonic period are suspected as an aetiology of overgrowth. In this study, we investigated the genome-wide histone H3K4me3 profiles of bovine placentae that play a pivotal role in foetal development and compared their characteristics between artificial insemination (AI)- and IVF-derived samples. Cotyledons were harvested from the placentae obtained at parturition of 5 AI- and 13 IVF-derived calves, and chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing was performed for H3K4me3. We confirmed no significant maternal tissue contamination in the samples we used. The revealed H3K4me3 profiles reflected the general characteristics of the H3K4me3 modification, which is abundantly distributed in the promoter region of active genes. By extracting common modifications from multiple samples, the genes involved in placenta-specific biological processes could be enriched. Comparison with the H3K4me3 modifications of blastocyst samples was also effective for enriching the placenta-specific features. Principal component analysis suggested the presence of differential H3K4me3 modifications in AI- and IVF-derived samples. The genes contributing to the difference were related to the developmental biological processes. Imprinted genes such as BEGAIN, ZNF215 and DLX5 were among the extracted genes. Principal component and discriminant analyses using only male samples categorized the samples into three groups based on foetal weight and calf-production methods. To our knowledge, this is the first study to profile the genome-wide histone modifications of bovine foetal placentae and reveal their differential characteristics between different calf-production methods., (© 2024 Wiley-VCH GmbH. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

A 38-year-old man who was delivered in a breech position presented with delayed development of secondary sexual characteristics and malaise. He was diagnosed with panhypopituitarism caused by interruption of the pituitary stalk due to perinatal complications. Brain magnetic resonance imaging findings for pituitary stalk interruption syndrome are well-documented; however, reports of the imaging findings of the bones and several organs related to the effects of panhypopituitarism are limited. In this patient with anterior pituitary dysfunction, imaging revealed diverse sequelae, including delayed skeletal maturation, osteopenia, genital atrophy, fatty liver, and adrenal atrophy. Radiologists may find it difficult to discern complex imaging findings unless they are informed of the clinical course of the patient. Therefore, radiologists should coordinate with clinicians to arrive at a diagnosis., (© 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. on behalf of University of Washington.)

Purpose: To evaluate the computed tomography findings of intersigmoid hernias., Material and Methods: Between April 2010 and March 2018, 7 patients who were surgically diagnosed with intersigmoid hernia in 3 institutions were enrolled in this study. Two radiologists evaluated imaging findings for the herniated small bowel, the distance between the occlusion point and bifurcation of the left common iliac artery, and the anatomic relationship with adjacent organs., Results: All patients were male, and their mean age (standard deviation, range) was 61.0 (13.5, 36-85) years. The mean size of the bowel loops was 5.2 (1.3, 4.0-8.3) cm in the caudal direction, 3.6 (0.8, 2.5-5.1) cm in the lateral, and 3.4 (0.6, 2.5-4.7) cm in the anterior-posterior direction. The volume was 37.9 (27.8, 15.6-103.0) cm 3 approximated by an ellipse, and 24.0 (17.7, 9.9-65.6) cm 3 approximated by a truncated cone. The obstruction point was located 3.6 (0.6, 2.8-4.7) cm inferior to the bifurcation of the left common iliac artery. In all cases, the small bowel ran under the point at which the inferior mesenteric vessels bifurcated to the superior rectal vessels and the sigmoid vessels and formed a sac-like appearance between the left psoas muscle and the sigmoid colon. The ureter ran dorsal to the point of the bowel stenosis, and the left gonadal vein ran outside the small bowel loops., Conclusions: All cases showed common imaging findings, which may be characteristic of men's intersigmoid hernia. In addition, the fossa's position was lower, and the size was larger than in the previous study, which may be a risk factor., Competing Interests: The authors report no conflict of interest., (© Pol J Radiol 2023.)

Nitrogen (N 2 ) fixation by nature, which is a crucial process for the supply of bio-available forms of nitrogen, is performed by nitrogenase. This enzyme uses a unique transition-metal-sulfur-carbon cluster as its active-site co-factor ([(R-homocitrate)MoFe 7 S 9 C], FeMoco) 1,2 , and the sulfur-surrounded iron (Fe) atoms have been postulated to capture and reduce N 2 (refs. 3-6 ). Although there are a few examples of synthetic counterparts of the FeMoco, metal-sulfur cluster, which have shown binding of N 2 (refs. 7-9 ), the reduction of N 2 by any synthetic metal-sulfur cluster or by the extracted form of FeMoco 10 has remained elusive, despite nearly 50 years of research. Here we show that the Fe atoms in our synthetic [Mo 3 S 4 Fe] cubes 11,12 can capture a N 2 molecule and catalyse N 2 silylation to form N(SiMe 3 ) 3 under treatment with excess sodium and trimethylsilyl chloride. These results exemplify the catalytic silylation of N 2 by a synthetic metal-sulfur cluster and demonstrate the N 2 -reduction capability of Fe atoms in a sulfur-rich environment, which is reminiscent of the ability of FeMoco to bind and activate N 2 ., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Limited.)

Floods can be devastating in densely populated regions along rivers, so attaining a longer forecast lead time with high accuracy is essential for protecting people and property. Although many techniques are used to forecast floods, sufficient validation of the use of a forecast system for operational alert purposes is lacking. In this study, we validated the flooding locations and times of dike breaking that had occurred during Typhoon Hagibis, which caused severe flooding in Japan in 2019. To achieve the goal of the study, we combined a hydrodynamic model with statistical analysis under forcing by a 39-h prediction of the Japan Meteorological Agency's Meso-scale model Grid Point Value (MSM-GPV) and obtained dike-break times for all flooded locations for validation. The results showed that this method was accurate in predicting floods at 130 locations, approximately 91.6% of the total of 142 flooded locations, with a lead time of approximately 32.75 h. In terms of precision, these successfully predicted locations accounted for 24.0% of the total of 542 locations under a flood warning, and on average, the predicted flood time was approximately 8.53 h earlier than a given dike-break time. More warnings were issued for major rivers with severe flooding, indicating that the system is sensitive to extreme flood events and can issue warnings for rivers subject to high risk of flooding.

Background: CRIPTO is a multi-functional signaling protein that promotes stemness and oncogenesis. We previously developed a CRIPTO antagonist, ALK4 L75A -Fc, and showed that it causes loss of the stem cell phenotype in normal mammary epithelia suggesting it may similarly inhibit CRIPTO-dependent plasticity in breast cancer cells., Methods: We focused on two triple negative breast cancer cell lines (MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468) to measure the effects of ALK4 L75A -Fc on cancer cell behavior under nutrient deprivation and endoplasmic reticulum stress. We characterized the proliferation and migration of these cells in vitro using time-lapse microscopy and characterized stress-dependent changes in the levels and distribution of CRIPTO signaling mediators and cancer stem cell markers. We also assessed the effects of ALK4 L75A -Fc on proliferation, EMT, and stem cell markers in vivo as well as on tumor growth and metastasis using inducible lentiviral delivery or systemic administration of purified ALK4 L75A -Fc, which represents a candidate therapeutic approach., Results: ALK4 L75A -Fc inhibited adaptive responses of breast cancer cells under conditions of nutrient and ER stress and reduced their proliferation, migration, clonogenicity, and expression of EMT and cancer stem cell markers. ALK4 L75A -Fc also inhibited proliferation of human breast cancer cells in stressed tumor microenvironments in xenografts and reduced both primary tumor size and metastatic burden., Conclusions: Cancer cell adaptation to stresses such as nutrient deprivation, hypoxia, and chemotherapy can critically contribute to dormancy, metastasis, therapy resistance, and recurrence. Identifying mechanisms that govern cellular adaptation, plasticity, and the emergence of stem-like cancer cells may be key to effective anticancer therapies. Results presented here indicate that targeting CRIPTO with ALK4 L75A -Fc may have potential as such a therapy since it inhibits breast cancer cell adaptation to microenvironmental challenges and associated stem-like and EMT phenotypes.

ABSTRACT The prototype fowl glioma-inducing virus (FGVp) causes fowl glioma and cerebellar hypoplasia in chickens. In this study, we investigated whether a strain of avian leukosis virus (ALV), associated with avian osteopetrosis and mesenchymal neoplasms, is able to induce fowl glioma. We encountered avian osteopetrosis and mesenchymal neoplasms, including myxosarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma, in Japanese native chickens used for both egg-laying and meat production. These birds were also affected by non-suppurative encephalitis and glioma in their brains. Four ALV strains (GifN_001, GifN_002, GifN_004, GifN_005) were isolated, and a phylogenic analysis of env SU showed that these isolates were classified into different clusters from FGVp and the variants previously reported. Whereas the env SU shared a high identity (94.7%) with that of Rous sarcoma virus (strain Schmidt-Ruppin B) (RSV-SRB), the identity between env TM of GifN_001 and that of FGVp was high (94.5%), indicating that GifN_strains may emerge by recombination between FGVp and other exogenous ALVs. Specific-pathogen-free chickens inoculated in ovo with GifN_001 revealed fowl glioma and cerebellar hypoplasia. These results suggest that the newly isolated strains have acquired neuropathogenicity to chickens.

Cryptosporidium spp. are enteric protozoan parasites that infect a wide range of hosts including humans, and domestic and wild animals. The aim of this study was to molecularly characterize the Cryptosporidium spp. found in calf faeces in Japan. A total of 80 pre-weaned beef and dairy calves' diarrhoeic faecal specimens were collected from nine different prefectures in Japan. A nested polymerase chain reaction targeting the small subunit 18S rRNA and GP60 genes were used to detect the Cryptosporidium genotypes and subtypes. 83.8% (67 out of 80) of the specimens were positive for Cryptosporidium spp.; Cryptosporidium was found in both beef and dairy calves. Cryptosporidium parvum was the predominant species, detected in 77.5% (31/40) of beef calves and 80% (32/40) of dairy calves. Cryptosporidium bovis was also detected, 5.0% (2/40) of dairy calves, and C. ryanae was also found 2.5% (1/40) of dairy calves. One mixed-species infection, 2.5% (1/40) was detected in a beef calf having C. parvum, and C. ryanae. We detected the most common subtype of C. parvum (i.e., IIaA15G2R1), as well as other subtypes (i.e., IIaA14G3R1, IIaA14G2R1, and IIaA13G1R1) that have not previously been detected in calves in Japan. Our results demonstrate the widespread diversity of Cryptosporidium infection in calves in Japan., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest None., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

A synthetic protocol was developed for a series of cubane-type [Mo 3 S 4 M] clusters that incorporate halides of first-row transition metals (M) from Groups 4-10. This protocol is based on the anionic cluster platform [Cp* 3 Mo 3 S 4 ] - ([1] - ; Cp*=η 5 -C 5 Me 5 ), which crystallizes when K(18-crown-6) is used as the counter cation. Treatment of in situ-generated [1] - with such transition-metal halides led to the formation of [Mo 3 S 4 M] clusters, in which the M/halide ratio gradually changes from 1:2 to 1:1.5 and to 1:1, when moving from early to late transition metals. This trend suggests a tendency for early transition metals to tolerate higher oxidation states and adopt larger ionic radii relative to late transition metals. The properties of the [Mo 3 S 4 Fe] cluster 6 a were investigated in detail by using 57 Fe Mössbauer spectroscopy and computational methods., (© 2018 Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

The Global Energy and Water cycle Exchanges (GEWEX) Data and Assessments Panel (GDAP) initiated the GEWEX Water Vapor Assessment (G-VAP), which has the main objectives to quantify the current state of art in water vapour products being constructed for climate applications and to support the selection process of suitable water vapour products by GDAP for its production of globally consistent water and energy cycle products. During the construction of the G-VAP data archive, freely available and mature satellite and reanalysis data records with a minimum temporal coverage of 10 years were considered. The archive contains total column water vapour (TCWV) as well as specific humidity and temperature at four pressure levels (1000, 700, 500, 300 hPa) from 22 different data records. All data records were remapped to a regular longitude/latitude grid of 2°x2°. The archive consists of four different folders: 22 TCWV data records covering the period 2003-2008, 11 TCWV data records covering the period 1988-2008, as well as seven specific humidity and seven temperature data records covering the period 1988-2009. The G-VAP data archive is referenced under the following digital object identifier (doi): http://dx.doi.org/10.5676/EUM SAF CM/GVAP/V001. Within G-VAP, the characterisation of water vapour products is, among other ways, achieved through intercomparisons of the considered data records, as a whole and grouped into three classes of predominant retrieval condition: clear-sky, cloudy-sky and all-sky. Associated results are shown using the 22 TCWV data records. The standard deviations among the 22 TCWV data records have been analysed and exhibit distinct maxima over central Africa and the tropical warm pool (in absolute terms) as well as over the poles and mountain regions (in relative terms). The variability in TCWV within each class can be large and prohibits conclusions on systematic differences in TCWV between the classes., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Background/aims: Helicobacter pylori infection has been implicated in atrophic gastritis and gastric ulcer disease. However, the relationship between gastric emptying and Helicobacter pylori infection is still unclear., Methodology: One hundred and two consecutive patients with functional dyspepsia were enrolled in this study (53 Helicobacter pylori positive and 49 negative). Gastric emptying was determined using both the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the paracetamol absorption test. For grading gastric atrophy, the biopsy samples and serum pepsinogen I/II ratio were used. The relationship between gastric emptying, Helicobacter pylori infection and atrophy grade was investigated., Results: There was no significant difference in all gastric emptying parameters between Helicobacter pylori positive and negative patients. However, in Helicobacter pylori positive subjects, pepsinogen I/II ratio correlated with atrophy grade, and it also correlated with all parameters of gastric emptying. Especially in the half-emptying time, an important parameter, there was significant correlation with the pepsinogen I/II ratio (R = -0.39, p < 0.01). This finding implies that gastric emptying is delayed according to the degree of gastric atrophy., Conclusions: Gastric emptying was not delayed simply according to advanced age, but according to the advance in gastric atrophy.

Using polymerase chain reactions and genome walking strategies, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-like capsid genes were isolated from rat and mouse liver genomic DNA, where they are present at <5 copies per cell. These genes define two new species of AAVs since their amino acid sequences are <60% identical to each other or to any other AAV capsid. They are most similar to the AAV-5 and goat AAV capsids. A recombinant vector with the mouse AAV capsid and a lacZ transgene (rAAV-mo.1 lacZ) was able to transduce rodent cell lines in vitro. However, it was not able to transduce eight human cell lines or primary human fibroblasts in vitro. It did not bind heparin and its ability to transduce cells in vitro was not inhibited by heparin, mucin, or sialic acid suggesting it uses a novel entry receptor. rAAV-mo.1 lacZ was 29 times more resistant to in vitro neutralization by pooled, purified human IgG than AAV-2. In vivo, rAAV-mo.1 lacZ efficiently transduced murine ocular cells after a subretinal injection. Intramuscular injection of a rAAV-mo.1 human factor IX (hFIX) vector into mice resulted in no detectable hFIX in plasma, but intravenous injection resulted in high plasma levels of hFIX, equivalent to that obtained from a rAAV-8 hFIX vector. Biodistribution analysis showed that rAAV-mo.1 primarily transduced liver after an intravenous injection. These AAV capsids may be useful for gene transfer in rodents.

Background: The relationship between Helicobacter pylori eradication and gastric emptying has been reported; however, the effect of eradication therapy on gastric emptying is still unclear. This study evaluated the relationship between three gastric emptying techniques, the scintigraphic technique, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, and the acetaminophen method, measured simultaneously, and the effect of H. pylori eradication therapy on gastric emptying and abdominal symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia who were H. pylori positive., Methods: Fifty-three consecutive patients with positive H. pylori infection were enrolled in this study. In the first 14 patients, gastric emptying was measured using the three gastric emptying techniques. In 42 patients cured of H. pylori infection, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method were performed before and 3 months after eradication., Results: Significant correlations were found between the scintigraphic technique, the 13C-octanoic acid breath test, and the acetaminophen method. Gastric emptying determined by the 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method was not changed after eradication, on average. In 14 (33.3%) patients a decrease in symptom score after eradication was observed. In four (9.5%) patients, accelerated gastric emptying after eradication may have led to a reduction in the abdominal symptoms., Conclusions: The 13C-octanoic acid breath test and the acetaminophen method are appropriate for investigating gastric emptying. A causal relationship between improvement of symptoms and accelerated gastric emptying was not found, and the efficacy of H. pylori eradication therapy in patients with functional dyspepsia was minimally exhibited.