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Technetium (Tc), atomic number 43, is an element that humans cannot freely use even in the 21st century because Tc is radioactive and has no stable isotope. In this report, we present molybdenum-ruthenium-carbon solid-solution alloy (Mo x Ru 1- x C y ) nanoparticles (NPs) that are expected to have an electronic structure similar to that of technetium carbide (TcC y ). Mo x Ru 1- x C y NPs were synthesized by annealing under a helium/hydrogen atmosphere following thermal decomposition of metal precursors. The obtained NPs had a solid-solution structure in the whole composition range. Mo x Ru 1- x C y with a cubic structure (down to 30 atom % Mo in the metal ratio) showed a superconducting state, and the transition temperature ( T c ) increased with increasing Mo composition. The continuous change in T c across that of TcC y indicates the continuous control of the electronic structure by solid-solution alloying, leading to pseudo-TcC y . Density functional theory calculations indicated that the synthesized Mo 0.53 Ru 0.47 C 0.41 has a similar electronic structure to TcC 0.41 .

We report the synthesis of MoRu solid-solution alloy nanoparticles using carbonyl complexes as a precursor through thermal decomposition. Alloying Ru with an early transition metal, Mo, leads to an electronic structure change, resulting in an enhancement of the catalytic activity for the hydrogen evolution reaction, which overtook that of the Pt catalyst.

We report novel PtW solid-solution nanoparticles (NPs) produced through electrochemical cleaning of core/shell PtW@WO 3 NPs. The resulting PtW NPs achieved a record hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance as a class of Pt-based solid-solution alloys. A current density of 10 mA cm -2 was reached with an overpotential of 19.4 mV, which is significantly lower than that of a commercial Pt catalyst (26.3 mV). The PtW NPs also exhibited long-term stability. Theoretical calculations revealed that negatively charged Pt atoms adjacent to a W atom provide favorable hydrogen adsorption energies for the HER, realizing significantly enhanced HER activity.

Transition metal nanoparticles (NPs) are promising materials for use as catalysts in many processes, although they are easily oxidized under ambient conditions. In this communication, a novel synthetic method is proposed for producing zero-valent iron (Fe) NPs by laser ablation under atmospheric conditions using the reducing properties of a formate-based ionic liquid solvent. The valence state of Fe was confirmed using X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy. The Fe NPs adopt a face centered cubic structure after synthesis, which gradually transforms to a body centered cubic structure after one month. The method can be extended to the synthesis of other transition metal NPs that are easily oxidized.

Background . A risk factor associated with stroke onset is chronic kidney disease (CKD). To prevent stroke reoccurrence, it is necessary to strictly manage blood pressure, lipids, and plasma glucose. Therefore, some cases are forced to polypharmacy, elderly patients in particular. Polypharmacy often leads to adverse drug reactions and has the potential to negatively affect the rehabilitation of stroke patients. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of polypharmacy using a functional independence measure (FIM). Methods . A total of 144 stroke patients with CKD were included in the present analysis. We divided stroke patients into those taking six or more drugs (polypharmacy group) and those taking less than six drugs (nonpolypharmacy group) upon admission. Patient background features, laboratory data, and FIM scores were compared. Results . FIM-Motor (FIM-M) efficiency, age, and diabetes mellitus were positively associated with polypharmacy. FIM-M efficiency in the polypharmacy group was significantly lower than in the nonpolypharmacy group. Conclusion . Polypharmacy interferes with the effect of rehabilitation in stroke patients with CKD. Pharmacists and doctors should make efforts to optimize medications to be able to respond to the outcome of each patient., Competing Interests: The authors have no potential conflict of interests to declare with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

In this study, we investigated the expression and function of CD27 and CD70 in the human tonsil. We found that IgG production was significantly reduced after the administration of anti-CD27 and anti-CD70 antibodies in the T cell dependent B cell activation system, suggesting the involvement of CD27/CD70 in the production of IgG. In addition, the amounts of peripheral and tonsililar CD4+ CD27+ cells were almost identical, whereas the expression of CD4+ CD27- cells was higher (4.9%) in tonsil than in peripheral blood (2.4%). Furthermore, anti-CD27 antibody and anti-CD4 antibody-positive cells were found mainly in the interfollicular region, and a small number of this cell population was observed in both germinal center (GC) and mantle. Double-staining showed that the germinal center was almost completely composed of CD4+ CD27+ cells. In contrast to CD27 cells, only a small number of CD70+ cells were present in the follicles. Moreover, anti-CD19 antibody, a B cell marker, was stained in the GC and mantle zone, and CD19+ CD27+ cells were observed in the GC close to the mantle. The above findings favor the involvement and role of CD27/CD70 in the T-B cell interaction by inducing IgG production and increasing memory cell (CD4+ CD27-) number in the tonsil.

We studied the expression and function of CD27 and CD70, which are reported to play an important role in the T-B cell interaction in tonsillar lymphocytes of patients with chronic tonsillitis. In comparison of CD27 and CD70 in peripheral lymphocytes of each patients, no significant difference was found. Furthermore, CD27 and CD70 in T-B cell interaction and antibody production in the tonsil was studied. Our findings was confirmed that CD27 and CD70 are involved in interactions between T/T, T/B and B/B cells. A comparative study of CD27- CD4+ cells and CD70+ CD4 cells, so-called memory cells in the T cell subset, was made in tonsillar lymphocytes and peripheral lymphocytes. No significant difference was found in the presence of CD27+ CD4+ cells, but the CD27- CD4+ cells increased in tonsillar lymphocytes. This suggests recurrent antigenic stimulation and the presence of memory cells in tonsillar lymphocytes. Localization of CD27 and CD70 in tonsillar tissue was also investigate.

Lymphocytes in the lingual tonsil were analyzed using monoclonal antibodies to cell surface markers. Immunohistologic staining of lingual tonsillar tissue showed localization of the various lymphocyte subsets in the germinal center, mantle zone, and inter-follicular area. Populations of lymphocyte subsets, i.e., T cells, B cells, CD4 positive cells, CD8 positive cells, alpha beta T-cells, gamma delta T-cells, and NK cells were assessed by laser flow cytometry analysis, and we compared the following tissues: peripheral blood, lingual tonsils, palatine tonsils, and pharyngeal tonsils (adenoids).