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To examine the effects of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on the inhibition of [alpha]-smooth muscle actin ([alpha]-SMA) expression in dermal fibroblasts, we have established two dermal myofibroblastic cell lines positive for [alpha]-SMA (rat myofibroblasts [RMF] and rat myofibroblast-like [RMFL] cells) and one fibroblastic cell line negative for [alpha]-SMA (rat fibroblasts cells) as a model of fibroblast differentiation. In contrast to the increased expression of [alpha]-SMA in RMF and RMFL cells, irrespective of transforming growth factor-[beta]1 treatment, bFGF induced a decrease in [alpha]-SMA expression in the myofibroblastic cells and the reduced expression patterns of [alpha]-SMA differed between cells, as demonstrated by Western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analyses. Along with the inhibition of [alpha]-SMA expression by bFGF, the RMF and RMFL cells also showed different activated expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2, suggesting the involvement of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 activation in the down-regulation of [alpha]-SMA expression in myofibroblasts. Furthermore, an in vivo study demonstrated that bFGF administration markedly decreases the area that is positive for [alpha]-SMA expression in the treated wounds after day 18. In contrast, bFGF administration significantly increased the number of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) staining and [alpha]-SMA-positive cells at days 10 and 14, and reduced the double-positive cells rapidly after day 18. Collectively, the current investigation identified bFGF as a potent stimulator for the reduction of the myofibroblastic area in vivo, presumably because of its effects on the down-regulation of [alpha]-SMA expression as well as rapid induction of apoptosis in myofibroblasts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we regenerated skin and its appendages by transplanting cultured normal dermal fibroblasts, into which morphogen genes had been introduced. We cultured normal dermal fibroblasts obtained from Fisher 344 rats on the surface of hydroxyapatite beads, and then adsorbed them onto the surface of a collagen sponge, which was transplanted into a full-thickness skin defect prepared on the backs of rats. Before transplantation, genes were introduced into the dermal fibroblasts via adenovirus vector (ad)-bone morphogenetic protein 2 and ad-wingless int 3 genes in addition to fibroblast growth factor-2 protein. By Week 4, the appearance of follicle germs or primitive hair germs was observed only in the ad-bone morphogenetic protein 2+ad-wingless int 3 combined with the fibroblast growth factor-2 protein group. By Week 16, in that same group, hair follicles having mature pilosebaceous systems with equally spaced localization had formed in the ulcer wound. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The renal lymphatics have not been fully documented in humans. The aim of this study was to clarify the morphology of the human renal lymphatic system under normal and pathological conditions by immunohistochemistry using anti-D2-40 antibody. Methods and results: Normal and pathological renal tissues obtained at autopsy as well as nephrectomy specimens with renal cell carcinoma (RCC) were used. Thin sections were immunostained with antibodies against D2-40 and CD31. In normal kidney, D2-40+ lymphatics were abundant in the interstitium around the interlobar and arcuate arteries/veins but sporadic in those around the glomeruli or between the tubules in the cortex. A few lymphatics contained erythrocytes in their lumina. Lymphatics were seldom present in the medulla. In RCC cases, lymphatics were evident at the tumour margin, whereas CD31+ capillaries were abundant throughout the tumour and lymphatics were increased in the fibrous interstitium around the tumour. Lymphatic invasion by RCC cells was also detectable. D2-40+ lymphatics were evident in other pathological conditions and end-stage kidney had a denser lymphatic distribution than normal kidney. Conclusions: Lymphatics are abundant around the arteries/veins and are also present in the renal cortex and medulla. D2-40 immunostaining is helpful for investigating the pathophysiological role of renal lymphatics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Reliable makers for progenitor cells in the human stomach have not been elucidated. The aim of the present study was to clarify whether Musashi-1 (Msi-1), which has recently been proposed as a stem cell marker in mouse intestine, serves as a marker for progenitor cells in human stomach. Methods and results: Immunohistochemistry revealed that Msi-1+ cells were detected especially in the isthmus/neck region (the putative position of stem cells) of the adult antrum, but were limited to the basal regions of fetal pyloric glands during the early stages of development. These results suggest that Msi-1 expression occurs specifically in the stem cell-containing regions. Msi-1+ cells were intermingled with proliferating cell muclear antigen (PCNA)+ cells in the isthmus/neck region of the adult antrum, but did not coexpress PCNA or Ki67. Msi-1 expression overlapped partly with expression of MUC5AC and MUC6, indicating that Msi-1+ cells retain some features of both foveolar and pyloric gland cell differentiation phenotypes. In contrast, Msi-1 expression in gastric glands showing intestinal metaplasia (IM) became weaker than that in the glands without IM. Conclusion: The specific expression of Msi-1 within the proliferative regions suggests that Msi-1 is a marker of cells with progenitor characteristics before active proliferation in human antrum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Gelatin-binding protein of 28 kDa (GBP28) is a collagen-like plasma protein having a binding capacity with collagens. We investigated GBP28 role on myocardial remodelling as well as the diagnostic significance of GBP28 immunostaining in myocardial infarction. Methods and results: Myocardial tissues obtained from 47 autopsied hearts with infarction were immunostained with antibodies against GBP28, fibronectin, type III and IV collagens, and prolyl 4-hydroxylase. GBP28 was distributed in interstitium of infarcted lesions at an early stage. GBP28 was linearly found both along the border with vital myocardium and at the periphery of surviving cardiomyocyte around the lesion at granulative stage. However, it was not observed in the scar. GBP28 distribution patterns were similar to those of fibronectin in infarcted lesions and those of type IV collagen at the periphery of cardiomyocyte. Type III collagen was not recognized in the early-stage lesion but increased along with scar maturation. Prolyl 4-hydroxylase was found in surviving cardiomyocytes around the lesion during all stages and in interstitial cells appeared in granulation tissue. Conclusion: GBP28 plays a role as a scaffold of newly formed collagen in myocardial remodelling after ischaemic injury, and GBP28 immunostaining may assist in a diagnosis of healing stage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

: The myocardium expresses vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and ubiquitin immediately after the onset of cardiac ischaemia. This study demonstrated the sequential changes in localization of these proteins, in addition to fibronectin and troponin T (TnT), in human hearts with myocardial infarction (MI). : Myocardial tissues from 40 autopsied MI cases were immunostained with the five antibodies against VEGF, HSP70, ubiquitin, fibronectin and TnT. Fibronectin was recognized only in the cardiomyocytes with infarction. Although TnT, HSP70, ubiquitin and VEGF were detected in the affected myocardium in the early stages, their expression in cardiomyocytes around infarcted foci were more intense. The cardiomyocytes with coagulative myocytolysis were positive for fibronectin, but negative or weakly positive for TnT, HSP70, ubiquitin and VEGF. In contrast, the cardiomyocytes with colliquative myocytolysis were strongly positive for TnT, HSP70, ubiquitin and VEGF, but negative for fibronectin. : Immunostaining using antibodies to fibronectin, TnT, HSP70, ubiquitin and VEGF is useful for the discrimination between infarcted myocytes and ischaemia-damaged myocytes in the human heart with MI at autopsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Through long-term field fibre PMD measurement, two occurrence patterns of large instantaneous differential group delays (DGDs), of less than 10-5 probability, were observed. Most high DGD occurrences, which continue more than hours in limited bandwidth, clearly show positive correlation with ambient temperature even though most of the fibres are buried; and only an emergent spike, which seems not to relate to temperature, was also recorded. In both patterns, second-order polarisation mode dispersion on the wavelength at the same timing has local maximum values with the same occurrence patterns, but PDL does not have local maximum values on the wavelength at the same timing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large homogeneous bandwidth of a thulium-doped fibre amplifier makes it suitable for optical gain clamping. This has been demonstrated experimentally. Gain variation of 1.2 dB for 15 dB input dynamic range has been achieved, with less than 1 dB gain ripple over 20 nm, and no noise figure degradation, while pumped at 1050 nm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on the development of wavelength multiplexed pumping for distributed Raman amplification in earth doped fiber amplifiers (EDFA) utilizing 100 nanometer of optical fibre bandwidth for high bit-rate wavelength division multiplexing transmission. Reason for the flat gain spectrum of fluoride-based EDFA; Pumping mechanism used in EDFA; Construction and working of EDFA; Parameters used to measure the performance of the filter.

Studies the influence of deposition pressure on epitaxial crystalline film quality. Details on the experiment; Results of the study; Discussion of findings.

An 8-month-old girl with respiratory distress and stridor was admitted to the authors' hospital. Two days later, she died of respiratory insufficiency due to pneumonia. Autopsy confirmed the presence of follicular bronchiolitis (FBB) in both lungs. After considering her clinical course, the authors focused on three pathogens: Legionella pneumophilia, Pneumocystis carinii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Only Legionella pneumophilia was detected by both immunohistochemistry and PCR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An 8-month-old girl with respiratory distressand stridor was admitted to our hospital. Two days later, she died of respiratory insufficiency due to pneumonia. Autopsy confirmed the presence of follicular bronchiolitis (FBB) in both lungs. After consideration of her clinical course, we focused on three pathogens: Legionella pneumophilia, Pneumocystis carinii, and Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Only Legionella pneumophilia was detected by both immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have applied a combinatorial technique to fabricate work function (WF) tuned Pt-W alloy films and used the films as metal electrodes for HfO2/SiO2/Si capacitors. As the ratio, RPt, of Pt to W changes from 0 to 1, the WF value varies continuously from 4.7 to 5.5 eV. This tunability enables us to systematically investigate the effect of WF variation on electrical properties. After a forming gas annealing process, the values of flatband voltage (Vfb) from capacitance-voltage properties are almost constant, regardless of the WF variation, because of oxygen vacancy formation that results in Fermi level pinning. On additional oxidizing gas annealing (OGA), the effect of WF value on Vfb becomes dominant. However, the difference in Vfb between W and Pt is 0.34 V, which is much smaller than the observed WF difference of 0.8 eV. We attribute this phenomenon to the lowering of the effective WF due to an electric dipole, induced by oxygen vacancy formation at the metal/HfO2 interface. Moreover, a decrease in Vfb in W-rich regions was observed following the OGA, suggesting the formation of a W-O bond at the interface. These results clearly indicate that the control of bonding states at the metal/HfO2 interfaces on an atomic scale is essential for the realization of a combination of metal and high-k dielectric films in future complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of TiN deposition on thin HfO2 films formed on Si substrates was studied using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and a monoenergetic positron beam. For the predeposition sample, the positrons implanted into Si were found to diffuse toward the HfO2/Si interface under the influence of the electric field, suggesting the presence of negative charges in HfO2. After TiN was deposited by chemical vapor deposition, no large change in the defect species was observed. After TiN was deposited by physical vapor deposition, however, positive charges were introduced at the TiN/HfO2 interface, which were associated with the incorporation of nitride into HfO2 and/or the plasma damage at the surface of HfO2, and the resultant formation of positively charged oxygen vacancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of nitridation on open volumes in thin HfSiOx films fabricated on Si substrates by atomic layer deposition was studied using monoenergetic positron beams. For HfSiOx, positrons were found to annihilate from the trapped state due to open volumes which exist intrinsically in an amorphous structure. After plasma nitridation, the size of open volumes decreased at a nitrogen concentration of about 20 at. %. An expansion of open volumes, however, was observed after postnitridation annealing (PNA) (1050 °C, 5 s). We found that the size of open volumes increased with increasing nitrogen concentration in HfSiOx. The change in the size of open volumes was attributed to the trapping of nitrogen by open volumes, and an incorporation of nitrogen into the amorphous matrix of HfSiOx during PNA. We also examined the role of nitrogen in HfSiOx using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and first principles calculations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lateral transport of dopants in silicon films on insulators during laser recrystallization is investigated. The dopants implanted locally in silicon films on insulators are found to be transported in the forward direction of the laser scan as well as the backward direction. Both transport lengths from the originally implanted region are measured as a function of the laser scan velocity. The transport mechanism is explained by taking into account a liquid phase diffusion and a segregation of impurities depending on the crystallization speed. The diffusion coefficients of (1.2±0.2)×10-4 and (1.3±0.4)×10-4 cm2/s for arsenic and boron, respectively, in molten silicon are obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experimental evidence is presented for stimulated far-infrared emission from population-inverted hot-carrier system in p Ge. The spectroscopic study by use of an n-InSb cyclotron-resonance detector reveals that the spectrum of the emission consists of a fairly sharp band located at the photon energy ∼5 or ∼10 meV depending on the applied fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deals with a study which investigated the influence of the growth direction and the solidification speed on crystal quality of the silicon (Si)-on-insulator (SOI) film by laser recrystallization. Relation between liquid-solid interface and planes responsible for crystal growth; Growth direction of recrystallized Si films; Crystalline orientation of the SOI film.

We have examined the reaction characteristics of the shift reaction for Ni/Mo/TiO 2 catalyst (Ni/Mo/Ti) which is a sulfur-tolerant water gas shift catalyst (sour shift catalyst). We used a bench-scale apparatus and the actual coal gasification gas (actual gas) which included COS and HCN as the competing reaction materials for the shift reaction. From the catalyst inlet temperature dependence of the shift reaction at the H 2 O/CO ratio of 1.2 mol/mol, it appeared that the reaction starting temperature was less than 200 °C. In addition, for Co/Mo/Al 2 O 3 catalyst (Co/Mo/Al) as a comparison catalyst, gas hour space velocities (GHSVs) to reach chemical equilibrium was calculated by static characterization analysis using E a and A obtained from the actual experiment for the catalyst inlet temperature of 200 °C and the H 2 O/CO ratio of 1.2 mol/mol. As a result, we confirmed that GHSV of Ni/Mo/Ti was 5 times more than that of Co/Mo/Al, that is, the catalyst quantity of Ni/Mo/Ti can be decreased to 1/5 that of Co/Mo/Al for the above conditions. Furthermore, we confirmed that COS and HCN were sufficiently reacted on Ni/Mo/Ti. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: The lymphatic system is involved in fluid homeostasis of the cardiac interstitium, but lymphangiogenesis in myocardial remodelling has not previously been examined histopathologically. The aim was to investigate by D2-40 immunohistochemistry the sequential changes in lymphatic distribution in the process of myocardial remodelling after myocardial infarction (MI). Methods and results: Myocardial tissues in various phases of healing after MI were obtained from 40 autopsied hearts. D2-40+ lymphatic vessel density (LD) and CD34+ blood vessel density (BD) in the lesion were determined. BD decreased with advance of myocardial necrosis, subsequently increased at the early stage of granulation and thereafter decreased with the progression of scar formation. In contrast, lymphatic vessels were not detected in lesions with coagulation necrosis, and newly formed lymphatics first appeared in the early stages of granulation. A subsequent increase in LD was demonstrated in the late stages of granulation, and lymphatics remained up to the scar phase. Vascular endothelial growth factor-C was consistently expressed in viable cardiomyocytes around the lesion in all of these stages. Conclusion: In myocardial remodelling after MI, lymphangiogenesis lags behind blood vessel angiogenesis; newly formed lymphatics may be involved mainly in the maturation of fibrosis and scar formation through the drainage of excessive proteins and fluid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Atomic hydrogen generated by a heated tungsten catalyzer has been investigated in terms of the damage-less ash and restoration of damaged low-k dielectric. No difference of damaged thickness of low-k dielectric between before and after the ash by HF dip using patterned porous methyl silsesquioxane (MSQ) film was found. Moreover atomic hydrogen exposure slightly reduced capacitance of the micro-structured capacitor with the Cu wire and the CVD porous low-k dielectric. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The possibility of forming GaN layers on Ga-implanted SiN surfaces was investigated using electron cyclotron resonance-assisted molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). It is found that the GaN layer initially formed on the SiN surface by Ga implantation at room temperature was amorphous-like, but become to polycrystalline after annealing at 650°C for 3min in vacuum. After the MBE growth of GaN, a grain structure of h-GaN was observed on the Ga-implanted SiN surface. The crystallinity of the GaN grown was, however, decreased upon increasing the Ga ion fluence on the SiN surface, which might be due, at least partly, to the formation of Ga clusters by the excess Ga implanted. The present results indicate the possibility of forming patterned GaN layers on SiN by selective Ga implantation on the SiN substrate, using a focused ion beam. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Magnetic and chemical properties of Mn-implanted surfaces of a GaAs substrate were investigated using a magnetic force microscope (MFM) and X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS). The Mn implanted region was changed to a grain structure after annealing at 840°C for 10s, and ferromagnetic characteristics were observed in each grain. From the XPS spectra, it was found that implanted Mn was chemically bonded with other elements, indicating the formation of ferromagnetic materials such as GaMn and MnAs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: Secretory phospholipase A2 is associated with ischaemic injury in the human heart, but the distribution of type V secretory phospholipase A2 (sPLA2-V) remains unknown. The significance of sPLA2-V in myocardial infarction was investigated histopathologically. Methods: Sequential changes in the localization of sPLA2-V and its mRNA in myocardial tissues obtained from 30 autopsied hearts were examined by immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization and compared with those of fibronectin, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin (IL)-1 β, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α, and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). Results: No expression of sPLA2-V was observed in normal heart, but it was promptly expressed in wavy myofibres positive for fibronectin just after the onset of infarction. sPLA2-V was subsequently expressed in ischaemic cardiomyocytes around the lesion. The expression decreased at the granulation tissue and disappeared at the chronic stage with scar formation. The distribution of the signal for sPLA2-V mRNA paralleled that of the protein. Ischaemic myocytes around the lesion expressed VEGP, IL-1 β, TNF-α and COX-2 at all stages. Conclusions: sPLA2-V production in myocardium is limited to the acute phase of infarction. sPLA2-V may play a dual role, acting both to remove degraded cell-membrane through cooperative activity with COX-2 in necrotic areas and to attack ischaemic myocytes around the lesion via degradation of membrane phospholipids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ito K, Ishikawa F, Kanno T, Ishikawa Y, Akasaka Y, Akishima Y, Ishii T, Terayama Y, Sugimoto M, Watanabe T & Mori S (2004) Histopathology 45, 73–81 Expression of cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) in germinal centre B cells and their neoplastic counterparts Cholesteryl ester transfer protein (CETP) is known to facilitate the transfer of lipids between plasma lipoproteins. Previous studies on human tissues have determined that the spleen contains large amounts of CETP mRNA, while the exact location of CETP in such organs remains unknown. In the present study, our aim was to locate CETP protein expression at the cellular level in human normal and neoplastic lymphoid organs. In-situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry were applied to pathology specimens. A specific rabbit anti-CETP antibody was used for immunohistochemical analysis, together with another CETP-specific monoclonal antibody. A riboprobe for ISH was derived from CETP cDNA. Immunohistochemically, CETP was localized in germinal centre B cells and a proportion of marginal zone B cells. ISH showed that CETP mRNA was located mostly in the same areas. When 141 malignant lymphomas of various subtypes were studied, high expression of CETP, equivalent to that found in normal germinal centre B cells, was demonstrated in lymphoma subtypes that are currently regarded as the neoplastic counterparts of primarily germinal centre B cells. CETP localizes B cells in germinal centres, a proportion of post-germinal centre B cells and their neoplastic counterparts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with Au/Ti electrodes were fabricated using electron-beam lithography, lift-off technique and successive electroplating with in situ conductance observation. Two-terminal resistance became dramatically small after the electroplating. This should be due to the small contact resistance between the CNT and the plated metal. The two-terminal resistance after the plating ranged from ≃10 kΩ to some 100 kΩ. At low temperature, low-resistance samples after the plating showed very good ohmic characteristics while high-resistance samples showed Coulomb blockade. A possibility of an in situ length dependence measurement of CNT conductance was demonstrated. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogen radical process for photoresist removal by use of hot W catalyst has been investigated for a possible application to advanced Cu/low-k dielectric interconnects in LSI. It is found that etching rates of resists depend critically on sample temperature (T s ) and are higher than 1 μm/min at the optimized condition. H radical irradiation effects on porous methylsilsesquioxane (p-MSQ) have been studied from measurements of k value and capacitance of the advanced interconnect test sample. No radical process is observed to induce the increase in k value of p-MSQ films. These results suggest that the hydrogen radical process for resist removal with W catalyst is promising for production of advanced interconnects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Room temperature ferromagnetism of GaMnN thin film is awaked by a mild hydrogenation treatment of a sample synthesized by molecular beam epitaxy. Local environment of Mn atoms is monitored by Mn-L2,3 near edge x-ray absorption fine structure technique. Doped Mn ions are present at substitutional sites of Ga both before and after the hydrogenation. No secondary phase can be detected. Major valency of Mn changes from 3+ to 2+ by the hydrogenation. The present result supports the model that the ferromagnetism occurs when Mn2+ and Mn3+ are coexistent and holes in the midgap Mn band mediate the magnetic coupling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Leakage sites in hafnium silicon oxynitride gate dielectrics of metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors were directly identified by means of electron-beam-induced current (EBIC) technique. Leakage sites were observed as bright spots mostly on the periphery of gate. With the gate bias increasing, the EBIC current of bright spots increased exponentially, but the number of bright spots did not increase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]