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We evaluated electrical passivation of crystalline silicon wafers possessing oxidized layers using a laser terahertz (THz) emission microscope, measuring waveforms of laser-excited THz emission from those surfaces with a corona charging setup to tune surface potential without electrical contact. The THz waveform strongly correlated to the surface potential, evaluated by measuring surface photovoltage using a Kelvin probe when the surface was depleted or inverted. The waveform also correlated to the potential of the surface in the accumulation mode and inverted near the flatband condition. The minority carrier lifetime agreed with the theoretically determined dependence on the charge density. These results indicate that the surface potential of a semiconductor covered by an insulator which can be charged by the corona charging setup can be evaluated by assessing the THz emission. Further, such a sample can also be used as a reference to quantitatively relate the waveform of the THz emission and the internal field of surface band bending in semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which investigated experimentally the time-resolved soft x-ray spectra from an empty high cavity target irradiated by wavelength laser. Comparison of the soft x-ray emission spectra with planar targets; Discussion of the evidence on the radiation confinement and the plasma confinement in the cavity geometry; Conclusions.

Abstract Post–kidney transplantation progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) is a rare disease on which there are very few published reports on record. PML is a demyelinating disease caused by a destructive infection of the oligodendrocytes by the JC polyomavirus. No effective therapeutic protocol has been established other than measures to revive the immune function by reducing or discontinuing the administration of immunosuppressive agents. Most cases are progressive and show a poor prognosis. We herein report a case in which renal function has been maintained for 2 years following the onset of PML, which was initially diagnosed 3 years after kidney transplantation. Highlights • This is a case study of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) after kidney transplantation, caused by a JC virus infection. • No effective therapeutic protocol against PML has been established other than measures to revive the immune function by reducing or discontinuing the administration of immunosuppressive agents. • In this case everolimus was used, and the patient has survived for 2 years following the onset of PML with good renal function. • Everolimus may be an effective treatment for JC virus infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Pre- and postoperative knee kinematics in unicompartmental knee arthroplasty (UKA) can be theoretically related to clinical outcome and longevity after UKA with regard to ligament function and the degree of arthritic changes. However, the preoperative knee kinematics of patients indicated for UKA remain to be elucidated, and it is also unclear whether the preoperative kinematics can be maintained by the UKA procedure. The objective of this study was to examine the in vivo pre- and postoperative three-dimensional knee kinematics in UKA while referencing the normal knee kinematics reported in our previous study. Methods: We analyzed the knee kinematics in 17 knees (14 patients) undergoing UKA via a three-dimensional to two-dimensional registration technique employing femoral condylar translation and femoral axial rotation. The pre- and postoperative knee kinematics during squat motion were evaluated in the same subjects, employing consistent evaluation parameters. Results: On average, both pre- and postoperative knee kinematics in the range 10-100° of knee flexion demonstrated near-consistent femoral external rotation and anterior translation of the medial condyle and posterior translation of the lateral condyle. However, the mean femoral external rotation angle and the posterior translation of the lateral condyle postoperatively were significantly smaller than the values observed preoperatively. Discussion: Although the patterns of preoperative knee motion were similar to those seen in normal knees, the magnitude of this motion varied widely between patients, so it was not necessarily representative of normal knees. These variations may be due to the varying degrees of arthritic changes caused by osteoarthritis. Although the patterns of knee kinematics were largely maintained by the UKA procedure, the causes of the significant reductions in the magnitude of motion upon performing the UKA procedure should be investigated in subsequent studies with a larger number of patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The orexin neurones play an essential role in driving arousal and in maintaining normal wakefulness. Lack of orexin neurotransmission produces a chronic state of hypoarousal characterized by excessive sleepiness, frequent transitions between wake and sleep, and episodes of cataplexy. A growing body of research now suggests that the basal forebrain (BF) may be a key site through which the orexin-producing neurones promote arousal. Here we review anatomical, pharmacological and electrophysiological studies on how the orexin neurones may promote arousal by exciting cortically projecting neurones of the BF. Orexin fibres synapse on BF cholinergic neurones and orexin-A is released in the BF during waking. Local application of orexins excites BF cholinergic neurones, induces cortical release of acetylcholine and promotes wakefulness. The orexin neurones also contain and probably co-release the inhibitory neuropeptide dynorphin. We found that orexin-A and dynorphin have specific effects on different classes of BF neurones that project to the cortex. Cholinergic neurones were directly excited by orexin-A, but did not respond to dynorphin. Non-cholinergic BF neurones that project to the cortex seem to comprise at least two populations with some directly excited by orexin-A that may represent wake-active, GABAergic neurones, whereas others did not respond to orexin-A but were inhibited by dynorphin and may be sleep-active, GABAergic neurones. This evidence suggests that the BF is a key site through which orexins activate the cortex and promote behavioural arousal. In addition, orexins and dynorphin may act synergistically in the BF to promote arousal and improve cognitive performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It is generally believed that the supraspinatus is the most commonly involved tendon in rotator cuff tears. Clinically, however, atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle is frequently observed in patients with even small to medium-size rotator cuff tears. This fact cannot be fully explained by our current understanding of the anatomical insertions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The purpose of this study was to reinvestigate the humeral insertions of these tendons.Methods: The study included 113 shoulders from sixty-four cadavers. The humeral insertion areas of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus were investigated in ninety-seven specimens. In sixteen specimens, all muscular portions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus were removed, leaving the tendinous portions intact, in order to define the specific characteristics of the tendinous portion of the muscles. Another twenty-six shoulders were used to obtain precise measurements of the footprints of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.Results: The supraspinatus had a long tendinous portion in the anterior half of the muscle, which always inserted into the anteriormost area of the highest impression on the greater tuberosity and which inserted into the superiormost area of the lesser tuberosity in 21% of the specimens. The footprint of the supraspinatus was triangular in shape, with an average maximum medial-to-lateral length of 6.9 mm and an average maximum anteroposterior width of 12.6 mm. The infraspinatus had a long tendinous portion in the superior half of the muscle, which curved anteriorly and extended to the anterolateral area of the highest impression of the greater tuberosity. The footprint of the infraspinatus was trapezoidal in shape, with an average maximum medial-to-lateral length of 10.2 mm and an average maximum anteroposterior width of 32.7 mm.Conclusions: The footprint of the supraspinatus on the greater tuberosity is much smaller than previously believed, and this area of the greater tuberosity is actually occupied by a substantial amount of the infraspinatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The aim of this study was to elucidate physiological processes that are involved in the homeostatic regulation of REM sleep. Adult rats were chronically instrumented with sleep–wake recording electrodes. Following post-surgical recovery, rats were habituated extensively for freely moving polygraphic recording conditions. On the first experimental recording day (baseline day, BLD), polygraphic signs of undisturbed sleep–wake activities were recorded for 4 h (between 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM). During the second experimental recording day (REM sleep deprivation day, RDD), rats were selectively deprived of REM sleep for the first 2 h and then allowed to have normal sleep–wake for the following 2 h. The results demonstrated that during the first 2 h, compared to BLD, RDD recordings exhibited 87.80% less time in REM sleep and 16% more time in non-REM (NREM) sleep. The total percentages of wakefulness remained comparable between the BLD and RDD. During the RDD, the mean number of REM sleep episodes was much higher than in the BLD, indicating increased REM sleep drive. Electroencephalographic (EEG) power spectral analysis revealed that selective REM sleep deprivation increased delta power but decreased theta power during the residual REM sleep. During the last 2 h, after REM sleep deprivation, rats spent 51% more time in REM sleep compared to the BLD. Also during this period, the number of REM sleep episodes with the shortest (5–30 s) and longest (>120 s) duration increased during the RDD. These findings suggest that the REM sleep homeostatic process involves increased delta- and decreased theta-frequency wave activities in the cortical EEG. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: It is generally believed that the supraspinatus is the most commonly involved tendon in rotator cuff tears. Clinically, however, atrophy of the infraspinatus muscle is frequently observed in patients with even small to medium-size rotator cuff tears. This fact cannot be fully explained by our current understanding of the anatomical insertions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The purpose of this study was to reinvestigate the humeral insertions of these tendons.Methods: The study included 113 shoulders from sixty-four cadavers. The humeral insertion areas of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus were investigated in ninety-seven specimens. In sixteen specimens, all muscular portions of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus were removed, leaving the tendinous portions intact, in order to define the specific characteristics of the tendinous portion of the muscles. Another twenty-six shoulders were used to obtain precise measurements of the footprints of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus.Results: The supraspinatus had a long tendinous portion in the anterior half of the muscle, which always inserted into the anteriormost area of the highest impression on the greater tuberosity and which inserted into the superiormost area of the lesser tuberosity in 21% of the specimens. The footprint of the supraspinatus was triangular in shape, with an average maximum medial-to-lateral length of 6.9 mm and an average maximum anteroposterior width of 12.6 mm. The infraspinatus had a long tendinous portion in the superior half of the muscle, which curved anteriorly and extended to the anterolateral area of the highest impression of the greater tuberosity. The footprint of the infraspinatus was trapezoidal in shape, with an average maximum medial-to-lateral length of 10.2 mm and an average maximum anteroposterior width of 32.7 mm.Conclusions: The footprint of the supraspinatus on the greater tuberosity is much smaller than previously believed, and this area of the greater tuberosity is actually occupied by a substantial amount of the infraspinatus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The authors have performed low-temperature in-plane magnetotransport measurements on two-dimensional electron systems induced by adsorbates at in situ cleaved surfaces of p-type InAs and InSb. The Ag-coverage dependence of the surface electron density for InAs strongly supports a simple model based on a surface donor level lying above the conduction band minimum. For a cleaved surface of InSb, the quantum Hall effect was observed even at low magnetic fields around 2T. The surface electron density and the electron mobility exhibit strong dependence on the adsorbate coverage and the annealing temperature in the range of 15–40K. The annealing effect suggests that the surface morphology strongly affects the properties of the two-dimensional electron systems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma is an aggressive human malignancy and is characterized by resistance to apoptosis. Recently, NADPH oxidase (Nox) 4-mediated generation of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was proposed to confer antiapoptotic activity and thus a growth advantage to pancreatic cancer cells. The signaling mechanism by which Nox4 transmits cell survival signals remains unclear. Here, we show that both a flavoprotein inhibitor, diphenylene iodonium (DPI), and small interfering RNAs designed to target Nox4 mRNA (siNox4RNAs) inhibited superoxide production in PANC-1 pancreatic cancer cells, and depletion of ROS by DPI or siNox4RNAs induced apoptosis. Parallely, DPI treatment and siNox4RNA transfection blocked activation of the cell survival kinase AKT by attenuating phosphorylation of AKT. Furthermore, AKT phosphorylation of apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 (ASK1) on Ser-83 was reduced by DPI and siNox4RNAs. When ASK1Ser83Ala (an AKT phosphorylation-defective ASK1 mutant) was introduced into PANC-1 cells, this mutant alone induced apoptosis. But, addition of DPI or co-transfection of siNox4RNA had no additive effect, indicating that the mutant can substitute for these reagents in apoptosis induction. Taken together, these findings suggest that ROS generated by Nox4, at least in part, transmit cell survival signals through the AKT–ASK1 pathway in pancreatic cancer cells and their depletion leads to apoptosis.Oncogene (2006) 25, 3699–3707. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209406; published online 13 March 2006 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE. Mesenchymal stem cells from synovium have a greater proliferation and chondrogenic potential than do those from bone marrow, periosteum, fat, and muscle. This study was undertaken to compare fibrous synovium and adipose synovium (components of the synovium with subsynovium) to determine which is a more suitable source for mesenchymal stem cells, especially for cartilage regeneration, and to examine the features of adipose synovium-derived cells, fibrous synovium-derived cells, and subcutaneous fat-derived cells to determine their similarities. METHODS: Human fibrous synovium, adipose synovium, and subcutaneous fat were harvested from 4 young donors and 4 elderly donors. After digestion, the nucleated cells were plated at a density considered proper to expand at a maximum rate without colony-to-colony contact. The surface epitopes, proliferative capacity, cloning efficiency, and chondrogenic, osteogenic, and adipogenic differentiation potentials of the cells were compared. RESULTS: Fibrous synovium- and adipose synovium-derived cells were higher in STRO-1 and CD106 and lower in CD10 compared with subcutaneous fat-derived cells. Cells derived from fibrous and adipose synovium had higher proliferative potential and colony-forming efficiency compared with subcutaneous fat-derived cells, both in mixed-population and in single-cell-derived cultures. In chondrogenic assays, pellets from fibrous synovium- and adipose synovium-derived cells produced more cartilage matrix than did cell pellets from subcutaneous fat. Osteogenic ability was also higher in fibrous synovium- and adipose synovium-derived cells, whereas adipogenic potential was nearly indistinguishable among the 3 populations. Differentiation potential of the cells was similar between young and elderly donors. CONCLUSION: Cells derived from the fibrous synovium and from the adipose synovium demonstrate comparable chondrogenic potential. Adipose synovium-derived cells are more similar to fibrous synovium-derived cells than to subcutaneous fat-derived cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to improve surgical techniques for arthroscopically-assisted anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction with minimal sensory disturbance in the infrapatellar and anterior lower leg regions. Thirteen patients with sensory disturbance were examined neurologically, and 51 lower limbs of 26 adult cadavers were examined anatomically to investigate the nerve branches supplying the regions. The region of sensory disturbance was supplied by branches of the medial femoral cutaneous nerve and the saphenous nerve, and the nerves showed a complementary distribution area. After detailed investigation of the positional relationships between the nerve branches and the skin incisions of the operative procedure, it was found that at least one branch of both nerves ran across the longitudinal skin incision (80%) for tendon harvest in the above-mentioned reconstruction. The complicated anatomic variations of the nerve branches preclude their absolute avoidance in any surgical incision, and a completely safe zone could not be found in the present study. However, an oblique incision for the tendon harvest rather than the typical longitudinal incision should be considered to minimize the sensory disturbance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flooding is a major problem in many areas of the world and soybean is susceptible to the stress. Understanding the morphological mechanisms of flooding tolerance is important for developing flood-tolerant genotypes. We investigated secondary aerenchyma formation and function in soybean (Glycine max) seedlings grown under flooded conditions. Secondary aerenchyma, a white and spongy tissue, was formed in the hypocotyl, tap root, adventitious roots and root nodules after 3 weeks of flooding. Under irrigated conditions aerenchyma development was either absent or rare and phellem was formed in the hypocotyl, tap root, adventitious roots and root nodules. Secondary meristem partially appeared at the outer parts of the interfascicular cambium and girdled the stele, and then cells differentiated to construct secondary aerenchyma in the flooded hypocotyl. These morphological changes proceeded for 4 days after the initiation of the flooding. After 14 days of treatment, porosity exceeded 30% in flooded hypocotyl with well-developed secondary aerenchyma, while it was below 10% in hypocotyl of irrigated plants that had no aerenchyma. When Vaseline was applied to the hypocotyl of plants from a flooded treatment to prevent the entry of atmospheric oxygen into secondary aerenchyma, plant growth, especially that of roots, was sharply inhibited. Thus secondary aerenchyma might be an adaptive response to flooding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

X-ray conversion efficiency in a 0.53-μm laser-produced copper plasma is studied in the 1.5–5.0 keV range as a function of laser pulse duration (τL) with a laser intensity of 1×1014 W/cm2. The efficiency increases as τ1.3L at pulse lengths of less than 400 ps. For a 200-ps pulse duration, an enhancement of the conversion efficiency is observed with the use of a prepulse. The efficiency is found to be proportional to the scale length of a preformed plasma. Enhancement of a factor 3 is observed for the shots with a prepulse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To evaluate the effect of augmented training datasets in a deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) used for detecting abnormal chest radiographs.Materials and Methods: Chest radiographs were corrected to conform to a DCNN dataset, with 288 abnormal and 447 normal radiographs. The radiographic images were divided into training and validation sets (441, 60%), and a test set (294, 40%). The training and validation sets were augmented to generate a total of 12,789 training and validation images. The augmentation consisted of operations such as rotation, horizontal and vertical flipping, Gaussian blur, and brightness variation, either alone or combined. The DCNN performed binary classification of the images as being abnormal or normal chest radiographs, and accuracy was used as measure to assess the model performance.Results: The accuracy of the DCNN trained with the augmented dataset tended to be higher than that of the DCNN trained with the non-augmented dataset. The augmented datasets combining rotation and horizontal flipping had a high accuracy of 0.91, showing the highest accuracy among the applied augmentation techniques and combinations.Conclusion: Augmentation of training datasets can improve the performance of DCNN for radiographic image classification depending on the applied augmentation technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies the measurements of mass ablation rate and pressure in planar targets irradiated by 0.27 micrometer laser light. Advantages of using submicron wavelength lasers in mass ablation; Details on the experimental conditions; Discussion on the results of the study.

Abstract Background Sarcopenia is a condition in which the amount of skeletal muscle decreases. Recent studies have suggested that sarcopenia is a risk factor for the incidence of postoperative complications, longer hospitalization, and a poorer prognosis. In this study, we examined the impact of sarcopenia in association with a history of hemodialysis in renal transplantation patients. Methods A total of 157 patients who underwent renal transplantation at Yokohama City University Medical Center (Yokohama, Japan) from 2005 to 2016 were analyzed in this study. We determined the presence of sarcopenia using the psoas muscle index (PMI). The PMI was calculated based on the left psoas muscle area of L3 (mm2) divided by the square of the body height (m2). Results The mean/median length of time that the patients received hemodialysis was 2059/850 days. The PMI in men was significantly higher than that in women (321.9 ± 10.0 vs 226.6 ± 17.3, P <.001). The group with a longer history of hemodialysis (≥851 days) showed a significantly lower PMI than the short-history group (≤850 days) (355.8 ± 15.1 vs 289.7 ± 11.3, P =.001). The PMI showed a negative correlation according to the dialysis period and a positive correlation according to the sex and triglyceride levels. Conclusions A longer history of hemodialysis was shown to be associated with a lower PMI in renal transplantation patients. In addition, the higher PMI group showed higher serum triglyceride levels than the lower PMI group. Highlights • Psoas muscle index indicates sarcopenia in renal transplantation patients. • A longer history of hemodialysis was shown to be associated with a lower PMI in renal transplantation patients. • Sarcopenia patients had higher serum triglyceride levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 1957, Agodi predicted that the neutron angular distribution in ( γ , n) reactions with a 100% linearly polarized γ -ray beam for dipole excitation should be anisotropic and universally described by the simple function of a + b ⋅ cos ⁡ ( 2 ϕ ) at the polar angle θ = 90 ° , where ϕ is the azimuthal angle. However, this prediction has not been experimentally confirmed in over half a century. We have verified experimentally this angular distribution in the ( γ , n) reaction for 197 Au, 127 I, and natural Cu targets using linearly polarized laser Compton scattering γ -rays. The result suggests that the ( γ → , n) reaction is a novel tool to study nuclear physics in the giant dipole resonance region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Granulomatous interstitial nephritis (GIN) is a rare renal disease, and its etiology remains unknown. We report recurrent GIN in renal allograft successfully treated with everolimus (EVR). Case Report A 22-year-old man with GIN received a kidney from his mother. On follow-up 8 months later, his serum creatinine level was increased, from 1.3 mg/dL to 1.7 mg/dL, and he had microhematuria and proteinuria. A protocol graft biopsy at 1 year after transplantation showed epithelioid granuloma with multinucleated giant cells. He received steroid pulse therapy for recurrent GIN twice, but he developed allograft dysfunction, hematuria, and proteinuria. EVR was started in combination with maintenance immunosuppressants at 28 months after transplantation. Thereafter, the serum creatinine level decreased, from 2.1 mg/dL to 1.6 mg/dL, and microhematuria and proteinuria were stable despite reduction of steroid dose. Conclusions Maintenance immunosuppressive therapy combined with EVR may be effective for the recurrence of idiopathic GIN in renal allograft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The infection of melon plants by Melon necrotic spot virus (MNSV) and the development of necrotic disease symptoms are a seasonal occurrence in Japan, which take place between winter and early summer, but not during mid-summer. In this paper we investigate the effect of three different temperatures (15, 20, and 25°C) on the local and systemic expression of MNSV in melon plants. Previously, the incidence of plants expressing systemic symptoms caused by MNSV and other viruses was found to be greater at temperatures less than 20°C. In this study, our temperature-shift experiments support previous studies that found the expression of systemic symptoms increases as temperature falls from 25 to 20°C and decreases as temperature rises from 20 to 25°C. However. MNSV replication in melon cells and local viral movement within leaves following the inoculation of melon protoplasts or cotyledons were more frequent at 25°C than at 15 or 20°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 2018 tropical cyclone (TC) season in the North Pacific was very active, with 39 tropical storms including eight typhoons/hurricanes. This activity was successfully predicted up to 5 months in advance by the Geophysical Fluid Dynamics Laboratory Forecast‐Oriented Low Ocean Resolution (FLOR) global coupled model. In this work, a suite of idealized experiments with three dynamical global models (FLOR, Nonhydrostatic Icosahedral Atmospheric Model, and Meteorological Research Institute Atmospheric General Circulation Model) was used to show that the active 2018 TC season was primarily caused by warming in the subtropical Pacific and secondarily by warming in the tropical Pacific. Furthermore, the potential effect of anthropogenic forcing on the active 2018 TC season was investigated using two of the global models (FLOR and Meteorological Research Institute Atmospheric General Circulation Model). The models projected opposite signs for the changes in TC frequency in the North Pacific by an increase in anthropogenic forcing, thereby highlighting the substantial uncertainty and model dependence in the possible impact of anthropogenic forcing on Pacific TC activity. Plain Language Summary: The potential causes of the active 2018 tropical cyclone season in the North Pacific were explored with a series of high‐resolution climate model experiments, revealing that this active cyclone season was mainly induced by subtropical Pacific warming and secondarily by tropical Pacific warming. The possible effect of anthropogenic forcing on the active cyclone season was also investigated. However, diverse results were obtained regarding projected changes in storm frequency in the case of an increase in anthropogenic forcing, thereby highlighting the substantial uncertainty in the possible impact of anthropogenic forcing on the 2018 active cyclone season. Key Points: The 2018 active tropical cyclone season in the North Pacific was successfully predicted 5 months in advanceThe subtropical Pacific warming in 2018 mainly caused the active storm season in the North PacificThe potential effect of anthropogenic forcing on the 2018 active storm season is uncertain [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Tinea is an infectious disease by dermatophytes, of which Trichophyton species accounts for the overwhelming majority of case. Tinea often causes itching with inflammation. In terms of pruritus by fungal infection, however, tinea has not been investigated sufficiently to date. Aim: To evaluate itch caused by Trichophyton infection and the effect of antifungal agents on the infection, by measuring scratch behaviour and profiles of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Methods: We used a previously established mouse model of contact hypersensitivity induced by trichophytin, a crude extract from Trichophyton mentagrophytes. Scratching behaviour was recorded using a counting device that measured an electric current induced in a coil by movement of magnets that had been inserted into the hind paws of each animal. We investigated expression of various genes in lesional skin of mice and in normal human epidermal keratinocytes. We also investigated the antipruritic effects of the corticosteroid dexamethasone (DEX) and three antifungal agents: ketoconazole (KCZ), terbinafine (TBF) and liranaftate (LNF). Results: Biphasic peaks of scratching were observed at 1 h and at 6–7 h during an observation period of 14 h after trichophytin induction. For lesional skin, RNA was extracted 24 h after trichophytin challenge, and increased expression was seen in the genes for interleukin (IL)‐17A, interferon‐γ, tumour necrosis factor (TNF)‐α, macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)‐2 and Dectin‐1, whereas there was no obvious change in the genes for IL‐31 and prostaglandin (PG)E2. Furthermore, KCZ inhibited histidine decarboxylase (HDC) expression in vitro and in vivo, and inhibited scratching in the very early phase. LNF inhibited expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and IL‐8 in vitro, and TSLP, TNF‐α, IL‐1α and MIP2 in vivo, and also scratching in the early phase. TBF did not induce any significant alterations in either gene expression or scratching. DEX suppressed expression of all the chemical mediators except HDC in vitro and in vivo, and inhibited scratching. Conclusion: Antifungals can inhibit itching induced by fungal infection through different mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which examined energy transport in thin aluminum and gold foils irradiated with a 263-nanometer laser. Methods; Results; Discussion.

As a new approach to investigating formation processes of secondary organic aerosol (SOA) in the atmosphere, ozone-induced potential aerosol formation was measured in summer at a suburban forest site surrounded by deciduous trees, near Tokyo, Japan. After passage through a reactor containing high concentrations of ozone, increases in total particle volume (average of 1.4 × 10 9 nm 3 /cm 3 , which corresponds to 17% that of pre-existing particles) were observed, especially during daytime. The observed aerosol formations were compared with the results of box model simulations using simultaneously measured concentrations of gaseous and particulate species. According to the model, the relative contributions of isoprene, monoterpene, and aromatic hydrocarbon oxidation to SOA formation in the reactor were 24, 21, and 55%, respectively. However, the model could explain, on average, only ∼40% of the observed particle formation, and large discrepancies between the observations and model were found, especially around noon and in the afternoon when the concentrations of isoprene and oxygenated volatile organic compounds were high. The results suggest a significant contribution of missing (unaccounted-for) SOA formation processes from identified and/or unidentified volatile organic compounds, especially those emitted during daytime. Further efforts should be made to explore and parameterize this missing SOA formation to assist in the improvement of atmospheric chemistry and climate models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The coherent interaction of light with matter imprints the phase information of the light field on the wave function of the photon-dressed electronic state. A driving electric field, together with a stable phase that is associated with the optical probe pulses, enables the role of the dressed state in the optical response to be investigated. We observed optical absorption strengths modulated on a subcycle time scale in a GaAs quantum well in the presence of a multicycle terahertz driving pulse using a near-infrared probe pulse. The measurements were in good agreement with the analytical formula that accounts for the optical susceptibilities caused by the dressed state of the excitons, which indicates that the output probe intensity was coherently reshaped by the excitonic sideband emissions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the diagnostic capabilities of feature-tracking cardiovascular magnetic resonance (FT-CMR), tagged cine magnetic resonance (MR), and wall thickening (WT) analyses to detect infarcted segments in patients with established myocardial infarction (MI).Materials and Methods: Twenty patients with established MI were selected retrospectively and the peak endocardial circumferential strain (CS) was quantified based on the 16-segment model. According to CMR with late gadolinium enhancement, segments were categorised as transmural MI, subendocardial MI, and no MI.Results: A total of 320 segments (62 transmural MI, 50 subendocardial MI, and 208 no MI) were analysed. Peak endocardial CS was significantly lower for transmural MI compared with subendocardial MI (p<0.05) and no MI (p<0.001). Cut-off values of -11.2% for CS by FTCMR, -10.9% for CS by tagged MR, and 23.8% for %WT, differentiated between infarcted and non-infarcted segments with a sensitivity of 72%, 71%, and 56%; specificity of 71%, 75%, and 67%; accuracy of 72%, 73%, and 63%; positive predictive value of 57%, 60%, and 48%; negative predictive value of 83%, 83%, and 74%; and an area-under-the-curve of 0.77, 0.79, and 0.64, respectively.Conclusions: FT-CMR was diagnostically superior to %WT, and could differentiate between subendocardial and transmural MI. Unlike tagged MR, FT-CMR did not require the acquisition of additional sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on a study that described the enhancement of soft x-ray emission using prepulses with laser plasmas. Details of the study; X-ray generation efficiencies of gold targets; Dependence of the x-ray conversion efficiencies on the plasma-emitting volume.

Discusses a study which measured the soft x-ray spectra from gold plasmas and x-ray conversion efficiencies of gold and aluminum targets. Methodology; Wave length dependence of soft x-ray spectrum from gold planar targets; Findings of x-ray conversion efficiency.