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Background: We have previously reported that CD163+ M2-type macrophages (MQ) are associated with the development of chronic lesions such as glomerular matrix expansion and interstitial fibrosis in the progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). On the other hand, the immunosuppressant mizoribine (Miz) has been shown to reduce the progression of childhood IgAN. To investigate the mechanism of Miz protection, we examined the effect of Miz on MQ function. Method(s): A total of 73 children with IgAN were divided into groups treated with prednisolone (PSL) only (P group; n=33) or PSL plus Miz (PM group; n=40), and their clinicopathological findings compared retrospectively. For in vitro studies, normal human monocyte-derived MQ were incubated with dexamethasone (Dex), or Dex plus Miz, for 48 hours and then analysed by DNA microarray. Result(s): There were no differences in clinical and histological findings at the first (diagnostic) biopsy between the P and PM groups. Although there was no significant difference in the urinary findings, the protocol biopsy after 2-years of treatment showed that the number of sclerotic glomeruli, the degree of interstitial fibrosis, and the number of interstitial CD163+ MQ were significantly reduced in the PM group, but not in the P group. Dex stimulation of cultured human MQ induced up-regulation of scavenger receptor characteristic of M2-type MQ (CD163). Dex also induced up-regulation of cytokines and growth factors associated with inflammation and fibrosis (CCL13, CXCL12, NOS1, NOS2, FGF-8, FGF-21 and CTGF) which was prevented by Miz. In addition, Miz inhibited expression of CD300e, an activating receptor capable of providing survival signals to prevent monocyte apoptosis and to regulate the innate immune response. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of CD300e which co-localized with CD163+ MQ in biopsies from IgAN patients treated with steroid which was reduced by Miz treatment. Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that Miz suppresses M2-t

Background: M1-type proinflammatory macrophages (MPHI) promote glomerular injury in lupus nephritis (LN). However, whether this phenotype is altered by steroid therapy is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of steroid treatment on MPHI phenotype in LN. Method(s): Patients with LN (7-18 years old) were divided into 2 groups: those with no treatment (N) before biopsy (n = 17) and those who underwent steroid (S) treatment (3-73 days) before biopsy (n = 15). MPHI number and phenotype were assessed by immunofluorescence. In vitro studies used monocyte-derived MPHI from healthy volunteers. Result(s): Age at biopsy, urine findings, and kidney function (eGFR) were comparable between the two groups. Biopsies in N group had higher levels of active lesions such as endocapillary hypercellularity, necrosis, and cellular crescent formation (p < 0.05). The total CD68+ MPHI infiltrate was comparable between N and S groups. However, N group had more M1 MPHI (CD68+ CD86+ cells) (p < 0.05) and fewer M2 MPHI (CD68+ CD163+ cells) (p < 0.05), giving a 6-fold increase in the M2/M1 ratio in S vs. N groups. Dexamethasone treatment of cultured MPHI induced upregulation of CD163 expression, increased production of anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-19) and profibrotic factors (FGF-22, PDGF), and upregulated the scavenger receptor, stabilin-1. Upregulation of stabilin-1 in CD163+ M2 MPHI was confirmed in biopsies from S group. Conclusion(s): Initial steroid treatment induces MPHI phenotypic change from proinflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory or profibrotic M2 in LN with acute/active lesions. Although steroid treatment is effective for resolution of M1-medated injury, promotion of fibrotic lesions via M2 MPHI is a potential downside of steroid single therapy in LN.Copyright © 2020, IPNA.

Background: M1-type proinflammatory macrophages (MPHI) promote glomerular injury in lupus nephritis (LN). However, whether this phenotype is altered by steroid therapy is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the effect of steroid treatment on MPHI phenotype in LN. Method(s): Patients with LN (7-18 years old) were divided into 2 groups: those with no treatment (N) before biopsy (n = 17) and those who underwent steroid (S) treatment (3-73 days) before biopsy (n = 15). MPHI number and phenotype were assessed by immunofluorescence. In vitro studies used monocyte-derived MPHI from healthy volunteers. Result(s): Age at biopsy, urine findings, and kidney function (eGFR) were comparable between the two groups. Biopsies in N group had higher levels of active lesions such as endocapillary hypercellularity, necrosis, and cellular crescent formation (p < 0.05). The total CD68+ MPHI infiltrate was comparable between N and S groups. However, N group had more M1 MPHI (CD68+ CD86+ cells) (p < 0.05) and fewer M2 MPHI (CD68+ CD163+ cells) (p < 0.05), giving a 6-fold increase in the M2/M1 ratio in S vs. N groups. Dexamethasone treatment of cultured MPHI induced upregulation of CD163 expression, increased production of anti-inflammatory (IL-10, IL-19) and profibrotic factors (FGF-22, PDGF), and upregulated the scavenger receptor, stabilin-1. Upregulation of stabilin-1 in CD163+ M2 MPHI was confirmed in biopsies from S group. Conclusion(s): Initial steroid treatment induces MPHI phenotypic change from proinflammatory M1 to anti-inflammatory or profibrotic M2 in LN with acute/active lesions. Although steroid treatment is effective for resolution of M1-medated injury, promotion of fibrotic lesions via M2 MPHI is a potential downside of steroid single therapy in LN.Copyright © 2020, IPNA.

Background: We have previously reported that CD163+ M2-type macrophages (MQ) are associated with the development of chronic lesions such as glomerular matrix expansion and interstitial fibrosis in the progression of IgA nephropathy (IgAN). On the other hand, the immunosuppressant mizoribine (Miz) has been shown to reduce the progression of childhood IgAN. To investigate the mechanism of Miz protection, we examined the effect of Miz on MQ function. Method(s): A total of 73 children with IgAN were divided into groups treated with prednisolone (PSL) only (P group; n=33) or PSL plus Miz (PM group; n=40), and their clinicopathological findings compared retrospectively. For in vitro studies, normal human monocyte-derived MQ were incubated with dexamethasone (Dex), or Dex plus Miz, for 48 hours and then analysed by DNA microarray. Result(s): There were no differences in clinical and histological findings at the first (diagnostic) biopsy between the P and PM groups. Although there was no significant difference in the urinary findings, the protocol biopsy after 2-years of treatment showed that the number of sclerotic glomeruli, the degree of interstitial fibrosis, and the number of interstitial CD163+ MQ were significantly reduced in the PM group, but not in the P group. Dex stimulation of cultured human MQ induced up-regulation of scavenger receptor characteristic of M2-type MQ (CD163). Dex also induced up-regulation of cytokines and growth factors associated with inflammation and fibrosis (CCL13, CXCL12, NOS1, NOS2, FGF-8, FGF-21 and CTGF) which was prevented by Miz. In addition, Miz inhibited expression of CD300e, an activating receptor capable of providing survival signals to prevent monocyte apoptosis and to regulate the innate immune response. Immunohistochemistry revealed expression of CD300e which co-localized with CD163+ MQ in biopsies from IgAN patients treated with steroid which was reduced by Miz treatment. Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that Miz suppresses M2-t

Differential cross sections and decay asymmetries for coherent $\phi$-meson photoproduction from deuterons were measured for the first time at forward angles using linearly polarized photons at $E_{\gamma}$= 1.5-2.4 GeV. This reaction offers a unique way to directly access natural-parity Pomeron dynamics and gluon exchange at low energies. The cross sections at zero degrees increase with increasing photon energy. The decay asymmetries demonstrate a complete dominance of natural-parity exchange processes, showing that isovector unnatural-parity $\pi$-meson exchange is small. Nevertheless the deduced cross sections of $\phi$-mesons from nucleons contributed by isoscalar t-channel exchange processes are not well described by the conventional Pomeron model., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures. Final published version

Differential cross sections and decay asymmetries for coherent $\phi$-meson photoproduction from deuterons were measured for the first time at forward angles using linearly polarized photons at $E_{\gamma}$= 1.5-2.4 GeV. This reaction offers a unique way to directly access natural-parity Pomeron dynamics and gluon exchange at low energies. The cross sections at zero degrees increase with increasing photon energy. The decay asymmetries demonstrate a complete dominance of natural-parity exchange processes, showing that isovector unnatural-parity $\pi$-meson exchange is small. Nevertheless the deduced cross sections of $\phi$-mesons from nucleons contributed by isoscalar t-channel exchange processes are not well described by the conventional Pomeron model., Comment: 14 pages, 6 figures. Final published version

A previous study in China first indicated that the transforming growth factor-induced factor (TGIF) is a probable candidate gene for high myopia. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether there are significant associations between high myopia and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in the TGIF gene of Japanese subjects. Genomic DNA was collected from 330 Japanese subjects with high myopia and at a level refractive error was less than -9.25 Dsph and 330 randomized controls without high myopia. Thirteen SNPs were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and primer extension or by PCR and SNP-specific fluorogenic probes in all of the cases and controls. Thirteen SNPs were found within the TGIF genes of the cases and controls. Two of the SNPs were monomorphic and none of the 13 SNPs showed a significant result. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping confirmed that these alleles have a comparatively strong LD index of >0.8 for D′ and >0.4 for r 2. We found no statistical association between any of the 13 SNPs located on the TGIF gene and high myopia in Japanese subjects. Based on our study using Japanese subjects and the previous studies of TGIF gene polymorphism in Chinese and northern European subjects with myopia, there is no convincing evidence to prove a connection between nucleotide sequence variations in TGIF and high myopia.

A previous study in China first indicated that the transforming growth factor-induced factor (TGIF) is a probable candidate gene for high myopia. The purpose of our study was to investigate whether there are significant associations between high myopia and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants in the TGIF gene of Japanese subjects. Genomic DNA was collected from 330 Japanese subjects with high myopia and at a level refractive error was less than -9.25 Dsph and 330 randomized controls without high myopia. Thirteen SNPs were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and primer extension or by PCR and SNP-specific fluorogenic probes in all of the cases and controls. Thirteen SNPs were found within the TGIF genes of the cases and controls. Two of the SNPs were monomorphic and none of the 13 SNPs showed a significant result. The pairwise linkage disequilibrium (LD) mapping confirmed that these alleles have a comparatively strong LD index of >0.8 for D′ and >0.4 for r 2. We found no statistical association between any of the 13 SNPs located on the TGIF gene and high myopia in Japanese subjects. Based on our study using Japanese subjects and the previous studies of TGIF gene polymorphism in Chinese and northern European subjects with myopia, there is no convincing evidence to prove a connection between nucleotide sequence variations in TGIF and high myopia.

For lithium-ion batteries of C∕(spinel Li-Mn-O) , severe capacity loss occurs after storage of the battery at> 50°C. According to our previous studies, this occurrence is predominantly attributable to degradation of the carbon anode, which was induced by electroreduction of Mn(II) dissolved from the spinel; this step is followed by the irreversible electrochemical reaction at the graphite∕(Mn deposits)∕electrolyte interface. 2-Vinylpyridine (VP) used as an additive in the electrolyte suppressed this degradation; therefore, improving the battery performances. During the first “charge,” the electrochemical reductive polymerization of VP monomers at about 0.9 V vs. Li/Li+ resulted in the film formation of poly(2-vinylpyridine) on the graphite surface. The quantity of charge passed for the polymeric film formation depends on the amount of VP addition. Surface analyses using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy confirmed that the electrodeposited film blocked the electroreduction of dissolved Mn(II) on the graphite electrode.

We study the spin-splitting energies in low-potential-barrier quantum dots, finding splitting energies that are orbital state dependent. The theoretical analysis is done with a generalization of the Fock-Darwin states in the presence of spin-orbit interactions. We discuss experimental evidence indicating that the Rashba interaction strength in vertical InxGa1-xAs/ GaAs quantum dots is in the range 80 meV Å ≤λR≤ 120 meV Å. This enhanced spin-orbit interaction can be understood from the high penetration of the electron wave function into the quantum well with low-potential barrier. © 2011 American Physical Society.

We study the spin-splitting energies in low-potential-barrier quantum dots, finding splitting energies that are orbital state dependent. The theoretical analysis is done with a generalization of the Fock-Darwin states in the presence of spin-orbit interactions. We discuss experimental evidence indicating that the Rashba interaction strength in vertical InxGa1-xAs/ GaAs quantum dots is in the range 80 meV Å ≤λR≤ 120 meV Å. This enhanced spin-orbit interaction can be understood from the high penetration of the electron wave function into the quantum well with low-potential barrier. © 2011 American Physical Society.

Between 1974 and 2008, the yearly average steam production flow rate from wells in the Japanese geothermal field has declined. Quartz geothermometers in some wells show a decline in reservoir tempertaure over the period from around 215 degrees C to 200-205 degrees, although other wells show a slight increase from 215 to 218 degrees or fluctuation above and below 225 degrees C. Anion equivalent ratios for Cl, SO4 and HCO3 have also changed and yearly average Cl concentrations in well reservoir fluid have shown an overall increase, while reservoir pressure has declined. A computer model of hot fluid recharge and conductive flow at the bottom of the reservoir was developed using reservoir blocks, geological cross-sections and properties of the various rock formations. The computed natural-state pressure and well-bore temperature profiles were compared with the measured pressure and temperature, and found to be in good agreement., Between 1974 and 2008, the yearly average steam production flow rate from wells in the Japanese geothermal field has declined. Quartz geothermometers in some wells show a decline in reservoir tempertaure over the period from around 215 degrees C to 200-205 degrees, although other wells show a slight increase from 215 to 218 degrees or fluctuation above and below 225 degrees C. Anion equivalent ratios for Cl, SO4 and HCO3 have also changed and yearly average Cl concentrations in well reservoir fluid have shown an overall increase, while reservoir pressure has declined. A computer model of hot fluid recharge and conductive flow at the bottom of the reservoir was developed using reservoir blocks, geological cross-sections and properties of the various rock formations. The computed natural-state pressure and well-bore temperature profiles were compared with the measured pressure and temperature, and found to be in good agreement.