Search

BACKGROUND Traditional moyamoya disease (MMD) classification relies on morphological digital subtraction angiography (DSA) assessment, which do not reflect hemodynamic status, clinical symptoms, or surgical treatment outcome. OBJECTIVE To (1) validate the new Berlin MMD preoperative symptomatology grading system and (2) determine the clinical application of the grading system in predicting radiological and clinical outcomes after surgical revascularization. METHODS Ninety-six MMD patients (192 hemispheres) with all 3 investigations (DSA, magnetic resonance imaging [MRI], Xenon-CT) performed preoperatively at our institution (2007-2013) were included. Two clinicians independently graded the imaging findings according to the proposed criteria. Patients' modified Rankin Score (mRS) scores (preoperative, postoperative, last follow-up), postoperative infarct (radiological, clinical) were collected and statistical correlations performed. RESULTS One hundred fifty-seven direct superficial temporal artery-middle cerebral artery bypasses were performed on 96 patients (66 female, mean age 41 yr, mean follow-up 4.3 yr). DSA, MRI, and cerebrovascular reserve capacity were independent factors associated hemispheric symptomatology (when analyzed individually or in the combined grading system). Mild (grade I), moderate (grade II), severe (grade III) were graded in 45, 71, and 76 hemispheres respectively; of which, clinical symptoms were found in 33% of grade I, 92% of grade II, 100% of grade III hemispheres (P

A Raman spectroscopy study on high quality single crystals of SrCr

The crystal lattice of ${\mathrm{Sr}}_{2}{\mathrm{IrO}}_{4}$ is investigated with synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction under hydrostatic pressures up to $P=43$ GPa and temperatures down to 20 K. The tetragonal unit cell is maintained over the whole investigated pressure range, within our resolution and sensitivity. The $c$-axis compressibility ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{c}(P,T)\ensuremath{\equiv}\ensuremath{-}(1/c)(dc/dP)$ presents an anomaly with pressure at ${P}_{1}=17$ GPa at fixed $T=20$ K that is not observed at $T=300$ K, whereas ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{a}(P,T)$ is nearly temperature independent and shows a linear behavior with $P$. The anomaly in ${\ensuremath{\kappa}}_{c}(P,T)$ is associated with the onset of long-range magnetic order, as evidenced by an analysis of the temperature dependence of the lattice parameters at fixed $P=13.7\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.5$ GPa. At fixed $T=20$ K, the tetragonal elongation $c/a(P,T)$ shows a gradual increment with pressure and a depletion above ${P}_{2}=30$ GPa that indicates an orbital transition and possibly marks the collapse of the ${J}_{\text{eff}}=1/2$ spin-orbit-entangled state. Our results support pressure-induced phase transitions or crossovers between electronic ground states that are sensed, and therefore can be probed, by the crystal lattice at low temperatures in this prototype spin-orbit Mott insulator.

Raman scattering, synchrotron x-ray diffraction, specific heat, resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed in Sr(Fe1-xCox)2As2 [x = 0.24(3)] single crystals with superconducting critical temperature Tc = 22 K and two additional transitions at 132 and 152 K observed in both specific heat and resistivity data. A quasielastic Raman signal with B2g symmetry (tetragonal cell) associated with electronic nematic fluctuations is observed. Crucially, this signal shows maximum intensity at Tnem 132 K, marking the nematic transition temperature. X-ray diffraction shows evidence of coexisting orthorhombic and tetragonal domains between Tnem and To 152 K, implying that precursor orthorhombic domains emerge over an extended temperature range above Tnem. While the height of the quasielastic Raman peak is insensitive to To, the temperature-dependence of the average nematic fluctuation rate indicates a slowing down of the nematic fluctuations inside the precursor orthorhombic domains. These results are analogous to those previously reported for the LaFeAsO parent oxypnictide [U.F. Kaneko et al., Phys. Rev. B 96, 014506 (2017)]. We propose a scenario where the precursor orthorhombic phase may be generated within the electronically disordered regime (Tnem) as long as the nematic fluctuation rate is sufficiently small in comparison to the optical phonon frequency range. In this regime, the local atomic structure responds adiabatically to the electronic nematic fluctuations, creating a net of orthorhombic clusters that, albeit dynamical for Tnem, may be sufficiently dense to sustain long-range phase coherence in a diffraction process up to To. Fil: Kaneko, Ulisses. Laboratorio Nacional de Luz Sincrotron;; Brasil Fil: Piva, Mario. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Ramos de Jesus, Camilo Bruno. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Saleta, Martin Eduardo. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología. - Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Unidad Ejecutora Instituto de Nanociencia y Nanotecnología; Argentina Fil: Urbano, Ricardo. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Pagliuso, Pascoal G.. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil Fil: Granado, Eduardo. Universidade Estadual de Campinas; Brasil

Raman scattering, synchrotron x-ray diffraction, specific heat, resistivity and magnetic susceptibility measurements were performed in Sr(Fe

The series of intermetallic compounds $R{\mathrm{NiSi}}_{3} (R=\text{rare} \text{earth})$ shows interesting magnetic properties evolving with $R$ and metamagnetic transitions under applied magnetic field for some of the compounds. The microscopic magnetic structures must be determined to rationalize such rich behavior. Here, resonant x-ray magnetic diffraction experiments are performed on single crystals of ${\mathrm{GdNiSi}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{TbNiSi}}_{3}$ at zero field. The primitive magnetic unit cell matches the chemical cell below the N\'eel temperatures ${T}_{N}=22.2$ and 33.2 K, respectively. The magnetic structure is determined to be the same for both compounds (magnetic space group $Cmm{m}^{\ensuremath{'}}$). It features ferromagnetic $ac$ planes that are stacked in an antiferromagnetic $+\ensuremath{-}+\ensuremath{-}$ pattern, with the rare-earth magnetic moments pointing along the $\stackrel{P\vec}{a}$ direction, which contrasts with the $+\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{-}+$ stacking and moment direction along the $\stackrel{P\vec}{b}$ axis previously reported for ${\mathrm{YbNiSi}}_{3}$. This indicates a sign reversal of the coupling constant between second-neighbor $R$ planes as $R$ is varied from Gd and Tb to Yb. The long $b$ lattice parameter of ${\mathrm{GdNiSi}}_{3}$ and ${\mathrm{TbNiSi}}_{3}$ shows a magnetoelastic expansion upon cooling below ${T}_{N}$, pointing to the conclusion that the $+\ensuremath{-}+\ensuremath{-}$ stacking is stabilized under lattice expansion. A competition between distinct magnetic stacking patterns with similar exchange energies tuned by the size of $R$ sets the stage for the magnetic ground state instability observed along this series.

A Raman spectroscopy study on high quality single crystals of SrCr2 As2 (SCA) in the temperature T range 4 K < T < 300 K and high applied magnetic fields up to H = 9 T is presented. The chromium B 1g phonon analysis reveals two anomalous shifts in the frequency, the first below T = 250 K at H = 0 T in the saturated AFM G-type order likely due to an enhanced electron–phonon coupling by the magnetic order, whereas the second anomaly occurs above H = 4 T at T = 4 K likely as a consequence of a magnetostructural displacive transition. Renormalization of the electronic Raman spectra in both studies reveals a decrease in the electronic density of states with decreasing T and increasing H, respectively, with consequent changes in the Fermi surface, which are intrinsically related to the observed anomalies.

Experimentally achieving extreme thermodynamical conditions of temperature, pressure and magnetic field such as the ones found in the interior of planets and stars has been a dream to many scientists seeking to reproduce those conditions on earth to study and produce unconventional materials. The advent of the 4th generation Brazilian synchrotron source (named after the “Sirius” star) allows us to get closer to this dream by implementing a state-of-the-art beamline facility to study samples under extreme thermodynamical conditions by means of a multitude of synchrotron x-ray techniques. The EMA Beamline (Extreme condition Methods of Analysis) will be able to do this by coupling both microfocus (1x1 µm2) and nanofocus (100x100 nm2) beamsizes to x-ray magnetic spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and x-ray coherent imaging in multiple experimental instruments, placed along the beam path for optimization. Support laboratories (thermodynamical conditions, nuclear materials, laser and optics) were also planned to fulfil all requirements for the experiments under extreme. The EMA beamline, as overviewed here, should open a plethora of opportunities for diverse studies of materials at extreme conditions with synchrotron x-ray techniques.

We sought to assess the feasibility and reproducibility of 3-dimensional ultrasound molecular imaging (USMI) of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) expression in tumor angiogenesis using a clinical matrix array transducer and a clinical grade VEGFR2-targeted contrast agent in a murine model of human colon cancer.Animal studies were approved by the Institutional Administrative Panel on Laboratory Animal Care. Mice with human colon cancer xenografts (n = 33) were imaged with a clinical ultrasound system and transducer (Philips iU22; X6-1) after intravenous injection of either clinical grade VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles or nontargeted control microbubbles. Nineteen mice were scanned twice to assess imaging reproducibility. Fourteen mice were scanned both before and 24 hours after treatment with either bevacizumab (n = 7) or saline only (n = 7). Three-dimensional USMI data sets were retrospectively reconstructed into multiple consecutive 1-mm-thick USMI data sets to simulate 2-dimensional imaging. Vascular VEGFR2 expression was assessed ex vivo using immunofluorescence.Three-dimensional USMI was highly reproducible using both VEGFR2-targeted microbubbles and nontargeted control microbubbles (intraclass correlation coefficient, 0.83). The VEGFR2-targeted USMI signal significantly (P = 0.02) decreased by 57% after antiangiogenic treatment compared with the control group, which correlated well with ex vivo VEGFR2 expression on immunofluorescence (ρ = 0.93, P = 0.003). If only central 1-mm tumor planes were analyzed to assess antiangiogenic treatment response, the USMI signal change was significantly (P = 0.006) overestimated by an average of 27% (range, 2%-73%) compared with 3-dimensional USMI.Three-dimensional USMI is feasible and highly reproducible and allows accurate assessment and monitoring of VEGFR2 expression in tumor angiogenesis in a murine model of human colon cancer.

Raman scattering experiments on LaFeAsO with splitted antiferromagnetic (T_AFM = 140 K) and tetragonal-orthorhombic (T_S = 155 K) transitions show a quasi-elastic peak (QEP) in B2g symmetry (2 Fe tetragonal cell) that fades away below ~T_AFM and is ascribed to electronic nematic fluctuations. A scaling of the reported shear modulus with the T-dependence of the QEP height rather than the QEP area indicates that magnetic degrees of freedom drive the structural transition. The large separation between T_S and T_AFM in LaFeAsO compared with their coincidence in BaFe2As2 manifests itself in slower dynamics of nematic fluctuations in the former., 8 pages, 9 figures

It is well known that site effects often contribute to earthquake damage. The first time that site effects during an earthquake were pointed out in India was by MacMurdo (1823) for the 1819 Mw 7.8 earthquake (Figure 1). He wrote in his report, “At Anjar, half of the town, which is situated on low rocky ridges, suffered comparatively nothing; whilst the other half, upon a slope to a plain of springs and swamps, into which the town is drained, was entirely overturned.” Site effects at Anjar city were noticed again during the 1956 Mw 6.0 Anjar earthquake and also during the 2001 Mw 7.6 earthquake (Figure 1). At the time of the 1956 event, Tandon (1959) noted, “At Anjar, it has already been mentioned earlier that both in 1819 and also in the present earthquake, the eastern portions of the town built on soft ground suffered extensive damage while the western portions built on trap rock foundations escaped with only minor damage.” Recently, EERI 2002 reported for the 2001 Bhuj earthquake: ...damage was primarily restricted to the five wards (3, 4, 5, 9, and 10) of the old Anjar town. Wards 3, 4, and 10 in old Anjar sustained near total collapse of all buildings. These wards were also damaged during the 1956 Anjar earthquake. Ward 10 is apparently reclaimed from a 300–400 years old pond. Wards 5 and 9 sustained lower level of damages in both this earthquake and the 1956 event... as shown in Figure 2. In this article, we use high-resolution satellite imagery (GSDMA 2008) to categorize Anjar city into three types of scenarios: severely damaged, less damaged, and undamaged (Figure 3) as a result of the 2001 earthquake. The severely damaged area is clearly shown in the eastern part of old Anjar city (Figure 3 …

A new structure for a rotation sensor using magnetic wires is proposed. The sensor consists of magnetic wires attached directly to a rotating shaft. A pick-up coil and exciting magnets are separately located outside of the rotor. This sensor structure and configuration offers advantages over the conventional structure, whose pick-up coil iswound around a magnetic wire. The location of the pick-up coil and magnets in the proposed method was optimized. It was found that multiple output pulses could be obtained for every turn of the rotating shaft simply by placing corresponding numbers of wires on the shaft. The implementation of this sensor in an electrical vehicle was examined, and an output pulse voltage with an S/N ratio sufficiently high for practical use was observed.

Characteristic patterns of cosmic neutrino spectrum reported by the IceCube collaboration and long-standing inconsistency between theory and experiment in muon anomalous magnetic moment are simultaneously explained by an extra leptonic force mediated by a gauge field with a mass of the MeV scale. With different assumptions for redshift distribution of cosmic neutrino sources, diffuse neutrino flux is calculated with the scattering between cosmic neutrino and cosmic neutrino background through the new leptonic force. Our analysis sheds light on a relation among lepton physics at the three different scales, PeV, MeV, and eV, and provides possible clues to the distribution of sources of cosmic neutrino and also to neutrino mass spectrum., Comment: v1: 9 pages, 11 figures; v2: references added, Sec.IV modifed, Sec.V improved, conclusion unchanged, final version

Background Hepatitis C virus (HCV) easily undergoes genomic changes, especially in the hypervariable region (HVR) in the N-terminus of the E2/NS1 region. The quasispecies nature of HCV may have important biological implications in relation to viral persistence; however, the relationship between disease activity of chronic HCV infection and development of the genomic complexity have yielded conflicting results. We explored the changes in the complexity of the HVR-1 in the natural course of chronic HCV infection with and without elevation of serum alanine transaminase (ALT) levels. Materials and methods Ten patients with chronic hepatitis C proven by liver biopsy, who showed persistent elevation of the serum ALT levels, and 15 patients with chronic HCV infection and persistently normal serum ALT levels (PNAL) were enrolled in this study. The number of the HCV quasispecies was determined twice for each patient at an interval of mean 2·5 years by fluorescence single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequence analysis. Results There was no significant difference in the changes in the number of quasispecies during the follow-up period between chronic hepatitis C and PNAL. There was also no significant difference in the change in the number of variable nucleotides sites between the two groups. In these patients, the number of quasispecies and the diversity of HVR-1 were correlated with platelet counts and serum hyaluronic acid levels previously shown to be associated with disease progression. Conclusion Our results suggested that the disease activity is not always related to the generation of the HVR-1 quasispecies complexity.

We report a structural-magnetic investigation by x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), neutron diffraction, dc susceptibility $({\ensuremath{\chi}}_{\text{dc}})$, and electron spin resonance (ESR) of the 12R-type perovskite ${\text{BaTi}}_{1/2}{\text{Mn}}_{1/2}{\text{O}}_{3}$. Our structural analysis by neutron diffraction supports the existence of structural trimers with chemically disordered occupancy of ${\text{Mn}}^{4+}$ and ${\text{Ti}}^{4+}$ ions, with the valence of the Mn ions confirmed by the XAS measurements. The magnetic properties are explored by combining dc-susceptibility and $X$-band (9.4 GHz) electron spin resonance, both in the temperature interval of $2\ensuremath{\le}T\ensuremath{\le}1000$ K. A scenario is presented under which the magnetism is explained by considering magnetic dimers and trimers, with exchange constants ${J}_{a}/{k}_{B}=200\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(2)$ K and ${J}_{b}/{k}_{B}=130\phantom{\rule{0.16em}{0ex}}(10)$ K, and orphan spins. Thus, ${\text{BaTi}}_{1/2}{\text{Mn}}_{1/2}{\text{O}}_{3}$ is proposed as a rare case of an intrinsically disordered $S=\frac{3}{2}$ spin gap system with a frustrated ground state.

Variable-polarization synchrotron radiation is useful for measurements of circular dichroism (CD) in the vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) and soft X-ray regions. Since the polarization of the radiation is modified by beamline optics, it is therefore necessary to directly measure the polarization state of the light incident onto a sample in order to achieve quantitative measurements of the CD spectra. A reflection type polarimeter was designed and constructed to examine the polarization characteristics of the variable-polarization synchrotron radiation. The polarimeter consists of two quadruple reflectors which function as a phase shifter and a quasi-linear polarizer. The polarimeter is designed to be very compact. The compact size allows for easy and fast measurements of the complete set of Stokes parameters. The polarization states of the light output from the TERAS BL-5 beamline were measured using the new polarimeter in the vacuum ultraviolet range. The polarization states data of the light at the beamline were used for CD measurements, which yielded quantitative CD spectra in the VUV range.

Background: Helicobacter pylori resistance to clarithromycin, probably due to the frequent use of this antibiotic for the treatment of other diseases, is the greatest obstacle against its eradication. Aim: To clarify the prevalence of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori in patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease receiving multiple antibiotic treatment, including clarithromycin. Methods: We enrolled 88 patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease; 29 underwent upper gastrointestinal endoscopy for the diagnosis of H. pylori infection prior to treatment, and 60 underwent it during treatment. The diagnosis of H. pylori infection was confirmed by histological examination, urease test and microaerobic bacterial culture. The minimum inhibitory concentration of clarithromycin was determined and the DNA was analysed for each of the isolated H. pylori strains. Results: Patients during the treatment had a high prevalence rate of clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori (100%). Analysis of DNA of the clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori isolates revealed point mutations at A2142G or A2143G. Moreover, a linear correlation was found between the total cumulative dose of clarithromycin and the minimum inhibitory concentration. Conclusion: All patients with non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease being treated long-term with multiple antibiotics, including clarithromycin, harboured clarithromycin-resistant H. pylori in the stomach. Therefore, eradication of H. pylori before commencement of long-term therapy including clarithromycin should be recommended.

A field study was conducted to investigate the long-term effect of surface application of sewage sludge composts vs chemical N fertilizer on total N, total C, soluble organic C, pH, EC, microbial biomass C and N, protease activity, deaminase activity, urease activity, gross and net rates of N mineralization and nitrification, CO2 evolution, and N2O production. Soil samples were taken from five depths (0–15, 15–20, 20–30, 30–40, and 40–50 cm) of a long-term experiment at the University of Tokyo, Japan. Three fields have been receiving sewage sludge composted with rice husk (RH), sawdust (SD), or mixed chemical fertilizer NPK (CF), applied at the rate of 240 kg N ha−1 each in split applications in summer and autumn since 1978. Significantly higher amounts of total N and C and soluble organic C were found in the compost than in the CF treatments up to the 40-cm soil depth, indicating improved soil quality in the former. In the CF treatment, soil pH values were significantly lower and electrical conductivity values were significantly higher than those of compost-treated soils of up to 50 cm depth. Soil microbial biomass C and N, CO2 evolution, protease, deaminase, and urease activities were significantly higher in the compost than in the CF treatments due to greater availability of organic substrates that stimulated microbial activity. Gross N mineralization rates determined by 15N dilution technique were eight and five times higher in the SD and RH treatments than in the CF treatment, respectively, probably due to high levels of microbial and enzyme activities. Net N mineralization rates were also significantly higher in the compost treatments and were negative in the CF treatment indicating immobilization. Net nitrification rates were higher in compost treatments and negative in the CF treatment. Nitrous oxide productions from compost treatments were higher than the CF treatment due to the greater availability of mineral N as a result of higher mineralization and nitrification rates and soluble organic C in the former. Most of the measured parameters were highest in the surface soil (0–15 cm) and were significantly higher in the SD treatment than in the RH treatment.

A nanocomposite of poly (vinyl alcohol) (PVA) reinforced with various contents of CdS was synthesized by organosols reaction with particle size in the range of nanoscale. The influence of CdS content on the network structure of PVA matrix such as particle size distribution, gel fraction (GF), equilibrium water content (EWC), water absorption (WA), extent of filler reinforcement ( γ ), volume fraction of polymer ( V s ) number of elastically effective chains (NEC), and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were investigated. The affine and phantom models for physical crosslinks were used to predict the nature of crosslinks. The thermal behavior of PVA–CdS composites has been studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), Thermogravimetry (TG) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). The dc conductivity of the PVA system reinforced with CdS as a function of concentration and temperature has been presented. The PVA composite exhibits considerably high electronic conductivity which increases linearly with the increase of CdS content. The conduction mechanism in PVA–CdS composites is governing by hopping mechanism. The effects of CdS loading and temperature on the thermal conductivity ( λ ) and specific heats ( C p ) were investigated. The antistatic properties and electromagnetic wave shielding effectiveness (EMI) of PVA–CdS composites has been also investigated. The optical properties such as absorbance and transient photo current under applied voltage of PVA–CdS composites were tested. The mechanical properties of PVA–CdS composites were investigated in details. It is proved that the PVA–CdS composites can be effectively used for linear thermistors, antistatic charge dissipation, EMI in the encapsulation of electronic devices, in woven texturing, optical switch and solar cell fabrication.

The energy spectrum of cosmic neutrinos, which was recently reported by the IceCube Collaboration, shows a gap between 400 TeV and 1 PeV. An unknown neutrino interaction mediated by a field with a mass of the MeV scale is one of the possible solutions to this gap. We examine whether the leptonic gauge interaction ${L}_{\ensuremath{\mu}}\ensuremath{-}{L}_{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ can simultaneously explain the two phenomena in the lepton sector: the gap in the cosmic neutrino spectrum and the unsettled disagreement in the muon anomalous magnetic moment. We illustrate that there remain regions in the model parameter space which account for both of the problems. Our results also provide a hint to the distance to the source of the high-energy cosmic neutrinos.

Introducing a leptonic U(1) gauge symmetry, we try to reproduce the gap in the cosmic neutrino spectrum reported by the IceCube collaboration, and at the same time, make an additional contribution to the muon anomalous magnetic moment, which fills the gap between the standard model prediction and the experimental observation., Comment: To appear in the proceedings of the Prospects in Neutrino Physics Conference, 15 -- 17 December, 2014, held at Queen Mary University of London, UK

It has been proposed that T helper (Th) 2 cells play a key role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD) because of clinical and experimental findings including hyper IgE, eosinophilia and Th2 type cytokine overexpression, etc. In contrast, several observations such as Th1 type cytokine detection in chronic lesions and histological features resembling allergic contact dermatitis suggest that Th1 rather than Th2 cells are important for the pathogenesis of skin lesions. In order to clarify this paradox, we investigated the function of T cell clones established from AD patients. Most T cell clones induced by house dust mite antigen and interleukin (IL)-2 from peripheral blood mononuclear cells of two AD patients exhibited CD4+/ CD8-, CD45RO+/ CD45RA-, and produced high levels of IL-4 and low levels of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) after phytohemagglutinin (PHA) (1 microg/ml) stimulation, suggesting a Th2 subtype. When stimulated with a high dose of concanavalin A (conA) (10 microg/ml), however, these clones produced high amounts of IFN-gamma. IL-4 production reached a peak 24 hours after conA (10 ,g/ml) stimulation, whereas IFN-gamma production was increased up to 48 hours after stimulation. The findings of T cell receptor (TCR) stimulation with immobilized anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) showed that the suitable strength of TCR stimulation for IFN-y production was higher than for IL-4. Also, in the TCR stimulated condition, the peak of IFN-gamma production was later than that of IL-4. These results indicate that T cell clones which exhibited a Th2 profile under weak stimulation can produce IFN-y in the late phase of stimulation when strong stimuli are used. The results are consistent with the previous observation that IFN-gamma production prominently appears in the chronic and late phase lesions of AD.

Quasi-monochromatic gamma-ray beam produced with the laser-Compton scattering (LCS) in 1–40 MeV has been used for various scientific studies and industrial applications in the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). We briefly overview the recent research progress in AIST. Since the first observation of the LCS gamma-ray beam in 1984 at AIST, photon generation techniques have been studied and improved. A beamline dedicated for user experiments was installed in FY 2000, and has been used by many users since then. There are many research programs being carried out using the LCS beamline, such as nuclear and atomic physics studies, radiation detector calibration and non-destructive tests.

Molecular properties of polymorphic forms of gondoic acid [cis-C20:1Δ11ω9 (GOA)] have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), optical microscopy, and Raman scattering, in comparison to those of six principal unsaturated fatty acids: oleic acid [cis-C18:1Δ9ω9 (OA)], erucic acid [cis-C22:1Δ13ω9 (ERA)], petroselinic acid [cis-C18:1Δ6ω12 (PSA)], asclepic acid [cis-C18:1Δ11ω7 (APA)], palmitoleic acid [cis-C16:1Δ9ω7 (POA)], and elaidic acid [trans-C18:1Δ9ω9 (ELA)]. In addition, phase behavior of binary mixtures of GOA and APA and OA was examined by XRD and DSC. The polymorphic structures of GOA are quite similar to those of APA, ERA, POA, and partly to OA. In particular, DSC and Raman scattering studies have shown that gondoic acid exhibits conformational disordering on heating at the ω-chain, a chain segment between the double bond and CH3 group, as a transition from all-trans (γ form) to gauche-rich (α form) conformations. A miscible mixing phase was observed in the mixture of GOA and APA, yet eutectic phases were observed in the GOA and OA mixtures. This is a remarkable contrast because the binary mixture systems of varying combinations of cis-unsaturated fatty acids examined so far exhibited either eutectic nature or molecular compound formation. It is expected that specific molecular interactions between GOA and APA that originate from the equivalence of the length of the Δ-chain, the chain segment between the cis-double bond and COOH group, and also from the presence of the γ-α order-disorder transformation would be operating to form the miscible mixing phase.

The optical properties of Ag island films deposited on glass substrates at room temperature by rf magnetron-sputtering have been investigated. The reflection of p- and s-polarized laser light with a wavelength of 633 nm by the Ag thin films was measured in an attenuated total reflection (ATR) configuration. The effective dielectric constants e and effective optical thickness d opt. of the films were obtained from theoretical fitting of the p-polarized ATR data. The measured ATR curves were very sensitive to metal island structure. For films with a thickness of less than about 16 nm, e was very dependent upon d opt. and both the real and imaginal parts of e increased considerably for thinner films.

This report discusses the effectiveness of conservative treatment of burns using applications of prostaglandin E 1 (PGE 1 ) containing ointment (PGE 1 ointment) to the wound site. Fourteen patients with superficial dermal burns (SDB), deep dermal burns (DDB) and full-thickness dermal burns (DB), who were treated with repeated applications of this ointment, showed rapid epithelialization of the affected tissue. Hypertrophic scarring after epithelialization was less than that expected after other therapies. The degree of scarring was graded as ‘none’, ‘mild’, ‘moderate’ or ‘severe’. The results of this therapy revealed no scarring in two sites (8.7 per cent), mild scarring in 16 sites (69.6 per cent), moderate scarring in one site (4.3 per cent) and severe scarring in four sites (17.4 per cent) out of 23 sites distributed among the patients. The application of PGE 1 ointment in combination with skin grafting surgery was found to improve functional and aesthetic results in the patients with DDB and DB, by minimizing the area of the donor site; it was especially useful for children with extensive burns because of the shortage of available tissue as donor site material for skin grafting.

Over the past decade, molecularly-targeted contrast enhanced ultrasound (ultrasound molecular imaging) has attracted significant attention in preclinical research of cancer diagnostic and therapy. Potential applications for ultrasound molecular imaging run the gamut from early detection and characterization of malignancies to monitoring treatment responses and guiding therapies. There may also be a role for ultrasound contrast agents for improved delivery of chemotherapeutic drugs and gene therapies across biological barriers. Currently, a first Phase 0 clinical trial in patients with prostate cancer assesses toxicity and feasibility of ultrasound molecular imaging using contrast agents targeted at the angiogenic marker vascular endothelial growth factor receptor type 2 (VEGFR2). This mini-review highlights recent advances and potential applications of ultrasound molecular imaging and ultrasound-guided therapy in cancer.

A perovskita LaMnO3 apresenta antiferromagnetismo abaixo da temperatura de Neel TN[1], ja na perovskita BaTiO3 o deslocamento dos ions de Ti de sua posicao central no octaedro TiO6 faz surgir um momento de dipolo eletrico na celula unitaria, favorecendo o aparecimento de dominios ferroeletricos[2]. A sintese de materiais que possuam caracteristicas magneticas e eletricas pode gerar interessantes prototipos de dispositivos de armazenamento de dados que sejam sensiveis as duas propriedades e o sistema Ba1−x Lax Ti0,5 Mn0,5 O3 nos permite verificar se tal dispositivo e realizavel. Neste trabalho apresentamos espectros Raman no composto Ba1−x Lax Ti0,5 Mn0,5 O3 para x = 0.0, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 e 0.5 onde foi variada a temperatura de medida para cada amostra de 30 a 300K. Uma analise de Grupo Fator para o composto em x=0 (grupo espacial ) mostra que sao permitidos 16 modos Raman ativos e atraves da Fig. 1, verificamos que existe um grande numero de picos, que pode inclusive exceder a previsao de 16 modos para este material. Alternativamente, alguns modos de vibracao podem apresentar "ombros" devido a flutuacoes na composicao Ti/Mn ao longo da amostra, formando a impressao de varios picos sobrepostos. Alem disso, os espectros da Fig. 1 mostram uma clara mudanca na linha do espectro conforme e adicionado La. Para x=0, um grande numero de picos e observado, enquanto que para x ≥ 0.4 um espectro com poucos picos largos aparece. Para x=0.2 e x=0.3 parece haver uma sobreposicao entre os picos relativamente finos observados para x=0 com os picos mais largos observados para x>=0.4. Ocorre um claro aumento de simetria com a adicao de La que e observado na diminuicao de picos entre x = 0.0 e x = 0.5. Uma possivel explicacao para este comportamento seria uma transicao de fase estrutural induzida pela incorporacao de La, com possivel coexistencia de fases para x=0.2 e x=0.3.

Summary Excessive T helper type 1 (Th1) cell activity has been reported in Behçet's disease (BD). Recently, association of Th17 cells with certain autoimmune diseases was reported, and we thus investigated circulating Th17 cells in BD. CD4+CD45RO– (naive) T cells were cultured with Th0-, Th1-, Th2- and Th17-related cytokines and antibodies, and their mRNA was studied by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). When naive CD4+ T cells were cultured with Th1- and Th17-related cytokines, interferon (IFN)-γ mRNA and interleukin (IL)-17 mRNA were up-regulated, respectively, in BD patients. Naive CD4+ T cells cultured in a Th17 cell-inducing condition expressed IL-23 receptor (IL-23R) mRNA excessively. IL-17 mRNA expression was induced only when naive CD4+T cells were cultured in the presence of IL-23. CD4+ T cells cultured with Th17 cytokines expressed excessive RAR-related orphan receptor C (RORC) mRNA. Using intracellular cytokine staining, we found that CD45RO+(memory) CD4+ T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ simultaneously were increased significantly. Memory CD4+ T cells producing IFN-γ but not IL-17 decreased profoundly in BD patients. CD4+ T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ simultaneously were found in BD skin lesions. Collectively, we found excessive CD4+ T cells producing IL-17 and IFN-γ (Th1/Th17) cells in patients with BD, and possible involvement of IL-23/IL-23R pathway for the appearance of excessive Th1/Th17 cells.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory disease, characterised by recurrent oral aphthosis, genital ulcers, skin lesions and uveitis. We have reported excessive Th1 cell activity in patients with BD. More recently, Th17 cells were suggested to associate with several autoimmune diseases. This study was designed to investigate the role of Th17 related cytokines and signalling molecules in patients with BD.We examined mRNA expressions of Th1 and Th17 related cytokines and related signalling molecules in PBMC of 12 patients with BD and 14 normal controls (NC) using quantitative RT-PCR. We studied expressions of the Th17 related cytokines in other four BD patients' skin lesions by immunofluorescence.Major Th17 related cytokines were not detected in unstimulated PBMC in patients with BD. After stimulation, mRNA expressions of TGFβ receptor type 1, IL-12 receptor β2 and suppressor of cytokine signalling protein (SOCS) 1 on PBMC were significantly enhanced in patients with BD, as compared with NC (p0.05). mRNA expression of RORC, a key transcription factor for Th17 cell differentiation, was comparable between BD and NC. CD4+ T cells infiltrating into BD skin lesion expressed TGFβ1 much more than those infiltrating into non-Behçet's disease erythema nodosum.These findings suggest that TGFβ/Smad signalling pathway of T cells is overactive in patients with BD.

A remarkable hardening (~ 30 cm-1) of the normal mode of vibration associated with the symmetric stretching of the oxygen octahedra for the Ba2FeReO6 and Sr2CrReO6 double perovskites is observed below the corresponding magnetic ordering temperatures. The very large magnitude of this effect and its absence for the anti-symmetric stretching mode provide evidence against a conventional spin-phonon coupling mechanism. Our observations are consistent with a collective excitation formed by the combination of the vibrational mode with oscillations of local Fe or Cr 3d and Re 5d occupations and spin magnitudes., Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures

Organic field‐effect transistors (OFETs) were fabricated using pentacene thin layer, and the effects of inserted Lewis‐acid thin layers on electrical properties were investigated. The OFETs have active layers of pentacene and vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) as a Lewis‐acid layer. Typical source‐drain current (IDS) vs. source‐drain voltage (VDS) curves were observed under negative gate voltages (VGS) application, and the shift of the threshold voltage for FET driving (Vt) to positive side was also observed by V2O5 layer insertion, that is, ‐2.5 V for device with V2O5 layer and ‐5.7 V for device without V2O5 layer. It was thought that charge transfer (CT) complexes which were formed at the interface between pentacene and V2O5 layer were dissociated by the applied gate voltage, and the generated holes seem to contribute to drain current and the apparent Vt improvement.

A dermis slicer designed by the authors enabled us to prepare about 10 sheets of sliced dermal grafts (SDG), 300 μm thick, from the dermis harvested from the back or buttocks of adult patients during operations. Such a sliced dermal sheet was stretched with one surface stuck on the base of a culture dish. It was then incubated in Dulbecco's essential medium for tissue culture, to which epidermal growth factor had been added. By the first week only its upper side was epithelialized from epithelial components in sliced dermis. The formation of basement membrane with anchoring fibrils was confirmed by electron microscopy. The appearance of type IV collagen and laniinin was observed between epithelialized basal cells and the dermal layer. Thus, it is thought that the SDG is useful not only for immediate grafting, when epithelialization follows, but also as a substitute for free split thickness skin grafts following tissue culture.

Deep dermal burns covering 30 per cent of the total body surface area were prepared by immersing the backs of rabbits in hot water at 80 degrees C for 20 s, to determine whether platelet activating factor (PAF) was involved in the onset of oedema following burns and to evaluate the effect of TCV-309, a potent PAF antagonist. The PAF antagonist, which was infused soon after the burn, blocked oedema formation in the wound and significantly (P0.001) inhibited PAF increase (P0.05) in the damaged tissue in a dose-dependent manner. This was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. In contrast, the superoxide dismutase content in the group treated with a high dose of TCV-309 was significantly (P0.01) higher than that of the control group. These findings suggest that administration of large doses of a PAF antagonist immediately after injury prevents oedema of burn wounds and the subsequent onset of burn shock by suppressing PAF and superoxide radical formation.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of multidetector computed tomographic angiography (MDCTA) in assessing the surgical resectability of pancreatic head adenocarcinoma. Methods: With institutional review board approval, radiographic, surgical, and pathological records of 203 consecutive patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreatic head were analyzed retrospectively. Patients were imaged with MDCT scanners using our institution's CTA pancreatic protocol. Images were compared with surgical outcomes to determine the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of MDCTA in determining resectability. Results: Data were analyzed twice, once with equivocal findings on MDCTA assumed as resectable and again with equivocal cases assumed as unresectable. All equivocal cases were ultimately unresectable; when this was assumed, the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy were determined to be 100%, 71%, 85%,100% and 89%. Twelve patients deemed resectable by preoperative MDCTA were found to be unresectable on surgical exploration owing to vascular involvement (n = 4), liver metastases (n = 4), and peritoneal involvement (n = 4). Conclusions: Multidetector CT angiography offers accurate and valuable preoperative assessment of surgical resectability of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Liver and peritoneal metastases and vascular invasion still remain important pitfalls in preoperative evaluation.