Anisotropic hysteretic Hall effect and magnetic control of chiral domains in the chiral spin states of Pr2Ir2O7

We uncover a strong anisotropy in both the anomalous Hall effect (AHE) and the magnetoresistance of the chiral spin states of Pr(2)Ir(2)O(7). The AHE appearing below 1.5 K at a zero magnetic field shows hysteresis which is most pronounced for fields cycled along the [111] direction. This hysteresis is compatible with the field-induced growth of domains composed by the 3-in 1-out spin states which remain coexisting with the 2-in 2-out spin ice manifold once the field is removed. Only for fields applied along the [111] direction, we observe a large positive magnetoresistance and Shubnikov-de Haas oscillations above a metamagnetic critical field. These observations suggest the reconstruction of the electronic structure of the conduction electrons by the field-induced spin texture.

Enhanced quasiparticle heat conduction in the multigap superconductor Lu2Fe3Si5

Thermal transport measurements have been made on the Fe-based superconductor Lu2Fe3Si5 (T(c) ∼ 6  K) down to a very low temperature T(c)/120. The field and temperature dependences of the thermal conductivity confirm the multigap superconductivity with fully opened gaps on the whole Fermi surfaces. In comparison to MgB2, Lu2Fe3Si5 reveals a remarkably enhanced quasiparticle heat conduction in the mixed state. The results can be interpreted as a consequence of the unequal weight of the Fe 3d-electron character among the distinct bands.

Comparison of physical properties and drug-releasing characteristics of white petrolatums

White petrolatums of Japanese Pharmacopoeia grade and Sun white marketed as a cosmetic were characterized by measuring their physical properties and drug-releasing characteristics. White petrolatums of Japanese Pharmacopoeia grade available commercially in Japan were Perfecta, White 1S, Ultima, Snow, Snow V and Regent (Propeto). Penetrating stress, shear stress and spreading properties were measured as physical properties of the white petrolatums. The physical properties of white petrolatums varied, and Regent was the softest and the most spreadable ointment base. In vitro release test was performed using flow-through Franz diffusion cells. Fluorescein isothiocyanate and tetracycline hydrochloride were used as drug models. Their release characteristics varied among the tested white petrolatums, and Regent had the best release properties. Among the white petrolatums, with the exception of Regent, the release properties should depend on the distribution of drugs between white petrolatum and the receiver solution. Considerations of usability and characteristics of theprincipal agent are needed when choosing white petrolatums.

Factor inducing Agrobacterium tumefaciens vir gene expression is present in monocotyledonous plants

Agrobacterium tumefaciens harboring the tumor-inducing Ti plasmid incites crown gall tumor on dicotyledonous species. Upon infection of these plants, Ti plasmid DNA sequence is stably transferred (T-DNA) by unknown mechanisms to plant cells to be integrated into nuclear DNA. The T-DNA processing and transfer require the expression of vir (virulence) genes on the Ti plasmid, which are known to be induced by certain phenolic compounds released from cells at the wounded inoculation site. The results of the present study demonstrate that wheat and oats contain a substance(s) that induces vir gene expression, yet the inducing substance of wheat differs from the phenolic inducers in that it is hydrophilic and has a molecular weight of several thousand. The novel inducer was not detectable in the exudates of seedlings of these plants but was found in an extract from the transition region between shoot and root of the seedlings and also in extracts from the seeds, bran, and germ. This finding suggests that T-DNA processing and possibly its transfer should take place when Agrobacterium invades suitable tissues of monocotyledonous plants.

[Descending necrotizing mediastinitis]

We treated of 3 patients with descending necrotizing mediastinitis that is often to be fatal. There are 3 important issues regarding the treatment of this disease. First, the precise sites of abscess should be determined by computed tomography (CT) scans from the neck to diaphragm. Second, effective drainage of the neck and mediastinal abscess should be carried out immediately when the sites of abscess are determined. Third, drainage under video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) is an appropriate treatment because VATS is less invasive and provides an easier placement of the drainage tubes at abscess sites.

[Complete resection of an advanced mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor with multiple distant metastases after down-staging by chemotherapy]

A mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor was completely resected after down-staging by chemotherapy despite the presence of multiple distant metastases. A 22-year-old female was admitted for superior vena cava (SVC) syndrome. Her SVC was obstructed by a large anterior mediastinal tumor; she also exhibited distant metastases on a left rib, in the liver, and multiple in the lung. The blood alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) level was extremely elevated to 57,530 ng/ml. Four courses of BEP therapy [cisplatin (CDDP), bleomycin (BLM), etoposide (VP-16)] and a high dose chemotherapy followed by a peripheral blood stem cell transplantation made the tumor become smaller and effected its down-staging. Residual mediastinal tumor with an intravascular tumor in SVC was completely resected. The SVC was reconstructed by an artificial vessel graft. A mediastinal nonseminomatous germ cell tumor, even though it has multiple distant metastases, can achieve down-staging and complete resection by a chemotherapy based on scientific evidence.

Superconducting properties of the non-Fermi-liquid system beta-YbAlB4

beta-YbAlB4 is the first Yb-based heavy fermion superconductor with Tc = 80 mK. Our study using high-purity single crystals reveals that strongly type-II heavy fermion superconductivity emerges from the non-Fermi-liquid state with enhanced ferromagnetic fluctuations. High sensitivity of Tc to sample purity indicates strong pair-breaking effects due to impurities, probably of nonmagnetic type, suggesting an unconventional character of the superconductivity.

Cardioprotective mechanism of telmisartan via PPAR-gamma-eNOS pathway in dahl salt-sensitive hypertensive rats

BACKGROUND

Recently, some investigators have shown that telmisartan, an angiotensin II (Ang II)-receptor blocker (ARB), is a partial agonist of the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). We investigate whether telmisartan improves cardiovascular remodeling associated with the production of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) through PPAR-gamma, inhibits the Rho-kinase pathway, and suppresses oxidative stress in Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) hypertensive rats.

METHODS

Telmisartan (1 mg/kg per day) or telmisartan plus PPAR-gamma inhibitor, GW9662 (1 mg/kg per day) was administered from the age of 6-11 weeks. Age-matched male Dahl salt-resistant (DR) rats served as a control group.

RESULTS

The levels of eNOS and PPAR-gamma expression, and eNOS phosphorylation were significantly lower in DS rats than in DR rats. Chronic telmisartan treatment in DS rats significantly increased these parameters, but not telmisartan plus GW9662. Telmisartan effectively inhibited the vascular lesion formation such as medial thickness and perivascular fibrosis, but not telmisartan plus GW9662. Moreover, upregulated RhoA protein, Rho-kinase mRNA, and myosin light-chain phosphorylation in DS rats was decreased by telmisartan to a similar degree as observed after treatment with Y-27632, a selective Rho-kinase inhibitor. In addition, NAD(P)H oxidase p22phox, p47phox, gp91phox expression, and mitogen-activated protein kinase and its downstream effector p70 S6 kinase phosphorylation in DS rats was also inhibited by telmisartan.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that the cardioprotective mechanism of telmisartan may be partly due to improvement of endothelial function associated with PPAR-gamma-eNOS, oxidative stress, and Rho-kinase pathway.

[Comparison of the images in virtual bronchoscopy under different conditions]

OBJECTIVE

We report herein the comparison of the virtual bronchoscopy (VB) images which were constructed with 2 different computed tomography (CT) scanners combined with 3 different applications in 2 healthy adult volunteers.

METHODS

CT scanners were multi-detector row CT (MDCT) [64 detectors] and MDCT (16 detectors). Applications, by which VB images were made, were Leonardo (Leo), Ziostation (Zio), and Plus XNVZ2 (Plus). The image quality was evaluated by 3 expert bronchoscopists.

RESULTS

The change of the threshold value was necessary in Leo for practical use in subsegmental bronchi and more distal area, but unnecessary in Plus or Zio. When Plus was used, the VB images from the data obtained with MDCT (16 detectors) and MDCT (64 detectors) had almost equal quality.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the process to construct VB images was different in each application, it was regarded that Plus was not inferior to Zio or Leo in VB image quality.

[Multidisciplinary treatment of lung cancer in 21st century]

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in Japan. Recently, big progress in the treatment of lung cancer has been achieved, such as new anti-cancer drugs, molecular targeted therapy, stereotactic radiotherapy, etc. Multidisciplinary approach has been required to the therapy for lung cancer patients. In this paper, we introduce The 21st Century Multidisciplinary Center in Kanazawa Medical University, and the Hokuriku Training Program for Making Specialists in Cancer Treatment.

Formulation and evaluation of lactoferrin bioadhesive tablets

For the treatment of chronic inflammation in the oral cavity, we attempted to develop bioadhesive tablets of bovine lactoferrin (B-LF) which has antibacterial properties and immune regulatory functions. B-LF tablets containing pectin, tamarind gum or carboxymethylcellulose (CMC) were prepared by direct compression. Tablets consisting of B-LF, pectin and xylitol passed through 60- or 100-mesh sieves were also prepared. The tablets containing CMC had insufficient bioadhesive force. Although the tablets containing tamarind gum showed the longest residence time in the oral cavity, an unpleasant taste gradually developed. The tablets containing pectin showed the highest value of bioadhesive force and the taste was acceptable. The characteristics of the B-LF tablets were improved by adding an appropriate amount of xylitol and using the ingredients sieved by a 100-mesh sieve. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by using rats with an ulcer on the oral mucosa. In the present study, swelling on the periphery of the ulcer was observed after administration of the B-LF tablets, and then the ulcer has reduced overall.

Unconventional anomalous Hall effect enhanced by a noncoplanar spin texture in the frustrated Kondo lattice Pr2Ir2O7

We have investigated the Hall effect in the geometrically frustrated Kondo lattice Pr2Ir2O7. In its spin-liquid-like paramagnetic regime, the Hall resistivity rho(xy) is found to increase logarithmically on cooling. Moreover, in this low temperature region, the field dependence of the Hall conductivity sigma(xy) shows a large enhancement up to 30 Omega(-1) cm(-1) as well as a nonmonotonic change with the magnetization. Our results are far different from the anomalous Hall effect due to the spin-orbit coupling observed in ordinary magnetic conductors. We discuss the possible spin-chirality effect in the Ir 5d conduction band due to the noncoplanar texture of Pr<111> Ising-like moments.

Molecular mechanisms of nigral neurodegeneration in Park2 and regulation of parkin protein by other proteins

Most of the patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) are sporadic. However, Since identification of monogenic forms of PD, the contribution of genetic factors to the pathogenesis of sporadic PD is proposed as one of major risk factors. Indeed, this is supported by the demonstration of the high concordance in twins, increased risk among relatives of PD patients in case control and family studies. Thus, the functional analysis for the gene products for familial PD provides us a good hint to elucidate the pathogenesis of nigral degeneration. For example, although alpha-synuclein is involved in a rare dominant form of familial PD with dopa responsive parkinsonian features, this molecule is a major component of and Lewy bodies (LBs). In contrast, Park2 (parkin-related disease) is the most frequent form among patients with young-onset PD. However, Park2 brains generally lack the formation of LBs. In the other word, parkin responsible for Park2 is essential for the formation of LBs. Thus, both alpha-synuclein and parkin are speculated to share a common pathway. Here, we reviewed the parkin function and molecular mechanisms of Park2.

Metallic spin-liquid behavior of the geometrically frustrated Kondo lattice

Strongly frustrated magnetism of the metallic pyrochlore oxide Pr2Ir2O7 has been revealed by single crystal study. While Pr 4f moments have an antiferromagnetic RKKY interaction energy scale of /T*/ = 20 K mediated by Ir 5d-conduction electrons, no magnetic long-range order is found except for partial spin freezing at 120 mK. Instead, the Kondo effect, including a lnT dependence in the resistivity, emerges and leads to a partial screening of the moments below /T*/. Our results indicate that the underscreened moments show spin-liquid behavior below a renormalized correlation scale of 1.7 K.

Influence of low-frequency massage device on transdermal absorption of ionic materials

The influence of a low-frequency massage device on transdermal absorption of sodium benzoate, ketoprofen and diclofenac sodium was investigated in rats. Electrode pads spread with a hydroxypropyl cellulose gel containing the drug model were placed on excised skin in vitro. The transdermal permeation studies were carried out in the treatment group with the pulse applied through electrode pads spread with the gel, the pretreatment group with the gel applied after the application of the pulse and in the control group in which the gel was applied without the pulse. In vivo, transdermal absorption of ketoprofen was examined in the same groups used for the in vitro study. The pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen in plasma after intravenous injection was also studied. The treatment group showed higher cumulative permeated amounts of the drug models than the control in vitro. However, the enhancing effect was not observed in the pretreatment group. In vivo, the plasma ketoprofen level increased temporarily after the pulse was applied and then increased gradually as compared with the control. Since the distribution of ketoprofen from the central to the peripheral compartment was enhanced by the pulse in the injection study, enhancement of the biodistribution of ketoprofen by the low-frequency pulse was suggested.

The origin of multiple superconducting gaps in MgB2

Magnesium diboride, MgB2, has the highest transition temperature (T(c) = 39 K) of the known metallic superconductors. Whether the anomalously high T(c) can be described within the conventional BCS (Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer) framework has been debated. The key to understanding superconductivity lies with the 'superconducting energy gap' associated with the formation of the superconducting pairs. Recently, the existence of two kinds of superconducting gaps in MgB2 has been suggested by several experiments; this is in contrast to both conventional and high-T(c) superconductors. A clear demonstration of two gaps has not yet been made because the previous experiments lacked the ability to resolve the momentum of the superconducting electrons. Here we report direct experimental evidence for the two-band superconductivity in MgB2, by separately observing the superconducting gaps of the sigma and pi bands (as well as a surface band). The gaps have distinctly different sizes, which unambiguously establishes MgB2 as a two-gap superconductor.

Emergence of different macrophage populations in hepatic fibrosis following thioacetamide-induced acute hepatocyte injury in rats

Macrophages may play a role in fibrogenesis. The kinetics and distribution of different macrophage populations were investigated immunohistochemically in hepatic lesions following acute hepatocyte injury induced in F344 rats by a single injection of thioacetamide (TAA) (300 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally). Hepatocyte degeneration or necrosis induced by TAA occurred mainly in the perivenular areas of hepatic lobules as early as post-injection (PI) days 1 and 3; fibrotic lesion development began in the damaged areas on day 1, and peaked on day 5; thereafter (PI days 7 and 10), the fibrotic areas decreased and were replaced by regenerated hepatocytes on PI days 15 and 20, indicating a remodelling process. In this rat model, the number of macrophages reacting with ED1 antibody (specific for exudate macrophages), ED2 (recognizing cell membrane antigens of resident macrophages, including Kupffer cells) and OX6 (recognizing MHC class II antigens expressed in antigen-presenting macrophages and dendritic cells) began to increase on PI day 1, peaking on PI day 3. The numbers gradually decreased on PI days 5 and 7; however, the statistically significant increase was maintained in respect of ED1-positive cells up to PI day 20, whereas no significant increase in ED2- and OX6-positive cells remained from PI day 10 onwards. Interestingly, of the ED1-, ED2- and OX6-positive cells, the OX6-positive cells were the least numerous. ED1- and OX6-positive cells appeared exclusively in the injured perivenular areas, whereas ED2-positive cells were present mainly in the mid-zonal areas and in smaller numbers in the perivenular areas. These findings indicated differences in kinetics and distribution between macrophage populations appearing in hepatic fibrosis. In addition, RT-PCR revealed that mRNA expression of osteopontin, a factor for induction and maintenance of macrophages in inflammation, was markedly increased on PI days 5, 7 and 10, suggesting a role in the pathogenesis of hepatic fibrosis.