Structural phase transition and magnetic-field effect on the modulated structure in GdBaCo2O5+δ (δ < 0.5)

We investigated the crystal structures of an ordered perovskite-type cobaltate, GdBaCo2O(5+δ) (δ < 0.5), at elevated temperatures by transmission electron microscopy. Above the magnetic ordering temperature, we observed a first-order structural phase transition between the low-temperature tetragonal 3a(p) × 3a(p) and high-temperature orthorhombic 1a(p) × 2a(p) superstructure phases (where a(p) is the perovskite-unit cell). Upon the application of a magnetic field, an incommensurate phase emerges around the structural phase-transition temperature, which indicates a magnetic-field-induced structural phase transition via no magnetic ordering in the ordered perovskite-type cobaltate.

LKB1, TP16, EGFR, and KRAS somatic mutations in lung adenocarcinomas from a Chiba Prefecture, Japan cohort

The discovery of somatic mutations in cancer-related genes has been applied to understand the genetic basis of cancer. Here we report somatic mutations of two tumor suppressor genes: LKB1 (exons 1, 4, and 8) and TP16 (CDKN2A) (exons 1 and 2); and two oncogenes: epidermal growth factor receptor EGFR (exons 18-21) and KRAS (exon 2) in 97 lung adenocarcinoma tissues in a cohort from the Kujukuri coast area of Chiba, Japan. In the LKB1 gene, only F354L substitutions were observed in 14 of the 97 tissue samples (14.4%). In the TP16 gene, only two deletions were observed in contrast to previous reports. On the other hand, the EGFR gene was highly mutated (38.1%) and mainly L858R substitutions occurred (23.7%) as well as insertions and deletions. In the KRAS gene, 10 substitutions at codon 12 were observed (10.3%). Co-occurrence of EGFR and KRAS somatic mutations was identified in one patient, those of EGFR and LKB1 were in three patients, and those of KRAS and LKB1 were in four patients. The lower rates of LKB1, TP16, and KRAS somatic mutations in lung adenocarcinomas are characteristic of the Kujukuri cohort as compared to Caucasians.

Strongly (111) Oriented Metallization by Ion Plating Method

We have succeeded in the synthesis of strong Cu(111) textured films by means of the novel ion plating method(URT-IP). This URT-IP method combines the Cu deposition with the surface cleaning (self-cleaning). In the Cu film synthesis, the cations play a main role: the self-cleaning of underlying Cu seed and TaN barrier surfaces at the first stage of Cu deposition and the promotion of (111) texture. The two growth processes dependent on underlying materials cause the strong (111) orientation; the epitaxial growth on the same (111) oriented underlayer and the promotion of thermodynamically stable (111) texture on the amorphous underlayer. The in-situ Ar+ cleaning of underlayer surfaces by the URT-IP improves the (11) orientation to be much stronger. The URT-IP method is applied also to the synthesis of strong Pt(111) textured films with the same fcc system.

Drainage surgery followed by postoperative irrigation with gentian violet for prosthetic graft infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus

INTRODUCTION

Infection of a prosthetic graft is still associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Conventionally, this vascular complication is treated by excising the infected graft, although prosthetic graft preservation is possible in selected cases.

REPORT

We report the successful treatment of prosthetic graft infection caused by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in three patients, by performing drainage surgery with postoperative irrigation using gentian violet.

DISCUSSION

The combination of drainage surgery and irrigation with gentian violet solution provides an alternative option to graft excision for prosthetic graft infection.

Differences in the pharmacokinetics of Cyp3a substrates in TSOD and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice

The pharmacokinetics of drugs can change in diabetes mellitus and even among diabetics. They may differ between type I diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). As triazolam was administered orally to Tsumura, Suzuki, obese, diabetes (TSOD) mice and streptozotocin (STZ) mice, clearance per body (CL/F) in TSOD mice did not differ compared with Tsumura, Suzuki, non-obesity (TSNO) mice. In STZ mice, CL/F was greater than in control mice. Small intestinal cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 3a expression in TSOD mice was significantly lower than in TSNO mice. No significant difference existed in small intestinal Cyp3a expression between STZ mice and control mice. In insulin-treated mice, small intestinal Cyp3a expression was significantly lower than in control mice. These results suggested that the differences in changes in small intestinal Cyp3a expression between T1DM and T2DM may be due to differences in plasma insulin concentrations. This may be a factor in the difference in the drug pharmacokinetics between T2DM and T1DM patients.

Differential regulation of interleukin 17 and interferon gamma production in inflammatory bowel disease

BACKGROUND AND AIMS

Interleukin 17 (IL17) is now known to be involved in a number of chronic inflammatory disorders. However, the mechanisms regulating its production in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are still unclear.

METHODS

Endoscopic biopsies or surgical specimens were taken from inflamed and uninflamed colonic mucosa of 72 patients with IBD (38 with Crohn's disease and 34 with ulcerative colitis), and normal colon of 38 control subjects. IL17 and interferon gamma (IFNgamma) were detected by ELISA in the supernatants of biopsies cultured ex vivo, and anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated lamina propria mononuclear cells (LPMCs) incubated with IL12, IL23, IL1beta plus IL6, transforming growth factor beta1 (TGFbeta1), or anti-IL21 neutralising antibody. Intracellular flow cytometry was performed to analyse mucosal Th17 and Th1/Th17 cells.

RESULTS

IL17 production by organ culture biopsies was higher in IBD inflamed mucosa than IBD uninflamed mucosa and controls, and was equivalent in amount to IFNgamma. Anti-CD3/CD28-stimulated IBD LPMCs produced higher IL17 amounts compared to controls. The percentages of Th17 and Th1/Th17 cells were increased in patients with IBD. IL23 and IL1beta plus IL6 had no effect on IBD LPMC production of IL17; however, IL12 markedly increased IFNgamma production and decreased IL17 production. TGFbeta1 dose-dependently decreased IFNgamma, but had no significant inhibitory effect on IL17 production. Blocking IL21 significantly downregulated IL17 production.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support a role for IL12, TGFbeta and IL21 in modulating IL17/IFNgamma production in IBD. The abundant IL17 in inflamed IBD mucosa may help explain the relative lack of efficacy of anti-IFNgamma antibodies in clinical trials of Crohn's disease.