Unpaired electron species in thin films of calf-thymus DNA molecules induced by nitrogen and oxygen K-shell photoabsorption

The mechanism of DNA modification induced by K-shell photoabsorption of nitrogen and oxygen atoms was investigated by electron paramagnetic resonance and x-ray absorption near edge structure measurements of calf thymus DNA. A g factor of 2.000 for the unpaired electron species, which only arises during irradiation, was measured. The EPR intensities for DNA zwere twofold times larger than those estimated based on the photoabsorption cross section. This suggests that the DNA film itself forms unpaired electron species through the excitation of enhanced electron recapturing, known as the postcollision interaction process.

Molecular identification of Fasciola spp. (Digenea: Platyhelminthes) in cattle from Vietnam

Fasciola spp. were collected from naturally infected cattle at a local abattoir of Khanh Hoa province, Vietnam, for morphological and genetic investigations. Microscopic examination detected no sperm cells in the seminal vesicles, suggesting a parthenogenetic reproduction of the flukes. Analyses of sequences from the first and second internal transcribed spacers (ITS1 and ITS2) of the ribosomal RNA revealed that 13 out of 16 isolates were of Fasciola gigantica type, whereas three isolates presented a hybrid sequence from F. gigantica and Fasciola hepatica. Interestingly, all the mitochondrial sequences (partial COI and NDI) were of F. gigantica type, suggesting that the maternal lineage of the hybrid form is from F. gigantica. No intra-sequence variation was detected.

Soft-x-ray harmonic comb from relativistic electron spikes

We demonstrate a new high-order harmonic generation mechanism reaching the "water window" spectral region in experiments with multiterawatt femtosecond lasers irradiating gas jets. A few hundred harmonic orders are resolved, giving μJ/sr pulses. Harmonics are collectively emitted by an oscillating electron spike formed at the joint of the boundaries of a cavity and bow wave created by a relativistically self-focusing laser in underdense plasma. The spike sharpness and stability are explained by catastrophe theory. The mechanism is corroborated by particle-in-cell simulations.

Search for differences in oscillation parameters for atmospheric neutrinos and antineutrinos at Super-Kamiokande

We present a search for differences in the oscillations of antineutrinos and neutrinos in the Super-Kamiokande-I, -II, and -III atmospheric neutrino sample. Under a two-flavor disappearance model with separate mixing parameters between neutrinos and antineutrinos, we find no evidence for a difference in oscillation parameters. Best-fit antineutrino mixing is found to be at (Δm2,sin2 2θ)=(2.0×10(-3)  eV2, 1.0) and is consistent with the overall Super-K measurement.

Correlation with larval body size of mRNA levels of growth hormone, growth hormone receptor I and insulin-like growth factor I in larval torafugu Takifugu rubripes

The full-length of insulin-like growth factor (IGF) complementary (c)DNAs encoded by igf-I and igf-II from torafugu pufferfish Takifugu rubripes were cloned in the present study. The deduced amino acid sequences of the two genes showed c. 80% identity each with those of Igf-I and Igf-II from other teleosts, respectively. Two growth hormone (GH) receptors, ghr1 and ghr2, were also cloned in silico using the T. rubripes Fugu genome database. The transcripts of T. rubripes igf-I were detected in slow muscle, heart, skin, gill, liver and intestine but not in fast muscle, spleen and testis of adult fish, whereas those of igf-II were found in all tissues examined. Subsequently, the accumulated messenger (m)RNA levels of igf-I and igf-II were investigated in an F(2) population derived from a male of an apparent fast-growing T. rubripes strain and a wild female T. rubripes together with those of other growth-related genes encoding Gh, Ghr1 and Ghr2, and with those of prolactin (Prl) and leptin (Lep) previously reported. The accumulated mRNA levels of igf-I, gh and ghr1 were significantly correlated to growth rate at larval stages in the population, but not for those of igf-II, prl, ghr2 and lep. Although it is unclear whether or not this phenotype is directly related to the heredity of the fast-growing strain, the findings suggest that the expression of igf-I, gh and ghr1 is involved in the regulation of growth rate at larval stages in T. rubripes.

Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumour: CT imaging

OBJECTIVES

Calcifying cystic odontogenic tumour (CCOT) is a rare disorder of the jaw. A comparison between conventional radiographs and CT images in CCOTs has not been reported. The purposes of this study were to analyse conventional radiographs and CT images of CCOTs, establish CT images of CCOTs and assess the utility of CT in the diagnosis of CCOTs.

METHODS

Nine patients with a histopathologically confirmed CCOT who had both conventional radiographs and CT images were enrolled.

RESULTS

CT was superior to conventional radiographs in detecting buccolingual expansion, odontomas and radio-opaque bodies.

CONCLUSION

The characteristic CT appearances of CCOT were that radio-opaque bodies were typically located in the periphery of the lesion and the shape of radio-opaque bodies was linear and/or spotted. CT was useful in diagnosing a CCOT.

Indication of electron neutrino appearance from an accelerator-produced off-axis muon neutrino beam

The T2K experiment observes indications of ν(μ) → ν(e) appearance in data accumulated with 1.43×10(20) protons on target. Six events pass all selection criteria at the far detector. In a three-flavor neutrino oscillation scenario with |Δm(23)(2)| = 2.4×10(-3)  eV(2), sin(2)2θ(23) = 1 and sin(2)2θ(13) = 0, the expected number of such events is 1.5±0.3(syst). Under this hypothesis, the probability to observe six or more candidate events is 7×10(-3), equivalent to 2.5σ significance. At 90% C.L., the data are consistent with 0.03(0.04) < sin(2)2θ(13) < 0.28(0.34) for δ(CP) = 0 and a normal (inverted) hierarchy.

Lymphangiogenesis associated with acute cellular rejection in rat liver transplantation

Lymphangiogenesis may be important for the cellular immune response in liver transplantation. In the present study, we examined lymphangiogenesis in liver allografts displaying acute cellular rejection (ACR), or long-term acceptance, or severe ACR plus antibody-mediated rejection (AMR). ACR and subsequent long-term graft acceptance developed in liver transplantations from DA to PVG rats without immunosuppression (mean survival time more than 90 days). Severe ACR and AMR developed in liver transplantations from DA to Lewis rats without immunosuppression (mean survival = 11 days). Normal DA donor livers before transplantation showed a small number of lymphatic vessels around portal veins. DA liver grafts in PVG showed ACR with lymphangiogenesis in portal areas and portal-portal bridging areas with cellular infiltration. Newly formed lymphatic vessels in ACR were characterized by proliferating endothelial cells with expression of the homeobox transcription factor PROX-1 and surrounded by discontinuous basement membranes. Thereafter, the infiltrates spontaneously disappeared, and the grafts survived more than 90 days. During the resolution of the cellular infiltration, expanded lymphatic vessels were packed with many lymphocytes. Thereafter, the number of lymphatic vessels decreased. In contrast, severe ACR and AMR in DA-to-Lewis transplantations showed lymphatic vessels disappeared with edema in the portal areas at day 11. In conclusion, lymphangiogenesis occurred during ACR. It may be involved in the resolution of ACR and reduction of inflammation. In severe ACR and AMR, lymphatic vessels were destroyed, which may be involved in persistent severe inflammation.

A FUNCTIONAL AND ANATOMICAL STUDY OF THE EXCRETION OF HEMOGLOBIN BY THE KIDNEY

1. The anatomical and functional findings in hemoglobin excretion are best explained by the assumption of a filtration of this substance through the glomerulus and an additional excretion of it by the tubule cells. 2. Absorption of water aids in the concentrating process, and is most marked in the collecting tubules.

Production of S-adenosyl-L-methionine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells carrying a gene for ethionine resistance

A gene for ethionine resistance isolated from the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae DKD-5D-H conferred on the yeast cells resistance to seleno-L-methionine and capability to produce S-adenosyl-L-methionine in the cells. An enzymatic study of the L-methionine synthetic pathway of L-methionine proto- and auxotrophs and in dried yeast cells with or without the gene suggested that the cloned gene for ethionine resistance is responsible for the activity of S-adenosyl-L-methionine synthase. To produce S-adenosyl-L-methionine by yeast cells transformed with the ethionine resistance gene, some culturing conditions were determined.

Enhancement of photon number reflected by the relativistic flying mirror

Laser light reflection by a relativistically moving electron density modulation (flying mirror) in a wake wave generated in a plasma by a high intensity laser pulse is investigated experimentally. A counterpropagating laser pulse is reflected and upshifted in frequency with a multiplication factor of 37-66, corresponding to the extreme ultraviolet wavelength. The demonstrated flying mirror reflectivity (from 3 x 10(-6) to 2 x 10(-5), and from 1.3 x 10(-4) to 0.6 x 10(-3), for the photon number and pulse energy, respectively) is close to the theoretical estimate for the parameters of the experiment.

Spin manipulation using the light-shift effect in rubidium atoms

Optical manipulation of spin coherence in rubidium atoms is studied. The effect of off-resonant and circularly polarized light on optically induced magnetization is investigated. The change in precession frequency caused by the light-shift effect is verified. Absorption-free phase control of spin precession and pure spin rotation about an arbitrary axis are demonstrated. A theory of precession frequency shift that includes the effect of absorption is considered by using the density matrix and the experimental results are in agreement with the predictions of the theory. Thus, we show that it is possible to carry out off-resonant control of spin coherence and all-optical manipulation of spins.

Electron optical injection with head-on and countercrossing colliding laser pulses

A high stability electron bunch is generated by laser wakefield acceleration with the help of a colliding laser pulse. The wakefield is generated by a laser pulse; the second laser pulse collides with the first pulse at 180 degrees and at 135 degrees realizing optical injection of an electron bunch. The electron bunch has high stability and high reproducibility compared with single pulse electron generation. In the case of 180 degrees collision, special measures have been taken to prevent damage. In the case of 135 degrees collision, since the second pulse is countercrossing, it cannot damage the laser system.

Wide-field-of-view phase-contrast imaging of nanostructures with a comparatively large polychromatic soft x-ray plasma source

Polychromatic soft x-ray plasma sources were not previously considered to be among the sources suitable for the propagation based phase contrast imaging because of their comparatively large emission-zone size. In the current work a scheme based on the combination of soft x-ray emission of multicharged ions, generated by the interaction of femtosecond laser pulses with an ultrasonic jet of gas clusters, and an LiF crystal detector was used to obtain phase-enhanced high-resolution images of micro- and nanoscale objects in a wide field of view.

Energy increase in multi-MeV ion acceleration in the interaction of a short pulse laser with a cluster-gas target

An approach for accelerating ions, with the use of a cluster-gas target and an ultrashort pulse laser of 150-mJ energy and 40-fs duration, is presented. Ions with energy 10-20 MeV per nucleon having a small divergence (full angle) of 3.4 degrees are generated in the forward direction, corresponding to approximately tenfold increase in the ion energies compared to previous experiments using solid targets. It is inferred from a particle-in-cell simulation that the high energy ions are generated at the rear side of the target due to the formation of a strong dipole vortex structure in subcritical density plasmas.

Association of genetic polymorphisms with interferon-induced haematologic adverse effects in chronic hepatitis C patients

Interferon (IFN)-based combination therapy with ribavirin has become the gold standard for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus infection. Haematologic toxicities, such as neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anaemia, however, frequently cause poor treatment tolerance, resulting in poor therapeutic efficacy. The aim of this study was to identify host genetic polymorphisms associated with the efficacy or haematologic toxicity of IFN-based combination therapy in chronic hepatitis C patients. We performed comprehensive single nucleotide polymorphism detection in all exonic regions of the 12 genes involved in the IFN signalling pathway in 32 healthy Japanese volunteers. Of 167 identified polymorphisms, 35 were genotyped and tested for an association with the efficacy or toxicity of IFN plus ribavirin therapy in 240 chronic hepatitis C patients. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that low viral load, viral genotypes 2 and 3, and a lower degree of liver fibrosis, but none of the genetic polymorphisms, were significantly associated with a sustained virologic response. In contrast to efficacy, multiple linear regression analyses demonstrated that two polymorphisms (IFNAR1 10848-A/G and STAT2 4757-G/T) were significantly associated with IFN-induced neutropenia (P = 0.013 and P = 0.011, respectively). Thrombocytopenia was associated with the IRF7 789-G/A (P = 0.031). In conclusion, genetic polymorphisms in IFN signalling pathway-related genes were associated with IFN-induced neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in chronic hepatitis C patients. In contrast to toxicity, the efficacy of IFN-based therapy was largely dependent on viral factors and degree of liver fibrosis.

Search for proton decay via p-->e+pi0 and p-->micro+pi0 in a large water Cherenkov detector

We have searched for proton decays via p-->e;{+}pi;{0} and p-->micro;{+}pi;{0} using data from a 91.7 kt.yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-I and a 49.2 kt.yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-II. No candidate events were observed with expected backgrounds induced by atmospheric neutrinos of 0.3 events for each decay mode. From these results, we set lower limits on the partial lifetime of 8.2 x 10;{33} and 6.6 x 10;{33} years at 90% confidence level for p-->e;{+}pi;{0} and p-->micro;{+}pi;{0} modes, respectively.

Submicrometer-resolution in situ imaging of the focus pattern of a soft x-ray laser by color center formation in LiF crystal

We demonstrate high quality, single-shot in situ imaging of the focused Ag x-ray laser (XRL) at 13.9 nm with 700 nm spatial resolution by color center formation in LiF. The flux and intensity for the color center formation in LiF are evaluated from the experimental data. Comparisons with previous reports show that the threshold x-ray flux for the color center formation in LiF for the 13.9 nm, 7 ps Ag XRL is 3 orders of magnitude less than that with the 46.9 nm, 2 ns capillary discharge Ar XRL.

Fencing artificial waterpoints failed to influence density and distribution of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus)

Provision of artificial waterpoints in Australian rangelands has resulted in an increase in the range and density of kangaroos. At high densities, kangaroos can inhibit vegetation regeneration, particularly in some protected areas where harvesting is prohibited. Fencing off waterpoints has been proposed to limit these impacts. Our aim was to determine whether fencing off waterpoints during a drought (when kangaroos would be especially water-limited) would influence the density and distribution of red kangaroos (Macropus rufus). Two waterpoints were fenced within the first 6 months of the 27-month study and a further two waterpoints were kept unfenced as controls in Idalia National Park, western Queensland. We estimated kangaroo densities around waterpoints from walked line-transect counts, and their grazing distribution from dung-pellet counts. Fencing off waterpoints failed to influence either the density or distribution up to 4 km from the waterpoints. Our results indicate that food availability, rather than the location of waterpoints, determines kangaroo distribution. Few areas in the rangelands are beyond kangaroos’ convenient reach from permanent waterpoints. Therefore, fencing off waterpoints without explicitly considering the spatial context in relation to other available water sources will fail to achieve vegetation regeneration.

Relationship between quantitative assessments of salivary buffering capacity and ion activity product for hydroxyapatite in relation to cariogenic potential

BACKGROUND

The ion activity product for hydroxyapatite (Ip(HA)) is a comprehensive parameter reflecting pH, calcium and phosphate ion concentration in saliva which govern the degree of saturation with respect to the dissolving tooth mineral. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between quantitative assessments of salivary buffering capacity and Ip(HA) in relation to cariogenic potential.

METHODS

Stimulated whole saliva was collected from 33 patients, and the initial pH of samples was measured using a hand-held pH meter. Then samples were titrated with 0.1 N HCl to evaluate buffering capacities and divided into three groups (high, medium and low). After measuring concentrations of calcium and phosphate ions in the samples, Ip(HA) was calculated using the values of the ion concentrations and pH. Differences in the mean pH values, the concentrations of calcium, phosphate ions and log[Ip(HA)] among three groups were analysed using the Kruskal Wallis and the Mann-Whitney non-parametric test, p < 0.05.

RESULTS

After HCl 50 microL titration, there were statistical differences of the mean pH and Ip(HA) among each buffering capacity group. Moreover, after 50 microL HCl titration, there was an excellent correlation between the buffer capacity and log[Ip(HA)].

CONCLUSIONS

The pH change for saliva after HCl titration has a significant influence on the rate of Ip(HA).

Nasolabial cyst in a patient with cleft lip and palate

Nasolabial cysts are rare non-odontogenic cysts that occur beneath the ala nasi, and debate about their complicated, unique pathogenesis continues. It is widely accepted that these lesions originate from the anlage of the nasolacrimal duct; however, some still think that nasolabial cysts arise from fissural cysts. The authors report a patient with a nasolabial cyst who also had a unilateral cleft lip and palate. This unusual finding may indicate a different origin for nasolabial cysts than what has been accepted in the past.

Sub-MeV tunably polarized X-ray production with laser Thomson backscattering

Reported in this article is the generation of unique polarized x-rays in the sub-MeV region by means of the Thomson backscattering of the Nd:YAG laser photon with a wavelength of 1064 nm on the 150 MeV electron from the microtron accelerator. The maximum energy of the x-ray photons is estimated to be about 400 keV. The total energy of the backscattered x-ray pulse is measured with an imaging plate and a LYSO scintillator. The angular divergence of the x-rays is also measured by using the imaging plate. We confirm that the x-ray beam is polarized according to the laser polarization direction with the Compton scattering method. In addition, we demonstrate the imaging of the object shielded by lead with the generated x-rays.