Ultrahigh vacuum and low-temperature cleaning of oxide surfaces using a low-concentration ozone beam

We present a novel method of delivering a low-concentration (<15%) ozone beam to an ultra-high vacuum environment for the purpose of cleaning and dosing experimental samples through oxidation processing. The system described is safe, low-cost, and practical and overcomes the limitations of ozone transport in the molecular flow environment of high or ultrahigh vacuum whilst circumventing the use of pure ozone gas which is potentially highly explosive. The effectiveness of this method in removing surface contamination is demonstrated through comparison of high-temperature annealing of a simple oxide (MgO) in ozone and oxygen environments as monitored using quadrupole mass spectroscopy and Auger electron spectroscopy. Additionally, we demonstrate the potential of ozone for obtaining clean complex oxide surfaces without the need for high-temperature annealing which may significantly alter surface structure.

Functional expression of recombinant human macrophage β-glucan receptor dectin-1 using baculovirus-silkworm expression system

Human macrophage dectin-1, a type II transmembrane β-glucan receptor, was expressed as a fusion protein with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag in a baculovirus-silkworm expression system and assayed for binding activity. Recombinant dectin-1 specifically bound to some β-glucans, and the neck domain and N-linked oligosaccharide chains of human dectin-1 did not affect the ligand binding activity and specificity of the receptor.

Neurotransmitters, psychotropic drugs and microglia: clinical implications for psychiatry

Psychiatric disorders have long and dominantly been regarded to be induced by disturbances of neuronal networks including synapses and neurotransmitters. Thus, the effects of psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics and antidepressants have been understood to modulate synaptic regulation via receptors and transporters of neurotransmitters such as dopamine and serotonin. Recently, microglia, immunological/inflammatory cells in the brain, have been indicated to have positive links to psychiatric disorders. Positron emission tomography (PET) imaging and postmortem studies have revealed microglial activation in the brain of neuropsychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression and autism. Animal models of neuropsychiatric disorders have revealed the underlying microglial pathologies. In addition, various psychotropic drugs have been suggested to have direct effects on microglia. Until now, the relationship between microglia, neurotransmitters and psychiatric disorders has not been well understood. Therefore, in this review, at first, we summarize recent findings of interaction between microglia and neurotransmitters such as dopamine, serotonin, norepinephrine, acetylcholine and glutamate. Next, we introduce up-to-date knowledge of the effects of psychotropic drugs such as antipsychotics, antidepressants and antiepileptics on microglial modulation. Finally, we propose the possibility that modulating microglia may be a key target in the treatment of various psychiatric disorders. Further investigations and clinical trials should be conducted to clarify this perspective, using animal in vivo studies and imaging studies with human subjects.

Significant variation of surface spin polarization through group IV atom (C, Si, Ge, Sn) adsorption on Fe3O4(100)

The adsorption of group IV atoms (C, Si, Ge, Sn) on the magnetite Fe3O4(100) surface is investigated by density functional theory calculations. All these atoms prefer to bond to the surface oxygen atom which has no tetrahedral Fe(A) neighbor. The spin-up surface states of clean Fe3O4(100) are completely removed and half-metallicity is recovered by C adsorption. The spin-up band gap of the C-adsorbed Fe3O4(100) surface is wider than that of the H-adsorbed one and closer to the value of bulk Fe3O4. For the adsorption of other group IV atoms, the adsorbate-substrate interaction decreases and the adsorbate-adsorbate interaction increases with the increase of atomic number Z. As a consequence, the spin polarization varies from -99.4% (C adsorption) to +44.2% (Sn adsorption) for the electronic states of the adsorbed atom integrated from -0.5 eV to the Fermi level. The ability to tune the surface spin polarization by the choice of adsorbate is of significance for magnetite-based spintronic devices.

A case of hemothorax following seat-belt injury with a bulla in the apex of the lung: a subtype of spontaneous hemopneumothorax

We experienced a case of a subtype of spontaneous hemopneumothorax caused by external forces associated with a seat-belt injury. A female aged 39 years sustained a minor collision with an oncoming car while she was driving. Although pneumothorax was not detected, hemothorax and bleeding from the area surrounding the subclavian artery were observed on contrast-enhanced chest computed tomography (CT). After confirming continuous bleeding into the thoracic cavity after superselective arterial embolization, we performed emergency open surgery. We found a bulla in the apex of the lung, and the thoracic stump of the bulla was considered the source of bleeding. In this case, the direct cause of hemothorax was considered to be the external force associated with the seat-belt injury. When a bulla in the apex of the lung and continuous bleeding are both observed on CT, spontaneous hemopneumothorax should be suspected, necessitating open chest surgery in cases where pneumothorax is not observed.

Retinoic acids up-regulate functional eosinophil-driving receptor CCR3

Eotaxins and their receptor CCR3 have a definitive role for tissue accumulation of eosinophils both under homeostatic and pathologic conditions. However, physiological stimuli that can up-regulate CCR3 in blood-derived human eosinophils have not been recognized. As a prior gene microarray study revealed up-regulation of CCR3 in eosinophils stimulated with retinoic acids (RAs), the expression of functional CCR3 was examined. We found that 9-cis RA and all-trans RA (ATRA) significantly induced surface CCR3 expression regardless of the presence of IL-3 or IL-5. Pharmacological manipulations with receptor-specific agonists and antagonists indicated that retinoic acid receptor-α activation is critical for CCR3 up-regulation. RA-induced CCR3 was associated with its functional capacity, in terms of the calcium mobilization and chemotactic response to eotaxin-1 (CCL11). Our study suggests an important role of vitamin A derivatives in the tissue accumulation of eosinophils.

Epidemiological survey of the hoof wall cavity ('Gidoh' in Japanese) in racehorses

In October 2001, a survey was conducted about cavities formed within the hoof wall (called GIDOH in Japanese) of racehorses at the Ritto and Miho Training Centres, which are managed by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Gidoh is defined as a progressive cavity within the deep layers between the stratum medium and stratum internum. A total of 148 out of 5386 surveyed horses (2.75 per cent) were affected. Out of 244 affected feet, fore hooves (84.02 per cent) were more susceptible than hind hooves, and the site most affected was midline dead centre of the toe (59.62 per cent) which tends to place extra stress at the break-over point in a straight-line exercise. Logistic regression analysis revealed that prevalence was significantly related with horse affiliation (OR 0.65, 95 per cent CI 0.46 to 0.91) and age (OR 1.43 per one year, 95 per cent CI 1.27 to 1.61). We hypothesised that the primary cause of Gidoh development in JRA stables was mechanical deformation of the hoof wall during exercise, and secondary exciting causes can subsequently lead to the spread of the lesion over the entire hoof wall.

Anatomical predictors of major adverse limb events after infrapopliteal angioplasty for patients with critical limb ischaemia due to pure isolated infrapopliteal lesions

OBJECTIVE

To identify anatomical factors associated with major adverse limb events (MALE) after angioplasty as the basis for a novel morphology-driven classification of infrapopliteal lesions.

DESIGN

Retrospective-multicenter study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Between March 2004 and October 2010, 1057 limbs from 884 patients with CLI due to isolated infrapopliteal lesions were studied. Freedom-from MALE, defined as major amputation or any reintervention, was assessed out to 2 years by the Kaplan-Meier methods. Anatomical predictors and risk stratification for MALE were analyzed by multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Freedom-from MALE was 47 ± 1% at 2 years. Lesion calcification, target vessel diameter<3.0 mm, lesion length>300 mm and no below-the-ankle (BA) run-off were positively associated with MALE by multivariate-analysis. The total number of risk factors was used to calculate the risk score for each limbs for subsequent categorization into 3 groups with 0 or 1 (low-risk), 2 (moderate-risk) and 3 or 4 (high-risk) factors. Freedom-from MALE at 2 year-rates was 59% in low-risk, 46% in moderate-risk, and 29% in high-risk, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Target vessel diameter <3.0 mm, lesion calcification, lesion length > 300 mm and no-BA run-off were associated with MALE after infrapopliteal angioplasty. Risk stratification based on these predictors allows estimation of future incidence of MALE in CLI with isolated infrapopliteal lesions.

Upregulation of Ugt1a genes in placentas and fetal livers in a murine model of assisted reproduction

Genes from Ugt1a family in placenta and fetal liver are responsible for hormone, nutrient and chemical balance during pregnancy. Assisted reproduction technologies (ART) i.e. intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) and in vitro fertilization (IVF) alter steroid homeostasis in pregnancy through increased glucuronidation. Here we show that ART (particularly ICSI) upregulates Ugt1a1, 1a2, 1a6 and 1a9 expression in murine placentas and fetal livers with higher mRNA related to lower progesterone (1a1) and cholesterol (1a2, 1a6) in placentas. Greater steroid clearance in ART through transcriptional upregulation of Ugt1a in the placental-fetal unit may decrease the availability of essential molecules, mediating negative reproductive outcomes.