Effects of Static Stretching on the Blood Circulation of Human Tendon In Vivo

The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of 2- and 5 min of static stretching protocols on the changes in blood circulation of tendon (as well as muscle) and heart rate. Twelve healthy males (age: 26.2 ± 9.1 yrs) volunteered for this study. Before, during stretching, during the recovery period (30 min), blood circulation (oxyhemoglobin; oxy, deoxyhemoglobin; deoxy, blood volume; THb, oxygen saturation; StO2) of the Achilles tendon and medial gastrocnemius muscle were measured using red laser lights and near-infrared spectroscopy. In addition, heart rate was measured during the experimental period. For 2- and 5 min of static stretching, oxy, deoxy, THb, and StO2 of the tendon did not change during or after stretching. Regarding muscle blood circulation, oxy and StO2 decreased, and deoxy and THb increased during 2- and 5 min of static stretching but returned immediately upon completion. In addition, heart rate significantly reduced during and after stretching, whereas the changes in blood volume of tendon and muscle during stretching were not associated with those in heart rate (except for the relationship between tendon THb and heart rate in 2 min of static stretching). These results suggest that static stretching showed no change in tendon blood circulation, although muscle blood circulation during stretching was altered. In addition, significant heart rate reduction with static stretching was not associated with changes in tendon and muscle blood circulation.

Effects of acupuncture and acupressure of the acupoint compared to the tendon on the blood circulation of human tendon in vivo

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to compare the effects of acupuncture and acupressure of acupoints on tendon blood circulation with those of both types of stimulation of tendon itself.

METHODS

Before, during (except for acupressure), and after acupuncture and acupressure of the tendon and acupoint, blood circulation of the Achilles tendon was measured using red laser lights.

RESULTS

The blood volume of the treated and non-treated tendons increased after acupuncture of the tendon (effect of time p = 0.030), whereas that tended to increase after acupuncture of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.063). In addition, no significant difference in the increases in blood volume was found among the four conditions, i.e., after acupuncture stimulation of the tendon and acupoint for the treated and non-treated tendons (p = 0.492). The blood volume of the treated tendon significantly increased after acupressure of the tendon (effect of time p < 0.001), but not of the acupoint (effect of time p = 0.260), whereas that of the non-treated tendon did not change after acupressure of both the tendon and acupoint.

CONCLUSION

These results suggested that acupuncture of the tendon and acupoint acted centrally to enhance blood circulation of both the treated and non-treated tendons during the recovery period, whereas acupressure of the tendon locally increased blood circulation of the treated tendon only, but not the non-treated tendon and both the treated and non-treated tendons after acupressure of acupoint.

Effects of tendon elastic energy and electromyographic activity pattern on jumping height and pre-stretch augmentation during jumps with different pre-stretch intensity

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of tendon elastic energy and electromyographic activity patterns (ratio of pre-landing to concentric: mEMG PLA/CON; ratio of eccentric to concentric; mEMG ECC/CON) on jump performance. Twenty-nine males performed five kinds of unilateral jumps using only ankle joint (no-countermovement jump: noCMJ; countermovement jump: CMJ; drop jumps at 10, 20 and 30 cm drop height: DJ10, DJ20 and DJ30). Jumping height, pre-stretch augmentation and electromyographic activity of the plantar flexor muscles were measured. The elastic energy of the Achilles tendon was measured during isometric contractions. Relative tendon elastic energy (to body mass) was highly correlated with jumping heights of CMJ, DJ10 and DJ20 but not with noCMJ and DJ30, whereas that was significantly correlated with pre-stretch augmentation in CMJ, but not with three DJs. The mEMG PLA/CON was significantly correlated with the pre-stretch augmentation of DJ20 and DJ30, but not with DJ10, whereas the mEMG ECC/CON was significantly correlated with the pre-stretch augmentation of DJ20 and DJ30, but not with CMJ and DJ10. These results suggested that jumping exercises with low pre-stretch intensity benefited from tendon elastic energy, but those with high pre-stretch intensity benefited from electromyographic activity patterns.

Determinants of joint stiffness and jumping height during drop jump

The present study aimed to examine the effects of muscle-tendon mechanical properties and electromyographic activity on joint stiffness and jumping height and to explore the determinants of joint stiffness and jumping height. Twenty-nine males performed unilateral drop jumps at three drop heights (10, 20, and 30 cm) using only the ankle joint on the sledge apparatus. Ankle joint stiffness, jumping height, and electromyographic activity of the plantar flexor muscles were measured during drop jumps. Active muscle stiffness of the medial gastrocnemius muscle was calculated according to changes in the estimated muscle force and fascicle length during fast stretching at five different angular velocities (100, 200, 300, 500, and 600 deg s^-1 ) after submaximal isometric contractions. Tendon stiffness and elastic energy were measured during ramp and ballistic contractions. Active muscle stiffness was significantly correlated with joint stiffness, except for a few conditions. Tendon stiffness measured during ramp and ballistic contractions was not significantly correlated with joint stiffness. The ratios of electromyographic activity before landing and during the eccentric phase to that during the concentric phase were significantly correlated with joint stiffness. In addition, jumping heights at 10 and 20 cm (except for 30 cm) drop heights were strongly associated with the tendon elastic energy, whereas no other measured variables showed significant correlations with jumping heights. These results suggested that (1) joint stiffness is determined by active muscle stiffness and electromyographic activity patterns during jumping, and (2) jumping height is determined by tendon elastic energy.

Effect of relaxation time on hysteresis of human tendon in vivo

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of relaxation time on tendon hysteresis.

METHODS

Subjects exerted isometric plantar flexion torque from rest to maximal voluntary isometric contractions within around 0.5 s, followed by relaxation with six different times (0.3, 0.5, 0.7, 1, 3, and 5 s). During each trial, tendon elongation in the medial gastrocnemius muscle was measured by ultrasonography. The area within the exerted torque-tendon elongation loop, as a percentage of the area beneath the curve during ascending phase, was calculated as tendon hysteresis.

RESULTS

Between the 0.3 and 1 s relaxation time conditions, the hysteresis values were significantly greater for the shorter relaxation time conditions (except between the 0.5 and 0.7 s conditions). In contrast, no significant differences in tendon hysteresis were found between 1 and 5 s of relaxation time conditions. Furthermore, the relationship between relaxation time and tendon hysteresis showed a significantly negative correlation under 1 s or less of relaxation time, but no significant correlation was observed under conditions of 1 s or more.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that relaxation time greatly affects tendon hysteresis under condition that relaxation time was less than 1 s.

Changes in tendon blood circulation and heart rate variability after intermittent compression to patellar and Achilles tendons

BACKGROUND

The purpose of this study was to compare changes in tendon blood circulation and heart rate variability after intermittent compression to the patellar and Achilles tendons.

METHODS

Before the intermittent compression to tendons (3 min) and the recovery period (40 min), the blood volume and oxygen saturation of the patellar and Achilles tendons were measured using red laser lights. In addition, heart rate and ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability were measured.

FINDINGS

Blood volume and oxygen saturation of patellar and Achilles tendons significantly increased after intermittent compression stimulation (both p ≤ 0.001). There were no differences in increases of blood volume (p = 0.575) and oxygen saturation (p = 0.055) between patellar and Achilles tendons. For both tendons treatments, heart rate (p = 0.698) and ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability (p = 0.518) did not change during the experimental period. In addition, the change in blood volume for Achilles tendon was significantly correlated with that in heart rate but not ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability, whereas the change in blood volume for patellar tendon was not significantly correlated with that in the heart rate or ratio of low-frequency to high-frequency components of heart rate variability,.

INTERPRETATION

These results suggest that intermittent compression-induced changes in blood circulation were similar between patellar and Achilles tendons. In addition, the increase in blood volume after intermittent compression stimulation in the Achilles tendon would be related to the increased metabolism of the tendon.

Fucoxanthin Prevents Pancreatic Tumorigenesis in C57BL/6J Mice That Received Allogenic and Orthotopic Transplants of Cancer Cells

Fucoxanthin (Fx) is a marine carotenoid with anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties in various animal models of carcinogenesis. However, there is currently no information on the effects of Fx in animal models of pancreatic cancer. We investigated the chemopreventive effects of Fx in C57BL/6J mice that received allogenic and orthotopic transplantations of cancer cells (KMPC44) derived from a pancreatic cancer murine model (Ptf1aCre/+; LSL-krasG12D/+). Using microarray, immunofluorescence, western blot, and siRNA analyses, alterations in cancer-related genes and protein expression were evaluated in pancreatic tumors of Fx-administered mice. Fx administration prevented the adenocarcinoma (ADC) development of pancreatic and parietal peritoneum tissues in a pancreatic cancer murine model, but not the incidence of ADC. Gene and protein expressions showed that the suppression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 21 (CCL21)/chemokine receptor 7 (CCR7) axis, its downstream of Rho A, B- and T-lymphocyte attenuator (BTLA), N-cadherin, αSMA, pFAK(Tyr397), and pPaxillin(Tyr31) were significantly suppressed in the pancreatic tumors of mice treated with Fx. In addition, Ccr7 knockdown significantly attenuated the growth of KMPC44 cells. These results suggest that Fx is a promising candidate for pancreatic cancer chemoprevention that mediates the suppression of the CCL21/CCR7 axis, BTLA, tumor microenvironment, epithelial mesenchymal transition, and adhesion.

A New Treatment for Dialysis-Related Amyloidosis with β 2-Microglobulin Adsorbent Column

Dialysis-related amyloidosis (DRA) is characterized by the presence of β 2-microglobulin (β 2-m) in the plasma. In order to eliminate β 2-m from the circulating blood, the β 2-m selective adsorbent for direct hemoperfusion (DHP) was developed. A DHP column (BM-01), containing 350 ml of the adsorbent, was subjected to clinical trials. The column was connected with a PAN (AN69) membrane dialyzer in series and used 3 times a week for 1 week (11 patients), 4 weeks (5 patients), 6 months (1 patient) and 12 months (2 patients). The percent reduction (%) of β 2-m was for 16 patients (for 1 or 4 weeks), more than 65, and for 3 patients (for more than 6 months), 76.5 ± 4.9, 73.5 ± 5.7, 72.2 ± 6.2. At the end of each session, β 2-m plasma levels were found to be below 10 mg/L, with 3.4 mg/L being the lowest. The total amounts of β 2-m removed were 172.5 ± 22.3, 257.0 ± 75.6, 157.6 ± 32.2 and 429.8 mg/session at max. Two out of these three patients had a favorable effect on joint symptoms and ocular fundus. It can be concluded that this selective adsorption therapy may delay the progression of DRA, and is worth considering for wide application.

Denervation-Associated Change in the Palatinus and Levator Veli Palatini Muscles of Dogs with Elongated Soft Palate

Muscle lesions and decreased numbers of peripheral nerve branches have been reported in the soft palates of dogs presenting with brachycephalic airway obstruction syndrome (BAOS). Myosin adenosine triphosphatase staining was employed to investigate whether muscle lesions in the elongated soft palate (ESP) of dogs with BAOS reflect the presence of denervation. Soft palates were collected from nine brachycephalic dogs during surgical intervention for BAOS and from five healthy beagle dogs as controls. In the control soft palates, myofibres with relatively uniform diameters and a random mosaic pattern of type I and II myofibres were observed in the palatinus muscle (PM), while almost all of the myofibres in the levator veli palatini muscle (LVPM) were of type II. In the ESPs, small group atrophy, large group atrophy and angular-shaped atrophy were observed in myofibres of the PM and rarely in the LVPM. Fibre type grouping and an increase in type IIC myofibres were found only in the PM. Morphometric analysis of ESPs revealed a significant increase in the number of type I and II myofibres in the PM showing atrophy or hypertrophy compared with controls. A significant increase in atrophic type II myofibres was found in the LVPM of affected dogs. Myopathy consistent with denervation was observed in the PM, but rarely in the LVPM, of ESP specimens. The results suggest that the myopathy seen in dogs with ESP may partly reflect atrophy of myofibres resulting from damage to peripheral nerve branches, with subsequent reinnervation of myofibres.

[Posterior mediastinal hemangioma with extramedullary haematopoieisis]

We report a very rare coexistence of posterior mediastinal hemangioma with extramedullary haematopoieisis. A 69-year-old woman was detected to have an abnormal mass on the chest radiograph during a routine medical examination. No disorders were found by hematologic exams before and after surgery. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a well circumscribed posterior mediastinal tumor measured 32×11 mm in diameter, located on paravertebral space. The most likely diagnosis was a benign neurogenic tumor and we were planning to remove this tumor by video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) via a right transthoracic approach. Thoracoscopic finding revealed that this tumor was brownish and soft, such as hemangioma. Initially, incisional biopsy was done to obtain definitive diagnosis. Since intraoperative microscopic examination of the biopsy specimen revealed extramedullary haematopoieisis, we obtained another larger samples and finished the operation. Interestingly, the postoperative final histological diagnosis was mediastinal hemangioma with extramedullary haematopoieis.

Transmission of cytomegalovirus via breast milk in extremely premature infants

OBJECTIVE

We prospectively evaluated the rate of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) transmission through breast milk in extremely premature infants to address the impact of CMV infection on preterm infants during lactation.

STUDY DESIGN

A total of 25 mothers and 27 infants (two sets of twins) with birth weights <1000 g and/or gestational ages <28 weeks were enrolled in the study. They were mostly fed frozen-thawed breast milk. Breast milk, serum and urine samples were collected every 2 weeks and screened for CMV infection using the real-time polymerase chain reaction.

RESULT

All of the 21 CMV-seropositive mothers had detectable CMV DNA in their breast milk, with a peak at 4 to 6 weeks postpartum. CMV infection was confirmed in only one infant (4.3%) who displayed almost no clinical symptoms.

CONCLUSION

At our institutes, we mainly use frozen-thawed breast milk. We found low CMV transmission rates even in extremely premature infants, and the CMV-positive infant did not develop serious symptoms.

S-1 and intraperitoneal and intravenous paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy for gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology

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Background: The prognosis of gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology is dismal. Standard treatments for these patients have not been established. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the safety and response of the regimen.

Methods: Patients who were diagnosed with advanced gastric cancer between 2007 and 2010 underwent staging laparoscopy and received intraperitoneal paclitaxel when peritoneal cytology were positive and sequential systemic chemotherapy, S-1 combined with intravenous paclitaxel within 14 days after staging laparoscopy. Paclitaxel was administered intraperitoneally at 80 mg/m2. S-1 was administered at 80 mg/m2/day for 14 consecutive days, followed by 7 days rest. Paclitaxel was administered intravenously at 50 mg/m2 on day 1 and day 8. After 2 courses of S-1 combined with paclitaxel were administered, clinical response was assessed by gastroendoscopy and computed tomography. Additional 2 or 3 courses were administered unless progression of disease was proved. Patients who achieved complete response (CR) or partial response (PR) and patients with stable disease (SD) underwent second-look laparoscopy following gastrectomy when peritoneal cytology turned negative.

Results: 8 (7 male, 1 female) patients were enrolled: median age was 64 years (range 40-75). Of 8 patients, 1 patient achieved CR, and 5 PR. 2 patients showed progressive disease (PD). Grade 3 neutropenia occurred in 1 patient. 6 patients underwent second-look laparoscopy and peritoneal cytology turned negative in all 6 patients. Total or distal gastrectomy with lymphnode dissection was performed consecutively in 3 or 3 patients, respectively. Median follow-up duration was 775 days (range 187-1,028). No recurrence has not been observed, while the 1-year and 2-year survival rates of 14 patients with peritoneal cytology positive gastric cancer who have not received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were 58.3% and 33.3%, respectively.

Conclusions: S-1, intraperitoneal and intravenous paclitaxel as neoadjuvant chemotherapy seems to be a effective strategy against gastric cancer with positive peritoneal cytology.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Impact of Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy after Gastrectomy with Positive Cytological Findings in Peritoneal Washings

<i>Background:</i> There is no standard treatment available for gastric cancer patients whose sole ‘non-curative factor’ is positivecytological findings in peritoneal washings (CFPW). The aim of this study was to examine the safety, pharmacokinetics and efficacy for free intraperitoneal cancer cells of intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel after gastrectomy with en bloc D2 lymph node dissection in cases of gastric cancer with positive CFPW. <i>Methods:</i> Ten patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy and systemic lymphadenectomy with D2 dissection, without any other non-curative factors besides positive CFPW, were treated with early postoperative intraperitoneal paclitaxel. Intra-chemotherapeutic toxicity and operative complications were measured using NCI-CTC version 3.0. Intraperitoneal and plasma paclitaxel concentrations were measured using a high-performance liquid chromatographic assay. <i>Results:</i> Grade 3/4 toxic effects included anemia (20%) and neutropenia (10%) that required no treatment. Operative complications were, for example, superficial surgical site infections (10%) that were treated with antibiotics. No viable cancer cells were observed in the intra-abdominal fluid 24 h after intraperitoneal administration of paclitaxel. The intraperitoneal/plasma area under the drug concentration-time curve ratio was 2,003.3:1. <i>Conclusion:</i> Intraperitoneal chemotherapy with paclitaxel is a safe and effective treatment modality for free intraperitoneal cancer cells.

Dietary Supplementation with Fructooligosaccharides Attenuates Airway Inflammation Related to House Dust Mite Allergen in Mice

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are prebiotic supplements that can enhance immunological responses in the host to activate mucosal immunity, probably through regulation of gastrointestinal microflora. An area that has not been investigated, however, is the therapeutic potential of prebiotics on allergic airway diseases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of dietary supplementation with FOS on a murine model of airway inflammation induced by the house dust mite allergen Dermatophagoides farinae (Der f). Male C3H/HeN mice were intratracheally administered with Der f and were fed a diet containing 0% or 2.5% FOS ad libitum. Supplementation with FOS alleviated mite allergen-related airway inflammation characterized by eosinophilic inflammation and goblet cell hyperplasia, which was evidenced by cytological and histological examinations. In addition, the FOS-supplemented diet reduced the serum allergen-specific IgG1 level as compared with a control diet in the presence of the mite allergen. Moreover, FOS tended to suppress the expression of IL-5 and eotaxin in the lungs, which is enhanced by mite allergen. These results suggest that dietary supplementation with FOS can prevent/improve airway inflammation induced by the mite allergen. This effect can be at least partially associated with the inhibition of allergen-specific Ig production and probably with that of IL-5 and eotaxin expression.

The effects of microbial materials adhered to Asian sand dust on allergic lung inflammation

Asian sand dust (ASD) containing microbiological materials, sulfate (SO(4)(2)), and nitrate (NO(3)(-) ) derived from air pollutants in East China, reportedly cause adverse respiratory health effects. ASD aggravates ovalbumin (OVA)-associated experimental lung eosinophilia. In this study, the toxic materials adsorbed onto ASD were excluded by heat treatment at 360 degrees C for 30 min. The effects of nonheated ASD or heated ASD (H-ASD) toward the allergic lung inflammation were compared in murine lungs. ICR mice were administered intratracheally with normal saline (control), H-ASD, ASD, OVA, OVA + H-ASD, and OVA + ASD, four times at 2-week intervals. ASD only increased neutrophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALFs) along with pro-inflammatory mediators, such as keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC). H-ASD and ASD enhanced eosinophil recruitment induced by OVA in the alveoli and in the submucosa of the airway, which has a goblet cell proliferation in the bronchial epithelium. The two ASDs synergistically increased interleukin-5 (IL-5), monocyte chemotactic protein-3 (MCP-3), and eotaxin, which were associated with OVA, in BALF. The enhancing effects were much greater in ASD than in H-ASD. The two ASDs induced the adjuvant effects to specific IgE and IgG1 production by OVA. In the in vitro study using RAW264.7 cells, ASD increased the expression of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR 2) mRNA but not TLR4 mRNA. H-ASD caused no expression of either TLR mRNA. These results suggest that the aggravated lung eosinophilia by ASD may be due to activation of Th2-associated immune response via the activation of TLR2 by microbial components adhered to ASD.

Cacao Liquor Proanthocyanidins Inhibit Lung Injury Induced by Diesel Exhaust Particles

Epidemiological and experimental studies have suggested that diesel exhaust particles (DEPs), which generate reactive oxygen species, may be involved in the recent increase in the prevalence of lung diseases. Cacao liquor proanthocyanidins (CPs) are naturally occurring polyphenols with antioxidative activities. We carried out a study in mice to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of CPs on lung injury induced by intratracheal administration of DEPs (500 μg/body). Dietary supplementation with 1.0% CPs inhibited DEP-induced lung injury, characterized by neutrophil sequestration and edema. Immunohistochemical analyses showed that CPs prevented enhanced expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 caused by DEPs in the lung injury. Numerous adducts of nitrotyrosine, N-(hexanonyl) lysine, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, and 8-OHdG were also observed immunohistochemically in the lungs of mice treated with DEPs. However, these indicators of oxidative stress were barely visible in mice pretreated with CP supplementation. In addition, the level of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances in the lung was decreased by CP supplementation in the presence of DEPs. These results suggest that CPs inhibit DEP-induced lung injury by reducing oxidative stress, in association with a reduction in the expression of adhesion molecules.

Isolation and analysis of bacteria associated with spores of Gigaspora margarita

AIMS

The aim of this work was to observe bacteria associated with the spores of Gigaspora margarita, an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF).

METHODS AND RESULTS

First, a direct analysis of DNA from sterilized spores indicated the bacteria belonging to the genus Janthinobacterium. In the second assay, two bacterial strains were isolated by osmosis from protoplasts, which were derived from spores by using two particular enzymes: lysing enzymes and yatalase. After isolation, cultivation and identification by their DNA as performed in the first experiment, the species with the closest relation were Janthinobacterium lividum (KCIGM01) and Paenibacillus polymyxa (KCIGM04) isolated with lysing enzymes and yatalase respectively. Morphologically, J. lividum was Gram negative and oval, while P. polymyxa was also oval, but Gram positive. Both strains had antagonistic effects to the pathogenic fungi Rosellimia necatrix, Pythium ultimum, Fusarium oxysporum and Rhizoctonia solani. In particular, J. lividum was much stronger in this role. However, in phosphorus (P) solubilization P. polymyxa functioned better than J. lividum.

CONCLUSIONS

This experiment had revealed two new bacteria species (P. polymyxa and J. lividum), associated with AMF spores, which functioned to suppress diseases and to solubilize P.

SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY

AMF spores could be a useful source for bacterial antagonists to soil-borne diseases and P solubilization.

Immunolocalisation of crustacean-SIFamide in the median brain and eyestalk neuropils of the marbled crayfish

Crustacean-SIFamide (GYRKPPFNGSIFamide) is a novel neuropeptide that was recently isolated from crayfish nervous tissue. We mapped the localisation of this peptide in the median brain and eyestalk neuropils of the marbled crayfish (Marmorkrebs), a parthenogenetic crustacean. Our experiments showed that crustacean-SIFamide is strongly expressed in all major compartments of the crayfish brain, including all three optic neuropils, the lateral protocerebrum with the hemiellipsoid body, and the medial protocerebrum with the central complex. These findings imply a role of this peptide in visual processing already at the level of the lamina but also at the level of the deeper relay stations. Immunolabelling is particularly strong in the accessory lobes and the deutocerebral olfactory lobes that receive a chemosensory input from the first antennae. Most cells of the olfactory globular tract, a projection neuron pathway that links deuto- and protocerebrum, are labelled. This pathway plays a central role in conveying tactile and olfactory stimuli to the lateral protocerebrum, where this input converges with optic information. Weak labelling is also present in the tritocerebrum that is associated with the mechanosensory second antennae. Taken together, we suggest an important role of crustacean-SIFamidergic neurons in processing high-order, multimodal input in the crayfish brain.

Band-Gap Engineering of Metal Oxides for Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells

Mixed oxides Ti(1-x)Zr(x)O2 with 0 < x < or = 0.2 were synthesized by means of thermal hydrolysis for use in dye-sensitized solar cells. The lattice parameter d is observed to increase linearly with Zr content x. The band gap of the mixed oxides was measured to increase by up to 0.2 eV. The respective shift of the conduction band edge leads to an increase of the open circuit voltage (V(OC)) by up to 0.1 V. Among others, temperature-dependent measurements of V(OC) clearly identify the correlation between band edge shift and change in V(OC).

Up-conversion fluorescence: noncoherent excitation by sunlight

We demonstrate up-conversion of noncoherent sunlight realized by ultralow excitation intensity. The bimolecular up-conversion process in our systems relies on the presence of a metastable triplet excited state, and thus has dramatically different photophysical characteristics relative to the other known methods for photon up-conversion (two-photon absorption, parametric processes, second harmonic generation, sequential multiphoton absorption, etc.).

[Surgical treatment for adrenal metastasis from lung cancer]

Several long-term survivors after surgical resection for a solitary adrenal metastasis from non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have been reported in case reports and case series with a small number of patients. We have experienced 6 cases of patients who had adrenalectomy (ADR) for a metastasis from NSCLC. The median survival time (MST) after ADR was 24 months, and there was only 1 case of 3-year survivor. To elucidate the surgical indication and the prognostic factors of patients with a solitary adrenal metastasis from NSCLC, we analyzed 104 patients including our 6 patients who had ADR for a metastasis from NSCLC. The MST after ADR and 5-year survival were 24 months and 31%, respectively. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that lymph node metastasis at the surgery for primary lung cancer was the only significant and independent predictor of poor survival in patients after ADR. The results suggest that aggressive surgical treatment of a solitary adrenal metastasis from NSCLC may be effective when a patient have N0 disease.

Diffusion Properties of Dye Molecules in Nanoporous TiO2 Networks

The adsorption of ruthenium-dye molecules out of ethanol solution onto TiO2 particles of nanoporous TiO2 films was used to study the molecules' diffusion through these layers by means of optical absorption spectrometry. Dependent on pore size, porosity, and particle size, effective diffusion constants as low as D(eff) = 4 x 10(-9) cm2/s were deduced from the uptake curves by applying a simple model for combined diffusion and adsorption. These diffusion constants for diffusion through the nanoporous network are up to 3 orders of magnitude lower than in bulk ethanol and are discussed with respect to the properties of the nanoporous material.

Gold-nanoparticle-assisted oligonucleotide immobilisation for improved DNA detection

Colloidal gold nanoparticles are investigated as a potential scaffold for the assisted immobilisation of probe oligonucleotides on silicon surfaces. A preliminary study is devoted to the examination of the immobilisation of DNA-modified gold nanoparticles as a function of time, concentration, salt and pH. The DNA-modified nanoparticles self-assembled onto solid surfaces in a three-dimensional self-assembled architecture. The functionalised surfaces are evaluated in diagnostic assays, where their potential to improve the efficiency of the hybridisation reaction is tested. The system utilising DNA-modified nanoparticles produced an enhancement in the hybridisation efficiency and the sensitivity limit by a factor 10 to 100 as compared to a conventional DNA immobilisation system on a planar surface.

Effects of a novel antihyperlipidemic agent, S-2E, on the blood lipid abnormalities in homozygous WHHL rabbits

To improve mixed hyperlipidemia in the low-density lipoprotein (LDL) receptor-deficient state, suppression of very-low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) particle production may be an important approach. We previously reported that S-2E, (+)-(S)-p-[1-(p-tert-butylphenyl)-2-oxo-4-pyrrolidinyl] methoxybenzoic acid, suppressed VLDL particle production by inhibiting the biosynthesis of both sterol and fatty acids in the liver. We therefore examined whether S-2E lowered the blood cholesterol and triglyceride (TG) levels simultaneously in homozygous Watanabe heritable hyperlipidemic (WHHL) rabbits, which correspond to human familial hypercholesterolemia. S-2E given orally at doses of 30 to 300 mg/kg significantly lowered serum total cholesterol (TC) levels at 1 week as well as TG at 2 weeks, and the lowering of TC and TG levels by S-2E reached a maximum at 3 to 4 weeks. In contrast, oral administration of pravastatin at doses of 10 to 100 mg/kg resulted in a significant suppression of TC levels (100 mg/kg) but not TG levels. Further analysis of the TC content in fractionated serum of control and S-2E-treated animals showed that suppression of TC level by S-2E is attributable to a decrease in the proportions of VLDL, intermediate-density lipoprotein (IDL), and LDL. It is, therefore, reasonable to assume that S-2E may be useful to improve the blood lipid abnormalities in the LDL receptor-deficient state.

Diffusion-limited transport of I[sub 3][sup −] through nanoporous TiO[sub 2]-polymer gel networks

Tri-iodide transport in a polymer gel electrolyte embedded in nanoporous TiO(2) networks and its diffusion limits are investigated by means of current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of simple Pt-gel-Pt sandwich devices with a thin porous TiO(2) layer sintered directly onto one of the Pt electrodes. At voltages between 0.2 and 0.7 V, the I-V curves of such devices show the typical plateau of diffusion-limited redox reactions, in this case I(-)/I(3) (-), at the platinum electrodes. From the dependence of the limiting current density on layer thickness, the diffusion constants D(bulk) and D(p,eff) of tri-iodide in the bulk polymer gel and through a polymer gel penetrated TiO(2) network, respectively, have been found to be D(bulk)=3.2(+/-0.2)x10(-6) cm(2)/s and D(p,eff)=1.5(+/-0.1)x10(-6) cm(2)/s. Temperature-dependent measurements show diffusion in the gel to be activated by about 0.16 eV. The results are discussed in comparison to diffusion in liquid electrolytes as well as with respect to the implications for dye-sensitized solar cell devices.

Analysis of electrotonic coupling in patterned neuronal networks

Microcontact printing of laminin is known as an efficient approach for guiding neuronal cell migration and neurite outgrowth on artificial surfaces. In the present study, ultrathin (approximately 250 microm) brain stem slices of Sprague-Dawley rats (E15-E18) were cultured on laminin-patterned substrates, such that neuronal cells migrating out of the slices formed grid-shaped neuronal networks along the geometry defined by the pattern. The interconnections between neighbouring pairs of neurons within these artificial networks were assessed electrophysiologically by double patch-clamp recordings and optically by microinjection of fluorescent dyes. Both functional and electrotonic synapses were detected. Based on the recorded data and simulations in PSpice, an electrical model for electrotonically coupled cells was derived. In this model the neuritic pathway is described as a cylindric cable, and gap junctions are represented by an ohmic resistor. Applying this model in the data analysis, the average inner radius of neurites could be determined to be approximately 0.1 microm. In addition, evidence was found for a correlation between the path-width of the applied pattern and the diameter of neurites growing along these paths.

A single and novel natriuretic peptide is expressed in the heart and brain of the most primitive vertebrate, the hagfish (Eptatretus burgeri)

In teleost fish and tetrapods, the natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of ANP (atrial natriuretic peptide), BNP (brain natriuretic peptide) and VNP (ventricular natriuretic peptide) that are secreted from the heart, and C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP) that is found in the brain. However, CNP is the only NP identified in the heart and brain of elasmobranchs, suggesting that it is the ancestral type of the NP family and that ANP, BNP and VNP appeared later in the vertebrate phylogeny. To delineate more clearly the molecular evolution of this hormone family, we determined the sequence of NP molecule(s) in evolutionarily the oldest vertebrate group, the cyclostomes. We have cloned a novel NP cDNA from the heart and brain of hagfish, Eptatretus burgeri, using the RACE method and degenerate primers that amplify all known types of NP cDNAs. The novel NP, named EbuNP after the scientific name of this hagfish, appears to be the only NP in the heart and brain, as no other NP cDNAs were amplified even after specific removal of the cloned EbuNP mRNA from the mRNA pool, except for a minor alternatively spliced EbuNP cDNA with a truncated 3'-untranslated sequence. The EbuNP was equally similar to known NPs but was not considered to be a CNP because of the presence of a C-terminal tail sequence. The EbuNP gene was abundantly expressed in the cardiac atrium, ventricle, portal heart and brain but scarcely in the intestine; no expression was observed in the gill and kidney. Mass spectrometry of affinity-purified EbuNP in plasma, heart and brain revealed a 68 amino acid peptide circulating in the blood and stored in the heart, which is cleaved at the typical cleavage signal of a processing enzyme, furin, as observed in mammalian BNP. The C-terminal Gly residue was used for amidation as is the case in eel ANP. The immunoreactive EbuNP was not detected in the brain, suggesting the presence of a different processing form in the brain. These results show that the molecular evolution of the NP family in vertebrates is more complex than previously thought.

Varicella exposure in a neonatal medical centre: successful prophylaxis with oral acyclovir

In December 2000, a female infant hospitalized in our Neonatal Care Centre was infected with varicella by her mother. Although prophylactic intravenous acyclovir was administered at a dose of 15 mg/kg daily, she later developed varicella during her hospital stay. We therefore initiated control procedures to prevent further hospital-acquired infections. Oral acyclovir (40 mg/kg daily divided into four doses) was administered prophylactically to six preterm infants in contact with the varicella patient. None of six preterm infants subsequently developed clinical varicella or had any adverse effects associated with acyclovir administration. It is suggested that prophylactic administration of oral acyclovir (40 mg/kg daily) might prevent hospital-acquired varicella-zoster virus (VZV) infections, and that oral acyclovir may be an option for VZV prophylaxis in situations where VZV immunoglobulin is not available.

Identification of a tachykinin-related neuropeptide from the honeybee brain using direct MALDI-TOF MS and its gene expression in worker, queen and drone heads

Using a combination of MALDI-TOF and on-line capillary HPLC/Q-Tof mass spectroscopy, we identified and determined the amino acid sequence of a novel neuropeptide in the brain of the honeybee Apis mellifera L., termed AmTRP peptide (Apis mellifera tachykinin-related peptide), related to insect tachykinin. A cDNA for a prepro-protein (prepro-AmTRP) of AmTRP was isolated and determined to encode seven AmTRPs 1-7. Northern blot analysis indicated that the prepro-AmTRP gene is expressed differentially in the nurse bee, forager, queen and drone heads. Strong expression was detected in the queen and forager heads, while weak and almost no significant expression was detected in the nurse and drone heads, respectively. These results suggest that AmTRP peptide functions as a neuromodulator and/or hormone, associated with sex-specific or age/division of labour-selective behaviour and/or physiology of the honeybees.

"Thresholdless" hysteresis-free switching as an apparent phenomenon of surface stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystal cells

The thresholdless, hysteresis-free V-shape electro-optical switching in surface-stabilized ferroelectric liquid crystals, observed usually with a triangular voltage form, has been shown to be rather an apparent and not a real effect. Strictly speaking, it is observed only at one characteristic frequency f(i) and is accompanied by an inversion of the electro-optical hysteresis direction from the normal to the abnormal one. The switching of the director in a liquid crystal layer at f(i), in reality, has a threshold and a normal hysteresis. Even the optical transmittance shows a hysteresis at f(i) when it is plotted as a function of the voltage on the liquid crystal layer and not as a function of the total voltage on the liquid crystal cell which always includes the inner insulating layers. Due to these layers, a voltage divider is formed which includes the capacitance of the insulating layers and the dynamic impedance (capacitance and resistance) of the ferroelectric liquid crystal layer. The new explanation has been confirmed by experiments with different ferroelectric liquid crystal cells combined with external resistors and capacitors and by measurements of a strong dependence of f(i) on the liquid crystal resistance which was varied over three orders of magnitude. A theoretical analysis of the problem has also been made using certain approximations for material parameters and the space dependence of the sine form of the electric field in the liquid crystal layer. The conclusions are qualitatively consistent with the experimental results. Finally, the dynamic problem has been solved numerically by taking into account of all the relevant parameters (in the absence of flow and irregularities in the cell plane) and the obtained results are in excellent correspondence with the experiment. This has been demonstrated for sets of material and cell parameters providing the best V-shape performance.

Modulation of fish phagocytic cells by N-terminal peptides of proopiomelanocortin (NPP)

N-terminal peptide of proopiomelanocortin (NPP, or pro-gamma-MSH) has shown to exhibit biological activity such as stimulation of adrenal mitogenesis and prolactin release-inhibiting factor activity. Structurally, studies reveal a significant difference between fish NPP from that of tetrapods, as NPPs from carp and salmonid lack gamma-MSH. Thus, fish NPP may exhibit functions different from that of mammals. The activation of phagocytic cells by NPP was analysed using rainbow trout Oncorhynchus mykiss and carp Cyprinus carpio. Rainbow trout and carp macrophages incubated with chum salmon NPP significantly enhanced the production of superoxide anion in comparison with control macrophages (without hormones). Both rainbow trout and carp macrophages had shown increased phagocytosis when stimulated administered with NPP. The above results were complemented by in vivo studies where NPP was administered to rainbow trout and carp. NPP significantly increased superoxide anion production as well as phagocytosis in macrophages. These results show that NPP in lower vertebrates activates the function of the phagocytic cells.

Resistance of primary cultured mouse hepatic tumor cells to cellular senescence despite expression of p16(Ink4a), p19(Arf), p53, and p21(Waf1/Cip1)

Primary cultured mouse hepatic cells become senescent within a short period, although rare cells form colonies from which continuously proliferating cell lines can be established. In contrast, hepatic tumor (HT) cells show little senescence and higher colony-forming capacity. To assess this difference, we investigated p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)/p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression in primary normal and HT cells, together with cell lines established from both. In primary normal cells, p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) were expressed only in association with senescence and disappeared at later stages of colony formation. In contrast, primary HT cells showed sustained p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) expression from the beginning. No p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) alterations, such as deletion, mutations, or hypermethylation, were detected in the primary HT cells, although most cell lines derived from either normal or HT cell colonies lost p16(Ink4a) or p19(Arf) expression owing to hypermethylation or homozygous deletion of p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf). On the other hand, primary normal and HT cells and most cell lines showed constitutively elevated expression of p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1), with a further increment after ultraviolet ir-radiation, indicating a functionally normal p53 pathway. These results indicate that primary HT cells are resistant to senescence despite retaining p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf)/p53/p21(Waf1/Cip1) expression and that loss of p16(Ink4a)/p19(Arf) function is associated only with establishment of the cell lines.

IsCT, a novel cytotoxic linear peptide from scorpion Opisthacanthus madagascariensis

A novel cytotoxic linear peptide, IsCT, was characterized from scorpion Opisthacanthus madagascariensis. It is a linear peptide with a molecular weight of 1501.9 Da composed of 13 amino acid residues without cysteines. MS/MS analysis showed that its C-terminal is amidated. The identity of IsCT is re-confirmed by comparing the chemical synthesized peptide with the natural one. IsCT demonstrated antimicrobial activity against both gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria and hemolytic activity to sheep red blood cells. Also, it can release histamine from rat peritoneal mast cells. The CD absorption suggested that IsCT had an alpha-helix configuration in aqueous TFE. IsCT is one of the shortest natural cytotoxic peptides described, and it will be a suitable model for studying peptide-lipid interactions.

Lower percentage of CD56+ cells associated with long working hours

In a study of 142 Japanese men from a cross-section of the workforce of a technology development company, we found that the percentage of CD56+ cells was inversely correlated with the number of hours worked per week. A low CD56+ cell percentage was associated with longer weekly working hours and shorter daily sleeping hours.

Daily cocoa intake reduces the susceptibility of low-density lipoprotein to oxidation as demonstrated in healthy human volunteers

Nine male volunteers were given 36 g of cocoa powder (containing 2610 mg of polyphenols) per day with sugar and 6 volunteers received an equivalent amount of sugar for 2 weeks. Conjugated diene production in LDL induced by 2-2' azobis(4-methoxy-2,4-dimethylvaleronitrile) (V-70) and copper ion were evaluated. The lag time was significantly prolonged at 1 and 2 weeks in V-70 and at 2 weeks in copper ion after cocoa powder consumption. The level of excretion of epicatechin in urine was significantly higher in the cocoa group than that in the control group. In conclusion, the antioxidants in cocoa powder might be absorbed and increase the resistance of human LDL to oxidation.

Platelet-activating factor-induced intracellular calcium waves in human uterine myometrial cells

OBJECTIVE

We visualized and investigated the intracellular calcium waves propagated by platelet-activating factor (PAF) in cultured human myometrial cells.

STUDY DESIGN

Myometrial cells were stimulated with PAF ranging between 10(-8) and 10(-15) M. For the observation of calcium waves, calcium green-1 and a confocal laser microscopy were used. Cells were also stimulated with 10(-9) M of PAF in a calcium-free solution.

RESULTS

In physiological solution, PAF at concentrations ranging between 10(-9) and 10(-15) M induced intracellular calcium waves. Mean wave speed was 16.1+/-5.6 microm/s. Wave speeds were independent of the PAF concentration. Similar results were observed in the absence of added calcium, with the exception that the wave speeds were significantly slower (7.3+/-3.3 microm/s). CONCLUSIONS This is the first study to demonstrate the calcium waves propagated by PAF stimulation in human myometrial cells. These observations further support the proposed role of PAF in parturition.

Spontaneous luxation of encapsulated intraocular lens onto the retina after a triple procedure of vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and intraocular lens implantation

PURPOSE

To report the clinical and histological findings of a luxated intraocular lens (IOL) in the capsular bag.

METHODS

Review of a case.

RESULTS

Twenty-three months after a triple procedure of vitrectomy, phacoemulsification, and IOL implantation for diabetic vitreous hemorrhage and cataract, the encapsulated IOL spontaneously luxated. Scanning electron microscopy showed sparsely distributed anterior and equatorial zonules, with only a few posterior zonules on the surface of the removed capusular bag.

CONCLUSION

The absence of the anterior hyaloid membrane and posterior zonules and contraction of the lens capsule may cause dialysis of the zonules. Therefore, the anterior hyaloid membrane should be left in place in patients at low risk for the development of postoperative proliferation to maintain the long-term stability of the IOL.