Development of dual-beamline photoelectron momentum microscopy for valence orbital analysis

The soft X-ray photoelectron momentum microscopy (PMM) experimental station at the UVSOR Synchrotron Facility has been recently upgraded by additionally guiding vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) light in a normal-incidence configuration. PMM offers a very powerful tool for comprehensive electronic structure analyses in real and momentum spaces. In this work, a VUV beam with variable polarization in the normal-incidence geometry was obtained at the same sample position as the soft X-ray beam from BL6U by branching the VUV beamline BL7U. The valence electronic structure of the Au(111) surface was measured using horizontal and vertical linearly polarized (s-polarized) light excitations from BL7U in addition to horizontal linearly polarized (p-polarized) light excitations from BL6U. Such highly symmetric photoemission geometry with normal incidence offers direct access to atomic orbital information via photon polarization-dependent transition-matrix-element analysis.

Frequency-domain interferometry for the determination of time delay between two extreme-ultraviolet wave packets generated by a tandem undulator

Synchrotron radiation, emitted by relativistic electrons traveling in a magnetic field, has poor temporal coherence. However, recent research has proved that time-domain interferometry experiments, which were thought to be enabled by only lasers of excellent temporal coherence, can be implemented with synchrotron radiation using a tandem undulator. The radiation generated by the tandem undulator comprises pairs of light wave packets, and the longitudinal coherence within a light wave packet pair is used to achieve time-domain interferometry. The time delay between two light wave packets, formed by a chicane for the electron trajectory, can be adjusted in the femtosecond range by a standard synchrotron technology. In this study, we show that frequency-domain spectra of the tandem undulator radiation exhibit fringe structures from which the time delay between a light wave packet pair can be determined with accuracy on the order of attoseconds. The feasibility and limitations of the frequency-domain interferometric determination of the time delay are examined.

P767Survey of palliative sedation at the end-of-life in terminally ill heart failure patients - a five year experience in national cardiovascular center

Background

Palliative sedation is a therapeutic option when symptom relief is difficult to achieve at the end-of-life. However, little is known regarding palliative sedation in terminally ill heart failure (HF) patients.

Purpose

To survey the practice of palliative sedation in terminally ill HF patients at a tertiary referral cardiovascular center, and to investigate the efficacy and safety of sedative agents in HF patients.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed consecutive patients who were referred to palliative care team at our institution between September 2013 and August 2018. Patients who were hospitalized for HF and died during hospitalization despite optimal medical therapy were selected and defined as terminally ill HF. We investigated the practice of palliative sedation in terminally ill HF patients and analysed the vital signs and sedation scale before starting sedative agents and about 1 hour afterward.

Results

Among 95 terminally ill HF patients, 37 were prescribed palliative sedation at the end-of-life (Picture). Of 37 patients (mean age: 70 years, median B-type natriuretic peptide: 1018 pg/ml, median creatinine: 3.0 mg/dl, intravenous inotrope: 81%), 25 were prescribed dexmedetomidine, and 12 were prescribed midazolam as first agent for sedation. Patient's backgrounds were comparable between the two groups. Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale was significantly reduced (P<0.01), whereas blood pressure and heart rate were not altered after treatments in both groups. In midazolam group, significant decreases were noted regarding respiratory rate (P=0.01) and oxygen saturation (P=0.02); however, these parameters were not changed in dexmedetomidine group (Table).

Table 1. Vital signs and sedation scale Dexmedetomidine group (n=25) Midazolam group (n=12) Baseline After P value Baseline After P value Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale 1 (0, 1) −1 (−2, 0) <0.01 1 (0, 1) −2 (−3, −1) <0.01 Vital signs   Systolic blood pressure (mmHg) 90±15 89±16 0.51 89±21 84±23 0.33   Diastolic blood pressure (mmHg) 52±13 54±11 0.34 60±14 56±23 0.48   Heart rate (beats per minute) 95±20 91±22 0.17 90±21 90±19 0.70   Respiratory rate (breaths per minute) 22±5 20±5 0.24 21±5 17±2 0.01   Oxygen saturation (%) 97±3 96±6 0.59 96±5 94±5 0.02

Picture. Study flowchart

Conclusions

Dexmedetomidine and midazolam were commonly used in real-word practice for HF patients at the end-of-life. Although impact on respiratory system differed by treatments, both agents could be prescribed effectively and safely in terminally ill HF patients.

Changes in the blood level, efficacy, and safety of tacrolimus in pregnancy and the lactation period in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the efficacy and safety of tacrolimus (TAC) by monitoring its serum concentration for mothers and infants in pregnant patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

We measured trough concentrations of TAC in 25 pregnant patients with SLE to assess influence of TAC on the disease activity. Additionally, we measured the concentrations of TAC in umbilical arterial blood, breast milk, and breastfed infants to investigate the safety of TAC for the mothers and infants.

RESULTS

The trough concentrations of TAC in the mothers significantly decreased in the second trimester as compared with those before pregnancy. However, the decrease in the trough concentrations of TAC did not lead to the deterioration of SLE. When examined, the doses of TAC were significantly lower in the second trimester and postpartum in the deteriorating group than those in the non-deteriorating group. There were no adverse events by TAC in mothers and fetuses. The concentrations of TAC in the umbilical cord blood were lower than those in the maternal blood. The relative infant dose in breastfed infants of TAC was < 1%. The level of TAC in infant bloods was below detectable limits.

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that TAC is one of the most effective and safest immunosuppressive drugs for use in pregnant patients with SLE.

Nitrogen Concentrations and Isotopic Compositions of Seafloor-Altered Terrestrial Basaltic Glass: Implications for Astrobiology

Observed enrichments of N (and the δ¹⁵N of this N) in volcanic glasses altered on Earth's modern and ancient seafloor are relevant in considerations of modern global N subduction fluxes and ancient life on Earth, and similarly altered glasses on Mars and other extraterrestrial bodies could serve as valuable tracers of biogeochemical processes. Palagonitized glasses and whole-rock samples of volcanic rocks on the modern seafloor (ODP Site 1256D) contain 3-18 ppm N with δ¹⁵N_air values of up to +4.5‰. Variably altered glasses from Mesozoic ophiolites (Troodos, Cyprus; Stonyford volcanics, USA) contain 2-53 ppm N with δ¹⁵N of -6.3 to +7‰. All of the more altered glasses have N concentrations higher than those of fresh volcanic glass (for MORB, <2 ppm N), reflecting significant N enrichment, and most of the altered glasses have δ¹⁵N considerably higher than that of their unaltered glass equivalents (for MORB, -5 ± 2‰). Circulation of hydrothermal fluids, in part induced by nearby spreading-center magmatism, could have leached NH₄⁺ from sediments then fixed this NH₄⁺ in altering volcanic glasses. Glasses from each site contain possible textural evidence for microbial activity in the form of microtubules, but any role of microbes in producing the N enrichments and elevated δ¹⁵N remains uncertain. Petrographic analysis, and imaging and chemical analyses by scanning electron microscopy and scanning transmission electron microscopy, indicate the presence of phyllosilicates (smectite, illite) in both the palagonitized cracks and the microtubules. These phyllosilicates (particularly illite), and possibly also zeolites, are the likely hosts for N in these glasses. Key Words: Nitrogen-Nitrogen isotope-Palagonite-Volcanic glass-Mars. Astrobiology 18, 330-342.

Anatomical study of the inferior patellar pole and patellar tendon

In this study, detailed investigations into the shape of the inferior patellar pole, the site of the patellar tendon attachment, and the length and course of the patellar tendon were performed with the aim of examining the anatomical factors involved in the developmental mechanism of patellar tendinitis. The investigation examined 100 legs from 50 cadavers. The inferior patellar pole was classified into three types: pointed, intermediate, and blunt. The attachment of the patellar tendon to the inferior patellar pole was classified into two types: an anterior and a posterior. The length of the patellar tendon was measured from the tibial tuberosity to the inferior patellar pole. The pointed type was seen in 57% of legs, the intermediate type in 21%, and the blunt type in 22%. Twenty-one legs were the pointed type, as well as the anterior type. The patellar tendon was significantly shorter with the posterior type than with the anterior type. The blunt type also had a significantly shorter patellar tendon than the pointed type. In legs that were both the pointed type and the anterior type, the inferior patellar pole and the proximal posterior surface of the patellar tendon impinged during knee flexion due to the posterior tilt of the patella, suggesting the possibility that this may induce damage. With the posterior type and blunt type, on the other hand, the possibility of strong tensile stress on the tendon fibers of the posterior facet of the inferior patellar pole was suggested.

MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping for the assessment of articular cartilage changes in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis after hemicallotasis osteotomy

Objectives

The purpose of this study was to clarify the appearance of the reparative tissue on the articular surface and to analyse the properties of the reparative tissue after hemicallotasis osteotomy (HCO) using MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping.

Methods

Coronal T1ρ and T2 mapping and three-dimensional gradient-echo images were obtained from 20 subjects with medial knee osteoarthritis. We set the regions of interest (ROIs) on the full-thickness cartilage of the medial femoral condyle (MFC) and medial tibial plateau (MTP) of the knee and measured the cartilage thickness (mm) and T1ρ and T2 relaxation times (ms). Statistical analysis of time-dependent changes in the cartilage thickness and the T1ρ and T2 relaxation times was performed using one-way analysis of variance, and Scheffe’s test was employed for post hoc multiple comparison.

Results

The cartilage-like repair tissue appeared on the cartilage surface of the medial compartment post-operatively, and the cartilage thickness showed a significant increase between the pre-operative and one-year post-operative time points (MFC; p = 0.003, MTP; p < 0.001). The T1ρ values of the cartilage-like repair tissue showed no difference over time, however, the T2 values showed a significant decrease between the pre-operative and one-year post-operative time points (MFC; p = 0.004, MTP; p = 0.040).

Conclusion

This study clarified that the fibrocartilage-like repair tissue appeared on the articular surface of the medial compartment after HCO as evidenced by MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping.

Cite this article: H. Nishioka, E. Nakamura, J. Hirose, N. Okamoto, S. Yamabe, H. Mizuta. MRI T1ρ and T2 mapping for the assessment of articular cartilage changes in patients with medial knee osteoarthritis after hemicallotasis osteotomy. Bone Joint Res 2016;5:294–300. DOI: 10.1302/2046-3758.57.BJR-2016-0057.R1.

A new EXAFS method for the local structure analysis of low-Z elements

A unique analytical method is proposed for local structure analysis via extended X-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS) spectroscopy. The measurement of electron energy distribution curves at various excitation photon energies using an electron energy analyzer is applied to determine a specific elemental Auger spectrum. To demonstrate the method, the N K-edge EXAFS spectra for a silicon nitride film were obtained via simultaneous measurement of the N KLL Auger and background spectra using dual-energy windows. The background spectrum was then used to remove the photoelectrons and secondary electron mixing in the energy distribution curves. The spectrum obtained following this subtraction procedure represents the `true' N K-edge EXAFS spectrum without the other absorptions that are observed in total electron yield N K-edge EXAFS spectra. The first nearest-neighbor distance (N-Si) derived from the extracted N K-edge EXAFS oscillation was in good agreement with the value derived from Si K-edge analysis. This result confirmed that the present method, referred to as differential electron yield (DEY)-EXAFS, is valid for deriving local surface structure information for low-Z elements.

The long-term outcome of open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia with hemicallotasis

We report the long-term outcome of 33 patients (37 knees) who underwent proximal tibial open-wedge osteotomy with hemicallotasis (HCO) for medial osteoarthritis of the knee between 1995 and 2000. Among these, 29 patients with unilateral HCO were enrolled and 19 were available for review at a mean of 14.2 years (10 to 15.7) post-operatively. For these 19 patients, the mean Hospital for Special Surgery knee score was 60 (57 to 62) pre-operatively and 85 (82 to 87) at final follow-up (p < 0.001; paired t-test). The femorotibial angle and tibial inclination angle (IA) were measured at short-term follow-up, one to four years post-operatively, and showed no significant subsequent changes. The clinical scores and radiological measurements showed little change over time. One patient required conversion to total knee replacement during this time. These results suggest that the coronal angle achieved at operation is maintained at long-term follow up after HCO without alteration of the IA, providing a good long-term clinical outcome.

Cite this article: Bone Joint J 2014;96-B:467–72.

Design and performance of a new VIS-VUV photoluminescence beamline at UVSOR-III

A new bending-magnet beamline with a 2.5 m normal-incidence monochromator has been constructed to serve with a light source in the visible-vacuum-ultraviolet region for photoluminescence, transmission and reflection spectroscopies of solids at the UVSOR-III 750 MeV synchrotron radiation light source. The aim is to pave the way to establishing a beamline with high photon flux, high brilliance, high energy-resolution, high linear-polarization and low higher-order light. To obtain high photon flux and brilliance, the acceptance angle of the bending-magnet radiation was designed to be 40 mrad (H) × 14 mrad (V) and the post-mirror system employed Kirkpatrick-Baez optics. The incidence angle of the incoming light to the optical elements, except to the gratings, was set to a grazing angle in order to keep a degree of linear polarization. For achieving high energy-resolution, an off-plane Eagle-type monochromator was adopted. Higher-order unwanted light in the energy range below ∼11 eV was suppressed to be less than 0.1%.

MULTI-SITE AEROSOL MONITORING USING MINI STEP SAMPLER

We developed mini step samplers with low manufacturing and running costs for application in multi-site air-pollution monitoring. The miniaturization of the sampler was achieved by reducing the suction nozzle size. We tested the samplers with suction nozzle diameters of 2 and 4 mm through simultaneous exposure in the same site. Elemental concentrations of aerosol collected by these samplers were consistent within ±20% during comparison and the sample uniformity did not differ significantly. Sampling with small suction nozzle did not adversely affect aerosol collection. Aerosol samples were collected simultaneously at two sites in our laboratory and in the hall outside for 3 days and analyzed subsequently by PIXE. The time variation of elemental concentrations was high during daytime and low at night time and also during the weekend. Elemental concentrations in the hall were always higher than those in the laboratory. In our laboratory, we change shoes at the entrance and therefore, elemental concentrations inside the lab are lower than in the hall. In a second field experiment, we carried out simultaneous multi-site aerosol sampling during two periods in correlation with meteorological data (wind direction and velocity). It was observed that elemental concentrations of some soil origin elements changed periodically. On the other hand, the concentration of Cu and Zn showed irregular concentration spikes whose pattern showed a variation with the sites. Analysis using the data of wind directions showed that Cu had been transported to the sites from northeasterly direction and that the concentration of Zn was influenced by two big factories nearby. In conclusion, it has been demonstrated that the multi-site sampling system combined with meteorological data is well suited to identify sources of pollution.

AN ATTEMPT TO DETERMINE POSITIONS OF AEROSOL SOURCE BY THE PIXE ANALYSIS

Aerosols were continuously collected for 2 or 3 hours during the periods of 4-27 August 1997 and of 23 March-2 April 1998 at a suburb of Sendai City (east 10 km from Sendai), and meteorological data such as wind directions, wind velocities, etc were measured at the same time. The collected aerosol samples were analyzed by the particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE) method. Fourteen elements (S, Cl, K, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Hg and Pb) were contained in these samples. The elemental concentrations increased in the daytime and decreased at night. It coincided with the time variation of people movement. The concentrations of Mn, Fe, Zn and Pb elements depended strongly on the direction of wind and their distributions for wind directions reflected to the position of aerosol sources. This result suggests that the position of aerosol source can be determined by measuring aerosols and wind directions at the many positions.

Dioxins in ascites and serum of women with endometriosis: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Animal studies and laboratory experiments have demonstrated that exposure to dioxins may be involved in the pathophysiology of endometriosis. However, recent epidemiological investigations have shown conflicting results. Although peritoneal fluid is a specific microenvironment playing a pivotal role in the development of endometriosis, to our knowledge, there is no published study evaluating the concentrations of dioxins in serum and peritoneal fluid simultaneously. The present study explores the possible correlation between the local peritoneal fluid levels of dioxins and concurrent endometriosis.

METHODS

There were 17 infertile women enrolled in the present study. After the diagnostic laparoscopic examination, the women were divided into two groups: endometriosis (n = 10) and controls (n = 7). We measured 29 dioxins simultaneously in serum and peritoneal fluid samples: 7 polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs), 10 polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs), and 12 polychlorinated biphenyls (dioxin-like PCBs). A dioxin toxic equivalency (TEQ) system was utilized to calculate the dioxin concentration in each sample.

RESULTS

Serum concentrations of itemized components of 29 dioxins were similar in the endometriosis patients compared with the controls. Higher concentrations of PCDFs and dioxin-like PCBs were observed in peritoneal fluid than in serum, whereas the reverse was shown for PCDDs. Statistical analysis showed that higher levels of dioxin TEQ (PCDDs and PCDFs) in peritoneal fluid were significantly associated with an increased risk of endometriosis (OR: 2.5; 95% CI: 1.17-5.34; P = 0.035).

CONCLUSIONS

This is the first report suggesting that higher concentrations of dioxins (PCDDs and PCDFs) in peritoneal fluid are linked to endometriosis. More detail and epidemiological research is warranted to further explore this link.

SAMRAI: a novel variably polarized angle-resolved photoemission beamline in the VUV region at UVSOR-II

A novel variably polarized angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy beamline in the vacuum-ultraviolet (VUV) region has been installed at the UVSOR-II 750 MeV synchrotron light source. The beamline is equipped with a 3 m long APPLE-II type undulator with horizontally/vertically linear and right/left circular polarizations, a 10 m Wadsworth type monochromator covering a photon energy range of 6-43 eV, and a 200 mm radius hemispherical photoelectron analyzer with an electron lens of a +/-18 degrees acceptance angle. Due to the low emittance of the UVSOR-II storage ring, the light source is regarded as an entrance slit, and the undulator light is directly led to a grating by two plane mirrors in the monochromator while maintaining a balance between high-energy resolution and high photon flux. The energy resolving power (hnu/Deltahnu) and photon flux of the monochromator are typically 1 x 10(4) and 10(12) photons/s, respectively, with a 100 microm exit slit. The beamline is used for angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy with an energy resolution of a few meV covering the UV-to-VUV energy range.

[Giant left atrial myxoma with ossification on having a fever; report of a case]

A 37-year-old female with a fever had a medical examination, and was pointed out cardiac murmur. She was referred to our hospital for a further examination. Blood cultures were positive for Streptococcus milleri group. Thoracic echocardiogram demonstrated a giant left atrial tumor, arising from the portion of the interatrial septum, and mitral insufficiency. We removed the tumor completely and performed mitral annuloplasty. The tumor was diagnosed as myxoma with ossification by histopathological examination. She discharged from our hospital 25 days after the operation without complication and does not recur for 3 years. We consider our case as extremely rare, because it revealed giant left atrial myxoma with ossification and mitral insufficiency at the same time.

[Thoracoabdominal aorta replacement for penetrating atherosclerotic ulcers of suprarenal abdominal aorta]

A 58-year-old man with a complaint of a feeling of fullness and constipation was admitted to our hospital. Enhanced computed tomography (CT) images demonstrated sacral aneurysm with multiple penetrating atherosclerotic ulcer (PAU) at the abdominal aorta above the renal artery. The aneurysm was expanded for 2 weeks progressively. An urgent thracoabdominal aorta replacement was performed. Pathological findings showed that the media of aorta was destroyed and dissected, and intramural hematoma was found. The postoperative course was good. He has been from any aortic events 12 months after surgery.

Impairment by allyl isothiocyanate of gastric epithelial wound repair through inhibition of ion transporters

Isothiocyanate is a transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) agonist and also an inhibitor of ion transporters such as anion exchanger (AE) and Na(+)/HCO(3)(-) cotransporter (NBC). We examined the expression of TRPA1 and ion transporters in monolayers of the rat gastric epithelial cell line RGM1 and investigated the involvement of these factors in the inhibitory action of isothiocyanate on epithelial wound healing. After obtaining a confluent monolayer, a round artificial wound of constant size was induced in the center of the cell monolayer using a pencil-type mixer with a rotating silicon tip. Immediately after the wound induction, cells at the edge of the wound started to form lamellipodia, migrating towards the center of wound, and the cell-free area decreased with time. Addition of allyl isothiocyanate to standard buffer suppressed the recovery of the wound in a concentration-dependent manner without affecting the viability of the RGM1 cells. Icilin, another TRPA1 agonist, dose-dependently inhibited wound repair. Likewise, 4,4'-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2'-disulfonic acid (DIDS), a stilbene compound containing an isothiocyanate group, also inhibited the recovery of epithelial wounds. In addition, the repair of epithelial wounds was suppressed when the cells were incubated in Na(+), Cl(-) or HCO(3)(-) free buffer. The RGM1 cells expressed the mRNAs of AE2a and NBC1 but not TRPA1. These results suggested that isothiocyanate impairs the repair of epithelial wounds in RGM1 cells, probably through the inhibition of ion transporters such as AE2a and NBC1 and not the activation of the TRPA1 channel. It is assumed that the process of epithelial repair is associated with the regulation of cell volume and intracellular pH (pHi) by these ion transporters.

The chondrogenic repair response of undifferentiated mesenchymal cells in rat full-thickness articular cartilage defects

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study is to develop a rat model of full-thickness articular cartilage defects that is suitable for detailed molecular analyses of the regenerative repair of cartilage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The V-shaped full-thickness defects (width: 0.7 mm; depth: 0.8 mm; and length: 4mm) were created in the femoral patellar groove of 6 weeks old male rats using a custom-built twin-blade device. Prior to starting the repair experiments, our device was examined for its accuracy and reliability in generating defects. Then, the time course of the repair response in these cartilage defects was examined using a semi-quantitative histological grading scale. The expression of chondrogenic differentiation markers in the reparative regions was examined with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization.

RESULTS

Our device creates full-thickness articular cartilage defects uniformly. In these defects, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells filled the defect cavities (4 days) and initiated chondrogenic differentiation at the center of the defect (7 days). Cartilage formation was observed in the same region (2 weeks). Finally, hyaline-like articular cartilage and subchondral bone layers were reconstituted in their appropriate locations (4 weeks).

CONCLUSIONS

We have successfully developed a rat model containing identically sized full-thickness defects of articular cartilage that can undergo chondrogenic repair in a reproducible fashion.

Health-related quality-of-life after external beam radiation therapy for localized prostate cancer: intensity-modulated radiation therapy versus conformal radiation therapy

We compared health-related quality-of-life (HRQL) after intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) with statuses obtained after old and new protocols of three-dimensional conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) for localized prostate cancer. We measured the general and disease specific HRQL using the MOS 36-Item Health Survey (SF-36), and the University of California, Los Angeles Prostate Cancer Index (UCLA PCI), respectively. IMRT resulted in similar profiles of general and disease-specific HRQL to two other methods within the first year after treatment. Moreover, IMRT gave rise to comparable urinary, intestinal and sexual side effects despite the high dose of radiation applied.

Expression of the PTH/PTHrP receptor in chondrogenic cells during the repair of full-thickness defects of articular cartilage

OBJECTIVE

We studied the accumulation of parathyroid hormone (PTH)/PTHrP receptor-positive mesenchymal cells using double immunohistochemistry and examined whether this correlated with the subsequent regeneration of 3-mm-diameter full-thickness defects of articular cartilage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Cylindrical full-thickness articular cartilage defects (3 mm) were artificially created in the femoral trochlea of male adolescent Japanese white rabbits (n = 210) with a hand-drill. Recombinant human PTH(1-84) was then administered into the defect cavities with an osmotic pump for either 2 or 4 weeks post-injury. Following PTH treatment, the repair processes in the cartilage defects were histologically examined. Double immunostaining analyses for the PTH/PTH-related peptide (PTHrP) receptor and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) in the regenerating tissues were then performed.

RESULTS

Activation of PTH/PTHrP receptor signaling by hPTH(1-84) results in the inhibition of chondrogenic differentiation in full-thickness articular cartilage defects. At the conclusion of the 2-week PTH treatment, the defect cavities were filled with undifferentiated mesenchymal cells, which were similar to the controls. In addition, almost all of these cells localized at the center of the injuries were both PTH/PTHrP receptor- and PCNA-positive. In contrast, after prolonged PTH treatment for 4 weeks, there was no indication of a cartilaginous repair response and cells that had migrated to the defect cavities were found to have irreversibly lost expression of the PTH/PTHrP receptor.

CONCLUSIONS

The chondrogenic capacity of cells that had migrated to the area of these defect cavities is closely associated with their ability to express the PTH/PTHrP receptor. Moreover, these cells maintain their chondrogenic potential within only a limited time-span of 2 weeks.

Factors modifying the frequency of spontaneous activity in gastric muscle

The cellular mechanisms that determine the frequency of spontaneous activity were investigated in gastric smooth muscles isolated from the guinea-pig. Intact antral muscle generated slow waves periodically; the interval between slow waves was decreased exponentially by depolarization of the membrane to reach a steady interval value of about 7 s. Isolated circular muscle bundles produced slow potentials spontaneously or were evoked by depolarizing current stimuli. Evoked slow potentials appeared in an all-or-none fashion, with a refractory period of approximately 2-3 s. Low concentrations of chemicals that modify intracellular signalling revealed that the refractory period was causally related to the activity of protein kinase C (PKC). Activation of PKC increased and inhibition of PKC activity decreased the frequency of slow potentials. Chemicals that inhibit mitochondrial functions reduced the frequency of slow waves. Inhibition of internal Ca(2+)-store activity decreased the amplitude, but not the frequency of slow potentials, suggesting that the amplitude is causally related to Ca(2+) release from the internal store. The results suggest that changes in [Ca(2+)](i) caused by the activity of mitochondria may play a key role in determining the frequency of spontaneous activity in gastric pacemaker cells.

Bucky ferrocene. Hybrid of ferrocene and fullerene

The idea of “bucky ferrocene” intrigues chemists owing to its aesthetic beauty and to its polarized, extended conjugated system, but the idea has remained hypothetical. The synthesis of close analogs of Fe(C60Me5)Cp and Fe(C70Me3)Cp was achieved in two steps from [60] and [70]fullerenes, relying on an oxidative C–H bond activation starting with an iron(I) complex and the corresponding cyclopentadienyl precursors, respectively. The molecules can be regarded as members of a new organometallic conjugated system connected to a graphitic system. Numerous synthetic transformations and self-organization procedures that are known for the parent ferrocenes and fullerenes are expected to be employable toward productive use of the ferrocene/fullerene hybrid molecules in chemistry and materials sciences.

Lipid extracted freeze-dried bank bone sterilized with low temperature plasma

Ethylene oxide gas (EOG) is widely used for sterilization of freeze-dried bone. Recently EOG is regulated for clinical use because of cytotoxicity and environmental pollution concerns. Low Temperature Plasma Sterilization (LTPS) has no toxicity and mutagenicity working with a hydrogen peroxide gas plasma at 45 degrees centigrade. We have now used this method experimentally and clinically to sterilize freeze-dried bone. Cortical bone with a thickness of 5 mm and cancellous bone with a 10 mm cubic size were prepared, washed, defatted, dehydrated by freeze drying and finally sterilized by LTPS. As a Microbiological test, defatted freeze-dried bone was contaminated with B. subtilis, and after then the contaminated bone was treated with LTPS and the bacteria was proven inactive. Mechanical testing on rabbit cortical bone was investigated by compression testing using a mechanical testing machine. No differences between EOG treated and LTPS treated bone were found. From December 1996, 52 patients who had small and middle bone defects were treated with defatted, freeze-dried and LTPS sterilized bone. Clinical result was good. No deep infections, no transmission of virus infections or severe graft absorption were noted. The LTPS bank bone is safe and useful to reconstruction to small bone defects.

Case report. First report on human ringworm caused by Arthroderma benhamiae in Japan transmitted from a rabbit

Two human cases of tinea corporis due to Arthroderma benhamiae (teleomorph of Trichophyton mentagrophytes) were described. They acquired the infection from their cross-bred rabbit. The three clinical isolates from a human couple and a pet rabbit had been identified as A. benhamiae by chitin synthase 1 (CHS1) gene analysis as well as by mating experiments. There was no previous isolate of A. benhamiae from humans in Japan, although we had reported the first isolate of A. benhamiae from a rabbit in 1998. Therefore, this is the first report on human ringworm cases caused by A. benhamiae in Japan. It is anticipated that the human and animal cases of A. benhamiae infection could rise in number.

[Veno-venous ECMO for the respiratory failure after coronary artery bypass grafting]

We encountered a 60-year-old man with severe respiratory failure after CABG. The patient received veno-venous extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) in which blood was drained from the right atrium through a cannula and was returned via a cannula in the left femoral vein. During ECMO, the flow rate was 2.8-3.0 l/min (about 40 ml/kg/min) and the assist was needed for 5 years. Veno-venous ECMO is a simple and effective therapy for acute respiratory failure unresponsive to conventional treatment.

Disruption of the midkine gene (Mdk) resulted in altered expression of a calcium binding protein in the hippocampus of infant mice and their abnormal behaviour

BACKGROUND

Midkine (MK) is a growth factor implicated in the development and repair of various tissues, especially neural tissues. However, its in vivo function has not been clarified.

RESULTS

Knockout mice lacking the MK gene (Mdk) showed no gross abnormalities. We closely analysed postnatal brain development in Mdk(-/-) mice using calcium binding proteins as markers to distinguish neuronal subpopulations. Intense and prolonged calretinin expression was found in the dentate gyrus granule cell layer of the hippocampus of infant Mdk(-/-) mice. In infant Mdk(+/+) mice, calretinin expression in the granule cell layer was weaker, and had disappeared by 4 weeks after birth, when calretinin expression still persisted in Mdk(-/-) mice. Furthermore, 4 weeks after birth, Mdk(-/-) mice showed a deficit in their working memory, as revealed by a Y-maze test, and had an increased anxiety, as demonstrated by the elevated plus-maze test.

CONCLUSION

Midkine plays an important role in the regulation of postnatal development of the hippocampus.

Production of cAMP by adrenomedullin in human oligodendroglial cell line KG1C: comparison with calcitonin gene-related peptide and amylin

The actions and the presence of adrenomedullin (AM) were investigated in cultured human oligodendroglial cell line KG1C. AM and AM mRNA were detected in KG1C cells by immunohistochemistry and RT-PCR. mRNAs for calcitonin receptor-like receptor (CRLR) and receptor-activity-modifying proteins (RAMPs) 1, 2 and 3 but not for calcitonin receptors were detected in the cells, while mRNAs for CRLR, calcitonin receptors and all RAMPs were detected in the human cerebellum. Application of AM resulted in time- and concentration-dependent increases in the cAMP level of KG1C cells. Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and amylin, peptides structurally related to AM, also increased cAMP. The potencies for the cAMP production of the three peptides were CGRP > or =AM >> amylin with EC(50) of 8, 18, 90 nM, respectively. The responses induced by AM were strongly inhibited by the CGRP(1) receptor antagonist human CGRP(8-37), and inhibited also by the AM receptor antagonist human AM(22-52). In contrast, the responses induced by CGRP or amylin were inhibited only by CGRP(8-37) and not by AM(22-52). The responses induced by all three peptides were unaffected by the amylin receptor antagonist human amylin(8-37). The CGRP(2) receptor agonist human [Cys(Acm)(2,7)]CGRP significantly increased the cAMP level but the increase was smaller than that caused by CGRP. This increase in cAMP was unaffected by CGRP(8-37), AM(22-52) or by amylin(8-37). These results suggest that in KG1C cells, AM increases cAMP through AM and CGRP(1) receptors, whereas CGRP does so through CGRP(1) and CGRP(2) receptors, and amylin exerts its effects through CGRP(1) receptors. Collectively, these findings imply that AM released from oligodendroglial cells may play a role in the regulation of oligodendrocytes via autocrine/paracrine through AM receptors and CGRP(1) receptors.

A group separation method for ruthenium, palladium, rhenium, osmium, iridium, and platinum using their bromo complexes and an anion exchange resin

A new group separation method for Re and PGE (Ru, Pd, Os, Ir, Pt) is described using a novel anion exchange chromatographic resin called TEVA. Re and PGEs are converted into bromo complexes by heating with HF-HBr mixture in a Teflon bomb at 518 K, by in situ-generated Br2 formed by reaction of HBr and HNO3. Distribution coefficients (Kd) of the bromo complexes onto TEVA resin in 0.1 M HBr with heating at 353 K for one night were 2,200, 16,000, 1,600, 5,500, 4,000, and 17,000 for Ru, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt, respectively, thus allowing 97% recovery of Re and PGEs in 5 mL of solution by 0.1 mL of resin. These strongly bound Re and PGE bromo complexes are stripped and recovered >90% by the following three steps: (i) addition of 6 M HCl at 353 K and 2.2 M HCl-5 M HBr at 353 K; (ii) heating the resin in 6 M HCl at 353 K to convert the bromo complexes into the chloro complexes with weaker affinities to the resin; and (iii) sequential addition of the HCl-HBr mixture at room temperature and 7 M HI. Neither the elution profile nor the recovery yield for a 0.2-g geological sample showed significant changes, indicating minimal matrix effects for the geological samples. Total blanks were < 14 pg for Ru, Pd, and Pt and < 10 pg for Re, Os, and Ir. This new technique, therefore, is suitable for simultaneous determination of subnanogram per gram of Ru, Pd, Re, Os, Ir, and Pt and Os isotope analysis in geological, mineralogical, and environmental samples without direct addition of toxic reagents required in distillation/extraction of Os or oxidizing of Ir.

Open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia with hemicallotasis

Conventional high tibial osteotomy for osteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee with closed-wedge or dome osteotomy (DMO) may produce shortening of the patellar tendon and loss of inclination of the proximal tibial plateau or of the offset of the tibial condyle relative to its bony axis. This can make subsequent total knee arthroplasty technically demanding.

We undertook a prospective study comparing these changes after DMO with those after using open-wedge osteotomy hemicallotasis (HCO). A total of 50 knees with arthritis of the medial compartment in 46 consecutive patients was randomly allocated to either DMO or HCO. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to age, gender, femorotibial angle before operation or the angle of correction.

Radiological studies showed that HCO caused little change in the length of the patellar tendon or the inclination angle of the tibial plateau, while after DMO both gradually decreased. The degree of tibial condylar offset increased in both groups, but less so in the HCO group.

Open-wedge osteotomy of the proximal tibia with hemicallotasis

Conventional high tibial osteotomy for losteoarthritis of the medial compartment of the knee with closed-wedge or dome osteotomy (DMO) may produce shortening of the patellar tendon and loss of inclination of the proximal tibial plateau or of the offset of the tibial condyle relative to its bony axis. This can make subsequent total knee arthroplasty technically demanding. We undertook a prospective study comparing these changes after DMO with those after using open-wedge osteotomy hemicallotasis (HCO). A total of 50 knees with arthritis of the medial compartment in 46 consecutive patients was randomly allocated to either DMO or HCO. There were no significant differences between the groups with regard to age, gender, femorotibial angle before operation or the angle of correction. Radiological studies showed that HCO caused little change in the length of the patellar tendon or the inclination angle of the tibial plateau, while after DMO both gradually decreased. The degree of tibial condylar offset increased in both groups, but less so in the HCO group.

Regioselective allylzincation of alkenylboronate

[reaction: see text] Boryl substitution on an olefin activates the olefinic double bond toward addition of an organozinc reagent. Addition of an allylic zinc reagent to an alkenylboronate thus takes place smoothly to afford a variety of gem-zincio/boryl species. Theoretical studies with density functional calculations on the reaction pathway revealed that the reaction proceeds via a zincio-ene reaction rather than a bora-Claisen rearrangement.