Preparation of porous CuO films from Cu(NO3)2 aqueous solutions containing poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and their photocathodic properties

We prepared porous CuO photocathode films by dip coating from Cu(NO₃)₂ aqueous solutions containing poly(vinylpyrrolidone). The porous structure led to an efficient photocathodic reaction under the UV and visible light illumination.

Clinical outcome of deep-seated atypical lipomatous tumor of the extremities with median-term follow-up study

AIMS

There is no consensus on the best surgical treatment for deep-seated atypical lipomatous tumor (ALT) of the extremities; furthermore, the appropriate duration for follow-up observation remains unclear. We investigated clinical and functional median-term outcomes in the primary operations for ALT of the extremities in order to find its best treatment methods and observation periods.

METHODS

From 1996 to 2009, we diagnosed 41 patients with deep-seated ALT of the extremities. Wide resection was performed on 11 patients and marginal resection was performed on 30 patients. The minimum follow-up was 5 years (median, 8.5; range, 5-17.4). Patients were evaluated for their local recurrence, dedifferentiation, and post-operative function using the ISOLS/MSTS scoring system.

RESULTS

Recurrence and dedifferentiation rates were both 0% for the wide resection group, while the rates were 23% (7/30) and 3% (1/30) for the marginal resection group, respectively. Median duration before recurrence was 7.2 years (range, 4.0-14.2). Local recurrence-free survival rate was significantly higher in the wide resection group (P = 0.013). In the marginal resection group, 10% (3/30) of the cases showed residual tumor. The localization of these tumors was all intermuscular. The ISOLS/MSTS scores were 98% (range, 90-100) for wide resection and 99% (range, 93-100) for marginal resection, with no statistical difference (P = 0.694). No ALT-related deaths occurred during the observation period.

CONCLUSIONS

In addition to long-term (at least 8 years) of continuous observation, a wide resection is necessary in order to prevent recurrence, dedifferentiation, and residual tumor.

Successive Phase Transitions and High Ionic Conductivity of Trichlorogermanate (II) Salts as Studied by 35C1 NQR and Powder X-Ray Diffraction

A series of trichlorogermanate(II) salts (AGeCl3, A = Rb, Cs, CH3N H3, and (CH3)4N) have been synthesized and characterized by 35Cl NQR , 35Cl NMR , AC conductivity, DTA, and X-ray diffraction techniques. In the temperature range studied two, two, five, and four phases were confirmed for the Rb, Cs, CH3NH3, and (CH3)4N salts, respectively. From the 35Cl NQR and structural data, isolated pyramidal GeCl3 anions were recognized in the low temperature phases. With increasing temperature the relaxation times of the 35Cl NQR decreased exponentially and the signals disappeared far below the melting point. This suggests that the reorientation of the anion about the pseudo three-fold axis is excited. With further increase in temperature, the ionic conductivity of CH3NH3GeCl3 and (CH3)4NGeCl3 increased drastically at the phase transitions to their cubic perovskite phases (CH3NH3GeCl3:σ= 10-1 Sm-1 at 400 K, (CH3)4NGeCl3: σ = 5 x 10-2 Sm-1 at 420 K). The mobile ion was confirmed to be the chloride ion by means of 35Cl NMR and X-ray diffraction.

Tumor-cytotoxicity of nitric-oxide produced from alveolar macrophages directly stimulated with tumor-cells

Macrophages activated by lipopolysaccharide or interferon-gamma have been shown to be cytotoxic to tumor cells by releasing nitric oxide. Here, we report that unstimulated rat alveolar macrophages cultured with certain tumor cells produce nitric oxide and are cytotoxic to these tumor cells. Alveolar macrophages were taken from BUF/Mna rats, which were known to produce spontaneous thymoma, and cultured with syngeneic BUF/Mna-derived thymoma cells. They were killed by syngeneic or allogeneic alveolar macrophages and this killing was partially abolished by addition of N(G)-monomethyl-L-arginine. X-ray irradiated, mitomycin C-treated or membranous fragments of BUF/Mna-derived thymoma cells directly stimulated rat alveolar macrophages to produce nitric oxide.

Spontaneous glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions in common marmosets (Callithrix jacchus)

Spontaneous progressive nephropathy dominated by glomerular lesions in common marmosets has been reported. However, the histopathologic characteristics, including the relationship between glomerular and tubulointerstitial lesions, have not been described in detail. In the present study, the authors examined the histopathologic characteristics of the background renal lesions in common marmosets (3 males and 9 females, 3 to 8 years old). The severity of glomerular lesions was graded into 3 classes: grade I, no alteration; grade II, hilar/focal increase of mesangial matrix; grade III, global/diffuse increase of mesangial matrix. Tubulointerstitial lesions (tubular regeneration and hyperplasia and interstitial inflammation and fibrosis) were scored according to the area of each lesion. The renal lesions were characterized by enlargement of glomeruli, expanded mesangial area with increase of periodic acid-Schiff reaction-positive matrix, tubular regeneration and hyperplasia, and interstitial inflammation and fibrosis. Glomerular lesions progressed with increasing mesangial matrix and aging. Additionally, the tubulointerstitial lesions became exacerbated with progressing glomerular lesions. Tubular hyperplasia was divided into 4 types according to the structure of the cell layer (simple or stratified-like), the area of increased lining cells (partial or entire), cytoplasmic staining (eosinophilic or basophilic), brush border and thickness of basement membrane, and the activity of cell proliferation. In conclusion, the background renal lesions in common marmosets were characterized by glomerular lesions with increase of mesangial matrix, which progressed with aging, and secondary tubulointerstitial lesions, including tubular hyperplasia. Those lesions were thus diagnosed as progressive glomerulonephropathy in common marmosets.

Delta15N of soil N and plants in a N-saturated, subtropical forest of southern China

We investigated the delta(15)N profile of N (extractable NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and organic N (EON)) in the soil of a N-saturated subtropical forest. The order of delta(15)N in the soil was EON > NH(4)(+) > NO(3)(-). Although the delta(15)N of EON had been expected to be similar to that of bulk soil N, it was higher than that of bulk soil N by 5 per thousand. The difference in delta(15)N between bulk soil N and EON (Delta(15)N(bulk-EON)) was correlated significantly with the soil C/N ratio. This correlation implies that carbon availability, which determines the balance between N assimilation and dissimilation of soil microbes, is responsible for the high delta(15)N of EON, as in the case of soil microbial biomass delta(15)N. A thorough delta(15)N survey of available N (NH(4)(+), NO(3)(-), and EON) in the soil profiles from the organic layer to 100 cm depth revealed that the delta(15)N of the available N forms did not fully overlap with the delta(15)N of plants. This mismatch in delta(15)N between that of available N and that of plants reflects apparent isotopic fractionation during N uptake by plants, emphasizing the high N availability in this N-saturated forest.

Effect of urotensin II on PC12 rat pheochromocytoma cells

Urotensin II (U-II), initially identified as a cyclic peptide from fish urophysis, acts both as a strong vasoconstrictor and vasodilator in the vasculature via its receptor, G-protein coupled receptor 14. In addition, U-II and its receptor are co-expressed in the adrenal medulla, as well as in human pheochromocytomas, suggesting that this peptide may have some function in chromaffin cells. However, the precise role of U-II in these cells is unknown. In the present study, we initially demonstrate that U-II and its receptors mRNA are co-expressed in the rat pheochromocytoma cell line PC12. Moreover, U-II has not effect on tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), the rate-limiting enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of catecholamine, in terms of enzyme activity or at the mRNA level. However, U-II does induce an increase in the phosphorylation of TH specifically at Ser31 without affecting phosphorylation at the two other sites (Ser19 and Ser40). U-II also markedly activates extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERKs) and p38, but not Jun N-terminal kinase. Blockade of the epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor by AG1478 significantly reduces activation of ERK, suggesting that EGF receptor transactivation could act upstream of the ERK pathway in PC12 cells. Furthermore, U-II significantly increases dopamine secretion from PC12 cells. Finally, we show that U-II induced significant DNA synthesis in a ERKs and P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase-dependent manner. The results obtained indicate that U-II may exert its effects as a neuromodulator in chromaffin cells.

[Six cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum]

We report 6 cases of spontaneous pneumomediastinum. It is defined not to have clear etiology such as trauma, and is comparatively rare disease developing suddenly. Our patients complained of chest or neck pain, dyspnea and pain when swallowing. They were 3 men and 3 women, who were young and did not have causal disease. Chest X-ray films and computed tomography (CT) scans revealed pneumomediastinum. All of them were treated conservatively and recovered completely within 10 days hospitalization. Spontaneous pneumomediastinum is uncommon and usually benign. Most patients require only conservative treatment. However, since it possibly develops tension pneumothorax, pneumothorax, or mediastinitis, careful observation is recommended never to overlook life-threatening condition. In addition, it is important to distinguish from Boerhaave syndrome, tracheal trauma and so on.

IL23 differentially regulates the Th1/Th17 balance in ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease

BACKGROUND

A novel T helper (Th) cell lineage, Th17, that exclusively produces the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 17 (IL17) has been reported to play important roles in various inflammatory diseases. IL23 is also focused upon for its potential to promote Th17. Here, the roles of the IL23/IL17 axis in inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) were investigated.

METHODS

Mucosal samples were obtained from surgically resected specimens (controls, n = 12; UC, n = 17; CD, n = 22). IL17 production by isolated peripheral blood (PB) and lamina propria (LP) CD4(+) cells was examined. Quantitative PCR amplification was performed to determine the mRNA expression levels of IL17, interferon gamma (IFNgamma), IL23 receptor (IL23R) and retinoic acid-related orphan receptor gamma (RORC) in LP CD4(+) cells, and IL12 family members, such as IL12p40, IL12p35 and IL23p19, in whole mucosal specimens. The effects of exogenous IL23 on IL17 production by LP CD4(+) cells were also examined.

RESULTS

IL17 production was higher in LP CD4(+) cells than in PB. Significant IL17 mRNA upregulation in LP CD4(+) cells was found in UC, while IFNgamma was increased in CD. IL23R and RORC were upregulated in LP CD4(+) cells isolated from both UC and CD. IL17 production was significantly increased by IL23 in LP CD4(+) cells from UC but not CD. Upregulated IL23p19 mRNA expression was correlated with IL17 in UC and IFNgamma in CD.

CONCLUSIONS

IL23 may play important roles in controlling the differential Th1/Th17 balance in both UC and CD, although Th17 cells may exist in both diseases.