Reduction of the thermal conductivity of a graphene/hBN heterobilayer via interlayer sp3 bonds

The thermal conductivity of a graphene/hBN heterobilayer is sharply reduced by interlayer sp³ bonds, and there exists its minimum at their fraction 0.25.

Dynamic encapsulation of corannulene molecules into a single-walled carbon nanotube

Corannulene molecules dynamically encapsulated into a single-walled carbon nanotube form an ordered stack or a partially ordered stack where concave–concave corannulene dimers are the structural motif.

Geometrical constraint on stacking of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube

The stacking morphologies of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) molecules encapsulated in a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) are investigated by using a molecular-dynamics (MD) method. The encapsulating SWCNTs are of twenty different diameters. For coronene molecules, both conjugate-gradient (CG) energy minimization of the stacked molecules in a SWCNT and dynamics simulation (DS) of encapsulation of the molecules in a SWCNT are performed; while for sumanene molecules, only DS of encapsulation of the molecules in a SWCNT is performed. The tilt angles and intermolecular distances are calculated from the final configurations via CG and DS. On the assumption that the morphologies of the molecules in a SWCNT are determined by the geometrical constraint condition, semi-analytical formulas for the dependence of the tilt angles of the molecules on the SWCNT diameter are derived. These formulas are expressed in terms of the inverse functions of cosine the arguments of which are linear functions of the SWCNT diameter, and successfully agree with the simulation data. Accordingly, they are useful for controlling the tilt angles of the PAH molecules encapsulated in a SWCNT by adjusting the SWCNT diameter. It is also revealed that the stacking geometry of sumanene molecules with small tilt angles in a SWCNT is consistent with that of a sumanene dimer in a free space which Karunarathna and Saebo (Struct. Chem., 2014, 25, 1831) obtained using ab-initio calculations.

Histiocytic osteolysis secondary to hyperbilirubinaemia: a case report

A 6-year-old boy with Alagille syndrome, characterised by marked hyperbilirubinaemia, presented with malunion of a pathological fracture of the femur with local bone atrophy and insufficient callus formation. During corrective osteotomy, it was noted that the femur was stained dark green, suggestive of bilirubin deposition. Histology of the resected bone revealed the presence of many histiocytes and osteoclast-like multinucleate giant cells containing bilirubin particles in the cytoplasm causing bone resorption. These findings suggest that bilirubin may activate macrophages to form osteoclast-like multinucleate giant cells, resulting in histiocytic osteolysis.

Large-scale gene expression profiles, differentially represented in osteoarthritic synovium of the knee joint using cDNA microarray technology

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most common age-related chronic disorders of articular cartilage, joints and bone tissue. Diagnosis of OA commonly depends on clinical and radiographic findings. However, changes in cartilage associated with the early stage of OA cannot be detected using radiographs, because significant cartilage degeneration must occur before radiographic findings show alterations of the appearance of cartilage. To identify new biomarkers of OA, we analysed gene expression profiles of synovium from 43 patients with OA, ten patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and eight non-OA/non-RA patients using a novel cDNA microarray chip. We identified 21 genes with simultaneous significant differences in expression between OA and non-OA/non-RA groups and between OA and RA groups. Linear discriminant analysis showed that the three groups could be well separated using those 21 genes. Statistical analysis also revealed that several of the 21 genes were associated with disease progression and clinical presentation. The graphical modelling method indicated that some of the 21 genes are significantly associated with a particular clinical presentation, suggesting biological relationships among those genes. This is the first report of the use of cDNA microarray technology to create large-scale gene expression profiles differentially expressed in situ in OA synovium of the knee joint.

Simple sequence repeat map of the sunflower genome

Several independent molecular genetic linkage maps of varying density and completeness have been constructed for cultivated sunflower ( Helianthus annuus L.). Because of the dearth of sequence and probe-specific DNA markers in the public domain, the various genetic maps of sunflower have not been integrated and a single reference map has not emerged. Moreover, comparisons between maps have been confounded by multiple linkage group nomenclatures and the lack of common DNA markers. The goal of the present research was to construct a dense molecular genetic linkage map for sunflower using simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers. First, 879 SSR markers were developed by identifying 1,093 unique SSR sequences in the DNA sequences of 2,033 clones isolated from genomic DNA libraries enriched for (AC)(n) or (AG)(n) and screening 1,000 SSR primer pairs; 579 of the newly developed SSR markers (65.9% of the total) were polymorphic among four elite inbred lines (RHA280, RHA801, PHA and PHB). The genetic map was constructed using 94 RHA280 x RHA801 F(7) recombinant inbred lines (RILs) and 408 polymorphic SSR markers (462 SSR marker loci segregated in the mapping population). Of the latter, 459 coalesced into 17 linkage groups presumably corresponding to the 17 chromosomes in the haploid sunflower genome ( x = 17). The map was 1,368.3-cM long and had a mean density of 3.1 cM per locus. The SSR markers described herein supply a critical mass of DNA markers for constructing genetic maps of sunflower and create the basis for unifying and cross-referencing the multitude of genetic maps developed for wild and cultivated sunflowers.

Tobacco alkaloid derivatives as inhibitors of breast cancer aromatase

The inhibition of estrogen biosynthesis by the use of aromatase inhibitors is emerging as a valuable approach to breast cancer therapy. Because smoking has a profound effect on estrogen-related processes we examined the ability of tobacco constituents to suppress estrogen production by breast cancer aromatase. N-n-octanoylnornicotine and N-(4-hydroxyundecanoyl) anabasine suppressed aromatase activity in culture of two human breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-231 (IC50 of 310 and 20 microM, respectively) and SK-BR-3 (IC50 of 450 and approximately 2 microM, respectively). MDA-MB-231 cells induced by 250 nM dexamethasone or 1 mM (Bt)2cAMP were slightly more sensitive to both inhibitors. Kinetic analyses showed that inhibition by N-(4-hydroxyundecanoyl)anabasine is competitive with respect to androstenedione as substrate, with apparent Ki values of 0.2 microM against microsomal aromatase activity derived from both (Bt)2cAMP-induced MDA-MB-231 cells and human breast tumor tissue. The corresponding apparent Ki against human placental microsomal aromatase activity was 0.4 microM. These results indicate that acyl derivatives of nornicotine and anabasine block estrogen formation in breast tumor cells and tissue and could contribute to the decreased intra-tissue estrogen levels in women who smoke.

[Antinuclear antibody measurement as a screening test for sterile and infertile women with immunological abnormality]

The efficacy of examining antinuclear antibody (ANA) was investigated as a screening test detecting subclinical immune disorders in infertility and sterility. ANA was measured in 116 unexplained infertile or sterile patients. The ANA positive rate was 43.5% in group A (habitual abortion, n = 23), 38.1% in group B (consecutive miscarriages, n = 21), 30.0% in group C (one miscarriage, n = 10), 16.7% in group D (one or more deliveries n = 12) 22.0% in group E (primary sterility, n = 50), and 22.4% in the control group (n = 54). The positive rate for all the infertile patients (group A+B) was 40.9% and significantly higher than that in for the control group (p < 0.05). Ten patients with positive ANA had 12 deliveries and 20 patients with negative ANA had 23 deliveries. The frequency of preeclampsia in the patients with positive ANA was higher than in those with negative ANA (41.7% versus 4.3%, p < 0.05). A higher incidence of premature deliveries was recognized in the patients with positive ANA than in those with negative ANA (41.7% versus 8.7%, p < 0.1). Average birth weight (> 35 week) for patients with and without positive ANA was 2,976g (n = 8) and 3,122g (n = 19) respectively. The former tends to be smaller than the latter (p < 0.1).

[Tooth tapping frequency of young and elderly subjects]

Tooth tapping frequency was measured in young (21-29 years) and elderly (61-67 years) subjects. They were asked to continue the maximal frequent tapping during 1 min., and their mandibular movement were measured with a Mandibular Kinesiograph. The results are as follows: 1. Each phase of closing, occluding, opening and cycle was prolonged at the terminal of the 1 min. tapping. That is, tapping frequency decreased. Young subjects had 4.6 Hz tapping frequency and 2.7 Hz for elderly subjects. 2. Although the opening phase per cycle and the closing were not changed in spite of the tapping continuity, the occluding one increased at the terminal of the 1 min. tapping. 3. No difference existed between the young subjects and elderly in the maximal velocity of the mandibular movement at the opening and closing. Opening velocity was larger than closing velocity at the young subjects.

Changes in free progesterone in the serum, peritoneal fluid and follicular fluid through the menstrual cycle and pregnancy

Progesterone is said to play an important role in the secretory transformation of the endometrium, maintenance of gestation and relaxation of the myometrium. Progesterone is also said to be involved in ovulation and fertilization, and is contained in large amounts in the follicular fluid and peritoneal fluid. As with other steroid hormones, progesterone exists in the blood in protein-bound and free forms, and it is the free form which exhibits biological activity. In order to evaluate the biological activity of progesterone, we determined the percent free progesterone, employing the method used by Vlahos et al. for the determination of testosterone. No significant difference was noted between the percent free progesterone in the follicular phase (4.44 +/- 0.30%) and luteal phase (4.77 +/- 0.26%) of the menstrual cycle. However, a tendency for the percent free progesterone to rise was recognized in the first, and the value significantly increased to 5.54 +/- 0.51% in the third trimester (p less than 0.005). The percent free progesterone during the follicular phase in the peritoneal fluid was 4.95 +/- 0.30%, and in the follicular fluid, 5.39 +/- 0.22%, both values being larger than the value in the serum during the same phase.

Experimental replacement of vena cava with expanded polytetrafluoroethylene graft

Expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore Tex) grafts were used for the replacement of the superior or inferior vena cava in dogs. When examined 2 weeks to 18 months after the replacement, the overall patency rate was 82%. If neither deformation nor narrowing of the graft on examination by cavagram had occurred within 14 days after implantation, the patency of the grafts remained unchanged. Ninety days after implantation, the formation of pseudointima was almost complete. However, since the grafts were not firmly anchored, superficial desquamation in their mid-portion continued for long periods. A composite graft made up of Gore Tex and noncrimped Dacron was studied in order to know the reason why high patency of the Gore Tex graft was obtained. The pseudointima of the Gore Tex graft gradually increased in thickness for 60 min, after which no further increase was observed. The pseudointima in the Dacron graft thickened markedly as time progressed and additional layers of blood cells accumulated on it. Although the ultimate fate of Gore Tex graft has not yet been determined, experimental trials indicate its suitability for patients requiring replacement of the vena cava.

Modification and morphology of human umbilical cord vein as canine arterial bypass grafts

Human umbilical cord veins treated with various concentrations of glutaraldehyde (GA) and ethanol (ET) were used to replace short segments of the infrarenal abdominal artery in 40 dogs. The patency rates were 62.5% (5/8) in Group I; tanned with 1% GA for 24 hours and preserved in the same solution 87.5% (7/8) in Group II; tanned with 1% GA for 24 hours and preserved in 50% ethanol, 100% (8/8) in Group III; tanned in the same manner as Group II, but preserved in 70% ET; 87.5% (7/8) in Group IV; tanned with 0.5% GA for 24 hours and preserved in 50% ET, and 87.5% (7/8) in Group V; tanned as in Group IV but preserved in 70% ET when examined 14 days to 6 months after implantation. Angiographically, most of the anastomotic lines gradually contracted with the lapse of time because of excessive proliferation of connective tissue into the intraluminal surfaces, although the structural integrity of the graft was well preserved. Microscopically, the irregular fibrin membrane covering the entire inner surface of the graft became smoother and thinner with the lapse of time. The pannus increased gradually both in thickness and width. Scanning electron-micrography of the graft revealed that no endothelial cells were found more than 5 mm from the suture lines even 6 months after implantation. Antigenicity of the graft using a complement-dependent cytotoxicity test was effectively suppressed with glutaraldehyde regardless of whether its concentration was 0.5% or 1.0%. Although human umbilical cord vein tanned with 0.5% glutaraldehyde and preserved in 50% ethanol until used was considered to be useful as an arterial substitute, final conclusion could not be drawn since six grafts followed for six months, the longest follow-up, were stenotic.