Reaction Mechanism and Selectivity Control of Si Compound ALE Based on Plasma Modification and F-Radical Exposure.

In this work, atomic layer etching (ALE) of Si compounds using H2 or N2 plasma modification followed by fluorine radical exposure is discussed. It is shown that the H2 plasma modification process promotes the selective etching of SiN, SiC, and SiCO versus SiO2. The N2 plasma modification, on the other hand, enables the selective etching of SiC and SiCO versus SiN and SiO2. The origin of the etching selectivity between different Si compounds is investigated using a combination of in situ SE and FTIR supported by several ex situ analysis techniques. It is shown that the formation of a hydrogen-rich layer after plasma modification is essential to enable the ALE process. The hydrogen-rich layer can be formed due to ion and radicals of the modification plasma (H2 plasma modification) or be a result of the reconfiguration of hydrogen that is already present in the film (N2 plasma modification). The obtained insights are expected to further enhance the etching selectivity of Si compound ALE processes. Furthermore, it is anticipated that the process can be extended to many other compound materials such as Ti and Hf, as well as enable selective etching between their oxides, carbides, and nitrides.

Laser Spectroscopy Measurements of Metastable Pionic Helium Atoms at Paul Scherrer Institute.

We review recent experiments carried out by the PiHe collaboration of the Paul Scherrer Institute (PSI) that observed an infrared transition of three-body pionic helium atoms by laser spectroscopy. These measurements may lead to a precise determination of the charged pion mass, and complement experiments of antiprotonic helium atoms carried out at the new ELENA facility of CERN.

Neuromelanin or DaT-SPECT: which is the better marker for discriminating advanced Parkinson's disease?

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Whether the neuromelanin-positive substantia nigra pars compacta area (NM-SNc) on neuromelanin magnetic resonance imaging (NM-MRI) and the specific binding ratio (SBR) on 123 I-N-v-fluoropropyl-2b-carbomethoxy3b-(4-iodophenyl)nortropane single photon emission computed tomography (DaT-SPECT) can be correlated with motor fluctuations (MFs) in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD) was investigated. METHODS: Thirty-five PD patients (60 ± 13 years) and 23 healthy individuals as controls (59 ± 19 years) were enrolled. The relationships between NM-MRI and DaT-SPECT were prospectively examined in two subgroups divided according to the presence or absence of MFs. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox proportional hazard model to screen for association factors. RESULTS: The NM-SNc size was correlated with the SBR (Spearman's ρ = 0.43, P < 0.05). The NM-SNc size was significantly reduced in PD with MFs compared with the subgroup without (P < 0.001), whereas the SBR did not significantly differ between the groups. NM-SNc size was a significant association factor for MFs (hazard ratio 0.94, P = 0.04). In receiver operating characteristic analysis of the factors for MF occurrence, the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of the NM-SNc size showed a significant difference of 0.89 (P < 0.05) but no significant difference was found in the SBR. CONCLUSIONS: NM-SNc size was significantly correlated with the SBR in PD, but several factors in advanced PD were more closely associated with NM-SNc size than the SBR. NM-MRI might reflect the status of advanced PD more accurately than DaT-SPECT. Therefore, NM-MRI appears to provide a better marker for discriminating advanced PD than DaT-SPECT.

Preferences for health information in middle-aged Japanese workers based on health literacy levels: a descriptive study.

OBJECTIVES: To describe the health information preferences in middle-aged Japanese workers based on health literacy (HL) levels and presence of medications. STUDY DESIGN: A cross-sectional study. METHODS: We performed a web-based questionnaire survey with Japanese workers aged below 60 years. HL was assessed using the total score of communicative skills (five items) and critical skills (four items) from the 14-item Health Literacy Scale. Regarding their health information preferences, participants were asked about the health information they wanted (four items), could easily understand (six items), or easily use (two items) and answered on a 4-point scale (strongly agree/agree/disagree/strongly disagree). The percentages of the affirmative responses (strongly agree or agree) were compared among tertiles based on the HL score. RESULTS: We obtained data from a total of 3387 volunteers, of whom 510 participants were on either antihypertensive, lipid-lowering, or antidiabetic drugs. Compared with the high HL and middle HL groups, low HL had fewer affirmative responses to most health information items. Health information items received 70% of affirmative responses even in the low HL level. They were visually shown by figures or pictures, highlighted by colors for important points, could be read in 1-2 min, and were accessed on the Internet, regardless of the presence of medications. Additionally, the explanation for mechanisms of medications or lifestyle to prevent or improve diseases showed high affinity in all HL levels, only for those on medications. CONCLUSIONS: This result generates a hypothesis that low HL individuals have a low interest in health information. Our data showed several possible forms of health information with high affinity based on HL levels that would help plan future population approaches.

Automated brain tissue and myelin volumetry based on quantitative MR imaging with various in-plane resolutions.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Segmented brain tissue and myelin volumes can now be automatically calculated using dedicated software (SyMRI), which is based on quantification of R1 and R2 relaxation rates and proton density. The aim of this study was to determine the validity of SyMRI brain tissue and myelin volumetry using various in-plane resolutions. METHODS: We scanned 10 healthy subjects on a 1.5T MR scanner with in-plane resolutions of 0.8, 2.0 and 3.0mm. Two scans were performed for each resolution. The acquisition time was 7-min and 24-sec for 0.8mm, 3-min and 9-sec for 2.0mm and 1-min and 56-sec for 3.0mm resolutions. The volumes of white matter (WM), gray matter (GM), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), non-WM/GM/CSF (NoN), brain parenchymal volume (BPV), intracranial volume (ICV) and myelin were compared between in-plane resolutions. Repeatability for each resolution was then analyzed. RESULTS: No significant differences in volumes measured were found between the different in-plane resolutions, except for NoN between 0.8mm and 2.0mm and between 2.0mm and 3.0mm. The repeatability error value for the WM, GM, CSF, NoN, BPV and myelin volumes relative to ICV was 0.97%, 1.01%, 0.65%, 0.86%, 1.06% and 0.25% in 0.8mm; 1.22%, 1.36%, 0.73%, 0.37%, 1.18% and 0.35% in 2.0mm and 1.18%, 1.02%, 0.96%, 0.45%, 1.36%, and 0.28% in 3.0mm resolutions. CONCLUSION: SyMRI brain tissue and myelin volumetry with low in-plane resolution and short acquisition times is robust and has a good repeatability so could be useful for follow-up studies.

First Elastic Electron Scattering from

The first elastic electron scattering has been successfully performed at the self-confining radioactive-isotope ion target (SCRIT) facility, the world's first electron scattering facility for SCRIT technique achieved high luminosity (over 10^{27} cm^{-2} s^{-1}, sufficient for determining the nuclear shape) with only 10^{8} target ions. While ^{132}Xe used in this time as a target is a stable isotope, the charge density distribution was first extracted from the momentum transfer distributions of the scattered electrons by comparing the results with those calculated by a phase shift calculation.

Blue light-induced immunosuppression in Bactrocera dorsalis adults, as a carryover effect of larval exposure.

Detrimental effects of ultraviolet (UV) light on living organisms are well understood, little is known about the effects of blue light irradiation. Although a recent study revealed that blue light caused more harmful effects on insects than UV light and blue light irradiation killed insect pests of various orders including Diptera, the effects of blue light on physiology of insects are still largely unknown. Here we studied the effects of blue light irradiation on cuticular melanin in larval and the immune response in adult stage of Bactrocera dorsalis. We also evaluated the effects of blue light exposure in larval stage on various age and mass at metamorphosis and the mediatory role of cuticular melanin in carryover effects of larval stressors across metamorphosis. We found that larvae exposed to blue light decreased melanin contents in their exoskeleton with smaller mass and delayed metamorphosis than insects reared without blue light exposure. Across metamorphosis, lower melanotic encapsulation response and higher susceptibility to Beauveria bassiana was detected in adults that had been exposed to blue light at their larval stage, thereby constituting the first evidence that blue light impaired adult immune function in B. dorsalis as a carryover effect of larval exposure.

The role of plasma chemistry on functional silicon nitride film properties deposited at low-temperature by mixing two frequency powers using PECVD.

Control of the plasma densities and energies of the principal plasma species is crucial to induce modification of the plasma reactivity, chemistry, and film properties. This work presents a systematic and integrated approach to the low-temperature deposition of hydrogenated amorphous silicon nitride films looking into optimization and control of the plasma processes. Radiofrequency (RF) and ultrahigh frequency (UHF) power are combined to enhance significantly the nitrogen plasma and atomic-radical density to enforce their effect on film properties. This study presents an extensive investigation of the influence of combining radiofrequency (RF) and ultrahigh frequency (UHF) power as a power ratio (PR = RF : UHF), ranging from 4 : 0 to 0 : 4, on the compositional, structural, and optical properties of the synthesized films. The data reveal that DF power with a characteristic bi-Maxwellian electron energy distribution function (EEDF) is effectively useful for enhancing the ionization and dissociation of neutrals, which in turn helps in enabling high rate deposition with better film properties than that of SF operations. Utilizing DF PECVD, a wide-bandgap of ∼3.5 eV with strong photoluminescence features can be achieved only by using a high-density plasma and high nitrogen atom density at room temperature. The present work also proposes the suitability of the DF PECVD approach for industrial applications.

Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) as a clinical marker in acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis: a close correlation between serum CEA level and disease activity.

BACKGROUND: Hypohidrosis/anhidrosis are congenital or acquired sweating impairments. Among them, acquired idiopathic generalized anhidrosis/hypohidrosis (AIGA) is the most common, and characterized by favourable response to systemic corticosteroid, however, no clinical markers for disease severity or activity have been developed. OBJECTIVE: Our aim was to verify the usefulness of serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level monitoring as a clinical marker for disease activity of AIGA. METHODS: Ten cases of AIGA diagnosed at Asahikawa Medical University, from 1980 to 2014 were included in the study. CEA and/or CEACAM1 expression level was analysed using immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. RESULT: CEA expression was restricted to the apical membrane of glandular cells in eccrine sweat glands in most of the three types of cases we examined [healthy control, patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) or urticaria]. However, CEA expression was detected diffusely and much more intensively in eight of the 10 AIGA cases included in this study. CEACAM1-expression was much more restricted on the apical membrane of glandular cells of both the AIGA cases and the other control subjects. While serum CEA levels increased in all five AIGA cases examined (5.8-43.2 ng/mL), it remained within normal limits in all control subjects: nine healthy individuals; 10 cases of AD; 10 cases of idiopathic urticaria; four cases of normohidrotic cholinergic urticaria (Mann-Whitney's U-test, P < 0.05). The increased serum CEA levels in AIGA decreased in conjunction with improved sweating during methyl prednisolone pulse therapy or repeated bathing. CONCLUSION: Serum CEA level may serve as a clinical marker for AIGA activity.

Laparoscopic intraoperative navigation surgery for gastric cancer using real-time rendered 3D CT images.

PURPOSE: Recent advances in laparoscopic surgical technology have made it possible to perform advanced high-level surgery, such as lymph node dissection for malignancy. Grasping the anatomy during such procedures is important for a safe operation. We have developed a new image information system that provides three-dimensional (3D) reconstructed CT images synchronized with the motion of the laparoscope. This study assesses this new navigation system. METHODS: Enhanced CT using a custom-made software program can provide 3D angiography images reconstructed as a laparoscopic view. A motion sensor mounted on the laparoscope can detect the direction angle of the laparoscope. The real-time rendered 3D CT images are synchronized with the laparoscopic video images according to the motion of the scope. These 3D CT images are projected on another monitor close to the laparoscopic video monitor. Lymph node dissection can be performed with the help of the real-time navigation system that provides a detailed 3D view of the vasculature. RESULTS: Ten laparoscopic gastrectomies were performed using this navigation system. Real-time intraoperative navigation of the vasculature was available, allowing for an excellent surgical outcome. No complications occurred in this series. CONCLUSION: Our intraoperative navigation system allows for safe laparoscopic gastric lymph node dissection.

Plasma CD147 reflects histological features in patients with lupus nephritis.

OBJECTIVE: A glycosylated transmembrane protein, CD147, has been implicated in regulating lymphocyte responsiveness and leukocyte recruitment. As lupus nephritis (LN) often follows a relapsing-remitting disease course, accurate understanding of the disease activity would be extremely helpful in improving prognosis. Unfortunately, neither clinical nor serological data can accurately reflect the histological features of LN. The present study investigated whether CD147 can accurately predict pathological features of LN. METHODS: Plasma and spot urine samples were collected from 64 patients who underwent renal biopsy between 2008 and 2011. Disease activity for LN tissues was evaluated using the biopsy activity index, and compared to levels of biomarkers including CD147. RESULTS: In LN tissues, CD147 induction was striking in injured glomeruli and infiltrating inflammatory cells, but not in damaged tubules representing atrophy. Plasma CD147 levels accurately reflected the histological disease activity. However, prediction using a single molecule would be quite difficult because of the complex pathogenesis of LN. The diagnostic accuracy of multiplex parameters indicated that the combination including plasma CD147 might yield excellent diagnostic abilities for guiding ideal LN therapy. CONCLUSION: Plasma CD147 levels might offer useful insights into disease activity as a crucial biomarker in patients with LN.

Distribution of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP) in the human testis and in testicular germ cell tumors.

Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating peptide (PACAP) is a neuropeptide expressed in the central nervous system and peripheral organs. Previous studies revealed the role and distribution of PACAP in the rodent testis, however, its presence in the human testis and in testicular germ cell tumors is not known. We used RT-PCR and immunohistological observations to investigate whether human testicular tissue and testicular germ cell tumors contain PACAP. The mRNAs for PACAP and its receptors were detected in total RNA extracted from human testes. PACAP immunoreactivity was observed in spermatogonia and spermatids from normal testes. In contrast, diffuse PACAP immunopositivity was observed in seminoma tumor cells, while only faint immunoreactivity was observed in embryonal carcinoma cells. Our data suggest that PACAP may play a role in human spermatogenesis and in testicular germ cell tumor development.

Genetic basis of male colour dimorphism in a Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish.

Phenotypic polymorphisms can be applied to study the micro-evolutionary forces that maintain genetic variation and can mediate speciation, but it can be difficult to determine the genetic basis of polymorphisms. Recently, restriction-site-associated DNA (RAD) sequencing has become popular, which can easily produce multiple single nucleotide polymorphisms from whole genomes. Here, we combined RAD sequencing, allele-specific PCR and Sanger sequencing to determine the genetic basis underlying male colour dimorphism of a Lake Tanganyika cichlid fish, Cyprichromis leptosoma. Our analyses using both a cross-family (two parents and 12 F2 males) and 64 wild individuals do not contradict a hypothesis that two alleles of one-locus control male colour dimorphism. Also, the locus may be located on a genome region that experiences reduced levels of recombination. Although more analyses will be needed to conclude these findings, this study is the first to suggest the genetic basis of a colour polymorphism using RAD sequencing.

Bug22p, a conserved centrosomal/ciliary protein also present in higher plants, is required for an effective ciliary stroke in Paramecium.

Centrioles, cilia, and flagella are ancestral conserved organelles of eukaryotic cells. Among the proteins identified in the proteomics of ciliary proteins in Paramecium, we focus here on a protein, Bug22p, previously detected by cilia and basal-body high-throughput studies but never analyzed per se. Remarkably, this protein is also present in plants, which lack centrioles and cilia. Bug22p sequence alignments revealed consensus positions that distinguish species with centrioles/cilia from plants. In Paramecium, antibody and green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion labeling localized Bug22p in basal bodies and cilia, and electron microscopy immunolabeling refined the localization to the terminal plate of the basal bodies, the transition zone, and spots along the axoneme, preferentially between the membrane and the microtubules. RNA interference (RNAi) depletion of Bug22p provoked a strong decrease in swimming speed, followed by cell death after a few days. High-speed video microscopy and morphological analysis of Bug22p-depleted cells showed that the protein plays an important role in the efficiency of ciliary movement by participating in the stroke shape and rigidity of cilia. The defects in cell swimming and growth provoked by RNAi can be complemented by expression of human Bug22p. This is the first reported case of complementation by a human gene in a ciliate.

First observation of two hyperfine transitions in antiprotonic He.

We report on the first experimental results for microwave spectroscopy of the hyperfine structure of p¯3He+. Due to the helium nuclear spin, p¯3He+ has a more complex hyperfine structure than p¯4He+, which has already been studied before. Thus a comparison between theoretical calculations and the experimental results will provide a more stringent test of the three-body quantum electrodynamics (QED) theory. Two out of four super-super-hyperfine (SSHF) transition lines of the (n,L)=(36,34) state were observed. The measured frequencies of the individual transitions are 11.12559(14) GHz and 11.15839(18) GHz, less than 1 MHz higher than the current theoretical values, but still within their estimated errors. Although the experimental uncertainty for the difference of these frequencies is still very large as compared to that of theory, its measured value agrees with theoretical calculations. This difference is crucial to be determined because it is proportional to the magnetic moment of the antiproton.

Adult orbital xanthogranulomatous disease: adult-onset xanthogranuloma of periorbital location.

Adult orbital xanthogranulomatous disease (AOXGD) is a rare granulomatous disorder, which has four subtypes: adult-onset xanthogranuloma (AOX), adult-onset asthma with periocular xanthogranuloma, necrobiotic xanthogranuloma and Erdheim-Chester disease. We report a 42-year-old woman who presented with yellowish nonulcerative nodules on her eyelids. On histopathological examination of a nodule, mild degeneration of collagen fibres was seen, with surrounding infiltration of numerous foam cells and Touton giant cells in the deep dermis. Lymphoid follicles were seen in the reticular dermis. There was no apparent necrobiosis of collagen fibres. There were no clinical symptoms of asthma and no laboratory signs of paraproteinaemia during a follow-up of more than 5 years. We diagnosed this case as AOX, but further long-term follow-up would be required for the differentiation from the other AOXGDs. Dermatologists should be aware of these rare granulomatous disease conditions with ocular/orbital location, because they may cause ophthalmological complications.

Alteration of interleukin 4 production results in the inhibition of T helper type 2 cell-dominated inflammatory bowel disease in T cell receptor alpha chain-deficient mice.

T cell receptor alpha chain-deficient (TCR-alpha(-/-)) mice are known to spontaneously develop inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The colitis that develops in these mice is associated with increased numbers of T helper cell (Th)2-type CD4(+)TCR-betabeta (CD4(+)betabeta) T cells producing predominantly interleukin (IL)-4. To investigate the role of these Th2-type CD4(+)betabeta T cells, we treated TCR-alpha(-/-) mice with anti-IL-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb). Approximately 60% of TCR-alpha(-/-) mice, including those treated with mock Ab and those left untreated, spontaneously developed IBD. However, anti-IL-4 mAb-treated mice exhibited no clinical or histological signs of IBD, and their levels of mucosal and systemic Ab responses were lower than those of mock Ab-treated mice. Although TCR-alpha(-/-) mice treated with either specific or mock Ab developed CD4(+)betabeta T cells, only those treated with anti-IL-4 mAb showed a decrease in Th2-type cytokine production at the level of mRNA and protein and an increase in interferon gamma-specific expression. These findings suggest that IL-4-producing Th2-type CD4(+)betabeta T cells play a major immunopathological role in the induction of IBD in TCR-alpha(-/-) mice, a role that anti-IL-4 mAb inhibits by causing Th2-type CD4(+)betabeta T cells to shift to the Th1 type.

Exercise provides direct biphasic cardioprotection via manganese superoxide dismutase activation.

Epidemiologic investigations have shown that exercise reduces morbidity and mortality from coronary artery disease. In this study, using a rat model, we attempted to determine whether exercise can reduce ischemic injury to the heart and elucidate a mechanism for the cardioprotective effect of exercise. Results showed that exercise significantly reduced the magnitude of a myocardial infarction in biphasic manner. The time course for cardioprotection resembled that of the change in manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. The administration of the antisense oligodeoxyribonucleotide to Mn-SOD abolished the expected decrease in infarct size. We showed that the level of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin 1beta (IL-1beta) increased after exercise. The simultaneous administration of the neutralizing antibodies to the cytokines abolished the exercise-induced cardioprotection and the activation of Mn-SOD. Furthermore, TNF-alpha can mimic the biphasic pattern of cardioprotection and activation of Mn-SOD. An antioxidant completely abolished cardioprotection and the activation of Mn-SOD by exercise or the injection of TNF-alpha as well as exercise-induced increase in TNF-alpha and IL-1beta. The production of reactive oxygen species and endogenous TNF-alpha and IL-1beta induced by exercise leads to the activation of Mn-SOD, which plays major roles in the acquisition of biphasic cardioprotection against ischemia/reperfusion injury in rats.

Decreased pregnancy rate is linked to abnormal uterine peristalsis caused by intramural fibroids.

BACKGROUND: The relationship between fibroids and infertility remains an unsolved question, and management of intramural fibroids is controversial. During the implantation phase, uterine peristalsis is dramatically reduced, which is thought to facilitate embryo implantation. Our aims were to evaluate (i) the occurrence and frequency of uterine peristalsis in infertile women with intramural fibroids and (ii) whether the presence of uterine peristalsis decreases the pregnancy rate. METHODS: Ninety-five infertile patients with uterine fibroids were examined using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Inclusion criteria were as follows: (i) presence of intramural fibroids, excluding submucosal type; (ii) no other significant infertility factors (excluding endometriosis); and (iii) regular menstrual cycles, and MRI performed at the time of implantation (luteal phase day 5-9). The frequency of junctional zone movement was evaluated using cine-mode-display MRI. After MRI, patients underwent infertility treatment for up to 4 months, and the pregnancy rate was evaluated prospectively. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, and 29 (57%) and 22 (43%) patients were assigned to the low (0 or 1 time/3 min) or high frequency (≥ 2 times/3 min) uterine peristalsis group, respectively. Endometriosis incidence was the same in both groups. Ten out of the 29 patients (34%) in the low-frequency group achieved pregnancy, compared with none of the 22 patients (0%) in the high-frequency group (P< 0.005). Comparing pregnant and non-pregnant cases, 4 of 10 patients (40%) and 9 of 41 patients (22%), respectively, had endometriosis (not significant). CONCLUSIONS: A higher frequency of uterine peristalsis during the mid-luteal phase might be one of the causes of infertility associated with intramural-type fibroids.

Isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis: an autopsy case.

STUDY DESIGN: Autopsy cases of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis are extremely rare or none. OBJECTIVES: To report an autopsy case of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis without the involvement of other organs. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: A few reports of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis are present, but no autopsy cases of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis are present in the English literature. SETTING: Japan. METHODS: An autopsy case of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis was examined pathologically. RESULTS: A 54-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of leg numbness and muscle weakness. Imaging modalities showed an irregular contour and a mass-like lesion in the spinal cord. No biopsies were performed. Clinical diagnoses were suspected sarcoidosis and malignant lymphoma. The patient was treated by steroids and anti-cancer drugs, but she suddenly died of unknown cause. An autopsy revealed fibrosis and non-caseating granulomata in the spinal cord. No acid-fast bacteria or fungi were recognized by special stains. A PCR revealed no acid-fast bacteria including tuberculosis. Other organs including the brain and lung showed no sarcoidosis lesions. A pathological diagnosis of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis was made. Other pathological diagnoses were systemic congestion, lung emphysema, food impaction in the upper esophagus and larynx, cardiac hypertrophy and marked dilation of the colon. The cause of death was thought to be respiratory failure. CONCLUSION: We have reported a very rare autopsy case of isolated spinal neurosarcoidosis, with an emphasis on pathological findings.