Adsorption of amino acids by fullerenes and fullerene nanowhiskers.

We have investigated the adsorption of some amino acids and an oligopeptide by fullerene (C60) and fullerene nanowhiskers (FNWs). C60 and FNWs hardly adsorbed amino acids. Most of the amino acids used have a hydrophobic side chain. Ala and Val, with an alkyl chain, were not adsorbed by the C60 or FNWs. Trp, Phe and Pro, with a cyclic structure, were not adsorbed by them either. The aromatic group of C60 did not interact with the side chain. The carboxyl or amino group, with the frame structure of an amino acid, has a positive or negative charge in solution. It is likely that the C60 and FNWs would not prefer the charged carboxyl or amino group. Tri-Ala was adsorbed slightly by the C60 and FNWs. The carboxyl or amino group is not close to the center of the methyl group of Tri-Ala. One of the methyl groups in Tri-Ala would interact with the aromatic structure of the C60 and FNWs. We compared our results with the theoretical interaction of 20 bio-amino acids with C60. The theoretical simulations showed the bonding distance between C60 and an amino acid and the dissociation energy. The dissociation energy was shown to increase in the order, Val < Phe < Pro < Asp < Ala < Trp < Tyr < Arg < Leu. However, the simulation was not consistent with our experimental results. The adsorption of albumin (a protein) by C60 showed the effect on the side chains of Try and Trp. The structure of albumin was changed a little by C60. In our study Try and Tyr were hardly adsorbed by C60 and FNWs. These amino acids did not show a different adsorption behavior compared with other amino acids. The adsorptive behavior of mono-amino acids might be different from that of polypeptides.

[Cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable].

Cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis has been reported in a small number of patients with myelofibrosis. A 79-year-old male with JAK2V617F-positive myelodysplastic/myeloproliferative neoplasm, unclassifiable (MDS-MPN-U), presented with multiple skin lesions. The skin lesions were papulonodular, reddish brown, and elastic hard on palpation. Based on a lesion biopsy, cutaneous extramedullary hematopoiesis associated with MDS/MPN-U was diagnosed. He died four months later due to exacerbation of MDS/MPN-U. Cutaneous invasion might be associated with progressive disease and a poor prognosis for MDS/MPN-U, as it is for myelofibrosis.

Ambipolar to Unipolar Conversion in C70/Ferrocene Nanosheet Field-Effect Transistors.

Organic cocrystals, which are assembled by noncovalent intermolecular interactions, have garnered intense interest due to their remarkable chemicophysical properties and practical applications. One notable feature, namely, the charge transfer (CT) interactions within the cocrystals, not only facilitates the formation of an ordered supramolecular network but also endows them with desirable semiconductor characteristics. Here, we present the intriguing ambipolar CT properties exhibited by nanosheets composed of single cocrystals of C70/ferrocene (C70/Fc). When heated to 150 °C, the initially ambipolar monoclinic C70/Fc nanosheet-based field-effect transistors (FETs) were transformed into n-type face-centered cubic (fcc) C70 nanosheet-based FETs owing to the elimination of Fc. This thermally induced alteration in the crystal structure was accompanied by an irreversible switching of the semiconducting behavior of the device; thus, the device transitions from ambipolar to unipolar. Importantly, the C70/Fc nanosheet-based FETs were also found to be much more thermally stable than the previously reported C60/Fc nanosheet-based FETs. Furthermore, we conducted visible/near-infrared diffuse reflectance and photoemission yield spectroscopies to investigate the crucial role played by Fc in modulating the CT characteristics. This study provides valuable insights into the overall functionality of these nanosheet structures.

Primary Cutaneous Gamma-Delta T-Cell Lymphoma Initially Diagnosed as Subcutaneous Panniculitis-like T-Cell Lymphoma with Dermatomyositis.

Primary cutaneous gamma-delta T-cell lymphoma (CGD-TCL) is a rare cutaneous lymphoma. Panniculitis-like T-cell lymphoma (SPTCL) has a better prognosis than CGD-TCL. SPTCL is sometimes associated with autoimmune disease. A 64-year-old Japanese female with a history of dermatomyositis presented with subcutaneous nodules on the upper extremities and exacerbated dermatomyositis. A skin biopsy showed lobular panniculitis, a vacuolar interface change, and a dermal mucin deposit. Fat cells rimmed by neoplastic cells, fat necrosis, and karyorrhexis were observed. The atypical lymphoid cells showed CD3+, CD4-, CD8+, granzyme B+, CD20-, and CD56-. Polymerase chain reaction analysis demonstrated a T-cell receptor rearrangement. The patient was initially diagnosed with SPTCL, so the dose of prednisone was raised from 7.5 to 50 mg daily (1 mg/kg). After one month, erythematous nodules regressed, and muscle symptoms improved. Subsequently, prednisone was tapered, and cyclosporin A was added. After one year, the patient remained symptom-free and continued taking 7.5 mg prednisone and 100 mg cyclosporin A daily. Afterward, we immunostained skin samples with antibodies against TCR-ß and δ and found positive TCR-δ and negative TCR-ß. Therefore, we corrected the diagnosis to CGD-TCL, although the clinical course and the presence of dermatomyositis were reminiscent of SPTCL.

New-onset kidney biopsy-proven IgA vasculitis after receiving mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine: case report.

As mRNA COVID-19 vaccines have become widely available, cases of new-onset glomerular disease after receiving COVID-19 vaccination have been reported. Here, we present a case of kidney biopsy-proven new-onset IgA vasculitis after receiving the mRNA-1273 (Moderna) COVID-19 vaccination. A 47-year-old man with a 10-year medical history of hypertension and hyperuricemia visited our hospital 19 days after receiving an initial mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine injection for purpuric eruption on the legs and dorsal regions of the feet. Although the eruptions spontaneously improved within 5 days, they developed again at 15 days after the second injection. A histopathological examination of skin biopsy specimens was reminiscent of leukocytoclastic vasculitis, though direct immunofluorescence did not indicate IgA deposition within small vessel walls. Urinalysis indicated severe proteinuria (3 +) and occult blood (3 +). Thus, a kidney biopsy was performed and light microscopy revealed mild mesangial expansion, hypercellularity, and endocapillary hypercellularity, with cellular and fibrocellular crescents observed in three and one, respectively, of a total of 15 glomeruli. Immunofluorescence also showed diffuse granular mesangial staining (3 +) for IgA. Histopathological features were consistent with IgA vasculitis. Intravenous methylprednisolone at 1000 mg for 3 days was initiated, followed by oral prednisolone (0.6 mg/kg/day). Over the following 2-week period, serum creatinine level improved from 1.24 to 1.06 mg/dL and proteinuria decreased from 2.98 to 0.36 g/g Cr, though occult blood persisted. Findings in the present case indicate that new-onset IgA vasculitis after receiving mRNA-1273 COVID-19 vaccine can be treated with corticosteroid therapy.

Fullerene C70/porphyrin hybrid nanoarchitectures: single-cocrystal nanoribbons with ambipolar charge transport properties.

In recent years, supramolecular cocrystals containing organic donors and acceptors have been explored as active components in organic field-effect transistors (FETs). Herein, we report the synthesis of novel single-cocrystal nanoribbons with ambipolar charge transport characteristics from C70 and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin (3,5-TPP) in a 3 : 2 ratio. The C70/3,5-TPP nanoribbons exhibited a new strong absorption band in the near-infrared region, indicating the presence of charge-transfer interactions between C70 and 3,5-TPP in the cocrystals. We elucidated the mechanism of the charge-transport properties of the nanoribbons using photoemission yield spectroscopy in air and theoretical calculations. A strong interaction between porphyrins in the one-dimensional porphyrin chains formed in C70/3,5-TPP nanoribbons, which was confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction, plays a crucial role in their hole transport properties.

Use of infliximab in a patient with pyoderma gangrenosum and rheumatoid arthritis.

Pyoderma gangrenosum (PG) is characterized by ulcerative skin lesions. Infliximab (IFX) may promote PG healing in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, but whether IFX is effective for treating PG in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) has not reported. We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with PG complicated by RA who was treated using IFX therapy. This case suggests that IFX therapy might offer effective treatment for such patients.

One-Dimensional Fullerene/Porphyrin Cocrystals: Near-Infrared Light Sensing through Component Interactions.

Recently, organic donor-acceptor (D-A) cocrystals have attracted special interest as functional materials because of their unique chemical and physical properties that are not exhibited by simple mixtures of their components. Herein, we report the preparation of one-dimensional novel D-A cocrystals from C60 and 5,10,15,20-tetrakis(3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)porphyrin (3,5-TPP); these cocrystals have near-infrared (NIR) light-sensing abilities, despite each of their component molecule individually having no NIR light-sensing properties. Micrometer-sized rectangular columnar C60-3,5-TPP cocrystals were produced by a simple liquid-liquid interfacial precipitation method. The cocrystals exhibit a new strong transition in the NIR region indicative of the existence of charge-transfer interactions between C60 and 3,5-TPP in the cocrystals. The C60-3,5-TPP cocrystals showed n-type transport characteristics with NIR light-sensing properties when the cocrystals were incorporated in bottom-gate/bottom-contact organic phototransistors, revealing that organic cocrystals with suitable charge-transfer interaction are useful as functional materials for the creation of novel NIR-light-sensing devices.

Effect of normal human erythrocytes on blood rheology in microcirculation.

BACKGROUND: Effects of RBCs on blood rheology were studied using a microchannel array flow analyzer (MC-FAN). METHODS: Fluidity of four types of samples prepared from the venous blood of healthy volunteers was examined in terms of passage time through the microchannel array of MC-FAN (model KH-3): (1) physiological saline-RBC suspensions and plasma-RBC suspensions, each adjusted to a predetermined hematocrit value; (2) suspensions of glutaraldehyde-treated hardened RBCs; (3) fibrinogen-RBC and albumin-RBC suspensions; and (4) dextran-RBC suspensions. RESULTS: Hematocrit positively correlated with passage time. Both plasma and fibrinogen prolonged passage time significantly. Hardened RBCs completely obstructed the microchannel. The passage time of dextran-RBC suspensions was prolonged in a dextran molecular weight- and concentration-dependent manner and was dependent on the passage time of the solution alone. CONCLUSIONS: Blood rheology, as determined by MC-FAN, is affected not by RBC aggregation but hematocrit, RBC deformability, and the passage time of the solution.

Superconductivity in alkali-doped fullerene nanowhiskers.

Superconductivity in alkali metal-doped fullerene nanowhiskers (C60NWs) was observed in K3.3C60NWs, Rb3.0C60NWs and Cs2.0Rb1.0C60NWs with transition temperatures at 17, 25 and 26 K, respectively. Almost full shielding volume fraction (~80%) was observed in K3.3C60NWs when subjected to thermal treatment at 200 °C for a duration of 24 h. In contrast, the shielding fraction of Rb3.0C60NWs and Cs2.0Rb1.0C60NWs were calculated to be 8% and 6%, respectively. Here we report on an extensive investigation of the superconducting properties of these AC60NWs (A = K3.3, Rb3.0 and Cs2.0Rb1.0). These properties are compared to the ones reported on the corresponding conventional (single-crystal or powder) K-doped fullerene. We also evaluated the critical current densities of these C60NWs using the Bean model under an applied magnetic field up to 50 kOe.

A case of ileoileal intussusception caused by metastatic pedunculated tumor of cutaneous angiosarcoma.

Cutaneous angiosarcoma is a rare aggressive vascular tumor that occurs in elderly patients and is usually located on the head and face. Metastases often develop in the cervical lymph nodes, lungs, bone, liver and spleen. There have been no reports of ileoileal intussusception due to metastatic tumor from cutaneous angiosarcoma. We reported a case of cutaneous angiosarcoma in a 67-year-old Japanese male accompanied with ileoileal intussusception due to metastatic angiosarcoma. We assume that the metastatic tumor in the small intestine was metastasized hematogeneously from cutaneous angiosarcoma, resulting in the formation of nodules and the rapid growth of a pedunculated tumor as a forerunner of the ileoileal intessusception.