Complement profile in microscopic polyangiitis and granulomatosis with polyangiitis: analysis using sera from a nationwide prospective cohort study.

OBJECTIVE: The complement cascade, especially the alternative pathway of complement, has been shown in basic research to be associated with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic autoantibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitis (AAV). We aimed to elucidate relationships between serum complement components and clinical characteristics in AAV. METHOD: In a nationwide prospective cohort study (RemIT-JAV-RPGN), we measured the serum levels of C1q, C2, C3, C3b/iC3b, C4, C4b, C5, C5a, C9, factor B, factor D, factor H, factor I, mannose-binding lectin, and properdin in 52 patients with microscopic polyangiitis (MPA) and 39 patients with granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA). RESULTS: The properdin level of MPA and GPA was significantly lower than that of healthy donors. The properdin level was negatively correlated with the Birmingham Vasculitis Activity Score (BVAS) (ρ = -0.2148, p = 0.0409). The factor D level at 6 months was significantly positively correlated with the Vasculitis Damage Index (VDI) at 6, 12, and 24 months (ρ = 0.4207, 0.4132, and 0.3115, respectively). Patients with a higher ratio of C5a to C5 had higher neutrophil percentage and serum immunoglobulin G levels, and significantly lower creatinine levels. Cluster analysis divided the MPA and GPA patients into three subgroups. A principal component (PC) analysis aggregated 15 types of complements into alternative pathway-related PC 1 and complement classical pathway and common pathway-related PC 2. CONCLUSIONS: The serum levels of properdin and factor D were correlated with the BVAS and the VDI in MPA and GPA, respectively. Our analyses suggested the pathological heterogeneity of MPA and GPA from the aspect of complement components.

Laser-Beam-Patterned Topological Insulating States on Thin Semiconducting MoS_{2}.

Identifying the two-dimensional (2D) topological insulating (TI) state in new materials and its control are crucial aspects towards the development of voltage-controlled spintronic devices with low-power dissipation. Members of the 2D transition metal dichalcogenides have been recently predicted and experimentally reported as a new class of 2D TI materials, but in most cases edge conduction seems fragile and limited to the monolayer phase fabricated on specified substrates. Here, we realize the controlled patterning of the 1T^{'} phase embedded into the 2H phase of thin semiconducting molybdenum-disulfide by laser beam irradiation. Integer fractions of the quantum of resistance, the dependence on laser-irradiation conditions, magnetic field, and temperature, as well as the bulk gap observation by scanning tunneling spectroscopy and theoretical calculations indicate the presence of the quantum spin Hall phase in our patterned 1T^{'} phases.

Outcome of maintenance systemic chemotherapy with drug-free interval for metastatic urothelial carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: Aiming to achieve long-term disease control, maintenance systemic chemotherapy (MSC) with a 1-3-month drug-free interval is continued in selected patients. We report our experience of MSC for metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). METHODS: Of 228 metastatic UC patients treated with systemic chemotherapy, 40 (17.5%, 40/228) had continuously undergone MSC. Data on the regimen, cycle number, and reason for the discontinuation of MSC were also collected. We analyzed OS from the initiation of MSC until death or the last follow-up, using the log-rank test to assess the significance of differences. RESULTS: The median number of cycles of chemotherapy was 6, and the responses were CR in 6, PR in 20, SD in 13, and PD in 1 before MSC. Gemcitabine plus CDDP or carboplatin was mainly performed as MSC (70%, 28/40). MSC was repeated quarterly in 30 (75%, 30/40), every two months in 8 (20%, 8/40), and with other intervals in 2 (5%, 2/40). Overall, a median of 3.5 cycles (range: 1-29) of MSC was performed. The reason for the discontinuation of MSC was PD in 24 (60%, 24/40), favorable disease control in 9 (22.5%, 9/40), and myelosuppression in 3 (7.5%, 3/40), and for other reasons in 2 (5%, 2/40). MSC was ongoing in 2 (5%, 2/40). The median OS was 27 months from the initiation of MSC. PS0 (P = 0.0169), the absence of lung metastasis (P = 0.0387), and resection of the primary site (P = 0.0495) were associated with long-term survival after MSC. CONCLUSIONS: In selected patients, long-term systemic chemotherapy could be performed with a drug-free interval. Our maintenance strategy with cytotoxic drugs may become one of the treatment options for long-term disease control.

Morphology dependence of the thermal transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotube thin films.

The thermal transport properties of random network, single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) films were assessed using Raman spectroscopy. Two types of SWNT films were investigated: single-layer and stacked. The single-layer films were fabricated by aerosol chemical vapour deposition and subsequent direct dry deposition, while the stacked films were prepared by placing the single-layer films on top of one another. The anisotropy of the network structures of each of these films was evaluated based on the angular dependence of the optical absorbance spectra. The results show that the anisotropy of the films decreases with increasing film thickness in the case of the single-layer films, and that the film anisotropy is preserved during the stacking process. The sheet thermal conductance is proportional to the SWNT area density in the case of stacked films, but is reduced with increasing thickness in the case of single-layer films. This effect is explained by a change in the network morphology from a two-dimensional anisotropic structure to the more isotropic structure. This work demonstrates the fabrication of low-density films with high sheet thermal conductance through the stacking of thin SWNT films.

Molecular survey of Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae in pet cats across Japan by species-specific nested-PCR.

Cats are known to be the main reservoir for Bartonella henselae and Bartonella clarridgeiae, which are the agents of 'cat-scratch disease' in humans. In the present study, we investigated the prevalence of the two Bartonella species on 1754 cat bloods collected from all prefectures in Japan during 2007-2008 by a nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting the 16S-23S rRNA internal transcribed spacer region. Overall, Bartonella DNA was detected in 4·6% (80/1754) of the cats examined. The nested-PCR showed that 48·8% (39/80) of the positive cats were infected with B. henselae mono-infection, 33·8% (27/80) with B. clarridgeiae mono-infection and 17·5% (14/80) were infected with both species. The prevalence (5·9%; 65/1103) of Bartonella infection in the western part of Japan was significantly higher than that (2·3%; 15/651) of eastern Japan (P < 0·001). Statistical analysis of the cats examined suggested a significant association between Bartonella infection and FeLV infection (OR = 1·9; 95% CI = 1·1-3·4), but not with FIV infection (OR = 1·6; 95% CI = 1·0-2·6).

Structural study of epitaxial LiCoO2 films grown by pulsed laser deposition on single crystal SrTiO3 substrates.

Epitaxial LiCoO2 (LCO) thin films of different orientations were fabricated by pulsed laser deposition (PLD) in order to model single-crystal behavior of intercalation cathodes during electrochemical reactions. This paper demonstrates that (1) epitaxial growth of LCO on a single crystal Nb-doped SrTiO3 (Nb:STO) of different orientations occurs with a single orientation relationship; (2) surface morphology of the LCO films is established by the morphology of coalescing grains during island growth mode, whereas morphology of the grains can be visualized as different cuts from a cube with low-energy {104}R-LCO surfaces; (3) the films consist of predominately trigonal R-LiCoO2 phase, with a small fraction of the occasionally present cubic c-LixCoO2 phase; (4) cyclic voltammetry measurements have determined rectification at interface between LCO and Nb:STO causing bias on the oxidation part of cycling, thus preventing full cycling.

Ultrasound-guided percutaneous aspiration of hyperreactio luteinalis avoids laparoscopic untwisting of ovarian torsion.

Hyperreactio luteinalis (HL) is characterized by multicystic bilateral enlargement of the ovaries and is a self-limiting benign condition associated with pregnancy or trophoblastic disease. Since HL regresses spontaneously over time, it should be managed conservatively as long as the patient's condition permits; torsion of the enlarged ovaries is believed to be the only exception that mandates surgical intervention. Here, we describe a case of HL complicated by ovarian torsion that was treated successfully without surgical intervention. A 33-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital owing to acute abdomen. Nine days previously, she had had a stillbirth caused by hydrops fetalis at 24 weeks' gestation. The characteristic findings observed on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) led to the diagnosis of HL complicated by torsion of the enlarged left ovary. Emergency laparoscopic detorsion of the ischemic left ovary was planned. Aiming to reduce the risk of cystic injury and bleeding at the trocar insertion site, volume reduction of the left ovarian cyst was performed by percutaneous aspiration. The patient's pain diminished rapidly and laparoscopic surgery was deferred. Subsequent MRI revealed that gadolinium enhancement of the left ovarian tumor had been restored, indicating spontaneous detorsion of the left ovary. The patient remained asymptomatic and was discharged from the hospital 12 days after aspiration of the cyst. From this experience, we propose that, in cases of ovarian torsion occurring in large functional cysts, including HL, volume reduction by percutaneous cyst aspiration should be considered before performing emergency laparoscopic surgery.

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.

π and π + σ plasmon localization in single-walled carbon nanotube meta-materials.

We have investigated the plasmon excitations and interband transitions in nematic nanotube meta-materials with different nanotube mean diameters. While the characteristic optical low-energy transitions give testimony to the differing mean diameters, the full momentum resolved π as well as π + σ plasmon response of the meta-materials is found to be entirely invariant with the nanotube diameters 1 nm < d < 2 nm. We hence demonstrate that plasmons on single-walled carbon nanotubes are fully channeled to be one dimensional in the typical range of nanotube diameters. The internal morphology of the meta-material offers a knob to uniformly tune the plasmon resonances.

Inflammatory histopathogenesis of nasopalatine duct cyst: a clinicopathological study of 41 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to characterize immunohistochemical profiles of lining epithelia of nasopalatine duct cyst (NPC) as well as to correlate those findings with their clinicopathological features to understand the histopathogenesis of NPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one surgical specimens from NPC were examined for clinical profiles and expression of keratin-7, 13, MUC-1, and P63 by immunohistochemistry, compared to radicular cyst (RC) and maxillary sinusitis. RESULTS: Nasopalatine duct cyst was clinically characterized by male predominant occurrence: 44% of the cases involved tooth roots, and 70% with inflammatory backgrounds. Lining epithelia of NPCs without daughter cysts were immunohistochemically distinguished into three layers: a keratin 7-positive (+) ciliated cell layer in the surface, a keratin-13+ middle layer, and a MUC-1+/P63+ lower half, indicating that they were not respiratory epithelia, and the same layering pattern was observed in RC. However, those immunolocalization patterns of the main cyst lining with daughter cyst were exactly the same as those of daughter cyst linings as well as duct epithelia of mucous glands. CONCLUSIONS: Two possible histopathogenesis of NPC were clarified: one was inflammatory cyst like RC and the other was salivary duct cyst-like mucocele.

Impact of diabetes and glycaemic control on peripheral artery disease in Japanese patients with end-stage renal disease: long-term follow-up study from the beginning of haemodialysis.

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS: End-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients with diabetes have been regarded as being at the highest risk of cardiovascular disease. We therefore investigated the relationship between diabetes and the incidence of peripheral artery disease (PAD) in new haemodialysis patients. METHODS: We enrolled 1,513 ESRD patients who had just begun haemodialysis therapy. They were divided into two groups: those with (n = 739) and those without diabetes (n = 774). The endpoint was the development of PAD, defined as ankle brachial pressure index ≤ 0.9 or toe brachial pressure index <0.7 in patients with an ankle brachial pressure index >0.9. RESULTS: According to the Kaplan-Meier method, the 10 year event-free rate for development of PAD and lower limb amputation was significantly lower in the diabetes group than in the non-diabetes group (60.3% vs 82.8%, HR 2.99, 95% CI 2.27, 3.92, p<0.0001 and 93.9% vs 98.9%, HR 5.59, 95% CI 2.14, 14.7, p = .0005 for PAD and lower limb amputation, respectively). In patients with diabetes, quartile analysis of HbA1c levels showed that the highest quartile group (≥ 6.8% [51 mmol/mol]) had significant development of PAD and lower limb amputation compared with lower quartile groups (PAD HR 1.63, 95% CI 1.17, 2.28, p = .0038; lower limb amputation HR 2.99, 95% CI 1.17, 7.70, p = .023). CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION: Diabetes was a strong predictor of PAD after initiation of haemodialysis therapy in patients with ESRD. In addition, higher HbA1c levels were associated with increased risk of developing PAD and requiring limb amputation in such diabetic populations.

Alignment effect of N2(A3Σu+) in the energy transfer reaction of aligned N2(A3Σu+) + NO(X2Π) → NO(A2Σ+) + N2(X1Σg+).

Steric effect in the energy transfer reaction of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) + NO(X(2)Π) → NO(A(2)Σ(+)) + N(2)(X(1)Σ(g)(+)) has been studied under crossed beam conditions at a collision energy of ~0.07 eV by using an aligned N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) beam prepared by a magnetic hexapole. The emission intensity of NO(A(2)Σ(+)) has been measured as a function of the magnetic orientation field direction (i.e., alignment of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+))) in the collision frame. A significant alignment effect on the energy transfer probability is observed. The shape of the steric opacity function turns out to be most reactive at the oblique configuration of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)) with an orientation angle of γ(v(R)) ~ 45° with respect to the relative velocity vector (v(R)), which has a good correlation with the spatial distribution of the 2pπ(g)* molecular orbital of N(2)(A(3)Σ(u)(+)). We propose the electron exchange mechanism in which the energy transfer probability is dominantly controlled by the orbital overlap between N(2)(2pπ(g)*) and NO(6σ).

Stereo correlated dynamics in the energy transfer process of aligned N2 (A 3Σ(u)+) + oriented NO (X 2Π, Ω = 1∕2) → NO (A 2Σ+) + N2 (X 1Σ(g)+).

Steric effect for the NO (A (2)Σ(+)) formation in the aligned N(2) (A (3)Σ(u)(+)) + oriented NO (X (2)Π, Ω = 1∕2) reaction has been observed as a function of the mutual orientational configurations between the two molecular reactants in the collision frame. Multidimensional molecular steric opacity function has been determined. A significant NO (X (2)Π) alignment dependence is recognized in contrast with little dependence on NO (X (2)Π) orientation. The NO alignment selectivity turns out to depend on the N(2) (A (3)Σ(u)(+)) alignment: The axial configuration of NO (X (2)Π) is favorable for the axial and sideways configurations of N(2) (A (3)Σ(u)(+)), while the sideways configuration of NO (X (2)Π) is favorable for the oblique configuration of N(2) (A (3)Σ(u)(+)) at an orientation angle of θ(v(R)) ∼ 45°. with respect to the relative velocity (v(R)).

Exciton diffusion in air-suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Direct measurements of the diffusion length of excitons in air-suspended single-walled carbon nanotubes are reported. Photoluminescence microscopy is used to identify individual nanotubes and to determine their lengths and chiral indices. Exciton diffusion length is obtained by comparing the dependence of photoluminescence intensity on the nanotube length to numerical solutions of diffusion equations. We find that the diffusion length in these clean, as-grown nanotubes is significantly longer than those reported for micelle-encapsulated nanotubes.

Phylogenetic classification of Japanese mtDNA assisted by complete mitochondrial DNA sequences.

We investigated control and coding region polymorphisms in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) in 100 unrelated individuals from a Japanese population and determined the basal phylogenetic haplogroup lineages in all samples under updated information. Many of the basal phylogenetic haplogroup lineages assigned on East Asian mtDNA haplogroups corresponded to those previously established. However, new haplogroup lineages such as M7a2a, M7a2b, M7a2*, M7c1b, M11b2*, G2b*, D4c1b1a, D4g2b, A4*, A9, N9b*, B4d1, B4d2, and F1e were identified and established by complete sequencing. Although sequence comparison of the 1.15-kb control region identified 84 mitochondrial haplotypes, examination of coding region polymorphisms increased the total number of haplotypes to 91. Determination of the basal haplogroup lineages increased the discrimination power of mtDNA polymorphisms for personal identification and their usefulness in determining geographic origin in forensic casework in Japanese and other East Asian populations.

MtDNA control region sequence polymorphisms and phylogenetic analysis of Malay population living in or around Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia.

Control region polymorphisms in the mitochondrial DNA of 124 unrelated individuals from the Malay population living in or around Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia were investigated and phylogenetic haplogroup lineages were determined. The intergenic COII/tRNALys 9-bp deletion, 3010 and 5178 mutations, and several coding region polymorphisms were examined to discriminate some phylogenetic haplogroups. Sequence comparison of the control regions led to the identification of 117 mitochondrial haplotypes, in which 103 types were observed in only one individual and the other nine types were shared by more than two individuals. Gene diversity was estimated to be 0.997. Phylogenetic haplogroup determination revealed that the gene pool of the modern Malay population in Malaysia consisted mainly of southeast Asian, east Asian, unidentified and unique, and aboriginal southeast-specific haplogroups. These results suggest a multi-original nature for the modern Malay population. The present database may help not only in personal identification but also in determining geographic origin in forensic casework in Malaysian, Southeast Asian and East Asian populations.

Water transport inside a single-walled carbon nanotube driven by a temperature gradient.

In this work, by means of molecular dynamics simulations, we consider the mass transport of a water cluster inside a single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) with a diameter of about 1.4 nm. The influence of the non-equilibrium thermal environment on the confined water cluster has been investigated by imposing a longitudinal temperature gradient on the SWNT. It is demonstrated that the water cluster is transported with an average acceleration proportional to the temperature gradient. Additional equilibrium simulations suggest that the temperature dependence of the potential energy of the confined water is sufficient to realize the transport. In particular, for a system with a hydrophobic interface, the water-water intrinsic potential energy appears to play a dominant role. The transport simulations were also performed for a system with a junction between two different SWNTs. The results suggest that an angstrom difference in diameter may result in a large barrier for water being transported through a small diameter SWNT.

Prevalence of Bartonella infection in cats and dogs in a metropolitan area, Thailand.

The prevalence of Bartonella infection was studied in 312 cats and 350 dogs in the Bangkok metropolitan areas, Thailand, between June 2001 and February 2003. Bartonella was isolated from 47 (16.3%) of 288 stray cats, but from none of the 24 pet cats studied. Of the 47 Bartonella-positive cats, 45 animals were infected with only B. henselae, one was infected with only B. clarridgeiae, and one with both B. henselae and B. clarridgeiae. 16S rRNA typing showed that 40 cats were infected with B. henselae type I, four with B. henselae type II, and one with both B. henselae types I and II. These results indicated that B. henselae, especially type I, was prevalent in stray cats that constituted a large Bartonella reservoir in Bangkok. B. clarridgeiae was isolated for the first time in Asia from one of 350 dogs.