Sample collection from asteroid (162173) Ryugu by Hayabusa2: Implications for surface evolution.

The near-Earth asteroid (162173) Ryugu is thought to be a primitive carbonaceous object that contains hydrated minerals and organic molecules. We report sample collection from Ryugu's surface by the Hayabusa2 spacecraft on 21 February 2019. Touchdown images and global observations of surface colors are used to investigate the stratigraphy of the surface around the sample location and across Ryugu. Latitudinal color variations suggest the reddening of exposed surface material by solar heating and/or space weathering. Immediately after touchdown, Hayabusa2's thrusters disturbed dark, fine grains that originate from the redder materials. The stratigraphic relationship between identified craters and the redder material indicates that surface reddening occurred over a short period of time. We suggest that Ryugu previously experienced an orbital excursion near the Sun.

International multicentre review of perioperative management and outcome for catecholamine-producing tumours.

BACKGROUND: Surgery for catecholamine-producing tumours can be complicated by intraoperative and postoperative haemodynamic instability. Several perioperative management strategies have emerged but none has been evaluated in randomized trials. To assess this issue, contemporary perioperative management and outcome data from 21 centres were collected. METHODS: Twenty-one centres contributed outcome data from patients who had surgery for phaeochromocytoma and paraganglioma between 2000 and 2017. The data included the number of patients with and without α-receptor blockade, surgical and anaesthetic techniques, complications and perioperative mortality. RESULTS: Across all centres, data were reported on 1860 patients with phaeochromocytoma or paraganglioma, of whom 343 underwent surgery without α-receptor blockade. The majority of operations (78·9 per cent) were performed using minimally invasive techniques, including 16·1 per cent adrenal cortex-sparing procedures. The cardiovascular complication rate was 5·0 per cent overall: 5·9 per cent (90 of 1517) in patients with preoperative α-receptor blockade and 0·9 per cent (3 of 343) among patients without α-receptor blockade. The mortality rate was 0·5 per cent overall (9 of 1860): 0·5 per cent (8 of 517) in pretreated and 0·3 per cent (1 of 343) in non-pretreated patients. CONCLUSION: There is substantial variability in the perioperative management of catecholamine-producing tumours, yet the overall complication rate is low. Further studies are needed to better define the optimal management approach, and reappraisal of international perioperative guidelines appears desirable.

ANTECEDENTES: La cirugía de los tumores productores de catecolaminas puede complicarse por la inestabilidad hemodinámica intraoperatoria y postoperatoria. Se han propuesto distintas estrategias de manejo perioperatorio, pero ninguna ha sido evaluada en ensayos aleatorizados. Para evaluar este tema, se han recogido los datos de los resultados y del manejo perioperatorio contemporáneo de 21 centros. MÉTODOS: Veintiún centros aportaron datos de los resultados de los pacientes operados por feocromocitoma y paraganglioma entre 2000-2017. Los datos incluyeron el número de pacientes con y sin bloqueo del receptor α, las técnicas quirúrgicas y anestésicas, las complicaciones y la mortalidad perioperatoria. RESULTADOS: Los centros en su conjunto aportaron datos de 1.860 pacientes con feocromocitoma y paraganglioma, de los cuales 343 pacientes fueron intervenidos sin bloqueo del receptor α. La gran mayoría (79%) de las cirugías se realizaron utilizando técnicas mínimamente invasivas, incluido un 17% de procedimientos con preservación de la corteza suprarrenal. La tasa de complicaciones cardiovasculares fue de 5,0% en total; 5,9% (90/1517) en pacientes con bloqueo preoperatorio de los receptores α y 0,9% (3/343) en pacientes no pretratados. La mortalidad global fue del 0,5% (9/1860); 0,5% (8/1517) en pacientes pretratados y 0,3% (1/343) en pacientes no tratados previamente. CONCLUSIÓN: Existe una variabilidad sustancial en el manejo perioperatorio de los tumores productores de catecolaminas, aunque la tasa global de complicaciones es baja. Este estudio brinda la oportunidad para efectuar comparaciones sistemáticas entre estrategias de prácticas terapéuticas variables. Se necesitan más estudios para definir mejor el enfoque de manejo óptimo y parece conveniente volver a evaluar las guías internacionales perioperatorias.

Shape of (101955) Bennu indicative of a rubble pile with internal stiffness.

The shapes of asteroids reflect interplay between their interior properties and the processes responsible for their formation and evolution as they journey through the Solar System. Prior to the OSIRIS-REx (Origins, Spectral Interpretation, Resource Identification, and Security-Regolith Explorer) mission, Earth-based radar imaging gave an overview of (101955) Bennu's shape. Here, we construct a high-resolution shape model from OSIRIS-REx images. We find that Bennu's top-like shape, considerable macroporosity, and prominent surface boulders suggest that it is a rubble pile. High-standing, north-south ridges that extend from pole to pole, many long grooves, and surface mass wasting indicate some low levels of internal friction and/or cohesion. Our shape model indicates that, similar to other top-shaped asteroids, Bennu formed by reaccumulation and underwent past periods of fast spin leading to its current shape. Today, Bennu might follow a different evolutionary pathway, with interior stiffness permitting surface cracking and mass wasting.

The surface composition of asteroid 162173 Ryugu from Hayabusa2 near-infrared spectroscopy.

The near-Earth asteroid 162173 Ryugu, the target of the Hayabusa2 sample-return mission, is thought to be a primitive carbonaceous object. We report reflectance spectra of Ryugu's surface acquired with the Near-Infrared Spectrometer (NIRS3) on Hayabusa2, to provide direct measurements of the surface composition and geological context for the returned samples. A weak, narrow absorption feature centered at 2.72 micrometers was detected across the entire observed surface, indicating that hydroxyl (OH)-bearing minerals are ubiquitous there. The intensity of the OH feature and low albedo are similar to thermally and/or shock-metamorphosed carbonaceous chondrite meteorites. There are few variations in the OH-band position, which is consistent with Ryugu being a compositionally homogeneous rubble-pile object generated from impact fragments of an undifferentiated aqueously altered parent body.

Hayabusa2 arrives at the carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu-A spinning top-shaped rubble pile.

The Hayabusa2 spacecraft arrived at the near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu in 2018. We present Hayabusa2 observations of Ryugu's shape, mass, and geomorphology. Ryugu has an oblate "spinning top" shape, with a prominent circular equatorial ridge. Its bulk density, 1.19 ± 0.02 grams per cubic centimeter, indicates a high-porosity (>50%) interior. Large surface boulders suggest a rubble-pile structure. Surface slope analysis shows Ryugu's shape may have been produced from having once spun at twice the current rate. Coupled with the observed global material homogeneity, this suggests that Ryugu was reshaped by centrifugally induced deformation during a period of rapid rotation. From these remote-sensing investigations, we identified a suitable sample collection site on the equatorial ridge.

The geomorphology, color, and thermal properties of Ryugu: Implications for parent-body processes.

The near-Earth carbonaceous asteroid 162173 Ryugu is thought to have been produced from a parent body that contained water ice and organic molecules. The Hayabusa2 spacecraft has obtained global multicolor images of Ryugu. Geomorphological features present include a circum-equatorial ridge, east-west dichotomy, high boulder abundances across the entire surface, and impact craters. Age estimates from the craters indicate a resurfacing age of [Formula: see text] years for the top 1-meter layer. Ryugu is among the darkest known bodies in the Solar System. The high abundance and spectral properties of boulders are consistent with moderately dehydrated materials, analogous to thermally metamorphosed meteorites found on Earth. The general uniformity in color across Ryugu's surface supports partial dehydration due to internal heating of the asteroid's parent body.

Improved non-invasive total haemoglobin measurements after in-vivo adjustment.

We hypothesised that an in-vivo adjustment method and/or a newer sensor would increase the accuracy of non-invasive and continuous haemoglobin monitoring (SpHb) measurements. Two sensors, the R1-25 and R2-25a (the newer version), were used with laboratory total haemoglobin concentration (tHb) values simultaneously recorded. In-vivo adjusted SpHb (AdHb) was calculated by a simple formula: AdHb = SpHb - (1(st) SpHb - 1(st) tHb). The correlation coefficients between SpHb (or AdHb) and tHb were compared: SpHb in both sensors correlated strongly with tHb (p < 0.0001). In-vivo adjustment improved the correlation coefficient between SpHb and tHb from 0.86 to 0.95 for the R1-25 and from 0.83 to 0.93 for the R2-25a. There was no difference between the R1-25 and R2-25a sensors. The in vivo adjustment method improved the accuracy of SpHb measurements in both sensors.

Protooncogene TCL1b functions as an Akt kinase co-activator that exhibits oncogenic potency in vivo.

Protooncogene T-cell leukemia 1 (TCL1), which is implicated in human T-cell prolymphocytic leukemia (T-PLL), interacts with Akt and enhances its kinase activity, functioning as an Akt kinase co-activator. Two major isoforms of TCL1 Protooncogenes (TCL1 and TCL1b) are present adjacent to each other on human chromosome 14q.32. In human T-PLL, both TCL1 and TCL1b are activated by chromosomal translocation. Moreover, TCL1b-transgenic mice have never been created. Therefore, it remains unclear whether TCL1b itself, independent of TCL1, exhibits oncogenicity. In co-immunoprecipitation assays, both ectopic and endogenous TCL1b interacted with Akt. In in vitro Akt kinase assays, TCL1b enhanced Akt kinase activity in dose- and time-dependent manners. Bioinformatics approaches utilizing multiregression analysis, cluster analysis, KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway mapping, Venn diagrams and Gene Ontology (GO) demonstrated that TCL1b showed highly homologous gene-induction signatures similar to Myr-Akt or TCL1. TCL1b exhibited oncogenicity in in vitro colony-transformation assay. Further, two independent lines of ß-actin promoter-driven TCL1b-transgenic mice developed angiosarcoma on the intestinal tract. Angiosarcoma is a rare form of cancer in humans with poor prognosis. Using immunohistochemistry, 11 out of 13 human angiosarcoma samples were positively stained with both anti-TCL1b and anti-phospho-Akt antibodies. Consistently, in various cancer tissues, 69 out of 146 samples were positively stained with anti-TCL1b, out of which 46 were positively stained with anti-phospho-Akt antibodies. Moreover, TCL1b structure-based inhibitor 'TCL1b-Akt-in' inhibited Akt kinase activity in in vitro kinase assays and PDGF (platelet-derived growth factor)-induced Akt kinase activities-in turn, 'TCL1b-Akt-in' inhibited cellular proliferation of sarcoma. The current study disclosed TCL1b bears oncogenicity and hence serves as a novel therapeutic target for human neoplastic diseases.

Human bronchial intraepithelial T cells produce interferon-gamma and stimulate epithelial cells.

Intraepithelial lymphocytes (IELs) can be identified among epithelial cells in systemic mucosal tissues. Although intestinal IELs play a crucial role in mucosal immunity, their bronchial counterparts have not been well studied. The purpose of this study was to determine the immunological functions of human bronchial IELs, which interact directly with epithelial cells, unlike lamina propria lymphocytes (LPLs). We isolated successfully bronchial IELs and LPLs using a magnetic cell separation system from the T cell suspensions extracted from bronchial specimens far from the tumours of resected lungs. Human bronchial IELs showed an apparent type 1 cytokine profile and proliferated more actively in response to CD2 signalling than did bronchial LPLs. CD8(+) IELs were identified as the most significant sources of interferon (IFN)-gamma. Human bronchial epithelial cells constitutively produced the T cell growth factors interleukin (IL)-7 and IL-15, and levels of those factors increased when cells were stimulated by IFN-gamma. Bronchial epithelial cells expressed cell surface proteins CD58 and E-cadherin, possibly enabling adhesion to IELs. In summary, human bronchial IELs have immunological functions distinct from bronchial LPLs and may interact with epithelial cells to maintain mucosal homeostasis.

Up-regulated cytokine-inducible SH2-containing protein expression in allergen-stimulated T cells from hen's egg-allergic patients.

BACKGROUND: Although changes in the fine balance of allergen-specific T cells are crucial in the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, their roles in the allergic reaction to hen's eggs (HE) have not yet been fully analysed. OBJECTIVE: Using microarray technology, allergen-stimulated T cells from HE-allergic children were analysed to identify genes that are specifically up-regulated in these cells. METHODS: RNA from CD4(+) CD14(-) cells, fractionated from allergen-stimulated peripheral mononuclear cells, was analysed using a whole-genome microarray and real-time RT-PCR. The protein expression of selected genes was ascertained by flow cytometry. RESULTS: In microarray analyses of allergen-stimulated T cells, 43 genes were up-regulated in HE-allergic children but not in non-HE-allergic children. Among these, up-regulation of three genes, cytokine -inducible SH2-containing protein (CISH), nuclear factor of kappa light polypeptide gene enhancer in B-cell inhibitor Z (NFKBIZ) and B-cell CLL/lymphoma 2 (BCL2), was confirmed by real-time quantitative RT-PCR. CISH, but not NFKBIZ or BCL2, showed a significantly higher ratio of antigen-stimulated cell transcription over unstimulated cells in HE-allergic than in non-HE-allergic children (P<0.01). Flow-cytometric analysis revealed that the percentage of CD25(+)CISH(+) cells in CD4(+) cells from patients with HE allergy was significantly higher than that in controls (P<0.01). The expression level of CISH was significantly higher in IL-4(+) Th2 cells than in IFN-gamma(+) Th1 cells. CONCLUSION: We noted that CISH expression in allergen-stimulated CD4(+) T cells from HE-allergic patients was significantly increased in both mRNA and protein levels compared with that from non-HE-allergic children.

Signal intensity of the motor cortex on phase-weighted imaging at 3T.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: It is known that the motor cortex shows hypointensity on T2-weighted images in older patients. The goal of this study was to assess the signal intensity of the motor cortices on the phase-weighted imaging performed with a Windows-based software program that we developed ourselves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All studies were performed at 3T MR imaging. First, the TE for the phase-weighted image was optimized; the best contrast between the motor and other cortices was obtained with a TE of 40 ms. The study population consisted of 45 healthy subjects (23 females, 22 males; mean age, 32.1 years). The signal intensity of the motor cortices was divided into 3 grades by 2 neuroradiologists in comparison with that of the superior frontal cortex (SFC): In grade I, the motor cortex was isointense to the SFC; in grade II, the motor cortex was slightly hypointense to the SFC; and in grade III, the motor cortex was markedly hypointense to the SFC. RESULTS: The motor cortex was classified as either grade II or III in all subjects older than 20 years of age on the phase-weighted images. Even at 10-19 years of age, the grade II or III appearance was found in 14 (88%) of 16 motor cortices (8 subjects) on the phase-weighted images. CONCLUSION: In adolescents, the motor cortex is hypointense to other cerebral cortices on phase-weighted MR imaging, which probably reflects differences in the concentration of nonheme iron and/or in the tissue architecture.

Analysis of the composition of 'original' and generic sevoflurane in routine use.

BACKGROUND: Original sevoflurane (Sevofrane) contains a small amount of water, which can inhibit the production of hydrofluoric acid. Hydrofluoric acid is highly pungent, and sevoflurane that contains a high concentration of hydrofluoric acid is not suitable for volatile induction of anaesthesia. Recently, generic sevoflurane (Sevoness) has become available in some countries. The generic product is produced by a different method and kept in a different kind of bottle. We questioned whether the original and generic sevoflurane differed in their composition and thus might differ in their resistance to degradation. METHODS: Sevoflurane from groups of three bottles of Sevofrane and three bottles of Sevoness was kept in the bottle at 24-37 degrees C for 2 weeks or in two kinds of vaporizer for 3 days, and the resulting contents measured by gas chromatography. RESULTS: Both products contained sevoflurane concentrations exceeding 99.998%. Fluoride ion concentration did not differ between the products (0.043 ppm). The original sevoflurane contained more (0.07% w/v) water than the generic anaesthetic (0.003% w/v). Original sevoflurane contained 5 ppm compound A, 10 ppm sevomethylether, and 5 ppm of unknown materials. Generic sevoflurane contained 32 ppm hexafluoroisopropanol and 12 ppm of unknown materials. While stored in a vaporizer for 3 days, the water content in the original sevoflurane decreased by two-thirds but the water in the generic sevoflurane increased by a factor of three-fold. CONCLUSIONS: Generic sevoflurane contains high-quality sevoflurane and only a small amount of fluoride ions, making it comparable with the original sevoflurane product.

The rubble-pile asteroid Itokawa as observed by Hayabusa.

During the interval from September through early December 2005, the Hayabusa spacecraft was in close proximity to near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa, and a variety of data were taken on its shape, mass, and surface topography as well as its mineralogic and elemental abundances. The asteroid's orthogonal axes are 535, 294, and 209 meters, the mass is 3.51 x 10(10) kilograms, and the estimated bulk density is 1.9 +/- 0.13 grams per cubic centimeter. The correspondence between the smooth areas on the surface (Muses Sea and Sagamihara) and the gravitationally low regions suggests mass movement and an effective resurfacing process by impact jolting. Itokawa is considered to be a rubble-pile body because of its low bulk density, high porosity, boulder-rich appearance, and shape. The existence of very large boulders and pillars suggests an early collisional breakup of a preexisting parent asteroid followed by a re-agglomeration into a rubble-pile object.

Detailed images of asteroid 25143 Itokawa from Hayabusa.

Rendezvous of the Japanese spacecraft Hayabusa with the near-Earth asteroid 25143 Itokawa took place during the interval September through November 2005. The onboard camera imaged the solid surface of this tiny asteroid (535 meters by 294 meters by 209 meters) with a spatial resolution of 70 centimeters per pixel, revealing diverse surface morphologies. Unlike previously explored asteroids, the surface of Itokawa reveals both rough and smooth terrains. Craters generally show unclear morphologies. Numerous boulders on Itokawa's surface suggest a rubble-pile structure.

Effects of thiopental on bispectral index and heart rate variability.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Thiopental has been reported to reduce sympathetic tone, however, it is not clear whether change in heart rate variability is associated with depth of anaesthesia. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate changes in heart rate variability at different depths of hypnosis during induction of anaesthesia with thiopental. METHODS: We studied 17 ASA I patients scheduled for minor surgery. The depth of hypnosis was monitored by the BIS. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability using a maximum entropy method resulted in a characteristic power spectrum with two main regions, a high frequency and a low frequency. Haemodynamics, entropy, low frequency, high frequency and low frequency/high frequency were monitored in an awake state and after the induction of anaesthesia. RESULTS: Heart rate increased in a BIS-dependent manner, whereas blood pressure showed no significant changes during the study period. High frequency, entropy and low frequency decreased with a reduction in the BIS value. Low frequency/high frequency showed no significant change during the study period. CONCLUSIONS: Induction of anaesthesia with thiopental increased heart rate and decreased high frequency, entropy and low frequency in a BIS-dependent manner, indicating that thiopental reduces cardiac parasympathetic tone depending on the depth of hypnosis.

Engineering of a novel ruthenium sensitizer and its application in dye-sensitized solar cells for conversion of sunlight into electricity.

A novel ligand 4,4'-bis(carboxyvinyl)-2,2'-bipyridine (L) and its ruthenium(II) complex [Ru(II)L(2)(NCS)(2)] (K8) were synthesized and characterized by analytical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical techniques. The performance of the K8 complex as a charge transfer photosensitizer in nanocrystalline TiO(2) based solar cells was studied. When the K8 complex anchored onto a nanocrystalline TiO(2) film, we achieved very efficient sensitization yielding 77 +/-5% incident photon-to-current efficiencies (IPCE) in the visible region using an electrolyte consisting of 0.6 M methyl-N-butyl imidiazolium iodide, 0.05 M iodine, 0.05 M LiI, and 0.5 M 4-tert-butylpyridine in a 50/50 (v/v) mixture of valeronitrile and acetonitrile. Under standard AM 1.5 sunlight, the complex K8 gave a short circuit photocurrent density of 18 +/- 0.5 mA/cm(2), and the open circuit voltage was 640 +/- 50 mV with fill factor of 0.75 +/- 0.05, corresponding to an overall conversion efficiency of 8.64 +/- 0.5%.

Minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass for completely obstructed left anterior descending coronary artery.

BACKGROUND: We evaluated the efficacy of minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass (MIDCAB) using the left internal thoracic artery (LITA) in patients with completely obstructed left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD). METHODS: Ten patients undergoing MIDCAB for LAD stenosis were enrolled in this study. These patients were all men aged 45 to 69 years, and were divided into two groups, one showing complete LAD obstruction (n=5, Group A), and one about 90% stenosis of the LAD (n=5, Group B). RESULTS: The internal size of the LAD at the anastomosis site was significantly smaller in Group A than in Group B, and the time required for graft anastomosis in Group A was significantly longer. Total operation time, intubation time after operation, perioperative bleeding, total blood transfusion, max CK-MB, and hospital stay did not significantly differ between the two groups. Postoperative coronary angiography revealed good graft patency in both groups, however, one Group A patient had graft obstruction. CONCLUSIONS: The MIDCAB procedure appears useful even in our patients with completely obstructed LAD, despite the long anastomosis time. However, the indications for this procedure are limited by any perceived difficulty in harvesting the LITA by indirect vision or in performing the anastomosis based on the size or quality of the LAD. Intensive preoperative angiography evaluation is essential and conversion to a median full-sternotomy is necessary for cases in which we cannot confirm the feasibility of MIDCAB.

The role of substance P release in the lung with esophageal acid.

To investigate whether tachykinins are released in the airways by stimulating the esophagus, airway plasma extravasation induced by intraesophageal hydrochloric acid (HCl) in the presence or absence of the neutral endopeptidase (NEP) inhibitor phosphoramidon and the neurokinin-1-receptor antagonist FK888 was studied in anesthetized guinea pigs. Airway plasma extravasation also was studied in the presence of the NEP inhibitor in guinea pigs pretreated with capsaicin or bilateral vagotomy. Propranolol and atropine were used in all animals to block adrenergic and cholinergic nerve effects. Airway plasma leakage was evaluated by measuring extravasated Evans blue dye. One normal HCl infusion into the esophagus significantly increased plasma extravasation in the trachea. Phosphoramidon significantly potentiated plasma extravasation induced by HCl infusion into the esophagus in the trachea and main bronchi, and FK888 significantly inhibited extravasation in a dose-related manner. In capsaicin-treated animals, airway plasma extravasation was completely inhibited even in the presence of phosphoramidon. Tracheal plasma extravasation potentiated by phosphoramidon was significantly inhibited in the bilaterally vagotomized animals. These results suggest that locally acting substances are released by intraesophageal HCl stimulation that cause airway plasma extravasation. These substances are generated through activation of neural pathways, including some that traffic through the vagus nerves that link the esophagus or airways.

Association study of polymorphisms in the GluR5 kainate receptor gene (GRIK1) with schizophrenia.

The glutamatergic dysfunction hypothesis suggests genes involved in glutamatergic transmission as candidates for schizophrenia susceptibility genes. We screened single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the entire coding sequence of the GluR5 kainate receptor gene, GRIK1, by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism and direct sequencing. We identified six SNPs including three known ones, 522A/C (174T, synonymous), 1173C/T (391D, synonymous), and 2705C/T (902L/S), as well as three novel ones, 995C/T (332A/V), 2400C/T (800L, synonymous), and 2585A/G (862R/Q). We genotyped Japanese samples of schizophrenia (n = 193-203) and healthy controls (n = 199-215) for three SNPs those were commonly observed in our samples, 522A/C, 1173C/T, and 2705C/T. We observed no significant associations of the SNPs and their haplotypes with schizophrenia. Therefore, we conclude that GRIK1 does not play a major role in schizophrenia pathogenesis in the Japanese population.