Inbred SJL mice recapitulate human resistance to Cryptococcus infection due to differential immune activation.

IMPORTANCE: Cryptococcosis studies often utilize the common C57BL/6J mouse model. Unfortunately, infection in these mice fails to replicate the basic course of human disease, particularly hampering immunological studies. This work demonstrates that SJL/J mice can recapitulate human infection better than other mouse strains. The immunological response to Cryptococcus infection in SJL/J mice was markedly different from C57BL/6J and much more productive in combating this infection. Characterization of infected mice demonstrated strain-specific genetic linkage and differential regulation of multiple important immune-relevant genes in response to Cryptococcus infection. While our results validate many of the previously identified immunological features of cryptococcosis, we also demonstrate limitations from previous mouse models as they may be less translatable to human disease. We concluded that SJL/J mice more faithfully recapitulate human cryptococcosis serving as an exciting new animal model for immunological and genetic studies.

Highly stretchable and sensitive silicone composites with positive piezoconductivity using nickel powder and ionic liquid.

Conductive rubber composites are mixtures of stretchable rubber and conductive materials. They can achieve conductivity and high elasticity and are used in soft robots and wearable devices. In general, these composites exhibit high electrical resistance owing to their bonds between the fillers breaking during elongation. However, there are several types of composite materials that decrease resistance by increasing contact between the conductive materials during elongation through optimization of the shape and size of the filler. These composite materials can rapidly decrease the resistance and are expected to be applicable to switch in electric circuits and sensors. However, to use such composite materials in circuits, the electrical resistance at the time of resistance reduction must be sufficiently low to not affect the electric circuit. To achieve this, a considerable amount of filler must be mixed; however, this reduces the elasticity of the composite. Simultaneously achieving elasticity of the composite and a sufficient decrease in the resistance is challenging. This study developed a conductive rubber composite gel by mixing silicone rubber, ionic liquid, and metal filler. Consequently, the composite achieved an elongation rate of over six times and a decrease in the resistance of less than 1/105. In addition, this composite material was used as a switch circuit wherein an electric circuit is turned on and off according to elongation through a connection to a DC power source.

Squatting-induced bilateral peroneal nerve palsy in a sewer pipe worker.

Compression neuropathy of the common peroneal nerve (CPN) at the fibula head is a common condition, but it has not attracted attention in working environments. Here, we report a 38-year-old sewer pipe worker who presented with bilateral CPN palsy following 6h working with a squatting posture in a narrow sewer pipe. During the work, he could not stretch his legs sufficiently because of the confined space. His symptoms deteriorated with repetition of the same work for 1 week. Motor nerve conduction study showed conduction block at the fibula head of bilateral CPNs, compatible with compression neuropathy at this lesion. Three months after cessation of work requiring the causative posture, his symptoms and neurophysiological abnormalities had resolved completely. Almost all seven of his co-workers presented transiently with similar and milder symptoms, although one showed CPN palsy for 6 months. Prolonged squatting posture in a confined space causes acute compression neuropathy at the fibula head in the CPN. More attention should be paid to 'confined space worker's compression neuropathy'.

Single-incision laparoscopic transabdominal preperitoneal mesh hernioplasty: results in 182 Japanese patients.

BACKGROUND: We introduced single-incision transabdominal preperitoneal (S-TAPP) herniorrhaphy (described herein) at our institution in June 2010. We recently conducted a retrospective study to assess the feasibility and safety of the procedure. METHODS: The study involved 182 patients (159 men, 23 women) who underwent S-TAPP herniorrhaphy between June 2010 and February 2015 for 202 groin hernias (162 unilateral hernias, 20 bilateral hernias). We examined patient characteristics, hernia type and presentation, operation time, conversion to another repair procedure, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative pain, morbidities, and postoperative hospital stay. We further evaluated operation time and morbidity by comparison between cases of simple unilateral hernia and cases of complicated unilateral hernia, which was defined as (1) a recurrent hernia, (2) hernia following radical prostatectomy, or (3) an incarcerated omental or bowel hernia. RESULTS: Five types of hernia were treated: indirect inguinal, direct inguinal, femoral, combined inguinal, and other (a urinary bladder hernia). Operation time was 92.5 ± 29.1 min for the unilateral hernias and 135.7 ± 24.5 min for the bilateral hernias. No major bleeding occurred. Postoperative pain was short-lived and easily managed. Overall morbidity was 8.2% (15/182 patients), and only one postoperative complication (recurrence) required surgical intervention (repeat S-TAPP). Average postoperative stay was 6.7 ± 2.6 days. Two patients experienced numbness in the outer thigh, but this resolved naturally. One superficial surgical site infection developed and was easily treated. Operation times were greater for the complicated vs. simple hernias, but the time differed significantly (p = 0.02) only between radical prostatectomy-associated hernia and simple hernia. No complicated hernia required conversion to traditional laparoscopic repair, but in simple unilateral hernia group one conversion to traditional laparoscopic repair was required for difficulties encountered in the dissection of the large indirect inguinal hernia sac. The incidence of seroma was higher, though not statistically, in the complicated (n = 3) vs. simple hernia group. CONCLUSIONS: S-TAPP repair of groin hernia was shown to be a feasible, safe procedure. The advantages are well understood, and further studies are warranted to confirm the long-term benefits suggested by our study.

Passage of irinotecan and its active metabolite, SN-38, into human milk.

WHAT IS KNOWN AND OBJECTIVE: We measured the levels of irinotecan and its active metabolite, SN-38, in human milk after the administration of irinotecan to assess the potential risks when women treated with irinotecan nurse their infants. CASE SUMMARY: Human milk was collected for 6 days starting on the day after irinotecan was administered. The levels of irinotecan and SN-38 in human milk were measured using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Irinotecan was detected on Days 2 and 3 but not after Day 4. A strong signal indicating the presence of SN-38 was detected on Day 2 and the signal was readily detected until Day 7, indicating that SN-38 remained in human milk. WHAT IS NEW AND CONCLUSION: Intravenously administered CPT-11 continues to pass into human milk over a prolonged period in the form of its active metabolite, SN-38. The relationship between administration of CPT-11 and SN-38 exposure and toxicity is still not well defined, so patients should avoid nursing their infants while they are being treated with CPT-11.

Sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity with physical fitness in adolescents.

The present study examined the sex-specific associations of moderate and vigorous physical activity (VPA) with physical fitness in 300 Japanese adolescents aged 12-14 years. Participants were asked to wear an accelerometer to evaluate physical activity (PA) levels of various intensities (i.e. moderate PA (MPA), 3-5.9 metabolic equivalents (METs); VPA, ≥6 METs; moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA), ≥3 METs). Eight fitness items were assessed (grip strength, bent-leg sit-up, sit-and-reach, side step, 50 m sprint, standing long jump, handball throw, and distance running) as part of the Japanese standardised fitness test. A fitness composite score was calculated using Japanese fitness norms, and participants were categorised according to their score from category A (most fit) to category E (least fit), with participants in categories D and E defined as having low fitness. It was found that for boys, accumulating more than 80.7 min/day of MVPA may reduce the probability of low fitness (odds ratio (ORs) [95% confidence interval (CI)] = 0.17 [0.06-0.47], p = .001). For girls, accumulating only 8.4 min of VPA could reduce the likelihood of exhibiting low fitness (ORs [95% CI] = 0.23 [0.05-0.89], p = .032). These results reveal that there are sex-specific differences in the relationship between PA and physical fitness in adolescents, suggesting that sex-specific PA recommendation may be needed to improve physical fitness in adolescents.

Foams stabilized with solid particles carrying stimuli-responsive polymer hairs.

Submicrometer-sized polystyrene (PS) particles carrying stimuli-responsive poly[2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate] (PDEA) hairs with degrees of polymerization of 30, 60 and 90 were synthesized by dispersion polymerization and used as a particulate foam stabilizer. The effects of the composition of these PDEA-PS particles and foam formation conditions on foamability, foam stability and foam microstructures were extensively investigated. The hairy particles were found to work as an effective stabilizer of aqueous foams in basic media, in which the PDEA hairs are not protonated and thus the particle surfaces exhibit suitable wettability at the air-water interface. In contrast, little to no foam or unstable foams were formed in acidic aqueous media, in which the hairs are protonated and are therefore water soluble. Particles carrying longer hairs resulted in greater foamability and more highly stabilized foams that were capable of persisting for more than one month. Foams were found to form in a narrower pH range when using PS particles with longer hairs, due to both entropic and image charge effects. Data obtained from the touch mixer mixing method showed that both foamability and foam stability increased with increases in the concentration of polymer particles up to 10 wt%, because higher concentrations allowed greater air-water interfacial areas to be stabilized. Conversely, only minimal foam was obtained at and above 15 wt% because of the high viscosity of the resulting aqueous particle dispersion. Trials using the homogenizer mixing method showed that foam with a cream-like texture could be formed even at 40 wt% particle concentration as a result of the improved mixing efficiency. Defoamation could be induced by exposing the foams to HCl vapor. Exposure to acidic vapor led to in situ protonation of the 2-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate residues, rendering the PDEA hairs hydrophilic and water soluble, and desorption of the PDEA-PS particles from the air-water interface.

Neural correlates of electrointestinography: insular activity modulated by signals recorded from the abdominal surface.

Although the neural correlates that underlie abdominal pain have been investigated, so-called brain processes involved in modulating "gut feelings" remain unclear. In the current study, we used electrointestinography (EIG) to measure intestinal activity of healthy humans at rest. EIG measured myoelectrical activity of intestinal smooth muscles from the abdominal surface and was simultaneously conducted along with brain activity measurement using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). Correlations between the frequency powers of EIG and fMRI signals during 30min of rest were then examined to elucidate gut-brain interactions. Neural activity correlating with 0.14- to 0.21-Hz EIG (suggested to reflect intestinal activity) was observed in the right anterior and middle insula. Moreover, this EIG frequency band correlated with anxiety scores along with resting-state functional connectivity between the insula and dorsal anterior cingulate cortex. These findings suggest that the insular cortex could be the core region involved in central visceral processes associated with subjective feelings.

The direct, not V1-mediated, functional influence between the thalamus and middle temporal complex in the human brain is modulated by the speed of visual motion.

The main visual pathway that conveys motion information to the middle temporal complex (hMT+) originates from the primary visual cortex (V1), which, in turn, receives spatial and temporal features of the perceived stimuli from the lateral geniculate nucleus (LGN). In addition, visual motion information reaches hMT+ directly from the thalamus, bypassing the V1, through a direct pathway. We aimed at elucidating whether this direct route between LGN and hMT+ represents a 'fast lane' reserved to high-speed motion, as proposed previously, or it is merely involved in processing motion information irrespective of speeds. We evaluated functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) responses elicited by moving visual stimuli and applied connectivity analyses to investigate the effect of motion speed on the causal influence between LGN and hMT+, independent of V1, using the Conditional Granger Causality (CGC) in the presence of slow and fast visual stimuli. Our results showed that at least part of the visual motion information from LGN reaches hMT+, bypassing V1, in response to both slow and fast motion speeds of the perceived stimuli. We also investigated whether motion speeds have different effects on the connections between LGN and functional subdivisions within hMT+: direct connections between LGN and MT-proper carry mainly slow motion information, while connections between LGN and MST carry mainly fast motion information. The existence of a parallel pathway that connects the LGN directly to hMT+ in response to both slow and fast speeds may explain why MT and MST can still respond in the presence of V1 lesions.

Search for nucleon decay via n→ν[over ¯]π0 and p→ν[over ¯]π+ in Super-Kamiokande.

We present the results of searches for nucleon decay via n→ν[over ¯]π0 and p→ν[over ¯]π+ using data from a combined 172.8 kt·yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande-I,-II, and-III. We set lower limits on the partial lifetime for each of these modes: τn→ν[over ¯]π0>1.1×10(33) years and τp→ν[over ¯]π+>3.9×10(32) years at a 90% confidence level.

Search for trilepton nucleon decay via p→e+νν and p→µ+νν in the Super-Kamiokande experiment.

The trilepton nucleon decay modes p→e+νν and p→µ+νν violate |Δ(B-L)| by two units. Using data from a 273.4 kt yr exposure of Super-Kamiokande a search for these decays yields a fit consistent with no signal. Accordingly, lower limits on the partial lifetimes of τp→e+νν>1.7×10(32) years and τp→µ+νν>2.2×10(32) years at a 90% confidence level are obtained. These limits can constrain Grand Unified Theories which allow for such processes.

Plasmon modes in single gold nanodiscs.

Optical properties of single gold nanodiscs were studied by scanning near-field optical microscopy. Near-field transmission spectra of a single nanodisc exhibited multiple plasmon resonances in the visible to near-infrared region. Near-field transmission images observed at these resonance wavelengths show wavy spatial features depending on the wavelength of observation. To clarify physical pictures of the images, theoretical simulations based on spatial correlation between electromagnetic fundamental modes inside and outside of the disc were performed. Simulated images reproduced the observed spatial structures excited in the disc. Mode-analysis of the simulated images indicates that the spatial features observed in the transmission images originate mainly from a few fundamental plasmon modes of the disc.

Search for dinucleon decay into kaons in Super-Kamiokande.

A search for the dinucleon decay pp → K+ K+ has been performed using 91.6 kton·yr data from Super-Kamiokande-I. This decay provides a sensitive probe of the R-parity-violating parameter λ112''. A boosted decision tree analysis found no signal candidates in the data. The expected background was 0.28±0.19 atmospheric neutrino induced events and the estimated signal detection efficiency was 12.6%±3.2%. A lower limit of 1.7×10(32) years has been placed on the partial lifetime of the decay O16 → C14K+ K+ at 90% C.L. A corresponding upper limit of 7.8×10(-9) has been placed on the parameter λ112''.

First indication of terrestrial matter effects on solar neutrino oscillation.

We report an indication that the elastic scattering rate of solar B8 neutrinos with electrons in the Super-Kamiokande detector is larger when the neutrinos pass through Earth during nighttime. We determine the day-night asymmetry, defined as the difference of the average day rate and average night rate divided by the average of those two rates, to be [-3.2 ± 1.1(stat) ± 0.5(syst)]%, which deviates from zero by 2.7 σ. Since the elastic scattering process is mostly sensitive to electron-flavored solar neutrinos, a nonzero day-night asymmetry implies that the flavor oscillations of solar neutrinos are affected by the presence of matter within the neutrinos' flight path. Super-Kamiokande's day-night asymmetry is consistent with neutrino oscillations for 4 × 10(-5) eV(2) ≤ Δm 2(21) ≤ 7 × 10(-5) eV(2) and large mixing values of θ12, at the 68% C.L.

Neural basis of economic bubble behavior.

Throughout human history, economic bubbles have formed and burst. As a bubble grows, microeconomic behavior ceases to be constrained by realistic predictions. This contradicts the basic assumption of economics that agents have rational expectations. To examine the neural basis of behavior during bubbles, we performed functional magnetic resonance imaging while participants traded shares in a virtual stock exchange with two non-bubble stocks and one bubble stock. The price was largely deflected from the fair price in one of the non-bubble stocks, but not in the other. Their fair prices were specified. The price of the bubble stock showed a large increase and battering, as based on a real stock-market bust. The imaging results revealed modulation of the brain circuits that regulate trade behavior under different market conditions. The premotor cortex was activated only under a market condition in which the price was largely deflected from the fair price specified. During the bubble, brain regions associated with the cognitive processing that supports order decisions were identified. The asset preference that might bias the decision was associated with the ventrolateral prefrontal cortex and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The activity of the inferior parietal lobule (IPL) was correlated with the score of future time perspective, which would bias the estimation of future price. These regions were deemed to form a distinctive network during the bubble. A functional connectivity analysis showed that the connectivity between the DLPFC and the IPL was predominant compared with other connectivities only during the bubble. These findings indicate that uncertain and unstable market conditions changed brain modes in traders. These brain mechanisms might lead to a loss of control caused by wishful thinking, and to microeconomic bubbles that expand, on the macroscopic scale, toward bust.

High-performance top-gated monolayer SnS2 field-effect transistors and their integrated logic circuits.

Two-dimensional (2D) layered semiconductors are very promising for post-silicon ultrathin channels and flexible electronics due to the remarkable dimensional and mechanical properties. Besides molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), the first recognized 2D semiconductor, it is also important to explore the wide spectrum of layered metal chalcogenides (LMCs) and to identify possible compounds with high performance. Here we report the fabrication of high-performance top-gated field-effect transistors (FETs) and related logic gates from monolayer tin disulfide (SnS2), a non-transition metal dichalcogenide. The measured carrier mobility of our monolayer devices reaches 50 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1), much higher than that of the back-gated counterparts (~1 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1)). Based on a direct-coupled FET logic technique, advanced Boolean logic gates and operations are also implemented, with a voltage gain of 3.5 and output swing of >90% for the NOT and NOR gates, respectively. The superior electrical and integration properties make monolayer SnS2 a strong candidate for next-generation atomic electronics.

Evidence for the appearance of atmospheric tau neutrinos in super-Kamiokande.

Super-Kamiokande atmospheric neutrino data were fit with an unbinned maximum likelihood method to search for the appearance of tau leptons resulting from the interactions of oscillation-generated tau neutrinos in the detector. Relative to the expectation of unity, the tau normalization is found to be 1.42 ± 0.35(stat)(-0.12)(+0.14)(syst) excluding the no-tau-appearance hypothesis, for which the normalization would be zero, at the 3.8σ level. We estimate that 180.1 ± 44.3(stat)(-15.2)(+17.8) (syst) tau leptons were produced in the 22.5 kton fiducial volume of the detector by tau neutrinos during the 2806 day running period. In future analyses, this large sample of selected tau events will allow the study of charged current tau neutrino interaction physics with oscillation produced tau neutrinos.

Genistein downregulates onco-miR-1260b and inhibits Wnt-signalling in renal cancer cells.

BACKGROUND: Wnt-signalling has an important role in renal cancer and it is modulated by genistein in other cancers. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as new regulators of gene expression. Thus, we focused on miRNAs to examine the regulatory mechanism of genistein on the Wnt-signalling pathway in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). METHODS: Initially, we investigated the effect of genistein on Wnt-signalling (TOPflash reporter assay (TCF reporter assays)) in renal cancer cells, and using microarray identified candidate miRNAs whose expression was decreased by genistein. We performed functional analyses and investigated the relationship between miRNA expression and renal cancer patient outcomes. We also did 3'UTR luciferase assays to look at direct miRNA regulation of Wnt-signalling-related genes. RESULTS: Genistein promoted apoptosis while inhibiting RCC cell proliferation and invasion. Genistein also decreased TCF reporter activity in RCC cells. We found that miR-1260b was highly expressed and significantly downregulated by genistein in RCC cells. The expression of miR-1260b was significantly higher in renal cancer tissues compared with normal, and significantly related to overall shorter survival. In addition, miR-1260b promoted renal cancer cell proliferation and invasion in RCC cells. The 3'UTR luciferase activity of target genes (sFRP1, Dkk2, Smad4) was significantly decreased and their protein expression significantly upregulated in miR-1260b inhibitor-transfected renal cancer cells. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that genistein inhibited Wnt-signalling by regulating miR-1260b expression in renal cancer cells.

microRNA-183 is an oncogene targeting Dkk-3 and SMAD4 in prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to identify prostate cancer (PC) oncogenic microRNAs (miRs) based on miR microarray and to investigate whether these oncogenic miRs may be useful as PC biomarkers. METHODS: Initially, we carried out miR microarray and real-time PCR using RWPE-1, PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP cells. To investigate the function of miR-183, we used a miR-183 knockdown inhibitor in cell growth and wound-healing assays. We used several algorithms and confirmed that they are directly regulated by miR-183. RESULTS: We identified three potential oncogenic miRs (miR-146a, miR-183 and miR-767-5P). The expression of miR-183 in PC cells (PC-3, DU-145 and LNCaP) was upregulated compared with RWPE-1 cells. MiR-183 expression was also significantly higher in PC tissues compared with that in matched normal prostate tissues. Additionally, miR-183 expression was correlated with higher prostate-specific antigen, higher pT and shorter overall survival. MiR-183 knockdown decreased cell growth and motility in PC cells and significantly decreased prostate tumour growth in in vivo nude mice experiments. We identified Dkk-3 and SMAD4 as potential target genes of miR-183. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that oncogenic miR-183 may be useful as a new PC biomarker and that inhibition of miR-183 expression may be therapeutically beneficial as a PC treatment.

Ultrafast time-resolved faraday rotation in EuO thin films.

We have investigated the ultrafast spin dynamics in EuO thin films by time-resolved Faraday rotation spectroscopy. The photoinduced magnetization is found to be increased in a transient manner, accompanied with subsequent demagnetization. The dynamical magnetization enhancement showed a maximum slightly below the Curie temperature with prolonged tails toward both lower and higher temperatures and dominates the demagnetization counterpart at 55 K. The magnetization enhancement component decays in ~1 ns. The realization of the transient collective ordering is attributable to the enhancement of the f-d exchange interaction.