Blister-based-laser-induced-forward-transfer: a non-contact, dry laser-based transfer method for nanomaterials.

We show that blister-based-laser-induced forward-transfer can be used to cleanly desorb and transfer nano- and micro-scale particles between substrates without exposing the particles to the laser radiation or to any chemical treatment that could damage the intrinsic electronic and optical properties of the materials. The technique uses laser pulses to induce the rapid formation of a blister on a thin metal layer deposited on glass via ablation at the metal/glass interface. Femtosecond laser pulses are advantageous for forming beams of molecules or small nanoparticles with well-defined velocity and narrow angular distributions. Both fs and ns laser pulses can be used to cleanly transfer larger nanoparticles including relatively fragile monolayer 2D transition metal dichalcogenide crystals and for direct transfer of nanoparticles from chemical vapour deposition growth substrates, although the mechanisms for inducing blister formation are different.

PKR regulates LPS-induced osteoclast formation and bone destruction in vitro and in vivo.

OBJECTIVE: In this study, we aimed to clarify the precise mechanism underlying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced osteoclastogenesis in periodontal disease with a special reference to double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR). MATERIAL AND METHODS: We dissected the role of PKR in LPS-induced osteoclast differentiation and function using primary mouse bone marrow cells and RAW264.7 pre-osteoclastic cell line. We used a rat experimental periodontitis (PD) model induced by ligature placement with a Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS injection (PD rat) and analyzed the therapeutic effects of C16, a PKR inhibitor, on bone loss in PD rats. RESULTS: Protein kinase is strongly upregulated and phosphorylated by LPS in the osteoclasts. The inhibition of PKR suppressed LPS-stimulated osteoclast formation and activation. PKR inhibition also suppressed the LPS-mediated activation of NF-κB and MAPK, which are critical pathways for osteoclastogenesis. High expressions of PKR were detected in osteoclasts of PD rats, and the treatment with C16 effectively prevented alveolar bone destruction in PD rats. CONCLUSIONS: PKR plays a pivotal role in LPS-induced bone loss in PD and, thus, has potential as a therapeutic target for PD.

Single-Step Functionalization and Exfoliation of Graphene with Polymers under Mild Conditions.

The simultaneous polymer functionalization and exfoliation of graphene sheets by using mild bath sonication and heat treatment at low temperature is described. In particular, free-radical polymerization of three different vinyl monomers takes place in the presence of graphite flakes. The polymerization procedure leads to the exfoliation of graphene sheets and at the same time the growing polymer chains are attached onto the graphene lattice, which gives solubility and stability to the final graphene-based hybrid material. The polymer-functionalized graphene sheets possess fewer defects as compared with previously reported polymer-functionalized graphene. The success of the covalent functionalization and exfoliation of graphene was confirmed by using a variety of complementary spectroscopic, thermal, and microscopy techniques, including Raman, IR and UV/Vis spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and transmission electron microscopy.

Does shoulder impingement syndrome affect the shoulder kinematics and associated muscle activity in archers?

BACKGROUND: Archery related injuries, such as shoulder impingement syndrome are caused by repeated motion of the shoulder. The aim of this study was to analyze differences in the shoulder kinematics and the associated muscle activity between archers with shoulder impingement and uninjured archery players. METHODS: Thirty male archers, who were divided into an impingement group and an uninjured group, were included in this study. The angle of scapular elevation, shoulder joint abduction, horizontal extension, and elbow joint flexion as well as the electromyographic activity of the upper trapezius, lower trapezius, deltoid middle, deltoid posterior, biceps brachii, and triceps brachii muscles at the point of stabilization during shooting were measured. Variables differing between impingement and uninjured groups were identified, and a stepwise regression analysis was performed to identify a combination of variables that effectively impingement syndrome. RESULTS: The results indicated that the angle of scapular elevation was significantly greater than that uninjured group (P<0.05). The angle of horizontal extension in the impingement group was significantly smaller than that in the uninjured group (P<0.05). The angle of elbow flexion in the impingement group was significantly smaller than that in the uninjured group (P<0.05). The levels of upper trapezius and deltoid middle muscle activity were significantly higher in the impingement group, while the level of lower trapezius muscle activity was significantly lower (P<0.05) when compared to the uninjured group. The impingement group had a greater angle of scapular elevation, smaller angle of horizontal extension, smaller angle of elbow flexion, higher the levels of upper trapezius, lower the levels of lower trapezius, higher deltoid middle muscle activity and higher UT/LT ratio (all differences were significant). A logistic model for predicting impingement syndrome showed that UT/LT ratio was significantly related impingement syndrome (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: The authors concluded that archers with shoulder impingement syndrome exhibit different kinematics and muscle activity compared to uninjured archers. Therefore, in order to prevent shoulder joint impingement during archery, training is necessary what can make lower trapezius muscle activity increased to decrease the UT/LT ratio.

Living cell-based allergen sensing using a high resolution two-dimensional surface plasmon resonance imager.

Recently, several papers indicated that the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique was available to monitor stimulation responses of mammalian cells adhered on sensor chips. On the other hand, the newly developed two-dimensional SPR (2D-SPR) imager system can obtain 2D-images of local refractive index change on the surface of a gold thin film. From these backgrounds, we expected that the 2D-SPR imager can visualize the individual response of many mammalian cells, simultaneously. Here, we report the observation of an allergenic response of a model mast cell, rat basophilic leukaemia cell (RBL-2H3), by using the high magnification 2D-SPR imaging system after pre-sensitization with 0.1 µg mL(-1) anti-dinitrophenyl immunoglobulin E (anti-DNP IgE). The response of the cells was successfully observed as the increment of the SPR signal (reflection intensity) upon stimulation with 0.1-1000 ng mL(-1) DNP-modified bovine serum albumin (DNP-BSA).

Purity-enhanced bulk synthesis of thin single-wall carbon nanotubes using iron-copper catalysts.

We report high purity and high yield synthesis of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) of narrow diameter from iron-copper bimetal catalysts. The SWCNTs with diameter of 0.8-1.2 nm are synthesized using the zeolite-supported alcohol chemical vapour deposition method. Single metal and bimetal catalysts are systematically investigated to achieve both the enhancement of SWCNT yield and the suppression of the undesired formation of graphitic impurities. The relative yield and purity of SWCNTs are quantified using optical absorption spectroscopy with an ultracentrifuge-based purification technique. For the single metal catalyst, iron shows the highest catalytic activity compared with the other metals such as cobalt, nickel, molybdenum, copper, and platinum. It has been found that the addition of copper to iron results in the suppression of carbonaceous impurity formation without decreasing the SWCNT yield. The purity-enhanced SWCNT shows fairly low sheet resistance due to the improvement of inter-nanotube contacts. This scalable design of SWCNT synthesis with enhanced purity is therefore a promising tool for shaping future high performance devices.

Laparoscopic and open surgery in patients with transverse colon cancer: short-term and oncological outcomes.

BACKGROUND: Studies evaluating the outcomes after laparoscopic resections of transverse colon cancers are scant. This manuscript aimed to compare surgical and oncological outcomes after laparoscopic (Lap) and open procedures for transverse colon carcinomas. METHODS: All consecutive patients who underwent resection for a cancer located in the transverse colon between 2003 and 2019 were reviewed. Patients were categorized according to the surgical approach (Lap versus open) and groups were compared. Outcome measures were the short-term results, complications and functional recovery; moreover, recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were compared overall and after propensity score matching (PSM) based on age, sex, ASA classification, BMI, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level, use of postoperative chemotherapy, location of tumour, stage and grading, operation time, blood loss and complications. RESULTS: Of 248 transverse resections reviewed, 146 (81 Lap and 65 open) were selected for data analysis. Blood loss, fluid intake and the incidence of wound infection were significantly lower and the hospital stay was significantly shorter in the Lap group (P < 0.001). The operation time and incidence of complications (Clavien-Dindo classification grade 3 or above) did not differ significantly between the two groups. Mean follow-up was of 75.4 months in the Lap group and 78.6 months in the open group. Regression analyses showed that OS was associated with the postoperative carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) level (hazard ratio 1.18 (95 per cent c.i. 1.10 to 1.27); P < 0.001), BMI (hazard ratio 0.81 (95 per cent c.i. 0.68 to 0.96); P = 0.017), operation time (hazard ratio 0.99 (95 per cent c.i. 0.97 to 1.00; P = 0.010), and postoperative chemotherapy (hazard ratio 0.27 (95 per cent c.i. 0.08 to 0.96); P = 0.042), while RFS was associated with the postoperative CEA level (hazard ratio 1.13 (95 per cent c.i. 1.07 to 1.20); P < 0.001). PSM selected 42 patients for data comparison of long-term results, and showed no significant differences between groups (RFS: P = 0.530; OS: P = 0.561). CONCLUSION: Lap and open resections for transverse colon cancer provided similar outcomes in terms of severe post-operative complication and long-term results.

Population-based study of asymptomatic infection with Chlamydia trachomatis among female and male students.

There are few epidemiological studies of asymptomatic chlamydial infection among students in non-medical settings with minimal bias and improved accuracy; thus, useful data from screening among students are limited. We aimed to obtain accurate epidemiological information about asymptomatic chlamydial infection among students in non-medical settings. A population-based cross-sectional survey of 10,440 >or=18-year-old asymptomatic students who volunteered for a urine screening test for chlamydia was conducted. The prevalences of asymptomatic infection were 9.5% for women and 6.7% for men. Multivariate analysis revealed the risk factors to be a lifetime history of >or=4 sexual partners for women (odds ratio [OR] 3.17) and inconsistent condom use for men (OR 4.18). For both sexes, younger age at first intercourse was associated with a higher rate of inconsistent condom use. This study produced accurate epidemiological information on asymptomatic chlamydial infection. These results may contribute to the establishment of preventive countermeasures against such infection.

[Induction chemoradiation followed by resection through anterior approach for superior sulcus tumor].

Two cases of induction chemoradiation followed by surgical resection were reported. A 53-year-old man and a 68-year-old man who had been suffering form alleviate pain in their left shoulder and arms were referred to our hospital. Physical examination revealed Horner's syndrome on the left side in both patients. A transcutaneous needle biopsy confirmed non-small-cell lung cancer. Under the diagnosis of superior sulcus tumor in stage IIIB (T4N0M0), induction chemotherapy and radiation were given. After tumor reduction, they underwent resection through cervical anterior approach because subclavian vessel invasion was suspected. The clavicle was divided for the resection and reconstruction of subclavian artery in case 2. For the treatment of anterior superior sulcus tumors, anterior approach provides a safe and effective exposure.

A novel surgical strategy for the resection of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumours located close to the duodenal ampulla: a case report.

Although the optimal surgical procedure for the resection of duodenal gastrointestinal stromal tumours has not yet been characterised due to the low prevalence of these tumours and the anatomical complexity of the duodenopancreatic region, difficult surgical procedures such as pancreaticoduodenectomy are often proposed for stromal tumours located in the second portion of the duodenum. Our case report highlights a novel surgical strategy that can be implemented as an alternative to pancreaticoduodenectomy for such tumours close to the duodenal ampulla. A 70-year-old man incidentally diagnosed with a stromal tumour close to the duodenal ampulla in the second portion of the duodenum underwent local resection guided by an endoscopic nasobiliary drainage tube with primary closure. This tube was converted to a percutaneous trans-small intestinal biliary drainage tube during the procedure to prevent biliary leakage biliary stasis due to swelling of the duodenal ampulla. He also underwent a simple distal gastrectomy with Roux-en-Y reconstruction. This resulted in successful R0 resection. There were no procedure-related complications or post-surgery weight changes. Our simple novel surgical strategy may therefore be useful for avoiding pancreaticoduodenectomy and maintaining quality of life in patients with stromal tumours close to the duodenal ampulla.

Element-selective single atom imaging.

Electron energy-loss spectroscopy (EELS) is widely used to identify elemental compositions of materials studied by microscopy. We demonstrate that the sensitivity and spatial resolution of EELS can be extended to the single-atom limit. A chemical map for gadolinium (Gd) clearly reveals the distribution of Gd atoms inside a single chain of metallofullerene molecules (Gd@C82) generated within a single-wall carbon nanotube. This characterization technique thus provides the "eyes" to see and identify individual atoms in nanostructures. It is likely to find broad application in nanoscale science and technology research.

[Tracheal resection and reconstruction for tracheal stenosis].

Five patients underwent surgery for tracheal stenosis. The cause of stenosis was congenital tracheal stenosis in 1 case, post-intubation tracheal stenosis in 1 case, and tracheal stenosis due to thyroid cancer invasion in 3 cases. All 5 patients required circumferential tracheal resection and end-to-end anastomosis using 4-0 or 5-0 absorbable sutures. The number of tracheal rings removed ranged from 3 to 6. There was no anastomotic complication. Technical points of this procedure were summarized as follows : 1) the circumferential dissection of the trachea should be made only at the level of the lesion that is to be excised, 2) preserve at least one side of recurrent nerve, 3) the traction sutures facilitate tensionless knot of the sutures, 4) prevention of excessive extension of the neck in the immediate postoperative period.

Band gap modification and photoluminescence enhancement of graphene nanoribbon filled single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Molecule encapsulation inside the single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) core has been demonstrated to be a successful route for the modification of nanotube properties. SWCNT diameter-dependent filling results in band gap modification together with the enhancement of photoluminescence quantum yield. However, the interaction between the inner structure and the outer shell is complex. It depends on the orientation of the molecules inside, the geometry of the host nanotube and on several other mechanisms determining the resulting properties of the hybrid nanosystem. In this work we study the influence of encapsulated graphene nanoribbons on the optical properties of the host single-walled carbon nanotubes. The interplay of strain and dielectric screening caused by the internal environment of the nanotube affects its band gap. The photoluminescence of the filled nanotubes becomes enhanced when the graphene nanoribbons are polymerized inside the SWCNTs at low temperatures. We show a gradual photoluminescence quenching together with a selective signal enhancement for exact nanotube geometries, specifically (14,6) and (13,8) species. A precise adjustment of the optical properties and an enhancement of the photoluminescence quantum yield upon filling for nanotubes with specific diameters were assigned to optimal organization of the inner structures.

Correction: Band gap modification and photoluminescence enhancement of graphene nanoribbon filled single-walled carbon nanotubes.

Correction for 'Band gap modification and photoluminescence enhancement of graphene nanoribbon filled single-walled carbon nanotubes' by A. I. Chernov et al., Nanoscale, 2018, DOI: 10.1039/c7nr07054c.

[Gastroesophageal reflux as a cause of pulmonary dysfunction after lung transplantation].

Gastroesophageal reflux is a potential cause of allograft dysfunction after lung transplantation due to microaspiration, lung inflammation, and development of bronchitis obliterans. A 16-year-old Japanese boy who had been suffering from interstitial lung disease received bilateral lung transplant from a braindead donor in the United States. Three months after lung transplantation, his lung function has not increased as expected. Spirometory revealed forced vital capacity (FVC) of 1.11 l (33% of predicted) and forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1.0) of 0.81 l (28% of predicted). All possible etiologies, including infection, acute and chronic rejection, and other abnormalities were investigated. The only positive finding was the presence of gastroesophageal reflux. He first underwent pyroloplasty which did not improve lung function. Twenty-four-hour pH monitor performed after surgery revealed frequent gastroesophageal reflux. He eventually underwent laparoscopic fundoplication 9 months after initial lung transplantation. His lung function gradually improving after fundoplication, an FVC was 1.56 l (44% of predicted) and FEV1 was 1.25 l (33% of predicted).

Elastic and anelastic relaxation behaviour of perovskite multiferroics II: PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3 (PZT)-PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3 (PFT).

Elastic and anelastic properties of ceramic samples of multiferroic perovskites with nominal compositions across the binary join PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3-PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3 (PZT-PFT) have been assembled to create a binary phase diagram and to address the role of strain relaxation associated with their phase transitions. Structural relationships are similar to those observed previously for PbZr0.53Ti0.47O3-PbFe0.5Nb0.5O3 (PZT-PFN), but the magnitude of the tetragonal shear strain associated with the ferroelectric order parameter appears to be much smaller. This leads to relaxor character for the development of ferroelectric properties in the end member PbFe0.5Ta0.5O3. As for PZT-PFN, there appear to be two discrete instabilities rather than simply a reorientation of the electric dipole in the transition sequence cubic-tetragonal-monoclinic, and the second transition has characteristics typical of an improper ferroelastic. At intermediate compositions, the ferroelastic microstructure has strain heterogeneities on a mesoscopic length scale and, probably, also on a microscopic scale. This results in a wide anelastic freezing interval for strain-related defects rather than the freezing of discrete twin walls that would occur in a conventional ferroelastic material. In PFT, however, the acoustic loss behaviour more nearly resembles that due to freezing of conventional ferroelastic twin walls. Precursor softening of the shear modulus in both PFT and PFN does not fit with a Vogel-Fulcher description, but in PFT there is a temperature interval where the softening conforms to a power law suggestive of the role of fluctuations of the order parameter with dispersion along one branch of the Brillouin zone. Magnetic ordering appears to be coupled only weakly with a volume strain and not with shear strain but, as with multiferroic PZT-PFN perovskites, takes place within crystals which have significant strain heterogeneities on different length scales.

Element-specific probe of the magnetic and electronic properties of Dy incar-fullerenes.

The magnetic and electronic properties of a single atom and a pair of Dy atoms encapsulated inside fullerene carbon cages have been examined using X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and X-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) as well as resonant photoelectron spectroscopy (RESPES) across the Dy M(4,5)-edge. The comparison of the measured XAS spectra with multiplet calculations indicates that the encaged Dy has a 4f( 9) configuration. The presence of Dy 5d spectral weight in the valence band is not detected by RESPES, indicating that Dy is in a formally trivalent state. The evolution of the encaged Dy orbital and spin moments of the 4f orbitals as a function of the applied magnetic field and temperature has been obtained from XMCD measurements. At 6.9 T and 4 K, both the orbital and the spin magnetic moments of the encaged Dy 4f electrons are dramatically smaller than those expected for the free Dy(3+) at saturation.

Transfection of antisense core 2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-1 cDNA suppresses selectin ligand expression and tissue infiltration of B-cell precursor leukemia cells.

B-cell precursor (BCP) leukemia cells infiltrate into peripheral organs and the disease often relapses. Inhibition of tissue infiltration may improve the treatment outcome of BCP-leukemia patients. Selectin ligand has been suggested to play an important role in the infiltration of leukemia cells. However, the regulation mechanisms and involvement in tissue infiltration of selectin ligand expression in BCP-leukemia cells are not fully understood. In this study, we report that BCP-leukemia cells express selectin ligand on O-sialoglycoproteins. Core 2 beta1,6-N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase-1 (C2GnT-1) is mainly expressed in BCP-leukemia cells. Transfection of the antisense C2GnT-1 cDNA resulted in a significant reduction of either selectin ligand expression or selectin-dependent cell adhesion in BCP-leukemia cell line KM3 cells. Migration ability into mouse peripheral organs was reduced significantly in the antisense transfectant. These findings suggest that C2GnT-1 regulates selectin ligand expression. Downregulation of the selectin ligand expression level inhibits tissue infiltration of BCP-leukemia cells. C2GnT-1 may be a candidate of therapeutic target for the inhibition of infiltration of leukemia cells.

WITHDRAWN: Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiographic Measurement of Left Atrial Appendage Blood Flow Velocity: Comparison with Transoesophageal Measurement.

The publisher regrets that this was an accidental duplication of an article that has already been published in Eur. J. Echocardiogr., 4 (2003) 191-195, . The duplicate article has therefore been withdrawn.