Insight into Scattering Mechanisms and Transport Properties of AgCuS for Flexible Thermoelectric Applications.

The development of flexible thermoelectric devices requires materials possessing ductility and high thermoelectric performance at room temperature. However, only a few existing materials meet both criteria. In this study, the ductile properties, electronic structure, and transport properties of the low-temperature phase α-AgCuS were elucidated using first-principles calculations combined with Boltzmann transport theory. With a layered zigzag structure similar to the well-known ductile semiconductor Ag2S, AgCuS is determined to have good metal-like ductility. Through consideration of various intrinsic scattering mechanisms, we found that electron-polar optical phonon interactions have the most significant impact on the transport behavior of AgCuS. The predominance of this type of interaction is also disclosed by the covalent-ionic bonding nature of the Ag-S and Cu-S bonds. Therefore, weakening this interaction via doping or alloying could optimize the thermoelectric performance of the system. At room temperature, a maximum dimensionless figure of merit ZT of up to 0.592 could be achieved under a tuning of hole concentration to 2 × 1019 cm-3, suggesting that α-AgCuS could be a promising p-type candidate for flexible thermoelectric applications.

Identification of a Proline-Kinked Amphipathic α-Helix Downstream from the Methyltransferase Domain of a Potexvirus Replicase and Its Role in Virus Replication and Perinuclear Complex Formation.

Characterized positive-strand RNA viruses replicate in association with intracellular membranes. Regarding viruses in the genus Potexvirus, the mechanism by which their RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (replicase) associates with membranes is understudied. Here, by membrane flotation analyses of the replicase of Plantago asiatica mosaic potexvirus (PlAMV), we identified a region in the methyltransferase (MET) domain as a membrane association determinant. An amphipathic α-helix was predicted downstream from the core region of the MET domain, and hydrophobic amino acid residues were conserved in the helical sequences in replicases of other potexviruses. Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis confirmed the amphipathic α-helical configuration and unveiled a kink caused by a highly conserved proline residue in the α-helix. Substitution of this proline residue and other hydrophobic and charged residues in the amphipathic α-helix abolished PlAMV replication. Ectopic expression of a green fluorescent protein (GFP) fusion with the entire MET domain resulted in the formation of a large perinuclear complex, where virus replicase and RNA colocated during virus infection. Except for the proline substitution, the amino acid substitutions in the α-helix that abolished virus replication also prevented the formation of the large perinuclear complex by the respective GFP-MET fusion. Small intracellular punctate structures were observed for all GFP-MET fusions, and in vitro high-molecular-weight complexes were formed by both replication-competent and -incompetent viral replicons and thus were not sufficient for replication competence. We discuss the roles of the potexvirus-specific, proline-kinked amphipathic helical structure in virus replication and intracellular large complex and punctate structure formation. IMPORTANCE RNA viruses characteristically associate with intracellular membranes during replication. Although virus replicases are assumed to possess membrane-targeting properties, their membrane association domains generally remain unidentified or poorly characterized. Here, we identified a proline-kinked amphipathic α-helix structure downstream from the methyltransferase core domain of PlAMV replicase as a membrane association determinant. This helical sequence, which includes the proline residue, was conserved among potexviruses and related viruses in the order Tymovirales. Substitution of the proline residue, but not the other residues necessary for replication, allowed formation of a large perinuclear complex within cells resembling those formed by PlAMV replicase and RNA during virus replication. Our results demonstrate the role of the amphipathic α-helix in PlAMV replicase in a perinuclear complex formation and virus replication and that perinuclear complex formation by the replicase alone will not necessarily indicate successful virus replication.

Mycobacterial lymphadenitis without granuloma formation in a patient with anti-interferon-gamma antibodies.

A previously healthy 49-year-old Japanese woman presented with cervical lymph node swelling and tenderness. Lymph node biopsy revealed reactive lymphadenitis without granulomas. No malignant cells were found, and no acid-fast positive bacilli were identified by Ziehl-Neelsen staining. She was treated unsuccessfully with various antibiotics, and it was very challenging to reach a diagnosis. 18F-Fluorodeoxyglucose (18F-FDG) uptake in bones was evaluated using positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT), and disseminated mycobacterial infection was suspected. The interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) release assays QuantiFERON (QFT) and T-SPOT were used to diagnose tuberculosis infection. On testing, a difference in mitogen response was found between these assays. The response was low for QFT but adequate for T-SPOT, suggesting the presence of anti-IFN-γ antibodies. This difference depended on whether the patient's plasma (including anti-IFN-γ antibodies) was used within the assay system. Mycobacterium abscessus was isolated from lymph node cultures, and plasma anti-IFN-γ antibodies were confirmed. The patient was diagnosed with disseminated M. abscessus infection with underlying adult-onset immunodeficiency caused by anti-IFN-γ antibodies. Granulomas are a pathological hallmark of mycobacterial infection, but may not fully form in immunodeficient patients. Clinicians should be aware of the possibility of mycobacterial infection without granuloma formation due to anti-IFN-γ antibodies.

Liming effects on dissolved and colloid-associated transport of cadmium in soil under intermittent simulated rainfall.

Liming has been regarded as an effective measure to reduce the bioavailability and mobility of cadmium (Cd) in soil. However, its effect on Cd transport in colloid-associated form remains unclear. In this study, relative importance of dissolved and colloid-associated transport of Cd was explored in columns packed with moist soil aggregates (diameter <2 mm) under intermittent simulated rainfall of distilled water or 5 mmol L-1 CaCl2 solution. The Cd2+/Ca2+ exchange selectivity coefficient determined in column experiments displayed gradual decreases with decreasing ionic strength. It is proposed that the exchange selectivity coefficient determined by repeated batch extraction can be used to predict Cd discharge in dissolved form in column effluent. Colloid-associated Cd was the main Cd form in the first flushing effluent sample upon resuming infiltration of distilled water. Otherwise, Cd was transported mainly in dissolved form, accounting for 81-93 % and 54-72 % of total Cd discharge for unlimed soils and limed soils, respectively. Liming remarkably reduced dissolved Cd concentration but only slightly enhanced colloidal Cd transport. Cd was enriched on colloids, and the enrichment factor was enhanced by liming. Colloidal Cd transport through preferential pathways (e.g., macropores, shrinkage cracks, tile drains) should be paid due attention.

Improvement of Mycobacterium abscessus Pulmonary Disease after Nivolumab Administration in a Patient with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer.

Nivolumab has become the standard second-line chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. A 73-year-old man with stage IV non-small cell lung cancer received 6 cycles of chemotherapy with nab-paclitaxel/carboplatin/bevacizumab followed by 11 cycles of nab-paclitaxel/bevacizumab; however, treatment was stopped due to pneumothorax. One year after therapy started, a nodule appeared in the left upper lung and increased in size. Mycobacterium abscessus subsp. massiliense disease was diagnosed by a sputum analysis. After short antibiotic treatment, nivolumab was administered. Two months after nivolumab treatment, the nodule improved along with a good tumour response. The effectiveness of nivolumab for chronic infectious diseases, such as M. abscessus disease, should be investigated.

Air-Filled Porosity as a Key to Reducing Dissolved Arsenic and Cadmium Concentrations in Paddy Soils.

Simultaneous suppression of rice ( L.) uptake of As and Cd is challenging because these toxic elements are immobilized under contrasting redox conditions. Given the notion that oxygen diffusion governs redox conditions in temporarily drained paddy soil, we assume that the key to simultaneous suppression of dissolved As and Cd concentrations is air-filled porosity (AFP) of soil. The objectives of this study were to reveal relationships between AFP and dissolved As and Cd concentrations in paddy soils and to identify the optimum water management, in terms of AFP, for simultaneous reduction of As and Cd. Dissolved As and Cd concentrations were determined in soil cores collected at different depths and times during rice growing seasons. Dissolved As concentrations were appreciable (>3 µg L) only when AFP was below a threshold value of 0.04 to 0.10 m m, suggesting that dissolved As was rapidly immobilized once AFP exceeded the threshold value on drainage. Dissolved Cd concentrations were roughly proportional to AFP, with higher concentrations associated with lower soil pH. Although dissolved As concentrations tended to be low in soil samples with high dissolved Cd concentrations and vice versa, both concentrations were low when AFP was slightly above the threshold value for As immobilization. The results suggest that dissolved As and Cd can be simultaneously kept at low levels by appropriate water management practices that produce AFP slightly above the threshold value for As immobilization.

[A Case of Fatal Interstitial Pneumonia during FOLFIRI plus Cetuximab Therapy for Liver Metastasis of Colon Cancer].

The patient was a 76-year-old woman who underwent sigmoidectomy in April 2011 for sigmoid colon cancer with multiple concurrent liver metastases. She was treated postoperatively with mFOLFOX6 plus cetuximab but was diagnosed with the progressive disease at the end of course 14. The patient started receiving FOLFIRI plus cetuximab therapy in May 2012. Later in August 2012, she was examined for respiratory distress on the scheduled date of receiving course 7 and was diagnosed with drug-induced interstitial pneumonia resulting from systemic chemotherapy. The patient was administered oxygen, and her symptoms improved temporarily with steroid half-pulse and endotoxin adsorption therapy, but on inpatient day 10, her respiratory condition deteriorated. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy, but died of respiratory failure on inpatient day 17. The main adverse events associated with FOLFIRI plus cetuximab therapy are gastrointestinal symptoms, hematotoxicity, peripheral nerve damage, and dermatological symptoms. However, reports of respiratory conditions such as interstitial pneumonia are rare. Although the incidence is low, interstitial pneumonia can be severe and fatal and therefore requires close attention.

Clinical significance and epidemiologic analyses of Mycobacterium avium and Mycobacterium intracellulare lung disease from post-marketing surveillance.

BACKGROUND: In Japan, nontuberculous mycobacterial lung disease is mostly attributable to Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC), i.e., M. avium or M. intracellulare. However, clinical features of the disease caused by these two pathogens have not been studied sufficiently yet. METHODS: A post-marketing survey of clarithromycin was performed at 130 facilities across Japan. The data on patients with M. avium infection and patients with M. intracellulare infection were selected from this survey for comparison of background variables and clinical features of the two pathogens. RESULTS: Among the patients analyzed (n = 368), 67.4% had M. avium infection and 32.6% had M. intracellulare infection. Stratified analysis revealed no significant differences between the ratio of the two pathogens based on gender, disease type, complication, past medical history, or smoking history. However, the percentage of patients with M. intracellulare infection was significantly higher among those with underlying lung disease than among those without lung disease (p = 0.0217). The percentage of patients with M. intracellulare infection rose significantly with age (p = 0.0296). This age-related change was more significant in women (p = 0.0018). When district-wise analysis was performed for Japan, the percentage of M. intracellulare infection was higher in the Chugoku/Shikoku and Kyushu districts whereas the percentage of M. avium infection was higher in the other districts. CONCLUSIONS: This survey revealed some differences in the clinical and epidemiologic features of M. avium and M. intracellulare infection. The significant predominance of M. avium infection among relatively young women is suggestive of an increase in the M. avium/M. intracellulare infection ratio among women in the future.

Association between sequevar and antibiotic treatment outcome in patients with Mycobacterium abscessus complex infections in Japan.

PURPOSE: Macrolide susceptibility differs between subspecies in the Mycobacterium abscessus complex, likely due to differences in erm(41) sequevars. Patients with M. abscessus complex infection generally show poor clinical outcomes in response to antibiotic treatment. Here, the association between genotype and treatment outcome was investigated. METHODOLOGY: We collected 69 isolates from 35 patients with non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis: 24 had M. abscessus complex lung disease and non-cystic fibrosis bronchiectasis, and 11 were colonized. Outcome analysis was performed in the 24 infected patients. Molecular analyses, including erm(41) and rrl sequencing, and variable-number tandem-repeat (VNTR) analysis of 69 isolates, from 24 infected and 11 colonized patients, were performed to elucidate the influence of genotype on antibiotic susceptibility. RESULTS: Among the 24 patients, 18 (14 infected with M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and 4 with M. abscessus subsp. massiliense) showed unfavourable outcomes; six (three infected with M. abscessus subsp. abscessus and three with M. abscessus subsp. massiliense) exhibited favourable outcomes. Patients with unfavourable outcomes showed acquired clarithromycin resistance (33.3 vs 0 %), mixed sequevars (38.9 vs 16.7 %) and differing VNTR patterns between initial and serial isolates (33.3 vs 16.7 %). In contrast, in the 11 colonized patients, M. abscessus subsp. abscessus C28 (sequevar 02) and M. abscessus subsp. massiliense were the most prevalent subspecies. CONCLUSION: Patients infected with multiple sequevars and genotypes were more likely to exhibit treatment failure and/or recurrence. The precise identification of subspecies and analyses of mycobacterial characteristics may help to predict treatment outcomes in patients with M. abscessus complex lung disease.

Influence of humic substances and iron and aluminum ions on the sorption of acetamiprid to an arable soil.

Humic substances (HS) in soil and sediments, and surface water influence the behavior of organic xenobiotics in the environment. However, our knowledge of the effects of specific HS fractions, i.e., humic acids (HAs), fulvic acids (FAs), and humin (HM), on the sorption of organic xenobiotics is limited. The neonicotinoid insecticide acetamiprid is thought to contribute to the collapse of honeybee colonies. To understand the role that soil organic matter plays in the fate of acetamiprid, interactions between acetamiprid and the above HS fractions were examined. Batch experiments were conducted using various combinations of a field soil sample and the above 3 HS fractions prepared from the same soil, and differences in isotherm values for acetamiprid sorption were investigated based on the structural differences among the HS fractions. The sorption of acetamiprid to soil minerals associated with HM (MHM) (Freundlich isotherm constant, Kf: 6.100) was reduced when HAs or FAs were added (Kf: 4.179 and 4.756, respectively). This can be attributed to hydrophobic interactions between HM and HAs or FAs in which their dissociated carboxyl and phenolic groups become oriented to face the soil solution. The amount of acetamiprid that was adsorbed to (MHM+HA) or (MHM+FA) increased when aluminum ions were added (Kf: 6.933 and 10.48, respectively), or iron ions were added (Kf: 7.303 and 11.29, respectively). Since acetamiprid has no affinity for inorganic components in soil, the formation of HS-metal complexes by cation bridging may have oriented the hydrophobic moieties in the HAs or FAs to face the soil solution and may also have resulted in the formation of dense structures, resulting in an increase in the amount of acetamiprid that becomes adsorbed to these structures. These results highlight the importance of interactions among soil components in the pedospheric diffusion of acetamiprid.

Clinical Features of Nontuberculous Mycobacterial Pleurisy: A Review of 12 Cases.

Objective The incidence of pulmonary nontuberculous mycobacterial (NTM) infections has increased in recent decades. Nevertheless, NTM pleurisy is still a rare disease. The objective of the present study was to elucidate the clinical features and outcomes of NTM pleurisy. Methods A retrospective study was undertaken of consecutive patients whose pleural effusion culture yielded NTM, from 2002 to 2016 at a respiratory hospital in Japan. The clinical features, treatment, and outcomes of these patients were analyzed. Result The 12 patients with NTM pleurisy were predominantly male, with a median age of 69 years (range, 48-93 years). They included eight patients with a history of smoking and six patients with immunosuppressive comorbidities such as malignancy, diabetes mellitus, and conditions requiring steroid administration. Fibrocavitary disease was the most common radiographic feature of these patients, and Mycobacterium avium complex was the most common pathogen. Pneumothorax was complicated in 11 patients. Surgery was performed on seven patients, in addition to thoracic drainage for the treatment of pleurisy and pneumothorax. Three patients died of respiratory failure. Conclusion Pneumothorax is a frequent complication of NTM pleurisy, often making the condition difficult to treat. Surgery at an appropriate time should therefore considered for refractory cases.

Analysis of the impact of lung cancer treatment on nontuberculous mycobacterial lung diseases.

BACKGROUND: Although nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) lung diseases can occur in association with lung cancer, no study has evaluated the effect of lung cancer treatment on NTM lung diseases. Therefore, the present study aimed to retrospectively examine the effect of lung cancer treatment on NTM lung diseases. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with NTM lung diseases in combination with cytologically or histologically proven lung cancer between January 1, 2010 and October 31, 2014 were enroled. The clinical history of eligible patients was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: Seven hundred twenty-eight patients were diagnosed with NTM lung diseases. Among these patients, 29 (3.9%) also had lung cancer. Of the 29 patients with NTM and lung cancer, 62% had Mycobacterium avium complex as the pathogenic organism. The most common lung cancer histology was adenocarcinoma (62.1%). Anti-cancer cytotoxic chemotherapy was administered to seven patients, and the two patients who did not receive NTM treatment showed worsening of their NTM lung disease. CONCLUSION: Whether NTM lung disease should be treated during anti-cancer chemotherapy has not been not clarified by this study. Induction of anti-NTM therapy should be made after careful consideration, because the duration of anti-NTM treatment is long and anti-mycobacterial drugs have extensive effects on anti-cancer drugs. However, we think that anti-NTM therapy should be introduced after consideration of the worsening of symptoms and radiological findings associated with NTM lung disease.

Origin of the non-monotonic variance of Tc in the 1111 iron based superconductors with isovalent doping.

Motivated by recent experimental investigations of the isovalent doping iron-based superconductors LaFe(AsxP1-x)O1-yFy and NdFe(AsxP1-x)O1-yFy, we theoretically study the correlation between the local lattice structure, the Fermi surface, the spin fluctuation-mediated superconductivity, and the composition ratio. In the phosphides, the dXZ and dYZ orbitals barely hybridize around the Γ point to give rise to two intersecting ellipse shape Fermi surfaces. As the arsenic content increases and the Fe-As-Fe bond angle is reduced, the hybridization increases, so that the two bands are mixed to result in concentric inner and outer Fermi surfaces, and the orbital character gradually changes to dxz and dyz, where x-y axes are rotated by 45 degrees from X-Y. This makes the orbital matching between the electron and hole Fermi surfaces better and enhances the spin fluctuation within the dxz/yz orbitals. On the other hand, the hybridization splits the two bands, resulting in a more dispersive inner band. Hence, there is a trade-off between the density of states and the orbital matching, thereby locally maximizing the dxz/yz spin fluctuation and superconductivity in the intermediate regime of As/P ratio. The consistency with the experiment strongly indicate the importance of the spin fluctuation played in this series of superconductors.

A unique case of hot tub lung worsening during the winter.

Summer-type hypersensitivity pneumonitis includes a spectrum of granulomatous lung diseases that result from the inhalation of Trichosporon species in the summer. Hot tub lung is a granulomatous lung disease caused by the inhalation of water aerosols containing non-tuberculous mycobacteria. We herein describe a case of hot tub lung that deteriorated during the winter season. Every winter, the patient's symptoms, laboratory findings and chest images worsened. Genetically identical Mycobacterium avium strains were detected in his sputum and bathtub. The circulation of bathtub water during the winter months only exacerbated his symptoms in the winter.

Investigation of the population structure of Mycobacterium abscessus complex strains using 17-locus variable number tandem repeat typing and the further distinction of Mycobacterium massiliense hsp65 genotypes.

Mycobacterium abscessus complex is a significant pathogen in patients with non-cystic fibrosis (non-CF). Nevertheless, there is little description of the genetic diversity of this species. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution of M. abscessus complex isolated from respiratory specimens by variable number tandem repeat (VNTR) typing. The results of 104 clinical isolates from 104 non-CF patients were compared using PFGE, hsp65 genotypes and clarithromycin susceptibility. The allelic diversity (Hunter-Gaston Discriminatory Index) of the 17 loci examined by VNTR typing was high (0.977). We determined that C28 sequevar erm(41) genotypes and clarithromycin-acquired resistance isolates were scattered in the minimum spanning tree. Intriguingly, VNTR typing and PFGE were highly congruent and revealed that there were clear examples of grouping of isolates from different individuals amongst both M. abscessus and M. massiliense, and showed five clusters of distinct identical isolates. Within these clusters, M. massiliense hsp65 type I formed three different clusters. Although the distribution of M. massiliense hsp65 type II-1 was low (9.3 %), M. massiliense hsp65 type II-1 isolates separated from clusters contained hsp65 type I isolates. Thus, M. massiliense hsp65 genotypes could be discriminated by analysing VNTRs with sufficient genetic distance for intra-species-level discrimination.

Model of the electronic structure of electron-doped iron-based superconductors: evidence for enhanced spin fluctuations by diagonal electron hopping.

We present a theoretical understanding of the superconducting phase diagram of the electron-doped iron pnictides. We show that, besides the Fermi surface nesting, a peculiar motion of electrons, where the next nearest neighbor (diagonal) hoppings between iron sites dominate over the nearest neighbor ones, plays an important role in the enhancement of the spin fluctuation and thus superconductivity. In the highest T(c) materials, the crossover between the Fermi surface nesting and this "prioritized diagonal motion" regime occurs smoothly with doping, while in relatively low T(c) materials, the two regimes are separated and therefore results in a double dome T(c) phase diagram.

[Enlargement of intrathoracic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis: a case report].

We described enlargement of intrathoracic diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) during treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis in a 78-year-old man. The patient had previously undergone treatment for pulmonary tuberculosis about 50 years ago and showed disease recurrence in 2010. Although after tuberculosis treatment with the standard chemotherapy regimen of isoniazid, rifampicin, ethambutol, and pyrazinamide, we observed a clear resolution of the main X-ray shadows, a nodular shadow in the right upper lung field was observed to have increased in size. After evaluation by transbronchial biopsy of the upper right lung lobe, we diagnosed DLBCL with subepithelial infiltration of an airway. This is a rare case of coexistence of active pulmonary tuberculosis and intrathoracic DLBCL.

Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease mimicking tuberculous lymphadenitis.

A 28-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for treatment of tuberculous lymphadenitis, after presenting with fever, left cervical lymphadenopathy, and a positive interferon-gamma release assay (QuantiFERON®-TB Gold In-Tube; QFT) result. Surprisingly, biopsy specimens of the cervical lymph nodes showed necrotic lesions with prominent nuclear debris and a proliferation of histiocytes, consistent with Kikuchi-Fujimoto disease (KFD). A diagnosis was made of KFD complicated by latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), and all symptoms had resolved completely two months post-diagnosis. KFD may be misdiagnosed as tuberculous lymphadenitis, and antibiotics unnecessarily prescribed. Careful attention should therefore be paid when diagnosing cervical lymphadenopathy.

[Analysis of the clinical features of pulmonary disease caused by Mycobacterium szulgai].

SUBJECTS & METHODS: We reviewed the patient characteristics, radiological findings, treatments, and clinical outcomes in 12 cases of pulmonary Mycobacterium szulgai disease diagnosed at our hospital from April 1998 to March 2008. In addition, drug susceptibility testing of the causative isolates was performed with several antibiotics, including clarithromycin (CAM) and rifampicin (RFP), using BrothMIC NTM. RESULTS: The patients included 10 men and 2 women, with a mean age of 57.2 years. Among them, 10 were smokers, 5 previously had pulmonary tuberculosis, 3 had a history of gastric ulcers, and 1 had a history of esophageal cancer surgery. All patients had been previously treated with various chemotherapeutic regimens. Six of them were treated with chemotherapy, including CAM, and they improved both radiologically and bacteriologically. The minimal inhibitory concentration of CAM for all the strains tested was less than 0.25 microg/mL, which is the likely critical concentration for clinical efficacy of CAM. The present study suggested that, in addition to smoking and a history of pulmonary tuberculosis, gastroesophageal disorders were relevant underlying conditions in patients with pulmonary M. szulgai disease. CONCLUSION: Chemotherapeutic drugs, including CAM, are clinically and bacteriologically effective for pulmonary M. szulgai disease.