Engineering Transport Properties in Interconnected Enargite-Stannite Type Cu2+x Mn1-x GeS4 Nanocomposites.

Understanding the mechanisms that connect heat and electron transport with crystal structures and defect chemistry is fundamental to develop materials with thermoelectric properties. In this work, we synthesized a series of self-doped compounds Cu2+x Mn1-x GeS4 through Cu for Mn substitution. Using a combination of powder X-ray diffraction, high resolution transmission electron microscopy and precession-assisted electron diffraction tomography, we evidence that the materials are composed of interconnected enargite- and stannite-type structures, via the formation of nanodomains with a high density of coherent interfaces. By combining experiments with ab initio electron and phonon calculations, we discuss the structure-thermoelectric properties relationships and clarify the interesting crystal chemistry in this system. We demonstrate that excess Cu+ substituted for Mn2+ dopes holes into the top of the valence band, leading to a remarkable enhancement of the power factor and figure of merit ZT.

Relationship between dietary patterns and stunting in preschool children: a cohort analysis from Kwale, Kenya.

OBJECTIVES: Stunting is a significant cause of poor cognitive performance and lower school achievement. Stunting is observed among pre-school children in several areas in Africa; however, not all children are affected, and children with and without stunting are seen in the same communities. Therefore, this study aimed to identify nutritional and other factors that prevent stunting that may exist in local communities. STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective cohort study. METHODS: Data were extracted from the Health and Demographic Surveillance System conducted in Kwale County, Kenya. The cohort consisted of all households with children less than five years old, within a radius of 2.2 km from a local health centre. A dietary pattern (DP) survey with a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was conducted on caretakers of children who were voluntary participated from the cohort between June 2012 and August 2012. Using cluster analysis, the children were assigned to a DP group. Logistic regression analysis was applied to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) of DPs for stunting controlling for other factors. RESULTS: In total, 402 children were included in the analysis. By cluster analysis, three DPs were identified: protein-rich DP; traditional DP; and traditional DP complemented by breastfeeding. The aOR of a child becoming stunted from a normal height during the study period among children who received a traditional DP compared with those who had a protein-rich DP was 2.78 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02-7.55). However, the aOR for children who were already stunted at the start of the study and had a traditional DP was 1.49 (95% CI: 0.82-2.72). Increased aORs of stunting were observed among children aged over 12 months compared with children aged 6-11 months, and the effects of DPs were modified by age in months from 12 to 35 months; however, the effects were near the null value for children over 36 months of age, although these were not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: We found that the traditional DP showed a higher risk for stunting compared with the protein-rich DP, and the most vulnerable age range for stunting was between 12 and 35 months. Interventions to prevent stunting should focus on providing 12- to 35-month-old children with locally available, protein-rich foods.

International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria (INHAND): Progress to Date and Future Plans.

The International Harmonization of Nomenclature and Diagnostic Criteria for Lesions in Rats and Mice proposal (INHAND) has been operational since 2005. A Global Editorial Steering Committee manages the overall objectives of the project, and the development of harmonized terminology for each organ system is the responsibility of the Organ Working Groups, drawing upon experts from North America, Europe, and Japan. Great progress has been made with 9 systems published to date--respiratory, hepatobiliary, urinary, central/peripheral nervous systems, male reproductive and mammary, zymbals, clitoral, and preputial glands in Toxicologic Pathology and the integument and soft tissue and female reproductive in the Journal of Toxicologic Pathology as supplements and on a Web site--www.goReni.org. INHAND nomenclature guides offer diagnostic criteria and guidelines for recording lesions observed in rodent toxicity and carcinogenicity studies. The guides provide representative photomicrographs of morphologic changes, information regarding pathogenesis, and key references. The purpose of this brief communication is to provide an update on the progress of INHAND.

Genetic polymorphism in IFNL4 and response to pegylated interferon-α and ribavirin in Japanese chronic hepatitis C patients.

A genetic polymorphism of the newly discovered interferon-λ 4 (IFNL4) gene was associated with hepatitis C virus (HCV) clearance in individuals of African ancestry. To assess whether a dinucleotide variant of IFNL4 (ss469415590) also affected treatment outcome of antiviral therapy in Japan, we genotyped 213 patients with chronic genotype 1 HCV infection and 176 healthy subjects. The ΔG allele was associated with treatment failure [odds ratio (OR) 4.73, P = 0.019], as was the IFL3 rs8099917 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (OR 5.06, P = 0.068). The correlation between ss469415590 and rs8099917 was high (r(2) = 0.92, D' = 0.98). Multivariate analysis revealed that the rs8099917 SNP was independently associated with treatment failure (OR 5.28, P = 0.009). Therefore, ss469415590 may be another predictive marker of antiviral therapy outcome in the Japanese population.

Influence of lingual plate fracture pattern on remodelling site during the healing process of sagittal split ramus osteotomy.

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether differences in the pattern of the lingual plate split in sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) affect the remodelling of the split site. Sixty-one patients with mandibular prognathism (122 sides) underwent SSRO. Computed tomography (CT) was performed at 1 week and 1 year after SSRO. Bone splits were classified according to the lingual split scale (LSS) and the lateral bone cut end (LBCE) by evaluating CT images at 1 week. The remodelling at the split sites was evaluated by superimposing the CT images obtained at 1 week and 1 year. Regarding the LSS pattern, significant differences were observed in the distance between anteroposterior ramus points (P = 0.033) and the ramus area in the axial image (P = 0.011). The LBCE pattern also showed a significant difference in the distance between anteroposterior ramus points (P = 0.043). In conclusion, the differences in the lingual plate split and ramus cut end of the SSRO influence the postoperative remodelling in the anteroposterior region of the split site.

Antibiotic prophylaxis for sagittal split ramus osteotomy using resorbable plate and screw fixation: a randomised trial to compare extended dual-agent and inpatient single-agent regimens.

Resorbable materials are used to fix bony fragments after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO), but to our knowledge, there is no clear regimen for antibiotic prophylaxis when such materials are used. The purpose of this study therefore was to compare inpatient single-agent and extended dual-agent antibiotic prophylaxis for the prevention of surgical site infections (SSI) in patients after SSRO. This prospective study included 100 patients who underwent SSRO for deformities of the jaw. Cephalometric analysis was performed preoperatively, and at one month and one year postoperatively. Patients were divided into two groups of 50 each. Group A was given cefazolin sodium 1g preoperatively and every eight hours for 48 hours postoperatively. Group B was given cefazolin sodium 1g preoperatively and every eight hours for 48 hours postoperatively, after which they were provided with oral amoxicillin for three days. Both groups were assessed for SSIs for one year postoperatively using the Clavien-Dindo classification. SSIs were documented in seven patients in Group A and six in Group B, with no significant difference between the groups. The two regimens had no significant association with SSI. In conclusion, our results suggest that the inpatient, single-agent, postoperative antibiotic regimen is sufficient to prevent SSI in patients who have SSRO with resorbable plate and screw fixation.

[Mediastinal lymph node carcinoma of unknown primary site; report of a case].

A 44-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of mediastinal mass. Serum levels of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) were found to be elevated. No preoperative examination could detect the primary lesion. The tumor was resected through right thoracotomy. Histological examination revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma. She was diagonosed as metastatic mediastinal lymph node carcinoma of unknown primary site. She received radiotherapy and chemotherapy and is desease free 29 months after operation. Good results may be obtained by multimodality therapies for cancer in mediastinal lymph node of unknown primary site.

[Repeated catamenial pneumothorax with pleural and diaphragmatic endometriosis; report of a case].

A 31-year-old female with 2 episodes of right pneumothorax related to onset of menstruation was reported. Thoracoscopy revealed the presence of some cystic lesions in the diaphragm. Partial resection of the diaphragm including the lesions was performed. Histologial findings of the resected diaphragm showed stromal endometriosis. One month after operation, she had a recurrent right pneumothorax related to onset of menstruation. A pinhole perforation of the lower lobe was noted at 2nd surgery. Microscopic examination of the resected lung disclosed endometrial stroma in the macroscopically normal lung tissue. Since air leakage from chest tube continued after surgery, the hormonal therapy with a gonadotropin-releasing hormone analogue was started, and she was discharged from the hospital 3 weeks after hormonal therapy. Report of the demonstration of endmetriosis in the visceral pleura and diaphragm is very rare and the present case is very suggestive is considering the mechanism of the development of this disease.

[Congenital chylothorax treated with video-assisted thoracic surgery].

A 35-day-old female was referred to our department because of congenital chylothorax. Medical treatment with dietary restriction was undertaken for 5 weeks without resolution of the effusion. A video-assisted thoracic surgery was performed. The mediastinal pleura was covered with fibrin glue. The postoperative course was satisfactory. She was discharged with resolution of the effusion. Video-assisted thoracic surgery offers an effective means of treating chylothorax.

Recurrent multinodular neurilemmoma of the female upper lip.

Neurilemmoma is the most commonly encountered nerve sheath tumour of the oral cavity. It generally appears as a single encapsulated nodule. The tongue is involved most frequently and the lip rarely. The tumour is usually uninodular. Multinodular neurilemmoma of the upper lip is very rare and has been reported in only one patient. This is the first reported case of multinodular neurilemmoma in the upper lip of a female.

Disjunct Occurrence of Trichadenotecnum s.str. in Southeastern Brazil (Psocodea: "Psocoptera": Psocidae), with Description of a New Species.

A new barklouse species belonging to the Trichadenotecnum s.str. clade (Psocodea: "Psocoptera": Psocidae) was described from southeastern Brazil (Minas Gerais state). This locality is highly isolated (about 3400 km) from the closest known distributional range of this clade. It also represents the southernmost distributional record of Trichadenotecnum s.str. Phylogenetic placement of the species and biogeography of Neotropical Trichadenotecnum were briefly discussed. Trichadenotecnum punctipenne New, 1972 described from Brazil was synonymized with Trichadenotecnum pardus Badonnel, 1955.

16q-linked autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxia: a clinical and genetic study.

The autosomal dominant cerebellar ataxias (ADCAs) comprise a genetically and clinically heterogenous group of neurodegenerative disorders. Very recently, a C-to-T single nucleotide substitution in the puratrophin-1 gene was found to be strongly associated with a form of ADCA linked to chromosome 16q22.1 (16q-linked ADCA; OMIM 600223). We found the C-to-T substitution in the puratrophin-1 gene in 20 patients with ataxia (16 heterozygotes and four homozygotes) and four asymptomatic carriers in 9 of 24 families with an unknown type of ADCA. We also found two cases with 16q-linked ADCA among 43 sporadic patients with late-onset cortical cerebellar atrophy (LCCA). The mean age at onset in the 22 patients was 61.8 years, and that of homozygous patients was lower than that of heterozygous ones in one family. Neurological examination revealed that the majority of our patients showed exaggerated deep tendon reflexes in addition to the cardinal symptom of cerebellar ataxia (100%), and 37.5% of them had sensorineural hearing impairment, whereas sensory axonal neuropathy was absent. The frequency of 16q-linked ADCA was about 1/10 of our series of 110 ADCA families, making it the third most frequent ADCA in Japan.

Study of prediagnostic selenium level in toenails and the risk of advanced prostate cancer.

BACKGROUND: In a recent randomized intervention trial, the risk of prostate cancer for men receiving a daily supplement of 200 microg selenium was one third of that for men receiving placebo. By use of a nested case-control design within a prospective study, i.e., the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, we investigated the association between risk of prostate cancer and prediagnostic level of selenium in toenails, a measure of long-term selenium intake. METHODS: In 1986, 51,529 male health professionals aged 40-75 years responded to a mailed questionnaire to form the prospective study. In 1987, 33,737 cohort members provided toenail clippings. In 1988, 1990, 1992, and 1994, follow-up questionnaires were mailed. From 1989 through 1994, 181 new cases of advanced prostate cancer were reported. Case and control subjects were matched by age, smoking status, and month of toenail return. Selenium levels were determined by neutron activation. All P values are two-sided. RESULTS: The selenium level in toenails varied substantially among men, with quintile medians ranging from 0.66 to 1.14 microg/g for control subjects. When matched case-control data were analyzed, higher selenium levels were associated with a reduced risk of advanced prostate cancer (odds ratio [OR] for comparison of highest to lowest quintile = 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.25-0.96; P for trend = .11). After additionally controlling for family history of prostate cancer, body mass index, calcium intake, lycopene intake, saturated fat intake, vasectomy, and geographical region, the OR was 0.35 (95% CI = 0.16-0.78; P for trend = .03). CONCLUSIONS: Our results support earlier findings that higher selenium intakes may reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Further prospective studies and randomized trials of this relationship should be conducted.

Synergistic regulatory effects of interleukin 6 and interleukin 1 on the growth and differentiation of human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines.

We analyzed the effect of recombinant human interleukin 6 (IL-6), in combination with human recombinant interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), on the growth and differentiation of several human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines, specifically U937, HL-60, M1, and its subclone M1-3b-N, into macrophage-like cells. IL-6 and IL-1 inhibited the growth of U937, M1, and M1-3b-N in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment of these cells with both IL-6 and IL-1 resulted in either an additive or a synergistic growth inhibition. IL-6 alone induced moderate differentiation of U937 and M1-3b-N, but the combination of IL-6 and IL-1 synergistically augmented this differentiation. In M1, only the combination of IL-1 and IL-6 resulted in differentiation. These two cytokines, whether alone or in combination, did not influence the growth and differentiation of HL-60. Therefore IL-6 in conjunction with IL-1 can induce differentiation in several human and mouse myeloid leukemic cell lines, although this effect varies with cell type. IL-6 did not stimulate the expression of IL-1 mRNA or IL-1 activity in U937 cells. IL-1 also failed to stimulate IL-6 production. Furthermore, the differentiation of U937 cells induced by IL-6 was not neutralized by antibody against either IL-1 alpha or IL-1 beta. The minimal differentiative effect of IL-1 was not affected by anti-IL-6 antibody. Therefore IL-6 and IL-1 appear to provide distinct signals for differentiation.

Comparison of the computed tomography values of the bone fragment gap after sagittal split ramus osteotomy in mandibular prognathism with and without asymmetry.

The purpose of this study was to compare computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield unit values of bone fragment gaps after sagittal split ramus osteotomy (SSRO) in patients with and without asymmetry, and to evaluate differences between the deviated and non-deviated sides in asymmetric patients. Thirty-two patients who underwent a bilateral SSRO were included in this retrospective study. Patients were divided into symmetric and asymmetric groups by cephalometric analysis. CT values of the bone fragment gap were measured at 1 week and at 1 year after surgery. There were significant differences between CT values obtained at 1 week and at 1 year after surgery for all measurement points. However, there were no significant differences in CT values between symmetric and asymmetric patients at either 1 week or 1 year after surgery. Among asymmetric patients, there were no significant differences between the deviated and non-deviated sides at 1 week or 1 year after surgery. This study showed ossification of the bone fragments and adaptation to change the mandible form in patients with and without asymmetry following SSRO.

Induction and repair of strand breaks and 3'-hydroxy terminals in the DNA of mouse brain following gamma irradiation.

DNA was isolated from mouse brain after in vivo gamma-ray irradiation, treated with endonuclease S1 from Aspergillus oryzae if necessary, and analysed further by alkaline and neutral sucrose gradient centrifugation. In parallel, its template activity was determined by DNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.7, enzyme A of Klenow from Escherichia coli) assay as described previously. Similar experiments were performed with cultured mouse leukaemia cells (L5178Y) irradiated in vitro at 0 degrees C. Irradiation induced single- and double-strand breaks in the DNA of the brain with a yield of 1.0 and 0.1 break per 10(12) dalton per rad (100 eV/break and 770 eV/break), respectively. The yield of single-strand breaks in the brain was lower than that found in the cultured cells, whereas the yield of double-strand breaks was found to be almost the same in both cases. Treatment of irradiated DNA with single-strand-specific S1 endonuclease gave rise to further breaks detected on neutral sucrose gradient analysis. The yield of these breaks was also higher in the brain compared to the cultured cells. The increase per unit dose in the template activity of the DNA from the brain was found to be five times as much as that found in the cultured cells. Then, the average number of deoxyribonucleotides incorporated per break was determined on DNA which had experienced different treatments. The value for the brain DNA irradiated in vivo was found to be five times as much as that found for DNA treated with pancreatic deoxyribonuclease and 10 times as much as those found for DNA from the cultured cells and isolated brain nuclei irradiated in vitro at 0 degrees C. Thus, in vivo irradiation seemed to induce gaps with 3'-OH terminals in addition to simple breaks with or without 3'-OH terminals found in the cultured cells. Radiation-induced single-strand breaks and 3'-OH terminals in the DNA of the brain were repaired following irradiation. Approx. 20--40% of the terminals or breaks induced were, however, remaining at 3 h or more after irradiation, depending on the dose administered.

Induction and repair of strand breaks and 3'-hydroxy terminals in the DNA of mammalian cells in culture following gamma-ray irradiation.

DNA was isolated in a fairly pure and intact state from cultured mouse leukaemia cells (L5178Y) after gamma-ray irradiation using a hydroxyapatite column chromatography method, and analysed further by sucrose gradient centrifugation or DNA polymerase (EC 2.7.7.7, enzyme A of Klenow from Escherichia coli) assay. Irradiation of the cells induced single- and double-strand breaks in the DNA with an efficiency of 100 eV/break and 1300 eV/break, respecitvely. Approximately 50% of the single-strand breaks were estimated to be those arising from allali-labile lesions. A linear, dose-dependent increase was found in the template activity of the DNA, indicating the induction of 3'-OH terminals by gamma-irradiation. Post-irradiation incubation of the cells in serum-free medium allowed the majority of the breaks to rejoin within a few hours. Repair of the alkali-labile lesions was, however, found to be much slower than that of "actual" single-strand breaks. A slight increase of the DNA template activity was found during the period of post-irradiation incubation. The reason for the increase is discussed.

Stimulation of prostaglandin E2 production by 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-type and non-TPA-type tumor promoters in macrophages and its inhibition by cycloheximide.

The effects of TPA (12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate)-type and non-TPA-type tumor promoters on prostaglandin E2 production by peritoneal macrophages of rats were examined. Among the TPA-type tumor promoters, aplysiatoxin was most potent in stimulating prostaglandin E2 production followed by dihydroteleocidin B, teleocidin, TPA and debromoaplysiatoxin. Prostaglandin E2 production by aplysiatoxin treatment was stimulated at doses up to 0.1 ng/ml. Palytoxin, a non-TPA-type tumor promoter, also stimulated both prostaglandin E2 production and the release of radioactivity from [3H]arachidonic acid-labeled macrophages. However, the dose required for the expression of these effects by palytoxin was up to 3 pg/ml. It was suggested that the tumor promoters are associated with the activity to stimulate arachidonic acid metabolism, irrespective of their type. Cycloheximide, a protein synthesis inhibitor, inhibited both prostaglandin E2 production and the release of radioactivity from prelabeled macrophages stimulated either by the TPA-type tumor promoters or by the non-TPA-type tumor promoter. It is possible that the tumor promoters may induce the synthesis of some proteins responsible for the stimulation of arachidonate metabolism.

Diabetic complications and their relationships to risk factors in a Japanese population.

The relationship between diabetic complications and age, sex, duration, mode of therapy, body weight, control of blood glucose, blood pressure, and serum triglyceride and cholesterol was analyzed in a population with non-insulin-dependent diabetes in Japan. The prevalences of complications in the subjects varied from 6.5% for cerebrovascular strokes to 85.1% for sclerotic changes in retinal vessels; 35.8% of the patients had diabetic retinopathy and 19.8% had proteinuria. Univariate and multivariate analyses revealed that control of diabetes (blood glucose, mode of therapy, and duration) was closely correlated with retinopathy and proteinuria. However, blood glucose did not correlate with coronary insufficiency or cerebrovascular strokes. These macrovascular complications were related to aging and blood pressure. The data suggested that not only good glycemic control but also sufficient antihypertensive therapy was necessary for treating diabetic patients. The coefficient of determination of the risk factors was calculated for each diabetic complication. Except for sclerotic changes in retinal vessels, the coefficients were too small to fully explain the development of diabetic complications, especially for macrovascular diseases. The current data suggest that susceptibility of the individual patients to the diabetic complications is an important determinant.

High blood pressure as risk factor in diabetic retinopathy development in NIDDM patients.

The correlation between diabetic retinopathy and blood pressure was analyzed in 742 type II diabetic patients. Systolic and pulse blood pressures were significantly higher in the patients with retinopathy than in those without (mean systolic pressure 142 vs. 139 mmHg, P less than .01; mean pulse pressure 60.5 vs. 56.4 mmHg, P less than .001). There was no difference in the diastolic blood pressure between these two groups. The correlation between blood pressure and the components of retinopathy (including microaneurysms, hemorrhages, and exudates) was also analyzed. Even when the patient with microaneurysms or dot hemorrhages, blot hemorrhages, or hard or soft exudates were separately evaluated, systolic and pulse blood pressures were higher in those with one of these diabetic changes than in patients without them. To avoid the influence of nephropathy, the patients were divided into nonproteinuric or proteinuric groups. In the nonproteinuric group, pulse blood pressure was higher in patients with retinopathy than in those without. In the proteinuric group, systolic blood pressure was also higher in patients with retinopathy than in those without. However, these observed differences in blood pressure were slight after the division of the patients. With respect to the components of retinopathy, systolic and pulse blood pressures were significantly higher in the patient with blot hemorrhages than in those without in both nonproteinuric and proteinuric groups (nonproteinuric: systolic pressure 142 vs. 137 mmHg, P less than .005, and pulse pressure 60.4 vs. 55.5 mmHg, P less than .001; proteinuric: systolic pressure 155 vs. 146 mmHg, P less than 0.01, and pulse pressure 69.0 vs. 63.5 mmHg, P less than .05).