Realization of Spin-dependent Functionality by Covering a Metal Surface with a Single Layer of Molecules.

An interface of molecule and metal has attracted much attention in the research field of nanoelectronics because of their high degree of design freedom. Here, we demonstrate an efficient spin-to-charge current conversion at the metal surface covered by a single layer of molecules. Spin currents are injected into an interface between metal (Cu) and lead(II) phthalocyanine by means of the spin pumping method. An observed voltage signal is caused by the inverse Edelstein effect, i.e., spin-to-charge current conversion at the interface. The conversion coefficient, inverse Edelstein length, is estimated to be 0.40 ± 0.06 nm, comparable with the largest Rashba spin splitting of interfaces with heavy metals. Interestingly, the Edelstein length strongly depends on the thickness of the molecule and takes a maximum value when a single layer of molecules is formed on the Cu surface. Comparative analysis between scanning probe microscopy and first-principles calculations reveal that the formation of interface state with Rashba spin splitting causes the inverse Edelstein effect, whose magnitude is sensitive to the adsorption configuration of the molecules.

Carrier-induced noncollinear magnetism in perovskite manganites by first-principles calculations.

We have performed noncollinear first-principles density-functional calculations of carrier-doped perovskite manganites La(1-x)Sr(x)MnO(3) (0.0≤x≤1.0). In the calculated magnetic phase diagram (T = 0) within the collinear magnetic configurations, ferromagnetic and several antiferromagnetic configurations successively appeared as a ground state with increasing x. The calculated total energies of the ferromagnetic and A-type antiferromagnetic phases are almost degenerate around the phase boundary, x = 0.5. We found that the noncollinear magnetic configurations are stable in a wide range of carrier concentrations 0.3≤x≤0.6. We discuss the effect of lattice distortions on the stability of the noncollinear magnetic phase.

Interferon-beta induction/interferon-alpha2b plus ribavirin therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C.

Treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with interferon (IFN) and ribavirin improves the rate of eradication of the virus by less than 20% in patients with genotype 1b and a high viral load. In this study we assessed whether IFN-beta induction/IFN-alpha2b plus ribavirin enhances the efficacy of the therapy in patients with chronic hepatitis C. The efficacy of IFN-beta induction/IFN-alpha2b plus ribavirin therapy (group A, n=7) was compared with that of IFN-alpha2b plus ribavirin (group B, n=7) in 14 patients with high levels of HCV-RNA (> 100 K/U/ml). No significant differences were observed in the clearance of HCV-RNA between the two groups (A and B, respectively) 2 weeks after the start of the treatment (0% and 14.3%), at the end of the treatment (71.4% and 100%) and 6 months after the end of the treatment (28.6% and 14.3%). Recovery was complete in 28.6% and 14.3%, transient in 42.9% and 85.7% and absent in 28.6% and 0% in groups A and B, respectively. Early log changes in the viral load from the baseline after 2 weeks of treatment were 2.41 +/- 0.91 and 2.77 +/- 0.20 in groups A and B, respectively, with no significant difference between the two groups. In the present study, we were not able to demonstrate that IFN-beta induction/IFN-alpha2b plus ribavirin therapy was superior to IFN-alpha2b plus ribavirin therapy in patients with genotype 1b and high viral loads.

Boy with a chromosome del (3)(q12q23) and blepharophimosis syndrome.

We report on a 6-year-old boy with de novo 46,XY,del(3)(q12q23) and bilateral blepharophimosis, ptosis, epicanthus inversus, in addition to multiple other anomalies. Since 4 previously reported cases of interstitial deletion of 3q involving 3q23 band are clinically similar, we propose this blepharophimosis sequence due to 3q23 deletion as a further "contiguous gene syndrome."

Case report of rec(7)dup(7q)inv(7)(p22q22) and a review of the recombinants resulting from parental pericentric inversions on any chromosomes.

We report a rare case of duplication for 7q22 --> 7qter and deletion for 7p22 --> 7pter, resulting from a meiotic recombination of a paternal pericentric inversion, inv(7)(p22q22). The newborn boy had the 7q trisomy syndrome. In addition, the diagnosis of chondrodysplasia punctata was made from lumbar and hand X-ray films taken soon after birth. Only two cases of rec(7)dup(7q), both in a single family, have been reported previously. We review 133 offspring with recombinations resulting from pericentric inversions on any chromosomes reported between 1981 and 1995. Of the 133 cases, 110 had a long-arm duplication and short-arm deletion, while only 23 had a short-arm duplication and long-arm deletion. In 85 of the 133 cases, the mother was an inversion carrier (five carriers had two affected offspring), and in 46, the carrier was a father (one carrier had three affected offspring). Kaiser [Hum Genet 1984;68:1-47] reviewed 63 offspring with recombinations derived from a parental pericentric inversion reported between 1972 and 1981. In both surveys, recombinations resulting from pericentric inversions of chromosomes 1, 12, 19, and Y were not found.

Colonoscopic diagnosis of dysplasia and early cancer in longstanding colitis.

Five colitic cancers were detected among 40 patients with longstanding total colitis. The colitic cancers did not show the common polypoid or ulcerated appearance in the early stage, often being flat or plaque-like. It was not easy to detect these lesions endoscopically, and it was often impossible to do so radiologically. The flat or plaque-like early cancers were often surrounded by granular and/or red mucosa. We believed that the colonoscopic detection of this colitic cancer and dysplasia was difficult because: (1) the morphology of the lesions was difficult to determine, (2) the background mucosa was not normal. When the lesions were small, it was more difficult to detect them on the colitic mucosa than on the normal mucosa. The contrast between the lesion and the background mucosa was not clear in the latter condition. In surveillance colonoscopy (using a TV colonoscope) for longstanding ulcerative colitis, careful scrutiny throughout the large intestine is required to detect colitic cancers and dysplasia at an early state.

The distribution of [11C]cocaine in normal and cocaine-sensitization mice.

[N-11C-methyl]-cocaine ([11C]cocaine), synthesized by N-methylation of norcocaine with [11C]CH3I, was used to assist in imaging the variety of local distribution by positron emission tomography (PET). The radiochemical yield and the radiochemical purity after purification of [11C]cocaine by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) at a sp. act. of 814 GBq/mmol were 47-58% and > 99%, respectively. The time required for synthesis including the purification was 25-30 min from the end of [11C]CH3I trapping. The physical distribution of [11C]cocaine in organ was also investigated in mice at various time after i.v. injection. The main accumulation of radioactivity occurred in the lung, kidney and brain within 1 min after the injection. In the brain, no differences in the organ were observed except the radioactivity level in each section increased for the first 5 min, since then radioactivity decreased dramatically. Furthermore, in the behavioral sensitization model of cocaine, the peak of [11C]cocaine uptake in each brain area was shown to be 5-15 min.

Interaction between erythrocytes from various animals and emulsions stabilized with various lecithins.

The degree of hemolysis caused by the interaction between erythrocytes from various animals and emulsions stabilized with various lecithins was evaluated as a measure of the safety of emulsions for drug carriers. The stability of the emulsions was estimated using the gradient of the slope derived from the direct linear correlation between the percentage hemolysis and the phosphatidylcholine (PC) content of the erythrocyte membrane. When members of the egg lecithin (EPC) series were used as emulsifiers of emulsions, the percentage hemolysis increased as the PC content of the erythrocyte membrane increased and as the sphingomyelin (SM) content of the erythrocyte membrane decreased. Lysolecithin, a contaminant present in the emulsifying agent of emulsions, did not have any significant influence on the hemolysis of erythrocytes. These experimental findings show that the hemolysis caused by interaction between emulsions and erythrocytes was dependent on the PC content of both the emulsifying agent used and the erythrocyte membrane, and that the SM present in the erythrocyte membrane was an essential component for the stability of erythrocytes against emulsion-induced hemolysis.

Physicopharmaceutical characteristics of an oil-in-water emulsion-type ointment containing diclofenac sodium.

The oil-in-water (o/w) emulsion-type ointment was prepared with food additives containing diclofenac sodium. The oil phase and the emulsifier used were 1,2,3- propanetriyl trioctanoate (caprylic acid glyceryl ester) and sugar wax, and sugar ester, respectively. The emulsion stability of the o/w emulsion-type ointment as well as the diclofenac sodium release profile were investigated and compared with those from conventional ointments. The emulsion stability was evaluated in terms of the viscosity of the emulsion product, the particle size distribution of oil droplets, and the zeta potential of the droplets. It was found that sugar esters have excellent properties as emulsifiers, based on the results of viscosity and zeta potential measurements. The in vitro release test revealed that the amount of diclofenac sodium released from o/w emulsion-type ointment was greater than from the hydrophilic and absorptive ointment. Accordingly, it was concluded that o/w emulsion-type bases are suitable for pharmaceutical use in ointment products.

Study of intravenous hyperalimentation: effect of selected amino acids on the stability of intravenous fat emulsions.

In an attempt to resolve the conflicts relevant to intravenous fat emulsion compatibility two amino acids, L-valine and L-histidine monohydrochloride monohydrate, were chosen as intravenous additives, and these substances were investigated as to whether they could induce significant changes in the physicochemical properties of an intravenous soybean oil emulsion. The stability of the fat emulsion was evaluated in terms of gross visual observation, particle size distribution, surface tension, pH, and the zeta potential. It was found that (a) no significant difference was produced on the particle size distribution up to 7 d after admixing, (b) the mean diameter of oil globules was approximately 0.21-0.24 micron, and (c) the fat emulsion was sufficiently stable, with a zeta potential ranging between -30 and -60 mV. The relationship of the isoelectric point (pI) of the amino acids and the pH of the buffer solutions was determined to be one of the most important factors in the stability of the fat emulsion.

Preparation of single bilayer liposomes by an electrocapillary emulsification method.

The single bilayer liposomes have been prepared by an electrocapillary emulsification technique based on interfacial fluctuation in the absence of surfactant. Electron microscopy showed the liposome to be a unilamellar vesicle with a size generally in the range 60-120 nm.

Compatibility of intravenous fat emulsions with prodrug amino acids.

Three prodrugs, N-alpha-acetyl-L-arginine, N-alpha-acetyl-L-histidine and N-alpha-acetyl-L-lysine have been examined to see if they could induce significant changes in the stability of an intravenous fat emulsion, the stability being evaluated in terms of physicochemical measurements such as particle size distribution, surface tension, pH and zeta potential. The acetyl amino acids had an excellent stabilizing effect on the emulsion compared with amino acids without acetyl groups.

Effect of phospholipid emulsifiers on physicochemical properties of intravenous fat emulsions and/or drug carrier emulsions.

The physicochemical properties of soy bean oil emulsions stabilized with purified egg lecithins (phosphatides) of various concentrations have been examined. The zeta potential of the emulsion droplets and the mean particle size of oil droplets in 10% (w/w) o/w-type emulsion decreased with increasing emulsifier concentration and then levelled off at more than 1.2% (w/w). In rheological measurements, at the initial stage, the viscosity of 10% (w/w) o/w-type emulsion gradually increased with increasing purified egg lecithin concentration, at the next stage, a plateau was reached at about 1.0-1.4% (w/w), and at the final stage, the viscosity curve showed a dramatic increase. These results indicate that emulsions stabilized by purified egg lecithin at more than 1.2% (w/w) are likely to be sufficiently stable.

[Oral immunization against tetanus, using liposome-entrapped tetanus toxoid].

A study was made on oral immunization using a tetanus toxoid. Liposome entrapped tetanus toxoid (LTT) was p.o. administered to cats and serum antibody responses were examined. As a result it was known that the LTT antigen induced antibody production in the serum and that an antitoxin antibody titer higher than 0.1 IU/ml, a prophylactic level against tetanus, was produced. On the contrary to this, no antibody was detected in the group administered a tetanus toxoid alone throughout the test period. Also, when an absorbed tetanus toxoid (ATT) was booster-injected to cats p.o. primed with LTT, high responses of the secondary immunization were obtained. Moreover, in case LTT was p.o. administered as a booster antigen, the antitoxin titer in the serum showed a rapid, steep elevation. From these results it has been clarified that LTT on p.o. administration produces an antibody equivalent to the subcutaneous inoculation of ATT.

[Preparation of freeze-thaw poly(vinylalcohol) emulsion gel suppository].

Poly (vinylalcohol) (PVA) emulsion gel suppositories were prepared by a given cycle of freezing and thawing. Oil phase and emulsifying agent used were Panacete 800 and a series of Pluronic L-44, respectively. The effects of polymerization degree of PVA on the gel strength and the drug release were investigated. Drug release from PVA emulsion gel suppository was compared with that from a conventional suppository. The structure of gel was observed by using a scanning electron microscope. The gel strength increased when PVA emulsion gel suppository was prepared with Panacete 800 and Pluronic L-44. The drug release of hydrophilic and hydrophobic drugs from the suppository was in agreement with a zero-order release profile. When oil phase was added into PVA gel suppository, PVA fiber became thin and the network of PVA fiber became dense.

Evaluation of the effective drugs for the prevention of nausea and vomiting induced by morphine used for postoperative pain: a quantitative systematic review.

Postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV) with morphine therapy develops in more than 60% of patients after surgery, markedly reducing patient QOL. The prophylactic effect of several antiemetics has already been studied, but evaluations, and even those using the same drug, are not uniform. The present research involved a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials on prophylactic drug therapy for PONV in patients receiving morphine for the treatment of postoperative pain. The efficacy of the prophylactic administration of the drugs was examined. As a result, meta-analysis of five drugs was possible and the evidence of efficacy was shown for three drugs ranked in order of an increasing odds ratio (OR) and confidence interval (CI): dexamethasone (OR: 0.23, 95% CI: 0.15-0.35, p < 0.00001), droperidol (OR: 0.27, 95% CI: 0.21-0.34, p < 0.00001), and metoclopramide (OR: 0.48, 95% CI: 0.30-0.75, p < 0.001). These results suggest that the three drugs are effective in prophylactic treatment for PONV. Of them, dexamethasone used as a prophylactic drug for PONV provided the best results. Dexamethasone was shown to reduce the incidence of PONV from 66-80% to 16-50% with a dose of 1.25 to 10 mg and to be suitable as a first drug of choice.

[A study of the state-trait anxiety inventory (STAI) and its application to noise stress].

By using the STAI developed by Spielberger et al. we have investigated the validity and reliability of two scales, that is, State Anxiety (A-State) and Trait Anxiety (A-Trait), and at the same time have examined them under various conditions. The results obtained are as follows: 1) As a result of factor analysis concerning 40 items of the STAI used in this research, we have confirmed that both A-State and A-Trait have independent factor structures of their own, and that the items of the scales also carry their own validity. 2) After due consideration of the test-retest reliability of the two scales, we have found that A-Trait has rather high stability. Moreover, we have noticed that Cronbach's alpha coefficients, which show the reliability of the two scales, are high. In consequence, we have confirmed the high reliability of the two scales. 3) In comparing the scores of A-State and A-Trait obtained from young healthy people with those from healthy aged people, we have noticed that the aged get low scores on each of the two scales, and that each score distribution shows an excellent fit to the normal one. 4) We have found that A-State scores go up significantly when people are in a condition of emotional stress, but that there is not any change of A-Trait scores. 5) We have observed a significant increase of A-State scores at each noise level over 75 dB(A).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Antitumor effect of synthetic cord factor analogue, 6, 6'-Di-O-decanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose].

The antitumor effect of a new synthetic cord factor analogue, 6, 6'-Di-O-dacanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose (SS 554), was examined in vivo and in vitro. Remarkable life prolongation effects were observed after the intraperitoneal administration of SS554 at a dosage of 150 mg/kg in mice implanted with Ehrlich ascitic tumor cells. Using in vitro tests, the growth of various tumor cell lines i.e. Meth-A, EL-4, RL male-1, X5563, Raji and Jurkat were inhibited by SS554 at a 25 mcg/ml concentration. The mechanism of the direct antitumor activity of SS554 was studied using these tumor cell lines and bacterial cells. After treatment with SS554 at a 50 mcg/ml dose for 30 minutes, tumor cells and bacterial protoplasts but not intact bacterial cells were destroyed, indicating that SS554 causes the lysis of the membranes of these cells.

[Antitumor effect of a synthetic cord factor, 6,6'-di-O-decanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose (SS 554) in mice].

The antitumor effect of a synthetic cord factor (6, 6'-Di-O-decanoyl-alpha, alpha-trehalose) (SS 554) on the growth of Meth-A fibrosarcoma in BALB/c mice was examined. With regard to administration routes, only intratumoral (i.t.) injection showed a curative effect; subcutaneous (s.c.), per oral (p.o.) or intravenous (i.v.) routes has no such effect. To show the antitumor effect of known natural and synthetic cord factors, the co-presence of oily vehicles has been shown to be necessary. Accordingly, compound SS 554 examined in suspensions of sesame oil, squalane (SQA), squalene (SQE) or sesame oil and water emulsion had a curative effect with a 60% survival rate. However, no such effect was obtained with a suspension in PBS or in HCO-60 solution. In this regard, it should be noted that sequential but independent administration of SS 554 and oil was found to be equally as effective as simultaneous administration of oil with SS 554. Thus the effect of the oil should be reconsidered through an examination of the sequential appearance of effector cells. In the case of sesame oil, the amount of oil necessary was over 10%, or 0.01 mg absolutely. When the dose effect of SS 554 was examined in the presence of 10% sesame oil, doses over 1 mg exhibited a dose dependent curative effect. In tumor-bearing mice, the effect of the time of administration was also examined; the best result was obtained when intratumor injection was performed on day 3 after tumor implantation. Mice that recovered after SS 554 treatment exhibited growth inhibition and rejection of rechallenged Meth-A cells. However, this immunity was specific as it did not extend to a rechallenge with RL male-1 leukemia cells.

[Vitamin K deficiency syndrome caused by antituberculous agents].

Vitamin K deficiency caused by antituberculous agents was examined in clinical patients and in experimental rats. When antituberculous agents given to the patients who had only total elental diet because of small intestinal dysfunction, a marked increase in plasma PIVKA-II and a decrease in thrombo-test value were observed. These changes were quickly normalized by administration of vitamin K, despite of succeeding or stopping of antituberculous agents. In rat experiments, effects of four agents (ethambutol, isoniazid, paraaminosalicylate, and rifampicin) on prothrombin time were studied. Among these agents, only rifampicin prolonged prothrombin time. This prolongation depended on drug doses and duration of administration. In addition to this hypoprothrombinemia, an increase in plasma PIVKA-II was also observed, and these changes were normalized within 24 hours of vitamin K administration. These data suggest that rifampicin inhibits vitamin K epoxide reductase interfering re-use of vitamin K and caused vitamin K deficiency in patients with total elental diet.