Measurement of the first ionization potential of lawrencium, element 103.

The chemical properties of an element are primarily governed by the configuration of electrons in the valence shell. Relativistic effects influence the electronic structure of heavy elements in the sixth row of the periodic table, and these effects increase dramatically in the seventh row--including the actinides--even affecting ground-state configurations. Atomic s and p1/2 orbitals are stabilized by relativistic effects, whereas p3/2, d and f orbitals are destabilized, so that ground-state configurations of heavy elements may differ from those of lighter elements in the same group. The first ionization potential (IP1) is a measure of the energy required to remove one valence electron from a neutral atom, and is an atomic property that reflects the outermost electronic configuration. Precise and accurate experimental determination of IP1 gives information on the binding energy of valence electrons, and also, therefore, on the degree of relativistic stabilization. However, such measurements are hampered by the difficulty in obtaining the heaviest elements on scales of more than one atom at a time. Here we report that the experimentally obtained IP1 of the heaviest actinide, lawrencium (Lr, atomic number 103), is 4.96(+0.08)(-0.07) electronvolts. The IP1 of Lr was measured with (256)Lr (half-life 27 seconds) using an efficient surface ion-source and a radioisotope detection system coupled to a mass separator. The measured IP1 is in excellent agreement with the value of 4.963(15) electronvolts predicted here by state-of-the-art relativistic calculations. The present work provides a reliable benchmark for theoretical calculations and also opens the way for IP1 measurements of superheavy elements (that is, transactinides) on an atom-at-a-time scale.

Properties of the low-spin high-spin interface during the relaxation of spin-crossover materials, investigated through an electro-elastic model.

The present work is devoted to the spatio-temporal investigations of spin-crossover lattices during their thermal relaxation from high- to low-spin state. The analysis is performed using Monte Carlo simulations on a distortable 2D lattice the sites of which are occupied by high-spin (HS) or low-spin (LS) atoms. The lattice is circular in shape and the HS to LS transformation results in single domain nucleation followed by growth and propagation processes. The evolution of the LS:HS interface is monitored during the relaxation process, through the mapping of spin states, displacement fields, local stresses, and elastic energy. The results show a curved interface, the curvature of which is reversed at the mid-transformation. The local stresses and elastic energy peak at the vicinity of the HS:LS interface, with sizeable dependence upon the position along the front line which evidences the edge effects.

Short communication: effects of serum obtained from dairy cows with low or high body condition score on in vitro embryo development.

The objective of the study was to determine whether the serum obtained from animals differing in body condition score (BCS) affects in vitro embryo development. After in vitro fertilization, serum obtained from dairy cows of either low (L-BCS; 2.1 ± 0.14 on a scale of 1 to 5) or high BCS (H-BCS; 4.0 ± 0.0), or commercially available bovine serum (control) was added at 5% concentration to the in vitro culture medium. Use of serum obtained from H-BCS cows increased the cleavage rates compared with control serum at both 24 and 48 h after in vitro fertilization (78.3 vs. 71.9% and 79.9 vs. 75.1%, respectively), whereas use of serum obtained from L-BCS cows increased the blastocyst rate compared with control serum at 7d (23.8 vs. 19.1%), but this difference was not evident at 8 or 9 d after in vitro fertilization. As nonesterified fatty acid concentrations were highest in control serum, followed by serum from L-BCS and H-BCS cows (621, 559, and 272 µEq/L, respectively), a high concentration of nonesterified fatty acids might adversely affect the very early stages of embryo development, and its negative effects might be greater immediately after fertilization compared with developmental stages after morula formation. Our findings also indicate that factors promoting early stage embryo development do not necessarily promote blastocyst development. Serum obtained from animals under different physiological conditions may be used for in vitro embryo culture to study the effects of nutritional management of dairy cattle on embryo development.

Alpha3beta4-nicotinic receptors mediate adrenergic nerve- and peptidergic (CGRP) nerve-dependent vasodilation induced by nicotine in rat mesenteric arteries.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Previous studies demonstrated that nicotine-induced endothelium-independent vasodilation is mediated by perivascular adrenergic nerves and nerves releasing calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRPergic nerves). We characterized the nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor subtype underlying the vasodilation in response to nicotine in rat mesenteric arteries. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH: Rat mesenteric vascular beds without endothelium were contracted by perfusion with Krebs solution containing methoxamine and the perfusion pressure was measured with a pressure transducer. KEY RESULTS: Perfusion of nicotine (1-100 microM) for 1 min caused a concentration-dependent decrease in perfusion pressure due to vasodilation. Perfusion of (+/-)-epibatidine (1-100 nM) (non-selective agonist) or (-)-cytisine (1-100 microM) (partial agonist for nicotinic beta2 subtype and full agonist for nicotinic beta4 subtype) induced vasodilation in a concentration-dependent manner. Vasodilation induced by nicotine, (-)-cytisine- and (+/-)-epibatidine was markedly attenuated by guanethidine (5 microM) and pretreatment with capsaicin (1 microM). Mecamylamine (relatively selective antagonist for alpha3beta4 subtype), but not dihydro-beta-erythroidine (selective antagonist for alpha4beta2 subtype) or alpha-bungarotoxin (selective antagonist for alpha7 subtype), markedly inhibited nicotine-induced vasodilation. Nicotine-induced vasodilation was inhibited by methyllycaconitine at high concentrations (>1 microM), which non-selectively antagonize nicotinic receptors, while a low concentration of 10 nM, which selectively antagonizes alpha7 subtype, had no effect. (-)-Cytisine and (+/-)-epibatidine-induced vasodilation were abolished by mecamylamine. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS: These results suggest that the nicotinic alpha3beta4 receptor subtype, but not the alpha7 and alpha4beta2 subtypes, is responsible for the vasodilation in rat mesenteric arteries induced by nicotine- and nicotinic ACh receptor agonists through stimulation of adrenergic and CGRPergic perivascular nerves.

Development of a 3T3-like line from an embryo culture of an inbred strain of Syrian golden hamster.

An embryo culture of an inbred strain of Syrian hamster developed into a permanent cell line under the "3T3" 3 X 10-5 cells/60-mm dish. The resulting cell line had properties very similar to those of the mouse 3T3 series and was named HAMS 3T3. The cell showed density-dependent inhibition of division with a saturation density of 1.0 to 1.2 x 10-6 cells/60-mm dish or 4.5 to 5.5 x 10-4 cells/sq cm. Addition of fresh medium containing 5 or 10% fetal calf serum to a confluent culture induced DNA synthesis in 18 hr with subsequent cell division. Cells were hyperdiploid with a mode of 45 chromosomes (80% of the cells). When cells at the 60th passage were injected into the skin or cheek pouch of an inbred hamster of the same strain as that from which they were derived, they produced a benign tumor that regressed after 3 weeks. Morphological transformation was obtained by infection with the Moloney strain of murine sarcoma virus.

Dynamics of open quantum spin systems: An assessment of the quantum master equation approach.

Data of the numerical solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation of a system containing one spin-1/2 particle interacting with a bath of up to 32 spin-1/2 particles is used to construct a Markovian quantum master equation describing the dynamics of the system spin. The procedure of obtaining this quantum master equation, which takes the form of a Bloch equation with time-independent coefficients, accounts for all non-Markovian effects inasmuch the general structure of the quantum master equation allows. Our simulation results show that, with a few rather exotic exceptions, the Bloch-type equation with time-independent coefficients provides a simple and accurate description of the dynamics of a spin-1/2 particle in contact with a thermal bath. A calculation of the coefficients that appear in the Redfield master equation in the Markovian limit shows that this perturbatively derived equation quantitatively differs from the numerically estimated Markovian master equation, the results of which agree very well with the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation.

Curcumin ameliorates streptozotocin-induced liver damage through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress-mediated apoptosis in diabetic rats.

We investigated the effect of curcumin on liver injury in diabetic rats induced by streptozotocin (STZ) through modulation of endoplasmic reticulum stress (ERS) and unfolded protein response (UPR). Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (55 mg/kg), and curcumin was given at 100 mg/kg by gavage for 56 days. We observed that curcumin improved the morphological and histopathological changes, significantly decreased hepatic ERS marker protein: glucose-regulated protein 78, and improved liver function in diabetic rats. Moreover, treatment with curcumin markedly decreased the sub-arm of the UPR signaling protein such as phospho-double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase-like ER kinase, CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein homologous protein, tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 2, and inositol-requiring enzyme1α; and inhibited tumor necrosis factor α, interleukin 1ß, phospho-p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase, and apoptosis signal-regulating kinase 1 in liver tissues of diabetic rats. Apoptotic and anti-apoptotic signaling proteins, such as cleaved caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2, were significantly increased and decreased, respectively in diabetic rats; curcumin treatment prevented all of these alterations. In summary, our results indicate that curcumin has the potential to protect the diabetic liver by modulating hepatic ERS-mediated apoptosis, and provides a novel therapeutic strategy for the diabetic liver damage.

Novel epoxysuccinyl peptides. Selective inhibitors of cathepsin B, in vitro.

A series of new epoxysuccinyl peptides were designed and synthesized to develop a specific inhibitor of cathepsin B. Of these compounds, N-(L-3-trans-ethoxycarbonyloxirane-2-carbonyl)-L-isoleucyl-L-proli ne (compound CA-030) and N-(L-3-trans-propylcarbamoyloxirane-2-carbonyl)-L-isoleucyl-L-prol ine (compound CA-074) were the most potent and specific inhibitors of cathepsin B in vitro. The carboxyl group of proline and the ethyl ester group or the n-propylamide group in the oxirane ring were necessary, the ethyl ester group or the n-propylamide group being particularly effective for distinguishing cathepsin B from other cysteine proteinases such as cathepsins L and H, and calpains.

Quantum phase transition of the randomly diluted heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice

Ground-state magnetic properties of the diluted Heisenberg antiferromagnet on a square lattice are investigated by means of the quantum Monte Carlo method with the continuous-time loop algorithm. It is found that the critical concentration of magnetic sites is independent of the spin size S, and equal to the two-dimensional percolation threshold. However, the existence of quantum fluctuations makes the critical exponents deviate from those of the classical percolation transition. Furthermore, we found that the transition is not universal, i.e., the critical exponents significantly depend on S.

pS2 gene especially expressed in the late G1/S phase of mouse astrocytes.

By the reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction we investigated the localization of pS2 mRNA, which encodes a secreted polypeptide of 60 amino acids with unknown function, in the adult mouse. This method revealed that the expression of pS2 mRNA was not restricted to the stomach as previously reported but was also found in various other tissues such as brain, heart, spleen, and muscle. The pS2 mRNA was additionally detected in astrocytes cultured from the whole brain of the newborn mouse. The pS2 expression in these astrocytes increased with cell growth and sharply declined after the cells reached the stationary phase. In the cells synchronized by the serum deprivation-refeeding technique, the expression of pS2 mRNA was only found at late G1 and S phase. These results suggest that the transcripts of pS2 gene are widely distributed throughout the entire body of the mouse and that they play some important cell cycle-related role in these tissues.

Estimation of pS2 protein level in human body fluids by a sensitive two-site enzyme immunoassay.

A sensitive two-site enzyme immunoassay (EIA) system was established for human pS2 protein, a small estrogen-inducible secretory protein of unknown function originally identified in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Our EIA system is based on the sandwiching of antigen between anti-recombinant (r) pS2 antibody IgG coated on a polystyrene plate and biotinylated anti-rpS2 antibody IgG. The amount of pS2 protein was quantified by measurement of the bound enzyme activity of subsequently added streptavidin-linked beta-D-galactosidase (beta-D-galactosidase, EC 3.2.1.23). pS2 protein purified from MCF-7 culture supernatants was detectable at a concentration as low as 3 pg/ml (corresponding to 60 fg/well). This EIA system revealed that the amount of pS2-like immunoreactivity (LI) in human urine was 13.6 ng/mg creatinine (median, n = 416) and that there was no correlation between the pS2-LI concentration in urine and sex or aging. pS2-LI levels in plasma and sera of the normal subjects were 392 pg/ml (median, n = 14) and 494 pg/ml (median, n = 12), respectively. The serum level of the patients with breast cancer (528 pg/ml; median, n = 67) was not statistically different from that of normal subjects, although high levels of pS2 protein in breast cancer tissues had been reported.

Prenatal diagnosis of QT prolongation by fetal magnetocardiogram--use of QRS and T-wave current-arrow maps.

To determine the T wave of a fetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG), we have evaluated the T/QRS ratio and obtained current-arrow maps that indicate weak currents. We measured FMCG signals for 52 normal fetuses and two abnormal fetuses with prolonged QT waves by using three superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) systems: a nine-channel system, a 12-channel vector system and a 64-channel system. The T/QRS ratio was calculated for all the normal fetuses from the maximum magnitudes of the QRS complex and the T wave. Current-arrow maps of the QRS complex (R wave) and T wave were obtained by using the 64-channel system, and the phase differences of the total-current vectors were calculated by using the current-arrow maps. The results showed that the T/QRS ratio had a wide variability of 0.35 for the normal fetuses. However, the magnitude of the prolonged T wave was as weak as the detection limit of the SQUID magnetometer. Although the T/QRS ratios for the fetuses with QT prolongation were within the normal range (< 0.35), the weak magnitude of the prolonged T wave could be evaluated. On the other hand, by comparing the current-arrow maps of the R and T waves for the normal fetuses, we found that the maximum-current arrows were indicated as either in the same direction or in opposite directions. These patterns could be identified clearly by the phase differences. Very weak prolonged T waves for the two abnormal fetuses could be determined by using these current-arrow maps and phase differences. Consequently, although the T/QRS ratios of FMCG signals have a wide distribution, we have concluded that the current-arrow map and phase difference can be used to determine the T wave of an FMCG signal.

Detection of atrial-flutter and atrial-fibrillation waveforms by fetal magnetocardiogram.

Two cases of fetal tachycardia are reported: atrial flutter and fibrillation. The waveforms from each case were detected by fetal magnetocardiograms (FMCGs) using a 64-channel superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) system. Because the magnitude of supraventricular arrhythmia signals is very weak, two subtraction methods were used to detect the fetal MCG waveforms: subtraction of the maternal MCG signal, and subtraction of the fetal ORS complex signal. It was found that atrial-flutter waveforms showed a cyclic pattern and that atrial-fibrillation waveforms showed f-waves with a random atrial rhythm. Fast Fourier transform analysis determined the main frequency of the atrial flutter to be about 7Hz, and the frequency distribution of atrial fibrillation consisted of small, broad peaks. To visualise the current pattern, current-arrow maps, which simplify the observation of pseudo-current patterns in fetal hearts, of the averaged atrial flutter and fibrillation waveforms were produced. The map of the atrial flutter had a circular pattern, indicating a re-entry circuit, and the map of the atrial fibrillation indicated one wavelet, which was produced by a micro-re-entry circuit. It is thus concluded that an FMCG can detect supraventricular arrhythmia, which can be characterised by re-entry circuits, in fetuses.

Classifying cases of fetal Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome by estimating the accessory pathway from fetal magnetocardiograms.

The paper presents an evaluation of the possibility of using fetal magnetocardiogram (FMCG) signals to estimate and classify the accessory pathway in fetal Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome. The FMCG signals of two fetuses with WPW syndrome (type A) were detected using a 64-channel superconducting quantum-interference device system. An average across the cycles of these signals was taken to obtain clear WPW signals. To determine the direction and position of the accessory pathway in a fetal heart accurately, the accessory pathway and activated pathway at the peak of the QRS complex thus obtained were estimated for each fetus, using a single-dipole model. The phase angle (about 90 degrees) between the equivalent current dipoles (ECDs) was the same for both fetuses. This angle suggested that the accessory pathway is in the left side of the heart, i.e. that the pathway exists in the left ventricle, which indicates type A WPW syndrome. Identification of the position of the accessory pathway in a fetus with WPW syndrome from the angle between the ECD of the accessory pathway and the ECD of the peak in the QRS complex was thus demonstrated.

[Fulminant streptococcal infection and sudden death in a pregnant woman: a case report].

A case of fulminant streptococcal infection occurring in a 28-year-old pregnant female is reported. She initially developed pharyngitis and high fever during the 33rd week of gestation. This was treated with oral piperacillin for two days with temporary amelioration. Recurrence of high fever, however, was noted shortly thereafter, which was followed by stillbirth of twin babies, and subsequent development of refractory hypotension and demise of the mother. Autopsy revealed presence of numerous cocci and fibrin thrombi in systemic circulation, and this was thought to be the immediate cause of her death. The causative organism was identified as Streptococcus pyogenes, M3, T3, and was found to be producing streptococcal pyrogenic exotoxin A in vitro. The underlying mechanism for this serious infection remains unknown.

[A three-dimensional reconstruction of the temporal bone by the helical scanning CT and its clinical application].

The current availability of 3 dimensional (3-D) imaging from Computed Tomography (CT) has yielded new anatomical information and pre-and postoperative evaluations. However, little discussion as to the 3-D structural image of the temporal bone has been reported because conventional CT does provide sufficient data to produce such images. The Helical scanning CT gathers continuous and multiple slice image data since it consists of an X-ray tube that continuously rotates around the patient while the patient moves continuously into the CT scanner. Thus, application of the Helical scanning CT has made it possible to reconstruct 3-D images of the minute and complicated structure of the temporal bone. We evaluated 3-D images from 9 typical cases, examined from February to October 1992. As a result, we found that the 3-D images reconstructed with this system are useful for evaluation of the postoperative state of tympanoplasty, the diagnosis of anomalies of the bony labyrinth, and examining the extent of bone destruction induced by trauma, cholesteatoma, etc.

[Clinical use of autologous frozen blood in the surgery of three esophageal cancer patients].

Autologous frozen blood transfusion (AFBT) has advantages both of autologous and frozen blood transfusion. In AFBT there are no remarkable adverse effects which often emerge after usual heterologous blood transfusion. As a rule, four hundred milliliters of blood were drawn twice from patients and reserved as autologous frozen blood (AFB) preoperatively. It is supposed that radical operation of esophageal cancer using only AFB is difficult to perform because of various kinds of preoperative risks. In this paper three cases of radical esophageal cancer operations, in which only AFBT were used are reported. Pre- and postoperative liver functions were uneventful. RBC counts, Hb and Hct dropped after drawing blood and did not recover until the day of operation. Postoperatively, they deteriorated further but recovered to initial values without any specific treatment within 5 months after operation. Pre- and postoperative PaO2 values of AFBT were not different from those of the usual blood transfusion. Thus using only AFBT, esophageal cancer operations were performed without any disadvantageous effects.

Nuclear chemistry. Synthesis and detection of a seaborgium carbonyl complex.

Experimental investigations of transactinoide elements provide benchmark results for chemical theory and probe the predictive power of trends in the periodic table. So far, in gas-phase chemical reactions, simple inorganic compounds with the transactinoide in its highest oxidation state have been synthesized. Single-atom production rates, short half-lives, and harsh experimental conditions limited the number of experimentally accessible compounds. We applied a gas-phase carbonylation technique previously tested on short-lived molybdenum (Mo) and tungsten (W) isotopes to the preparation of a carbonyl complex of seaborgium, the 106th element. The volatile seaborgium complex showed the same volatility and reactivity with a silicon dioxide surface as those of the hexacarbonyl complexes of the lighter homologs Mo and W. Comparison of the product's adsorption enthalpy with theoretical predictions and data for the lighter congeners supported a Sg(CO)6 formulation.