Quantification of chirality based on electric toroidal monopole.

Chirality ubiquitously appears in nature; however, its quantification remains obscure owing to the lack of microscopic description at the quantum-mechanical level. We propose a way of evaluating chirality in terms of the electric toroidal monopole, a practical entity of time-reversal even pseudoscalar (parity-odd) objects reflecting relevant electronic wave functions. For this purpose, we analyze a twisted methane molecule at the quantum-mechanical level, showing that the electric toroidal monopoles become a quantitative indicator for chirality. In the twisted methane, we clarify that the handedness of chirality corresponds to the sign of the expectation value of the electric toroidal monopole and that the most important ingredient is the modulation of the spin-dependent imaginary hopping between the hydrogen atoms, while the relativistic spin-orbit coupling within the carbon atom is irrelevant for chirality.

Visualization and quantification of anastomotic perfusion in colorectal surgery using near-infrared fluorescence.

BACKGROUND: Anastomotic leakage (AL) is one of the most troublesome complications in colorectal surgery. Recently, near-infrared fluorescence (NIRF) imaging has been used intraoperatively to detect sentinel lymph nodes and visualize the blood supply at the region of interest (ROI). The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of visualization and quantification of bowel perfusion around the anastomosis using NIRF system in predicting AL. METHODS: A prospective study was conducted on patients who had laparoscopic surgery for colorectal cancer at our institution. Perfusion of the anastomosis was evaluated with NIRF imaging after intravenous injection of indocyanine green (ICG). The time course of fluorescence intensity was recorded by an imaging analyzer We measured the time from ICG injection to the beginning of fluorescence (T0), maximum intensity (Imax), time to reach Imax (Tmax), time to reach Imax 50% ([Formula: see text]) and slope (S) after the anastomosis. RESULTS: Tumor locations were as follows; cecum: 2, ascending colon: 2, transverse colon: 7, descending colon: 1, sigmoid colon: 2, rectosigmoid colon: 3 and rectum: 6 (one case with synchronous cancer). All operations were performed laparoscopically. Four patients were diagnosed with or suspected to have AL (2 patients with grade B anastomotic leakage after low anterior resection, 1 patient with minor leakage in transverse colon resection and 1 patient needing re-anastomosis intraoperatively in transverse colon resection). T0 was significantly longer in the AL group than in patients without AL (64.3 ± 27.6 and 18.2 ± 6.6 s, p = 2.2 × 10-3). CONCLUSIONS: Perfusion of the anastomosis could be successfully visualized and quantified using NIRF imaging with ICG. T0 might be a useful parameter for prediction of AL.

Multiple-q noncollinear magnetism in an itinerant hexagonal magnet.

Multiple-q spin order, i.e., a spin texture characterized by a multiple number of coexisting magnetic modulation vectors q, has recently attracted attention as a source of nontrivial magnetic topology and associated emergent phenomena. One typical example is the triple-q skyrmion lattice state stabilized by Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions in noncentrosymmetric magnets, while the emergence of various multiple-q states of different origins is expected according to the latest theories. Here, we investigated the magnetic structure of the itinerant polar hexagonal magnet Y3Co8Sn4, in which several distinctive mechanisms favoring multiple-q states are allowed to become active. Small-angle neutron-scattering experiments suggest the formation of incommensurate triple-q magnetic order with an in-plane vortex-like spin texture, which can be most consistently explained in terms of the novel four-spin interaction mechanism inherent to itinerant magnets. The present results suggest a new route to realizing exotic multiple-q orders and that itinerant hexagonal magnets, including the R 3 M 8Sn4 family with wide chemical tunability, can be a unique material platform to explore their rich phase diagrams.

Iron(III) spin-crossover compounds with a wide apparent thermal hysteresis around room temperature.

The magnetic properties of the spin-crossover compounds, [Fe(qsal)2]NCSe-MeOH (1) and [Fe(qsal)2]NCSe-CH2Cl2 (2), have been measured. We have discovered that both compounds 1 and 2 exhibit a wide thermal hysteresis loop of 140 K (T(1/2) upward arrow = 352 K and T(1/2) downward arrow = 212 K) and 180 K (T(1/2) upward arrow = 392 K and T(1/2) downward arrow = 212 K), respectively, in the first cycle. Thermogravimetric analysis shows that solvent molecules escape from compounds 1 and 2 around 340 and 395 K, respectively. This means that the hysteresis loops observed for the first cycle are only apparent ones. Following the first loop, they show a two-step spin-crossover in warming mode. The so-called "step 1" and "step 2" are centered around T(1/2(S1)) upward arrow = 215 K and T(1/2(S2)) upward arrow = 282 K, respectively. On the other hand, a one-step spin-crossover occurs at T(1/2) downward arrow = 212 K in cooling mode. The hysteresis widths can be estimated to be 3 K (step 1) and 70 K (step 2), assuming that the widths in steps 1 and 2 are defined as the differences between T(1/2(S1)) upward arrow and T(1/2) downward arrow, and T(1/2(S2)) upward arrow and T(1/2) downward arrow, respectively. The hysteresis width of 70 K in step 2 is one of the widest values reported so far for spin-crossover complexes. It is thought that the cooperativity operating in the complexes arises mainly from the intermolecular pi interactions between quinoline and phenyl rings. Using a previously reported model, we are able to simulate the hysteresis loop with a two-step spin-crossover in warming mode and a one-step transition in cooling mode.

Effectiveness of oxidative potential water as a root canal irrigant.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of oxidative potential water (OPW) as an irrigant, based on its ability to remove the smear layer and/or debris from instrumented root canals. METHODOLOGY: One hundred and twenty root canals from extracted human maxillary incisors were instrumented using a conventional step-back technique with irrigation from sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) or oxidative potential water (OPW). After instrumentation, the canals were irrigated by syringe or ultrasound using 15% EDTA or OPW as an irrigant. The volume of each irrigant used for syringe irrigation was 10, 20, and 30 mL, respectively, whilst the duration for ultrasonic irrigation was 1, 3, and 5 min, respectively. After irrigation, each root was split longitudinally in two with cutting pliers, and the specimens were prepared for SEM observation. The presence of debris and smear layer on each canal wall was assessed using a three-point scale for each parameter. RESULTS: Smear layer was effectively removed with EDTA both introduced via syringe and via ultrasonic irrigation. A similar effect was observed with OPW via syringe irrigation following instrumentation with 5% NaOCl. The canal walls in any of these cases showed open and patent dentinal tubules following smear layer removal. Some specimens irrigated with EDTA exhibited the effect of demineralization on the dentine resulting in funnelling of tubule orifices. Syringe irrigation was more effective in smear layer removal, except for ultrasonic irrigation with 15% EDTA, whilst ultrasonic irrigation was more effective in debris removal including the use of OPW as irrigant following instrumentation with 5% NaOCl. Neither syringe nor ultrasonic irrigation with OPW following instrumentation with OPW removed smear layer or debris effectively. CONCLUSIONS: The most effective irrigation technique for smear removal was 15% EDTA irrigation by means of syringe following instrumentation with 5% NaOCl solution. However, the most effective irrigation technique for debris removal was ultrasonic irrigation regardless of irrigant used. OPW irrigation by means of syringe following instrumentation with 5% NaOCl showed a similar effect to that of 15% EDTA irrigation for removal of smear layer and debris.

Voiding dysfunction in a patient with adolescent adrenoleukodystrophy.

The details are reported of bladder dysfunction in a Japanese boy with adrenoleukodystrophy. He developed gait disturbance at the age of 15 years. Spastic paraparesis progressed from the legs to the hands and brain magnetic resonance imaging showed characteristic degenerative change. Detrusor hyperreflexia was found by a urodynamic study and detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia was also suspected.

Change in caspase-3-like protease in the liver and plasma during rat liver regeneration following partial hepatectomy.

Recent studies have shown that many factors orchestrate liver regeneration after a two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PH). However, the termination mechanism in liver regeneration has not been thoroughly studied. In this paper, we report that the activity of liver caspase-3-like protease, which is specifically activated in apoptosis, increases 18, 36, and 48 hr after PH during maximal hepatocyte proliferative activity. This is the first study that shows the activation of an apoptosis-executing enzyme during physiological liver regeneration. These results suggest that apoptosis is induced in each surge of DNA synthesis as the termination mechanism. When phenoxybenzamine, an alpha-blocker that has been reported to inhibit DNA synthesis during liver regeneration, was injected 8 hr after PH, the caspase-3-like activity in the liver peaked at 15 hr after PH and the enzyme activity also increased in plasma at 18 and 24 hr after PH in sharp contrast to the case of normal regeneration. These results indicate that extensive apoptosis is caused by phenoxybenzamine and that the secondary necrosis of apoptotic cells results in the increase of caspase-3-like protease activity in the plasma.

In vivo antioxidative activity of propolis evaluated by the interaction with vitamins C and E and the level of lipid hydroperoxides in rats.

In vivo antioxidative activity of propolis was evaluated on the basis of ameliorative effects on the oxidative stress induced by vitamin E deficiency in rats. The control group was fed vitamin E-deficient diet, and the propolis group was fed vitamin E-deficient diet supplemented with 1% of propolis for 4 and 8 weeks. Comparisons were made in tissue concentrations of vitamin C, vitamin E, and lipid hydroperoxides between these groups. No significant difference was observed in tissue vitamin E concentration between these groups after both 4 and 8 weeks. After 4 weeks, the plasma vitamin C concentration of the propolis group was significantly higher than that of the control group. After 8 weeks, the tissue concentrations of vitamin C in the kidney, stomach, small intestine, and large intestine of the propolis group were significantly higher than those of the control group. These results suggest that some components of propolis are absorbed to circulate in the blood and behave as a hydrophilic antioxidant that saves vitamin C. The concentration of lipid hydroperoxides in the large intestine of the propolis group was significantly lower than that of the control group after 8 weeks. These results suggest that propolis exerts its antioxidative effect where it is assumed to accumulate, such as on the kidney, where it is excreted, and on the gastrointestinal tract, where propolis influences these tissues even from the outside of the cell.

Influence of sex hormones on prostate volume in men on hemodialysis.

The relationship between sex hormones and prostate volume in 90 men on hemodialysis and 91 healthy men was investigated. In men on hemodialysis, serum levels of total and free testosterone were significantly reduced compared with the controls (P < .001), whereas the serum estradiol level was significantly elevated in men on hemodialysis (P < .001). However, prostate volumes were not different between the 2 groups. Serum estradiol level correlated with the prostate volume in controls (P < .001), whereas total and free testosterone levels did not correlate with the prostate volume. In men on hemodialysis, serum levels of total and free testosterone and estradiol did not correlate with the prostate volume. The present study suggests that sex hormones do not play important roles in the prostate growth in men on hemodialysis.

Evaluation of oxidative stress based on lipid hydroperoxide, vitamin C and vitamin E during apoptosis and necrosis caused by thioacetamide in rat liver.

After 12 h of thioacetamide (500 mg/kg body weight) administration to rats, the activity of caspase-3-like protease in the liver increased significantly compared to that in the control group. In plasma, the activity of caspase-3 was barely detectable in the control rat, but had increased significantly after 24 h of drug administration along with a dramatic increase in GOT. These results indicate that thioacetamide causes apoptosis in the liver by activating caspase-3, which is released to plasma by successive necrosis. At 24 h, the concentration of liver lipid hydroperoxides, a mediator of radical reaction, was 2.2 times as high as that of control rats. After 12 and 24 h of thioacetamide administration, the liver concentrations of vitamins C and E decreased significantly. The decrease of antioxidants and formation of lipid hydroperoxides 24 h after thioacetamide administration support the view that extensive radical reactions occur in the liver during the necrotic process.

Increase of caspase-3 activity in rat liver and plasma by thioacetamide.

Twelve and twenty-four hours after intraperitoneal administration of thioacetamide (200 mg/kg body weight) to rats, caspase-3 activity in the liver and plasma of the treated rats increased significantly compared with that of the control group. These results demonstrated that thioacetamide caused apoptosis, which involved activation of caspase-3, although there may be a number of pathways to apoptosis in the liver that may or may not involve the activation of this protein. The results also indicated that the activated caspase-3 was released in plasma along with glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) by successive necrosis. This is the first study that shows an increase of caspase-3 activity in plasma.

Canal configuration of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar of a Japanese sub-population.

AIM: The aim of this study was to determine the percentage of anatomical canal configurations of the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar in Japanese patients. METHODOLOGY: Three hundred teeth were obtained from general dentists who knew absolutely that they were extracted from Japanese patients. The distobuccal and palatal roots were amputated for radiographic convenience. Preoperative radiographs were taken of the remaining crown and mesiobuccal root (MBR) from mesiodistal and buccopalatal directions for each tooth. Routine endodontic access cavities were prepared and size 08 files were placed through the orifice into the MBR until they were seen at the apex. In some cases preparation of the canal orifice with a long shank round burr was necessary to gain access. In seven teeth, no access to the apex was possible and these teeth were eliminated. In the other 293 teeth, the MBR canal(s) was (were) enlarged up to size 15 file. If another canal opening was found at the apex a 08 file was inserted into the second opening and passed coronally. Postoperative radiographs with file(s) in place were taken from the two directions, as before. RESULTS: Of the 293 teeth, 123 (42.0%) were Type II, 89 (30.4%) showed Type III systems and 10 (3.4%) were Type IV. Suggestions for identification and treatment of the second canal in the MBR are presented. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of cases with two canals in the mesiobuccal root of maxillary first molars from Japanese patients was high and similar to that described from studies of other ethnic populations.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumor without hypertension.

Juxtaglomerular cell tumors are rare. This report presents a case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor without hypertension. All previously reported cases showed marked hypertension, whereas this is the first case of juxtaglomerular cell tumor without hypertension. The immunohistochemistry and ultrastructure of this case are discussed.

The effect of triathlon on urinary excretion of enzymes and proteins.

In order to investigate the effect of triathlon and renal function of normal subjects, we evaluated the excretion of urinary enzymes and proteins before and after triathlon. From 6 subjects samples were obtained 24 hours after the first urine collection. We performed quantification of urinary total protein, beta2-microglobulin (beta2-M), N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase activity (NAG), and concentration of urinary creatinine from each participant. There was a significant increase in urinary total protein excretion immediately after triathlon (p<0.01). The urinary beta2-M and NAG excretions after triathlon were higher than the initial values. Post-exercise proteinuria in one subject persisted until the next morning, whereas the increased excretion of urinary beta2-M and NAG returned to the pre-exercise level at least 24 hours after triathlon. It appears to be reasonable to presume that glomerular damage may persist in some subjects who do heavy exercise.

Serum levels of total and free prostate specific antigen in men on hemodialysis.

PURPOSE: The measurement of prostate specific antigen (PSA) is widely used in screening programs for early detection of prostate cancer. It has been recently shown that the ratio of free-to-total PSA in serum is lower in malignant than in nonmalignant prostatic disorders and, therefore, might be a parameter to improve screening specificity. We determine the influence of renal failure on serum levels of total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum concentrations of total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio were measured in 93 men undergoing hemodialysis. The control group consisted of 2,298 healthy blood donors. RESULTS: Serum levels of total PSA were not significantly different between control and hemodialysis patients. Serum free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio of hemodialysis patients were significantly higher than those of controls (p <0.01 to 0.001). However, these values did not change in uremic patients after hemodialysis. Although serum total and free PSA levels increased with each decade of age, they did not correlate with age in hemodialysis patients. CONCLUSIONS: Serum free PSA as well as total PSA is not eliminated by hemodialysis, and elevated levels of free PSA and free-to-total PSA ratio in hemodialysis patients may be caused by a concomitant decrease in binding proteins. The reference ranges for total and free PSA, and free-to-total PSA ratio may not be necessarily beneficial in hemodialysis patients.

Serum levels of total and free testosterone in men undergoing hemodialysis.

Serum concentrations of total and free testosterone were measured in 102 hemodialysis male patients and 45 healthy men. In hemodialysis patients, serum levels of total and free testosterone were significantly reduced compared to the controls (p < .001). Neither serum total nor free testosterone correlated with age in the controls. In contrast, both total and free testosterone in serum negatively correlated with age in hemodialysis patients (p < .05-.001). It would appear that testicular dysfunction becomes more severe with increasing age in hemodialysis patients.