Large Variation of Dirac Semimetal State in Perovskite CaIrO_{3} with Pressure-Tuning of Electron Correlation.

The impact of electron correlation on the Dirac semimetal state is investigated for perovskite CaIrO_{3} in terms of the magnetotransport properties under varying pressures. The reduction of electron correlation with a pressure of 1 GPa enhances the Fermi velocity as much as 40%, but it reduces the mobility by an order of magnitude by detuning the Dirac node from the Fermi energy. Moreover, the giant magnetoresistance at the quantum limit due to the one-dimensional confinement of Dirac electrons is critically suppressed under pressure. These results indicate that the electron correlation is a crucial knob for controlling the transport of a correlated Dirac semimetal.

Strong-correlation induced high-mobility electrons in Dirac semimetal of perovskite oxide.

Electrons in conventional metals become less mobile under the influence of electron correlation. Contrary to this empirical knowledge, we report here that electrons with the highest mobility ever found in known bulk oxide semiconductors emerge in the strong-correlation regime of the Dirac semimetal of perovskite CaIrO3. The transport measurements reveal that the high mobility exceeding 60,000 cm2V-1s-1 originates from the proximity of the Fermi energy to the Dirac node (ΔE < 10 meV). The calculation based on the density functional theory and the dynamical mean field theory reveals that the energy difference becomes smaller as the system approaches the Mott transition, highlighting a crucial role of correlation effects cooperating with the spin-orbit coupling. The correlation-induced self-tuning of Dirac node enables the quantum limit at a modest magnetic field with a giant magnetoresistance, thus providing an ideal platform to study the novel phenomena of correlated Dirac electron.

Simultaneous Strength-Ductility Enhancement of a Nano-Lamellar AlCoCrFeNi2.1 Eutectic High Entropy Alloy by Cryo-Rolling and Annealing.

Nano-lamellar (L12 + B2) AlCoCrFeNi2.1 eutectic high entropy alloy (EHEA) was processed by cryo-rolling and annealing. The EHEA developed a novel hierarchical microstructure featured by fine lamellar regions consisting of FCC lamellae filled with ultrafine FCC grains (average size ~200-250 nm) and B2 lamellae, and coarse non-lamellar regions consisting of ultrafine FCC (average size ~200-250 nm), few coarse recrystallized FCC grains and rather coarse unrecrystallized B2 phase (~2.5 µm). This complex and hierarchical microstructure originated from differences in strain-partitioning amongst the constituent phases, affecting the driving force for recrystallization. The hierarchical microstructure of the cryo-rolled and annealed material resulted in simultaneous enhancement in strength (Yield Strength/YS: 1437 ± 26 MPa, Ultimate Tensile Strength/UTS: 1562 ± 33 MPa) and ductility (elongation to failure/ef ~ 14 ± 1%) as compared to the as-cast as well as cold-rolled and annealed materials. The present study for the first time demonstrated that cryo-deformation and annealing could be a novel microstructural design strategy for overcoming strength-ductility trade off in multiphase high entropy alloys.

Effects of emulsifying components in the continuous phase of cream on the stability of fat globules and the physical properties of whipped cream.

The emulsifying components in cream are very important in controlling the physical characteristics of whipped cream. The effects of those components on the stability of fat globules and the physical characteristics of whipped cream were investigated. A low-molecular-weight emulsifier, and protein ingredients such as sodium caseinate and a casein partial hydrolysate (casein peptides), were used as emulsifying components in this investigation. The viscosity of deaerated whipped cream (called the serum viscosity) was measured to evaluate the degree of fat-globule aggregation. Furthermore, the shape-retention ability, which is the degree of reduction in the firmness of whipped cream between immediately after whipping and after 1d of refrigeration, was explored. The addition of the low-molecular-weight emulsifier in the continuous phase of dairy cream, which does not contain added low-molecular-weight emulsifiers, increased the stability of the fat globules and reduced the shape-retention ability of the whipped cream. The addition of protein ingredients (sodium caseinate and casein peptides) to the continuous phase of dairy cream had little effect. However, the addition of casein peptide in the continuous phase of dairy cream together with the low-molecular-weight emulsifier reduced the effect of the low-molecular-weight emulsifier on the stabilization of fat globules and the shape-retention ability of the whipped cream. The addition of casein peptide did not recover the serum viscosity; thus, other mechanisms might underlie this phenomenon.

Cord blood transplantation is associated with rapid B-cell neogenesis compared with BM transplantation.

Hematopoietic cell transplantation (HCT) is used for treatment of hematopoietic diseases. Assessment of T- and B-cell reconstitution after HCT is crucial because poor immune recovery has a major effect on the clinical course. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed T-cell receptor excision circles (TRECs) as well as signal and coding joint kappa-deleting recombination excision circles (sjKRECs and cjKRECs, respectively) as markers of newly produced lymphocytes in 133 patients (56 primary immunodeficient and 77 malignant cases, median (range): 12 (0-62) years old). We analyzed the kinetics of TREC and KREC recovery and determined the factors that contributed to better immune recovery. KRECs became positive earlier than TRECs and increased thereafter. Younger recipient age had a favorable effect on recovery of sjKRECs and cjKRECs. Compared with BM and peripheral blood, our data suggested that cord blood (CB) provided rapid B-cell recovery. CB also provided better B-cell neogenesis in adult HCT recipients. Chronic GVHD was associated with low TRECs, but not increased sjKRECs/cjKRECs. Finally, positive sjKRECs 1 month after HCT were associated with fewer infectious episodes. Monitoring of TRECs and KRECs may serve as a useful tool for assessment of immune reconstitution post HCT.

Periostin levels correlate with disease severity and chronicity in patients with atopic dermatitis.

BACKGROUND: Recent findings indicate that periostin, an extracellular matrix protein induced by T helper 2 cytokines, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD). OBJECTIVES: To determine whether serum periostin level is associated with clinical phenotype in adult patients with AD. METHODS: An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was performed to determine serum periostin levels in 257 adult patients with AD, 66 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (PV) as a disease control and 25 healthy controls. Serum periostin levels were analysed together with clinical characteristics and laboratory parameters, including thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), blood eosinophil count and total IgE. Immunohistochemical analysis evaluated the expression of periostin in association with various clinical phenotypes of AD. The effect of treatment on serum periostin level was also assessed. RESULTS: Serum periostin was significantly higher in patients with AD than in patients with PV and healthy controls. Periostin level was found to be positively correlated with disease severity, TARC level, LDH level and eosinophil count, but not with IgE level. Higher serum periostin level was observed in patients with extrinsic AD compared with patients with intrinsic AD; the positive correlation of disease severity disappeared in patients with intrinsic AD. Robust expression of periostin was detected in the dermis of patients with AD with erythroderma, lichenification and, to a lesser extent, scaly erythema. Serial measurement of serum periostin revealed decreased levels of periostin after treatment for AD. CONCLUSIONS: Periostin may play a critical role in disease severity and chronicity in the pathogenesis of AD.

Histiocytoid and signet-ring cell carcinoma of the axilla: a type of cutaneous apocrine carcinoma equivalent to histiocytoid lobular carcinoma of the breast?

There is a histopathological similarity between cutaneous apocrine carcinoma (CAC) and breast carcinoma. Cutaneous histiocytoid or signet-ring cell (SRC) carcinoma is a rare neoplasm, which usually occurs on the eyelid, and less commonly on the axilla. The precise histogenesis of this carcinoma remains controversial. We report the case of a man with a cutaneous histiocytoid SRC carcinoma of the axilla having histopathological and immunohistochemical features that were quite similar to histiocytoid lobular carcinoma (histiocytoid LC) of the breast, which is a subtype of classic invasive lobular carcinoma of the breast with apocrine differentiation. We consider this case to be a type of CAC equivalent to histiocytoid LC of the breast, based on the features and the occurrence on the axilla. The patient was treated with adjuvant chemotherapy according to the general guidelines for the treatment of breast carcinoma.

Beneficial effects of leukotriene receptor antagonists in the prevention of cedar pollinosis in a community setting.

BACKGROUND: In recent years, many countries have experienced an increase in the prevalence of allergic rhinitis. No effective approach is currently available to prevent the onset of symptoms in allergic individuals. Pranlukast, a leukotriene receptor antagonist with a good safety and efficacy record for the management of allergic inflammation, may be appropriate for early intervention in the management of pollinosis. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the efficacy of pranlukast as an early intervention in the control of cedar pollinosis. METHODS: In a double-blind comparative study, pranlukast (n = 102) or placebo (n = 91) was administered to cedar pollinosis patients immediately before the start of the dispersion season and continued for 4 weeks. Subsequently, pranlukast was administered to all patients for 2 weeks until the end of the cedar pollen dispersion season (mid-March). All patients were carefully monitored for severity of nasal symptoms, symptom scores, medication scores, symptom-medication scores, and quality of life (QOL). RESULTS: Compared with placebo, therapy with pranlukast before and during the dispersion of cedar pollen in these patients significantly improved nasal symptoms (paroxysmal sneezing, rhinorrhea, and nasal congestion), symptom scores, and symptom-medication scores. The drug also significantly reduced deterioration of QOL, and improved nasal symptoms and QOL throughout the dispersion period. CONCLUSION: Administering pranlukast immediately before the beginning of cedar pollen dispersion is effective in reducing symptoms of allergic rhinitis throughout the dispersion period.

Repeated paracentesis in a fetus with meconium peritonitis with massive ascites: a case report.

Meconium peritonitis (MP) is defined as a sterile inflammatory reaction in the fetal abdomen that is seen in cases of intrauterine bowel perforation. Recently, there have been increasing numbers of fetuses with MP prenatally diagnosed by ultrasonography. Massive fetal ascites in MP may cause hydrops and hypoplastic lungs. However, antepartum management of MP has not yet been established. We encountered a fetus with MP and massive ascites. Repeated paracentesis between 29 weeks and 4 days and 31 weeks and 6 days of gestation prevented the progression to fetal hydrops and hypoplastic lungs, which may occur due to massive meconium ascites with an increased preload index. Amniocentesis was also performed in patients with polyhydramnios for treatment of preterm labor. These observations suggest that aggressive therapy can prolong the gestation period and improve MP treatment outcomes.

AKT induces senescence in primary esophageal epithelial cells but is permissive for differentiation as revealed in organotypic culture.

Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) overexpression and activation is critical in the initiation and progression of cancers, especially those of epithelial origin. EGFR activation is associated with the induction of divergent signal transduction pathways and a gamut of cellular processes; however, the cell-type and tissue-type specificity conferred by certain pathways remains to be elucidated. In the context of the esophageal epithelium, a prototype stratified squamous epithelium, EGFR overexpression is relevant in the earliest events of carcinogenesis as modeled in a three-dimensional organotypic culture system. We demonstrate that the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT signaling pathway, and not the MEK/MAPK (mitogen-activated protein kinase) pathway, is preferentially activated in EGFR-mediated esophageal epithelial hyperplasia, a premalignant lesion. The hyperplasia was abolished with direct inhibition of PI3K and of AKT but not with inhibition of the MAPK pathway. With the introduction of an inducible AKT vector in both primary and immortalized esophageal epithelial cells, we find that AKT overexpression and activation is permissive for complete epithelial formation in organotypic culture, but imposes a growth constraint in cells grown in monolayer. In organotypic culture, AKT mediates changes related to cell shape and size with an expansion of the differentiated compartment.

Effects of sex steroids on expression of adenylyl cyclase messenger RNA in rat uterus.

The aim of our study was to investigate the effects of estradiol (E2) and/or progesterone (P4) bilateral ovariectomized rats on gene expressions of adenylyl cyclases (AC2, AC4, AC6, AC9). Non-pregnant (NP) Wister rats (between post-natal 10 and 12 weeks) and normal pregnant rats (between postnatal 10 and 14 weeks) were used. NP rats were divided into five groups: 1) control NP rats, 2) ovariectomy rats (OVX), 3) OVX injected with E2 (6 microg) for 4 days (E2), 4) OVX injected with P4 (5 mg) for 4 days (P4), 5) ovariectomy rats injected with E2 (6 microg) and P4 (5 mg) for 4 days (E2/P4). The ovariectomized rats were sacrificed by anesthesia of diethyl ether after 24 h from the last injection. The pregnant group was sacrificed in the same way on 14 (P14), 17 (P17) and 21 (P21) of pregnancy, because the days between P14 and P17 were the second trimester of pregnancy and P21 was the third trimester. Total RNA were prepared from the uteri of each subject, and expression of ACs was analyzed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Expression of mRNAs for AC2, AC4, AC6 and AC9 were maximally increased on P17 and then decreased on P21. In OVX rats, expression of mRNAs for AC2, AC4, and AC9 were decreased as compared to NP. AC2 mRNA was significantly increased by E2 treatment. AC4 and AC9 mRNA was significantly increased by injection of E2 or P4. AC6 mRNA level was not affected by E2 and/or P4. In conclusion, AC2, AC4 and AC9 gene expression is affected by estrogen and/or P4. On the contrary, AC6 gene expression was not changed by OVX or hormone treatment. Since, all ACs mRNA examined here are increased during pregnancy, AC6 may be affected by other factor(s) other than estrogen and P4.

Relationship between intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography findings and perfusion lung scintigraphy results on first postoperative day.

BACKGROUND: Although intraoperative transoesophageal echocardiography (TOE) has been used to detect the occurrence of echogenic macro- and/or microembolic phenomena during total hip arthroplasty (THA), no direct correlation between macroembolism and the formation of pulmonary embolism (PE) has been conclusively determined in early postoperative periods after THA. METHODS: Sixty-two patients scheduled for primary THA were enrolled in this study. Intraoperative TOE images were continuously recorded on videotape and the echogenic events were evaluated throughout surgery. Perfusion lung scintigraphy was performed on the first postoperative day (POD1). RESULTS: Perfusion lung scintigraphy revealed the existence of PE in nine (15%) of the 62 patients who underwent THA: five (25%) of 20 patients with cemented THA and four (10%) of 42 patients with non-cemented THA. The grading score of intraoperative TOE findings, including the amount of echogenic particles in right atrium, the longest time of echogenesis and the diameter of the largest echogenic particles, did not differ between the groups with and without PE. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values for the detection of echogenic macroemboli for the prediction of the development of PE on POD1 were 0.78, 0.60, 0.25 and 0.94, respectively. CONCLUSION: Intraoperative TOE monitoring did not predict the occurrence of PE on POD1.

Nitric oxide donor-induced inhibition of pregnant rat uterine spontaneous contractile activity and release of nitric oxide from uterus measured by microdialysis.

Our aim was to study whether nitric oxide (NO) donor-induced inhibition of pregnant rat myometrium contractility correlates with the release of NO. Uterine rings from mid-pregnant and late pregnant Sprague-Dawley rats were used for isometric tension recording. Concentration-response relationships to sodium nitroprusside (SNP), nitroglycerine (NTG) and diethylamine (DEA)/NO were assessed. The time course of NO release after addition to the organ chambers of the 3 NO-donors was assessed by the detection of NO products NOx (NO3+NO2) using the microdialysis probe by a HPLC-NO detector system. DEA/ NO induced greater inhibition of the spontaneous contractile activity of uterine rings from mid-pregnant rats than SNP or NTG. In uterine rings from late pregnant rats, however, the maximal inhibition of the contractility by all 3 NO-donors were significantly less. The NOx levels measured in the uterine ring walls from either mid-pregnant or late pregnant rats significantly increased after DEA/ NO as compared to the basal levels or the levels after NTG or SNP. The decrease of NO-donor-induced inhibition of rat myometrium contractility, with unchanged formation of NOx, at term, suggests that the changes in NO signaling are responsible for gestational age-dependent attenuation of the inhibitory effect.

Effect of nitric oxide on contractions of uterine and cervical tissues from pregnant rats.

Our objective was to evaluate the role of the nitric oxide (NO)-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway in rat uterine and cervical contractility at mid- and late gestation. Rings of uterus and cervix from Sprague Dawley rats on day 14 of pregnancy (mid-) and day 21 of pregnancy (late) were equilibrated at 2 g passive tension in organ chambers filled with Krebs-Henseleit solution and bubbled with 5% CO2 in air (37 degrees C, pH approximately 7.4). Rings were treated with an inhibitor of outward potassium current, tetraethylammonium, to activate phasic contractions, and the concentration-response relationships to diethylamine/NO and 8-bromo-cGMP (8-br-cGMP) were assessed. Baseline spontaneous activity was significantly higher at term gestation in both uterine and cervical rings compared with mid-gestation. Spontaneous contractile activity was not apparent in cervical rings from rats in mid-gestation, but was persistent after treatment with tetraethylammonium. Oxyhemoglobin did not affect NO-induced inhibition of activation by tetraethylammonium contractile activity in either cervical or uterine tissues in mid- or late gestation. The 8-br-cGMP concentration-dependently inhibited tetraethylammonium-activated contractions that were more pronounced in uterine tissues compared with cervical tissues in both mid- and late gestation. We concluded that activation of the NO-cGMP pathway inhibits both uterine and cervical smooth muscle contractility. Both tissues demonstrated refractoriness to NO at term.

Expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase messenger RNA, but not guanylate cyclase messenger RNA, depends on gestational age in rat myometrium.

We studied the expression of inducible nitric oxide (NO) synthase (iNOS) and soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) mRNAs in pregnant rat myometrium. Expression of iNOS and sGC alpha1, beta1 and beta2 mRNA was analyzed in non-pregnant and pregnant (days 10, 14, 17 and 21) Wistar rats by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Expression of iNOS mRNA increased during pregnancy but decreased on day 21 of gestation. Expression of GC alpha1 mRNA was greater than GC beta1 mRNA at all time points. Expression of uterine GC alpha1 and GC beta1 mRNA did not change significantly during pregnancy and did not differ significantly from non-pregnant levels. The values of sGC beta2 mRNA were below the limit of detection. In conclusion, the expression of iNOS mRNA increased during pregnancy in the myometrium and decreased at term, while the expression of sGC mRNA was not affected by pregnancy. Thus, it is the changes in NO production, rather than changes in its target, that are responsible for uterine quiescence during pregnancy and initiation of labor.

Micropatterning of Ni particles on a BaTiO3 green sheet using a self-assembled monolayer.

We studied surface modification of ceramic BaTiO(3) green sheets including polyvinylbutyral (PVB) as an organic binder and successfully fabricated a patterned self-assembled monolayer (SAM) which has a region of amino groups and a region of silanol groups on the green sheet. The patterned SAM was then immersed in water containing Ni particles that show negative zeta potential in water. Ni particles were attracted to the amino groups of the patterned SAM that show positive zeta potential by attractive electrostatic interaction. Consequently, a micropattern of Ni particles was achieved using a SAM at room temperature in water. This process can be used to fabricate a thin uniform internal Ni electrode for miniaturized high-performance multilayer ceramic capacitors (MLCC).

Performance of the carbon nano-tube assembled tip for surface shape characterization.

The carbon nano-tube (CNT) has ideal properties for atomic force microscope (AFM) tips. We assembled a CNT using 2 three-axial manipulators in a scanning electron microscope (SEM) chamber. In this process, the length and angle of the CNT were adjusted by observing the SEM image, after which the CNT was glued by amorphouscarbon. The results of performance are as follows. The lifetime of the CNT tip proved to be 5 times better than that of the silicon tip when continuously measuring the micro-roughness of a Czochralski (Cz) P-type (100) silicon wafer. The CNT tip is able to trace a narrow space (width less than 1 microm) better than the conventional silicon tip because of its high aspect ratio. The relationship between the observed image and CNT geometry is discussed herein.

Gender differences in contractile and relaxing responses of aortic rings from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats.

Aortic rings from male and female Sprague-Dawley rats were placed in organ chambers filled with Krebs solution, and the isometric tension was recorded. There were no gender differences in responses to potassium chloride or phenylephrine in either intact or endothelium-denuded rings from control animals. Treatment with 10 mg/kg of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) attenuated the contractile response to potassium chloride in intact, but not in endothelium-denuded rings, and suppressed the phenylephrine contractions in rings both with and without endothelium from male and female rats. Endothelium-dependent and--independent relaxation by acetylcholine and the nitric oxide donor diethylamine/NO, respectively, did not depend on gender and were equally suppressed by LPS treatment. Treatment with LPS accentuated the effects of oxyhemoglobin in rings with and without endothelium and this was significantly larger in rings from females compared to males. Thus, gender differences were present in the effect of LPS on vascular responses. LPS induced a greater inhibition of depolarization by potassium chloride, but not receptor-activated contractions, in aortic rings from female verus male rats.

Use of sublingual isosorbide dinitrate tablet for manual extraction of a retained placenta.

We present the first report of the use of an isosorbide dinitrate tablet for the purpose of uterine relaxation for manual extraction of a retained placenta. The tablet administered sublingually proved to be a rapid and effective uterine muscle relaxant for manual removal of the placenta without overt adverse effects.

Association between nasal allergy and a coding variant of the Fc epsilon RI beta gene Glu237Gly in a Japanese population.

The gene for the beta-chain of the high-affinity receptor for IgE (Fc epsilon RI beta) has been proposed as a candidate gene for atopy. A coding variant Glu237Gly has been studied in various populations with asthma and atopy, and the results were controversial for association of the variant with atopy/asthma. Because nasal allergy is a more common atopic disease and shows less remission than asthma, we analyzed whether the Glu237Gly variant is correlated with nasal allergy. The study enrolled 233 patients with nasal allergy and 100 control subjects. Further, three subgroups were selected: patients with perennial nasal allergy (n=149), Japanese cedar pollinosis (n=189), and allergy to multiple allergens (n=45). The allele frequency of Gly237 in the controls and patients was 0.14 and 0.20, and the frequency of Gly237-positive subjects was 0.23 and 0.356, respectively. There was a significant association between Gly237-positivity and nasal allergy, perennial nasal allergy, Japanese cedar pollinosis, and allergy to multiple allergens. Among all 333 subjects we observed a significant relationship between Gly237 and elevated levels of serum total IgE (>250 IU/ml) and very high IgE (>1000 IU/ml). Among patients positive for a specific IgE, Gly237 was significantly associated with high IgE for house dust, mite, and Japanese cedar pollen. These results suggest that the Glu237Gly variant of the Fc epsilon RI beta gene is involved in the development of nasal allergy through the process for the production of both specific and nonspecific IgE antibodies.