Erratum: Structural and Valence Changes of Europium Hydride Induced by Application of High-Pressure H_{2} [Phys. Rev. Lett. 107, 025501 (2011)].

This corrects the article DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.107.025501.

Maximizing T c by tuning nematicity and magnetism in FeSe1-x S x superconductors.

A fundamental issue concerning iron-based superconductivity is the roles of electronic nematicity and magnetism in realising high transition temperature (T c). To address this issue, FeSe is a key material, as it exhibits a unique pressure phase diagram involving non-magnetic nematic and pressure-induced antiferromagnetic ordered phases. However, as these two phases in FeSe have considerable overlap, how each order affects superconductivity remains perplexing. Here we construct the three-dimensional electronic phase diagram, temperature (T) against pressure (P) and isovalent S-substitution (x), for FeSe1-x S x . By simultaneously tuning chemical and physical pressures, against which the chalcogen height shows a contrasting variation, we achieve a complete separation of nematic and antiferromagnetic phases. In between, an extended non-magnetic tetragonal phase emerges, where T c shows a striking enhancement. The completed phase diagram uncovers that high-T c superconductivity lies near both ends of the dome-shaped antiferromagnetic phase, whereas T c remains low near the nematic critical point.

Effects of Cosmetic Therapy on Cognitive Function in Elderly Women Evaluated by Time-Resolved Spectroscopy Study.

With the rapid increase in dementia in developed countries, it is important to establish methods for maintaining or improving cognitive function in elderly people. To resolve such problems, we have been developing a cosmetic therapy (CT) program for elderly women. However, the mechanism and limitations of CT are not yet clear. In order to clarify these issues, we employed time-resolved spectroscopy (TRS) to evaluate the effect of CT on prefrontal cortex (PFC) activity in elderly females with various levels of cognitive impairment. Based on the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, the subjects were classified into mild (mean MMSE score: 24.1±3.8) and moderate (mean MMSE score: 10.3±5.8) cognitive impairment (CI) groups (p<0.0001). The mild CI group exhibited significantly larger baseline concentrations of oxy-Hb and t-Hb than the moderate CI group. CT significantly increased the baseline concentrations of oxy-Hb (p<0.002) and t-Hb (p<0.0013) in the left PFC in the mild CI group. In contrast, CT did not change the concentrations of oxy-Hb and t-Hb in the moderate CI group (p>0.05). These results suggest that CT affects cognitive function by altering PFC activity in elderly women with mild CI, but not moderate CI.

Structure and function of neonatal social communication in a genetic mouse model of autism.

A critical step toward understanding autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is to identify both genetic and environmental risk factors. A number of rare copy number variants (CNVs) have emerged as robust genetic risk factors for ASD, but not all CNV carriers exhibit ASD and the severity of ASD symptoms varies among CNV carriers. Although evidence exists that various environmental factors modulate symptomatic severity, the precise mechanisms by which these factors determine the ultimate severity of ASD are still poorly understood. Here, using a mouse heterozygous for Tbx1 (a gene encoded in 22q11.2 CNV), we demonstrate that a genetically triggered neonatal phenotype in vocalization generates a negative environmental loop in pup-mother social communication. Wild-type pups used individually diverse sequences of simple and complicated call types, but heterozygous pups used individually invariable call sequences with less complicated call types. When played back, representative wild-type call sequences elicited maternal approach, but heterozygous call sequences were ineffective. When the representative wild-type call sequences were randomized, they were ineffective in eliciting vigorous maternal approach behavior. These data demonstrate that an ASD risk gene alters the neonatal call sequence of its carriers and this pup phenotype in turn diminishes maternal care through atypical social communication. Thus, an ASD risk gene induces, through atypical neonatal call sequences, less than optimal maternal care as a negative neonatal environmental factor.

Formation of NaCl-type monodeuteride LaD by the disproportionation reaction of LaD2.

Previous x-ray diffraction measurements revealed the pressure-induced decomposition of an fcc LaH2.3 into H-rich and H-poor fcc phases around 11 GPa. The present neutron diffraction measurements on LaD2 confirm the formation of NaCl-type LaD as a counterpart of the D-rich LaD2+δ by disproportionation. First-principles enthalpy and lattice dynamic calculations demonstrate that the NaCl-type LaH is stabilized at high pressures and can be recovered at ambient conditions. Finding the NaCl-type LaH will pave the way for investigations on the site-dependent nature of hydrogen-metal interactions.

Structural and valence changes of europium hydride induced by application of high-pressure H2.

Europium hydride EuH(x), when exposed to high-pressure H2, has been found to exhibit the following structural and valence changes: Pnma(x = 2, divalent) → P63/mmc(x = 2, 7.2-8.7 GPa) → I4/m(x > 2, 8.7-9.7 GPa) → I4/mmm(x > 2, 9.7 GPa-,trivalent). With a trivalent character and a distorted cubic fcc structure, the I4/mmm structure is the ß phase commonly observed for other rare-earth metal hydrides. Our study clearly demonstrates that EuH(x) is no longer an irregular member of the rare-earth metal hydrides.

Charge ordering and spin frustration in AlV2-x CrxO4.

The relationship between charge and spin degrees of freedom in a geometrically frustrated system, AlV2-xCrxO4 spinel, is investigated. Upon Cr doping, the charge-ordered phase of AlV2O4 is rapidly suppressed and a charge-disordered phase grows up instead. It is found that the magnetic ground state is a spin-glass state dominated by geometrical frustration for both phases, but larger spin entropy remains down to low temperatures in the charge-ordered phase, possibly owing to its two-dimensional character.

Evaluation of three-dimensional glenoid structure using MRI.

The tilting angle and the shape of the glenoid cavity are considered to relate closely to shoulder stability. They are also important when planning arthroplasty and developing new designs. This study examines the glenoid cavity using 3-dimensional MRI. Forty volunteers (20 men, 20 women; average age 21.4; range 18-35 y) were enrolled in the study. The tilting angles of the glenoid bone were measured in 5 consecutive axial planes perpendicular to the glenoidal long axis. Cross sections were divided into 3 types (concave, flat, convex) according to the shape on each plane. The average tilting angles for the 5 planes from the bottom to the top were 3.3+/-4.1, 1.4+/-3.8. -0.6+/-1.9, -1.4+/-3.3, and -6.2+/-3.3 degrees anteriorly, indicating that the 3-dimensional bony structure of the glenoid was twisted anteriorly to posteriorly. Images on the bottom plane consisted of 82.5 % concave type, 15% flat type and 2.5% convex type, while only 3 cases (7.5%) showed concave at the top plane. The shape of the glenoid cavity is thought to be conducive to glenohumeral motion and stability.

Differential expression of mRNAs for sialyltransferase isoenzymes induced in the hippocampus of mouse following kindled seizures.

Sialic acids play important roles in various biological functions. In the brain, evidence suggests that sialylation of glycoproteins and glycolipids affects neural plasticity. While the 18 sialyltransferase isoenzymes (STs) identified to date synthesize individual sialyl-oligosaccharide structures, they each exhibit activity toward more than one substrate and can overlap in their specificity. Therefore, the distribution of STs is a secondary factor in the study of specific sialylation. Here, seven STs; ST3Gal I-IV, ST8Sia IV, ST6Gal I and ST6GalNAc II, the expressions of which were identified in the adult hippocampus by RT-PCR, showed diverse localization patterns in the hippocampus on in situ hybridization, suggesting that the individual cells expressed relevant STS: Furthermore, to assay activity-related changes in ST expression, we used amygdaloid-kindling among models of neural plasticity. Differential expression of the STs participating in the kindling, notably, up-regulation of ST3Gal IV and ST6GalNAc II mRNAs, and down-regulation of ST3Gal I and ST8Sia IV mRNAs, were observed in the hippocampus following kindled seizures. These results indicate that ST expressions are regulated by physiological activity and may play a role in neural plasticity.

Serine proteinase inhibitor 3 and murinoglobulin I are potent inhibitors of neuropsin in adult mouse brain.

Extracellular serine protease neuropsin (NP) is expressed in the forebrain limbic area of adult brain and is implicated in synaptic plasticity. We screened for endogenous NP inhibitors with recombinant NP (r-NP) from extracts of the hippocampus and the cerebral cortex in adult mouse brain. Two SDS-stable complexes were detected, and after their purification, peptide sequences were determined by amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry, revealing that target molecules were serine proteinase inhibitor-3 (SPI3) and murinoglobulin I (MUG I). The addition of the recombinant SPI3 to r-NP resulted in an SDS-stable complex, and the complex formation followed bimolecular kinetics with an association rate constant of 3.4 +/- 0.22 x 10(6) M(-1) s(-1), showing that SPI3 was a slow, tight binding inhibitor of NP. In situ hybridization histochemistry showed that SPI3 mRNA was expressed in pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal CA1-CA3 subfields, as was NP mRNA. Alternatively, the addition of purified plasma MUG I to r-NP resulted in an SDS-stable complex, and MUG I inhibited degradation of fibronectin by r-NP to 24% at a r-NP/MUG I molar ratio of 1:2. Immunofluorescence histochemistry showed that MUG I localized in the hippocampal neurons. These findings indicate that SPI3 and MUG I serve to inactivate NP and control the level of NP in adult brain, respectively.

Interleukin-16 in synovial fluids from cases of various types of arthritis.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the characteristic relationship between interleukin-16 (IL-16) and clinical data in various types of arthritis. METHODS: We measured IL-16 levels of the synovial fluids (SF) of patients with various types of arthritis, which included rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, pseudogouty arthritis, gouty arthritis, and osteoarthritis, by an enzyme immunosorbent assay, and examined their correlations with clinical parameters. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Higher levels of IL-16 in synovial fluid from patients with rheumatoid arthritis, traumatic arthritis, and pseudogouty arthritis, compared to those with osteoarthritis, and gouty arthritis were indicated. Also, synovial IL-16 levels in patients with rheumatoid arthritis correlated significantly, especially with synovial matrix metalloproteinase-3 levels. But the IL-16 levels of both synovial fluid and peripheral blood did not correlate with conventional inflammatory parameters such as C-reactive protein, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or rheumatoid factor. Although the function of IL-16 in inflammatory arthritis has not yet been defined, these data indicated some essential features of IL-16.

Sacral perineurial cyst with ossification of the arachnoid membrane.

A case of sacral perineurial cyst with ossification of the arachnoid membrane discovered intraoperatively is reported. We are not aware of any similar cases in the literature.

A monoclonal antibody against a hepatitis B e antigen epitope borne by six amino acids encoded by the precore region.

Hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) polypeptide in the circulation (p17e) is composed of ten amino acids (aa) coded for by the precore region and 149 aa by the core gene of hepatitis B virus. A monoclonal antibody (Y0583A) was raised against the N-terminal ten amino acids (SKLCLGWLWG) encoded by the precore region. The binding of Y0583A with a panel of 203 decapeptides on multipins, which covered the precursor of HBeAg polypeptide made of 212 aa shifting by one aa, recognized an epitope sequenced LGWLWG representing the C-terminal six aa coded for by the precore region. This HBeAg epitope was not readily accessible on HBeAg in serum, but it became exposed and bound with Y0583A by treatment with 0.2 N NaOH. Using Y0583A, an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was developed for specific determination of HBeAg. The test sample was incubated with the monoclonal antibody to an HBeAg determinant encoded by the core gene (904) that had been immobilized on a solid support. Captured HBeAg was treated with 0.2 N NaOH, neutralized and released into the fluid phase. The reactant was then tested for a sandwich between monoclonal antibody (C33) to the C-terminus of the HBeAg polypeptide immobilized on a solid support and Y0583A labeled with horseradish peroxidase.

Hyaluronan, cartilage destruction and hydrarthrosis in traumatic arthritis.

The concentrations of hyaluronan (HA) and chondroitin sulfate (CS) in synovial fluids from patients with traumatic arthritis (TA) with and without hydrarthrosis were measured. The CS in synovial fluids was determined as a marker of cartilage destruction by high performance liquid chromotography. The concentration of HA in synovial fluids was lower in patients with hydrarthrosis than in healthy volunteers and patients with TA without hydrarthrosis, whereas the total amounts of HA and CS and the concentration of CS were higher in patients with hydrarthrosis. To investigate the relation between hydrarthrosis and production of HA in synovial tissues, TA synovial tissue biopsies were stained for HA with biotinylated HA binding region. The intensity of HA staining was higher in specimens from patients with hydrarthrosis than in normal and TA without hydrarthrosis specimens. Thus, there may be a correlation between hyperproduction of HA, cartilage destruction and increase in fluid volume in TA.

Localization of hyaluronic acid in human articular cartilage.

To demonstrate localization of hyaluronic acid (HA) in articular cartilage of the human femur, biotinylated HA-binding region, which specifically binds HA molecules, was applied to the tissue. In sections fixed by 2% paraformaldehyde-2% glutaraldehyde, HA staining was detected in lamina splendens and chondrocytes in the middle zone. By pretreatment with trypsin, intense HA staining appeared in the extracellular matrix of the deep zone and weak staining in the superficial and middle zones. Moreover, pre-treatment with chondroitinase ABC (CHase ABC) intensely enhanced the stainability for HA in the superficial and middle zones and weakly in the deeper zone. Combined pre-treatment of trypsin with CHase ABC abolished intra- and extracellular staining for HA in all zones. By microbiochemical study, the concentrations of HA and dermatan sulfate were high in the middle zone, whereas those of chondroitin sulfate and keratan sulfate were high in the deep zone. These results suggest that HA is abundantly synthesized in and secreted from the chondrocytes, particularly in the middle zone, whereas it is largely masked by proteoglycan constituents in the extracellular matrix.

Simultaneous determination of the migration coefficient of each base in heterogeneous oligo-DNA by gel filled capillary electrophoresis.

The direct determination of migration coefficients was achieved by analysing the migration time of heterogeneous oligo-DNA with a gel filled capillary using the Gauss least-squares method for the observation functions, assuming that the migration time of oligo-DNA is dependent on its base composition and chain length. By using the coefficients obtained, the migration time of oligo-DNA of any known sequence that does not have a secondary structure can be estimated with an accuracy of less than 0.5-mer of cytidine. In addition, from the deviation of the actual migration time from the calculated migration time in certain specially designed base sequences, the existence of a secondary structure such as a hairpin structure was strongly suggested even in the presence of 7 M urea. From the investigation of the effects of secondary structure on migration time, it was concluded that this approach will give qualitative information on secondary structure, which may be applicable in work such as single strand conformational polymorphism (SSCP) analysis or antisense DNA analysis, in which secondary structure plays an important role in accelerating or decelerating migration times. The results of the analysis also predict the apparent chain length reversal from short to long together with a reduction in the actual chain length in DNA sequencing using capillary electrophoresis.

Alterations of proteoglycan synthesis in rabbit articular cartilage induced by intra-articular injection of papain.

In order to investigate the biochemical alteration of proteoglycan (PG) synthesis during cartilage repair, reversible destruction was induced by injecting papain into the knee joint cavity of rabbits. The PG synthesis in the cartilage was examined using Na2 35SO4 and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). PGs labeled with 35SO4(2-) (35S-PGs) were extracted from normal and papain-treated cartilage, and the amount of synthesis, ability to aggregate with hyaluronan (HA), and the composition of glycosaminoglycan and chondroitin sulfate isomer labeled with 35SO4(2-) (35S-GAG and 35S-CS isomer) were analyzed. Synthesis of 35S-PGs, especially those that were unable to aggregate with HA (nonaggregating 35S-PGs), increased in papain-treated cartilage compared with that in normal cartilage. The acceleration and qualitative change in PG synthesis in the papain-treated cartilage are considered to be responses to the supplementation of the loss of cartilage PGs induced by papain. The compositions of 35S-GAG and 35S-CS isomer of the nonaggregating 35S-PGs differed from those of 35S-PGs which were able to aggregate with HA (aggregating 35S-PGs) in the papain-treated cartilage as well as in the normal cartilage. However, the compositions of both nonaggregating and aggregating 35S-PGs in the papain-treated and normal cartilage were similar. These results indicate that most of the nonaggregating 35S-PGs in papain-treated cartilage have properties similar to those in normal cartilage and are not simple degradation products of aggregating 35S-PGs; they also suggest that the supplementary reaction for PG content in the cartilage during its repair process is not simple acceleration in PG turn-over but the enhancement of PG synthesis accompanied by alterations in aggregating ability and the compositions of GAG and CS isomer.

Chimeric hepatitis B virus core particles with parts or copies of the hepatitis C virus core protein.

Either parts or multiple copies of the core gene of hepatitis C virus (HCV) were fused to the 3' terminus of the hepatitis B virus (HBV) core gene with 34 codons removed. As many as four copies of HCV core protein (720 amino acids) were fused to the carboxy terminus of truncated HBV core protein (149 amino acids) without preventing the assembly of HBV core particles. Chimeric core particles were sandwiched between monoclonal antibody to HBV core and that to HCV core, thereby indicating that antigenic determinants of both HBV and HCV cores were accessible on them. Proteolytic digestion deprived chimeric core particles of the antigenicity for the HCV core without affecting that of the HBV core, confirming the surface exposure of HCV core determinants. The density of HCV core determinants on chimeric core particles increased as copies of fused HCV core protein were increased. Hybrid core particles with multiple HCV core determinants would be instrumental as an antigen probe for detecting class-specific antibodies to the HCV core in patients with acute and chronic hepatitis C and for simultaneous detection of antibodies to HBV core and those to HCV core in donated blood.