The effect of different organic solvents and anion salts on sodium ion storage in cylindrical carbon nanopores.

In this article fully atomistic Molecular Dynamics simulations were employed to study the behaviour of electrolyte salts (NaPF6, NaBF4, and NaTFSI) and different organic solvents (PC, EC, and EMC) in cylindrical carbon nanotubes, in order to reveal the storage mechanism. Organic solutions at 1 M concentrations were considered in bulk reservoir solutions, at the operational condition of sodium ion batteries. The effects of the solvents, nanotube diameter, and different anions (PF6-, BF4-, and TFSI-) are quantified by calculating the number of ions inside the nanotubes, solvation number and radial distribution functions. The solvent, anion and cylindrical nanoconfinement can influence the organic electrolyte solution structure.

Treatment of cervical pregnancy with ultrasound-guided local methotrexate injection.

OBJECTIVES: Cervical pregnancy (CP) is a rare type of ectopic pregnancy. While methotrexate (MTX) is generally the first-line method of choice for clinically stable women, there is still no consensus on the most appropriate treatment for this abnormal pregnancy. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a single local MTX injection under transvaginal ultrasound guidance for the initial treatment of CP and to assess post-treatment fertility. METHODS: We reviewed retrospectively 15 patients with CP treated with local MTX injection under transvaginal ultrasound guidance. In all patients, the serum human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) levels were monitored and the gestational sac was evaluated using ultrasonography after treatment. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was performed as necessary. We evaluated the patients' clinical characteristics and clinical course after treatment, the efficacy of the treatment and the post-treatment fertility in patients desiring subsequent pregnancy. RESULTS: The median estimated gestational age at the time of MTX injection was 6 + 2 (range, 5 + 2 to 11 + 0) weeks. All 15 patients were treated successfully, without the need for blood transfusion or surgical procedures; however, three patients required an additional local MTX injection due to a poor decline in serum hCG level following the initial injection, while one patient required uterine artery embolization due to persistent vaginal bleeding and an enlarging gestational sac with blood vessels visible on contrast-enhanced MRI. The mean time following initial MTX injection for hCG normalization was 43.8 (95% CI, 33.3-54.3) days and for resumption of menses was 68.4 (95% CI, 51.9-84.9) days. Seven of the 10 women desiring subsequent pregnancy following treatment had uneventful pregnancy, one became pregnant but miscarried spontaneously at 8 weeks of gestation, one was treated by laparoscopic surgery after diagnosis of a tubal pregnancy and one did not conceive. CONCLUSIONS: A single, ultrasound-guided, local MTX injection is apparently effective for the treatment of CP without the need for concomitant procedures or surgical intervention. Furthermore, this conservative technique both preserves fertility and allows for the possibility of subsequent uneventful pregnancy. Copyright © 2016 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

Extremely permeable porous graphene with high H2/CO2 separation ability achieved by graphene surface rejection.

Fabrication of a graphene separation sheet is difficult because of the necessity for leakage-free graphene transfer onto a substrate. In this study, porous graphene sheets with thicknesses of one, two, and four layers were directly fabricated on stainless-steel mesh substrates and demonstrated to display high separation ability for H2, CO2, and CH4. The single-layer graphene sample exhibited higher permeance for these molecules than double- and four-layer graphene and displayed similar high selectivity to that of other porous materials. Permeance was proportional to molecular velocity and inversely proportional to interaction strength with graphene; molecular size-dependent permeance was not seen. Molecules that interacted strongly with graphene were attracted to the graphene surface, which hindered permeation. Such graphene surface rejection allowed graphene containing larger pores than the molecular size to provide both high molecular permeance and selectivity. The relationship between the permeance of porous graphene for H2 and H2/CO2 with selectivity suggested that its permeance was higher than that of other materials with high separation performance. Therefore, the porous graphene samples separated molecules with extremely high permeance by graphene surface rejection.

Significant curvature effects of partially charged carbon nanotubes on electrolyte behavior investigated using Monte Carlo simulations.

Carbon nanotubes and graphene are among the major nanomaterials in nanoscience and technology. Despite having π electrons, these nanocarbon allotropes have been simply considered as neutral in classical calculations. In this study, the effects of partial charges on graphene and curved interfaces on molecular adsorption were investigated using Monte Carlo simulations of N2 and NaCl aqueous solutions on graphene and carbon nanotubes. The simulated N2 adsorption behavior and adsorption potential on partially charged and non-charged graphene coincided with each other. The adsorption potentials suggested that partially charged graphene attracted Na ions and repelled Cl ions. However, those tendencies were not present in NaCl aqueous solutions on graphene. Conversely, in partially charged carbon nanotube models, a preference for Na ions and repulsion of Cl ions in the internal nanospaces were observed in the adsorption potentials using Monte Carlo simulations. Curved interfaces in the internal nanospaces of carbon nanotubes enhanced these properties, suggesting significant electrostatic interactions in a curved π-conjugated system.

Positive association between serum thymic stromal lymphopoietin and anti-citrullinated peptide antibodies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) has been suggested recently to play an important role in the pathophysiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, there is little information on serum TSLP concentrations in RA and its clinical significance. The present study investigated whether serum TSLP concentrations were affected in patients with RA. Using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), we measured TSLP concentrations in the serum obtained from 100 patients with RA, 60 patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and 34 healthy volunteers. We also investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and clinical parameters of disease activity in RA [disease activity score using 28 joint counts (DAS28)-C-reactive protein (CRP), DAS28-erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI]), patient's/-physician's Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), swollen joints count, tender joints count, CRP, ESR and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3) concentrations]. In addition, we investigated the correlation between serum TSLP concentrations and anti-citrullinated peptide antibody (ACPA) and serum tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α. Serum TSLP levels in patients with RA were significantly higher than those in patients with OA and in healthy volunteers. Interestingly, serum TSLP concentrations were correlated significantly with ACPA titres, but not with other clinical parameters. There was a significant increase in serum TSLP concentrations in patients with RA, which was correlated positively with serum ACPA titres. These findings suggest that in patients with RA, TSLP may play a role in ACPA production by B cells.

Structural modeling of dahlia-type single-walled carbon nanohorn aggregates by molecular dynamics.

The structure of dahlia-type single-walled carbon nanohorn aggregates has been modeled by classical molecular dynamics simulations, and the validity of the model has been verified by neutron diffraction. Computer-generated models consisted of an outer part formed from single-walled carbon nanohorns with diameters of 20-50 Å and a length of 400 Å and an inner turbostratic graphite-like core with a diameter of 130 Å. The diffracted intensity and the pair correlation function computed for such a constructed model are in good agreement with the neutron diffraction experimental data. The proposed turbostratic inner core explains the occurrence of the additional (002) and (004) graphitic peaks in the diffraction pattern of the studied sample and provides information about the interior structure of the dahlia-type aggregates.

Development of an application tool to support returnees in Fukushima.

To promote radiation protection and health promotion among returning residents (returnees) in coastal areas of Fukushima, eHealth principles were used to develop a new application tool (app) that can record radiation exposure and health status while providing comprehensive support to returnees. Intended users are returnees and health and welfare workers. After assessing their needs, a flowchart and prototype for operational logic were created using commercially available software tools. Professional developers will focus on improving the user interface and ensuring data security. The finished app will be compatible with mobile telephones and tablets. Utility and ease of use are paramount to serve returnees of all ages effectively.

When overexpressed, a novel centrosomal protein, RanBPM, causes ectopic microtubule nucleation similar to gamma-tubulin.

A novel human protein with a molecular mass of 55 kD, designated RanBPM, was isolated with the two-hybrid method using Ran as a bait. Mouse and hamster RanBPM possessed a polypeptide identical to the human one. Furthermore, Saccharomyces cerevisiae was found to have a gene, YGL227w, the COOH-terminal half of which is 30% identical to RanBPM. Anti-RanBPM antibodies revealed that RanBPM was localized within the centrosome throughout the cell cycle. Overexpression of RanBPM produced multiple spots which were colocalized with gamma-tubulin and acted as ectopic microtubule nucleation sites, resulting in a reorganization of microtubule network. RanBPM cosedimented with the centrosomal fractions by sucrose- density gradient centrifugation. The formation of microtubule asters was inhibited not only by anti- RanBPM antibodies, but also by nonhydrolyzable GTP-Ran. Indeed, RanBPM specifically interacted with GTP-Ran in two-hybrid assay. The central part of asters stained by anti-RanBPM antibodies or by the mAb to gamma-tubulin was faded by the addition of GTPgammaS-Ran, but not by the addition of anti-RanBPM anti- bodies. These results provide evidence that the Ran-binding protein, RanBPM, is involved in microtubule nucleation, thereby suggesting that Ran regulates the centrosome through RanBPM.

Self-organization of microtubule asters induced in Xenopus egg extracts by GTP-bound Ran.

The nucleotide exchange activity of RCC1, the only known nucleotide exchange factor for Ran, a Ras-like small guanosine triphosphatase, was required for microtubule aster formation with or without demembranated sperm in Xenopus egg extracts arrested in meiosis II. Consistently, in the RCC1-depleted egg extracts, Ran guanosine triphosphate (RanGTP), but not Ran guanosine diphosphate (RanGDP), induced self-organization of microtubule asters, and the process required the activity of dynein. Thus, Ran was shown to regulate formation of the microtubule network.

Long-term survival of a patient with type A thymoma and Masaoka's stage IV b: case report.

Thymoma is the most common neoplasm in the anterior mediastinum. This report presents an extremely rare case of a type A thymoma with Masaoka's stage IV b due to lymph node metastasis. In 1997, a 59-year-old man underwent complete resection of a stage IV b type A thymoma with postoperative radiotherapy to the mediastinum. In 2006, small nodules were detected in the anterior mediastinum and above the right diaphragm and tumor resection was performed. The two lesions were both histologically diagnosed as recurrences of the type A thymoma. There has been no evidence of recurrence 15 months after the second surgery.

Multifocal granulomatous hepatitis caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2 in slaughter pigs.

In a survey of 66 894 slaughter pigs, 11 animals from three farms were found to have multifocal granulomatous lesions in the liver, caused by Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 2. The lesions consisted of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells, with asteroid bodies and discernible gram-negative bacteria. Lymph nodes and spleen were occasionally affected. The results suggested that haematogenous spread had occurred from pre-existing pulmonary infections.

A murine model of the eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome induced by 1,1'-ethylidenebis (L-tryptophan).

The eosinophilia-myalgia syndrome (EMS) is a recently described disease that has been associated with the ingestion of L-tryptophan containing trace amounts of several impurities. The first such contaminant to be identified and linked epidemiologically to the EMS epidemic was 1,1'-ethylidenebis(L-tryptophan) (EBT), but its role in the etiology and pathogenesis of the syndrome has been controversial. We report the development of inflammation and fibrosis affecting the dermis and subcutis, including the fascia and perimyseal tissues, after the daily intraperitoneal administration of EBT to female C57BL/6 mice. Such changes are accompanied by increased numbers of mast cells, many of which appear to be degranulating. Plasma levels of quinolinic acid, a metabolic product of L-tryptophan via the kynurenine pathway, are reduced initially, and then become elevated when inflammation and fibrosis are more pronounced. The nature and location of the inflammatory cell infiltrate and fibrosis, as well as the presence of mast cells and alterations of L-tryptophan metabolism, are consistent with findings reported in patients with EMS. This murine model suggests that EBT may have been one of the mediators of EMS and should facilitate studies of the pathogenesis of EMS.

Granulomatous lymphadenitis and pneumonia associated with Actinobacillus porcitonsillarum in a slaughter pig.

Multiple coalescing granulomatous foci were detected in the pulmonary hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes and lung of a slaughtered pig aged 6 months. Haemolytic, Gram-negative bacilli were isolated from the lymph nodes. The isolate (strain TO17214) strongly cross-reacted with sera against Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae serotype 12 in slide agglutination tests. Comparative 16S rDNA gene sequencing analysis identified strain TO17214 as Actinobacillus porcitonsillarum. Histologically, extensive inflammation took the form of large granulomas consisting of epithelioid cells and multinucleated giant cells in the lymph nodes and lung, and Gram-negative bacilli were discernible in the centres of the lesions. Immunohistochemically, the organisms cross-reacted with polyclonal antibodies against A. pleuropneumoniae serotypes 12 and 2. The results indicated that A. porcitonsillarum, previously considered non-pathogenic, can induce multifocal granulomatous lymphadenitis accompanied by pneumonia in the growing-finishing pig.

Molecular cloning of a cDNA encoding a phosphoprotein, Efs, which contains a Src homology 3 domain and associates with Fyn.

Src homology 2 and 3 (SH2 and SH3) domains mediate protein-protein interactions in intracellular signaling by protein-tyrosine kinases (PTKs). We have isolated cDNA clones from mouse embryo cDNA expression library that encode a new signaling protein which we call Efs (Embryonal Fyn-associated Substrate). The deduced amino acid sequence of 560 residues in length revealed one SH3 domain at its amino-terminal region, two proline-rich motifs with the consensus sequences of binding to Src-family SH3s, and a cluster of YXXP motifs that are possibly tyrosine-phosphorylated to serve as ligands binding to SH2 domains. Structure and alignment of these characteristics sequences are homologous to those of p130Cas, but Efs and p130Cas are different proteins. Expression of the Efs gene was higher in placenta, embryo and brain than in other adult tissues. Transfection of COS-7 cells with a plasmid encoding an epitope-tagged Efs resulted in the expression of a 83 kDa protein. The epitope-tagged Efs was hyperphosphorylated when cotransfected with a vector expressing Fyn. In an in vitro kinase assay with the PCC4 cell lysate, Efs became phosphorylated on tyrosine residues and coprecipitated with p59fyn and p62yes; the result suggests that Efs is a physiological substrate of these PTKs.

Identification of an Efs isoform that lacks the SH3 domain and chromosomal mapping of human Efs.

Efs was originally found by expression cloning of a mouse embryo cDNA library through its Fyn-SH3 binding capacity (Ishino et al., Oncogene 11, 2331-2338, 1995). Efs has characteristic regions important in intracellular signal transduction; these are an SH3 domain, a cluster of putative ligands for SH2 domains and proline-rich sequences with SH3-binding consensus. In this paper, we report cDNA cloning of human Efs and a variant of it from a hippocampal cDNA library. The human Efs gene was mapped to chromosome 14q11.2-q12 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. We identified two forms of human Efs, designated hEfs1 and hEfs2. hEfs1 represents the human counterpart of original mouse embryo Efs (mEfs1). hEfs2, the newly identified form, is identical to hEfs1, except for its lack of the SH3 domain. hEfs1 and mEfs1 are 80% identical in their amino acid sequences and 100% identical within the SH3 domain. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis of adult mouse tissue RNA indicated expression of Efs2 and of Efs1 in various tissues. Evidence suggesting the presence of the Efs2 protein in human tissue was obtained by immunoprecipitation followed by immunoblotting with two different anti-Efs antibodies. Possible functions of Efs2 are discussed.

Mechanical and structural characteristics of vulnerable plaques: analysis by coronary angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound.

OBJECTIVES: Mechanical and structural characteristics of vulnerable plaques were evaluated using coronary angioscopy and intravascular ultrasound. BACKGROUND: Mechanical stress and composition of plaques play an important role in plaque disruption. METHODS: Thirty-eight lesions in 38 patients were examined pre-interventionally. The plaques were classified as either yellow or white using coronary angioscopy. Intravascular ultrasound imaging was performed simultaneously with electrocardiographic and intracoronary pressure recordings to calculate distensibility index and stiffness beta. Moreover, the type of remodeling was classified. RESULTS: We identified 27 patients with yellow plaques and 11 patients with white plaques. Patients with yellow plaques presented acute coronary syndromes more frequently than stable angina (85% vs. 36%, p < 0.01). The distensibility index in yellow plaques was significantly greater than it was in white plaques (2.7 +/- 0.8 mm Hg(-1) vs. 0.7 +/- 0.8 mm Hg(-1), p < 0.0001), while stiffness beta for white plaques was significantly greater than it was for yellow plaques (34.9 +/- 16.3 vs. 8.7 +/- 2.7, p < 0.0001). Compensatory enlargement occurred more frequently with yellow plaques than with white plaques (56% vs. 9%, p < 0.01), while paradoxical shrinkage occurred more frequently with white plaques than it did with yellow plaques (64% vs. 4%, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Yellow plaques with an increased distensibility and a compensatory enlargement may be mechanically and structurally weak. As a result, mechanical "fatigue," caused by repetitive stretching, may lead to plaque disruption. Plaques with a high distensibility and a compensatory enlargement may be vulnerable.

The Saccharomyces cerevisiae small GTPase, Gsp1p/Ran, is involved in 3' processing of 7S-to-5.8S rRNA and in degradation of the excised 5'-A0 fragment of 35S pre-rRNA, both of which are carried out by the exosome.

Dis3p, a subunit of the exosome, interacts directly with Ran. To clarify the relationship between the exosome and the RanGTPase cycle, a series of temperature-sensitive Saccharomyces cerevisiae dis3 mutants were isolated and their 5.8S rRNA processing was compared with processing in strains with mutations in a S. cerevisiae Ran homologue, Gsp1p. In both dis3 and gsp1 mutants, 3' processing of 7S-to-5.8S rRNA was blocked at three identical sites in an allele-specific manner. In contrast, the 5' end of 5.8S rRNA was terminated normally in gsp1 and in dis3. Inhibition of 5.8S rRNA maturation in gsp1 was rescued by overexpression of nuclear exosome components Dis3p, Rrp4p, and Mtr4p, but not by a cytoplasmic exosome component, Ski2p. Furthermore, gsp1 and dis3 accumulated the 5'-A0 fragment of 35S pre-rRNA, which is also degraded by the exosome, and the level of 27S rRNA was reduced. Neither 5.8S rRNA intermediates nor 5'-A0 fragments were observed in mutants defective in the nucleocytoplasmic transport, indicating that Gsp1p regulates rRNA processing through Dis3p, independent of nucleocytoplasmic transport.

Expression of variant luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin receptors and degradation of chorionic gonadotropin in human chorionic villous macrophages.

Human gonads and non-gonadal organs/tissues express luteinizing hormone/chorionic gonadotropin (LH/CG) receptors. This study aimed to identify the LH/CG receptors and to clarify their function in human placental chorionic villous macrophages. Macrophages as well as syncytiotrophoblasts of human chorionic villous tissues were immunohistochemically positive for LH/CG receptor throughout gestation. By reverse transcription-nested polymerase chain reaction methods, villous macrophages were shown to express a variant type of LH/CG receptor, the sequencing of which revealed a deletion of exon 9. For experiments in vitro, a monocyte-macrophage cell line, THP-1, was transfected with vector alone, wild-type LH/CG receptor, and exon 9-deleted LH/CG receptor after phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment. Non-PMA-treated THP-1 cells transfected with vector alone were also examined. THP-1 cells expressed exon 9-deleted LH/CG receptor after treatment with PMA. After the cells of the four groups were cultured in medium containing intact human CG (hCG), the concentrations of hCG and its beta-core fragment (beta-CF) were measured in the supernatant of the culture medium and in the cell cytosol. Time-dependent hCG uptake was observed in both non-PMA-treated and PMA-treated THP-1 cells, suggesting that the variant receptor is not directly involved in the ingestion of hCG. The degradation of hCG and excretion of beta-CF were progressed in PMA-treated cells but not in the un-treated cells. In the cell cytosol, the ratio of beta-CF and hCG concentrations (beta-CF/hCG) was significantly higher in the PMA-treated cells than in non-PMA-treated cells; however, it did not differ between the PMA-treated cells transfected with exon 9-deleted receptor and those transfected with vector alone. Macrophages may express the variant receptor in order to recognize the intracytoplasmic hCG and transport it to the lysosome. Among the two PMA-treated cells, the ratio was lower in those transfected with wild-type receptor. The expression of the variant receptor may modulate the degradation of hCG but be reduced by expression of the wild-type receptor in its lacking macrophages. Our data suggest a potentially important role for exon 9-deleted LH/CG receptors expressed in human placental villous macrophages in the local metabolism of hCG.

The CCG1/TAFII250 gene is mutated in thermosensitive G1 mutants of the BHK21 cell line derived from golden hamster.

The CCG1 cDNA encoding a general transcription factor, TAFII250, complements a thermosensitive (ts) cell cycle mutant, tsBN462, of the BHK21 cell line, which arrests in the G1 phase at the restrictive temperature. In order to clarify whether the CCG1 is mutated in tsBN462 cells or a suppressor of tsBN462 mutation, CCG1 cDNAs isolated from parental wild-type (wt) BHK21 and tsBN462 cell lines were sequenced. Comparison of the nucleotide (nt) sequences showed a single transition: G-->A in the second base of codon 690 of the tsBN462 CCG1 cDNA, resulting in a Gly690-->Asp change. The BHK CCG1 cDNA, but not the tsBN462 CCG1 cDNA, complemented the tsBN462 mutation, proving that the CCG1 is mutated in the tsBN462 cell line. Thus, the defect of general transcription factor, TAFII250, is suggested to cause a G1 arrest in the cell cycle.

Inhibitory mechanisms of H(+)-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 and carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor acetazolamide on experimental bone resorption.

The effects of the vacuolar-type H(+)-ATPase inhibitor bafilomycin A1 (baf.A1) and the carbonic anhydrase II inhibitor acetazolamide (AZ) on bone resorption and procathepsin L secretion of rat osteoclasts were investigated using the bone slice assay method, pit formation test. Baf.A1 completely suppressed osteoclastic bone resorption stimulated by parathyroid hormone (PTH), but did not affect procathepsin L secretion, while AZ suppressed both bone resorption and procathepsin L secretion. These findings suggest that bone resorption by procathepsin L secretion and its processing are regulated by proton production and proton secretion.