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AIMS: This study identified the distinct magnetic resonance imaging findings of cervical gastric-type adenocarcinoma (GAS) that can help differentiate it from squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and usual-type endocervical adenocarcinoma (UEA) and reveal the radiologic-pathologic correlation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: All consecutive patients with cervical GAS treated at our hospital from November 2009 to August 2021 were included. The SCC and UEA cases were considered controls. Tumor location, tumor shape, presence and size of cysts, presence of uterine fluid, and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were evaluated. RESULTS: Overall, 18 GAS, 55 SCC, and 23 UEA cases were evaluated. The tumor was located in the entire cervix in 13/18 GAS cases, whereas it was predominantly located in the lower cervix in 38/55 SCC cases and 14/23 UEA cases. Most GAS cases exhibited a diffuse infiltration growth pattern (17/18), whereas most SCC and UEA cases exhibited a mass-forming pattern (39/55 and 20/23, respectively). Moreover, the percentages of cases presenting microcysts or macrocysts and undergoing uterine fluid collection were significantly higher in the GAS group (14/18 and 13/18) than in the SCC and UEA groups. ADC was significantly higher in the GAS group than in the SCC group (1.092 × 10-3 vs. 0.819 × 10-3 mm2/s). CONCLUSION: This study revealed that GAS is characterized by tumor presence in the entire cervix, infiltrative growth pattern, intrauterine fluid collection, and frequent microcyst or macrocyst formation. Moreover, ADC was significantly higher in the GAS group than in the SCC group.
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BACKGROUND: In the PAOLA-1/ENGOT-ov25 primary analysis, maintenance olaparib plus bevacizumab demonstrated a significant progression-free survival (PFS) benefit in newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer patients in clinical response after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy plus bevacizumab, irrespective of surgical status. Prespecified, exploratory analyses by molecular biomarker status showed substantial benefit in patients with a BRCA1/BRCA2 mutation (BRCAm) or homologous recombination deficiency (HRD; BRCAm and/or genomic instability). We report the prespecified final overall survival (OS) analysis, including analyses by HRD status. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients were randomized 2 : 1 to olaparib (300 mg twice daily; up to 24 months) plus bevacizumab (15 mg/kg every 3 weeks; 15 months total) or placebo plus bevacizumab. Analysis of OS, a key secondary endpoint in hierarchical testing, was planned for â¼60% maturity or 3 years after the primary analysis. RESULTS: After median follow-up of 61.7 and 61.9 months in the olaparib and placebo arms, respectively, median OS was 56.5 versus 51.6 months in the intention-to-treat population [hazard ratio (HR) 0.92, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.76-1.12; P = 0.4118]. Subsequent poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitor therapy was received by 105 (19.6%) olaparib patients versus 123 (45.7%) placebo patients. In the HRD-positive population, OS was longer with olaparib plus bevacizumab (HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.45-0.85; 5-year OS rate, 65.5% versus 48.4%); at 5 years, updated PFS also showed a higher proportion of olaparib plus bevacizumab patients without relapse (HR 0.41, 95% CI 0.32-0.54; 5-year PFS rate, 46.1% versus 19.2%). Myelodysplastic syndrome, acute myeloid leukemia, aplastic anemia, and new primary malignancy incidence remained low and balanced between arms. CONCLUSIONS: Olaparib plus bevacizumab provided clinically meaningful OS improvement for first-line patients with HRD-positive ovarian cancer. These prespecified exploratory analyses demonstrated improvement despite a high proportion of patients in the placebo arm receiving poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase inhibitors after progression, confirming the combination as one of the standards of care in this setting with the potential to enhance cure.
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Antineoplásicos , Neoplasias Ovarianas , Humanos , Feminino , Bevacizumab , Neoplasias Ovarianas/tratamento farmacológico , Neoplasias Ovarianas/genética , Neoplasias Ovarianas/patologia , Antineoplásicos/uso terapêutico , Ftalazinas , Inibidores de Poli(ADP-Ribose) Polimerases , Quimioterapia de ManutençãoRESUMO
We present the first search for the pair production of dark particles X via K_{L}^{0}âXX with X decaying into two photons using the data collected by the KOTO experiment. No signal was observed in the mass range of 40-110 MeV/c^{2} and 210-240 MeV/c^{2}. This sets upper limits on the branching fractions as B(K_{L}^{0}âXX)<(1-4)×10^{-7} and B(K_{L}^{0}âXX)<(1-2)×10^{-6} at the 90% confidence level for the two mass regions, respectively.
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The International Radiation Protection Association, IRPA, promotes the worldwide enhancement of professional competence, radiation protection (RP) culture and practice by providing benchmarks of good practice, as well as encouraging the application of the highest standards of professional conduct, skills and knowledge for the benefit of individuals and society. Enhancing public understanding of radiation and risk is highlighted by experiences from past emergencies, including the accident at Tokyo Electric Power Company's (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant in 2011 and the following post-disaster recovery, as one of the most important challenges, and this challenge is common across almost all public interfaces regarding radiation and risk. To this end IRPA has been continuing a Task Group activity for Public Understanding since 2013. After a series of workshops in various regions of the world, the IRPA draft guidance was developed and issued for consultation of the Associate Societies in 2019. Through these processes, IRPA received a lot of helpful comments and suggestions. IRPA finally published 'Practical Guidance for Engagement with the Public on Radiation and Risk' on the IRPA website in October 2020. The objective of the guidance is two-fold. Firstly, it is to enthuse all of us in our profession to become more active public advocates for RP. Secondly, it is to provide information, experiences and techniques to help us to become more effective and comfortable in this challenging task. This paper provides a key summary of the published IRPA guidance.
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Acidente Nuclear de Fukushima , Saúde da População , Proteção Radiológica , Humanos , Japão , SociedadesRESUMO
We report a numerical study of the diffusiophoresis of short polymers using non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations. More precisely, we consider polymer chains in a fluid containing a solute that has a concentration gradient and examine the variation of the induced diffusiophoretic velocity of the polymer chains as the interaction between the monomer and the solute is varied. We find that there is a non-monotonic relation between the diffusiophoretic mobility and the strength of the monomer-solute interaction. In addition, we find a weak dependence of the mobility on the length of the polymer chain, which shows clear difference from the diffusiophoresis of a solid particle. Interestingly, the hydrodynamic flow through the polymer is much less screened than for pressure driven flows.
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A method that delivers a high yield and excellent quality of essential oil, which retains most of its value-added compounds, and undergoes least change after the extraction process, is greatly sought after. Although chemical free methods are acceptable, they call for an extensive processing time, while the yield and quality from these methods are often disappointing. This work utilizes subcritical water technology to address these issues. In this undertaking, essential oil was extracted from Aquilaria malaccensis wood by way of subcritical conditions, and characterized through gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS). Optimization through response surface methodology revealed temperature to be the most critical factor for the extraction process, while the optimum conditions for temperature, sample-to-solvent ratio, and time for subcritical water extraction was revealed as 225 °C, 0.2 gr/mL, and 17 min, respectively. The subcritical water extraction technique involves two simultaneous processes, which are based on good fitting to the two-site kinetic and second order model. In comparison to the hydrodistillation method, GC/MS results indicated that the quality of A. malaccensis' wood oils, derived through the subcritical water technique, are of significantly better quality, while containing many constructive value-added compounds, such as furfural and guaiacol, which are useful for the production of pesticides and medicines. Pore size, functional groups, and morphology analysis revealed the occurrence of substantial damage to the samples, which facilitated an improved extraction of bio-products. In comparison to conventional methods, the use of the subcritical method not only involves a shorter processing time, but also delivers a higher oil yield and quality.
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Óleos Voláteis , Thymelaeaceae/química , Madeira/química , Óleos Voláteis/química , Óleos Voláteis/isolamento & purificaçãoRESUMO
Communicating radiation risk is an important part of radiation protection. However, achieving effective risk communication is challenging given the negative public perception of radiation and conflicting views presented by both the media and social media. Noting the importance of building capacity amongst radiation protection professionals to communicate radiation risk effectively, the Society for Radiological Protection (SRP) ran a half-day workshop at its Annual Conference on the 22nd May 2019 in Scarborough Spa, UK. A number of key factors were identified that should be considered when communicating with the public, post a nuclear or radiological incident, communicating with government and local authorities, and communicating with the public as part of public outreach. The following memorandum provides a summary of the points presented and discussed. It also outlines proposed future activities of the SRP, focused on further developing the communications aspect of radiation professionals' practice.
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Comunicação em Saúde , Lesões por Radiação/prevenção & controle , Proteção Radiológica/métodos , Educação , Humanos , Sociedades , Reino UnidoRESUMO
The organizing of magnetic skyrmions shows several forms similar to atomic arrays of solid states. Using Lorentz transmission electron microscopy, we report the first direct observation of a stable liquid-crystalline structure of skyrmions in chiral magnet Co_{8.5}Zn_{7.5}Mn_{4}(110) thin film, caused by magnetic anisotropy and chiral surface twist. Elongated skyrmions are oriented and periodically arranged only in the ⟨110⟩ directions, whereas they exhibit short-range order along the ⟨001⟩ directions, indicating a smectic skyrmion state. In addition, skyrmions possess anisotropic interaction with an opposite sign depending on the crystal orientation, in contrast to existing isotropic interaction.
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OBJECTIVES: Hyaluronan (HA), an important constituent of extracellular matrix in the skin, has many biological activities such as hydration that contributes to firmness and bounciness of the skin. We have reported that reduction in HA in the papillary dermis and over-expression of HYBID (HYaluronan Binding protein Involved in hyaluronan Depolymerization, alias KIAA1199 or CEMIP), a key molecule for HA degradation in skin fibroblasts, are implicated in facial skin wrinkling in Japanese and Caucasian women. However, little or no information is available for substances which inhibit the HYBID-mediated HA degradation. METHODS: Inhibition of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract and ziyuglycoside I, one of the components of Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, to the HYBID-mediated HA degradation was assessed by size-exclusion chromatography of HA depolymerized by stable transfectants of HYBID in HEK293 cells (HYBID/HEK293 cells) or normal human skin fibroblasts (Detroit 551 cells and NHDF-Ad cells). The HYBID mRNA and protein expression was examined by quantitative real-time PCR and immunoblotting in the skin fibroblasts treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, and size distribution of newly produced HA was evaluated by preparing metabolically radiolabelled HA. A double-blind, randomized and placebo-controlled study was carried out in the 21 healthy Japanese women, who were topically treated with the formulation containing Sanguisorba officinalis root extract or the placebo on each side of the face including crow's foot area. RESULTS: Sanguisorba officinalis root extract, but not ziyuglycoside I, abolished HYBID-mediated HA degradation by HYBID/HEK293 cells. Sanguisorba officinalis root extract also inhibited HYBID-mediated HA degradation in skin fibroblasts by down-regulating HYBID mRNA and protein expression. Although control untreated skin fibroblasts produced polydispersed HA, the cells treated with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract produced only high-molecular-weight HA. Treatment with Sanguisorba officinalis root extract-formulated lotion significantly improved skin elasticity, and reduced skin wrinkling scores at the outer eye corner compared with the placebo formulation. CONCLUSION: Sanguisorba officinalis root extract showed an anti-HYBID-mediated HA degradation activity and anti-wrinkle activity on human facial skin, which is accompanied by the improvement in elasticity. Our study provides the possibility of a new strategy to inhibit HYBID-mediated HA degradation for anti-wrinkle care.
OBJECTIFS: l'acide hyaluronique (AH), un composant important de la matrice extracellulaire de la peau, assure de nombreuses activités biologiques, telles que l'hydratation qui contribue à la fermeté et l'élasticité de la peau. Nous avons rapporté que la réduction d'AH dans le derme papillaire et une surexpression de la protéine de liaison de l'AH impliquée dans la dépolymérisation de l'AH (HYBID, alias KIAA1199 ou CEMIP), une molécule clé de la dégradation de l'AH des fibroblastes cutanés, sont impliquées dans la formation des rides au niveau de la peau du visage chez les femmes d'origine japonaise et caucasienne. Cependant, peu ou aucune information n'est disponible concernant les substances qui inhibent la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID. MÉTHODES: l'inhibition de l'extrait de racine de la pimprenelle (Sanguisorba officinalis) et du ziyuglycoside I, l'un des composants de l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis, sur la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID a été évaluée à l'aide d'une chromatographie par exclusion stérique de l'AH dépolymérisé par des transfectants stables de la protéine HYBID dans les cellules HEK293 (cellules HYBID/HEK293) ou les fibroblastes cutanés humains normaux (lignée cellulaire Detroit 551 et cellules des fibroblastes du derme humain chez l'adulte). L'expression de l'ARNm et de la protéine HYBID a été examinée par PCR quantitative en temps réel et par immuno-empreinte des fibroblastes cutanés traités avec de l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis, et l'attribution des tailles des nouveaux échantillons produits de l'AH a été évaluée par préparation d'AH radiomarqué métaboliquement. Une étude en double aveugle, randomisée et contrôlée par placebo a été menée auprès des 21 femmes japonaises en bonne santé, qui ont été traitées localement avec la formulation élaborée à partir d'extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis ou un placebo, sur chaque côté du visage, notamment sur la zone à pattes d'oie. RÉSULTATS: l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a permis d'arrêter la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID par les cellules HYBID/HEK293, mais ce n'était pas le cas du ziyuglycoside I. L'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a également inhibé la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID des fibroblastes cutanés en diminuant l'expression de l'ARNm et des protéines HYBID. Bien que les fibroblastes cutanés témoins non traités aient produit de l'AH polydispersé, les cellules traitées aux extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis ont produit uniquement de l'AH de haut poids moléculaire. Le traitement par lotion formulée à partir d'extraits de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a amélioré de manière significative l'élasticité de la peau et réduit les scores de vieillissement du coin extérieur de la peau autour des yeux, par rapport à la formulation placebo. CONCLUSION: l'extrait de racine de Sanguisorba officinalis a démontré une action anti-dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID et une activité antirides au niveau de la peau du visage humain, s'accompagnant d'une amélioration de l'élasticité. Notre étude fournit la possibilité d'une nouvelle stratégie pour inhiber la dégradation de l'AH provoquée par la protéine HYBID dans le cadre des soins antirides.
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Ácido Hialurônico/metabolismo , Extratos Vegetais/farmacologia , Raízes de Plantas/química , Sanguisorba/química , Saponinas/farmacologia , Envelhecimento da Pele/efeitos dos fármacos , Adulto , Sobrevivência Celular/efeitos dos fármacos , Método Duplo-Cego , Feminino , Fibroblastos/efeitos dos fármacos , Células HEK293 , Voluntários Saudáveis , Humanos , Receptores de Hialuronatos/genética , Receptores de Hialuronatos/metabolismo , Ácido Hialurônico/química , Japão , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Placebos , RNA Mensageiro/metabolismoRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hyaluronan (HA) metabolism in skin fibroblasts is mediated by HYBID (hyaluronan binding protein involved in hyaluronan depolymerization, alias CEMIP and KIAA1199) and the HA synthases HAS1 and HAS2. However, photoageing-dependent changes in HA and their molecular mechanisms, and the relationship between HA metabolism and clinical symptoms in photoaged skin remain elusive. OBJECTIVES: We examined the amount, size and tissue distribution of HA and expression levels of HYBID, HAS1 and HAS2 in photoaged skin, and analysed their relationship with the degree of photoageing. METHODS: Photoageing-dependent changes of HA were investigated by studying skin biopsies isolated from photoprotected and photoexposed areas of the same donors, and the relationships between HA and photoageing symptoms such as skin wrinkling and sagging were examined. RESULTS: Skin biopsy specimens showed that the amount and size of HA are decreased in photoexposed skin compared with photoprotected skin, and this was accompanied by increased expression of HYBID and decreased expression of HAS1 and HAS2. Histologically, HA staining in the papillary dermis was decreased in photoexposed skin, showing reverse correlation with HYBID expression. HYBID expression in the photoexposed skin directly correlated with skin roughness and sagging parameters, and the reduced HA staining in the papillary dermis in the photoexposed skin positively correlated with these symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that imbalance between HYBID-mediated HA degradation and HAS-mediated HA synthesis may contribute to enhanced HA catabolism in photoaged skin, and suggest that HYBID-mediated HA reduction in the papillary dermis is related to skin wrinkling and sagging of photoaged skin.
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Receptores de Hialuronatos/metabolismo , Ácido Hialurônico/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Envelhecimento da Pele/fisiologia , Idoso , Feminino , Humanos , Hialuronoglucosaminidase , Pele/metabolismoRESUMO
OBJECTIVE: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a disease that typically induces secondary osteoporosis, which increases the risk of bone fractures. Anti-interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antibody is used to treat RA; however, its effect on bone strength is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the influence of MR16-1, an anti-mouse IL-6 receptor antibody, on bone structure and femoral strength in a collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mouse model. METHOD: DBA/1J mice were immunized by intradermal injection of bovine type II collagen. MR16-1 was administered intraperitoneally at the same time as immunization. Thirty-five days after the first immunization, bone structure and bone strength were measured by micro-computed tomography and the three-point bending test. RESULTS: In the CIA group, most bone mineral density and bone structure parameters in the foot, femur, and lumbar spine were significantly lower than in the normal group. Moreover, the maximum load of the femoral shaft in the CIA group was significantly lower than in the normal group. MR16-1 treatment significantly prevented the CIA-induced deterioration of bone structure and loss of bone strength. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that CIA systemically induces a deterioration of bone structure and loss of bone strength, and that IL-6 signalling plays an important role in these processes.
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Anticorpos Monoclonais/farmacologia , Artrite Experimental/tratamento farmacológico , Osso e Ossos/efeitos dos fármacos , Osteoporose/etiologia , Receptores de Interleucina-6/antagonistas & inibidores , Animais , Artrite Experimental/complicações , Densidade Óssea/efeitos dos fármacos , Masculino , Camundongos , Camundongos Endogâmicos DBA , Osteoporose/tratamento farmacológico , Microtomografia por Raio-XRESUMO
Pneumococcal serotype replacement is an important issue after the introduction of pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV) in children. After the introduction of 13-valent PCV, the incidence of invasive pneumococcal diseases (IPD) caused by Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 12F (Sp12F) have increased in some countries; however, an outbreak of Sp12F has not reported in the post-13-valent PCV era. We experienced a local outbreak of Sp12F during March through May 2016 in Tsuruoka city, Japan after the introduction of 13-valent PCV in 2013. The IPD patients were two children and seven adults, three of whom died with a rapid disease progress. Although the clear transmission route was not determined, eight of the nine patients (89%) had close contact with children, which suggests that transmitted colonisation of Sp12F among children and adults might be the source of transmission. Continuous monitoring of IPDs, along with the determination of pneumococcal serotypes, is warranted in the post-13-valent PCV era. New IPD control strategies may be needed if this fatal outbreak continues to occur.
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Surtos de Doenças , Infecções Pneumocócicas/epidemiologia , Streptococcus pneumoniae/isolamento & purificação , Idoso , Idoso de 80 Anos ou mais , Feminino , Humanos , Lactente , Japão/epidemiologia , Masculino , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Morbidade , Infecções Pneumocócicas/microbiologiaRESUMO
BACKGROUND: Hyaluronan (HA) is an important constituent of extracellular matrix (ECM) in the skin, and HA degradation mediated by HYBID (KIAA1199) is suggested to be implicated in facial skin wrinkling in Japanese women. Ethnic difference in skin wrinkle formation is known between Caucasian and Japanese women, but no information is available for the relations of HA and HYBID expression levels with skin wrinkling in Caucasian women. METHODS: The skin surface roughness at the eye corner of the Caucasian female subjects was measured, and the skin specimens biopsied from the same areas were subjected to microarray gene analysis, HA staining, and immunohistochemistry for HYBID. RESULTS: Among the ECM genes and those related to ECM metabolism, only HYBID expression levels positively correlated with the skin roughness parameters. When the skin sample groups with high expression of HYBID or low expression of HYBID were compared, the HA staining intensity and the ratio of HYBID-immunoreactive cells to total cells in the superficial dermis were significantly reduced and increased in the high-HYBID-expression group compared with the low-HYBID-expression group, respectively. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that like Japanese women, HYBID-mediated reduction of HA in the superficial dermis is involved in the formation of wrinkles in Caucasian women.
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Ácido Hialurônico/metabolismo , Proteínas/metabolismo , Envelhecimento da Pele/etnologia , Pele/metabolismo , População Branca , Idoso , Biópsia , Feminino , Expressão Gênica , Humanos , Ácido Hialurônico/genética , Hialuronoglucosaminidase , Pessoa de Meia-Idade , Proteínas/genética , Pele/patologia , Envelhecimento da Pele/patologia , Envelhecimento da Pele/fisiologiaRESUMO
Hypothiocyanite (OSCN-) is a natural component of human saliva and is produced by the lactoperoxidase (LPO)/thiocyanate/hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) system. OSCN- has been previously shown to exhibit antiviral activity against influenza viruses (IFV) A/H1N1/2009 and A/H1N2/2009 in vitro as well as antimicrobial and antifungal activities. We elucidated the antiviral activity of OSCN- against both IFV types A and B and the mode of its antiviral action. OSCN- was produced constantly at 900 ± 200 µmol/l in Na3PO4 buffer solution containing NaSCN and LPO in the presence of H2O2 as an original OSCN- solution. In a plaque reduction assay, IFV A/PR/8/34 (H1N1), A/Fukushima/13/43 (H3N2), B/Singapore/222/97, and B/Fukushima/15/93 were exposed to various concentrations of OSCN- for 0 to 30 min before adsorption to MDCK cells, and plaque formation was examined. OSCN- exhibited significant similar antiviral activities against all four viruses without cytotoxicity, and the EC50 values for them were from 57 ± 16 to 148 ± 27 µmol/l regardless of the exposure times. The exposure of MDCK cells to OSCN- before viral adsorption did not affect its anti-IFV activity (EC50: more than 450 µmol/l), but the exposure after viral adsorption affected it moderately (EC50: 380 ± 40 µmol/l). Moreover, the exposure of virus particles to OSCN- at 450 µmol/l did not affect the hemagglutinin activity of IFV in hemagglutination inhibition assay. These results suggest that the attachment of OSCN- to the viral envelope critically contributes to the mode of antiviral action of OSCN- without interfering with viral adsorption. Keywords: hypothiocyanite; influenza virus type A; influenza virus type B; lactoperoxidase; antiviral activity.
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Antivirais , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1 , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H3N2 , Influenza Humana , Lactoperoxidase , Tiocianatos , Animais , Antivirais/farmacologia , Cães , Humanos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H1N1/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Influenza A Subtipo H3N2/efeitos dos fármacos , Vírus da Influenza B/efeitos dos fármacos , Lactoperoxidase/metabolismo , Tiocianatos/farmacologiaRESUMO
We have developed an analytical method to determine the segregation levels on the same tilt boundaries (TBs) at the same nanoscopic location by a joint use of atom probe tomography and scanning transmission electron microscopy, and discussed the mechanism of oxygen segregation at TBs in silicon ingots in terms of bond distortions around the TBs. The three-dimensional distribution of oxygen atoms was determined at the typical small- and large-angle TBs by atom probe tomography with a low impurity detection limit (0.01 at.% on a TB plane) simultaneously with high spatial resolution (about 0.4 nm). The three-dimensional distribution was correlated with the atomic stress around the TBs; the stress at large-angle TBs was estimated by ab initio calculations based on atomic resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy data and that at small-angle TBs were calculated with the elastic theory based on dark-field transmission electron microscopy data. Oxygen atoms would segregate at bond-centred sites under tensile stress above about 2 GPa, so as to attain a more stable bonding network by reducing the local stress. The number of oxygen atoms segregating in a unit TB area NGB (in atoms nm-2 ) was determined to be proportional to both the number of the atomic sites under tensile stress in a unit TB area nbc and the average concentration of oxygen atoms around the TB [Oi ] (in at.%) with NGB â¼ 50 nbc [Oi ].
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The effect of Ru doping on the magnetic coupling among Co ions and on the Seebeck effect in Na0.5CoO2 was systematically studied using density functional theory. It was found that the Ru dopant takes the 4+ oxidation state and replaces a Co4+ ion. In addition, the remaining Co4+ ions in Na0.5CoO2:Ru were stabilized in a low spin state. Magnetically, the Ru dopants couple in a ferrimagnetic manner with Co ions in the host lattice. Due to the higher electronic degeneracy of Ru4+ dopants, the Seebeck coefficient in Na0.5CoO2 is predicted to be higher than that of the pristine compound.
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BACKGROUND: Ceramide is a crucial lipid in the stratum corneum (SC) which maintains the barrier function and hydration of the skin. In atopic dermatitis (AD) patients who have defective skin barrier function, ceramide levels are altered. We previously reported that although the amount of total ceramide was lower in involved skin compared with uninvolved skin of AD patients and with healthy control skin, the amounts of smaller ceramide species of Cer[NS] (<40 total carbons, which are total carbons of both sphingoid base and amide-linked fatty acid), especially Cer[NS] with 34 total carbons (C34-Cer[NS]), were higher. However, the enzyme(s) that produces the higher levels of smaller ceramide species in involved skin of AD patients was unclear. OBJECTIVE: To identify the enzyme(s) that produces higher levels of smaller ceramide species of Cer[NS] in the involved skin of AD patients. METHODS: Eight female Caucasian subjects who were diagnosed with AD on their arms (age range: 21-45 years) were enroled in this study. We compared ceramide levels in the SC and the expression levels of enzymes involved in ceramide metabolism using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry between involved and uninvolved skin of AD patients. RESULTS: Level of mRNA encoding ceramide synthase 4 (CERS4), which is one of the enzymes that synthesize ceramide from a sphingoid base and an amide-linked fatty acid, was significantly higher in involved skin than in uninvolved skin (P < 0.01). Additionally, the protein expression level of CERS4 in the epidermis was also higher in involved skin compared with uninvolved skin. The expression level of CERS4 correlated with the amount of C34-Cer[NS] (P < 0.01) and the skin hydration value (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The elevated expression level of CERS4 contributes to the increase of C34-Cer[NS] and the impaired SC barrier function in involved skin of AD patients.
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Dermatite Atópica/enzimologia , Pele/enzimologia , Esfingosina N-Aciltransferase/metabolismo , Adulto , Criança , Feminino , Humanos , Pessoa de Meia-IdadeRESUMO
We demonstrate frequency offset locking between two laser sources using a waveguide-type electro-optic modulator (EOM) with 10th-order sidebands for magneto-optical trapping of Fr atoms. The frequency locking error signal was successfully obtained by performing delayed self-homodyne detection of the beat signal between the repumping frequency and the 10th-order sideband component of the trapping light. Sweeping the trapping-light and repumping-light frequencies with keeping its frequency difference of 46 GHz was confirmed over 1 GHz by monitoring the Doppler absorption profile of I2. This technique enables us to search for a resonance frequency of magneto-optical trapping of Fr.
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A 46-year-old female was treated with a regimen of paclitaxel and carboplatin (TC therapy) as adjuvant chemotherapy for Stage IC ovarian adenocarcinoma. There was no severe toxicity except for grade 3 neutropenia during the first four cycles of TC therapy. However, she developed acute pancreatitis at 14 days after fifth cycle. TC therapy is commonly associated with adverse effects such as myelosuppression, hypersensitivity, alopecia, and peripheral neuropathy, but acute pancreatitis has rarely been reported. Ovarian cancer patients often present with nausea and abdominal pain, which are the same symptoms of pancreatitis. It is very important to keep in mind that acute pancreatitis may be concealed in these common symptoms of ovarian cancer during and after TC therapy. Because acute pancreatitis is fatal complication and quitting the drug usually leads to complete cure. The authors report an uncommon case in which TC therapy may have caused acute pancreatitis.