Related factors associated with exercise behavior in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

[Purpose] This study aimed to identify the factors associated with exercise behavior in patients with peripheral arterial disease. [Participants and Methods] The study included 43 patients with peripheral arterial disease (mean age, 75.2 ± 5.6 years) who were admitted for endovascular treatment from January 2020 to June 2021. Participants were surveyed through questionnaires to assess their physical function for determining their exercise behavior and the presence of physical, personal, and environmental factors that might have affected their stage of change regarding exercise behavior. [Results] A comparison of physical, personal, and environmental factors between the two groups classified by the presence or absence of exercise behavior showed that subjective health and exercise self-efficacy were significantly lower in the group without exercise. Furthermore, a difference was noted in the presence or absence of work. The adjusted binomial logistic regression analysis results using each of the factors differing between the groups, plus the walking impairment questionnaire total score as explanatory variables, showed a significant relationship with exercise self-efficacy only. [Conclusion] The results of this study showed that exercise self-efficacy presented a useful predictive relationship with the presence of exercise behavior in patients with peripheral arterial disease.

Red light-inducible overall water-splitting photocatalyst, gold-inserted zinc rhodium oxide and bismuth vanadium oxide heterojunction, connected using gold prepared by sputtering in ionic liquid.

We prepared a solid-state Z-scheme photocatalyst in which zinc rhodium oxide (ZnRh2O4) and bismuth vanadium oxide (Bi4V2O11) that served as hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) evolution photocatalysts, respectively, were connected with gold (Au) nanoparticles. The Au nanoparticles were prepared by sputtering in an ionic liquid, N-methyl-N-propylpiperidinium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide, to generate Au/ZnRh2O4/Au/Bi4V2O11 with various amounts of Au in the 12 mol. %-29 mol. % range (vs 1.0 mol ZnRh2O4 + 0.2 mol Bi4V2O11). Au/ZnRh2O4/Au/Bi4V2O11 photocatalyzed overall pure-water splitting under irradiation with red light at a wavelength of 700 nm, and the dependence of the amounts of Au on the apparent quantum efficiency tended to increase in the measurement range.

A heterojunction photocatalyst composed of zinc rhodium oxide, single crystal-derived bismuth vanadium oxide, and silver for overall pure-water splitting under visible light up to 740 nm.

We recently reported the synthesis of a solid-state heterojunction photocatalyst consisting of zinc rhodium oxide (ZnRh2O4) and bismuth vanadium oxide (Bi4V2O11), which functioned as hydrogen (H2) and oxygen (O2) evolution photocatalysts, respectively, connected with silver (Ag). Polycrystalline Bi4V2O11 (p-Bi4V2O11) powders were utilized to form ZnRh2O4/Ag/p-Bi4V2O11, which was able to photocatalyze overall pure-water splitting under red-light irradiation with a wavelength of 700 nm (R. Kobayashi et al., J. Mater. Chem. A, 2016, 4, 3061). In the present study, we replaced p-Bi4V2O11 with a powder obtained by pulverizing single crystals of Bi4V2O11 (s-Bi4V2O11) to form ZnRh2O4/Ag/s-Bi4V2O11, and demonstrated that this heterojunction photocatalyst had enhanced water-splitting activity. In addition, ZnRh2O4/Ag/s-Bi4V2O11 was able to utilize nearly the entire range of visible light up to a wavelength of 740 nm. These properties were attributable to the higher O2 evolution activity of s-Bi4V2O11.

Not nanocarbon but dispersant induced abnormality in lysosome in macrophages in vivo.

The properties of nanocarbons change from hydrophobic to hydrophilic as a result of coating them with dispersants, typically phospholipid polyethylene glycols, for biological studies. It has been shown that the dispersants remain attached to the nanocarbons when they are injected in mice and influence the nanocarbons' biodistribution in vivo. We show in this report that the effects of dispersants also appear at the subcellular level in vivo. Carbon nanohorns (CNHs), a type of nanocarbon, were dispersed with ceramide polyethylene glycol (CPEG) and intravenously injected in mice. Histological observations and electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis revealed that, in liver and spleen, the lysosome membranes were damaged, and the nanohorns formed a complex with hemosiderin in the lysosomes of the macrophages. It is inferred that the lysosomal membrane was damaged by sphigosine generated as a result of CPEG decomposition, which changed the intra lysosomal conditions, inducing the formation of the CPEG-CNH and hemosiderin complex. For comparison, when glucose was used instead of CPEG, neither the nanohorn­hemosiderin complex nor lysosomal membrane damage was found. Our results suggest that surface functionalization can control the behavior of nancarbons in cells in vivo and thereby improve their suitability for medical applications.

[Successful endovascular repair of a ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm with severe mural thrombus].

A 51-year-old man was transferred to our hospital on an emergency basis complaining of a sudden onset of severe left lumbar back pain. An emergency contrasted computed tomography showed a ruptured thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm( rTAAA:Crawford classification type III). The ruptured site was near the aortic bifurcation, and the aneurysm had a relatively narrow segment with an extensive mural thrombus just below the renal arteries. Considering the high mortality of open surgery for the rTAAA and the poor general condition of the patient, we decided to perform endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) as a rescue procedure using the narrowed segment by the thrombus for a proximal landing zone. The abdominal part of the thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysm (TAAA) was successfully excluded with a stent graft to obtain complete hemostasis. The postoperative course was uneventful except for the need for hemodialysis. Even though there is a risk of developing late type 1 endoleak, this procedure can be a feasible option as a rescue procedure or a bridge to radical open surgery for ruptured TAAA in a specially anatomical setting like this case.

Postoperative C-reactive protein levels correlate with reduced spinal column mobility after median sternotomy: a prospective cohort study.

Background: The sternum is connected to the spinal column via the ribs, forming the thorax. Therefore, it is necessary to consider the effect of a midline sternotomy on the spinal column, but no in vivo studies have been conducted to date. We investigated the changes in the range of motion of the spinal column before and after midline sternotomy and the perioperative factors that have the greatest influence. Methods: The participants were patients who had undergone cardiac surgery through a standby midline sternotomy. Spinal range of motion in forward flexion was measured before and after surgery. The following perioperative factors were investigated: operating time, days to postoperative measurement, C-reactive protein (CRP) measurement on the third postoperative day, the day of the start of bed release, and the stage of bed release progression on the second postoperative day. Statistics were compared between the two groups before and after surgery for each factor. Multiple regression analysis (forced entry method) was then performed with the change in spinal range of motion, which showed statistical differences between the preoperative and postoperative groups, as the dependent variable and each perioperative factor as the independent variable. Results: The study included 93 patients. Postoperatively, there was a significant decrease in thoracic spine range of motion. Multiple regression analysis showed that an increase in CRP on the third postoperative day was responsible for the decrease in thoracic range of motion (ß=-0.30, P<0.01). Conclusions: After median sternotomy, thoracic spine range of motion was decreased and correlated with postoperative inflammation.

Alkaline-resistant titanium dioxide thin film displaying visible-light-induced superhydrophilicity initiated by interfacial electron transfer.

We synthesized a three-layer-type photocatalytic structure (TiO2/Cu(II)SiO2/SiO2), consisting of TiO2 on Cu(II)-grafted SiO2, which was deposited on a SiO2-coated glass substrate, and investigated its visible-light absorption and hydrophilic properties. Water contact angle measurements revealed visible-light-induced superhydrophilicity at the film surface that was initiated by interfacial electron transfer (IFET) at the interface of TiO2 and Cu(II)SiO2. Monitoring the oxidation state of Pb(2+) ions confirmed that the IFET-initiated holes diffused to the TiO2 surface, where they likely contributed to the hydrophilic conversion. We also demonstrated that layer-structured TiO2/Cu(II)SiO2/SiO2 was stable under alkaline conditions. Thus, we successfully synthesized alkaline-resistant TiO2 that displays visible-light-induced superhydrophilicity.

Suppression of inflammatory reactions by terpinen-4-ol, a main constituent of tea tree oil, in a murine model of oral candidiasis and its suppressive activity to cytokine production of macrophages in vitro.

The onset of oral candidiasis is accompanied by inflammatory symptoms such as pain in the tongue, edema or tissue damage and lowers the quality of life (QOL) of the patient. In a murine oral candidiasis model, the effects were studied of terpinen-4-ol (T-4-ol), one of the main constituents of tea tree oil, Melaleuca alternifolia, on inflammatory reactions. When immunosuppressed mice were orally infected with Candida albicans, their tongues showed inflammatory symptoms within 24 h after the infection, which was monitored by an increase of myeloperoxidase activity and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 in their tongue homogenates. Oral treatment with 50 µL of 40 mg/mL terpinen-4-ol 3h after the Candida infection clearly suppressed the increase of these inflammatory parameters. In vitro analysis of the effects of terpinen-4-ol on cytokine secretion of macrophages indicated that 800 µg/mL of this substance significantly inhibited the cytokine production of the macrophages cultured in the presence of heat-killed C. albicans cells. Based on these findings, the role of the anti-inflammatory action of T-4-ol in its therapeutic activity against oral candidiasis was discussed.

Transmitral resection of a left ventricular apical papillary fibroelastoma using video-assisted thoracoscopy.

Papillary fibroelastomas (PFEs) are rare benign tumors usually found on cardiac valves, and do not commonly originate from the left ventricle (LV). We report a 74-year-old female with a PFE in the LV apex. We performed complete resection of the tumor through a transmitral approach using video-assisted thoracoscopy.

Near-infrared light-inducible Z-scheme overall water-splitting photocatalyst without an electron mediator.

We facilely prepared a solid-state heterojunction photocatalyst in which silver vanadium oxide (Ag2V4O11) and zinc rhodium oxide (ZnRh2O4) as oxygen and hydrogen evolution photocatalysts, respectively, were directly connected to generate Ag2V4O11/ZnRh2O4. Ag2V4O11/ZnRh2O4 photocatalyzed overall pure-water splitting without any electron mediator under irradiation with near-infrared light at wavelengths of up to 910 nm. The key points are that the conduction bottom potential of Ag2V4O11 is almost the same as the valence band top potential of ZnRh2O4, and that the bandgaps of Ag2V4O11 and ZnRh2O4 are 1.4 and 1.2 eV, respectively.

Synthesis of a Gold-Inserted Iron Disilicide and Rutile Titanium Dioxide Heterojunction Photocatalyst via the Vapor-Liquid-Solid Method and Its Water-Splitting Reaction.

A solid-state Z-scheme system is constructed whereby rutile titania (TiO2) and beta-iron disilicide (ß-FeSi2) were combined to act as oxygen (O2)- and hydrogen (H2)-evolution photocatalysts, respectively, connected by gold (Au). ß-FeSi2 island grains with diameters in the 0.5-2 µm range were formed on the surface of Au-coated TiO2 powder by the co-sputtering method. On the surface of TiO2 powder, the Au-Si liquidus phase was obtained via a Au-Si eutectic reaction, which contributed to the selective deposition and crystallization of ß-FeSi2 island grains onto Au. After the loading of the H2-evolution cocatalysts platinum and chromium oxide onto ß-FeSi2, the system obtained catalyzed the evolution of H2 and O2 in a stoichiometric ratio from pure water under ultraviolet light irradiation. The transfer of photoexcited electrons in the conduction band (CB) of ß-FeSi2 to Pt causes the reduction of protons to H2, and the photogeneration of holes in the valence band (VB) of TiO2 causes the oxidation of water to O2. In addition, the photogenerated holes in the VB of ß-FeSi2 and the photoexcited electrons in the CB of TiO2 combined with each other in the Au layer, affording the completion of the overall photocatalytic water-splitting.

Histological assessments for toxicity and functionalization-dependent biodistribution of carbon nanohorns.

Single-walled carbon nanohorns (SWNHs) intravenously administered to mice did not show severe toxicity during a 26-week test period, which was confirmed by normal gross appearance, normal weight gain and the lack of abnormality in the tissues on histological observations of the mice. SWNH biodistribution was influenced by chemical functionalization. Accumulation of SWNH in the lungs reduced as SWNH hydrophilicity increased; however, the most hydrophilic SWNHs modified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) were most likely to be trapped in the lungs, suggesting that the BSA moiety enhanced macrophage phagocytosis in the lungs. Clearance of some of the hydrophobic SWNHs from the lungs was observed, the mechanism of which is briefly discussed.

Conduction band energy level control of titanium dioxide: toward an efficient visible-light-sensitive photocatalyst.

Through the use of a strategy that involves narrowing the TiO(2) band gap by shifting its conduction band positively and utilizing the catalytic activity of photoproduced Cu(I) for oxygen reduction, a novel visible-light-sensitive TiO(2) photocatalyst, Cu(II)-grafted Ti(1-3x)W(x)Ga(2x)O(2), was designed and synthesized. The Cu(II)/Ti(1-3x)W(x)Ga(2x)O(2) photocatalyst produced high activity under visible-light irradiation. In fact, it decomposed 2-propanol to CO(2) via acetone under visible light (>400 nm) with a high quantum efficiency of 13%. The turnover number for this reaction exceeded 22, indicating that it functioned catalytically.

Visible-light-driven Cu(II)-(Sr(1-y)Na(y))(Ti(1-x)Mo(x))O3 photocatalysts based on conduction band control and surface ion modification.

Band-gap narrowing is generally considered to be a primary method in the design of visible-light-active photocatalysts because it can decrease the photo threshold to lower energies. However, controlling the valence band by up-shifting the top of the band or inducing localized levels above the band results in quantum efficiencies under visible light much lower than those under UV irradiation (such as those reported for N-doped TiO(2): Science 2001, 293, 269. J. Phys. Chem. B 2003, 107, 5483). Herein, we report a systematic study on a novel, visible-light-driven photocatalyst based on conduction band control and surface ion modification. Cu(II)-(Sr(1-y)Na(y))(Ti(1-x)Mo(x))O(3) photocatalysts were prepared by a soft chemical method in combination with an impregnation technique. It is found that Mo(6+) as well as Na(+) doping in the SrTiO(3) can lower the bottom of the conduction band and effectively extend the absorption edge to the visible light region. The Cu(II) clusters grafted on the surface act as a co-catalyst to efficiently reduce the oxygen molecules, thus consuming the excited electrons. Consequently, photocatalytic decomposition of gaseous 2-propanol into CO(2) is achieved, that is, CH(3)CHOHCH(3) + (9)/(2)O(2) → 3CO(2) + H(2)O. For Cu(II)-(Sr(1-y)Na(y))(Ti(1-x)Mo(x))O(3) at x = 2.0% under visible light irradiation, the maximum CO(2) generation rate can reach 0.148 µmol/h; the quantum efficiency under visible light is calculated to be 14.5%, while it is 10% under UV light irradiation. Our results suggest that high visible light photocatalytic efficiency can be achieved by combining conduction band control and surface ion modification, which provides a new approach for rational design and development of high-performance photocatalysts.

Surface residual stress dependence on photoinduced highly hydrophilic conversion and back-reaction in the dark of rutile single crystals.

The wettability changes of TiO(2) surface, photo-induced hydrophilic conversion and back-reaction in the dark, were evaluated using rutile (100) and (001) single crystals with diamond polishing (DP) and chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) treatments. Dynamic hardness measurements indicated that the DP surface had a residual compressive stress; however, the CMP surface did not. The rate of hydrophilic conversion was greatly suppressed (approximately one fourteenth) on the DP surface compared to the CMP surface, showing that the photoinduced hydrophilicity was greatly suppressed on the surface with compressive stress although the number of photogenerated carriers at the DP surface was estimated to decrease to only ca. half that at the CMP surface. In addition, when a heat treatment relaxed the compressive stress, the hydrophilicity was greatly increased. The back-reaction in the dark, i.e., the degradation of the photo-produced hydrophilic state, was ca. two times faster on the DP surface with compressive stress. The results strongly suggest that the pressure effect caused by the compressive stress could be the main reason for the degradation of the hydrophilicity and acceleration of the back reaction.

Quantum transport evidence of Weyl fermions in an epitaxial ferromagnetic oxide.

Magnetic Weyl semimetals have novel transport phenomena related to pairs of Weyl nodes in the band structure. Although the existence of Weyl fermions is expected in various oxides, the evidence of Weyl fermions in oxide materials remains elusive. Here we show direct quantum transport evidence of Weyl fermions in an epitaxial 4d ferromagnetic oxide SrRuO3. We employ machine-learning-assisted molecular beam epitaxy to synthesize SrRuO3 films whose quality is sufficiently high to probe their intrinsic transport properties. Experimental observation of the five transport signatures of Weyl fermions-the linear positive magnetoresistance, chiral-anomaly-induced negative magnetoresistance, π phase shift in a quantum oscillation, light cyclotron mass, and high quantum mobility of about 10,000 cm2V-1s-1-combined with first-principles electronic structure calculations establishes SrRuO3 as a magnetic Weyl semimetal. We also clarify the disorder dependence of the transport of the Weyl fermions, which gives a clear guideline for accessing the topologically nontrivial transport phenomena.

Photoinduced hardness change on TiO(2) single crystal surfaces.

The dynamic hardness of rutile TiO(2) single crystal surfaces was investigated using a nanoindentation technique and the hardness increase was observed only in the near-surface region, possibly due to the volume expansion accompanied by the photoinduced high hydrophilicity.

Antiviral effect of arginine against herpes simplex virus type 1.

We investigated the effects of arginine on the multiplication of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the potential of arginine as an antiherpetic agent. Arginine suppressed the growth of HSV-1 concentration-dependently. Inhibition of HSV-1 by arginine leveled off at 50-60 mM, although the higher concentration was not suitable as an antiviral agent due to cytotoxicity. 'Time of addition' experiments revealed that arginine was particularly effective when added within 6 h post-infection (h p.i.), suggesting that the reagent sensitive step is in the early stages of the infection. A one-step growth curve of HSV-1 in the presence of 30 mM arginine revealed that: i) the latent period was significantly extended, ii) the rate of formation of progeny infectious virus decreased and iii) the final yield of progeny virus decreased to 1%. The addition of arginine at 8 h p.i., after the completion of viral DNA replication in the virus multiplication, allowed the normal formation of progeny virus in the subsequent 4 h, confirming that arginine does not directly interfere with the formation of progeny infectious virus. In addition, arginine also inhibits several RNA viruses.

Selective loading of platinum or silver cocatalyst onto a hydrogen-evolution photocatalyst in a silver-mediated all solid-state Z-scheme system for enhanced overall water splitting.

We selectively loaded a hydrogen (H2)-evolution cocatalyst, either platinum (Pt) or silver (Ag), onto a H2-evolution photocatalyst, zinc rhodium oxide (ZnRh2O4), in a Ag-inserted ZnRh2O4 and bismuth vanadium oxide (Bi4V2O11) hetero-junction photocatalyst (ZnRh2O4/Ag/Bi4V2O11) by a photo-deposition method. The selective loading of Pt or Ag was achieved by taking advantage of the band-gap difference between ZnRh2O4 (1.2 eV) and Bi4V2O11 (1.7 eV) and increased the overall water-splitting activity of the photocatalyst.