Virtual reality images created on the back and front of a display.

To better investigate the biological mechanism of microorganisms, we developed a novel, to the best of our knowledge, virtual reality (VR) microscope that incorporates a head-mounted display (HMD) that creates VR images with a digital microscope. This type of VR microscope can be used with any type of optical microscope. The fabricated microscope is quite different from a common bifocal device because it can create VR images on the back and front of a display. If the VR images are displayed with object (OBJ) images, they are observable in [2 × 2] (back and front VR images and OBJ images; 2 × 2 = 4 images). This feature can provide important information on microscopic OBJs, which can be employed in 3D biological analysis. Furthermore, if a laser light source is added to this microscope, the images can be observed in [3 × 2] (back and front laser VR images, VR images, and OBJ images; 3 × 2 = 6 images). The lasers would also enable optical trapping and tracking, leading to improved biological analysis.

Side edge emission from a waveguide substrate.

In this study, we fabricated embedded titanium dioxide (TiO2) nanograting structures with slanted cross section on a silicon dioxide (SiO2) substrate using electron beam lithography (EBL) and reactive ion etching (RIE) methods, and we analyzed their optical signals. The surface morphologies of the embedded TiO2 nanograting structures were monitored by a scanning optical microscope (SEM). By focusing the transverse electric (TE) polarized beam with the wavelength λ=633nm at the incident angle θ=22.0∘ from the rear side of TiO2 face, we could observe +1st and -2nd diffraction orders with diffraction efficiencies (I/Itotal): I1=23% and I2=19%, respectively, on a SiO2/TiO2 interface. Diffraction beams were waveguided to both left and right directions in a SiO2 substrate via total internal reflection (TIR); next, two guided beams were emitted from the side edges of the substrate. This work is expected to develop a highly efficient two-way waveguide optical interconnector.

Stacks of nucleic acids as molecular wires: direct measurement of the intermolecular band dispersion in multilayer guanine assemblies.

The intermolecular band dispersion related to the highest occupied molecular orbital in highly ordered, hydrated multilayer films of the DNA base guanine has been measured using photon-energy-dependent ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy. A bandwidth of 331 ± 8 meV at room temperature and a small effective mass of about 1.11 times that of a free charge suggest a high intrinsic hole mobility along quasi-one-dimensional stacks formed perpendicular to layered, hydrogen-bound networks.

Optical Third Harmonic Generation Using Nickel Nanostructure-Covered Microcube Structures.

We investigated the optical third harmonic generation (THG) signal from nanostructure-covered microcubes on Ni. We found that the hierarchical structures greatly change the third-order optical nonlinearity of the metallic surface. While the symmetry and lightning rod (LR) effects on microstructures did not significantly influence the THG, the localized surface plasmon (LSP) effect on the nanostructures enhanced it. By removing the nanostructures on the hierarchical structures, THG intensity could be strongly suppressed. In the present paper, we also discuss the mechanism that enhances THG in nano/micro structures.

Nonlinear optics on nano/micro-hierarchical structures on metals: focus on symmetric and plasmonic effects.

In this review, the authors study their creation of nano/micro-hierarchical structures on Ag and Ni substrates by femtosecond laser treatment and their investigation of their optical second-harmonic generation (SHG) signal intensities by SHG spectroscopy. The authors obtained the nanostructure-covered microgroove and microcube structures. These hierarchical surface structures were found to modify significantly the optical nonlinearity of the metal surfaces. The macroscopic symmetry of the surface's shapes influenced SHG, and the excitation of surface plasmons enhanced SHG. On the other hand, the nanostructures on the microstructures had an additional effect on the generated SHG. For the microcube structures, the additional SHG emission was suppressed by removing a large amount of nanostructures. Left SHG was discussed by the effect of the propagating delay.

Pharmacokinetics, distribution, and excretion of 125I-labeled human plasma-derived-FVIIa and -FX with MC710 (FVIIa/FX mixture) in rats.

INTRODUCTION: MC710 is a mixture agent consisting of plasma-derived activated factor VII (FVIIa) and factor X (FX) at a weight ratio of 1:10 developed as a novel bypassing agent for the management of the bleeding of hemophilia patients with inhibitors. The pharmacokinetics, distribution, and excretion of (125)I-labeled-FVIIa ((125)I-FVIIa) and -FX ((125)I-FX) were studied in male rats after a single intravenous administration of (125)I-FVIIa or (125)I-FX combined with MC710. METHODS: (125)I-FVIIa or (125)I-FX was administered intravenously with MC710 to male rats in a single dosage (FVIIa 0.4 mg and FX 4 mg/kg body weight) and radioactivity and antigen levels in plasma were quantified for 24h. Urine and feces were sampled to study the excretion of radioactivity during 168 h after dosing. Whole-body autoradiography was performed to evaluate the qualitative distribution of radioactivity 168 h after dosing. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: The half-life (t(1/2)α and t(1/2)ß) of radioactivity and FVIIa antigen were 0.704 and 6.27 h, and 0.496 and 1.66 h, respectively and the area under the plasma concentration-time curve (AUC(0-∞)) of radioactivity and FVIIa antigen were 17,932 and 8671 ng·h/mL, respectively. The t(1/2) of radioactivity and FX antigen were 4.06 and 3.05 h, respectively, and the AUC(0-∞) of radioactivity and FX antigen were 320,143 and 395,794 ng·h/mL, respectively. About 80% of the administered dose of radioactivity was excreted in urine and feces by 168 h after administration. Tissue distribution experiments showed that FVIIa- and FX-related (125)I accumulated in bone and bone marrow, and disappeared slowly.

Combining FVIIa and FX into a mixture which imparts a unique thrombin generation potential to hemophilic plasma: an in vitro assessment of FVIIa/FX mixture as an alternative bypassing agent.

INTRODUCTION: We previously reported that a combination of factors VIIa (FVIIa) and X (FX) might represent an effective and attractive alternative to recombinant factor VIIa (rFVIIa) and plasma-derived activated prothrombin complex concentrate (APCC) for controlling bleeding in hemophiliacs with inhibitors. The present study describes the standardization and preparation of a virus-inactivated and nano-filtrated plasma-derived FVIIa/FX concentrate. We hypothesized that the hemostatic capacity was equivalent to or better than current bypassing agents as evaluated by measurements of waveform APTT clotting and thrombin generation. RESULTS: Kinetic analyses showed that a "normal" FX concentration of approximately 140nM in plasma did not induce maximum catalytic efficacy of FVIIa and that an increase in the concentration of FX in hemophilic plasma enhanced the thrombin generation potential of FVIIa. Thus, the FVIIa/FX mixture was prepared by assembling plasma-derived FVIIa and FX at a weight ratio of 1:10. The FVIIa/FX mixture proved superior to rFVIIa with regards to shortening the APTT and accelerating the thrombin generation in hemophilic plasma. The FVIIa/FX mixture promoted the generation of thrombin more than did rFVIIa. CONCLUSIONS: Increasing the FX concentration in hemophilic plasma gives a higher clotting potential of FVIIa. A FVIIa/FX concentrate may serve as a new alternative bypassing agent.

Von Willebrand factor accelerates platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on a collagen surface in platelet-reduced blood under flow conditions.

Plasma von Willebrand factor (VWF) has been identified as an indispensable factor for platelet adhesion and thrombus formation on a collagen surface under flow conditions. VWF binds to collagen and then tethers platelets to the collagen surface through interaction with platelet glycoprotein Ib and also contributes to the thrombus formation on the collagen surface. In the present study, we demonstrated that the addition of VWF/factor VIII complex or purified VWF (> 2 ristocetin cofactor activity units/mL) increased platelet adhesion to the collagen surface in platelet-reduced blood ( approximately 5 x 10(4) platelets/microL) to the normal level. VWF had no stimulatory effect when it was allowed to bind to the collagen surface before blood flow was initiated. Addition of an excess of FITC (fluorescein-5-isothiocyanate)-labeled VWF to platelet-reduced blood under these flow conditions demonstrated that the VWF was mainly incorporated into the platelet aggregates. These results indicated that the supplemented VWF stimulates the platelet adhesion onto the collagen surface by enhancing platelet aggregation in the platelet-reduced condition. This also suggests a possibility that supplementation of VWF to individuals with thrombocytopenia might be effective for increasing their hemostatic potential.