NADPH oxidase exerts a B cell-intrinsic contribution to lupus risk by modulating endosomal TLR signals.

Genome-wide association studies in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) have linked loss-of-function mutations in phagocytic NADPH oxidase complex (NOX2) genes, including NCF1 and NCF2, to disease pathogenesis. The prevailing model holds that reduced NOX2 activity promotes SLE via defective efferocytosis, the immunologically silent clearance of apoptotic cells. Here, we describe a parallel B cell-intrinsic mechanism contributing to breaks in tolerance. In keeping with an important role for B cell Toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways in lupus pathogenesis, NOX2-deficient B cells exhibit enhanced signaling downstream of endosomal TLRs, increased humoral responses to nucleic acid-containing antigens, and the propensity toward humoral autoimmunity. Mechanistically, TLR-dependent NOX2 activation promotes LC3-mediated maturation of TLR-containing endosomes, resulting in signal termination. CRISPR-mediated disruption of NCF1 confirmed a direct role for NOX2 in regulating endosomal TLR signaling in primary human B cells. Together, these data highlight a new B cell-specific mechanism contributing to autoimmune risk in NCF1 and NCF2 variant carriers.

Multivitamin-Induced Pharmacobezoar: A Rare Entity of Large Bowel Obstruction.

The term bezoar refers to a foreign object found like a mass of concretion in the gastrointestinal tract that results from an accumulation of undigested material. When the composition of the ingested material is a medication, it is known as a pharmacobezoar. A rare complication from pharmacobezoar is large intestinal obstruction. Here we present the case of a 77-year-old male who presented with progressive abdominal distension, involuntary guarding, and large bowel obstruction. Abdominal imaging studies were remarkable for radiopaque objects of uncertain etiology in the transverse colon and rectal ampulla. The patient underwent colonic decompression by sigmoidoscopy, where the pills were identified by direct visualization. He later underwent endoscopic removal of the pharmacobezoars. A detailed medication review identified the culprit to be multivitamins. This case portrays an unusual etiology of large bowel obstruction. At this moment, no cases have been reported of multivitamins as the culprit of pharmacobezoar with subsequent development of large bowel obstruction.

Detection of cardiac allograft vasculopathy by multi-layer left ventricular longitudinal strain in heart transplant recipients.

Cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) is an obliterative and diffuse type of coronaropathy that develops in the transplanted human heart, representing a major cause of graft failure and mortality. Nowadays the gold standard for the diagnosis of CAV is coronary angiography (CA). Non-invasive CAV detection, especially in the early stages of the disease, is still challenging. Our study aimed to investigate the role of speckle tracking echocardiography (STE), in particular three-layer STE, in predicting CAV at early stages, and if other traditional echocardiographic, clinical or biochemical parameters could relate to CAV. The study population was composed of a total of 33 heart transplanted patients, divided accordingly to the presence or absence of CAV (12 CAV+ , 22 CAV-). All subjects underwent a complete transthoracic echocardiographic examination on the same day of the CA, and all conventional parameters of myocardial function were obtained, including strain values assessed by STE. Strain values were significantly reduced in presence of CAV, at each myocardial layer but in particular the endocardial-epicardial gradient (- 4.15 ± 1.6 vs - 1.7 ± 0.4% < .0001) that was also highly predictive of CAV (AUC at ROC curve 0.97). Among diastolic parameters, the E wave deceleration time (DT) and the mean E/e' ratio were strongly positively associated with CAV. In our population, left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS), layer-specific GLS and the endocardial-epicardial LS gradient, E wave DT and E/e' ratio were the best independent non-invasive predictors of CAV.

Engineering of keratin functionality for the realization of bendable all-biopolymeric micro-electrode array as humidity sensor.

The technological quest for flexible devices to be interfaced with the biological world has driven the recent reinvention of bioderived polymers as multifunctional active and passive constituent elements for electronic and photonic devices to use in the biomedical field. Keratin is one of the most important structural proteins in nature to be used as biomaterial platform in view of the recently reported advances in the extraction and processing from hair and wool fibers. In this article we report for the first time the simultaneous use of naturally extracted keratin as both active ionic electrolyte for water ions sensing and as bendable and insoluble substrate into the same multielectrode array-based device. We implemented the multifunctional system exclusively made by keratin as a bendable sensor for monitoring the humidity flow. The enhancement of the functional and structural properties of keratin such as bendability and insolubility were obtained by unprecedented selective chemical doping. The mechanisms at the basis of the sensing of humidity in the device were investigated by cyclic voltammetry and rationalized by reversible binding and extraction of water ions from the volume of the keratin active layer, while the figures of merit of the biopolymer such as the ionic conductivity and relaxation time were determined by means of electrical impedance and dielectric relaxation spectroscopy. A reliable linear correlation between the controlled-humidity level and the amperometric output signal together with the assessment on measure variance are demonstrated. Collectively, the fine-tuned ionic-electrical characterization and the validation in controlled conditions of the free-standing insoluble all-keratin made microelectrode array ionic sensor pave the way for the effective use of keratin biopolymer in wearable or edible electronics where conformability, reliability and biocompatibility are key-enabling features.

Gold-based nanospheres and nanorods particles used as theranostic agents: An in vitro and in vivo toxicology studies.

The adverse effect of gold-based nanoparticles is still an open question since it depends on several factors as shape, surface charge or route of administration. In this study, we investigated the influence of shape and human serum albumin (HSA) coating on the adverse effects of spherical (AuNP) and nanorods (AuNR) gold-based particles. F C3H (fibroblast) and HTC (hepatocellular carcinoma) cell lines both from liver were exposed to 25, 75 and 125 µg mL-1, which correspond to 109 NP mL-1. For in vivo studies, Wistar rats received these materials by oral administration in doses of 10 µg kg-1 or 40 µg kg-1. Systemic toxicity was verified after 24 h and 48 h by morphological analysis, blood parameters and myeloperoxidase enzyme activity. Our results revealed that HSA corona does not influence totally the pathway of interactions between AuNP and AuNR. In vitro results evidenced that AuNP can decrease in at least 50% viability of F C3H and cell adhesion of HTC, but corona significantly overcomes these effects. No differences between shape or corona were observed in function of cell lines. In vivo studies showed that 40 µg kg-1 of AuNP-HSA caused an enhancement of the myeloperoxidase response indicating inflammatory processes. An increase from 40% to 80% on alkaline phosphatase levels were found for all groups. Our findings suggested that gold-based particles coated or not with HSA do not cause expressive adverse effects on in vitro or in vivo systems, and their oral administration cannot cause a systemic effect in the experimental conditions used here.

Genetic parameters in female reproductive traits of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus).

Genetic parameters for reproductive traits in female Nile tilapia were estimated in this study using Bayesian inference method. The data set presented information from 451 Nile tilapia females that were evaluated at two different places in Maringá - Paraná - Brazil (hapas of 1 and 10 m³) and at one location in Alfenas - Minas Gerais - Brazil. A spawning examination was conducted once a week from October 2012 to March 2013 for a total of 23 weeks of evaluation. Single-trait analyses for spawning success, multiple spawning, spawning frequency, and volume of eggs/female were performed by using the software MTGSAM Threshold. The heritability estimates were 0.14, 0.16, 0.53, and 0.08 for spawning success, multiple spawning, spawning frequency and volume of eggs/female, respectively, indicating it is possible to achieve a substantial genetic gain using these reproductive traits as selection criteria.

Genetic parameters in female reproductive traits of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)

ABSTRACT Genetic parameters for reproductive traits in female Nile tilapia were estimated in this study using Bayesian inference method. The data set presented information from 451 Nile tilapia females that were evaluated at two different places in Maringá - Paraná - Brazil (hapas of 1 and 10 m³) and at one location in Alfenas - Minas Gerais - Brazil. A spawning examination was conducted once a week from October 2012 to March 2013 for a total of 23 weeks of evaluation. Single-trait analyses for spawning success, multiple spawning, spawning frequency, and volume of eggs/female were performed by using the software MTGSAM Threshold. The heritability estimates were 0.14, 0.16, 0.53, and 0.08 for spawning success, multiple spawning, spawning frequency and volume of eggs/female, respectively, indicating it is possible to achieve a substantial genetic gain using these reproductive traits as selection criteria.

Self-assembled SnO2 micro- and nanosphere-based gas sensor thick films from an alkoxide-derived high purity aqueous colloid precursor.

Tin oxide is considered to be one of the most promising semiconductor oxide materials for use as a gas sensor. However, a simple route for the controllable build-up of nanostructured, sufficiently pure and hierarchical SnO2 structures for gas sensor applications is still a challenge. In the current work, an aqueous SnO2 nanoparticulate precursor sol, which is free of organic contaminants and sorbed ions and is fully stable over time, was prepared in a highly reproducible manner from an alkoxide Sn(OR)4 just by mixing it with a large excess of pure neutral water. The precursor is formed as a separate liquid phase. The structure and purity of the precursor is revealed using XRD, SAXS, EXAFS, HRTEM imaging, FTIR, and XRF analysis. An unconventional approach for the estimation of the particle size based on the quantification of the Sn-Sn contacts in the structure was developed using EXAFS spectroscopy and verified using HRTEM. To construct sensors with a hierarchical 3D structure, we employed an unusual emulsification technique not involving any additives or surfactants, using simply the extraction of the liquid phase, water, with the help of dry butanol under ambient conditions. The originally generated crystalline but yet highly reactive nanoparticles form relatively uniform spheres through self-assembly and solidify instantly. The spheres floating in butanol were left to deposit on the surface of quartz plates bearing sputtered gold electrodes, producing ready-for-use gas sensors in the form of ca. 50 µm thick sphere-based-films. The films were dried for 24 h and calcined at 300 °C in air before use. The gas sensitivity of the structures was tested in the temperature range of 150-400 °C. The materials showed a very quickly emerging and reversible (20-30 times) increase in electrical conductivity as a response to exposure to air containing 100 ppm of H2 or CO and short (10 s) recovery times when the gas flow was stopped.

Análisis de las variables clinicopatológicas e inmunohistoquímicas del cáncer de mama / Analysis of the clinicopathological and inmunohistochemical variables of breast cancer

Los carcinomas de mama representan un grupo heterogéneo de tumores tanto en comportamiento clínico como en pronóstico, estableciéndose su diversidad a nivel molecular al expresar distintos genes que le confieren variabilidad biológica.Objetivos: Clasificar los carcinomas de mama en subtipos moleculares mediante marcadores inmunohistoquímicos y analizar las características clinicopatológicas.Material y método: Se analizaron retrospectivamente 303 pacientes con diagnóstico de cáncer de mama invasivo derivadas a la Unidad Integral De Oncología Gral. Roca (Río Negro), entre los años 2008-2013. Las pacientes se clasificaron en cuatro subtipos tumorales: Luminal A, Luminal B HER2 Positivo, Triple Negativo y HER2. Resultados: La distribución por inmunofenotipos fue: Luminal A: 72,93%, Luminal B HER2 Positivo: 9,57%, Triple Negativo: 12,22% y HER2: 5,28 %. Los carcinomas Luminal A expresaron tumores más pequeños, diferenciados, con ganglios axilares negativos y estadio precoz de la enfermedad respecto de los subtipos Luminal B HER2 Positivo, Triple Negativo y HER2. Conclusiones: La clasificación del cáncer de mama basada en parámetros inmunohistoquímicos permite una mejor definición pronóstica. Los tumores Luminal A presentaron características clinicopatológicas más favorables que los inmunofenotipos Luminales B HER2 Positivos, Triple Negativo y HER2...

Gender-related differences concerning anger expression and interpersonal relationships in a sample of overweight/obese subjects.

OBJECTIVES: Obesity and overweight are relevant public health issues. They are frequently associated with increased disability, enhanced morbidity and mortality and are often comorbid with several psychological/psychiatric conditions. The aim of the present study was to explore gender-related differences concerning anger expression and interpersonal relationships in a sample of overweight/obese subjects. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The convenience sample consisted of 40 overweight/obese subjects (18 women, 22 men) who were administered self-report questionnaires to assess eating disorders (EDI-2), anger levels (STAXI) and self/other perception as a measure of interpersonal relationships (9AP). RESULTS: Women had higher scores on the EDI-2 subscales of Bulimia (7.22 vs. 2.20: z=7.61; p<.001), Body Dissatisfaction (15.56 vs. 12.14: z=1.88; p=.03), Interoceptive Awareness (9.89 vs. 5.28: z=4.06; p<.001), Ineffectiveness (11.00 vs 5.22: z=4.91; p <.001) and Perfectionism (6.33 vs. 3.26: z=4.13; p<.001) compared to norms. The overweight/obese men departed from the norms on fewer subscales. Both women and men tended to turn feelings of anger in toward themselves, suppressing their anger. Also, women obtained lower scores for Self Empathy (29.06 vs. 40.15: z = - 2.30; p = .01) and Other Empathy (16.44 vs. 27.10: z =- 2.00; p= .02) whereas overweight/ obese men obtained lower scores for Other Empathy (20.77 vs. 28.47: z=-2.00; p=.02). CONCLUSIONS: Overweight/obese subjects have a tendency to turn feelings of anger inward on to themselves together with impaired interpersonal relationships, especially in women. An adequate clinical assessment in all obese individuals trying to identify the contribution of psychological factors to the perceived distress is critical.

A pilot study to evaluate the effects of vardenafil on sexual distress in men with obesity.

There are no interventional studies on the impact of sexual distress (SD) in men with obesity. We investigated the effects of vardenafil (VAR) on SD in middle-aged (mean age 49 ± 8), healthy, obese men in the absence of premature ejaculation, ED or hypogonadism. After a 4-week run-in period, 20 men with high body mass index (BMI=40 ± 8) and SD at the Sexual Distress Esteem Questionnaire-Male (mean score 65 ± 20 AU) were randomized to receive either VAR 10 mg on demand (N=10) or matched-placebo (PLB, N=10). Primary endpoints were variations from baseline in the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time (IELT) measured by the stopwatch technique; secondary endpoints were variations from baseline in Self-Esteem and Relationship (SEAR) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire-Ejaculatory domain (MSHQ-EjD) scores. VAR significantly improved IELT (P<0.0001), as well as SEAR (P<0.001) and MSHQ-EjD (P<0.005) scores, whereas no changes were observed after PLB. Interestingly, an inverse relationship between BMI and IELT was found in all the men studied (r(2)=0.37, P<0.001). SD in healthy obese men seems to be correlated mainly with inadequate ejaculatory control, especially in men with higher BMI. Our preliminary results suggest that treatment with VAR may improve ejaculatory control, thus ameliorating self-esteem and sexual performance in men with obesity.

Is there a role for phosphodiesterase type-5 inhibitors in the treatment of premature ejaculation?

Premature ejaculation (PE) is considered to be the most common male sexual dysfunction. The realization that PE may co-exist with ED prompted the use of PDE5-i's alone or in combination with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) for treating ejaculatory disorders. Until recently, there was little evidence that PDE5-i's alone may have a role in the treatment of PE in the absence of ED, and current available treatments include only on-demand dapoxetine. However, available data indicate that there is clinical, anatomical, physiological, pharmacological and genetic evidence to explain the efficacy of PDE5-i's. Nine manuscripts that examined the efficacy of PDE5-i's in the treatment of PE, alone or in combination with SSRIs, were retrieved. All studies reported some significant changes in the intravaginal ejaculatory latency time and sexual satisfaction scores, although not all were clinically meaningful. Well-designed multicenter studies are urgently required to further elucidate the efficacy and safety, as well as the mechanisms of action of PDE5-i's in the treatment of PE. The aim of this review is to discuss basic rationale and to show clinical evidence sustaining the possibility to use off-label PDE5-i's to treat PE.

The application of digital pulse amplitude tonometry to the diagnostic investigation of endothelial dysfunction in men with erectile dysfunction.

The application of digital pulse amplitude by fingertip peripheral arterial tonometry (PAT) device in patients with erectile dysfunction (ED) has never been performed. We investigated the diagnostic value of reactive hyperaemia (RH) and augmentation index (AI) as evaluated using PAT in men with ED of any origin. A total of 40 patients underwent diagnostic investigation for ED, including dynamic penile duplex ultrasound (PDU) and PAT device. Moreover, 30 patients without ED served as controls. According to PDU cutoff at 35 cm/sec, patients were divided into vascular (n = 30) and nonvascular (n = 10) ED aetiology. Moreover, controls with (n = 10) or without (n = 20) vascular risk factors (VRFs) were studied in a separate analysis. Average RH-PAT was not different in men with or without ED (P = 0.56) independently of VRFs. The AI was higher in men with ED compared with the controls (P < 0.0001) as well as when controlled for the presence or absence of VRFs (P < 0.0001). An inverse relationship between AI and PSV was also found (r² = -0.72, P < 0.0001). In conclusion, an increased AI but not an impaired RH-PAT is present in men with vascular ED independently of VRFs and may represent an early detection of vascular impairment that may precede endothelial dysfunction in populations at low risk for developing vascular ED.

Morphological characteristics of ovarian development of two Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) strains in mixed-culture systems / Características morfológicas do desenvolvimento ovariano de duas linhagens de tilápia-do-nilo (Oreochromis niloticus), em sistemas de cultivo misto

This study was carried out to morphologically characterize and classify the stages of gonad development in different Nile tilapia strains (Oreochromis niloticus). Eighty-four and ninety-two ovaries from Bouaké and Chitralada strains, respectively, were evaluated at different ovarian developmental phases: initial (104 days of culture), intermediate (152 days of culture), and the final (279 days of culture). The ovaries were microscopically evaluated and submitted to histological processing and hematoxylin-eosin staining to determine their characteristics and be classified. No morphological differences in ovaries between strains were observed during the initial phase (stage A - immature). During the intermediate growing phase, higher gonad development was observed for Chitralada strain (stage B - maturation) in comparison with Bouaké strain (stage A - immature). During the final growing phase, no differences between strains were observed for morphological characteristics (stage C - mature). Despite the similarities in reproductive behavior of the Bouaké and Chitralada females at the end of the final growing phase (gain weight phase), differences for macroscopic and microscopic aspects and oocytes during the initial and intermediate growing phases of the strains were observed.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar morfologicamente e classificar os estádios de desenvolvimento gonadal de tilápias do Nilo (Oreochromis niloticus) de linhagens distintas. Foram avaliados 84 ovários da linhagem Bouaké e 92 da linhagem Chitralada, em diferentes fases de desenvolvimento: inicial (imatura - 104 dias de cultivo), intermediária (crescimento - 152 dias de cultivo) e final (ganho de peso - 279 dias de cultivo). Os ovários foram analisados macroscopicamente e submetidos a procedimento histológico, corados com hematoxilina-eosina, para determinação das características microscópicas e subsequente classificação. Não foram observadas diferenças morfológicas nos ovários entre as linhagens na fase inicial (estádio A - imaturo). Na fase intermediária, os ovários revelaram diferenças morfológicas, evidenciando maior desenvolvimento gonadal para a linhagem Chitralada, (estádio B - maturação) em relação à Bouaké (estádio A). Na fase final (ganho de peso) os ovários não apresentaram diferenças morfológicas entre as linhagens (estádio C - maduro). Apesar de semelhanças no comportamento reprodutivo das fêmeas das linhagens Bouaké e Chitralada, na fase final (ganho de peso), diferenças, em relação à classificação da fase intermediária nos aspectos macroscópicos e microscópicos e diâmetro dos ovócitos, foram observadas.

Effect of age on the myosin-V immunoreactive myenteric neurons of rats ileum

Alterations in the gastrointestinal neuromuscular function related to age have been demonstrated in human and animal models. This study analyzes the effects of the aging process on the area of the neuronal cell bodies of the myenteric plexus in the antimesenteric and intermediate regions of the ileal circumference of Wistar, 12 month-old in comparison 3 month-old animals. The ileum was removed and whole-mount preparations immunostained by the antibody anti-myosin-V were processed. The morphometric analyses were performed using a computerized image analysis system, with a subsequent distribution of neurons by size in intervals of 100 micro2. The cellular body morphometry revealed a significant increase in the size of the myosin-V- immunoreactive myenteric neurons from 12 month-old animals when compared with 3 month –old animals. However, significant differences between the regions were not observed; these observations were not age-dependent. The implications of these results in relation to the increase of the body weight, size of the small intestine, general organization of the myenteric plexus, staining method of neurons and the possible factors involved in the regulation and/or control of the volume of neronal cells due to aging, are discussed.

Effect of age on the myosin-V immunoreactive myenteric neurons of rats ileum

Alterations in the gastrointestinal neuromuscular function related to age have been demonstrated in human and animal models. This study analyzes the effects of the aging process on the area of the neuronal cell bodies of the myenteric plexus in the antimesenteric and intermediate regions of the ileal circumference of Wistar, 12 month-old in comparison 3 month-old animals. The ileum was removed and whole-mount preparations immunostained by the antibody anti-myosin-V were processed. The morphometric analyses were performed using a computerized image analysis system, with a subsequent distribution of neurons by size in intervals of 100 micro2. The cellular body morphometry revealed a significant increase in the size of the myosin-V- immunoreactive myenteric neurons from 12 month-old animals when compared with 3 month ¹old animals. However, significant differences between the regions were not observed; these observations were not age-dependent. The implications of these results in relation to the increase of the body weight, size of the small intestine, general organization of the myenteric plexus, staining method of neurons and the possible factors involved in the regulation and/or control of the volume of neronal cells due to aging, are discussed.(AU)

Supplementation of glutamine and vitamin E on the morphometry of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chickens.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate the influence of Gln and vitamin E (VE) supplementation in the diet of broiler chickens (Cobb-Vantress) on the morphometry of the intestinal mucosa. The design was completely randomized in a 2 x 3 (VE x periods of administering Gln) factorial arrangement. The levels of VE used were 10 and 500 mg/kg of diet and 3 periods of administering (1%) Gln-supplemented starter diet (for the first 7 or 14 d of life or for no added Gln), totaling 6 treatments with 5 replicates of 50 birds per experimental unit. In the growth period (d 22 to 41 posthatch), the treatments consisted only in the respective levels of VE. On d 7, 14, 21, and 41 posthatch, 2 birds per replicate were killed, and samples of the duodenum, jejunum, and ileum were subsequently removed, fixed in Bouin solution, and later embedded in paraffin and stained with hematoxylin-eosin. The parameters analyzed were villus height and crypt depth. An ANOVA was applied to the obtained data, and the means were compared using Tukey's test (5% significance level). Greater development was observed in the duodenum, followed by the jejunum and ileum. On 41 d of life, diets with 10 mg of VE/kg supplemented with Gln (for the first 7 d of life) provided better development of the intestinal mucosa in broiler chickens.

Morphometric and quantitative evaluation of the NADH-diaphorase positive myenteric neurons of the jejunum of streptozotocin-diabetic rats supplemented with acetyl-L-carnitine.

Summary In this study we investigated the effect of the acetyl-L-carnitine (ALC) supplementation on the myenteric neurons of the jejunum of rats made diabetic at the age of 105 days by streptozotocin (35 mg/kg body weight). Four groups were used: non-diabetic (C), non-diabetic supplemented with ALC (CC), diabetic (D), diabetic supplemented with ALC (DC). After 15 weeks of diabetes induction the blood was collected by cardiac puncture to evaluate glycaemia and glycated haemoglobin. Next the animals were killed and the jejunum was collected and subjected to whole-mount preparation to evidence the myenteric neurons through the histochemical technique of the NADH-diaphorase. The neuronal counts were made in 80 microscopic fields, in tissue samples of five animals of each group. The profiles of the cell bodies of 1000 neurons per group were analysed. Diabetes induced a significant increase in the area of the cell body and decrease in the number of NADH-diaphorase positive myoenteric neurons. ALC suplementation to the diabetic group promoted smaller hypertrophic effects and less neuronal loss than in the myoenteric neurons of the diabetic rats, and in addition diminished the body weight decrease and reduced the fasting glycaemia.

Correlated magnetic vortex chains in mesoscopic cobalt dot arrays.

Nucleation and annihilation of vortex states have been studied in two-dimensional arrays of densely packed cobalt dots. A clear signature of dipolar interactions both between single-domain state dots and vortex state dots has been observed from the dependence of vortex nucleation and annihilation fields on interdot separation. A direct consequence of these interactions is the formation of vortex chains as well as dipole chains aligned along the direction of the external field. In addition, short range correlation of chiralities within vortex chains has been observed using magnetic force microscopy imaging and has been attributed to cross-talking between adjacent elements.

Magnetic domain confinement by anisotropy modulation.

The spin configuration in a magnet is in general a "natural" consequence of both the intrinsic properties of the material and the sample dimensions. We demonstrate that this limitation can be overcome in a homogeneous ferromagnetic film by engineering an anisotropy contrast. Substrates with laterally modulated single-crystal and polycrystalline surface regions were used to induce selective epitaxial growth of a ferromagnetic Ni film. The resulting spatially varying magnetic anisotropy leads to regular perpendicular and in-plane magnetic domains, separated by a new type of magnetic wall---the "anisotropy constrained" magnetic wall.