Fabrication of Silver Iodide (AgI) Patterns via Photolithography and Its Application to In-Situ Observation of Condensation Frosting.

This study introduces an innovative photolithography-based method for patterning ionic and inorganic particle materials such as silver iodide (AgI). Conventional methods lack precision when patterning powdered materials, which limits their applicability. The proposed method stacks layers of a particle material (AgI) and negative-tone photoresist for simultaneous ultraviolet exposure and development, resulting in well-defined AgI patterns. The sintering process successfully removed binders from the material layer and photoresist, yielding standalone AgI patterns on the Si substrate with good adhesion. The pitch remained consistent with the design values of the photomask when the pattern size was changed. In-situ observation of condensation frosting on the patterns was conducted, which confirmed the practicality of the developed patterning process. This versatile method is applicable to large areas with a high throughput and presents new opportunities for modifying functional surfaces.

Strong coupling between 4f valence instability and 3d ferromagnetism in Yb(x)Fe4Sb12 studied by resonant x-ray emission spectroscopy.

We have investigated the temperature and pressure dependency of the electronic structure of Yb-filled skutterudites, YbFe(4)Sb(12) and Yb(0.88)Fe(4)Sb(12), using x-ray absorption and emission spectroscopies. An anomalous increase of the Yb valence, which is beyond the conventional Anderson model picture, is found to coincide with the onset of the ferromagnetic order in the x=0.88 sample below 20 K. In contrast, the nearly stoichiometric YbFe(4)Sb(12) is paramagnetic down to 2 K and the Yb valence is independent of temperature. This evidences a close interplay between the magnetic instability of the Fe 3d electrons and valence instability of the Yb 4f electrons. Under pressure, a sudden increase in the valence is found to occur around 13 GPa for YbFe(4)Sb(12) and 17 GPa for Yb(0.88)YbFe(4)Sb(12).

Metabolite alterations in the hippocampus of high-functioning adult subjects with autism.

The aim of the present study was to investigate metabolite alterations in the hippocampal formation as they relate to aggression in high-functioning adults with autism. We measured concentrations of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr+PCr) in the hippocampal formation by proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in 12 non-medicated male subjects with autism and 12 age- and sex-matched controls. Aggression was scored in the autistic subjects using the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire. The concentrations of Cho and Cr+PCr in the hippocampal formation in autistic subjects were significantly higher than the corresponding values in control subjects, and a significant positive correlation was observed between the concentrations of these metabolites in the hippocampal formation and scores on the Buss-Perry Aggression Questionnaire in autistic subjects. Results suggest that high-functioning adult subjects with autism have abnormal metabolite concentrations in the hippocampal formation, which may in part account for their aggression.

Voxel-based structural magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study of patients with early onset schizophrenia.

BACKGROUND: Investigation into the whole brain morphology of early onset schizophrenia (EOS) to date has been sparse. We studied the regional brain volumes in EOS patients, and the correlations between regional volume measures and symptom severity. METHODS: A total of 18 EOS patients (onset under 16 years) and 18 controls matched for age, gender, parental socioeconomic status, and height were examined. Voxel-based morphometric analysis using the Brain Analysis Morphological Mapping (BAMM) software package was employed to explore alterations of the regional grey (GM) and white matter (WM) volumes in EOS patients. Symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). RESULTS: EOS patients had significantly reduced GM volume in the left parahippocampal, inferior frontal, and superior temporal gyri, compared with the controls. They also had less WM volume in the left posterior limb of the internal capsule and the left inferior longitudinal fasciculus. The positive symptom score of PANSS (higher values corresponding to more severe symptoms) was negatively related to GM volume in the bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus. The negative symptom score was positively correlated with GM volume in the right thalamus. As for the association with WM volume, the positive symptom score of PANSS was positively related to cerebellar WM (vermis region), and negatively correlated with WM in the brain stem (pons) and in the bilateral cerebellum (hemisphere region). CONCLUSION: Our findings of regional volume alterations of GM and WM in EOS patients coincide with those of previous studies of adult onset schizophrenia patients. However, in brain regions that had no overall structural differences between EOS patients and controls (that is, the bilateral posterior cingulate gyrus, the right thalamus, the cerebellum, and the pons), within-subject analysis of EOS patients alone revealed that there were significant associations of the volume in these areas and the symptom severity. These findings suggest that at an early stage of the illness, especially for those with onset before brain maturation, a wide range of disturbed neural circuits, including these brain regions that show no apparent morphological changes, may contribute to the formation of the symptomatology.

Genetic analyses of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene in autism.

Autism is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder defined by social and communication deficits and ritualistic-repetitive behaviors that are detectable in early childhood. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of autism. In this study, we examined the SNP- and haplotypic-association of BDNF with autism in a trios-based association study (the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange). We also examined the expression of BDNF mRNA in the peripheral blood lymphocytes of drug-naïve autism patients and control subjects. In the TDT of autism trios, the SNP haplotype combinations showed significant associations in the autism group. BDNF expression in the drug-naïve autistic group was found to be significantly higher than in the control group. We suggest that BDNF has a possible role in the pathogenesis of autism through its neurotrophic effects on the serotonergic system.

A transient lesion in splenium of the corpus callosum in a patient with childhood-onset anorexia nervosa.

OBJECTIVE: Although a transient lesion in the splenium of the corpus callosum (SCC) has been reported predominantly regarding patients with epilepsia, it is of rare occurrence, and its underlying biological basis remains unknown. This is a report of an SCC lesion in a patient with anorexia nervosa (AN). METHOD: The patient was a 15-year-old girl with childhood-onset (11 years) and a protracted course of AN. On admission, the patient showed no apparent neurological abnormalities. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans revealed a circumscribed lesion in the SCC. We treated her with nutritional rehabilitation supplemented with B vitamins. RESULTS: One month later, the lesion completely disappeared, but her weight was not restored. CONCLUSION: Treatment with B-vitamin supplementation may be beneficial for the treatment of patients with AN, in cases in which the disorder develops at an early age before brain maturation (i.e., childhood-onset cases), along with an enduring course of malnutrition.

[A clinical study on the feeling of oral dryness in denture wearers. Part 1. Results of a questionnaire survey].

PURPOSE: We surveyed youths and denture wearers to evaluate the feeling of oral dryness. In the denture wearers group, we evaluated the association between dentures and feeling of oral dryness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was performed in 100 denture wearers (mean age, 66.2+/-8.6 years) who visited our department from June to October 2003. A similar survey was performed in 50 youths (mean age, 25.6+/-2.4 years, 20-29 year-old group). The survey consisted of a questionnaire and oral and denture examination. The questionnaire asked about oral dryness symptoms, general condition and current medications. The oral and denture examination examined the condition of the remaining teeth, the kinds of prosthesis, materials of dentures and form of the denture base. RESULTS: A feeling of oral dryness was observed in 11 of the 20-29 year-old group (22%) and 48 denture wearers (48%), hence the incidence was significantly higher in the denture wearers group (p<0.01). No association was observed between the oral dryness symptoms and age, sex, general condition, current medications, or number of residual teeth. The kinds of prosthesis (no denture, partial denture, complete denture) and form of the denture base have no relationship with the feeling of oral dryness. CONCLUSIONS: 48% of the denture wearers had the feeling of oral dryness, and the incidence was higher than in the 20-29 year-old group. However, no association was observed between the oral dryness symptoms and dentures. Further studies are necessary to evaluate factors associated with the development of the feeling of oral dryness.

[A clinical study on the feeling of oral dryness in denture wearers. Part 2. Measurement of the height of the salivary moisture area].

PURPOSE: We surveyed youths and denture wearers to evaluate the feeling of oral dryness. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The survey was performed in 100 denture wearers (mean age, 66.2+/-8.6 years) who visited our department from June to October 2003. A similar survey was performed in 50 20-29 year-old persons (mean age, 25.6+/-2.4 years). Measurement of the height of the salivary moisture area, and detection of Candida were performed. We used Saliva Wet Tester for measuring the height of the salivary moisture area. RESULTS: The mean height of the salivary moisture area was significantly lower in the denture wearers group than in the 20-29 year-old group (p<0.05). No association was observed between the height of the salivary moisture area and general condition, current medications, number of residual teeth, or the denture base. In the denture wearers group, the height of the salivary moisture area was high in patients with bounded saddle dentures or unilateral distal extension dentures in either or both jaws but low in those with dentures covering the entire palatal and lingual mucosa in both the upper and lower jaws. However, the feeling of oral dryness was not always consistent with the height of the salivary moisture area. In the denture wearers group, the height of the salivary moisture area matched the low tendency of detection of Candida of 100 CFU or more in patients. CONCLUSIONS: The mean height of the salivary moisture area was significantly lower in the denture wearers group than in the 20-29 year-old group. However, the feeling of oral dryness was not always consistent with the height of the salivary moisture area. Further study, including a mental factor, is necessary.

Metabolite alterations in basal ganglia associated with psychiatric symptoms of abstinent toluene users: a proton MRS study.

Long-term toluene abuse causes a variety of psychiatric symptoms. However, little is known about abnormalities at the neurochemical level in the living human brain after long-term exposure to toluene. To detect neurochemical changes in the basal ganglia of subjects with a history of long-term toluene use, proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy (1H MRS) was performed in 12 abstinent toluene users and 13 healthy comparisons with no history of drug abuse. N-acetylaspartate (NAA), creatine plus phosphocreatine (Cr + PCr), choline-containing compounds (Cho), and myo-inositol (MI) levels were measured in the left and right basal ganglia. The Cho/Cr + PCr ratio, a marker of membrane metabolism, was significantly increased in the basal ganglia of toluene users in comparison to that of the control subjects. Furthermore, the increase in the Cho/Cr + PCr ratio was significantly correlated with the severity of residual psychiatric symptoms. These findings suggest that long-term toluene use causes membrane disturbance in the basal ganglia, which is associated with residual psychiatric symptoms that persist even after long-term abstinence from toluene use.