ABSTRACT
This paper describes an original design leading to the field effect passivation of Si n+-p junctions. Ordered Ag nanoparticle (Ag-NP) arrays with optimal size and coverage fabricated by means of nanosphere lithography and thermal evaporation, were embedded in ultrathin-Al2O3/SiN x :H stacks on the top of implanted Si n+-p junctions, to achieve effective surface passivation. One way to characterize surface passivation is to use photocurrent, sensitive to recombination centers. We evidenced an improvement of photocurrent by a factor of 5 with the presence of Ag NPs. Finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations combining with semi-quantitative calculations demonstrated that such gain was mainly due to the enhanced field effect passivation through the depleted region associated with the Ag-NPs/Si Schottky contacts.
ABSTRACT
To our knowledge, this communication is the first report of chemotaxis towards chlorophenols by any bacteria. We used a recently published method based on the agarose in-plug assay combined with video processing analysis and we also present a new index of bacterial mean speed for these assays.
Subject(s)
Achromobacter/physiology , Chemotaxis/physiology , Chlorophenols/pharmacology , Pseudomonas aeruginosa/physiologySubject(s)
Drug Eruptions/etiology , Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors/adverse effects , Rosuvastatin Calcium/adverse effects , Aged , Betamethasone/administration & dosage , Betamethasone/analogs & derivatives , Biopsy , Drug Eruptions/diagnosis , Drug Eruptions/drug therapy , Drug Eruptions/immunology , Female , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Patch Tests , Predictive Value of Tests , Risk Factors , Treatment OutcomeSubject(s)
Cellulitis/immunology , Culicidae/immunology , Eosinophilia/immunology , Insect Bites and Stings/immunology , Interleukin-5/immunology , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/immunology , Skin/immunology , Administration, Cutaneous , Aged, 80 and over , Animals , Biopsy , Cells, Cultured , Cellulitis/diagnosis , Cellulitis/drug therapy , Cellulitis/metabolism , Eosinophilia/diagnosis , Eosinophilia/drug therapy , Eosinophilia/metabolism , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Insect Bites and Stings/diagnosis , Insect Bites and Stings/drug therapy , Insect Bites and Stings/metabolism , Interleukin-5/metabolism , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/drug effects , Leukocytes, Mononuclear/metabolism , Male , Salivary Glands/immunology , Skin/drug effects , Skin/metabolism , Tissue Extracts/immunology , Treatment Outcome , Up-RegulationSubject(s)
Antifungal Agents/adverse effects , Dermatitis, Exfoliative/chemically induced , Drug Eruptions/etiology , Interleukin-23/immunology , Naphthalenes/adverse effects , Psoriasis/chemically induced , Skin/drug effects , Aged, 80 and over , Betamethasone/administration & dosage , Betamethasone/analogs & derivatives , Biopsy , Cells, Cultured , Dermatitis, Exfoliative/diagnosis , Dermatitis, Exfoliative/drug therapy , Dermatitis, Exfoliative/immunology , Drug Eruptions/diagnosis , Drug Eruptions/drug therapy , Drug Eruptions/immunology , Female , Glucocorticoids/administration & dosage , Humans , Lymphocyte Activation/drug effects , Methylprednisolone/administration & dosage , Psoriasis/diagnosis , Psoriasis/drug therapy , Psoriasis/immunology , Skin/immunology , Skin/pathology , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/drug effects , T-Lymphocytes, Helper-Inducer/immunology , Terbinafine , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged, 80 and over , Drug Hypersensitivity/complications , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Drug Hypersensitivity/immunology , Parapsoriasis/chemically induced , Parapsoriasis/complications , Parapsoriasis/immunology , Antifungal Agents/adverse effects , Interleukin-23/administration & dosage , Interleukin-23/analysis , Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent AssayABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aged , Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/complications , Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/immunology , Influenza Vaccines/adverse effects , Influenza Vaccines/immunology , Drug Hypersensitivity/complications , Erythema/complications , Mouth Mucosa , Mouth Mucosa/immunologyABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Humans , Female , Aged , Drug Hypersensitivity/complications , Drug Hypersensitivity/diagnosis , Rosuvastatin Calcium/adverse effects , Exanthema/chemically induced , Betamethasone/therapeutic use , Exanthema/complications , Exanthema/drug therapyABSTRACT
No disponible
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Aged, 80 and over , Eosinophilia/complications , Eosinophilia/immunology , Interleukin-5/analysis , Interleukin-5/immunology , Cellulite/complications , Cellulite/immunology , Bites and Stings/immunology , Insecta , Insecta/immunology , Edema/complications , Edema/immunologyABSTRACT
We conducted a prospective follow-up MRI study of originally asymptomatic healthy subjects to clarify the development of Modic changes in the cervical spine over a ten-year period and to identify related factors. Previously, 497 asymptomatic healthy volunteers with no history of cervical trauma or surgery underwent MRI. Of these, 223 underwent a second MRI at a mean follow-up of 11.6 years (10 to 12.7). These 223 subjects comprised 133 men and 100 women with a mean age at second MRI of 50.5 years (23 to 83). Modic changes were classified as not present and types 1 to 3. Changes in Modic types over time and relationships between Modic changes and progression of degeneration of the disc or clinical symptoms were evaluated. A total of 31 subjects (13.9%) showed Modic changes at follow-up: type 1 in nine, type 2 in 18, type 3 in two, and types 1 and 2 in two. Modic changes at follow-up were significantly associated with numbness or pain in the arm, but not with neck pain or shoulder stiffness. Age (≥ 40 years), gender (male), and pre-existing disc degeneration were significantly associated with newly developed Modic changes. In the cervical spine over a ten-year period, type 2 Modic changes developed most frequently. Newly developed Modic changes were significantly associated with age, gender, and pre-existing disc degeneration.
Subject(s)
Cervical Vertebrae/pathology , Spinal Diseases/diagnosis , Adult , Age Factors , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Arm/innervation , Disease Progression , Female , Follow-Up Studies , Humans , Hypesthesia/etiology , Intervertebral Disc Degeneration/complications , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Male , Middle Aged , Neck Pain/etiology , Prospective Studies , Sex Factors , Shoulder Joint/physiopathology , Spinal Diseases/etiology , Spinal Diseases/physiopathology , Young AdultABSTRACT
An adult female killer whale (Orcinus orca) was transported to the Port of Nagoya public aquarium in June 2010. While the animal was being maintained in the aquarium there was a gradual decrease in body weight. On October 1st, 2010 the whale exhibited signs of gastrointestinal disease and died on January 14th, 2011. At necropsy examination the gastric compartments were filled with a large number of variably-sized rocks (total weight 81.4 kg) and there was marked ulceration in the third compartment. There were multifocal tubercle-like nodules within the lungs and on sectioning there were numerous abscesses and pulmonary cavities. Microscopically, there was severe suppurative pneumonia associated with fungal hyphae that were infrequently septate and often branched. Numerous bacterial colonies were also present. The hyphae demonstrated immunohistochemical cross-reactivity with Rhizomucor spp. and Cunninghamella bertholletiae was cultured. Bacteriological culture revealed the presence of Proteus mirabilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Pseudomonas oryzihabitans. This case represents the first documentation of zygomycosis associated with C. bertholletiae in a marine mammal.
Subject(s)
Hematologic Tests/veterinary , Lung Diseases, Fungal/veterinary , Mucormycosis/veterinary , Whale, Killer , Animals , Antifungal Agents/therapeutic use , Cunninghamella/isolation & purification , Female , Lung Diseases, Fungal/drug therapy , Lung Diseases, Fungal/pathology , Mucormycosis/drug therapy , Mucormycosis/pathologyABSTRACT
The molecular mechanisms of vertebrate ZZ/ZW-type sex-determining systems remain unclear. We recently indicated that a W-linked gene, DM-W is a likely ovary-determining gene in Xenopus laevis. We first examined whether Cyp19 for estrogen-synthesizing enzyme P450 aromatase and Foxl2 showed female-specific expression in developing gonads. Both genes showed much higher expression in ZW than in ZZ gonads during and after sex determination. Importantly, transgenic ZZ gonads expressing exogenous DM-W at the sex-determining stage showed a ZW-type pattern of Cyp19 and Foxl2 expression. These results suggest that DM-W up-regulates Cyp19 and Foxl2 expression to guide primary ovary development in X. laevis.
Subject(s)
Aromatase/genetics , Forkhead Transcription Factors/genetics , Gene Expression , Sex Determination Processes , Xenopus Proteins/genetics , Xenopus/genetics , Amino Acid Sequence , Animals , Animals, Genetically Modified , Aromatase/metabolism , Base Sequence , Female , Forkhead Box Protein L2 , Forkhead Transcription Factors/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Molecular Sequence Data , Ovary/enzymology , Ovary/metabolism , Sequence Homology, Amino Acid , Xenopus/metabolism , Xenopus Proteins/metabolismABSTRACT
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) and its sodium salt (Na-PCP) are extremely toxic chemicals responsible for important soil and groundwater pollution, mainly caused by wastes from wood-treatment plants, because chlorinated phenols are widely used as wood preservatives. The methods most commonly used for routine analysis of pesticides such as PCP and Na-PCP are high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS). A variety of rapid biological screening tests using marine organisms, bioluminescent bacteria, and enzymes have also been reported. In this study, rapid biological screening analysis using Bacillus subtilis was developed, to assess the biodegradation of PCP and its by-products in liquid samples. An empirical model is proposed for spectrophotometric analysis of Na-PCP concentration after growth of Bacillus subtilis.
Subject(s)
Bacillus subtilis/metabolism , Biological Assay/methods , Environmental Pollutants/toxicity , Pentachlorophenol/toxicity , Bacillus subtilis/drug effects , Biodegradation, Environmental , Environmental Pollutants/metabolism , Pentachlorophenol/metabolismABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To ascertain and define the position of a potential disease susceptibility gene around D21S0083i prioritized during our previous whole genome case-control association analysis with 27,158 microsatellite markers, in Japanese high-myopia patients. METHODS: 520 high myopic patients and 520 healthy controls were genotyped using 39 SNPs distributed around D21S0083i on chromosome 21q22.3. RESULTS: Only 1 SNP (rs2839471) of 39 SNPs was significant after correction for multiple testing (allele T: P=0.00027, Pc=0.01, OR=1.684). The SNP (rs2839471) did not reside in haplotype blocks constructed by the pair-wise linkage disequilibrium between the SNPs. CONCLUSIONS: The SNP (rs2839471) is suggested to be located in the frequent recombinant region within UMODL1. Together this region might play a critical role for susceptibility to high myopia, and warrants further confirming studies and investigations as to the mechanisms by which UMODL1 may contribute to myopia.
Subject(s)
Chromosomes, Human, Pair 21/genetics , Genetic Predisposition to Disease/genetics , Mucoproteins/genetics , Myopia/genetics , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Case-Control Studies , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Genotype , Humans , Infant , Male , Microsatellite Repeats/genetics , Middle Aged , Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide/genetics , Uromodulin , Young AdultABSTRACT
Double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) is a new technique that allows diagnosis and treatment throughout the entire small intestine. We have recently developed a method that allows a single operator to perform DBE, by employing "grip and pinch" and "hold (or 'keep') and slide" techniques. This one-person method obviates the need for two operators who must cooperate closely.
Subject(s)
Endoscopy/methods , Intestine, Small/surgery , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pilot ProjectsABSTRACT
An ulnar recurrent adipofascial flap was raised and turned over to reconstruct massive defects around the elbow and forearm after wide resection of malignant tumours. Compared to the fasciocutaneous flap, the ulnar recurrent adipofascial flap has the following advantages: (1) a larger flap can be harvested without the problem of primary closure of the donor site, (2) the contour and scar of the donor site is reasonably acceptable since no tension is presented, (3) the flap can be turned over to cover a wider area, and (4) debulking of the flap can be performed during the operation if needed. The rotation arc of the ulnar recurrent adipofascial flap reaches a wide region, including the distal one-half of the upper arm, the elbow, and the proximal two-thirds of the forearm. Sensory deficit in the forearm was avoided in our patients because meticulous separation and preservation of the medial cutaneous nerve of the forearm was achieved without jeopardising the blood supply to the flap. The ulnar recurrent adipofascial flap is an easy and reliable option for one-stage reconstruction of massive defects around the elbow.
Subject(s)
Elbow/surgery , Forearm/surgery , Histiocytoma, Benign Fibrous/surgery , Leiomyoma/surgery , Soft Tissue Neoplasms/surgery , Surgical Flaps , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neoplasm Recurrence, Local/surgery , ReoperationABSTRACT
The authors demonstrate successful cases of stepladder dorsal metacarpal V-Y advancement and rotation-advancement flaps for reconstructing defects on the dorsum of the finger and hand. One side of the flap is designed in a multilobed shape, and each lobed flap is designed on the dorsum of adjacent fingers. These flaps are supplied by dorsal metacarpal vessels. Consequently, this method has the elements of the stepped incision technique, in combination with the V-Y and rotation-advancement principle. All flaps survived completely. This technique may be a useful option for reconstruction of defects of the dorsum of the finger and hand.
