Solution-Based Deposition of Transparent Eu-Doped Titanium Oxide Thin Films for Potential Security Labeling and UV Screening.

Transparent titanium oxide thin films attract enormous attention from the scientific community because of their prominent properties, such as low-cost, chemical stability, and optical transparency in the visible region. In this study, we developed an easy and scalable solution-based process for the deposition of transparent TiOx thin films on glass substrates. We showed that the proposed method is also suitable for the fabrication of metal-doped TiOx thin films. As proof-of-the-concept, europium Eu(III) ions were introduced into TiOx film. A photoluminescence (PL) study revealed that Eu-doped TiOx thin films showed strong red luminescence associated with 5D0→7Fj relaxation transitions in Eu (III). We found that prepared TiOx thin films significantly reduce the transmittance of destructive UV radiation; a feature that can be useful for the protection of photovoltaic devices. In addition, transparent and luminescent TiOx thin films can be utilized for potential security labeling.

The effectiveness of health communication strategies in health education in Kushima, Japan.

Japan's 2008 health policy focuses more than ever on health education for behaviour change and outcome measures for physical health status. This is at odds with contemporary health promotion and health education, which frame health as a resource for everyday life and indicate that the evaluation of interventions should measure broader aspects of health rather than just physical aspects. The application of a combination of different health communication models and theories allows for a customized approach, depending on the types of change that are being sought, and can lead to increased relevance as well as a better fit when it comes to evaluating the achievement of broad health promotion goals. This article explores the application of the Outcome Model for Health Promotion to a two-year health education intervention in Kushima, Japan. This model measures program effectiveness from four aspects: physical health outcomes; intermediate health outcomes; health promotion outcomes; and health promotion actions. A quantitative and qualitative longitudinal, mixed model study design and methods were used for the analysis. Data was taken from health exams, structured interviews, and participant observations collected from 67 participants at four times over two years. This intervention relied primarily on health education and communication to achieve mental and social health outcomes more significantly and faster than physical health outcomes. The importance of moving outcome measurement beyond direct health achievements is discussed in light of the relationships between physical, mental, and social health and its determinants, and our results.

Sorafenib-induced acute myocardial infarction due to coronary artery spasm.

A 65-year-old man with advanced renal cell carcinoma was admitted due to continuing chest pain at rest. Two weeks before his admission, sorafenib had been started. He was diagnosed with non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction by laboratory data and electrocardiogram. Enhanced heart magnetic resonance imaging also showed subendocardial infarction. However, there was no stenosis in coronary arteries on angiography. Coronary artery spasm was induced by a provocative test. Cessation of sorafenib and administration of Ca-channel blocker and nitrates ameliorated his symptoms, but relapse occurred after resumption of sorafenib. Addition of oral nicorandil reduced his symptoms and maintained stable angina status. We report the first case of sorafenib-induced coronary artery spasm. Sorafenib is a multikinase inhibitor that targets signaling pathways necessary for cellular proliferation and survival. On the other hand, the Rho/ROCK pathway has an important role in the pathogenesis of coronary artery spasm. Our report may show an adverse effect on the Rho/ROCK pathway by sorafenib use.

Dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin, a novel nuclear factor-kappaB inhibitor, induces apoptosis in multiple myeloma cells in an IkappaBalpha-independent manner.

Nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) is constitutively activated in multiple myeloma cells. Several proteasome inhibitors have been shown to be effective against multiple myeloma and may act by inhibiting degradation of IkappaBalpha. Here, we examined the biological effects of a new type of NF-kappaB inhibitor, dehydroxymethylepoxyquinomicin (DHMEQ), which is reported to directly inhibit the cytoplasm-to-nucleus translocation of NF-kappaB. A multiple myeloma cell line, 12PE, which is defective for IkappaBalpha protein, was utilized to determine if IkappaBalpha is concerned with the action of DHMEQ. Meanwhile, U266 was used as a multiple myeloma cell line with normal IkappaBalpha. A proteasome inhibitor, gliotoxin, which is an inhibitor of degradation of phosphorylated IkappaBalpha, failed to inhibit translocation of NF-kappaB in 12PE. In contrast, DHMEQ equally inhibited translocation of NF-kappaB to the nucleus and induced apoptosis to both multiple myeloma cell lines, suggesting that apoptosis resulting from DHMEQ is IkappaBalpha independent. DHMEQ also induced apoptosis in freshly isolated multiple myeloma cells. After DHMEQ treatment, cleavage of caspase-3 and down-regulation of cyclin D1 were observed in both cell lines. In addition, administration of DHMEQ resulted in a significant reduction in tumor volume in a plasmacytoma mice model compared with control mice. Our results show that DHMEQ could potentially be a new type of molecular target agent for multiple myeloma.

Comparative histology of lymph nodes from aged animals and humans with special reference to the proportional areas of the nodal cortex and sinus.

Lymph nodes are composed of a lymphocyte-rich area or cortex (subdivided into the superficial and deep cortex and the medullary cord) and another, macrophage-rich area (incorporating the subcapsular and medullary sinuses). We measured the proportional area of the cortex in lymph nodes from aged experimental mammals (rats, guinea pigs, dogs and rabbits) and elderly Japanese humans. The cervical, axillary and inguinal nodes were generally richer in cortex tissue than the pulmonary regional and mesenteric nodes. Histological heterogeneity and medullary sinus dominance were much more evident in the human nodes than in those from animals, except for the guinea pig thoracic node. Human pulmonary regional nodes were characterized by a large medullary sinus; in guinea pigs, these nodes had a similar histology but the T lymphocyte-containing areas were smaller and thinner than in humans. The paraaortic node was well developed in humans and dogs, but not in other animals tested. These species- and region-specific histological differences may influence the evaluation of experimental animal models of lymph node function, such as those recently identified for research into sentinel nodes.

Histologic heterogeneity and intranodal shunt flow in lymph nodes from elderly subjects: a cadaveric study.

Gaps of the superficial cortex of the lymph node provide intranodal shunts that are more often the cause of skip metastasis than are collateral vessels. Examination of lymph nodes from cadavers of elderly subjects often revealed cortical gaps, especially in specific three-dimensional assembled cords; these cortical gaps were readily seen in para-aortic and pelvic nodes. This architecture seemed to be more appropriate for a systemic immune response than a local defense. Evidence of poorly developed cortices, anthracosis, and hyalinization also suggested impaired nodal function. We suspect that this histologic heterogeneity, perhaps a result of aging, affects the nodal trapping of colorimetric/isotopic tracers and metastatic cancer cells. This may have implications for lymphatic mapping of the sentinel lymph node in elderly patients with early-stage cancer.

Gaps and fragmentation of the superficial cortex in the abdominal and pelvic lymph nodes of elderly Japanese.

Gaps and fragmentation of the superficial lymph node cortex are considered to provide intranodal shunt flow between the afferent and efferent vessels. Using serial sections of 205 nodes obtained from 27 donated cadavers more than 70 years of age, we examined the histological architecture of the abdominal and pelvic nodes in elderly Japanese. Secondary follicles were rare in the specimens. Cortex gaps were, to a greater or lesser degree, found in all nodes. We classified these nodes into three types according to how often the gap occurred. Type 1 nodes, with a relatively complete shield for the afferent lymph, were most frequently found in gastric nodes, whereas type 3 nodes, with numerous gaps, were often observed in the colic, para-aortic and pelvic nodes. The type 3 nodes showed a specific architecture characterized by a fragmented superficial cortex, three-dimensionally assembled cords and a common sinus between them. Primary follicles were located in the assembled cord structures as well as at the superficial cortex. Irrespective of the type, B and T lymphocyte areas were intermingled in the cortex-like areas. The present results reveal region-specific histological heterogeneity in aged human visceral nodes. Due to increased surface areas, the type 3 architecture seemed to accelerate systemic immunity rather than act as a local barrier in the para-aortic and pelvic nodes, which are located centrally along the lymphatic drainage routes. However, thick trabeculae often seemed to develop in the type 3 sinus to decrease nodal function with aging.