In-situ atomic layer deposition of tri-methylaluminum and water on pristine single-crystal (In)GaAs surfaces: electronic and electric structures.

The electronic structure of single-crystal (In)GaAs deposited with tri-methylaluminum (TMA) and water via atomic layer deposition (ALD) is presented with high-resolution synchrotron radiation core-level photoemission and capacitance-voltage (CV) characteristics. The interaction of the precursor atoms with (In)GaAs is confined at the topmost surface layer. The Ga-vacant site on the GaAs(111)A-2 × 2 surface is filled with Al, thereby effectively passivating the As dangling bonds. The As-As dimers on the GaAs(001)-2 × 4 surface are entirely passivated by one cycle of TMA and water. The presumed layerwise deposition fails to happen in GaAs(001)-4 × 6. In In0.20Ga0.80As(001)-2 × 4, the edge row As atoms are partially bonded with the Al, and one released methyl then bonds with the In. It is suggested that the unpassivated surface and subsurface atoms cause large frequency dispersions in CV characteristics under the gate bias. We also found that the (In)GaAs surface is immune to water in ALD. However, the momentary exposure of it to air (less than one minute) introduces significant signals of native oxides. This indicates the necessity of in situ works of high κ/(In)GaAs-related experiments in order to know the precise interfacial atomic bonding and thus know the electronic characteristics. The electric CV measurements of the ALD-Al2O3 on these (In)GaAs surfaces are correlated with their electronic properties.

Developmental role of the SNF1-related kinase Hunk in pregnancy-induced changes in the mammary gland.

The steroid hormones 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone play a central role in the pathogenesis of breast cancer and regulate key phases of mammary gland development. This suggests that developmental regulatory molecules whose activity is influenced by ovarian hormones may also contribute to mammary carcinogenesis. In a screen designed to identify protein kinases expressed in the mammary gland, we previously identified a novel SNF1-related serine/threonine kinase, Hunk (hormonally upregulated Neu-associated kinase). During postnatal mammary development, Hunk mRNA expression is restricted to a subset of mammary epithelial cells and is temporally regulated with highest levels of expression occurring during early pregnancy. In addition, treatment of mice with 17 beta-estradiol and progesterone results in the rapid and synergistic upregulation of Hunk expression in a subset of mammary epithelial cells, suggesting that the expression of this kinase may be regulated by ovarian hormones. Consistent with the tightly regulated pattern of Hunk expression during pregnancy, mammary glands from transgenic mice engineered to misexpress Hunk in the mammary epithelium manifest temporally distinct defects in epithelial proliferation and differentiation during pregnancy, and fail to undergo normal lobuloalveolar development. Together, these observations suggest that Hunk may contribute to changes in the mammary gland that occur during pregnancy in response to ovarian hormones.

Cloning and characterization of Hunk, a novel mammalian SNF1-related protein kinase.

We previously identified a novel protein kinase, Hunk, by means of a degenerate PCR screen designed to isolate kinases expressed in the murine mammary gland. We now describe the molecular cloning, chromosomal localization, and activity of this kinase and characterize its spatial and temporal pattern of expression in the mouse. We have isolated a 5.0-kb full-length cDNA clone that contains the 714-amino-acid open reading frame encoding Hunk. Analysis of this cDNA reveals that Hunk is most closely related to the SNF1 family of serine/threonine kinases and contains a newly described SNF1 homology domain. Accordingly, antisera specific for Hunk detect an 80-kDa polypeptide with associated phosphotransferase activity. Hunk is located on distal mouse chromosome 16 in a region of conserved synteny with human chromosome 21q22. During fetal development and in the adult mouse, Hunk mRNA expression is developmentally regulated and tissue-specific. Moreover, in situ hybridization analysis reveals that Hunk expression is restricted to subsets of cells within a variety of organs in the adult mouse. These findings suggest a role for Hunk in murine development.

Charge Donation by Calcium into the t1g Band of C60.

Photoemission spectra of compounds prepared by the reaction of C(60) films with calcium show two distinct metallic phases, whereas alkali-doped C(60) films have only one. In the first phase the bulk t(1u) band, derived from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital of C(60), is partially occupied. This is followed by an insulating phase that has the composition Ca(3)C(60) in which the t(1u) band is filled and has properties analogous to those of K(6)C(60). Continued exposure to calcium produces a second metallic phase in which electrons are donated into the t(1g) band. The superconductivity of Ca(5)C(60) is associated with the t(1g) band.

Photoemission Spectra and Electronic Properties of KxC60.

Photoemission spectra of vacuum deposited layers of C(60), before and after exposure to K vapor, show that the K donates its conduction electron into the band derived from the lowest unoccupied molecular orbital. A compound with composition of K(3)C(60), corresponding to the maximum conductivity, has been prepared. In it the potassium atoms presumably occupy both the octahedral and the two tetrahedral interstitial sites of the face-centered-cubic (fcc) C(60) structure.

Inermicapsifer beveridgei n. sp. (Cestoidea: Anoplocephalidae) from Procavia capensis (Hyracoidea) in Israel, with notes on two species of Hymenolepis.

Inermicapsifer beveridgei n. sp. from Procavia capensis differs from all other species in the genus in having 150-174 testes per segment. The closest species is I. hyracis (Rudolphi, 1810) Janicki, 1919, with 75-120 testes. Hymenolepis vogeae Singh, 1956 and H. horrida (Linstow, 1901) Lühe, 1910, are briefly discussed.

Macrophage-nematode interaction in vivo: Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infective larvae in the peritoneum of unsensitized rats.

Infective larvae of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis injected into the peritoneum of non-immune rats become coated with several layers of host macrophages. Cell-coated larvae remain free in the peritoneum or attach to the omentum, while other larvae attach to the omentum without becoming coated. All larvae, whether coated or not, die, become pigmented and break into fragments. Ultrastructural observations revealed a progressive disintegration of the soft tissues of the immobilized larvae, characterized by autolytic changes and accumulation of pigment with histochemical characteristics of lipofuscin. The cuticle remains intact and excludes Trypan blue during the entire autolytic process, thus demonstrating that macrophage secretions do not participate in the disintegration process. When larval enzymes are inactivated by heat treatment and the larvae are injected i.p., no autolysis occurs and the internal organs remain recognizable. These larvae become coated over their entire length with several layers of macrophages and are progressively phagocytized by macrophages clustering at both ends. Different modes of nematode disintegration within the rodent host involving macrophages are discussed.

Hydatid disease of the spine causing paraplegia. The combined treatment by surgical drainage and mebendazole: a case report.

Hydatid disease of the spine is a rare disease with a poor prognosis. Paraplegia is a severe complication and has a low chance for recovery. Surgical drainage and decompression has been the treatment of choice although success was limited. Medical treatment with mebendazole was introduced in 1977 for cystic and alveolar Hydatid disease of the liver. In this paper, a case with Hydatid disease with complete paraplegia is presented. He was treated by combined surgical and medical treatment that included several surgical drainages, decompression, and fusion procedures, accompanied by high dose mebendazole for three years. Recovery from the paraplegia was complete except for the persistence of a neurogenic bladder. Neither clinical nor laboratory evidence of activity of the disease existed after six years of follow-up. This case must encourage further clinical trials in such cases, combining surgical treatment with mebendazole.

Demonstration of collagenase activity in adult Strongyloides ratti (Nematoda:Strongyloididae) and its absence in the infective larvae.

Larvae and adults of Strongyloides ratti were examined for collagenolytic activity on 14C proline-labelled, native, guinea-pig skin collagen substrate. The activity was measured by determining either the amount of hydroxyproline released or the amount of radioactivity in the solubilized fraction of the collagen substrate. Bacterial collagenase was used for enzyme control and trypsin served as substrate control. No collagenolytic activity was found in living larvae, their extracts or metabolites. The collagenolytic activity of the metabolites of adult worms appeared weak, whereas that of the extracts of the adults was pronounced. It is suggested that collagenase is active in the adult females at the time of migration in the intestinal mucosa during oviposition.

Disseminated echinococcosis with repeated anaphylactic shock. Treated with mebendazole.

A 46-year-old man, who was twice operated on for echinococcosis and who suffered from recurrent angioneurotic edema, was hospitalized with anaphylactic shock. Chest x-ray examination showed round lesions in the lungs; Casoni, immunofluorescence and hemagglutination tests for echinococcosis were strongly positive. With a diagnosis of disseminated echinococcosis, drug treatment with mebenzadole was given for 29 weeks (the last 22 weeks a dose of 1,200 mg daily). No side effects were observed, allergic manifestations disappeared, and the round lesions were noticeably reduced. The titer of hemagglutination fell gradually, and IgE concentration initially increased and later fell. Mebendazole is proposed as a drug of choice in the cure of disseminated hydatidosis; it may both alter the indication for operation and considerably improve the prognosis.

Helminths of birds and mammals of Israel. VIII.- Skrjabinocapillaria rodentium n. sp. (Nematoda Capillariidae) from gerbillid and murid rodents.

Skrjabinocapillaria rodentium n.sp., found in the stomach of Meriones crassus, Gerbillus pyramidum, G. gerbillus, G. dasyurus and Acomys cahirinus, is described. It differs from the other two species in the genus, S. bakeri and S. eubursata, mainly in being larger, having a larger number of stichocytes and having a cephalic influation in the female and not in the male.

Helminths of birds and mammals of Israel. VII. - Pneumospirura rodentium n. sp. (Pneumospiruridae - Thelazioidea).

Pneumospirura rodentium a lung parasite of Gerbillus dasyurus and Meriones crassus is described. P. hainanensis Wu and Hu, 1938 and Metathelazia servalis Chabaud and Biocca, 1950, have cephalic structures resembling those of P. rodentium. But the three species can be differentiated by the size of spicules, their localization, hosts and geographical distribution.

Scanning electron microscopy of the cephalic structures of Pneumospiruridae. (Thelazioidea - Nematoda). Revision of the family.

In a study with the scanning electron microscope (SEM) five different types of cephalic structure were found in five species of Pneumospiruridae recorded in Israel. The description, in the literature, of a sixth type, based on a study with the light microscope, was also considered in evaluating the results. By comparing descriptions and drawings of the known Pneumospiruridae with the SEM micrographs the species in the family were grouped into two genera: 1. Vogeloides Dougherty, 1952 in which the form of the cephalic structures could be correlated with the structure of the oesophagus; 2. Metathelazia Skinker, 1931 in which the cephalic structures could not be correlated with any other morphological or anatomical character. The species included in the genus Metathelazia were therefore grouped on the basis of the form of cephalic structures in 5 types: booliati, multipapillata, acomysi, capsulata and rodentium. The genus Pneumospirura Wu and Hu, 1938 is considered a subjective synonym of Metathelazia.

[Helminths of birds and mammals from Israel. VI. The taxonomy and ecology of Trichostrongylid Nematodes (author's transl)]. / trichostrongyloides

Thirteen species of trichostronglyloid nematodes have so far been recorded from wild birds and mammals in Israel and surrounding territories. Three species were found in birds: Amidostomum fulicae (Rudolphi, 1819) in Fulica atra L., 1758, A. acutum (Lundahl, 1848) in Anas crecca L., 1758 AND Amidostomum sp. in Ceryle rudis L., 1758. Ten species, 3 of which are new, were found in small mammals: Trichostrongylus colubriformis (Giles, 1892) in Hystrix indica Kerr, 1792; Tenorastrongylus josephi n. sp. in Mus musculus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus brasiliensis (Travassos, 1914) in Rattus norvegicus Berk, 1796 and Rattus rattus L., 1758; Nippostrongylus witenbergi Greenberg, 1972, in Nesokia indica Gray et Hardw., 1832; Heligmonina nevoi n. sp. in Spalax ehrenbergi, Nehring, 1898; Boreostrongylus seurati (Travassos et Darriba, 1929) in Gerbillus allenbyi Thomas, 1918, G. pyramidum Geoffrey, 1825, G. (Dipodillus) dasyurus, Meriones sacramenti Thomas, 1922 and M. tristrami Thomas, 1892; Boreostrongylus minutus (Dujardin, 1845) in Microtus guentheri Danford et Alsen, 1880; Heligmosomoides polygyrus polygyrus (Dujardin, 1845) in Apodemus mystacinus Danf. et Alst., 1877 and A. sylvaticus L., 1758; Suncinema witenbergi n. sp. in Crocidura russula Herm., 1780. Ecologic and zoogeographic relationships are discussed.