Free-Space Nanometer Wiring via Nanotip Manipulation.

Relentless efforts in semiconductor technology have driven nanometer-scale miniaturization of transistors, diodes, and interconnections in electronic chips. Free-space writing enables interconnections of stacked modules separated by an arbitrary distance, leading to ultimate integration of electronics. We have developed a free-space method for nanometer-scale wiring on the basis of manipulating a metallic nanotip while applying a bias voltage without radiative heating, lithography, etching, or electrodeposition. The method is capable of fabricating wires with widths as low as 1-6 nm and lengths exceeding 200 nm with a breakdown current density of 8 TA/m(2). Structural evolution and conduction during wire formation were analyzed by direct atomistic visualization using in situ high-resolution transmission electron microscopy.

[Case with rupture of renal arterial aneurysm caused by fibromuscular dysplasia].

A 47-year-old women referred to our hospital with sudden left lower abdominal pain and state of shock in April 2006. Computed tomographic (CT) scan revealed a retroperitoneal hematoma and we suspected a renal tumor or angio myolipoma but enhanced CT scan show bleeding from a left renal artery. We perfomed left renal artery angiography and admitted a arteryal stenosis. Finally we diagnosed renal artery aneurysm caused by fibromuscular dysplasia. We performed left radical nephrectomy on the same day. We report the details of this case.

Detection of von Willebrand factor-cleaving protease (ADAMTS-13) in human platelets.

The hemostatic activity of von Willebrand factor (vWF) is strongly dependent on its multimeric structure, with the highest activity in 'unusually large' multimers secreted from endothelial cells. The multimeric structure is regulated by a plasma protease, vWF-cleaving protease (vWF-CP, or ADAMTS-13). ADAMTS-13 mRNA is variably expressed in liver and other tissues. Because 15-25% of circulating vWF is stored in platelets, the presence and function of ADAMTS-13 in platelets are important issues. Here we report ADAMTS-13 expression in human platelets. Western blot analysis and flow cytometric analysis on permeabilized platelets revealed the presence of ADAMTS-13 protein. Real-time PCR demonstrated that ADAMTS-13 mRNA is present in platelets of six healthy volunteers, with little quantitative difference. The presence of ADAMTS-13 in platelets may imply the functional role of this enzyme in the local regulation of platelet function at the site of vascular injury or thrombus formation, and provide a useful tool for the analysis of structure and function of this enzyme.