Modulation of nanotube formation in apatite single crystal via organic molecule incorporation

Hydroxyapatite materials are potentially useful for biomedical application, especially as vehicles for functional molecules. Structural control of bulk apatite materials, such as in the fabrication of hollow microspheres or porous structures, has been studied for this purpose. However, control of the internal structure of the source apatite crystal itself is still a challenge. Here, we show that small organic molecules incorporated in apatite crystals act as porogens which control the porous structure of apatite single crystal. The presence of amino acid under apatite synthesis conditions leads to firm bindings and encapsulation of the amino acid in apatite single crystals. Amino acid elimination by heating or electron beam irradiation enhances the pore formation in apatite single crystal. Moreover, incorporation of an acidic amino acid in apatite induces peapod like nanotubes in apatite single crystals. This study suggests the potential of using small organics for nano-structural control of apatite single crystals which would be valuable for enhancing drug loadings or modulating material digestion in vivo.     

Desiccation survival of Listeria monocytogenes and other potential foodborne pathogens on stainless steel surfaces is affected by different food soils

Food processing environments are suspected to be the primary source of Listeria monocytogenes contamination of foods. We investigated the survival of L. monocytogenes on stainless steel that was soiled with food components (minced tuna, ground pork, and cabbage) followed by dehydration. Stainless steel coupons were inoculated with 10⁷ CFU/coupon and stored up to 30 days. In comparison with Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella Typhimurium, L. monocytogenes demonstrated the highest survivability where about 3 log CFU/coupon remained at the end of the experimental period. While survival during the early storage period was markedly affected by both food-component attachment and food type, a long dehydration period diminished the effect of those.     

Surgical treatment of an aortic arch aneurysm: reports of 2 cases with lesion of the arch vessels

A 48-year old woman underwent surgery for an aortic arch aneurysm with stenosis or dilatation of three arch vessels caused by aortitis syndrome. Total arch replacement and reconstruction of three arch vessels were performed with hypothermic selective cerebral perfusion (SCP). To avoid atheroembolism and malperfusion to the brain, the rt. common carotid artery was perfused via the rt. subclavian artery through the dacron vascular graft and the lt. subclavian artery was cannulated and perfused distally to stenosis. A 65-year-old man who had an atherosclerotic aortic arch aneurysm with severe stenosis of the brachiocephalic artery underwent operation. In the operation, extracorporeal circulation was instituted with the arterial return through the lt. subclavian artery. Same as case 1, total arch replacement and reconstruction of three arch vessels were performed under hypthermic SCP. In this case, the left common carotid artery was transected and cannulated directly into the vessel, instead of cannulation through the aortic lumen because of atheromatous plaques in the orifice of the left common carotid artery. The patients recovered uneventfully and doing well now.     

Genomic discordance between monozygotic twins discordant for schizophrenia

Based on volume-flow relationships, CNS agents that are highly lipid soluble (log octanol-water partition coefficient > 2) are expected to have equilibration half-times (T1/2 kE0) that are proportional to brain solubility. Propofol, the most lipophilic anaesthetic in clinical use, has T1/2 kE0 values of 1.7 and 2.9 min in rats and humans, respectively, compared with an expected value of at least 8 min. As a first step in exploring this discrepancy between observed and predicted values, we determined the steady state brain:plasma and brain:blood partition coefficients in rats after a 4-h infusion of propofol. Brain:plasma and brain:blood partition coefficients were 8.2 (SD 1.6) and 3.0 (0.5), respectively. T1/2 kE0 predictions based on brain: blood partitioning in rats are more in agreement with the observed equilibration half-time, suggesting that drug bound to the formed elements of blood participates in the uptake and transfer of propofol to its effect site.     

Chromosomal DNA patterns and gene stability of Pichia pastoris

We have clearly resolved four chromosomal bands from four Pichia pastoris (Komagataella pastoris) strains by using contour-clamped homogeneous electric field gel electrophoresis. The size of the P. pastoris chromosomal bands ranged from 1.7 Mb to 3.5 Mb and total genome size was estimated to be 9.5 Mb to 9.8 Mb; however, chromosome-length polymorphisms existed among four strains. Thirteen cloned genes isolated from strain GTS115 were assigned to the separated chromosomes, revealing that different hybridization patterns were observed in the AOX2 and URA3 genes among strains. P. pastoris is frequently used as an efficient host for heterologous gene expressions. We analysed chromosomal stability of strain GTS115-derived recombinant cell expressing human serum albumin during serial cultivation under the condition of vegetative and non-selective growth. No chromosomal rearrangements were observed and the expression constructs integrated into the his4 locus on chromosome I were very stable even at 83 generations, suggesting that stable expression would be carried out even in large-scale fermentation.     

Fluorescent estimation of H2O2-induced changes in cell viability and cellular nonprotein thiol level of dissociated rat thymocytes

Vector control and the detection (followed by treatment) of infected individual are the two methods currently available for the control of sleeping sickness. The basic reproduction rate of a compartmental model (Kermack and McKendrick) is used to analyze and compare the two strategies. The model shows that when there is a long first stage characteristic of an endemic situation, the detection of sick individuals is more efficient than vector control. This higher efficiency of detection decreases in a epidemic situation. In this case vector control in the form of a decrease in vector density and/or an increase in vector mortality is relatively more efficient than detection. Because it is squared in the basic reproduction rate, the probability of a tsetse blood meal on humans is an important and sensitive parameter in the study of control strategies. This sensitivity has been observed previously and empirically by field workers. When the probability of a tsetse blood meal on humans is above a certain value, vector control becomes warranted or even necessary.     

Nitrogen in-situ doped poly buffer LOCOS: simple and scalableisolation technology for deep-submicron silicon devices

This paper describes a novel LOCOS (LOCal Oxidation of Silicon) technology that uses nitrogen in-situ doped amorphous-Si as a buffer layer instead of the undoped poly-Si used in conventional Poly Buffered LOCOS (PBL). This technology makes it possible to use a thin 6-nm pad oxide by preventing the formation of voids in Si buffer layer and improves edge morphology and effective dimension loss. Therefore, the technology will be used in advanced LSI fabrication with KrF lithography, notwithstanding that the number of processing steps is the same as conventional PBL. This new LOCOS technology is the most promising isolation technology for the deep-submicron era due to its simplicity and scalability     

Influence of femoral lengthening on hip joint space in posttraumatic femoral shortening

AIMS: To objectively assess the psychological and psychosexual morbidity of patients with vulvar vestibulitis. METHODS: 30 patients with variable degrees of vulvar vestibulitis were recruited from a vulval clinic. Each patient underwent a detailed history and clinical examination. Friedrich's criteria were used for the diagnosis of vulvar vestibulitis. Standardised questionnaires to assess psychological and psychosexual function were completed by the patient before review. These questionnaires were the STAI and a modified psychosexual questionnaire introduced by Campion. RESULTS: Patients experienced considerable psychological dysfunction compared with controls. All aspects of psychosexual dysfunction were affected. CONCLUSIONS: When managing patients, psychosexual and psychological issues must be considered in addition to other conventional types of therapy. Vulvar vestibulitis may be a risk factor for developing psychosexual complications including vaginismus, low libido, and orgasmic dysfunction. Consideration of these factors must be an integral part of the management of patients with all chronic vulval conditions.