Upregulated Expression of Activation-Induced Cytidine Deaminase in Ocular Adnexal Marginal Zone Lymphoma with IgG4-Positive Cells

Immunoglobulin G4-related disease (IgG4-RD) is a systemic disorder characterized by tissue fibrosis and intense lymphoplasmacytic infiltration, causing progressive organ dysfunction. Activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID), a deaminase normally expressed in activated B-cells in germinal centers, edits ribonucleotides to induce somatic hypermutation and class switching of immunoglobulin. While AID expression is strictly controlled under physiological conditions, chronic inflammation has been noted to induce its upregulation to propel oncogenesis. We examined AID expression in IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD; n = 16), marginal zone lymphoma with IgG4-positive cells (IgG4+ MZL; n = 11), and marginal zone lymphoma without IgG4-positive cells (IgG4- MZL; n = 12) of ocular adnexa using immunohistochemical staining. Immunohistochemistry revealed significantly higher AID-intensity index in IgG4-ROD and IgG4+ MZL than IgG4- MZL (p < 0.001 and = 0.001, respectively). The present results suggest that IgG4-RD has several specific causes of AID up-regulation in addition to inflammation, and AID may be a driver of oncogenesis in IgG4-ROD to IgG4+ MZL.     

Aloe vera-based antibacterial porous sponges for wound dressing applications

Journal of Porous Materials - The antibacterial sponges with high macroporosity, high interconnectivity and high biocompatibility is a significant concern for wound healing applications. In this...     

The Emi2 Protein of Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a Hexokinase Expressed under Glucose Limitation

Hexokinases catalyze glucose phosphorylation at the first step in glycolysis in eukaryotes. In the budding yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae , three enzymes for glucose phosphorylation have long been known: Hxk1, Hxk2, and Glk1. In this study, we focus on Emi2, a previously uncharacterized hexokinase-like protein of S. cerevisiae . Our data show that the recombinant Emi2 protein (rEmi2), expressed in Escherichia coli , possesses glucose-phosphorylating activity in the presence of ATP and Mg ²⁺ . It was also found that rEmi2 phosphorylates not only glucose but also fructose, mannose and glucosamine in vitro . In addition, we examined changes in the level of endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae in the presence or absence of glucose and a non-fermentable carbon source. We found that the expression of Emi2 protein is tightly suppressed during proliferation in high glucose, while it is strongly upregulated in response to glucose limitation and the presence of a non-fermentable carbon source. Our data suggest that the expression of the endogenous Emi2 protein in S. cerevisiae is regulated under the control of Hxk2 in response to glucose availability in the environment.     

A method for testing the interface toughness of ceramic environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs)

A simple interface fracture test for ceramic environmental barrier coatings (EBCs) on ceramic matrix composites (CMCs) was developed. A variation on the asymmetric double cantilever beam (ADCB) test was proposed so that the interface toughness could be measured in a small specimen of simple shape without applying interlaminar loading to the CMC substrate. The proposed test was applied to an EBC consisting of a mullite layer and Si bond coat on a monolithic SiC substrate. A pre-crack was introduced by pop-in cracking, and then a notch overlapping the pre-crack was machined. The pre-crack was opened by inserting a wedge into the notch. From the critical notch opening displacement the crack starts to propagate, interface toughness is calculated. The measured interface toughness was 4.1?J/m2. Finally, the application range of the test was discussed and suggestions were made for introduction of the notch and pre-crack.     

Investigation of metallic color perception using real‐world materials

Metallic colors have a unique appearance of glossiness with features such as highlights, contrast, and reflections on their surface, and therefore, metallic objects are very attractive to humans. Especially, gold, silver, and copper colors are familiar metals used as decorative materials, coins, and other furnishings. However, the mechanism and condition of metallic perception have not been fully investigated. There are a few studies for investigating metallic perception using rendered patches or images, but there is no study using real‐world objects. In our previous study, we developed a simple representation technique that made real objects appear to be made of gold by projecting a solid color onto a target nonmetallic object. By using the representation technique, in this study, we have further investigated the perception of metallic appearance such as gold, silver, and copper using real‐world materials, and analyzed the difference between these metallic perceptions. Our results indicate that the perception of the metallic object is different for gold, silver, and copper. Our new findings are as follows: the glitter required for the perception of gold and silver becomes an obstacle to the perception of copper; the metallic perception reveals that learning experience might be strongly affecting; and luminance adjustment is sensitive to the perception of metallic objects.     

Phragmites australis: a novel biosorbent for the removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution

Reed (Phragmites australis), a commonly used macrophyte in the wetlands constructed for water purification, was investigated as a new biosorbent for the removal of Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+), Pb(2+) and Zn(2+) from aqueous solution. The metal adsorption capacity of reed biomass was improved significantly by water-wash, base- and acid-treatment. The maximum sorption of NaOH-pretreated reed biomass was observed near neutral pH for Cu(2+), Cd(2+), Ni(2+) and Zn(2+), while that for Pb(2+) was from an acidic range of pH 4.0 or higher. The maximum metal adsorption capacity on a molar basis assumed by Langmuir model was in the order of Cu(2+)>Ni(2+)>Cd(2+)>Zn(2+)>Pb(2+). Reed biosorbent showed a very high adsorption affinity value, which helps predict its high ability to adsorb heavy metals at low concentration. Desorption of heavy metals and regeneration of the biosorbent was attained simultaneously by acid elution. Even after three cycles of adsorption-elution, the adsorption capacity was regained completely and the desorption efficiency of metal was maintained at around 90%.