Comparison of postoperative biomechanical function between anatomic double-bundle and single-bundle ACL reconstructions using calcium phosphate-hybridized tendon grafts in goats

BACKGROUND

Calcium phosphate (CaP)-hybridized tendon grafts improved biomechanical function compared with untreated grafts after single-bundle (SB) anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. The purpose of this study was to compare the biomechanical function between anatomic double-bundle (DB) and single-bundle (SB) ACL reconstructions using CaP-hybridized tendon grafts at 6 months postoperatively in goats.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesized that the postoperative biomechanical function in the DB group will be better than that in the SB group.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Knee kinematics and in situ forces in the grafts under applied anterior tibial load (ATL) of 50N and internal tibial torque (ITT) of 2.0 Nm at full extension, and 60° and 90° of knee flexion, and the histology of the tendon-bone interface were compared between the DB group (n=6) and SB group (n=6).

RESULTS

The in situ forces under ATL in the DB group at full extension and 90°of knee flexion were greater than those in the SB group. The in situ forces under ITT in the DB group at full extension and 60°of knee flexion were greater than those in the SB group. The in situ forces on the posterolateral bundle of the grafts under ATL and ITT in the DB group at full knee extension were greater than those on the posterior half of the grafts in the SB group. The histology did not differ significantly between the groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although CaP-hybridized tendon grafts were used in both groups, the in situ forces under ATL and ITT in the DB group were greater than those in the SB group at 6 months postoperatively. The posterolateral bundle of the grafts in the DB group acted effectively against both ATL and ITT at full extension. The tendon-to-bone healing was similar in both groups.

STUDY DESIGN

Controlled laboratory study. Level 2.

Serum ferritin level is a prognostic marker in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma

INTRODUCTION

The prognostic value of serum ferritin level in patients with peripheral T-cell lymphoma (PTCL) remains unknown.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 78 consecutive patients with newly diagnosed PTCL that were treated with anthracycline-containing regimens between 1998 and 2011.

RESULTS

The patients consisted of 50 males and 28 females with a median age of 64 years (range, 16-83 years). The subtypes of PTCL were 39 PTCL, not otherwise specified and 39 angioimmunoblastic T-cell lymphoma (AITL). The median observation period for the surviving patients was 50 months. The overall survival (OS) was poorer in patients with serum ferritin level above the upper normal limit (n = 28), compared with patients with serum ferritin level within normal range (n = 50; 4-year OS: 23% vs. 72%; P < 0.001). In the multivariate analysis, poor performance status (P = 0.006) and elevated serum ferritin level (P = 0.018) were independent risk factors for poor OS.

CONCLUSION

Serum ferritin level is a useful prognostic marker for PTCL.

Microchemical Pen: An Open Microreactor for Region-Selective Surface Modification

Various micro surface-modification approaches including photolithography, dip-pen lithography and ink-jet systems have been developed and used to extend the functionalities of solid surfaces. While those approaches work in the "open space", push-pull systems which work in solutions have recently drawn considerable attention. However, the confining flows performed by push-pull systems have realized only the dispense process, while microscale, region-selective chemical reactions have remained unattainable. This study reports a microchemical pen that enables region-selective chemical reactions for the micro surface modification/patterning. The chemical pen is based on the principle of microfluidic laminar flows and the resulting mixing of reagents by the mutual diffusion. The tiny diffusion layer performs as the working region. This report represents the first demonstration of an open microreactor in which two different reagents react on a real solid sample. The multifunctional characteristics of the microchemical pen are confirmed by different types of reactions in many research areas, including inorganic chemistry, polymer science, electrochemistry and biological sample treatment.

Electrostatic model of the energy-bending within organic semiconductors: experiment and simulation

The interfacial properties between electrodes and the various organic layers that comprise an organic electronic device are of direct relevance in understanding charge injection, extraction and generation. The energy levels and energy-bending of three interfaces; indium tin oxide (ITO)/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate (

PEDOT

PSS), ITO/poly(N-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) and

PEDOT

PSS/PVK were measured using ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS) and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). By decoupling the vacuum shift and energy-bending, the energy-bending at these interfaces can be simulated using an electrostatic model that takes into account the energetic disorder of the polymers. The model is further extended to include blended mixtures of semiconductors at differing concentrations and it was found that a very good agreement exists between the experiment and theory for all interfaces. This suggests that the electrostatic model can be used to describe energy-bending at the interface between any organic semiconductors. Further investigation into the effect of the Gaussian density of states width on energy-bending is warranted.

Creation of a Thermally Tolerant Peroxidase

An artificial peroxidase with thermal tolerance and high catalytic activity has been successfully prepared by mutagenesis of an electron transfer protein, cytochrome c552 from Thermus thermophilus. The mutant enzymes were rationally designed based on the general peroxidase mechanism and spectroscopic analyses of an active intermediate formed in the catalytic reaction. Stopped flow UV-vis spectroscopy and EPR spectroscopy with a rapid freezing sample technique revealed that the initial double mutant, V49D/M69A, which was designed to reproduce the peroxidase mechanism, formed an active oxo-ferryl heme intermediate with a protein radical predominantly localized on Tyr45 during the catalytic reaction. The magnetic power saturation measurement obtained from EPR studies showed little interaction between the oxo-ferryl heme and the tyrosyl radical. Kinetics studies indicated that the isolated oxo-ferryl heme component in the active intermediate was a possible cause of heme degradation during the reaction with H2O2. Strong interaction between the oxo-ferryl heme and the radical was achieved by replacing Tyr45 with tryptophan (resulting in the Y45W/V49D/M69A mutant), which was similar to a tryptophanyl radical found in active intermediates of some catalase-peroxidases. Compared to the protein radical intermediates of V49D/M69A mutant, those of the Y45W/V49D/M69A mutant showed higher reactivity to an organic substrate than to H2O2. The Y45W/V49D/M69A mutant exhibited improved peroxidase activity and thermal tolerance.

Development of a Portable Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor with Multi-Sensing Points Based on the Linear CCD Sensor

A portable-type surface plasmon resonance (SPR) sensor, composed from a new optical system for multi-sensing, has been developed to apply to environment analysis, clinical diagnosis etc., where many samples are desired to be analyzed at high throughput. The optical system of the sensor consists of a light-emitting diode, a pair of cylindrical lenses, a pair of collimator lenses, a correction lens, a prism, a polarizer and a linear CCD sensor with 2048 pixels. Reflected light from a sensor chip of the width of 6 mm at a certain incident angle was detected by ca. 618 pixels of the linear CCD sensor as an SPR sensor signal. An SPR sensor signal at a specified incident angle is controllable for optimization by adjusting the position of the CCD sensor. A sensor chip having a 30-stripe linear pattern (100 μm width/stripe) was prepared. The spatial resolution as well as the performance of the sensor were evaluated by using sucrose solutions. As a result, the acquisition of SPR sensor signals from 30 sensing points was successfully achieved with a spatial resolution of 100 μm (distance between 2 sensing points). A lower detection limit of ca. 3.2 - 5.5 × 10(-5) RIU with a standard deviation of ±4.5% was obtained by averaging the signals from 6 - 7 pixels of the CCD sensor per one sensing stripe.

Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger-heterozygote knockout mice display increased relaxation in gastric fundus and accelerated gastric transit in vivo

BACKGROUND

For the contraction and relaxation of gastric smooth muscles to occur, the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration must be increased and decreased, respectively. The Na(+) /Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) is a plasma membrane transporter that is involved in regulating intracellular Ca(2+) concentrations.

METHODS

To determine the role of NCX in gastrointestinal tissues, we examined electric field stimulation (EFS)-induced relaxations in the circular muscles of the gastric fundus in NCX1 and NCX2 heterozygote knockout mice (HET).

KEY RESULTS

The myenteric plexus layers and the longitudinal and circular muscle layers in the gastric fundus of wild-type mice (WT) were strongly immunoreactive to NCX1 and NCX2. EFS induced a transient relaxation that was apparent during the stimulus and a sustained relaxation that persisted after the end of the stimulus. The amplitudes of EFS-induced transient relaxation and sustained relaxation were greater in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET than in WT. When an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase was added following the EFS, neither NCX1 HET nor NCX2 HET exhibited transient relaxation, similar to WT. Furthermore, when a PACAP antagonist was added following the EFS, sustained relaxation in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET was not observed, similar to WT. Next, we examined the effect of NCX heterozygous deficiency on relaxation in response to NO and PACAP in smooth muscles. The magnitude of NOR-1- and PACAP-induced relaxations in NCX1 HET and NCX2 HET was similar to that of WT.

CONCLUSIONS & INFERENCES

In this study, we demonstrate that NCX1 and NCX2 expressed in neurons regulate the motility in the gastric fundus.

Inkjet printing based assembly of thermoresponsive core–shell polymer microcapsules for controlled drug release

A thermoresponsive polymer microcapsule with a hollow core–porous shell structure was fabricated based on inkjet printing, which can be used to control drug release by changing the temperature at around 38 °C.

A Handy Field-Portable ELISA System for Rapid Onsite Diagnosis of Infectious Diseases

Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) are considered the gold standard for the detection of various immunological reactions and can be used for the detection of infectious diseases during outbreaks or in the care of individual patients. To be useful in the timely implementation of prevention and control measures against infectious diseases, a diagnostic modality should be rapid, accurate, and affordable. In the current study, we demonstrate the efficiency (90% less time and volume consumption compared with those of a standard 96-well ELISA), detection capability, and ease of operation of a field-portable, battery-operated ELISA system, approximately the size of a cellular phone (12 × 6 × 5.5 cm), in the serological diagnosis of measles and rubella viruses that has the potential for onsite testing such as during disease outbreaks.

Whole-genome association study for fatty acid composition of oleic acid in Japanese Black cattle

Fatty acid composition, especially oleic acid (C18:1), plays an important role in the eating quality of meat in Japanese Black cattle. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify loci associated with C18:1 in the intramuscular fat of the trapezius muscles in Japanese Black cattle using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip whole genome single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) assay. We also evaluated the relationship between C18:1 and three fatty acid synthesis genes, fatty acid synthase (FASN), stearoyl-CoA desaturase and sterol regulatory element-binding protein-1. In this experiment, we applied a mixed model and Genomic Control approach using selective genotyping to perform a genome-wide association study. A total of 160 animals (80 animals with higher values and 80 animals with lower values), selected from 3356 animals based on corrected phenotype, were genotyped using the Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip and three fatty acid synthesis genes, and the quality of these SNPs was assessed. In this study, a total of 38 955 SNPs, which included SNPs in the three fatty acid synthesis genes, were used, and the estimated inflation factor was 1.06. In the studied population, a total of 32 SNPs, including the FASN gene, had significant effects, and in particular 30 SNPs of all significant SNPs were located between 49 and 55 Mbp on chromosome 19. This study is one of the first genome-wide association studies for fatty acid composition in a cattle population using the recently released Illumina BovineSNP50 BeadChip.

AN UNUSUAL CASE OF EXTRAMAMMARY PAGET'S DISEASE

A patient, having been treated by total cystectomy and Bricker's conduit operation for prostatic duct carcinoma with intraepithelial extension into the prostatic urethra and bladder, developed an annular, psoriasiform eruption around the external orifice of the urethra two and one-half years later. A biopsy of this lesion showed pagetoid changes of the epidermis. Microscopic examination of the surgical specimen, consisting of the glans penis and corpus spongiosum, demonstrated intraepithelial-tumor permeation into the glans penis, penile urethra, and periurethral glands (Littre). It seems reasonable to conclude that this is an unusual case of Paget's disease of the glans penis which probably originated from a prostatic duct carcinoma.

Development of mixed connective tissue disease and Sjögren's syndrome in a patient with trisomy X

Increased risk of developing systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) has been reported in patients with Klinefelter syndrome. Here, we describe a 16-year-old Japanese patient with trisomy X (47,XXX) who developed mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) and Sjögren's syndrome. She had polyarthritis, edematous fingers with Raynaud's phenomenon, sicca syndrome, interstitial lung disease, possible myositis, and was positive for anti-nuclear antibody, anti-nRNP antibody and rheumatoid factor. This is the first report in the literature of a case of MCTD with female polysomy X, which further supports the link between the presence of extra X chromosome(s) and the development of autoimmune diseases.

Facile synthesis of a Ag/MoS2 nanocomposite photocatalyst for enhanced visible-light driven hydrogen gas evolution

Ag-decorated MoS₂ nanocomposite photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light driven hydrogen gas evolution performance.

Generation of controlled monodisperse porous polymer particles by dipped inkjet injection

A piezoelectric drop-on-demand (DOD) inkjet microchip with its nozzle immersed in organic phase was used to generate monodisperse porous polymer particles.

Ultrasensitive hydrogen sensor based on Pt-decorated WO₃ nanorods prepared by glancing-angle dc magnetron sputtering

In this work, we report an ultrasensitive hydrogen (H2) sensor based on tungsten trioxide (WO3) nanorods decorated with platinum (Pt) nanoparticles. WO3 nanorods were fabricated by dc magnetron sputtering with a glancing angle deposition (GLAD) technique, and decorations of Pt nanoparticles were performed by normal dc sputtering on WO3 nanorods with varying deposition time from 2.5 to 15 s. Crystal structures, morphologies, and chemical information on Pt-decorated WO3 nanorods were characterized by grazing-incident X-ray diffraction, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and photoelectron spectroscopy, respectively. The effect of the Pt nanoparticles on the H2-sensing performance of WO3 nanorods was investigated over a low concentration range of 150-3000 ppm of H2 at 150-350 °C working temperatures. The results showed that the H2 response greatly increased with increasing Pt-deposition time up to 10 s but then substantially deteriorated as the deposition time increased further. The optimally decorated Pt-WO3 nanorod sensor exhibited an ultrahigh H2 response from 1530 and 214,000 to 150 and 3000 ppm of H2, respectively, at 200 °C. The outstanding gas-sensing properties may be attributed to the excellent dispersion of fine Pt nanoparticles on WO3 nanorods having a very large effective surface area, leading to highly effective spillover of molecular hydrogen through Pt nanoparticles onto the WO3 nanorod surface.

Observation of quadrupole helix chirality and its domain structure in DyFe3(BO3)4

Resonant X-ray diffraction (RXD) uses X-rays in the vicinity of a specific atomic absorption edge and is a powerful technique for studying symmetry breaking by motifs of various multipole moments, such as electric monopoles (charge), magnetic dipoles (spin) and electric quadrupoles (orbital). Using circularly polarized X-rays, this technique has been developed to verify symmetry breaking effects arising from chirality, the asymmetry of an object upon its mirroring. Chirality plays a crucial role in the emergence of functionalities such as optical rotatory power and multiferroicity. Here we apply spatially resolved RXD to reveal the helix chirality of Dy 4f electric quadrupole orientations and its domain structure in DyFe3(BO3)4, which shows a reversible phase transition into an enantiomorphic space-group pair. The present study provides evidence for a helix chiral motif of quadrupole moments developed in crystallographic helix chirality.

A compact immunoassay platform based on a multicapillary glass plate

A highly sensitive, rapid immunoassay performed in the multi-channels of a micro-well array consisting of a multicapillary glass plate (MCP) and a polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) slide is described. The micro-dimensions and large surface area of the MCP permitted the diffusion distance to be decreased and the reaction efficiency to be increased. To confirm the concept of the method, human immunoglobulin A (h-IgA) was measured using both the proposed immunoassay system and the traditional 96-well plate method. The proposed method resulted in a 1/5-fold decrease of immunoassay time, and a 1/56-fold cut in reagent consumption with a 0.05 ng/mL of limit of detection (LOD) for IgA. The method was also applied to saliva samples obtained from healthy volunteers. The results correlated well to those obtained by the 96-well plate method. The method has the potential for use in disease diagnostic or on-site immunoassays.

A chemo-mechanical switch for controllable water transportation based on a thermally responsive block copolymer

A smart and reversible chemo-mechanical switch for controllable water transportation was developed by originally designing a thermally responsive block copolymer on a capillary plate.