Analysis of structural and electronic properties of Pr2NiO4 through first-principles calculations

The structural and electronic properties of bulk Pr(2)NiO(4+δ) (δ = 0 and 0.031) were analyzed using first-principles calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) for application to electrode materials in solid-oxide fuel cells (SOFCs). Two structures of Pr(2)NiO(4) were analyzed: one in space group I4/mmm associated with the high temperature tetragonal (HTT) structure, and the other in Bmab with the low temperature orthorhombic (LTO) structure. The main difference between the two structures is the pronounced tilting of the nickelate octahedra found in the Bmab structure. Here, we will show that the difference in the electronic properties between the two structures, i.e. half-metallic for the I4/mmm structure and metallic for the Bmab structure, is attributed to the tilting of the nickelate octahedra. Furthermore, we found that the presence of interstitial O atoms at the Pr(2)O(2) bilayers is responsible for the tilting of the octahedra and thus is a dominant factor in the transition from the I4/mmm structure to the Bmab structure. These results would be of great significance to materials design related to the enhancement of O diffusivity in this material.

Clinical evaluation of the additive effect of diquafosol tetrasodium on sodium hyaluronate monotherapy in patients with dry eye syndrome: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study

PURPOSE

To assess the additive effect of diquafosol tetrasodium on sodium hyaluronate monotherapy in patients with dry eye syndrome.

METHODS

This study evaluated 64 eyes of 32 patients (age: 62.6±12.8 years (mean±SD)) in whom treatment with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate was insufficiently responsive. The eyes were randomly assigned to one of the two regimens in each patient: topical administration of sodium hyaluronate and diquafosol tetrasodium in one eye, and that of sodium hyaluronate in the other. Before treatment, and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, we determined tear volume, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and rose bengal vital staining scores, subjective symptoms, and adverse events.

RESULTS

We found a significant improvement in BUT (P=0.049, Dunnett test), fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores (P=0.02), and in subjective symptoms (P=0.004 for dry eye sensation, P=0.02 for pain, and P=0.02 for foreign body sensation) 4 weeks after treatment in the diquafosol eyes. On the other hand, we found no significant change in these parameters after treatment in the control eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

In dry eyes, where sodium hyaluronate monotherapy was insufficient, diquafosol tetrasodium was effective in improving objective and subjective symptoms, suggesting its viability as an option for the additive treatment of such eyes.

Clinical evaluation of the additive effect of diquafosol tetrasodium on sodium hyaluronate monotherapy in patients with dry eye syndrome: a prospective, randomized, multicenter study

PURPOSE

To assess the additive effect of diquafosol tetrasodium on sodium hyaluronate monotherapy in patients with dry eye syndrome.

METHODS

This study evaluated 64 eyes of 32 patients (age: 62.6±12.8 years (mean±SD)) in whom treatment with 0.1% sodium hyaluronate was insufficiently responsive. The eyes were randomly assigned to one of the two regimens in each patient: topical administration of sodium hyaluronate and diquafosol tetrasodium in one eye, and that of sodium hyaluronate in the other. Before treatment, and 2 and 4 weeks after treatment, we determined tear volume, tear film break-up time (BUT), fluorescein and rose bengal vital staining scores, subjective symptoms, and adverse events.

RESULTS

We found a significant improvement in BUT (P=0.049, Dunnett test), fluorescein and rose bengal staining scores (P=0.02), and in subjective symptoms (P=0.004 for dry eye sensation, P=0.02 for pain, and P=0.02 for foreign body sensation) 4 weeks after treatment in the diquafosol eyes. On the other hand, we found no significant change in these parameters after treatment in the control eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

In dry eyes, where sodium hyaluronate monotherapy was insufficient, diquafosol tetrasodium was effective in improving objective and subjective symptoms, suggesting its viability as an option for the additive treatment of such eyes.

Porcine circovirus type 2 potentiates morbidity of Salmonella enterica serovar Choleraesuis in Cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived pigs

PROBLEM ADDRESSED

Porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Salmonella enterica subspecies enterica serovar Choleraesuis (S. Choleraesuis) are two leading causes of economic loss in the swine industry. Although S. Choleraesuis infection occurs concurrently with PCV2-associated disease in many swine herds, the pathogenesis of concurrent infection with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis remains largely undefined.

OBJECTIVE

We investigated the interactions between PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis in 20 Cesarean-derived, colostrum-deprived (CDCD) pigs randomly assigned to 4 groups (n=5 per group).

METHODS AND APPROACH

Pigs in the dual-infected and PCV2-infected groups were inoculated intranasally with PCV2 at 5 weeks of age, and pigs in the dual-infected and S. Choleraesuis-infected groups were inoculated intranasally with S. Choleraesuis at 7 weeks of age. Pigs in the control group served as uninfected controls.

RESULTS

After S. Choleraesuis inoculation, severe clinical signs, reduction of weight gain, and severe microscopic lung lesions were observed in dual-infected pigs compared to those in other groups. In addition, the pigs in the dual-infected group shed significantly (P=0.002) higher quantities of S. Choleraesuis in feces 12 days after S. Choleraesuis inoculation, and S. Choleraesuis was recovered from more tissues in this group 14 days after S. Choleraesuis inoculation.

CONCLUSIONS

These results indicate that prior PCV2 infection potentiates the severity of clinical signs, lung lesions, and fecal shedding and tissue dissemination of S. Choleraesuis in infected pigs. Therefore, dual infection of pigs with PCV2 and S. Choleraesuis may increase clinical effects of salmonellosis in the field.

Persistent diffuse pulmonary interstitial emphysema mimicking pulmonary emphysema

A 69-year-old male non-smoker with a history of atopic asthma presented with symptoms suggestive of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and this appeared to be corroborated by lung function testing and a chest radiograph. However, a chest CT showed no evidence of pulmonary emphysema and instead demonstrated free air along the bronchovascular sheaths indicative of pulmonary interstistial emphysema, possibly caused by repeated prior exacerbations of asthma. His lung function tests and symptoms improved within months of being treated for his airways disease but the CT findings were unchanged after 2 years.

Nasal cavity vascular leiomyoma: case report and literature review

Liomyomas of the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses are rare. They make up less than 1% of all leiomyomas in the human body. This is due to the paucity of smooth muscle in the nose. They are classified in three groups: leiomyoma, angiomyoma and epithelioid leiomyoma. Only 15 cases of vascular leiomyomas have been found in the literature. The treatment of choice is surgical excision. Hereby we present a new case and review the literature.

Improvement of pulmonary function and dyspnea by tiotropium in COPD patients using a transdermal β2-agonist

BACKGROUND

A combination of bronchodilators may be effective in the treatment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). We examined the effect of adding a long-acting anti-cholinergic agent (tiotropium) to a transdermal-type beta(2)-agonist (tulobuterol) on dyspnea as well as pulmonary function.

METHODS

In a multicentre, randomized, parallel design study, 60 COPD patients treated with the transdermal beta(2)-agonist tulobuterol were divided into a tiotropium added group (Tulo+Tio group, n=40) or transdermal beta(2)-agonist tulobuterol alone group (Tulo group, n=20), and then treated for 4 weeks after a 2 week run-in period. Pulmonary function and a dyspnea (Medical Research Council (MRC)) scale were assessed before and after the treatment. Daily peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring was also performed.

RESULTS

After 4 weeks, the Tulo+Tio group showed a significant increase in pulmonary function compared with the Tulo group; DeltaFVC (0.31+/-0.06 L vs. 0.06+/-0.05 L, p< 0.01), DeltaFEV(1) (0.15+/-0.03 L vs. -0.02+/-0.02 L, p<0.0001), and DeltaPEF (41.0+/-5.1 L/min vs. 0.5+/-3.5 L/min, p<0.0001). The MRC dyspnea scale was also significantly improved in Tulo+Tio, but not in Tulo group.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that tiotropium caused a significant improvement in both pulmonary function and dyspnea in COPD patients already treated with the transdermal beta(2)-agonist tulobuterol.

Possible Impact of Salivary Influence on Cytokine Analysis in Exhaled Breath Condensate

Background

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is thought to contain substances of the lower airway epithelial lining fluid (ELF) aerosolized by turbulent flow. However, contamination by saliva may affect the EBC when collected orally.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to compare the cytokine expression levels in EBC with those in saliva, and to clarify the influence of saliva on cytokine measurements of EBC.

Methods

EBC and saliva samples were obtained from 10 adult subjects with stable asthma. To estimate differences in the contents of substances between EBC and saliva, the total protein concentration of each sample was measured. Further, we also measured the total protein concentration of ELF obtained from another patient group with suspected lung cancer using a micro sampling probe during bronchoscopic examination and roughly estimated the dilution of EBC by comparing the total protein concentration of EBC and ELF from those two patient groups. The cytokine expression levels of EBC and saliva from asthmatic group were assessed by a cytokine protein array.

Results

The mean total protein concentrations in EBC, saliva and ELF were 4.6 μg/ml, 2,398 μg/ml and 14,111 μg/ml, respectively. The dilution of EBC could be estimated as 1:3000. Forty cytokines were analyzed by a cytokine protein array and each cytokine expression level of EBC was found to be different from that of saliva. Corrected by the total protein concentration, all cytokine expression levels of EBC were significantly higher than those of saliva.

Conclusion

These results suggest that the salivary influence on the cytokine assessment in EBC may be negligible.

Possible impact of salivary influence on cytokine analysis in exhaled breath condensate

BACKGROUND

Exhaled breath condensate (EBC) is thought to contain substances of the lower airway epithelial lining fluid (ELF) aerosolized by turbulent flow. However, contamination by saliva may affect the EBC when collected orally.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to compare the cytokine expression levels in EBC with those in saliva, and to clarify the influence of saliva on cytokine measurements of EBC.

METHODS

EBC and saliva samples were obtained from 10 adult subjects with stable asthma. To estimate differences in the contents of substances between EBC and saliva, the total protein concentration of each sample was measured. Further, we also measured the total protein concentration of ELF obtained from another patient group with suspected lung cancer using a micro sampling probe during bronchoscopic examination and roughly estimated the dilution of EBC by comparing the total protein concentration of EBC and ELF from those two patient groups. The cytokine expression levels of EBC and saliva from asthmatic group were assessed by a cytokine protein array.

RESULTS

The mean total protein concentrations in EBC, saliva and ELF were 4.6 microg/ml, 2,398 microg/ml and 14,111 microg/ml, respectively. The dilution of EBC could be estimated as 1:3000. Forty cytokines were analyzed by a cytokine protein array and each cytokine expression level of EBC was found to be different from that of saliva. Corrected by the total protein concentration, all cytokine expression levels of EBC were significantly higher than those of saliva.

CONCLUSION

These results suggest that the salivary influence on the cytokine assessment in EBC may be negligible.

ATM-dependent nuclear accumulation of IKK-α plays an important role in the regulation of p73-mediated apoptosis in response to cisplatin

I kappa B kinase (IKK) complex plays an important role in the regulation of signaling pathway that activates nuclear factor-kappa-B (NF-kappaB). Recently, we reported that cisplatin (CDDP) treatment causes a remarkable nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha in association with stabilization and activation of p73. However, underlying mechanisms of CDDP-induced nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha are elusive. Here, we found that ataxia-telangiectasia mutated (ATM) is one of upstream mediators of IKK-alpha during CDDP-induced apoptosis. In response to CDDP, ATM was phosphorylated at Ser-1981, which was accompanied with nuclear accumulation of IKK-alpha in HepG2 cells, whereas CDDP treatment had undetectable effects on IKK-alpha in ATM-deficient cells. Indirect immunofluorescence experiments demonstrated that phosphorylated form of ATM colocalizes with nuclear IKK-alpha in response to CDDP. In vitro kinase assay indicated that ATM phosphorylates IKK-alpha at Ser-473. Moreover, IKK-alpha-deficient MEFs displayed CDDP-resistant phenotype as compared with wild-type MEFs. Taken together, our present results suggest that ATM-mediated phosphorylation of nuclear IKK-alpha, which stabilizes p73, is one of the main apoptotic pathways in response to CDDP.

Comparison of bronchodilatory properties of transdermal and inhaled long-acting beta 2-agonists

BACKGROUND

Regular use of long-acting bronchodilators is recommended for symptomatic COPD patients. A transdermal type of beta 2-agonist, tulobuterol, was recently developed. This agent shows the pharmacokinetic property of a sustained serum concentration for 24h. However, little has been reported about the bronchodilatory properties of this agent.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the present study was to compare the bronchodilatory action of transdermal beta 2-agonist tulobuterol with that of inhaled long-acting beta 2-agonist salmeterol.

METHODS

An open-label, randomized crossover study was performed. Eleven patients with stable COPD were enrolled in the study. Tulobuterol (2mg/day) or salmeterol (50 microg, twice daily) was administered in a randomized, crossover manner. Forced expiratory volume in 1s (FEV1), forced vital capacity (FVC) and inspiratory capacity (IC) were measured before administration, every 2h from 12 to 24h, and at 36 h after the initial administration.

RESULTS

Transdermal beta 2-agonist tulobuterol showed an improvement in FEV1, FVC and IC after dosing compared with those at baseline. Salmeterol also improved all parameters of FEV1, FVC and IC, and showed a greater improvement compared with the transdermal beta 2-agonist tulobuterol (p<0.05). The values of the area under the curve (AUC) of FEV1, FVC and IC during the administration of tulobuterol were 2.98+/-1.05, 1.81+/-0.98, 0.75+/-0.85 L h, respectively, and during the administration of salmeterol they were 6.39+/-1.12, 6.61+/-1.34, 4.28+/-0.91 L h, respectively.

CONCLUSION

The transdermal beta 2-agonist tulobuterol showed bronchodilatory action for at least 24h by once daily administration. However, its bronchodilatory potency was about three times less than that of the inhaled beta 2-agonist salmeterol.