<Reports on the Eighth Annual Meeting of the Tsukuba English Linguistic Society> Attitude Reports and Semantic Theories

We examined various semantic theories with respect to the treatment of attitude reports, such as believe, know, see/see that and hear/hear that. ..

Hydrogen-assisted fabrication of spherical gold nanoparticles through sonochemical reduction of tetrachloride gold(III) ions in water

Spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were selectively synthesized through sonochemical reduction of tetrachloride gold(III) ions ([AuCl4](-)) in an aqueous solution of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) tetrahydrate (HAuCl4.H2O) with the aid of hydrogen (H-2) gas in the absence of any additional capping agents. On the other hand, various shaped-AuNPs such as spherical nanoparticles, triangular and hexagonal plates were formed from sonochemical reduction of [AuCl4](-) in argon (Ar)-, nitrogen (N-2)- or oxygen (O-2)-purged aqueous [AuCl4](-) solutions. The selective fabrication of spherical AuNPs assisted by H-2 gas is most likely attributed to the generation of hydrogen radicals (H center dot) promoted by the reaction of H-2 introduced and hydrogen oxide radicals (center dot OH) produced by sonolysis of water.ArticleULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY. 21(3):946-950 (2014)journal articl

Surfactant- and reducer-free synthesis of gold nanoparticles in aqueous solutions

We report here the surfactant- and reducer-free synthesis of gold nanoparticles from an aqueous hydrogen tetrachloroaurate (III) tetrahydrate (HAuCl(4)center dot 4H(2)O) solution using a high-frequency (950 kHz) ultrasound (in the absence of any stabilizing, capping and reducing agents). In particular, size, shape and stability of gold nanoparticles prepared by the 950 kHz ultrasound irradiation (sonication) for 8 min in the surfactant-free aqueous solutions were examined in terms of AuCl(4)(-) concentration (in the range of 0.01-0.1 mM), additional salts (NaCl, HCl and NaOH) and temperature (in the range of 4-60 degrees C). We found that higher AuCl(4)(-) concentration promoted particle growth (size increase) and plate formation. In addition, the plate formation was enhanced with the addition of NaCl or HCl (but not NaOH). This is most likely due to the AuCl(4)(-) reduction on a certain crystal facets (e.g. (1 1 0) facets) caused by the adsorption of Cl(-) ions on specific crystal facets (e.g. (1 1 1) facets). Furthermore, we revealed that the temperature elevated above 50 degrees C led to the formation of spherical gold nanoparticles with the diameter of 20-60 nm from a 0.1 mM AuCl(4)(-) aqueous solution while triangular plates formed coexisting with spherical nanoparticles below 50 degrees C.ArticleCOLLOIDS AND SURFACES A-PHYSICOCHEMICAL AND ENGINEERING ASPECTS. 347(1-3):18-26 (2009)journal articl

A case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with preexisting interstitial pneumonia successfully treated with pembrolizumab

Pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma is often refractory to chemotherapy and follows an aggressive clinical course. Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized the treatment of advanced lung cancer, and a few cases with pleomorphic carcinoma have been reported to show tumor shrinkage after therapy with ICIs. When treating patients with ICIs, patient selection is essential, and monitoring and management of immune-related adverse events, including pneumonitis, are needed. We herein report a case of pulmonary pleomorphic carcinoma with preexisting interstitial pneumonia treated with pembrolizumab, antiprogrammed cell death 1 antibody. Our report highlights important considerations necessary when treating advanced pleomorphic carcinoma patients complicated with interstitial pneumonia. We also review the literature regarding the use of ICIs in such patients

Cetylpyridinium chloride at sublethal levels increases the susceptibility of rat thymic lymphocytes to oxidative stress

Cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) is an antimicrobial agent used in many personal care products, with subsequent release into the environment. Since CPC is found at low concentrations in river and municipal wastewater, its influence on wildlife is of concern. Therefore, in this study, we used flow cytometry to examine the effects of sublethal concentrations of CPC on rat thymic lymphocytes in order to characterize the cellular actions of CPC at low concentrations in the presence and absence of H2O2-induced oxidative stress. CPC treatment increased the population of living cells with phosphatidylserine exposed on the outer surface of their plasma membranes (a marker of early stage apoptosis), elevated intracellular Zn2+ levels, and decreased the cellular content of nonprotein thiols. CPC also potentiated the cytotoxicity of H2O2. Our results suggest that, even at environmentally relevant sublethal concentrations, CPC exerts cytotoxic effects under oxidative stress conditions by increasing intracellular Zn2+ concentration and decreasing the cellular content of nonprotein thiols. These findings indicate that, under some in vitro conditions, CPC is bioactive at environmentally relevant concentrations. Therefore, CPC release from personal care products into the environment may need to be regulated to avoid its adverse effects on wildlife

Novel antimyeloma therapeutic option with inhibition of the HDAC1-IRF4 axis and PIM kinase

Multiple myeloma (MM) preferentially expands and acquires drug resistance in the bone marrow (BM). We herein examined the role of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) in the constitutive activation of the master transcription factor IRF4 and the prosurvival mediator PIM2 kinase in MM cells. The knockdown or inhibition of HDAC1 by the class I HDAC inhibitor MS-275 reduced the basal expression of IRF4 and PIM2 in MM cells. Mechanistically, the inhibition of HDAC1 decreased IRF4 transcription through histone hyperacetylation and inhibiting the recruitment of RNA polymerase II at the IRF4 locus, thereby reducing IRF4-targeting genes, including PIM2. In addition to the transcriptional regulation of PIM2 by the HDAC1-IRF4 axis, PIM2 was markedly upregulated by external stimuli from BM stromal cells and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Upregulated PIM2 contributed to the attenuation of the cytotoxic effects of MS-275. Class I HDAC and PIM kinase inhibitors cooperatively suppressed MM cell growth in the presence of IL-6 and in vivo. Therefore, the present results demonstrate the potential of the simultaneous targeting of the intrinsic HDAC1-IRF4 axis plus externally activated PIM2 as an efficient therapeutic option for MM fostered in the BM

Hydrogen-assisted fabrication of spherical gold nanoparticles through sonochemical reduction of tetrachloride gold(III) ions in water

Spherical gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) were selectively synthesized through sonochemical reduction of tetrachloride gold(III) ions ([AuCl4](-)) in an aqueous solution of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate(III) tetrahydrate (HAuCl4.H2O) with the aid of hydrogen (H-2) gas in the absence of any additional capping agents. On the other hand, various shaped-AuNPs such as spherical nanoparticles, triangular and hexagonal plates were formed from sonochemical reduction of [AuCl4](-) in argon (Ar)-, nitrogen (N-2)- or oxygen (O-2)-purged aqueous [AuCl4](-) solutions. The selective fabrication of spherical AuNPs assisted by H-2 gas is most likely attributed to the generation of hydrogen radicals (H center dot) promoted by the reaction of H-2 introduced and hydrogen oxide radicals (center dot OH) produced by sonolysis of water.ArticleULTRASONICS SONOCHEMISTRY. 21(3):946-950 (2014)journal articl

Do Physical Symptoms Predict the Outcome of Surgical Fusion in Patients with Discogenic Low Back Pain?

Study DesignRetrospective case series.PurposeTo determine whether symptoms predict surgical outcomes for patients with discogenic low back pain (DLBP).Overview of LiteratureSpecific diagnosis of DLBP remains difficult. Worsening of pain on flexion is a reported symptom of DLBP. This study sought to determine whether symptoms predict surgical outcomes for patients with DLBP.MethodsWe investigated 127 patients with low back pain (LBP) and no dominant radicular pain. Magnetic resonance imaging was used to select patients with disc degeneration at only one level. If pain was provoked during discography, we performed fusion surgery (87 patients). Visual analogue scale score and responses to a questionnaire regarding symptoms including worsening of pain on flexion or extension were assessed. Symptom sites before surgery were categorized into LBP alone, or LBP plus referred inguinal or leg pain. We followed 77 patients (average 3.0 years) and compared symptoms before surgery with surgical outcome.ResultsSixty-three patients with a good outcome showed postsurgical pain relief (≥60% pain relief) and 14 patients with a poor outcome did not (<60% pain relief). In patients with good outcomes, worsening of LBP was evident in 65% of cases on flexion and in 35% on extension. However, these findings were not significantly different from those in patients with poor outcomes. The percentage of patients with LBP alone was significantly lower and the percentage of patients with LBP plus referred inguinal or leg pain was significantly higher in the group with good surgical outcome compared with patients in the group with poor surgical outcome (p<0.05).ConclusionsWorsening of pain on extension may be a symptom of DLBP. Surgical outcomes were superior in patients with both LBP and either referred inguinal or leg pain compared with those having LBP alone

Classification of Chronic Back Muscle Degeneration after Spinal Surgery and Its Relationship with Low Back Pain

Study DesignRetrospective case series.PurposeTo classify back muscle degeneration using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and investigate its relationship with back pain after surgery.Overview of LiteratureBack muscle injury and degeneration often occurs after posterior lumbar surgery, and the degeneration may be a cause of back pain. However, the relationship between back muscle degeneration and back pain remains controversial.MethodsA total of 84 patients (average age, 65.1 years; 38 men, 46 women) with lumbar spinal stenosis underwent posterior decompression surgery alone. MRI (1.5 tesla) was evaluated before and more than a year after surgery in all patients. Muscle on MRI was classified into three categories: low intensity in T1-weighted imaging, high intensity in T2-weighted imaging (type 1), high intensity in both T1- and T2-weighted images (type 2), and low intensity in both T1- and T2-weighted imaging (type 3). The prevalence of the types and their relationship with back pain (determined on a visual analog scale) were evaluated.ResultsMRI revealed muscle degeneration in all patients after surgery (type 1, 6%; type 2, 82%; and type 3, 12%). Type 2 was significantly more frequent compared with types 1 and 3 (p0.05).ConclusionsVarious pathologies of back muscle degeneration after posterior lumbar surgery were revealed. Type 2 (fatty) change was most frequent, and other patients had type 3 (scar) or type 1 (inflammation or water-like) changes. According to the Modic classification of bone marrow changes, Modic type 1 change is associated with inflammation and back pain. However, no particular type of back muscle degeneration was correlated with back pain after surgery