High-pressure and high-temperature synthesis of heavy lanthanide sesquisulfides Ln2S3 ( Ln=Yb and Lu)

Detailed pressure-temperature phase diagrams of heavy lanthanide sesquisulfides Ln2S3 (Ln = Yb and Lu) have been investigated by in-situ x-ray diffraction experiments under high pressure and high temperature using synchrotron radiation and multi-anvil press. Based on the results of the in-situ observation, the single γ-phase (Th3P4-type structure, I3d) samples of Ln2S3 (Ln = Yb and Lu) have been synthesized under high pressure. The physical properties of the compounds were studied by electrical resistivity, specific heat, and magnetic susceptibility measurements between 2 K and 300 K

Discovery of gene expression-based pharmacodynamic biomarker for a p53 context-specific anti-tumor drug Wee1 inhibitor

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Wee1 is a tyrosine kinase regulating S-G2 cell cycle transition through the inactivating phosphorylation of CDC2. The inhibition of Wee1 kinase by a selective small molecule inhibitor significantly enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of DNA damaging agents, specifically in p53 negative tumors by abrogating S-G2 checkpoints, while normal cells with wild-type p53 are not severely damaged due to the intact function of the G1 checkpoint mediated by p53. Since the measurement of mRNA expression requires a very small amount of biopsy tissue and is highly quantitative, the development of a pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarker leveraging mRNA expression is eagerly anticipated in order to estimate target engagement of anti-cancer agents.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In order to find the Wee1 inhibition signature, mRNA expression profiling was first performed in both p53 positive and negative cancer cell lines treated with gemcitabine and a Wee1 inhibitor, MK-1775. We next carried out mRNA expression profiling of skin samples derived from xenograft models treated with the Wee1 inhibitor to identify a Wee1 inhibitor-regulatory gene set. Then, the genes that were commonly modulated in both cancer cell lines and rat skin samples were extracted as a Wee1 inhibition signature that could potentially be used as a PD biomarker independent of p53 status. The expression of the Wee1 inhibition signature was found to be regulated in a dose-dependent manner by the Wee1 inhibitor, and was significantly correlated with the inhibition level of a direct substrate, phosphorylated-CDC2. Individual genes in this Wee1 inhibition signature are known to regulate S-G2 cell cycle progression or checkpoints, which is consistent with the mode-of-action of the Wee1 inhibitor.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>We report here the identification of an mRNA gene signature that was specifically changed by gemcitabine and Wee1 inhibitor combination treatment by molecular profiling. Given the common regulation of expression in both xenograft tumors and animal skin samples, the data suggest that the Wee1 inhibition gene signature might be utilized as a quantitative PD biomarker in both tumors and surrogate tissues, such as skin and hair follicles, in human clinical trials.</p

Post-traumatic diaphragmatic herniation of the liver, examined by positron emission tomography: case report

We present a case of post-traumatic diaphragmatic herniation of the liver, which mimicked an intrathoracic tumor. After an automobile accident, the patient underwent thoracotomies for hemothorax and lung cancer in the right chest. Seven months later, computed tomography (CT) demonstrated a round tumor in the thorax adjacent to the right diaphragm with a higher density than the liver parenchyma. An intrathoracic tumor including a primary or metastatic lung cancer was suspected. However, positron emission tomography (PET) showed that the uptake of fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) was identical to that in the liver, and the tumor appeared to be contiguous with the liver. Thus, we suspected liver herniation. Core needle biopsy revealed liver cells without neoplastic tissue. Upon surgical exploration, herniation of the liver was found and repaired. PET was helpful in providing morphological and functional information leading to accurate diagnosis of liver herniation in this unusual case

Microstructural Analysis of Superconducting Joint Fabricated Using CJMB Between Gd123-coated Conductors

A superconducting joint between two Gd123-coated conductors was successfully formed using crystal growth in the bulk (CJMB). An intermediate Yb123 layer was used at the junction, and was melted to form a joint by heat treatment at a temperature below the melting point of the RE123 (such as Gd123) in the coated conductor. This liquid-phase bonding results in high tensile strength, which has exceeded 100 MPa in previous studies. Nevertheless, the joint principle has not been sufficiently clarified. In this study, we performed microstructural analysis of the joint using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to form a clearer understanding of the joint formation mechanism in order to achieve a high critical current in the junction

Preparation of silk resins by hot pressing Bombyx mori and Eri silk powders

We investigate the mechanical properties and structure of silk resins as potential alternatives to tortoiseshell for producing eyeglass frames and various ornaments. Silk powders are obtained from Bombyx mori and Eri silk waste fibers before the degumming process. The powders are fabricated into resins via simple hot pressing under a pressure of 31.2 MPa at temperatures in the range 150–180 °C. The results indicate that the B. mori resins have higher micro-Vickers hardness, three-point bending strength, and elastic modulus (66 Hv, 122 MPa, and 8.7 GPa, respectively) compared to the Eri silk resins (58 Hv, 95 MPa, and 8.2 GPa, respectively). The better mechanical properties of the fibroin resins are related directly to longer drying times. The optimum drying conditions are found to be at a temperature of 100 °C under a–vacuum of −0.1 MPa for a time of 7 d. ATR-FTIR and XRD results show how the fibroin structure changes after resinification and drying. The morphology and the distribution size of particle of the silk powders and the fractured surfaces of the resins are analyzed from SEM micrographs. The present findings demonstrate that silk resins are suitable materials for developing useful applications because of their favorable mechanical properties

Fabrication of 16-main-core RE123 split wire using inner split method

For application to ultrahigh-field nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (e.g., 30 T), we have started to develop a REBa2Cu3O7-δ (RE123, RE: rare earth) multi-core coated conductor in which the ceramic layers (RE123 and buffer layers) are electrically separated to create multiple filaments. This method is called electrical separation by inner splitting, and the wire is called a split wire. The multi-core structure is fabricated using electrical separation by a phase stress, which utilizes the difference in toughness between ceramics and metal, such as partial V-bending by stress along the longitudinal direction of the coated conductor using a commercially available single-core RE123 coated conductor. In addition, about 10 narrow cores (width: 5-15 μm) can be formed by one bending. These cores are called subcores. The wire is composed of main cores and subcores. In this study, a 4 mm wide multifilamentary RE123 split wire with 16 main cores and 150 subcores was fabricated and evaluated. The manufacturing method, microstructure, and critical current properties under an external magnetic field and tension are presented