Plasmon modes in single gold nanodiscs

Optical properties of single gold nanodiscs were studied by scanning near-field optical microscopy. Near-field transmission spectra of a single nanodisc exhibited multiple plasmon resonances in the visible to near-infrared region. Near-field transmission images observed at these resonance wavelengths show wavy spatial features depending on the wavelength of observation. To clarify physical pictures of the images, theoretical simulations based on spatial correlation between electromagnetic fundamental modes inside and outside of the disc were performed. Simulated images reproduced the observed spatial structures excited in the disc. Mode-analysis of the simulated images indicates that the spatial features observed in the transmission images originate mainly from a few fundamental plasmon modes of the disc

Nano-Imaging of Chiro-Optical Force

Nanoscopic observation of chiro-optical phenomena is essential in wide scientific areas but has measurement difficulties; hence, its physics are still unknown. Currently, in most cases, chiro-optical phenomena have been investigated by polarized light handling far-field measurements or via predictions by theoretical simulations. To obtain a full understanding of the physics of chiro-optical systems and derive the full potentials, it is essential to perform in situ observation of the chiro-optical effect from the individual parts because the macroscopic chiro-optical effect cannot be translated directly into microscopic effects. In the present study, we observed the chiro-optical responses at the nanoscale level by detecting the chiro-optical forces, which were generated by illumination of the material/probe system with circularly polarized light. The induced optical force was dependent on the handedness of the incident circularly polarized light and well correlated to the electromagnetically simulated differential intensity of the longitudinal electric field. Our results facilitate the clarification of chiro-optical phenomena at the nanoscale level and could innovate chiro-optical nanotechnologies

Roles of superchirality and interference in chiral plasmonic biodetection

Chiral plasmonic nanostructures enable ≤pg detection and characterization of biomaterials. The sensing capabilities are associated with the chiral asymmetry of the near fields, which locally can be greater than equivalent circularly polarized light, a property referred to as superchirality. However, sensing abilities do not simply scale with the magnitude of superchirality. We show that chiral molecular sensing is correlated to the thickness of a nanostructure. This observation is reconciled with a previously unconsidered interference mechanism for the sensing phenomenon. It involves the “dissipation” of optical chirality into chiral material currents through the interference of fields generated by two spatially separated chiral modes. The presence of a chiral dielectric causes an asymmetric change in the phase difference, resulting in asymmetric changes to chiroptical properties. Thus, designing a chiral plasmonic sensor requires engineering a substrate that can sustain both superchiral fields and an interference effect

Effect of Picibanil (OK 432) on the Scavenging Effect of Free Radicals Produced during Liver Regeneration in the Rat

We administered a biological response modifier Picibanil (OK-432), attenuated Streptococcus pyogenes, via the dorsal vein of the penis after 70% hepatectomy in rats, and clarified the scavenging effect of Picibanil on free radicals generated in the regenerating liver. A group of 5 rats was intravenously administered with 25 KE/kg of OK-432 after hepatectomy, while the control group was given saline after hepatectomy. Serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase and the value of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances in serum and hepatic tissue after hepatectomy were serially measured, and these values were significantly lower in Picibanil treated animals than in control animals. Free radical production in the regenerating liver was also measured by electron spin resonance spectrometry, and OK-432 injection significantly reduced free radical production. These results suggested that OK-432 reduced hepatocellular damage in regenerating liver by inhibiting lipid peroxidation.</p

Resting energy expenditure in patients undergoing pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomies for bile duct cancer or pancreatic tumors

We measured the energy expenditure weekly in patients undergoing a pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy for bile duct cancer or pancreatic tumors. Twelve patients (5 women and 7 men; mean age 70.1 years) were enrolled in this study, and their resting energy expenditure levels were determined by indirect calorimetry. In these patients, a significant correlation was observed between the measured resting energy expenditures and the predicted resting energy expenditures calculated by the Harris-Benedict equation. The resting energy expenditures measured before surgery were almost the same as the predicted resting energy expenditures (measured resting energy expenditure: 22.4 ± 3.9 kcal/kg/day vs predicted resting energy expenditure: 21.7 ± 2.0 kcal/kg/day). The measured resting energy expenditure/predicted resting energy expenditure ratio, which reflects the stress factor, was 1.02 ± 0.10. After the pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy, a significant increase in energy expenditure was observed, and the measured resting energy expenditure was 25.7 ± 3.5 kcal/kg/day on postoperative day 7 and 25.4 ± 4.9 kcal/kg/day on postoperative day 14. The measured resting energy expenditure/predicted resting energy expenditure ratio was 1.16 ± 0.14 on postoperative day 7, and 1.16 ± 0.18 on postoperative day 14 respectively. In conclusion, patients undergoing a pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy showed a hyper-metabolic status as evaluated by their measured resting energy expenditure/predicted resting energy expenditure ratio. From our observations, we recommend that nutritional management based on 30 kcal/body weight/day (calculated by the measured resting energy expenditure×activity factor 1.2–1.3) may be optimal for patients undergoing a pylorus preserving pancreatoduodenectomy

Resting energy expenditure and nutritional status in patients undergoing transthoracic esophagectomy for esophageal cancer

This study was to assess the resting energy expenditure of patients with esophageal cancer using indirect calorimetry. Eight male patients with esophageal cancer and eight male healthy controls were enrolled in this study. All patients underwent transthoracic esophagectomy with lymph nodes dissections. The resting energy expenditure was measured preoperatively, and on postoperative day 7 and 14 using indirect calorimetry. Preoperatively, the measured resting energy expenditure/body weight in these patients was significantly higher than that of the controls (23.3 ± 2.1 kcal/kg/day vs 20.4 ± 1.6 kcal/kg/day), whereas the measured/predicted energy expenditure from the Harris-Benedict equation ratio was 1.01 ± 0.09, which did not differ significantly from the control values. The measured resting energy expenditure/body weight was 27.3 ± 3.5 kcal/kg/day on postoperative day 7, and 23.7 ± 5.07 kcal/kg/day on postoperative day 14. Significant increases in the measured resting energy expenditure were observed on postoperative day 7, and the measured/predicted energy expenditure ratio was 1.17 ± 0.15. In conclusion, patients with operable esophageal cancers were almost normometabolic before surgery. On the other hand, the patients showed a hyper-metabolic status after esophagectomy. We recommended that nutritional management based on 33 kcal/body weight/day (calculated by the measured resting energy expenditure × active factor 1.2–1.3) may be optimal for patients undergoing esophagectomy

Status and Challenges in Beam Crystallization

During the past several decades, beam crystallization has been studied both theoretically and experimentally. Theoretical investigations have been numerical, mainly using computer modeling based on the method of molecular dynamics (MD), and analytical, based on phonon theory. Experimental investigations involve both ion storage rings and ion traps using both electron and laser beam cooling. Topics of interests include crystal stability in various accelerator lattices and under different beam conditions, colliding crystalline beams, crystalline beam formation in shear-free ring lattices with both magnets and electrodes, experimental simulation of alternating-gradient conditions with an ion trap, tapered cooling and coupled cooling, and beam dynamics at different temperature regime as the beam is cooled from high to low temperature. In this paper, we first review theoretical approaches and major conclusions pertaining to beam crystallization. Then, we analyze conditions and methods of the various major experiments. Finally, we discuss, both theoretically and experimentally, some improvements, open questions, and challenges in beam crystallization

Identification of a Predictive Biomarker for the Beneficial Effect of Keishibukuryogan, a Kampo (Japanese Traditional) Medicine, on Patients with Climacteric Syndrome

Keishibukuryogan (KBG; Guizhi-Fuling-Wan in Chinese) is one of the Kampo (Japanese traditional) medicines used to treat patients with climacteric syndrome. KBG can be used by patients who cannot undergo hormone replacement therapy due to a history of breast cancer. We evaluated whether cytosine-adenine (CA) repeat polymorphism of the estrogen receptor β gene can be a predictor of the beneficial effect of KBG on climacteric syndrome. We also investigated the relationship between CA repeat polymorphism, the patients’ profiles, and the therapeutic effect. We found that CA was an SS, SL, or LL genotype according to the number of repeats. We studied 39 consecutive patients with climacteric disorders who took KBG for 12 weeks. The diagnosis of climacteric disorders was made on the basis of the Kupperman index. KBG significantly improved the patients’ climacteric symptoms (i.e., vasomotor symptoms in the patients with the LL genotype and melancholia in the patients with the SL genotype). No relationship between the patients’ profiles and CA repeat polymorphism was recognized. CA repeat polymorphism could thus be a potential biomarker to predict the efficacy of KBG in climacteric syndrome, and its use will help to reduce the cost of treating this syndrome by focusing the administration of KBG on those most likely to benefit from it

Skin Perfusion Pressure Is a Prognostic Factor in Hemodialysis Patients

Peripheral arterial disease (PAD) is common in hemodialysis patients and predicts a poor prognosis. We conducted a prospective cohort study to identify risk factors for PAD including skin perfusion pressure (SPP) in hemodialysis patients. The cohort included 373 hemodialysis patients among 548 patients who received hemodialysis at Oyokyo Kidney Research Institute, Hirosaki, Japan from August 2008 to December 2010. The endpoints were lower limb survival (peripheral angioplasty or amputation events) and overall survival of 2 years. Our results showed that <70 mmHg SPP was a poor prognosis for the lower limb survival and overall survival. We also identified age, history of cardiovascular disease, presence of diabetes mellitus, smoking history, and SPP < 70 mmHg as independent risk factors for lower limb survival and overall survival. Then, we constructed risk criteria using the significantly independent risk factors. We can clearly stratify lower limb survival and overall survival of the hemodialysis patients into 3 groups. Although the observation period is short, we conclude that SPP value has the potential to be a risk factor that predicts both lower limb survival and the prognosis of hemodialysis patients