High-pressure dc magnetic measurements on a bisdiselenazolyl radical ferromagnet using a vibrating-coil SQUID magnetometer

The high-pressure magnetic properties of the iodo-substituted bisdiselenazolyl radical ferromagnet IBPSSEt have been studied by vibrating-coil SQUID magnetometry. The magnetic state at a pressure (P) of approximately 2 GPa has the highest Curie temperature (TC) of 27.5 K, and displays an ideal three-dimensional (3D) ferromagnetic interaction network. The value of TC observed by ac magnetic susceptibility measurements is consistent with that obtained from dc measurements below approximately 4 GPa. Field-cooled dc measurements at more elevated pressures reveal a slow evolution of magnetic ordering, so that atP >6 GPa the structure may be described in terms of a 1D ferromagnetic chain with predominantly antiferromagnetic lateral (interchain) interactions, in accord with the results of density functional theory calculations

Collagen of Chronically Inflamed Skin Is Over-Modified and Upregulates Secretion of Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 and Matrix-Degrading Enzymes by Endothelial Cells and Fibroblasts

In order to investigate the properties of collagen in chronically inflamed tissue, we isolated collagen from the ear skin of mice with chronic contact dermatitis and examined its biochemical characteristics and the functions that regulate the secretion of matrix metalloproteinase 2 and collagen-degrading enzymes from endothelial cells and fibroblasts. Collagen in skin with chronic contact dermatitis comprised 60% type I collagen and 40% type III collagen, which latter is higher than the content of type III collagen in control skin (35%). The denaturation temperature was higher (42°C) than that of control skin (39°C). The α2 chain of type I collagen was over-hydroxylated at both proline and lysine residues. Segment-long-spacing crystallites of type I collagen were unusually connected in tandem. Collagen of chronically inflamed skin was less susceptible to matrix metalloproteinase 2 after heat denaturation. Endothelial cells and fibroblasts secreted an increased amount of matrix metalloproteinase 2 when cultured on a gel formed from the collagen of chronically inflamed skin. Collagen-degrading activity secreted from fibroblasts was also upregulated when cells were in contact with collagen of chronically inflamed skin. These results suggest that the collagen in chronically inflamed tissue has altered biochemical characteristics and functions, which may affect the pathogenesis of the chronic skin disease

Hydrostatic Compression Effects on Fifth-Group Element Superconductors V, Nb, and Ta Subjected to High-Pressure Torsion

In fifth-group element superconductors V, Nb, and Ta, the increase in superconducting transition temperature (Tc) was attempted by using both high-pressure torsion (HPT) and additional hydrostatic pressure (HP) compression. The former brings about the grain refinement and strain accumulation in the unit-cell level. The additional compression for severely strained superconductors triggers strengthening intergrain-contact and/or structural deformation in the unit-cell level. The manner of the appearance of the above two effects depends on the kind of elements: First, in V, there is no prominent effect of HPT, comparing to the hydrostatic compression effects on its non-strained material. Next, in Ta, the effect of strengthening intergrain-contact appears at small hydrostatic compression, resulting in temporal increase in Tc. Finally, Nb exhibits prominent increase in Tc by both effects and, in particular, the structural deformation in the unit-cell level promotes the increase in Tc. Thus, the accumulation of residual strain in the level of starting material can be a promising work to manipulate Tc under HP compression

Health-related Quality of Life and Potential Barriers to Adequate Nutrition among Japanese Hemodialysis Patients

Background and aims:Malnutrition is common in hemodialysis (HD) patients, which is known to reduce their health-related quality of life(QOL). Potential barriers to adequate nutrition can affect a patient’s nutritional status, although whether they also affect the patient’s QOL remains unclear. This study investigated the associations between several potential barriers and QOL among HD patients. M ethods:This cross-sectional study included 36 Japanese patients receiving HD for 3 months. The patients completed structured questionnaires regarding any potential barriers to adequate nutrition. Clinical parameters were evaluated during monthly check-ups. Results: The presence of 1 potential barrier significantly associated with decreased scores in the effect of kidney disease, burden of kidney disease, cognitive function, quality of social interaction, and mental health subscales in the Kidney Disease Quality of Life Short Form. Poor knowledge was the most common potential barrier to adequate nutrition. However, difficulty chewing was significantly associated with the greatest number of decreased QOL subscale scores, even after adjustment for age, suggesting that this barrier has the greatest direct effect on QOL. Conclusions: The presence of 1 potential barrier significantly associated with reduced QOL, indicating the importance of evaluating potential barriers to adequate nutrition. Further study is necessary to investigate the possibility that assessment and managing potential barriers improve QOL of patients receiving HD