Terahertz emission from transient currents and coherent phonons in layered MoSe2_2 and WSe2_2

Terahertz (THz) time-domain emission spectroscopy was performed on layered 2H-MoSe2 and 2H-WSe2. The THz emission shows an initial cycle attributed to surge currents and is followed by oscillations attributed to coherent interlayer phonon modes. To obtain the frequencies of the interlayer vibrations, analysis of the THz emission waveforms were performed, separating the two contributions to the total waveform. Results of the fitting show several vibrational modes in the range of 5.87 to 32.75 cm-1 for the samples, attributed to infrared-active interlayer shear and breathing modes. This study demonstrates that THz emission spectroscopy provides a means of observing these low frequency vibrational modes in layered materials

Autistic Traits and Brain Activation during Face-to-Face Conversations in Typically Developed Adults

BACKGROUND: Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are characterized by impaired social interaction and communication, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviours. The severity of these characteristics is posited to lie on a continuum that extends into the general population. Brain substrates underlying ASD have been investigated through functional neuroimaging studies using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, fMRI has methodological constraints for studying brain mechanisms during social interactions (for example, noise, lying on a gantry during the procedure, etc.). In this study, we investigated whether variations in autism spectrum traits are associated with changes in patterns of brain activation in typically developed adults. We used near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS), a recently developed functional neuroimaging technique that uses near-infrared light, to monitor brain activation in a natural setting that is suitable for studying brain functions during social interactions. METHODOLOGY: We monitored regional cerebral blood volume changes using a 52-channel NIRS apparatus over the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and superior temporal sulcus (STS), 2 areas implicated in social cognition and the pathology of ASD, in 28 typically developed participants (14 male and 14 female) during face-to-face conversations. This task was designed to resemble a realistic social situation. We examined the correlations of these changes with autistic traits assessed using the Autism-Spectrum Quotient (AQ). PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Both the PFC and STS were significantly activated during face-to-face conversations. AQ scores were negatively correlated with regional cerebral blood volume increases in the left STS during face-to-face conversations, especially in males. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate successful monitoring of brain function during realistic social interactions by NIRS as well as lesser brain activation in the left STS during face-to-face conversations in typically developed participants with higher levels of autistic traits

Fifty-Year Trend Towards Suppression of Wolbachia-Induced Male-Killing by Its Butterfly Host, Hypolimnas bolina

Some intracellular symbionts of arthropods induce a variety of reproductive alterations in their hosts, and the alterations tend to spread easily within the host populations. A few cases involving the spread of alteration-inducing Wolbachia bacteria in natural populations with time have been reported, but the investigations on the increasing trend in counteracting the bacterial effect on hosts in natural populations (i.e., increased resistance in hosts against the alterations) have been limited. In the present study, the prevalence of an alteration, killing of male Hypolimnas bolina (L.) (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) butterflies by their inherited Wolbachia strain in the wild in Japan, was surveyed over a continuous 50-year period, which is far longer than ever before analyzed in studies of dynamics between reproductive alteration-inducing symbionts and their host arthropods. Thus, the results in this study provide the first instance of a long-term trend involving a change in reproductive alteration; and it strongly suggests a change in the opposite direction (i.e., suppression of male-killing) in natural populations. This change in the current combination of the Wolbachia and butterflies appears to be dependent upon the host taxon (race)

Multipoint analysis of reduced 125I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine uptake and norepinephrine turnover in the hearts of mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydroxypyridine-induced parkinsonism

Introduction125I-Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac uptake is reduced in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydroxypyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism, although the cause of disturbance of norepinephrine (NE) turnover is unclear.MethodsC57BL6 mice (15 weeks old) were divided into six groups (n=14 each) according to the timing of MPTP injection (40 mg/kg) before 125I-MIBG: Group A, control (no MPTP injection); Group B, 1 day; Group C, 4 days; Group D, 7 days; Group E, 21 days; Group F, 7, 14 and 21 days. 125I-MIBG (0.185 MBq) was injected and the cardiac percentage injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g), dopamine (DA) and NE concentrations were measured. The cardiac maximal binding potential (Bmax) of NE transporter (NET) was also calculated in 20 mice per group.ResultsThe %ID/g of B, C, D, E and F mice were significantly lower than in A; those of C, D and E were significantly higher than in B; and that of F was significantly lower than in E. The DA concentrations were similar among all groups. The NE concentrations of B, C and F mice were significantly lower than in A, while those of C, D, E and F were significantly higher than in B, and that of F was significantly lower than in E. The Bmax of NET in B was significantly lower than in A.ConclusionsThus, MPTP causes rapid reductions in cardiac 125I-MIBG uptake and Bmax of NET, followed by partial recovery of 125I-MIBG uptake. Changes in cardiac 125I-MIBG uptake and NE turnover were closely related in postganglionic cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals in mice with MPTP-induced parkinsonism

Prostaglandin D2 Reinforces Th2 Type Inflammatory Responses of Airways to Low-dose Antigen through Bronchial Expression of Macrophage-derived Chemokine

PGD2, a lipid mediator released from mast cells, is known to participate in allergic reactions. However, the mechanism by which PGD2 contributes to such reactions remains unclear. We established a novel experimental model of asthma that permitted direct assessment of the role of PGD2 in airway inflammation. Antigen-sensitized mice were exposed to aerosolized prostaglandin D2 (PGD2) 1 d before challenge with low-dose aerosolized antigen. Not only the numbers of eosinophils, lymphocytes, and macrophages but also the levels of IL-4 and IL-5 in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid were higher in PGD2-pretreated mice than in control mice. The expression of macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), a chemoattractant for Th2 cells, was greater in PGD2-pretreated mice than in control. Injection of anti-MDC antibody into PGD2-pretreated mice markedly inhibited inflammatory cell infiltration as well as Th2 cyto-kine production after antigen challenge. These results indicate that PGD2 accelerates Th2 type inflammation by induction of MDC. Our results suggest that this mechanism may play a key role in the development of human asthma and that MDC might be a target molecule for therapeutic intervention

Ipragliflozin Ameliorates Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress and Apoptosis through Preventing Ectopic Lipid Deposition in Renal Tubules

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) are major health burdens closely related to metabolic syndrome. A link between CKD and NASH has been assumed; however, the underlying mechanism is still unknown. Ectopic lipid deposition (ELD) in the hepatocyte results in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which plays an important role in the development of steatohepatitis. ELD is also assumed to play a role in the development of kidney injury. We aimed to investigate the role of ELD and ER stress in the development of CKD, and evaluate the efficacy of a sodium glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor, ipragliflozin. Methods: Male FLS-ob/ob mice that closely imitate the pathophysiology of NASH were treated with vehicle or ipragliflozin. Metabolic characteristics, histology of the kidney, ER stress, and apoptotic signals were evaluated. Results: The serum triglyceride was significantly lower in mice treated with ipragliflozin. Ipragliflozin reduced ELD in renal tubules. Ipragliflozin also reduced the expression levels of GRP78 and CHOP, apoptotic cells, and interstitial fibrosis. Conclusions: ELD induced kidney injury through ER stress. Ipragliflozin improved the pathogenesis of CKD by reducing ELD and ER stress in NASH-model mice. Our results suggest ipragliflozin has therapeutic effect on CKD in NASH

Renal shear wave velocity by acoustic radiation force impulse did not reflect advanced renal impairment

[Aim] Acoustic radiation force impulse is a noninvasive method for evaluating tissue elasticity on ultrasound. Renal shear wave velocity measured by this technique has not been fully investigated in patients with renal disease. The aim of the present study was to compare renal shear wave velocity in end‐stage renal disease patients and that in patients without chronic kidney disease and to investigate influencing factors. [Methods] Renal shear wave velocities were measured in 59 healthy young subjects (control group), 31 subjects without chronic kidney disease (non‐CKD group), and 39 end‐stage renal disease patients (ESRD group). Each measurement was performed 10 times at both kidneys, and the mean value of eight of 10 measurements, excluding the maximum and minimum values, was compared. [Results] Renal shear wave velocity could be measured in all subjects. Renal shear wave velocity in the control group was higher than in the non‐CKD group and in the ESRD group, and no difference was found between the non‐CKD group and the ESRD group. Age and depth were negatively correlated to the renal shear wave velocity. In multiple regression analysis, age and depth were independent factors for renal shear wave velocity, while renal impairment was not. There was no difference between the non‐CKD group and the ESRD group, even when ages were matched and depth was adjusted. [Conclusion] Renal shear wave velocity was not associated with advanced renal impairment. However, it reflected alteration of renal aging, and this technique may be useful to detect renal impairment in the earlier stages

Electrical Storm in Idiopathic Ventricular Fibrillation Is Associated With Early Repolarization

ObjectivesThis study sought to characterize patients with idiopathic ventricular fibrillation (IVF) who develop electrical storms.BackgroundSome IVF patients develop ventricular fibrillation (VF) storms, but the characteristics of these patients are poorly known.MethodsNinety-one IVF patients (86% male) were selected after the exclusion of structural heart diseases, primary electrical diseases, and coronary spasm. Electrocardiogram features were compared between the patients with and without electrical storms. A VF storm was defined as VF occurring ≥3 times in 24 h and J waves >0.1 mV above the isoelectric line in contiguous leads.ResultsFourteen (15.4%) patients had VF storms occurring out-of-hospital at night or in the early morning. J waves were more closely associated with VF storms compared to patients without VF storms: 92.9% versus 36.4% (p < 0.0001). VF storms were controlled by intravenous isoproterenol, which attenuated the J-wave amplitude. After the subsidence of VF storms, the J waves decreased to the nondiagnostic level during the entire follow-up period. Implantable cardioverter-defibrillator therapy was administered to all patients during follow-up. Quinidine therapy was limited, but the patients on disopyramide (n = 3), bepridil (n = 1), or isoprenaline (n = 1) were free from VF recurrence, while VF recurred in 5 of the 9 patients who were not given antiarrhythmic drugs.ConclusionsThe VF storms in the IVF patients were highly associated with J waves that showed augmentation prior to the VF onset. Isoproterenol was effective in controlling VF and attenuated the J waves, which diminished to below the diagnostic level during follow-up. VF recurred in patients followed up without antiarrhythmic agents