A novel type of binding specificity to phospholipids for rat mannose-binding proteins isolated from serum and liver

AbstractMannose-binding protein (MBP) belongs to the collectin subgroup of C-type lectins with specificity for mannose and N-acetylglucosamine sugars. We investigated whether rat MBPs isolated from serum (S-MBP) and liver (L-MBP) interact with phospholipids using antibody against each MBP. Both S- and L-MBPs bound to phosphatidylinositol coated onto microtiter wells in a concentration- and a Ca2+-dependent manner. L-MBP also bound to phosphatidylglycerol and weakly to phosphatidylserine. MBPs interacted with liposomes composed of these lipids. S- and L-MBPs bound to phosphatidylinositol 4-monophosphate. L-MBP also bound to cardiolipin. These results provide evidence for a novel type of ligand binding specificity for MBPs, and raise the possibility that phospholipids are ligands for collectins

Eccentric Figure-Eight Coils for Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

Previously we proposed an eccentric figure-eight coil that can cause threshold stimulation in the brain at lower driving currents. In this study, we performed numerical simulations and magnetic stimulations to healthy subjects for evaluating the advantages of the eccentric coil. The simulations were performed using a simplified spherical brain model and a realistic human brain model. We found that the eccentric coil required a driving current intensity of approximately 18% less than that required by the concentric coil to cause comparable eddy current densities within the brain. The eddy current localization of the eccentric coil was slightly higher than that of the concentric coil. A prototype eccentric coil was designed and fabricated. Instead of winding a wire around a bobbin, we cut eccentric-spiral slits on the insulator cases, and a wire was woven through the slits. The coils were used to deliver magnetic stimulation to healthy subjects; among our results, we found that the current slew rate corresponding to motor threshold values for the concentric and eccentric coils were 86 and 78 A/µs, respectively. The results indicate that the eccentric coil consistently requires a lower driving current to reach the motor threshold than the concentric coil. Future development of compact magnetic stimulators will enable the treatment of some intractable neurological diseases at home. Bioelectromagnetics. 35:55–65, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.ArticleBIOELECTROMAGNETICS. 36(1):55-65 (2015)journal articl

Anisotropy in broad component of Hα\alpha line in the magnetospheric device RT-1

Temperature anisotropy in broad component of H$\alpha$ line was found in the ring trap 1 (RT-1) device by Doppler spectroscopy. Since hot hydrogen neutrals emitting a broad component are mainly produced by charge exchange between neutrals and protons, the anisotropy in the broad component is the evidence of proton temperature anisotropy generated by betatron acceleration

Primay Malignant Lymphomas Arising from the Ileum and the Ampulla of Vater: Report of a Case

A 71-year-old man was admitted with complaints of right lower quadrant pain and abdominal fullness. Barium enema and computed tomography (CT) scan demonstrated a tumor in the terminal ileum. There was no enlargement of superficial lymph nodes. Colonofiberscopy revealed a narrowing of the terminal ileum and biopsy specimens showed evidence of B-cell lymphoma. Laparotomy was performed in view of the small bowel obstruction. An elastic firm tumor, measuring 5.2 by 4.5 cm, was found in the terminal ileum, and the regional mesenteric nodes were enlarged. lleo-cecal resection with dissection of lymph nodes was performed. The resected specimen revealed a diffuse, B-cell lymphoma with 1gM heavy-chain and kappa light-chain restrictions. The patient developed obstructive jaundice 2 weeks after surgery, and CT scan demonstrated tumor in the ampullary region of the duodenum. Endoscopic examination showed an ulcerated tumor in the ampulla of Vater and biopsy specimen again showed B-cell lymphoma. Chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide, prednisolone, adriamycin and vincristine was effective and complete remission was achieved. To our knowledge, this is the first case of simultaneous occurrence of malignant lymphomas in the ileum and the ampulla of Vater

X-ray magnetic circular dichroism and photoemission study of the diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor Zn1−x_{1-x}Crx_xTe

We have performed x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) and valence-band photoemission studies of the diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor Zn$_{1-x}$Cr$_x$Te. XMCD signals due to ferromagnetism were observed at the Cr 2p absorption edge. Comparison with atomic multiplet calculations suggests that the magnetically active component of the Cr ion was divalent under the tetrahedral crystal field with tetragonal distortion along the crystalline a-, b-, and c-axes. In the valence-band spectra, spectral weight near the Fermi level was strongly suppressed, suggesting the importance of Jahn-Teller effect and the strong Coulomb interaction between the Cr 3d electrons

Soft X-ray Absorption and Photoemission Studies of Ferromagnetic Mn-Implanted 3CC-SiC

We have performed x-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS), x-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and resonant photoemission spectroscopy (RPES) measurements of Mn-implanted 3$C$-SiC (3$C$-SiC:Mn) and carbon-incorporated Mn$_{5}$Si$_{2}$ (Mn$_{5}$Si$_{2}$:C). The Mn 2$p$ core-level XPS and XAS spectra of 3$C$-SiC:Mn and Mn$_{5}$Si$_{2}$:C were similar to each other and showed "intermediate" behaviors between the localized and itinerant Mn 3$d$ states. The intensity at the Fermi level was found to be suppressed in 3$C$-SiC:Mn compared with Mn$_{5}$Si$_{2}$:C. These observations are consistent with the formation of Mn$_{5}$Si$_{2}$:C clusters in the 3$C$-SiC host, as observed in a recent transmission electron microscopy study.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure