Local-field-induced current noise in shape-limited self-doped polyaniline

Electronic noise generators are an essential component of molecular neuromorphic devices. To realize molecular noise generators with a high degree of freedom for design and integration into molecular devices, the utilization of the local electric field for the modulation of electrical conduction via a shape-limited conductive polymer is one promising strategy. Herein, a molecular noise generator composed of thin self-doped polyaniline (SPAN) lines is reported. SPAN lines fabricated via fountain pen lithography on SiO2/Si substrates were found to generate current noise upon laser irradiation. This current noise exhibited white-noise-like power spectral density in the frequency range of 1–25 Hz and was independent of temperature. Multiple independent noise generation on the same substrate was also successfully demonstrated. The present results indicate that the noise generation mechanism involves the local modulation of hopping conduction via SPAN lines owing to the spatial proximity of the conduction path in the SPAN line to the surface photovoltage region of the SiO2/Si interface. This on-site random noise generation in shape-limited conductive polymers is expected to be beneficial for the realization of molecular neuromorphic devices

Effect of empathy trait on attention to various facial expressions: evidence from N170 and late positive potential (LPP)

BACKGROUND: The present study sought to clarify the relationship between empathy trait and attention responses to happy, angry, surprised, afraid, and sad facial expressions. As indices of attention, we recorded event-related potentials (ERP) and focused on N170 and late positive potential (LPP) components. METHODS: Twenty-two participants (12 males, 10 females) discriminated facial expressions (happy, angry, surprised, afraid, and sad) from emotionally neutral faces under an oddball paradigm. The empathy trait of participants was measured using the Interpersonal Reactivity Index (IRI, J Pers Soc Psychol 44:113–126, 1983). RESULTS: Participants with higher IRI scores showed: 1) more negative amplitude of N170 (140 to 200 ms) in the right posterior temporal area elicited by happy, angry, surprised, and afraid faces; 2) more positive amplitude of early LPP (300 to 600 ms) in the parietal area elicited in response to angry and afraid faces; and 3) more positive amplitude of late LPP (600 to 800 ms) in the frontal area elicited in response to happy, angry, surprised, afraid, and sad faces, compared to participants with lower IRI scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that individuals with high empathy pay attention to various facial expressions more than those with low empathy, from very-early stage (reflected in N170) to late-stage (reflected in LPP) processing of faces

Identification of mTEC precursor cells

Medullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) expressing autoimmune regulator (Aire) are critical for preventing the onset of autoimmunity. However, the differentiation program of Aire-expressing mTECs (Aire+ mTECs) is unclear. Here, we describe novel embryonic precursors of Aire+ mTECs. We found the candidate precursors of Aire+ mTECs (pMECs) by monitoring the expression of receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB (RANK), which is required for Aire+ mTEC differentiation. pMECs unexpectedly expressed cortical TEC molecules in addition to the mTEC markers UEA-1 ligand and RANK and differentiated into mTECs in reaggregation thymic organ culture. Introduction of pMECs in the embryonic thymus permitted long-term maintenance of Aire+ mTECs and efficiently suppressed the onset of autoimmunity induced by Aire+ mTEC deficiency. Mechanistically, pMECs differentiated into Aire+ mTECs by tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor 6-dependent RANK signaling. Moreover, nonclassical nuclear factor-κB activation triggered by RANK and lymphotoxin-β receptor signaling promoted pMEC induction from progenitors exhibiting lower RANK expression and higher CD24 expression. Thus, our findings identified two novel stages in the differentiation program of Aire+ mTECs

Effect of intravitreal bevacizumab for retinopathy of prematurity on weight gain.

Purpose:To evaluate the short-term effect on body weight (BW) gain after intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:This was a retrospective 1:1 matched case-control study. Infants with ROP treated by IVB or photocoagulation (PC) at Shiga University of Medical Science Hospital between April 2010 and December 2019 were included in the study. To match BWs at treatment between the IVB and PC groups, 1:1 matching for BWs at treatment within 100 g was performed. The BW gains for the 7 days before treatment (pre-treatment week), the 7 days after treatment (first post-treatment week), and the period from 7 to 14 days after treatment (second post-treatment week) were compared between the IVB and PC groups.Results:Following 1:1 matching, 13 infants in both groups were enrolled in the analysis. The weekly BW gain for the first post-treatment week was significantly lower in the IVB group compared with the PC group (86 g vs. 145 g; P = 0.046), whereas the weekly BW gains for the pre-treatment week (173 g vs. 159 g; P = 0.71) and the second post-treatment week (154 g vs. 152 g; P = 0.73) were comparable between the two groups. The short-term inhibitive effect of IVB on BW gain was particularly observed in infants weighing less than 1500 g at treatment (<1500 g: 47 g vs. ≥1500 g: 132 g; P = 0.03).Conclusion:IVB could have a short-term inhibitive effect on BW gain in infants with ROP, and this effect is more likely to occur in infants with a lower BW at the time of treatment

Assessment of mouse VEGF neutralization by ranibizumab and aflibercept

Purpose:To assess the interaction between ranibizumab, aflibercept, and mouse vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), both in vivo and in vitro.Methods:In vivo, the effect of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and aflibercept on oxygen induced retinopathy (OIR) and the effect of multiple intraperitoneal injections of ranibizumab and aflibercept on neonatal mice were assessed. In vitro, the interaction of mouse VEGF-A with aflibercept or ranibizumab as the primary antibody was analyzed by Western blot.Results:In both experiments using intravitreal injections in OIR mice and multiple intraperitoneal injections in neonatal mice, anti-VEGF effects were observed with aflibercept, but not with ranibizumab. Western blot analysis showed immunoreactive bands for mouse VEGF-A in the aflibercept-probed blot, but not in the ranibizumab-probed blot.Conclusions:Aflibercept but not ranibizumab interacts with mouse VEGF, both in vivo and in vitro. When conducting experiments using anti-VEGF drugs in mice, aflibercept is suitable, but ranibizumab is not