WHATS-3: An Improved Flow-Through Multi-bottle Fluid Sampler for Deep-Sea Geofluid Research

Deep-sea geofluid systems, such as hydrothermal vents and cold seeps, are key to understanding subseafloor environments of Earth. Fluid chemistry, especially, provides crucial information toward elucidating the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in these ecosystems. To accurately assess fluid and gas properties of deep-sea geofluids, well-designed pressure-tight fluid samplers are indispensable and as such they are important assets of deep-sea geofluid research. Here, the development of a new flow-through, pressure-tight fluid sampler capable of four independent sampling events (two subsamples for liquid and gas analyses from each) is reported. This new sampler, named WHATS-3, is a new addition to the WHATS-series samplers and a major upgrade from the previous WHATS-2 sampler with improvements in sample number, valve operational time, physical robustness, and ease of maintenance. Routine laboratory-based pressure tests proved that it is suitable for operation up to 35 MPa pressure. Successful field tests of the new sampler were also carried out in five hydrothermal fields, two in Indian Ocean, and three in Okinawa Trough (max. depth 3,300 m). Relations of Mg and major ion species demonstrated bimodal mixing trends between a hydrothermal fluid and seawater, confirming the high quality of fluids sampled. The newly developed WHATS-3 sampler is well-balanced in sampling capability, field usability, and maintenance feasibility, and can serve as one of the best geofluid samplers available at present to conduct efficient research of deep-sea geofluid systems

Effects of two drying conditions on antioxidant property and ascorbic acid content of three types of vegetables

Three types of vegetables (Japanese radish, carrot, eggplant) were dried in the open sunshine and in the microwave oven. Antioxidant property and ascorbic acid content in the fresh vegetables and in those dried under two drying conditions were assayed. The amount of the polyphenolic compounds and the ascorbate oxidation decreased by the sun-drying, but at the same time the polymerism of the polyphenolic compounds and the products of the amino-carbonyl reaction were caused.Consequently, it was found that the radical- scavenging activity was retained by the sun-drying.Therefore, the study showed that the sun-dried vegetables have more retention of antioxidant property than the microwaved-dried vegetables.原著論

Chiral Monolayers with Achiral Tetrapod Molecules on Highly Oriented Pyrolytic Graphite

金沢大学理工研究域物質化学系The self-assembly of organic molecules at the surface of highly oriented pyrolytic graphite (HOPG) is a promising process for constructing molecular-scale architectures. However, selectable organic molecules are generally restricted to two-dimensional molecules with planar Ï-conjugated structures and alkyl chains. We herein present the formation of self-assembled monolayers of tetrakis(4-ethynylphenyl)methane (TEPM) having a three-dimensional (3D) tetrapod geometry on HOPG, which was achieved by utilizing a simple spin-coating method. The arrangements of TEPM molecules in the monolayers were investigated using frequency-modulation atomic force microscopy (FM-AFM). The resulting subnanometer-resolution FM-AFM images revealed that the TEPM molecules formed linear rows with a periodicity of 0.85 nm oriented in a parallel configuration but with two alternating intervals of 0.7 and 1.0 nm. Moreover, the TEPM monolayers were classified into two chiral types with a relationship of mutual mirror-image symmetry, according to the observed molecular arrangements. Our results demonstrate the capability of TEPM molecules to act as 3D building blocks for the design of molecular-scale architectures at interfaces. Copyright © 2020 American Chemical Society

Effects of Macrolide Antibiotics on Th1 Cell and Th2 Cell Development Mediated by Langerhans Cells

ABSTRACT - Background: It is well known that Langerhans cells (LCs) work as the primary orchestrators in the polarization of the immune milieu towards a T helper type 1 (Th1) or a Th2 immune response. In this study, we investigated the effects of macrolide antibiotics on Th1 cell and Th2 cell development mediated by LCs. Methods: LC-like dendritic cells (LDCs) were generated from mouse bone marrow cells and used as substitutes for LCs. Mice were primed with ovalbumin (OVA) peptide-pulsed LDCs, which had been treated with each macrolide antibiotic, via the hind footpad. After 5 days, the cytokine response in the popliteal lymph nodes was investigated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of cell surface molecules on LDCs was investigated using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction. Results: Injection of OVA peptide-pulsed LDCs, which had been treated with josamycin or spiramycin, inhibited Th2 cell development as represented by down-regulation of interleukin (IL)-4 production as well as Th1 cell development as represented by down-regulation of interferon (IFN)-g production. This inhibition of Th1 cell and Th2 cell development was associated with suppression of CD86 and T-cell immunoglobulin and mucin domain-containing protein (TIM)-4 expression, respectively, in LDCs. Furthermore, Staphylococcus aureus strains isolated from skin lesions of patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) were more susceptible to josamycin than to spiramycin. Conclusions:  These results suggest that topical application of josamycin to AD lesions colonized with S. aureus would be beneficial for control of AD by acting on both superficial S. aureus and epidermal LCs, and inhibiting the development of Th2 cells

Cedar Pollen Aggravates Atopic Dermatitis in Childhood Monozygotic Twin Patients with Allergic Rhino Conjunctivitis

We report a case of 7-year-old monozygotic twin patients with atopic dermatitis. The HLA haplotypes were HLA A2, A11, B27, B61, DR1, and DR4. Both serum IgE levels and cedar pollen radioallergosorbent test (RAST) scores were high in the twins (elder/younger sister: IgE: 5170/3980 IU/ml and Japansese cedar pollen: >100/64.0) in contrast to low mite and food RAST scores (Dermatophagoides Pterygonium; 0.59/0.4 and egg white 9.24/4.6). The patients showed positive immediate (20 min in both sisters) and delayed (24 hours in elder sister, 24, 48, 72 hours in younger sister) reactions to a scratch test with Japanese cedar pollen. Skin lesions on the face were aggravated and extended to the trunk and extremities during the Japanese cedar pollen season and gradually subsided in summer. Oral provocation with egg white or cow milk showed no exacerbations, and topical corticosteroid did not improve the eczema. In contrast, successful protection from severe scratching behaviors was achieved by use of topical anti-allergic eye drops and wearing nightgowns made by the mother

An easy and safe training method for trunk function improves mobility in total knee arthroplasty patients: A quasi-randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE:Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is aimed mainly at reducing pain and restoring mobility. However, mobility deficits can persist even longer than 1 year. The trunk function and movement velocity of any region have been recently recognized to be critical for determining mobility in older people. Therefore, the main goal of this quasi-randomized trial is to clarify the effectiveness of a novel training method, the seated side tapping (SST) training, for improving mobility by focusing on movement velocity of trunk function in the short term after TKA. METHODS:SST training consists of side trunk movements repeated as quickly as possible in a seated position. All participants after TKA were randomly assigned to the SST training group (n = 37) or control training group (n = 38). The participants in the SST group performed SST training plus the standard rehabilitation program 5 days per week for 3 weeks after TKA, while the control group performed only the standard rehabilitation programs. The primary outcome was the effect of SST training on mobility, indicated by gait speed and the timed up and go test (TUG) time. Measurements were performed before and 1, 2, and 3 weeks after surgery. RESULTS:At all-time points, the patients in the SST group showed significantly better mobility, despite that knee function, represented by muscle strength, range of motion, and degree of pain at the knee joint, was similar in both groups. The difference in gait speed between the groups was >0.1 m/s at all time points, which is clinically significant. CONCLUSION:SST training significantly improved patients' mobility within 3 weeks after TKA, despite that no additional benefit was observed in knee function. The findings in this study indicate that SST training may be considered as a part of the rehabilitation program after TKA, although further evaluation of its long-term effectiveness is needed. TRIAL REGISTRATION:University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR; UMIN000027909)