Tailored surface porosities on ceramic foams

Novel ceramic foams with tailored surface porosities have been prepared by direct blowing of powder compact, and followed by modulated gas release from the blown bodies. The processing methodologies to produce precisely controlled pore configuration have been discussed in terms of: the direct blowing of powder compacts with a phenoric resin, to form an array of interconnected spherical pores with various unique surfaces comprised of relatively denser, zebra-stripe type (denser and porous) and highly oriented grains, to provide improved mechanical strength and sufficient fluid permeability, that has been created by using one-pot blowing process. These simple and versatile approaches can be used to tailor pore configurations, and fabricate macroporous monoliths with various distinct characteristics

Occult Compression Fracture of Metacarpal Head without Evidence of Avascular Necrosis

We report a case of 4th metacarpal head collapse of a 19-year-old healthy man. MRI revealed T1 low and T2 high regions in the collapsed 4th metacarpal head, as well as in the right 3rd and left 4th metacarpal head. Our initial diagnosis was occult compression fracture due to avascular necrosis, known as Dieterich's disease. However, pathological findings of surgically resected right 4th metacarpal head were compatible with transient osteoporosis and metacarpal head fracture followed by active tissue repair. The autologous osteochondral transplants from costchondral junction survived and maintained their size and shape even at 10-year follow-up

Promotion of Seeded Berry Setting on the Clusters of 'Pione' Grapes by Cane Pruning and B9 Spray on Prebloom Clusters

1.短梢せん定方式で栽培した‘ピオーネ’では,多くの無核果が着粒するが,これらは有核果に比べて著しく小粒になる. 有核果の着粒を増加させることを目的として,開花前の花穂に対するB9散布と,長梢せん定方式への切換えを行ってみた. 2.B9散布により,有核果及び無核果の両方の着粒率が増加したが,長梢せん定にすると結実した果粒の有核果率が高まり,ともに果房あたりの有核果粒数が増加した. 3.開花期前の胚珠及び胚のうの初期発育は,短梢せん定樹でB9を散布しない花穂のほうが早く進行したが,開花期においては,B9散布区及び長梢せん定区のほうが,完成した胚のうを持つ正常胚珠の比率が高かった. 4.花粉管の胎座下部への伸長及び珠孔から胚のう内への到達は,区による差がなかった. 5.山梨県内で‘ピオーネ’を連年長梢せん定し,B9散布も行っている経済栽培園では,さらに多数の有核果粒が着生していた. この場合も,開花日における正常胚珠の比率が高かったが,花粉管の生長には差がなかった

CD69 Signaling in Eosinophils Induces IL-10 Production and Apoptosis via the Erk1/2 and JNK Pathways, Respectively

INTRODUCTION: Eosinophils contribute to the pathogenesis of allergic diseases, including asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis. We previously reported that human tissue eosinophils have high CD69 expression compared to blood eosinophils, and its expression is correlated with disease severity and the number of infiltrated eosinophils. However, biological CD69 signaling activity in eosinophils remains unclear. METHODS: CD69 expression on lung tissue eosinophils obtained from mice with ovalbumin-induced asthma was measured using flow cytometry. CD69 crosslinking was performed on eosinophils purified from the spleen of IL-5 transgenic mice to investigate CD69 signaling and its function in eosinophils. Then, qPCR, Western blot, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and survival assay results were analyzed. RESULTS: Surface CD69 expression on lung tissue eosinophils in the asthma mice model was 2.91% ± 0.76%, whereas no expression was detected in the healthy group. CD69-expressed eosinophils intrinsically have an upregulation of IL-10 mRNA expression. Moreover, CD69 crosslinking induced further pronounced IL-10 production and apoptosis; these responses were mediated via the Erk1/2 and JNK pathways, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that CD6