Metallic phase in the metal-intercalated higher fullerene Rb8.8(7)C84

A new material of higher fullerene, RbxC84, was synthesized by intercalating Rb metal into C-84 crystals. The RbxC(84) crystals showed a simple cubic (sc) structure with lattice constant, a, of 16.82 (2) angstrom at 6.5 K, and 16.87 (2) angstrom at 295 K. The Rietveld refinements were achieved with the space group, Pa (3) over bar, based on a model that the C-2 axis of D2d-C84 aligned along [111]. The sample composition was determined to be Rb-8.8(7) C-84. The ESR spectrum at 303 K was composed of a broad peak with peak-to-peak linewidth Delta H-pp of 220 G, and a narrow peak with Delta H-pp of 24 G. Temperature dependence of the broad peak clearly showed a metallic behavior. The metallic behavior was discussed based on a theoretical calculation. This finding of new metallic phase in a higher fullerene is the first step for a development of new types of fullerene materials with novel physical properties such as superconductivity.</p

変形性顎関節症の進展におけるp21の免疫調節作用

Objective: We aimed to identify the immunoregulatory role of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p21 in the homeostasis of mandibular condylar cartilage affected by mechanical stress. Materials and Methods: Ten C57BL/6 wild-type (WT) and ten p21–/– mice aged 8 weeks were divided into the untreated and treated groups. In the treated groups, mechanical stress was applied to the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) through forced mouth opening for 3 h/day for 7 days. The dissected TMJs were assessed using micro-CT, histology, and immunohistochemistry. Results: Treated p21–/– condyles with mechanical stress revealed more severe subchondral bone destruction, with thinner cartilage layers and smaller proteoglycan area relative to treated WT condyles; untreated WT and p21–/– condyles had smoother surfaces. Immunohistochemistry revealed significant increases in the numbers of Caspase-3, interleukin-1β, matrix metalloprotease (MMP)-9, and MMP-13 positive cells, and few aggrecan positive cells, in treated p21–/– than in treated WT samples. Moreover, the number of TUNEL positive cells markedly increased in p21–/– condyles affected by mechanical stress. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that p21 in chondrocytes contributes to regulate matrix synthesis via the control of aggrecan and MMP-13 expression under mechanical stress. Thus, p21 might regulate the pathogenesis of osteoarthritis in the TMJ

Macrophage Motility in Wound Healing Is Regulated by HIF-1α via S1P Signaling

Accumulating evidence indicates that the molecular pathways mediating wound healing induce cell migration and localization of cytokines to sites of injury. Macrophages are immune cells that sense and actively respond to disturbances in tissue homeostasis by initiating, and subsequently resolving, inflammation. Hypoxic conditions generated at a wound site also strongly recruit macrophages and affect their function. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor that contributes to both glycolysis and the induction of inflammatory genes, while also being critical for macrophage activation. For the latter, HIF-1α regulates sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) to affect the migration, activation, differentiation, and polarization of macrophages. Recently, S1P and HIF-1α have received much attention, and various studies have been performed to investigate their roles in initiating and resolving inflammation via macrophages. It is hypothesized that the HIF-1α/S1P/S1P receptor axis is an important determinant of macrophage function under inflammatory conditions and during disease pathogenesis. Therefore, in this review, biological regulation of monocytes/macrophages in response to circulating HIF-1α is summarized, including signaling by S1P/S1P receptors, which have essential roles in wound healing

Macrophage Motility in Wound Healing Is Regulated by HIF-1α via S1P Signaling

Accumulating evidence indicates that the molecular pathways mediating wound healing induce cell migration and localization of cytokines to sites of injury. Macrophages are immune cells that sense and actively respond to disturbances in tissue homeostasis by initiating, and subsequently resolving, inflammation. Hypoxic conditions generated at a wound site also strongly recruit macrophages and affect their function. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor that contributes to both glycolysis and the induction of inflammatory genes, while also being critical for macrophage activation. For the latter, HIF-1α regulates sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) to affect the migration, activation, differentiation, and polarization of macrophages. Recently, S1P and HIF-1α have received much attention, and various studies have been performed to investigate their roles in initiating and resolving inflammation via macrophages. It is hypothesized that the HIF-1α/S1P/S1P receptor axis is an important determinant of macrophage function under inflammatory conditions and during disease pathogenesis. Therefore, in this review, biological regulation of monocytes/macrophages in response to circulating HIF-1α is summarized, including signaling by S1P/S1P receptors, which have essential roles in wound healing

monochorionic dizygotic twin with some blood chimerism

We report a very rare case of monochorionic dizygotic twins conceived spontaneously. The fetuses were sex-discordant in ultrasonography in spite of monochorionic twins. After birth, the girl and boy showed normal phenotypes but they showed blood chimerism in karyotype and blood group type

Macrophage Motility in Wound Healing Is Regulated by HIF-1α via S1P Signaling

Accumulating evidence indicates that the molecular pathways mediating wound healing induce cell migration and localization of cytokines to sites of injury. Macrophages are immune cells that sense and actively respond to disturbances in tissue homeostasis by initiating, and subsequently resolving, inflammation. Hypoxic conditions generated at a wound site also strongly recruit macrophages and affect their function. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1α is a transcription factor that contributes to both glycolysis and the induction of inflammatory genes, while also being critical for macrophage activation. For the latter, HIF-1α regulates sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) to affect the migration, activation, differentiation, and polarization of macrophages. Recently, S1P and HIF-1α have received much attention, and various studies have been performed to investigate their roles in initiating and resolving inflammation via macrophages. It is hypothesized that the HIF-1α/S1P/S1P receptor axis is an important determinant of macrophage function under inflammatory conditions and during disease pathogenesis. Therefore, in this review, biological regulation of monocytes/macrophages in response to circulating HIF-1α is summarized, including signaling by S1P/S1P receptors, which have essential roles in wound healing

Sonographic size of newborn testis

Purpose : It is essential to determine normative data of testicular size and penile length in newborn infants in order to assess the development during the fetal period. In this study, we evaluated testicular volumes using ultrasonography and also measured penile lengths in Japanese newborn infants. We also examined the associations of the development of these organs with factors including placental weight and anthropometric data. Methods : One hundred and fifteen full-term male newborn infants were recruited for this study. Testicular size was measured by ultrasonography. Results : Mean testicular volumes were 187.4 mm3 in the right testis and 185.4 mm3 in the left testis, and there was no significant difference between the right and left testicular volumes. Right and left testicular volumes showed positive and significant correlations with body lengths and weights. Testicular volumes in the right and left sides were not significantly associated with penile lengths. In 4 groups according to gestational weeks, testicular volume increased significantly with advance of gestational weeks in the left testis. Conclusion : We determined testicular volumes using ultrasonography in Japanese newborn infants. We believe that the results for newborn infants provide important information for assessment of the development of fetal testicular volume

Macrophage Motility in Wound Healing Is Regulated by HIF-1 alpha via S1P Signaling

Accumulating evidence indicates that the molecular pathways mediating wound healing induce cell migration and localization of cytokines to sites of injury. Macrophages are immune cells that sense and actively respond to disturbances in tissue homeostasis by initiating, and subsequently resolving, inflammation. Hypoxic conditions generated at a wound site also strongly recruit macrophages and affect their function. Hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 alpha is a transcription factor that contributes to both glycolysis and the induction of inflammatory genes, while also being critical for macrophage activation. For the latter, HIF-1 alpha regulates sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) to affect the migration, activation, differentiation, and polarization of macrophages. Recently, S1P and HIF-1 alpha have received much attention, and various studies have been performed to investigate their roles in initiating and resolving inflammation via macrophages. It is hypothesized that the HIF-1 alpha/S1P/S1P receptor axis is an important determinant of macrophage function under inflammatory conditions and during disease pathogenesis. Therefore, in this review, biological regulation of monocytes/macrophages in response to circulating HIF-1 alpha is summarized, including signaling by S1P/S1P receptors, which have essential roles in wound healing

HIF-1 alpha controls palatal wound healing by regulating macrophage motility via S1P/S1P(1) signaling axis

Objectives To investigate the role of hypoxia-inducible factor 1 alpha (HIF-1 alpha) signaling, the expression profile of M1 and M2 macrophages, and the role of the sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P)/S1P receptor system in palatal wound healing of heterozygous HIF-1 alpha-deficient (HIF-1 alpha HET) mice. Materials and methods HIF-1 alpha HET and wild-type (WT) littermates underwent palatal tissue excision at the mid-hard palate. Histological analysis, immunostaining, real-time PCR, Western blotting (WB), and cellular migration assays were performed to analyze wound closure and macrophage infiltration. Results DMOG pretreatment showed an acceleration of palatal wound closure in WT mice. In contrast, the delayed palatal wound closure was observed in HIF-1 alpha HET mice with diminished production of Col1a1, MCP-1, and MIP-1 alpha, compared with WT mice. Decreased infiltration of M1 macrophage (F4/80(+)TNF-alpha(+), F4/80(+)iNOS(+)) and M2 macrophage (F4/80(+)Arginase-1(+), F4/80(+)CD163(+)) was observed. The numbers of F4/80(+)S1P(1)(+) macrophages of HIF-1 alpha HET wounded tissues were significantly lower compared with WT tissues. S1P treatment of bone marrow macrophages (BMMs) significantly upregulated expression of S1P(1) in WT mice compared with HIF-1 alpha HET. Phosphorylation of MAPK rapidly decreased in BMMs of HIF-1 alpha HET mice than in BMMs of WT mice by S1P stimulation. Moreover, S1P enhanced HIF-1 alpha expression via S1P(1) receptors to affect macrophage migration. Conclusions HIF-1 alpha deficiency aggravates M1 and M2 macrophage infiltration and controls macrophage motility via S1P/S1P(1) signaling. These results suggest that HIF-1 alpha signaling may contribute to the regulation of palatal wound healing

Surface Shape Measurement by Grating Projection Method in Aerospace Structures

To improve the accuracy of the grating projection method of a surface shape measurement method without contact, several attempts are proposed and verified. A whole-space tabulation method (WSTM) is demonstrated to measure a translucent glittering metallic mesh of a parabolic antenna for a radio astronomy satellite. A transparence method of the grating projection method is proposed to measure a glossy polymer film often used in space structures. An extrapolation method is proposed to measure a larger object than the reference planes. A pre-calibration can be used to adjust the measured value to the real values. The extrapolation method and the pre-calibration are demonstrated to measure a displacement of a wing of a developing airplane under loading.特集 : 航空宇宙機システム研究センターにおける開発研究2 : 5. オオワシII飛行にむけて並びに関連技術の研究開発（関連研究開発分野