Morphological Study of Calcospherites in Rat and Rabbit Incisor Dentin

Calcospherites from incisors of rats and rabbits were studied, by means of secondary and backscattered electron images, using scanning electron microscopy. Part of each incisor specimen was made anorganic to allow observation of the surface of the mineralization front by scanning electron microscopy; the other part was ground on one side for observation by scanning electron microscopy with a backscattered electron image detector. In both species the labial mineralization front was wavy and the image showed fused calcospherites, whereas the lingual mineralization front appeared to consist of a combination of linear and globular forms. In rat labial dentin the calcospherites were large and globular form, but they did not develop in the lingual dentin and were small and oval. The shape and size of rabbit incisor calcospherites varied from the pulp horn to the root apex. There were great differences between rats and rabbits with respect to the size and shape of the calcospherites at the mineralization front. This may be due to species differences and possibly the differing rates of dentinogenesis in rats and rabbits

Calcospherites in Rabbit Incisor Predentin

Calcospherites from the lower incisor dentin of rabbits were investigated by scanning and transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and electron diffraction analyses. In the labial predentin, globular calcospherites of 8-31 μm were present at the root apex, decreasing in size toward the incisal region. The calcospherites at the intermediate region were of mulberry- as well as of spindle-shape of 1.5-4 μm diameter. The incisal pulp horn contained micro-calcospherites of 0.3-0.6 μmin diameter. In the lingual predentin, small granular calcospherites of 1. 8-3 μm were present at the root apex, increasing in size toward the intermediate region. Ultrathin sections of globular calcospherites showed bundles of collagen fibrils at the root apex of the labial predentin. The diameters of individual bundles ranged from 1.2-3.4 μm. The width of the fibrils in the bundles was approximately 120-170 nm. Bundles of collagen fibrils were not found in the lingual predentin. Crystals of calcospherites were identified as apatite by electron diffraction. Those at the intermediate region showed preferred orientation of the c-axis. TEM-EDS analyses indicated that Ca and P were the major elements, with small amounts of Mg. The Mg/Ca molar ratios decreased from the root apex to the incisal pulp horn. Ca peak intensities increased from the root apex to the incisal region

Microprobe Analyses of the Potassium-Calcium Distribution Relationship in Predentine

Apex regions of continuously growing incisors of Wistar rats were quickly dissected, shock-frozen in liquid nitrogen-cooled propane, freeze-dried at -80 °C and infiltrated with Spurr\u27s resin . 400nm thick dry sections were cut with a diamond knife on an ultramicrotome . Relatively flat sections were transferred with an eye lash onto collodium coated aluminum grids. They were flattened with a glass stick and by placing another collodi um coated aluminum grid just on top of the first one, exerting a uniform pressure . After carbon coating the sections were observed using the backscattered and secondary electron signals in a scanning microscope. The predentine was analyzed for calcium and potassium with an energy dispersive x-ray analysis system. The xray spectra revealed in the predentine regions with beginning dentine formation, near the apex, an uneven K-distribution with very low as well as more prominent x-ray peaks. The K peaks were always lower than those of calcium. In areas with advanced dentine formation, prominent K-peaks were always observed. They were normally higher than the Ca-peaks up to a distance of 5- 10 µ.m from the dentine border. Closer to the dentine border the K concentration decreased while the Ca-peak increased. This might indicate that (besides Na) K is used to balance the negative charges of the macromolecules till K is replaced by Ca at the onset of apatite crystal formation

Formation of Organic Color Centers in Air-Suspended Carbon Nanotubes Using Vapor-Phase Reaction

Organic color centers in single-walled carbon nanotubes have demonstrated exceptional ability to generate single photons at room temperature in the telecom range. Combining the color centers with pristine air-suspended tubes would be desirable for improved performance, but all current synthetic methods occur in solution which makes them incompatible. Here we demonstrate formation of color centers in air-suspended nanotubes using vapor-phase reaction. Functionalization is directly verified on the same nanotubes by photoluminescence spectroscopy, with unambiguous statistics from more than a few thousand individual nanotubes. The color centers show a strong diameter-dependent emission intensity, which can be explained with a theoretical model for chemical reactivity taking into account strain along the tube curvature. We are also able to estimate the defect density by comparing the experiments with simulations based on a one-dimensional diffusion equation, whereas the analysis of diameter dependent peak energies gives insight to the nature of the dopant states. Time-resolved measurements show a longer lifetime for color center emission compared to E$_{11}$ exciton states. Our results highlight the influence of the tube structure on vapor-phase reactivity and emission properties, providing guidelines for development of high-performance near-infrared quantum light sources.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure

Room-temperature quantum emission from interface excitons in mixed-dimensional heterostructures

The development of van der Waals heterostructures has introduced unconventional phenomena that emerge at atomically precise interfaces. For example, interlayer excitons in two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides show intriguing optical properties at low temperatures. Here we report on room-temperature observation of interface excitons in mixed-dimensional heterostructures consisting of two-dimensional tungsten diselenide and one-dimensional carbon nanotubes. Bright emission peaks originating from the interface are identified, spanning a broad energy range within the telecommunication wavelengths. The effect of band alignment is investigated by systematically varying the nanotube bandgap, and we assign the new peaks to interface excitons as they only appear in type-II heterostructures. Room-temperature localization of low-energy interface excitons is indicated by extended lifetimes as well as small excitation saturation powers, and photon correlation measurements confirm single-photon emission. With mixed-dimensional van der Waals heterostructures where band alignment can be engineered, new opportunities for quantum photonics are envisioned.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Feasibility pilot study of a Japanese teaching kitchen program

BackgroundThis pilot study examined the feasibility of a new lifestyle modification program involving a “Teaching Kitchen” in Japan. Our goal was to explore (1) feasibility of the program; (2) acceptability for class frequency (weekly vs. bi-weekly); and (3) changes in biometrics, dietary intakes, and lifestyle factors.MethodsA total of 24 employees with obesity in a Japanese company were recruited. Participants were randomly divided into two groups (weekly or bi-weekly group), each attending the program consisting of four two-hour classes (lectures on nutrition, exercise, mindfulness, and culinary instructions). Participants were observed for changes in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life over the subsequent 3 months. We tested the between-group differences in changes using linear mixed-effect models.ResultsThe program completion rates were 83.3% in total (91.7% for weekly group and 75.0% for bi-weekly group). From baseline to post-intervention, significant decreases were observed in weight (p < 0.001), body mass index (p < 0.001), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.03), body fat mass (p < 0.001), and dietary intakes in total fat (p = 0.03) and sodium (p = 0.008) among 17 participants who were available for measurements. Improvements in biometrics remained significant 1 month after the intervention (all p ≤ 0.03 in 14 participants). Participants' health related quality of life was significantly improved in bodily pain, general health, vitality, and mental component score (all p ≤ 0.047).ConclusionsThe new Japanese Teaching Kitchen program is feasible with high program completion rates in Japanese office workers with obesity. While this was a small feasibility study, significant multiple improvements in dietary intakes, biometrics, and health related quality of life suggest that this line of inquiry warrants further exploration to address obesity and obesity-related diseases in Japan

CCR3 and Choroidal Neovascularization

Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness in the elderly in industrialized countries. The “wet” AMD, characterized by the development of choroidal neovacularization (CNV), could result in rapid and severe loss of central vision. The critical role of vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) in CNV development has been established and VEGF-A neutralization has become the standard care for wet AMD. Recently, CCR3 was reported to play an important role in CNV development and that CCR3 targeting was reported to be superior to VEGF-A targeting in CNV suppression. We investigated the role of CCR3 in CNV development using the Matrigel induced CNV and found that in both rats and mice, CNV was well-developed in the control eyes as well as in eyes treated with CCR3 antagonist SB328437 or CCR3 neutralizing antibodies. No statistically significant difference in CNV areas was found between the control and SB328437 or CCR3-ab treated eyes. Immunostaining showed no specific expression of CCR3 in or near CNV. In contrast, both VEGF-A neutralizing antibodies and rapamycin significantly suppressed CNV. These results indicate that CCR3 plays no significant role in CNV development and question the therapeutic approach of CCR3 targeting to suppress CNV. On the other hand, our data support the therapeutic strategies of VEGF-A and mTOR (mammalian target of rapamycin) targeting for CNV