Polar Antiferromagnets Produced with Orbital-Order

Polar magnetic states are realized in pseudocubic manganite thin films fabricated on high-index substrates, in which a Jahn-Teller (JT) distortion remains an active variable. Several types of orbital-orders were found to develop large optical second harmonic generation, signaling broken-inversion-symmetry distinct from their bulk forms and films on (100) substrates. The observed symmetry-lifting and first-principles calculation both indicate that the modified JT q2 mode drives Mn-site off-centering upon orbital order, leading to the possible cooperation of "Mn-site polarization" and magnetism.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figure

Involvement of intracellular free Ca(2+ )in enhanced release of herpes simplex virus by hydrogen peroxide

BACKGROUND: It was reported that elevation of the intracellular concentration of free Ca(2+ )([Ca(2+)]i) by a calcium ionophore increased the release of herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Freely diffusible hydrogen peroxide (H(2)O(2)) is implied to alter Ca(2+ )homeostasis, which further enhances abnormal cellular activity, causing changes in signal transduction, and cellular dysfunction. Whether H(2)O(2 )could affect [Ca(2+)]i in HSV-1-infected cells had not been investigated. RESULTS: H(2)O(2 )treatment increased the amount of cell-free virus and decreased the proportion of viable cells. After the treatment, an elevation in [Ca(2+)]i was observed and the increase in [Ca(2+)]i was suppressed when intracellular and cytosolic Ca(2+ )were buffered by Ca(2+ )chelators. In the presence of Ca(2+ )chelators, H(2)O(2)-mediated increases of cell-free virus and cell death were also diminished. Electron microscopic analysis revealed enlarged cell junctions and a focal disintegration of the plasma membrane in H(2)O(2)-treated cells. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that H(2)O(2 )can elevate [Ca(2+)]i and induces non-apoptotic cell death with membrane lesions, which is responsible for the increased release of HSV-1 from epithelial cells

The Internal Biliary Fistula – Reappraisal of Incidence, Type, Diagnosis and Management of 33 Consecutive Cases

To reevaluate the current features of spontaneous internal biliary fistulas, we reviewed 1,929 consecutive patients who had been treated for biliary tract diseases during the recent 12-year period. Thirty-three patients had internal biliary fistulas and the incidence was 1.9%. Of 33 patients, 20 were women and 13 were men with the average age 63 years, and their mean duration of illness was 4 years. A total of 37 fistulas were found and the most common type was choledochoduodenal (62%), followed by cholecystoduodenal (19%), cholecystocholedochal (11%) and cholecystocolonic (8%) fistulas. Internal biliary fistulas of thirty-one patients were caused by biliary stones and those of two patients by malignant tumors. All of the 17 bile samples examined were bacteria positive and the majority of calculi were brown pigment stones. All of the choledochoduodenal fistulas were correctly diagnosed by endoscopic retrograde cholangiography. In 14 patients with cholecystoenteric or cholecystocholedochal fistulas, direct evidence of the internal fistula was obtained only in 7 patients (50%) preoperatively. Pneumobilia, a small atrophic gallbladder adherent to the neighboring organs and a history of spontaneous disappearance of jaundice in elderly patients may indicate the presence of a cholecystoentric fistula. Since the preoperative diagnostic rate for internal biliary fistula involving the gallbladder is still low, care is necessary before and at the time of surgery especially during laparoscopic cholecystectomy for elderly patients with cholelithiasis

The importance of continuing adequate lifestyle including exercise, daily activity and low carbohydrate diet (LCD) for type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM)

The case was 71-year-old male patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). He was diagnosed T2DM at the age of 61 associated with thirsty, polydipsia and fatigue. HbA1c value was 12.5% and blood glucose profile was 150-300 mg/dL. Just after starting low carbohydrate diet (LCD), his blood glucose kept under 150 mg/dL all day long. He continued good diabetic control as HbA1c 5.8-6.8% for 10 years. Some beneficial points are found: i) keeping LCD with the feeling not stressful but pleasant for observing the normal glucose level, ii) walking daily for 2 hours, iii) continuing educational activity in the walking association for DM and health care. iv) writing the diary for years every day, including exercise, meal, medicine, activities and so on, v) checking post-prandial hyperglycemia by meal tolerance test (MTT). For details of v), HbA1c was 6.5% in May 2021 and fasting glucose was 107mg/dL. Glucose values 45-min and 60-min after 3 meals showed 210-201-177mg/dL and 195-213-172mg/dL, respectively. His various continuing behaviors contributed satisfactory glycemic control. This article becomes reference in the diabetic practice and research