Relation Between Moisture Sorption and Hygroexpansion of Sitka Spruce During Adsorption Processes

Moisture adsorption processes carried out in successive steps at three increasing levels of RH (45, 75, 85%) at 20°C for Sitka spruce (Picea sitchensis Carr.) were studied. Moisture content and dimensional changes in radial and tangential directions of the specimens were measured and it was found that moisture changes were slower than dimensional. The modeling on this moisture-dimensional relationship, based on the idea of dividing sorbed water into two components having different effects on dimensional changes, not only shows a good agreement with experimental results, but also presents a new understanding of the mechanism of hygroexpansion of wood

Roles of silica and lignin in horsetail (Equisetum hyemale), with special reference to mechanical properties

This research deals with detailed analyses of silica and lignin distribution in horsetail with special reference to mechanical strength. Scanning electron images of a cross-section of an internode showed silica deposited densely only around the outer epidermis. Detailed histochemical analyses of lignin showed no lignin deposition in the silica-rich outer internodes of horsetail, while a characteristic lignin deposition was noticed in the vascular bundle in inner side of internodes. To analyze the structure of horsetail from a mechanical viewpoint, we calculated the response of a model structure of horsetail to a mechanical force applied perpendicularly to the long axis by a finite element method. We found that silica distributed in the outer epidermis may play the major structural role, with lignin's role being limited ensuring that the vascular bundle keep waterproof. These results were in contrast to more modern tall trees like gymnosperms, for which lignin provides mechanical strength. Lignin has the advantage of sticking to cellulose, hemicellulose, and other materials. Such properties make it possible for plants containing lignin to branch. Branching of tree stems aids in competing for light and other atmospheric resources. This type of branching was impossible for ancient horsetails, which relied on the physical properties of silica. From the evolutional view points, over millennia in trees with high lignin content, true branching, and many chlorophyll-containing leaves developed. (C) 2012 American Institute of Physics. [https://doi.org/10.1063/1.3688253]ArticleJOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYSICS. 111(4):044703 (2012)journal articl

Clinical Performance of a Salivary Amylase Activity Monitor During Hemodialysis Treatment

The hemodialysis procedure is thought to be a physical stressor in the majority of hemodialyzed patients. Previous studies suggest that elevated salivary amylase level may correlate with increased plasma norepinephrine level under psychological and physical stress conditions. In this study, we investigated biological stress reactivity during hemodialysis treatment using salivary amylase activity as a biomarker. Seven patients (male/female = 5/2, age: 67.7+/−5.9 years) who had been receiving regular 4 h hemodialysis were recruited. Salivary amylase activity was measured using a portable analyzer every hour during the hemodialysis session. Salivary amylase activity was shown to be relatively stable and constant throughout hemodialysis, whereas there were significant changes in systolic blood pressure and pulse rate associated with blood volume reduction. Our results show that hemodialysis treatment per se dose not affect salivary amylase activity

Bullous pemphigoid with prominent milium formation

Milia are very common superficial keratinous cysts, and are clinically pearly white dome-shaped lesions with diameter of 1-2 mm.  Bullous pemphigoid (BP) is an autoimmune bullous disease, characterized clinically by tense bullae on the extremities and trunk.  The major target autoantigens of BP are BP180 and BP230.  We report a 55-year-old Polish BP patient presented prominent milium formation.  The physical examination revealed multiple tense bullae on the erythemas scattered on the extremities and trunk.  Histopathology revealed subepidermal blisters with infiltration of eosinophils in and around the blister.  Direct immunofluorescence showed IgG and C3 depositions at basement membrane zone.  Although indirect immunofluorescence of normal human skin sections was negative, indirect immunofluorescence of salt-split skin sections showed IgG reactivity with epidermal side.  Immunoblotting showed that IgG antibodies in the serum reacted with recombinant protein of BP180 NC16a domain.  ELISA of BP180, but not BP230, showed positive results.  Several months after oral prednisolone therapy, multiple large milia appeared on healed BP lesions.  Histopathology showed cysts with flaky keratinous inclusions in the mid-dermis.  We diagnosed the patient as BP with milia.  Milia are a hallmark in epidermolysis bullosa acquisita, but are rarely reported in BP

Preclinical evaluation of the efficacy of an antibody to human SIRPα for cancer immunotherapy in humanized mouse models

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) are abundant in the tumor microenvironment and are considered potential targets for cancer immunotherapy. To examine the antitumor effects of agents targeting human TAMs in vivo, we here established preclinical tumor xenograft models based on immunodeficient mice that express multiple human cytokines and have been reconstituted with a human immune system by transplantation of human CD34$^{+}$ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HIS-MITRG mice). HIS-MITRG mice supported the growth of both human cell line (Raji)- and patient-derived B cell lymphoma as well as the infiltration of human macrophages into their tumors. We examined the potential antitumor action of an antibody to human SIRPα (SE12C3) that inhibits the interaction of CD47 on tumor cells with SIRPα on human macrophages and thereby promotes Fcγ receptor-mediated phagocytosis of the former cells by the latter. Treatment with the combination of rituximab (antibody to human CD20) and SE12C3 inhibited Raji tumor growth in HIS-MITRG mice to a markedly greater extent than did rituximab monotherapy. This enhanced antitumor effect was dependent on human macrophages and attributable to enhanced rituximab-dependent phagocytosis of lymphoma cells by human macrophages. Treatment with rituximab and SE12C3 also induced reprogramming of human TAMs toward a proinflammatory phenotype. Furthermore, the combination treatment essentially prevented the growth of patient-derived diffuse large B cell lymphoma in HIS-MITRG mice. Our findings thus support the study of HIS-MITRG mice as a model for the preclinical evaluation in vivo of potential therapeutics, such as antibodies to human SIRPα, that target human TAMs