Functions of the subregions of the supraspinatus muscle.

The aim of this study was to investigate the functions of the six subregions of the supraspinatus muscle (SSP) determined by Kim et al. in Clin Anat 2007;20:648-655, using real-time tissue elastography (RTE). Twelve young male volunteers participated.

Induction of Strong and Tunable Circularly Polarized Luminescence of Nonchiral, Nonmetal, Low-Molecular-Weight Fluorophores Using Chiral Nanotemplates.

A new strategy is described for generating strong circularly polarized luminescence with highly tunable emission bands through chiral induction in nonchiral, totally organic, low-molecular-weight fluorescent dyes by chiral nanotemplate systems. Our approach allows the first systematic investigation to clarify the correlation between the circular dichroism and circularly polarized luminescence intensities. As a result, a dilute solution system with the highest circularly polarized luminescence intensity achieved to date and a dissymmetry factor of over 0.

Fabrication of Photocatalytic Paper Using TiO Nanoparticles Confined in Hollow Silica Capsules.

TiO nanoparticles (NPs) encapsulated in hollow silica spheres (TiO@HSSs) show a shielding-effect that can insulate photocatalytically active TiO NPs from the surrounding environment and thus prohibit the self-degradation of organic support materials under ultraviolet (UV)-light irradiation. In this study, photocatalytically active papers were fabricated by combining TiO@HSS and cellulose fibers, and their photocatalytic activities and durability under UV-light irradiation were examined. The yolk-shell nanostructured TiO@HSS, which has an ample void space between inner TiO NPs and an outer silica shell, was synthesized using a facile single-step method utilizing an oil-in-water microemulsion as an organic template.

Enhancement of Ag-Based Plasmonic Photocatalysis in Hydrogen Production from Ammonia Borane by the Assistance of Single-Site Ti-Oxide Moieties within a Silica Framework.

Ag nanoparticles (NPs) have gained great attention owing to their interesting plasmonic properties and efficient catalysis under visible-light irradiation. In this study, an Ag-based plasmonic catalyst supported on mesoporous silica with isolated and tetrahedrally coordinated single-site Ti-oxide moieties, namely, Ag/Ti-SBA-15, was designed with the purpose of utilizing the broad spectral range of solar energy. The Ti-SBA-15 support allows the deposition of small Ag NPs with a narrow size distribution.

Palladium Nanoparticles Encapsulated in Hollow Titanosilicate Spheres as an Ideal Nanoreactor for One-pot Oxidation.

One-pot reaction involving Pd-catalyzed H O production from H and O and Ti-catalyzed successive oxidation with H O in a single reaction vessel is an alluring strategy for the synthesis of targeted chemicals in terms of sustainability and economic competitiveness. In this study, a yolk-shell nanostructured catalyst, consisting of Pd nanoparticles (NPs) with core diameter ca. 4.

Controlled synthesis of carbon-supported Co catalysts from single-sites to nanoparticles: characterization of the structural transformation and investigation of their oxidation catalysis.

Realizing accurate control of catalytically active centers on solid surfaces is one of the most essential goals in the development of functionalized heterogeneous catalysts. Controlled synthesis of carbon-supported Co catalysts from single-site to nanoparticles can be successfully achieved by the structural transformation of the deposited Co(salen) complex precursor under heat treatment. The obtained structures were characterized using techniques such as XRD, in situ XAFS, and TEM.

Endothelial cell transplantation in tumors restores normal vasculature, reduces tumor hypoxia, and suppresses tumor outgrowth.

Objectives: Vascular normalization, or restoration of the normal structure and function of blood vessels, using molecular-targeted therapy, has emerged as a potential strategy for treating malignant cancer and other vascular disorders. We hypothesized that restoring tumor blood vessels to their normal state would alleviate hypoxic conditions and potentially enhance the delivery of anticancer drugs. Our objective was to determine if transplanting normal endothelial cells into tumor-bearing mice could trigger vascular normalization.

Evolution of the PVP-Pd Surface Interaction in Nanoparticles through the Case Study of Formic Acid Decomposition.

Palladium nanoparticles (Pd NPs) were synthesized by the reduction-by-solvent method using polyvinylpirrolidone (PVP) as capping agent. The nonstatic interaction between PVP and the metallic surface may change the properties of the NPs due to the different possible interactions, through either the O or N atoms of the PVP. In order to analyze these effects and their repercussions in their catalytic performance, Pd NPs with various PVP/Pd molar ratios (1, 10, and 20) were prepared, deposited on silica, and tested in the formic acid decomposition reaction.

Anomalous hexagonal superstructure of aluminum oxide layer grown on NiAl(110) surface.

A modified method for the fabrication of a highly crystallized layer of aluminum oxide on a NiAl(110) surface is reported. The fabrication method involves the multistep selective oxidation of aluminum atoms on a NiAl(110) surface resulting from successive oxygen deposition and annealing. The surface morphology and local electronic structure of the novel aluminum oxide layer were investigated by high-resolution imaging using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and current imaging tunneling spectroscopy.

The Involvement of Mitochondrial Membrane Potential in Cross-Resistance Between Radiation and Docetaxel.

Purpose: To understand the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer cell radioresistance, clinically relevant radioresistant (CRR) cells that continue to proliferate during exposure to 2 Gy/day X-rays for more than 30 days were established. A modified high-density survival assay for anticancer drug screening revealed that CRR cells were resistant to an antimicrotubule agent, docetaxel (DTX). The involvement of reactive oxygen species (ROS) from mitochondria (mtROS) in the cross-resistance to X-rays and DTX was studied.

Association between liver failure and hepatic UDP-glucuronosyltransferase activity in dairy cows with follicular cysts.

Uridine 5'-diphospho-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) liver activity was measured using estradiol-17β as a substrate in dairy cows with follicular cysts. The activity was significantly lower than that in dairy cows with normal estrous cycles (P<0.01).

Room-Temperature and Aqueous-Phase Synthesis of Plasmonic Molybdenum Oxide Nanoparticles for Visible-Light-Enhanced Hydrogen Generation.

A straightforward aqueous synthesis of MoO3-x nanoparticles at room temperature was developed by using (NH4 )6 Mo7 O24 ⋅4 H2 O and MoCl5 as precursors in the absence of reductants, inert gas, and organic solvents. SEM and TEM images indicate the as-prepared products are nanoparticles with diameters of 90-180 nm. The diffuse reflectance UV-visible-near-IR spectra of the samples indicate localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) properties generated by the introduction of oxygen vacancies.

Correction: Analysis of Plasma Protein Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Cattle within the Ex-Evacuation Zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Accident.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

[Fibrin-related Markers in Acute Phase of Pulmonary Embolism and Deep Venous Thrombosis].

Background: The fibrin-related markers are considered to be useful in diagnosing pulmonary embolism (PE) and deep vein thrombus (DVT). We measured D-dimer (DD) and soluble fibrin monomer complex (SFMC) in these cases, in order to examine the usefulness of these markers.

Methods: PE patients (P group: 14 cases) and DVT patients (D group : 16 cases) treated in our hospital, were examined.

Non-Noble-Metal Nanoparticle Supported on Metal-Organic Framework as an Efficient and Durable Catalyst for Promoting H2 Production from Ammonia Borane under Visible Light Irradiation.

In this work, we propose a straightforward method to enhance the catalytic activity of AB dehydrogenation by using non-noble-metal nanoparticle supported on chromium-based metal-organic framework (MIL-101). It was demonstrated to be effective for hydrogen generation from ammonia borane under assistance of visible light irradiation as a noble-metal-free catalyst. The catalytic activity of metal nanoparticles supported on MIL-101 under visible light irradiation is remarkably higher than that without light irradiation.

Shape and Composition Effects on Photocatalytic Hydrogen Production for Pt-Pd Alloy Cocatalysts.

The shape and composition effects of platinum-palladium (Pt-Pd) alloy nanoparticle cocatalysts on visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen evolution from an aqueous ammonium sulphite solution have been reported and discussed. The activity of Pt-Pd nanoparticles loaded Pt-Pd/CdS photocatalysts are affected based on both the Pt-Pd alloy nanoparticles' shape and their compositions. In this research, two shapes of Pt-Pd nanoparticles have been studied.

Hydrogen Doped Metal Oxide Semiconductors with Exceptional and Tunable Localized Surface Plasmon Resonances.

Heavily doped semiconductors have recently emerged as a remarkable class of plasmonic alternative to conventional noble metals; however, controlled manipulation of their surface plasmon bands toward short wavelengths, especially in the visible light spectrum, still remains a challenge. Here we demonstrate that hydrogen doped given MoO3 and WO3 via a facile H-spillover approach, namely, hydrogen bronzes, exhibit strong localized surface plasmon resonances in the visible light region. Through variation of their stoichiometric compositions, tunable plasmon resonances could be observed in a wide range, which hinge upon the reduction temperatures, metal species, the nature and the size of metal oxide supports in the synthetic H2 reduction process as well as oxidation treatment in the postsynthetic process.

[The Efficacy of Soluble Fibrin Monomer Complex (SFMC) for Diagnosis of Aortic Dissection (AD)].

Background: Some biomarkers are helpful for AD diagnosis. Although many studies on efficacy of D-dimer have been reported, there are few reports about SFMC. Therefore we conducted a retrospective comparative study of efficacy of SFMC and D-dimer for diagnosis of AD.

A sacrificial millipede altruistically protects its swarm using a drone blood enzyme, mandelonitrile oxidase.

Soldiers of some eusocial insects exhibit an altruistic self-destructive defense behavior in emergency situations when attacked by large enemies. The swarm-forming invasive millipede, Chamberlinius hualienensis, which is not classified as eusocial animal, exudes irritant chemicals such as benzoyl cyanide as a defensive secretion. Although it has been thought that this defensive chemical was converted from mandelonitrile, identification of the biocatalyst has remained unidentified for 40 years.

Residual tumor in cases of intermediate-risk neuroblastoma did not influence the prognosis.

Background: It remains unclear whether a residual tumor mass following therapy influences the prognosis of neuroblastoma.

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 20 patients with intermediate-risk tumors treated at our institution between 1993 and 2012 to elucidate whether additional treatment is required for residual tumors.

Results: The patient ages at diagnosis ranged from 0 days to 7 years.

Identification and Synthesis of (Z,Z)-8,11-Heptadecadienyl Formate and (Z)-8-Heptadecenyl Formate: Unsaturated Aliphatic Formates Found in the Unidentified Astigmatid Mite, Sancassania sp. Sasagawa (Acari: Acaridae).

We identified two aliphatic formates, (Z,Z)-8,11-heptadecadienyl formate and (Z)-8-heptadecenyl formate in the opisthonotal gland secretions of an unidentified acarid species, namely Sancassania sp. Sasagawa. Both compounds were isolated using silica gel column chromatography and the structures were elucidated by ¹H-NMR and GC/FT-IR.

Analysis of Plasma Protein Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Cattle within the Ex-Evacuation Zone of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Plant Accident.

The effect of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FNPP) accident on humans and the environment is a global concern. We performed biochemical analyses of plasma from 49 Japanese Black cattle that were euthanized in the ex-evacuation zone set within a 20-km radius of FNPP. Among radionuclides attributable to the FNPP accident, germanium gamma-ray spectrometry detected photopeaks only from 134Cs and 137Cs (radiocesium) commonly in the organs and in soil examined.

Light spectrum regulates cell accumulation during daytime in the raphidophyte Chattonella antiqua causing noxious red tides.

Most marine raphidophyte species cause noxious red tides in temperate coastal areas around the world. It is known that swimming abilities enable raphidophytes to accumulation of cells and to actively acquire light at surface layers and nutrients over a wide depth range. However, it remains unclear how the swimming behavior is affected by environmental conditions, especially light condition.

Patient trends in orthopedic traumas and related disorders after tsunami caused by the Great East Japan Earthquake: An experience in the primary referral medical center.

Background: In the Great East Japan Earthquake, the Japanese Red Cross Ishinomaki Hospital played an important role as a principal referral center within the Ishinomaki region, one of the most severely affected areas in eastern Japan. The present study describes the patient population, clinical characteristics, and time courses of the medical problems observed at this hospital.

Methods: A retrospective survey of medical logs and records was conducted on the first 2 weeks after the earthquake to characterize orthopedic traumas and related disorders treated during this catastrophe.

CD146 is a novel marker for highly tumorigenic cells and a potential therapeutic target in malignant rhabdoid tumor.

Malignant rhabdoid tumor (MRT) is a rare, highly aggressive pediatric malignancy that primarily develops during infancy and early childhood. Despite the existing standard of intensive multimodal therapy, the prognosis of patients with MRT is dismal; therefore, a greater understanding of the biology of this disease is required to establish novel therapies. In this study, we identified a highly tumorigenic sub-population in MRT, based on the expression of CD146 (also known as melanoma cell adhesion molecule), a cell adhesion molecule expressed by neural crest cells and various derivatives.