Surface Depth Analysis of Chemical Changes in Random Copolymer Thin Films Composed of Hydrophilic and Hydrophobic Silicon-Based Monomers Induced by Plasma Treatment as Studied by Hard X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy and Neutron Reflectivity Measurements.

In this study, a silicon-based copolymer, poly(tris(trimethylsiloxy)-3-methacryloxypropylsilane)--poly(,-dimethyl acrylamide), thin film was subjected to plasma surface treatment to make its surface hydrophilic (biocompatible). Neutron reflectivity (NR) measurement of the plasma-treated thin film showed a decrease in the film thickness (etching width: ∼20 nm) and an increase in the scattering length density (SLD) near the surface (∼15 nm). The region with a considerably high SLD adsorbed water (DO) from its saturated vapor, indicating its superior surface hydrophilicity.

Remarkable genetic variability and high antigenicity of the octapeptide-repeat region in an Entamoeba nuttalli-specific surface protein.

Entamoeba nuttalli is genetically the closest to Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis. E. nuttalli is found in Macaca species, exhibiting no symptoms while potentially virulent.

Survey of Entamoeba infections in schoolchildren and macaques in Kathmandu, Nepal, and analysis of genetic polymorphisms of Entamoeba nuttalli and Entamoeba dispar isolates.

Entamoeba species infect humans and non-human primates, raising concerns associated with potential zoonotic transmission. Therefore, the prevalence of human Entamoeba infections is crucial for its management in areas, where macaques exhibit high infection rates. Previously, we demonstrated prevalent E.

The octapeptide-repeat surface protein of Entamoeba nuttalli is a novel virulence factor that promotes adherence to host cells.

Entamoeba nuttalli is genetically the closest to Entamoeba histolytica, the causative agent of human amebiasis, and its natural host is Macaca species. A unique E. nuttalli specific surface protein (PTORS) containing 42 repeats of octapeptide was identified by comparative genomic analysis of Entamoeba species.

Roles of expressed gratitude and apologies in predicting reciprocal responsiveness.

Research has indicated the critical role of responsiveness in facilitating close relationships, but what communication leads to enhanced responsiveness has not been fully explored. We hypothesized that gratitude and apologies facilitate responsiveness within friendship relationships in Japan. In Experiment 1 ( = 669), receiving gratitude, apologies, or both gratitude and apologies increased recipients' perceptions of the expresser's responsiveness more than receiving a message without either gratitude or apologies.

Usefulness of a new immunochromatographic assay using fluorescent silica nanoparticles for serodiagnosis of Thai patients with amebiasis.

A fluorescence immunochromatography (FIC) kit was developed recently using fluorescent silica nanoparticles coated with a recombinant C-terminal fragment of the surface lectin intermediate subunit (C-Igl) of Entamoeba histolytica to establish rapid serodiagnosis of amebiasis. We further evaluated the system using serum samples from 52 Thai patients with amebiasis. Of the patients, 50 (96%) tested positive using FIC.

Why do we feel close to a person who expresses gratitude? Exploring mediating roles of perceived warmth, conscientiousness, and agreeableness.

The literature suggests that expressed gratitude improves the interpersonal relationship between a beneficiary and a benefactor. However, there is little research that has explored why thanking provides these positive effects, so this study investigated thanking mechanisms to explain reasons why people feel close to a beneficiary who expresses gratitude. This study also examines the effects of apologies, which are sometimes used to show gratitude in Japan.

[Evaluation of Low-contrast Detectability Using the Digital Phantom Creation Tool in the Late Arterial Phase to Detect Liver Mass Lesions].

Purpose: Late arterial phase images of SD 8, SD 10, and SD 12 were acquired in the 3-phase dynamic study of the liver in combination with hybrid iterative reconstruction. We evaluated the low-contrast detectability by adding a simulated tumor to these images and aimed to formulate a standard image quality.

Methods: We prepared images with and without signal for 60 series of 20 samples, each with 3 image quality types (total: 120 series).

Nature of the liver volume depending on the gender and age assessing volumetry from a reconstruction of the computed tomography.

Although the liver is a regenerating organ, excessive loss of liver volume (LV) can cause fatal liver failure. It is unclear whether LV is correlated with age; however, it is known that liver function decreases with age. In addition, the gender-related role of LV remains unclear.

Are one's attachment avoidance toward a particular person and his/her placement of this particular person in the attachment hierarchy inversely overlapping? Four bifactor-analysis studies.

Do one's hierarchical preference for attachment support from a particular person over other people (attachment hierarchy) and his/her discomfort with closeness and uneasiness about being dependent on that particular person (attachment avoidance) inversely overlap? These two constructs have been distinctly conceptualized. Attachment hierarchy has been regarded as a normative characteristic of attachment relationships, while attachment avoidance has been considered to reflect an individual difference of relationship quality. Employing bifactor analyses, we demonstrated a unidimensional general factor of these two concepts in four studies exploring Czech young adults' relationships with mother, father, friends, and romantic partner (Study 1); U.

Efficacy of non-rigid registration technique for misregistration in 3D-CTA fusion imaging.

Purpose: To assess whether fusion 3D-CTA images can be corrected using non-rigid registration (NRR) for gastroenterology imaging.

Methods: This study included 55 patients before gastroenterology surgery who underwent preoperative 3D-CTA prior to gastroenterological surgery. We recorded the coordinate of measurement points on the arterial vessels (X, Y, and Z) in each portal phase, original image of the arterial phase, and arterial phase with NRR.

Evaluation of computed tomography arterial portography scan timing using different bolus tracking methods.

Computed tomography arterial portography (CTAP) is widely used with a fixed scan timing and contrast medium quantity; however, these parameters are not necessarily optimal. In this study, CTAP scan timing was analyzed by different bolus tracking methods to monitor the inflow of the contrast medium in real-time. A total of 249 patients who underwent CTAP were assessed.

[Development of New Digital Phantom Creation Tool for Evaluation of Low-contrast Detectability Using Iterative Reconstruction].

Purpose: We developed a novel digital phantom-creation tool that will help formulate the standard shooting method for a three-phase dynamic liver study. Here, we present data demonstrating the usefulness of this tool in the assessment of low-contrast detectability and visibility.

Methods: We performed a visual evaluation by adding a spherical digital phantom with a diameter of 8 mm and a computed tomography (CT) value difference of 10 Hounsfield unit (HU) to images taken using filtered back projection and seven types of adaptive iterative dose reduction 3D (Weak, Mild, eMild, Standard, eStandard, Strong, and eStrong).

Flavan 3-ol delays the progression of disuse atrophy induced by hindlimb suspension in mice.

Periods of skeletal muscle disuse, for example due to a sedentary lifestyle or bed rest, are associated with aging and can lead to muscle atrophy. We previously found that the flavan 3-ol fraction derived from cocoa (FL) enhanced energy expenditure with metabolic changes in skeletal muscle. In the present study, we examined the effect of FL on disuse muscle atrophy induced by hindlimb suspension in mice.

[Optimization of the Timing of the Portal Venous Phase in Preoperative 3DCT for Malignant Liver Tumors].

Preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography (3DCT) of the liver is the most important examination in performing preoperative simulation. Detailed visualization of the portal vein using the workstation is critical to enable accurate liver segmentation. However, the timing of imaging in the portal venous phase has mostly been reported equivalent to that of the liver screening examinations commonly performed.

Influences of Mental Illness Stigma on Perceptions of and Responses to Requests for Favors.

This article examines mental illness stigma effects on a request for a favor from a mentally ill individual. Four hundred and fourteen participants interacted with a hypothetical target on Facebook who was believed to have schizophrenia, depression, or a tooth cavity (i.e.

Nosocomial Serratia marcescens outbreak in Osaka, Japan, from 1999 to 2000.

Objectives: To investigate and control an outbreak of bloodstream infections (BSIs) caused by Serratia marcescens and to identify risk factors for respiratory colonization or infection with S. marcescens.

Design: Epidemiologic investigation, including review of medical and laboratory records, procedural investigations, pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) typing of environmental and patient isolates, statistical study, and recommendation of control measures.