We have experimentally shown significant suppression of metal-induced fluorescence (FL) quenching on plasmo-photonic metasurfaces by incorporating a self-assembled monolayer (SAM) of sub-nm ...thickness. The FL signals of rhodamine dye molecules have been several-ten-fold enhanced by introducing the SAM, in comparison with the previous configuration contacting molecules and metal surfaces.
This study aimed to assess the imaging features of atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) and lipoma with fat necrosis.
This study included patients with histopathologically proven fat necrosis within ...adipocytic tumors who underwent preoperative imaging. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and/or computer tomography (CT) findings of fat necrosis associated with lipomatous tumors were retrospectively reviewed, emphasizing the “fatty island sign (FIS).” FISs were defined as well-demarcated, focal fat-containing areas surrounded by more thickened septa compared with other intratumoral septa. Imaging findings of FIS were compared between ALT and lipoma.
Fat necrosis was histopathologically confirmed in 17 patients (6 ALTs and 11 lipomas). Among them, 18 FISs were observed in 10 lesions (59%). Multiple FISs within a lesion were observed in 4 (40%) patients. The median maximum diameter of the FISs was 37 mm. Hypointense areas within FISs relative to the subcutaneous fat on T1- and T2-weighted images were observed in 8 (80%) and 9 (90%), respectively, whereas hyperintense areas within FISs on fat-suppressed T2-weighted images were observed in 2 (20%). Nonfatty solid components within FISs were observed in 2 (20%). On CT, increased fat attenuation and pure fat attenuation within FISs were observed in 6 (86%) and 1 (14%), respectively. The imaging findings of FIS were not significantly different between ALT and lipoma.
FISs were observed in 59% of the histologically proven ALT and lipoma patients with fat necrosis. The hypointense areas relative to the subcutaneous fat on T1- and T2-weighted images and increased fat attenuation on CT were usually observed within FISs.
•Fatty island sign (FIS) was observed in 59% of lipomatous tumors with fat necrosis.•FIS was defined as a focal fat-containing area surrounded by thickened septa.•FIS was observed in both atypical lipomatous tumors (ALTs) and lipomas.•Hypointensity within FIS relative to fat was usually observed on T1WI and T2WI.•Radiologists need to differentiate ALT from lipoma in areas excluding FISs.
The natural antioxidant gallic acid (GA) was isolated from fruits of a medicinal Indonesian plant, Phaleria macrocarpa (Scheff.) Boerl. The structure was identified on the basis of spectroscopic ...analysis and comparison with authentic compound. GA demonstrated a significant inhibition of cell proliferation in a series of cancer cell lines and induced apoptosis in esophageal cancer cells (TE-2) but not in non-cancerous cells (CHEK-1). Observation of the molecular mechanism of apoptosis showed that GA up-regulated the pro-apoptosis protein, Bax, and induced caspase-cascade activity in cancer cells. On the other hand, GA down-regulated anti-apoptosis proteins such as Bcl-2 and Xiap. In addition, GA also induced down-regulation of the survival Akt/mTOR pathway. In non-cancerous cells, we observed delayed expression of pro-apoptosis related proteins. Our results suggest that GA might be a potential anticancer compound. However, in depth in vivo studies are needed to elucidate the exact mechanism.
A poly(acrylate) gel containing Ag+ and TiO2 nanoparticles is swollen by UV light and shrunk by visible light in water (see figure and cover). The swollen gel keeps its size and shape in the dark. ...Localized irradiation with UV and visible light causes localized swelling and shrinking, respectively.
Engaging inhibitory FcγRIIb by Fc region has been recently reported to be an attractive approach for improving the efficacy of antibody therapeutics. However, the previously reported S267E/L328F ...variant with enhanced binding affinity to FcγRIIb, also enhances binding affinity to FcγRIIa(R131) allotype to a similar degree because FcγRIIb and FcγRIIa(R131) are structurally similar. In this study, we applied comprehensive mutagenesis and structure-guided design based on the crystal structure of the Fc/FcγRIIb complex to identify a novel Fc variant with selectively enhanced FcγRIIb binding over both FcγRIIa(R131) and FcγRIIa(H131). This novel variant has more than 200-fold stronger binding affinity to FcγRIIb than wild-type IgG1, while binding affinity to FcγRIIa(R131) and FcγRIIa(H131) is comparable with or lower than wild-type IgG1. This selectivity was achieved by conformational change of the C(H)2 domain by mutating Pro to Asp at position 238. Fc variant with increased binding to both FcγRIIb and FcγRIIa induced platelet aggregation and activation in an immune complex form in vitro while our novel variant did not. When applied to agonistic anti-CD137 IgG1 antibody, our variant greatly enhanced the agonistic activity. Thus, the selective enhancement of FcγRIIb binding achieved by our Fc variant provides a novel tool for improving the efficacy of antibody therapeutics.
We present the experimental realization of nanofiber Bragg grating (NFBG) by drilling periodic nano-grooves on a subwavelength-diameter silica fiber using focused ion beam milling technique. Using ...such NFBG structures we have realized nanofiber cavity systems. The typical finesse of such nanofiber cavity is F ∼ 20 - 120 and the on-resonance transmission is ∼ 30 - 80%. Moreover the structural symmetry of such NFBGs results in polarization-selective modes in the nanofiber cavity. Due to the strong confinement of the field in the guided mode, such a nanofiber cavity can become a promising workbench for cavity QED.
•The Co-based Heusler alloys CCHAs(1–20nm)/MnGa (30nm) bilayers were fabricated.•Epitaxy of the B2 structure of CCHAs on MnGa film was achieved.•Antiferromagnetic Jex was observed in CCHAs/MnGa ...bilayers.•Different critical thickness, at which PMA appears, was obtained for different CCHAs.•The critical thickness for different CCHAs is discussed in terms of Ms and Jex.
The thickness dependencies of the structural and magnetic properties for bilayers of cubic Co-based Heusler alloys (CCHAs: Co2FeAl (CFA), Co2FeSi (CFS), Co2MnAl (CMA), and Co2MnSi (CMS)) and D022-MnGa were investigated. Epitaxy of the B2 structure of CCHAs on a MnGa film was achieved; the smallest thickness with the B2 structure was found for 3-nm-thick CMS and CFS. The interfacial exchange coupling (Jex) was antiferromagnetic (AFM) for all of the CCHAs/MnGa bilayers except for unannealed CFA/MnGa samples. A critical thickness (tcrit) at which perpendicular magnetization appears of approximately 4–10nm for the CMA/MnGa and CMS/MnGa bilayers was observed, whereas this thickness was 1–3nm for the CFA/MnGa and CFS/MnGa films. The critical thickness for different CCHAs materials is discussed in terms of saturation magnetization (Ms) and the Jex.
To evaluate how computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) characteristics can be used to differentiate immunohistochemically confirmed mediastinal Müllerian cysts (MMCs) from ...bronchogenic cysts (BCs).
Sixteen patients with histopathologically and immunohistochemically confirmed mediastinal cysts (four with MMCs and 12 with BCs) were included in this study. CT and MRI images were reviewed retrospectively and the location, size, CT attenuation, and MRI signal intensity of the two pathologies were compared.
On review of CT images, cysts could be located to the anterior mediastinum in four BCs, middle mediastinum in three MMCs and seven BCs, and posterior mediastinum in one MMC and one BC. Contact with a vertebral body was observed in 4/4 MMCs (100%) and 6/12 BCs (50%). The ratios of minimum-to-maximum diameter (0.57±0.09 versus 0.74±0.11, p<0.01), CT attenuation (7.8±6 versus 44.3±12 HU, p<0.01), and cyst-to-spinal cord signal intensity ratios (SIRs) on T1-weighted images (0.56±0.2 versus 1.31±0.4, p<0.01) were significantly lower for MMCs than BCs. No significant differences in maximum diameter, minimum diameter, and SIRs on T2-weighted images were found between MMCs and BCs.
In characterising mediastinal cysts in a middle-aged female patient, contact with a vertebral body, flattened configuration, hypodensity on CT, and hypointensity compared to spinal cord on T1-weighted images are features that are specific to MMCs.
•Contact with a vertebral body was observed in all MMCs.•The ratios of minimum-to-maximum diameter were lower for MMCs than BCs.•CT attenuation within cysts were lower for MMCs than BCs.•Cyst-to-spinal cord SIRs on T1WI were lower for MMCs than BCs.
In this letter, the application of differential phase-shift keying data format in coherent optical code-division multiple-access (DPSK-OCDMA) has been proposed and investigated theoretically and ...experimentally to combat noise in the OCDMA system. The DPSK-OCDMA can also ease the receiver's threshold level setting and enhance the system confidentiality.
Peatlands are widely regarded as a significant source of atmospheric CH4, a potent greenhouse gas. At present, most of the information on environmental emissions of CH4 comes from infrequent, ...temporally discontinuous ground‐based flux measurements. Enormous efforts have been made to extrapolate measured emission rates to establish seasonal or annual averages using relevant biogeochemical factors, such as water table positions or peat temperatures, by assuming that the flux was stationary during a substantial nonsampling period. However, this assumption has not been explicitly verified, and little is known about the continuous variation of the CH4 flux in a timescale of individual flux measurement. In this study, we show an abrupt change in the CH4 emission rate associated with falling atmospheric pressure. We found that the CH4 flux can change by 2 orders of magnitude within a matter of tens of minutes owing to the release of free‐phase CH4 triggered by a drop in air pressure. The contribution of the ebullition to the total CH4 flux during the measurements was significant (50–64%). These results clearly indicated that field campaigns must be designed to cover this rapid temporal variability caused by ebullition, which may be especially important in intemperate weather. Process‐based CH4 emission models should also be modified to include air pressure as a key factor for the control of ebullient CH4 release from peatland.
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