Endothelin-induced activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases in glomerular mesangial cells from normotensive and stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

1. Kinase assay in myelin basic protein (MBP) containing polyacrylamide gels revealed that endothelin-1 (ET-1) and ET-3 increased MBP kinase activities in glomerular mesangial cells (MC) from Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats and spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHRSP). ET-1 stimulated MBP kinase activities more potently than ET-3. 2. Immunoprecipitation with anti-41-kDa MAPK antiserum showed that the MBP kinases activated by ET-1 correspond to 43- and 41-kDa MAPK. 3. Since Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate, a direct activator of protein kinase C, also activated MAPK, protein kinase C was suggested to mediate ET-induced activation of MAPK. 4. These results suggest that MAPK may mediate the ET actions in glomerular mesangial cells from normotensive rats as well as spontaneously hypertensive rats. Since ET is produced by vascular endothelial cells of the kidney and glomerular mesangial cells, the ET signalling pathway may have some physiological and pathophysiological significance in vivo glomerulus.     

Structural and electrical studies of plasma-deposited polycrystalline silicon thin-films for photovoltaic application

Plasma-deposited polycrystalline Si films [or microcrystalline Si (μc-Si) films] produced by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) have attracted considerable attention as novel, low-cost and stable materials for the photovoltaic i-layer in p–i–n junction thin-film solar cells. The μc-Si films prepared under various deposition conditions show widely various microstructures, from a crystalline–amorphous mixed state to an almost perfect crystalline state, with different crystallographic orientations. These structural changes directly influence the carrier transport properties that play a dominant role in determining photovoltaic performance. Furthermore, obtaining a uniform built-in electric field throughout the i-layer is a crucial issue for achieving excellent photovoltaic performance. To obtain a uniform electric field, the following terms should be required for the i-layer: ‘truly’ intrinsic characteristic (or not n-type characteristics) as well as structural uniformity in the growth direction without an incubation layer. Here, structural properties of μc-Si for achieving truly intrinsic characteristics are reviewed with an emphasis on collations with the crystalline volume function and the degree of (2 2 0) crystallographic preferential orientation in the crystalline phase. In addition, we reviewed a growth mechanism for the μc-Si film that is actually used in the photovoltaic i-layer in highly efficient solar cells: hybrid-phase growth consisting of conventional vapor-phase growth at the surface and the solid-phase crystallization that simultaneously occurs in the film. That growth is very effective in producing structural uniformity along the growth direction and for formation of crystallites directly on the underlying doped layer.     

Increased plasma levels of substance P and disturbed water excretion in patients with liver cirrhosis

We describe a surgical technique for replacing the hip joint capsule using synthetic mesh after oncological resections of the proximal femur that resulted in gross intraoperative instability of the prosthetic reconstruction. The results of its use in 13 patients, 6 of whom also had pelvic resections, are described. These patients were selected from a total group of 88 patients undergoing proximal femoral replacement, 75 of whom did not require capsular replacement (none of these 75 patients have experienced dislocation). In the group requiring capsular reconstruction, 1 of 4 patients with bipolar hemiarthroplasty and 4 of 9 patients with total hip replacements experienced dislocation after operation. Of the dislocated total hip replacements, 1 remains chronically dislocated, and 3 were successfully stabilized by open reduction with further capsular augmentation. Given that the resections involved removal of most of the soft tissues stabilizing the hip joint, we believe that the technique of capsular reconstruction is useful in this difficult group of patients.     

E.s.r. studies on free radicals generated in poly[p-(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzoic acid] fibres at low temperatures

Free radicals generated in stretched and ground poly [p-(2-hydroxyethoxy) benzoic acid] (PEOB) were studied by e.s.r. spectroscopy in an effort to isolate those formed by main chain scission. PEOB fibres stretched at ?86°C in a dry nitrogen atmosphere gave an asymmetric spectrum, which had patterns characteristic of both phenoxy and peroxy radicals in addition to some unknown peaks. The shape of the spectrum changed with increasing temperatures, finally becoming identical to that of phenoxy radicals at room temperature. The phenoxy radical was observed in all PEOB films ground or γ-irradiated in liquid nitrogen. In some cases a small peak of peroxy radical was observed. Theoretical spectra calculated for possible radical species or combinations of them were compared with those observed. No direct evidence was observed of the formation of alkyl type and radicals which were assumed to be formed with phenoxy radicals upon main chain rupture of PEOB. However, the relatively unstable peroxy radical observed in these experiments is thought to arise from them.     

Finite element analysis of wave motion

To estimate wave motion, the finite element method is presented based on the linear interpolation function and two-step explicit numerical integration in time. For the determination of free surface position, the two-step scheme based on the Eulerian technique is usefully employed. Travel and run-up of solitary wave have been analysed and compared with the analytical solution. Both results are reasonably well in agreement. This method is applied to estimate the wave force on the practical breakwater to show the validity of the method.     

Measurement of Rising R-Curve Behavior in Toughened Silicon Nitride by Stable Crack Propagation in Bending

A simple procedure for measuring the R -curve properties of ceramics by a stable fracture test in three-point bending is described. As a typical case, data are displayed for a Si₃N₄ material toughened by the presence of acicular grains in situ grown during the sintering process. The fracture mechanics specimen was a single-edge double-notched beam (SEDNB), whose notch was sharpened to a radius of <10 μm in order to reduce the amount of elastic energy stored at its root prior to crack extension. Furthermore, a stabilizer, specially designed for the bending geometry, was used to control crack stability. During stable extension, the crack could be easily arrested at selected locations of the load-displacement curve, the load quickly released, and the stable crack extension directly measured by the die-penetration technique. The crack resistance, K _R, of the material was calculated from the measured crack extent and the onset load value before unloading. This method enabled us to precisely monitor the critical load value at which the load-displacement curve deviated from linear behavior, as well as crack extensions from a few tens of micrometers to about 1 mm. As an application of this method, the fracture resistance of a Si₃N₄ material with rising R -curve behavior was measured and found to increase from about 5.5 to 9.0 MPaμm^1/2 within a 0.8-mm extension.