Bibliothek

Notizen: Patterned ferromagnetic structures are intended as electrodes to drive a spin-polarized current through the quasi two-dimensional electron system of a semiconductor. To utilize such structures in transport experiments it is important to know their micromagnetic behavior. We have prepared Permalloy electrodes for the ballistic transport regime by electron-beam lithography on InAs single crystals. Using magnetic-force microscopy we measure the magnetization configurations at zero external magnetic fields. Micromagnetic simulations verify that the observed magnetization states are the energetically most favorable ones. In addition, the micromagnetic behavior in external magnetic fields is simulated. © 2001 American Institute of Physics.

Notizen: Background and objective Carbon monoxide (CO) is known to be present in measurable quantities in the exhalation of asthmatic patients. Corticosteroid treatment resulted in a decrease in exhaled CO levels in asthmatic patients, raising the possibility that an increase in exhaled CO concentration reflects inflammation of the asthmatic airway. Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein, also called HSP32, is the rate-limiting enzyme in the catabolism of heme to biliverdin, free iron and CO. However, it is unknown whether an expression of HO-1 within the lung tissue is related to allergic airway inflammation. We studied the expression of HO-1 in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage cells in a mouse model of asthma.Methods Ovalbumin (OVA)-sensitized C57BL/6 mice were challenged with aerosolized OVA. HO-1 positive cells were identified by immunostaining in lung tissue and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) after the challenge.Results HO-1 positive cell numbers increased in the subepithelium of the bronchi after OVA challenge. In cytospin preparations from BALF after OVA challenge, HO-1 was localized to alveolar macrophages. Inside the macrophages, HO-1 reactivity was expressed in the cytoplasm, and the perinuclear region in particular.Conclusion The expression of HO-1 is increased within the lung tissue in allergic airway inflammation. Measurement of HO-1 activity may be clinically useful in the management of asthma.

Notizen: It is known that small head movements accompany the movements of the jaw during mastication; however, it is unknown whether these movements occur rhythmically and synchronously. The objective of this study was to determine whether there exists a functional coupling between the head and mandibular movements. Four healthy male adults (mean age 25·5) with normal occlusion and without TMD history were selected as subjects. Using the Trimet system, we measured tridimensionally both the movement of the head and the mandible by tracking upper and lower incisal points, respectively, during tapping movements with different opening range and frequency, then analysed the vertical component of these movements. The upper incisal point moved in opposite direction to the mandible in all tapping strokes in all subjects, during opening the head moved in a cranial direction and during closing in a caudal direction; the incidence rate for this concomitant movement was 98%, implying that the head moves periodically and rhythmically, as the mandible does. The cycle time of these coincident movements showed a correlation coefficient of 0·94. Moreover, the vertical range of head movement was within 10% of the jaw's movement. From these results we concluded that, at least during teeth tapping, the head moves in rhythmical coordination with mandibular movement.

Notizen: Background, aims: The present study was undertaken to assess the periodontal status of a rural Japanese population and to study the correlation between the periodontal status and the serum antibody titers for Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg) fimbriae.Method: A total of 236 individuals were examined for their periodontal conditions by the use of the community periodontal index for treatment needs (CPITN), and serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae in their peripheral blood samples were evaluated using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Results: There was a substantially larger proportion of edentulous subjects in the age group older than 60 years. The remaining teeth were 24.1, 23.2, 11.1 and 10.1 per person in the 40–49, 50–59, 60–69 and 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:03036979:JCPE280311:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉70 age groups, respectively. The % of sextants with a CPITN code of missing sextant (MS) increased towards elderly and reached 〉60% in the age group of 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:03036979:JCPE280311:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉70 years, as the % of the CPITN 2, 1 or 0 sextant decreased. The % of CPITN 4 and 3 sextants did not differ between different age groups and were about 6–8% and 15–20%, respectively. The % of CPITN 1 or 0 sextants was higher in female subjects than in male subjects in the 60–69 and 〈inlineGraphic alt="geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted" extraInfo="nonStandardEntity" href="urn:x-wiley:03036979:JCPE280311:ges" location="ges.gif"/〉70 age groups, while the % of CPITN 4 or 3 sextants was higher in male subjects than in female subjects in all age groups. There was no significant difference between various age groups in the mean serum antibody titers for Pg fimbriae. The mean anti-Pg fimbriae antibody titers was significantly higher for the subjects with a maximum CPITN code 4 (max.-CPITN 4 subject) than for the subjects with lower maximum CPITN codes. The antibody titers varied extensively among the max.-CPITN 4 or 3 subjects, but not among the max.-CPITN 2/1/0 or MS subjects.Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that tooth loss is a remarkable event in elderly subjects and that oral prophylaxis and mechanical debridement should be mandatory in the population examined. It was also demonstrated that the serum antibody titers against Pg fimbriae could be useful for screening individuals with moderate to severe periodontitis.