Molecular biology of histidine decarboxylase and prostaglandin receptors

Histamine and prostaglandins (PGs) play a variety of physiological roles as autacoids, which function in the vicinity of their sources and maintain local homeostasis in the body. They stimulate target cells by acting on their specific receptors, which are coupled to trimeric G proteins. For the precise understanding of the physiological roles of histamine and PGs, it is necessary to clarify the molecular mechanisms involved in their synthesis as well as their receptor-mediated responses. We cloned the cDNAs for mouse L-histidine decarboxylase (HDC) and 6 mouse prostanoid receptors (4 PGE(2) receptors, PGF receptor, and PGI receptor). We then characterized the expression patterns and functions of these genes. Furthermore, we established gene-targeted mouse strains for HDC and PG receptors to explore the novel pathophysiological roles of histamine and PGs. We have here summarized our research, which should contribute to progress in the molecular biology of HDC and PG receptors.     

A new technique to examine individual pollutant particle and fibre deposition and transit behaviour in live mouse trachea

During respiration, particles suspended in the air are inhaled and unless cleared by airway defences they can remain and affect lung health. Their size precludes the use of standard imaging modalities so we have developed synchrotron phase-contrast X-ray imaging (PCXI) methods to non-invasively monitor the behaviour of individual particles in live mouse airways. In this study we used these techniques to examine post-deposition particle behaviour in the trachea. PCXI was used to monitor the deposition and subsequent behaviour of particles of quarry dust and lead ore; fibres of asbestos and fibreglass; and hollow glass micro-spheres. Visibility was examined in vitro and ex vivo to avoid the complicating effects of surrounding tissue and respiratory or cardiac motion. Particle behaviour was then examined after deposition onto the tracheal airway surfaces of live mice. Each particle and fibre looked and behaved differently on the airway surface. Particles lodged on the airway shortly after deposition, and the rate at which this occurred was dependent on the particle type and size. After the live-imaging experiments, excised airway samples were examined using light and electron microscopy. Evidence of particle capture into the airway surface fluids and the epithelial cell layer was found. PCXI is a valuable tool for examining post-deposition particulate behaviour in the tracheal airway. These first indications that the interaction between airways and individual particles may depend on the particle type and size should provide a novel approach to studying the early effects of respired particles on airway health.     

Topological structure of the inter-band phase difference soliton in two-band superconductivity

Two-component superconductivity based on the two-band superconductor has a functional topology such as an inter-band phase difference soliton (i-soliton) to realize topological electronics (topolonics). Many gauge field theories are applied to investigate the topology of two-band superconductivity. To ease experimental and electronics applications, these theories should be refined. Weinberg–Salam theory and SU(2) (two-dimensional special unitary symmetry) gauge field theory are proper starting points. An effective extra force field because of the crystal structure and inter-band Josephson interaction, rather than spontaneous symmetry breaking, simplifies the conventional gauge field theory.     

Quasi in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS investigation of the spent NiMo catalyst from ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of gas oil in a commercial plant

Ni species on the spent NiMo catalyst from ultra‐deep hydrodesulfurization of gas oil in a commercial plant were studied by Ni K‐edge EXAFS and TEM measurement without contact of the catalysts with air. The Ni–Mo coordination shell related to the Ni–Mo–S phase was observed in the spent catalyst by quasi in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS measurement with a newly constructed high‐pressure chamber. The coordination number of this shell was almost identical to that obtained by in situ Ni K‐edge EXAFS measurement of the fresh catalyst sulfided at 1.1 MPa. On the other hand, large agglomerates of Ni₃S₂ were observed only in the spent catalyst by quasi in situ TEM/EDX measurement. MoS₂‐like slabs were sintered slightly on the spent catalyst, where they were destacked to form monolayer slabs. These results suggest that the Ni–Mo–S phase is preserved on the spent catalyst and Ni₃S₂ agglomerates are formed by sintering of Ni₃S₂ species originally present on the fresh catalyst.     

Magnetic field effect on the pairing state competition in quasi-one-dimensional organic superconductors (TMTSF)2X

We study the effect of the magnetic field on the pairing state competition in organic conductors (TMTSF)₂X by applying random phase approximation to a quasi-one-dimensional extended Hubbard model. We show that the singlet pairing, triplet pairing and the Fulde–Ferrell–Larkin–Ovchinnikov (FFLO) superconducting states may compete when charge fluctuations coexist with spin fluctuations. This rises a possibility of a consecutive transition from singlet pairing to FFLO state and further to S_z = 1 triplet pairing upon increasing the magnetic field. We also show that the singlet and S_z = 0 triplet components of the gap function in the FFLO state have “d-wave” and “f-wave” forms, respectively, which are strongly mixed.     

Time-reversal symmetry-breaking in two-band superconductors

Competition between an interband Josephson interaction and a biquadratic interband interaction can break time-reversal symmetry when the interband interactions are very weak compared with the intraband interaction. We demonstrate this using the phenomenological Ginzburg–Landau free energy, taking into account terms essential for this phenomenon. This time-reversal symmetry-breaking state peels away a sheet of an interband phase difference soliton wall. This sheet is the domain wall between two different chiral states. The peeling reduces the formation energy of the domain wall. The domain wall can simultaneously erase the Meissner effect and the specific heat jump when the entropy invokes many domain walls, and its life time is prolonged by a pinning owing to an inhomogeneity such as surface roughness.     

Photoluminescence of SrGa2S4:Sn,Re(=Ce, Gd) phosphors

The photoluminescence (PL) spectra, PL excitation spectra, color coordinates, and X-ray diffraction spectra are reported for SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Re(=Ce and Gd, respectively) phosphors. By mixing SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Ce phosphors with different Ce³⁺ concentrations, white emissions can be obtained under the excitation of a 340-nm UV LED. Emissions in the green to yellow color range can be obtained from SrGa₂S₄:Sn,Gd phosphors. The rare earth ions enhance the green emission band, which peaks at 534 nm, instead of the yellow one. The origin of this enhancement is discussed. The resonant energy transfer rates are estimated in the cases from Ce³⁺ to the green and yellow centers of Sn²⁺ and between the yellow centers and the green centers.