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Vascular manifestations may dominate the clinical presentation in some Behçet's disease (BD) patients. We herein report the case of a patient with BD who developed an anastomotic pseudoaneurysm 21 years after surgical treatment of multiple arterial lesions, including an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). (A) Intraoperative angiogram showing a pseudoaneurysm at the right common iliac artery; (B) completion angiogram showing successful exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm. [Extracted from the article]

Deals with a study which determined the magnetic and electrical properties of the amorphous iron-boron-oxygen thin film alloys. Background to the study; Methods and results; Discussion and conclusion.

Presents a study which examined the effect of nitrogen upon enhancement of the magnetic Kerr rotation in zinc sulfur(oxyge)/terbium iron cobalt bilayer films. Film preparation; Film characterization; Discussion and conclusions.

The mechanism of the unimolecular isomerisation reaction of the silicon and germanium analogues of bicyclo[1.1.0]butane with various kinds of substituents (XR; X = Si and Ge, R=H, CH, t-Bu and SiH) to the corresponding cyclobutene analogues has been investigated by ab initio molecular orbital and DFT methods. Several reaction mechanisms were considered. They are roughly divided into two types; (1) skeletal rearrangement and (2) substituent migration. It was found that substituents (R) have the leading effect on the reaction mechanism but the partial or full replacement of the skeletal silicon atoms by germanium atoms has some important effects as well. Furthermore, the character of the bridge bond of the long-bond and short-bond isomers of these bicyclic compounds was investigated and discussed in comparison with the π bond in ethene and disilene by the CiLC analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report two patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy following non-cervical spine surgery. These cases revealed postoperative transient tetraplegia with respiratory insufficiency despite optimal anaesthetic management. Both patients showed no limitation of their neck movement at pre-operative airway examination. In addition, their necks had never been overextended during anaesthesia including tracheal intubation. However, postoperative magnetic resonance imaging showed cervical spondylotic myelopathy. Cervical disc herniation and protrusion of a hypertrophic ligamentum flavum caused spinal canal cord compression, and, these may lead to tetraplegia and phrenic nerve impairment. Their muscle weakness gradually improved and completely recovered the following morning. We should consider the existence of cervical spondylosis in the elderly patients over the age of 60 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. The pharmacokinetics of drugs can change in diabetes mellitus and even among diabetics. They may differ between type I diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM). 2. As triazolam was administered orally to Tsumura, Suzuki, obese, diabetes (TSOD) mice and streptozotocin (STZ) mice, clearance per body (CL/F) in TSOD mice did not differ compared with Tsumura, Suzuki, nonobesity (TSNO) mice. In STZ mice, CL/F was greater than in control mice. Small intestinal cytochrome P450 (Cyp) 3a expression in TSOD mice was significantly lower than in TSNO mice. No significant difference existed in small intestinal Cyp3a expression between STZ mice and control mice. In insulin-treated mice, small intestinal Cyp3a expression was significantly lower than in control mice. 3. These results suggested that the differences in changes in small intestinal Cyp3a expression between T1DM and T2DM may be due to differences in plasma insulin concentrations. This may be a factor in the difference in the drug pharmacokinetics between T2DM and T1DM patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. To investigate the pharmacokinetic characteristics in TSOD (Tsumura, Suzuki, obese, diabetes) mice, a model of type 2 diabetes and obesity, the expressions of major hepatic CYP enzymes in TSOD and TSNO (Tsumura, Suzuki, non-obesity; control) mice were compared. 2. The 7-month-old TSOD mice, which represented severe obesity/diabetes-related pathophysiology, showed higher expressions of Cyp2c and Cyp3a compared with TSNO mice, while those of Cyp1a and Cyp2e were lower. Cyp3a metabolic activity was also higher in TSOD mice. 3. In the 7-month-old liver, pregnane x receptor (PxR) (nuclear receptor) and peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-gamma coactivator-1alpha (PGC-1alpha) (cofactor) mRNA expression were higher in TSOD mice, possibly playing a role in the altered expression of Cyp3a. 4. This specifically altered CYP expression in TSOD mice suggests that the biotransformation of drugs metabolized by these CYP enzymes differs from that in normal animals. Based on these findings, further investigation on the relationship between altered CYP expression and pathophysiology may be useful in elucidating changes in pharmacokinetics in obese/diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Impaired salivary secretion has been reported to cause abnormal acid clearance from the oesophagus in gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GERD). However, few studies have explained the differences between non-erosive reflux disease (NERD) and erosive oesophagitis (EO) with respect to salivary secretion. Aim To elucidate these differences, we measured salivary secretion by using the modified glucose clearance test (mGCT). Methods All subjects completed endoscopic examinations, the frequency scale for the symptoms of GERD questionnaire and the mGCT comprising a resting GCT (measured as RGC time) and a chewing-stimulated GCT (SGC time). Results Resting glucose clearance time was 18.5 min in control group and significantly longer in NERD and EO groups (28.5 and 39.0 min respectively). SGC time was 6.1 min in control group and 7.2 min in NERD group and significantly longer in EO group (10.2 min) than in the control and NERD groups. Conclusions In the EO group, both resting and stimulated salivary secretions were less than in control group. However, in the NERD group, resting salivary secretion was decreased, but stimulated salivary secretion was similar to that of the control group. Therefore, these results may help in explaining the differences in the pathogenesis of NERD and EO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The insertion of one and two H2 molecules into polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) was investigated as a function of the size of the cage, using both Hartree-Fock (HF) and second order perturbation theory (MP2) methods. Also investigated was the same reaction into the heavier groups 4 and 14 metal-substituted POSS (metallasilsesquioxanes) such as Ge-POSS, Si/Ge-mixed POSS, and Ti- and Zr-POSS. The properties of these species in comparison with those of POSS are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: Ischemia-reperfusion injury is an important cause of renal dysfunction after abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Human atrial natriuretic peptide (hANP) is a potent endogenous natriuretic, diuretic, and vasorelaxant peptide. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of hANP on renal function in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. DESIGN: A prospective, randomized, placebo-controlled study SETTING: Intensive care unit of a university hospital. PATIENTS: Forty patients undergoing elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. INTERVENTIONS: The patients were randomized to receive a continuous infusion of either hANP (0.01-0.05 microg/kg/min) (n = 20) or placebo (n = 20) immediately before aortic cross-clamping. The infusion of hANP or placebo continued for 48 hrs. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Blood and urine samples were taken before surgery, at admission to the intensive care unit, and on days 1, 2, and 3 postoperatively, for measurement of serum concentrations of sodium, creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen and plasma concentrations of ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP). Urine volume and urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-beta-D-glucosaminidase (NAG), sodium, and creatinine were also measured. The mean plasma concentration of ANP was significantly higher in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean plasma BNP concentration was significantly lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean serum concentrations of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen were significantly (p < .05) lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean urine volume and mean creatinine clearance were significantly (p < .05) higher in the hANP group than in the placebo group. The mean urinary NAG/creatinine ratio was significantly (p < .05) lower in the hANP group than in the placebo group. CONCLUSIONS: The intraoperative and postoperative infusion of low-dose hANP preserved renal function in patients undergoing abdominal aortic aneurysm repair. Further studies are needed to assess the efficacy of prophylactic hANP infusion on perioperative renal outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress response is a defense system for dealing with the accumulation of unfolded proteins in the ER lumen. Recent reports have shown that ER stress is involved in the pathology of some neurodegenerative diseases and cerebral ischemia. In a screen for compounds that induce the ER-mediated chaperone BiP (immunoglobulin heavy-chain binding protein)/GRP78 (78 kDa glucose-regulated protein), we identified BiP inducer X (BIX). BIX preferentially induced BiP with slight inductions of GRP94 (94 kDa glucose-regulated protein), calreticulin, and C/EBP homologous protein. The induction of BiP mRNA by BIX was mediated by activation of ER stress response elements upstream of the BiP gene, through the ATF6 (activating transcription factor 6) pathway. Pretreatment of neuroblastoma cells with BIX reduced cell death induced by ER stress. Intracerebroventricular pretreatment with BIX reduced the area of infarction due to focal cerebral ischemia in mice. In the penumbra of BIX-treated mice, ER stress-induced apoptosis was suppressed, leading to a reduction in the number of apoptotic cells. Considering these results together, it appears that BIX induces BiP to prevent neuronal death by ER stress, suggesting that it may be a potential therapeutic agent for cerebral diseases caused by ER stress.Cell Death and Differentiation (2008) 15, 364–375; doi:10.1038/sj.cdd.4402276; published online 30 November 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Prostate cancer progresses from an androgen-dependent to androgen-independent stage after androgen ablation therapy. Mitochondrial DNA plays a role in cell death and metastatic competence. Further, heteroplasmic large-deletion mitochondrial DNA is very common in prostate cancer. To investigate the role of mitochondrial DNA in androgen dependence of prostate cancers, we tested the changes of normal and deleted mitochondrial DNA in accordance with the progression of prostate cancer. We demonstrated that the androgen-independent cell line C4-2, established by inoculation of the androgen-dependent LNCaP cell line into castrated mice, has a greatly reduced amount of normal mitochondrial DNA and an accumulation of large-deletion DNA. Strikingly, the depletion of mitochondrial DNA from androgen-dependent LNCaP resulted in a loss of androgen dependence. Reconstitution of normal mitochondrial DNA to the mitochondrial DNA-depleted clone restored androgen dependence. These results indicate that mitochondrial DNA determines androgen dependence of prostate cancer cell lines. Further, mitochondrial DNA-deficient cells formed tumors in castrated athymic mice, whereas LNCaP did not. The accumulation of large deletion and depletion of mitochondrial DNA may thus play a role in the development of androgen independence, leading to progression of prostate cancers.Oncogene (2006) 25, 1437–1445. doi:10.1038/sj.onc.1209190; published online 7 November 2005 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is possible for a proximal arterial source to lead to distal atheroembolism even in the presence of chronic occlusive disease. However, no monitoring technique has been established regarding detection of peripheral emboli through the collateral circulation in the lower limbs. We report a 60-year-old woman and a 73-year-old man with iliac stenosis and complete occlusion of the ipsilateral superficial femoral artery in whom Doppler ultrasound successfully detected microembolic signals (MES) at the tibioperoneal trunk during percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) and stent placement. By means of continuous Doppler ultrasound monitoring, 29 MES were successfully detected immediately after PTA or stent placement (MESp) and 64 MES were detected immediately after the contrast medium administration (MESc). MESc generated significantly higher intensities (median 28, range 7 to 38) as opposed to MESp (median 21, range 5 to 35, p = 0.017). In addition, the intensity of MES after prestent PTA (n = 8, 25 dB, 12-35 dB) and stenting (n = 18, 22 dB, 9-35 dB) was significantly higher than that of MES after poststent PTA (n = 3, 13 dB, range; 5-16 dB), respectively (p = 0.041, p = 0.034). Iliac PTA and stent placement were successful. Ankle/brachial pressure index and the symptoms improved in both patients, who showed no embolic symptoms after the procedure. This study suggested that it was possible to detect peripheral microemboli through the collateral circulation by Doppler ultrasound monitoring and that this technique would be helpful to investigate the mechanism of embolization in patients with PTA and stent placement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The crevice corrosion behaviour of stainless steels containing 25 mass% Cr, 3 mass% Mo and various amounts of Ni was investigated in natural seawater. The results showed that ferritic steels containing nickel were more resistant to corrosion than both ferritic steels without nickel and austenitic steels. The superiority of the Ni bearing ferritic steel over the other steels was in close agreement with the depassivation pH of those steels in acidic chloride solutions. The results showed that the addition of Ni to ferritic steel was effective in decreasing the depassivation pH and the dissolution rate in acidic chloride solutions at crevices. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

High rate intercalation electrode performance of V2O5 gel/carbon composites has been demonstrated. A V2O5 sol was prepared by a reaction of metallic vanadium with a hydrogen peroxide solution. Acetylene black powder was added into the sol with acetone to yield a homogeneous suspension. A composite of amorphous V2O5 and carbon was loaded on a macroporous nickel current collector, and heat-treated at 120 °C to obtain a sample electrode. Electrochemical measurements were performed in some organic electrolytes like LiClO4/PC or LiPF6/γ-butyrolactone (γ-BL) at room temperature. It was confirmed that a composite electrode with the V2O5/carbon ratio of 0.7 in weight showed 54% of the ideal capacity, 360 mA h/g (4.2–2.0 V) based on V2O5, even at a very high rate discharge at 150 C or 54 A/g V2O5. The diffusion length of this host–guest system was estimated as 30–50 nm by means of a simulation of the discharge curves using a diffusion model assuming D˜=10−12 cm2/s. The reversibility was also satisfactory and no capacity loss was observed after thousands of times of discharge/charge cycles between 4.2 and 3.0 V at the rate of 20 C. A prototype electrode was fabricated by coating a thin layer of the composite on an Al sheet current collector using an applicator. It showed the capacity of 40 mA h/g electrode at a current density as high as 30 mA/cm2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The formation of NiO, particularly the lithiation process, in molten carbonate at 923 K under oxidizing condition has been investigated by open circuit potential (OCP), AC impedance, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. Thin film electrodes of Ni were exposed to the Li/K and Li/Na carbonate eutectic and subjected to in situ oxidation. Quantification of lithium in the lithiated NiO with XRD revealed that the lithiation reaction continues even after the electrode potential reached the oxygen electrode potential. Lithium content, x in LixNi1-xO, of the sample immersed in molten carbonate reached 0.041 and 0.033 in Li/K and Li/Na melt, respectively after 200 h of immersion. Difference observed in OCP decay and electrode impedance at 1 kHz for Ni oxidation in the Li/K and Li/Na carbonate has been also interpreted based on XRD data. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Purpose: To determine whether the manic episode of patients with epilepsy has different characteristics from manic episode of patients with bipolar disorder. Methods: Interictal manic episodes in patients with epilepsy (epilepsy group) were compared with mood disorders in patients with bipolar I disorder (bipolar group), as defined by the DSM-IV. There were 13 patients (five women and eight men) in each group. Results: Five epilepsy patients had relatives with epilepsy and/or convulsions, and four bipolar patients had relatives with mood disorders. In the epilepsy group, two had substance-related or organic factors associated with the episodes besides epilepsy, and two exhibited a postictal manic state that had the same symptoms as those of their interictal manic episodes. Ten patients of the epilepsy group had dependent–childish behavior. The epilepsy group had fewer severe mood episodes than the bipolar group. Ten epilepsy patients had fluctuating mood disturbances, and eight had rapid cycling of mood episodes. The epileptogenic zone was in the frontal and/or temporal lobes of eight patients and in multiple lobes of two others; it could not be localized in the three remaining patients. Conclusions: The clinical features of the interictal manic episodes in the epilepsy group were different from those in the bipolar group. The manic episodes of the epilepsy group appeared heterogeneous in their causal factors. An epileptogenic zone in the frontal and temporal lobes seems to play an important role in the mood episodes of the majority of patients with epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of activin on differentiated cells is known to be different from that on undifferentiated cells. Cultured gastric epithelial cells in complete serum-free condition grew into matured mucous cells after treatment wit epidermal growth factor (EGF). To elucidate the effect of activin on the growth of differentiated and undifferentiated gastric mucosal cells. Western blot analysis indicated that activin was synthesized in cultured guinea pig gastric mucosal cells. One hundred nanomolar EGF induced a 3-fold increase in cell count and the appearance of PAS-positive granules. Five nanograms activin per milliliter without EGF stimulated proliferation of the cells that showed almost negative PAS staining. When activin was added after treatment with 100 nM EGF for 24h, cell proliferation induced by EGF was inhibited by activin at concentrations higher than 5ng/mL. These results suggest that activin stimulates proliferation of undifferentiated cells and inhibits growth of differentiated cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the motion of a Dirac wave packet in the Klein paradox. Description of Klein paradox; Creation of electron-positron pairs; Construction of wave packet in region II through hole theory; Protection of the total electric charge; Advantages of the wave packet formation approach.

Abstract: This paper describes a compact three-phase electric current sensor using a magneto-impedance (MI) sensor for wide-range current sensing. The MI sensor is composed of a thin-film MI element and a bias coil. Double shields are used for high shielding performance maintaining compact size. Discrete sampling being employed and sensors being intermittently driven in a 3ms period can achieve a low power consumption of 20mW. Two kinds of alternating bias are used in the system to achieve a wide measurement range of 1:600. Furthermore, using optimized carrier electric current is shown to decrease the temperature dependence of the MI sensor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper describes a compact three-phase electric current sensor using a magneto-impedance (MI) sensor for wide-range current sensing. The MI sensor is composed of a thin-film MI element and a bias coil. Double shields are used for high shielding performance maintaining compact size. Two kinds of alternating bias are used in the system to achieve a wide measurement range of 1:600. Furthermore, using optimized carrier electric current is shown to decrease the temperature dependence of the MI sensor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A purpose of cancer treatment for advanced and metastatic pancreatic cancer (AMPC) is to improve survival and quality of life. In Japan, S-1 is one of treatment regimens applied as a first-line therapy and no economic evaluation including these regimens have not been conducted. We conducted cost-utility analysis based on a network meta-analysis of the first-line therapy for AMPC under Japanese clinical environment. [Extracted from the article]

In Earth and planetary science, Pb isotopic composition is well known to play a key role in deciphering the origin and evolution of materials because they provide unique chronological and/or indigenous regional information as a radiogenic daughter nuclide from U and Th. To determine such an isotopic composition, mass spectrometers have been widely used over several decades, which requires a destructive/consuming treatment such as sputtering, laser ablation and thermal ionization. Here, we first report the non-destructive Pb isotopic measurement of natural galena (PbS) using the energy shift of muon-induced characteristic X-rays. The observed Pb isotopic composition of the natural galena is in good agreement with that obtained by conventional mass spectrometry. Such a muon-based Pb isotopic analysis method is expected to be applied to identify the production area of archaeological artefacts (e.g. bronze products), where non-destructive analysis is highly desirable compared to conventional mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A full set of acoustical physical constants was determined for Ca3TaGa1.5Al1.5Si2O14 (CTGAS) single crystal from bulk wave velocities measured by the ultrasonic micro-spectroscopy method. Several plate specimens were cut perpendicular to the X-, Y-, Z-, 35.25°Y-, and 139.74°Y-directions from a CTGAS single crystal ingot grown by Czochralski technique. Following measurements of dielectric constants and density, elastic constants, piezoelectric constants, and their temperature coefficients were determined from longitudinal wave and shear wave velocities measured for the CTGAS specimens at around room temperature. It was demonstrated that the as found constants could provide calculation accuracy within ±0.15% in leaky surface acoustic wave velocity. The determined constants were used for numerical calculation of the cut angle, at which the temperature coefficient of shear wave velocity becomes zero. This angle corresponded to 147.9°Y-cut substrate that had electromechanical coupling factor of k2 = 3.2%. This parameter is about four times greater than that of AT-cut α-quartz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A full set of acoustical physical constants was determined for Ca3TaGa1.5Al1.5Si2O14 (CTGAS) single crystal from bulk wave velocities measured by the ultrasonic micro‐spectroscopy method. Several plate specimens were cut perpendicular to the X‐, Y‐, Z‐, 35.25°Y‐, and 139.74°Y‐directions from a CTGAS single crystal ingot grown by Czochralski technique. Following measurements of dielectric constants and density, elastic constants, piezoelectric constants, and their temperature coefficients were determined from longitudinal wave and shear wave velocities measured for the CTGAS specimens at around room temperature. It was demonstrated that the as found constants could provide calculation accuracy within ±0.15% in leaky surface acoustic wave velocity. The determined constants were used for numerical calculation of the cut angle, at which the temperature coefficient of shear wave velocity becomes zero. This angle corresponded to 147.9°Y‐cut substrate that had electromechanical coupling factor of k2 = 3.2%. This parameter is about four times greater than that of AT‐cut α‐quartz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the feasibility of using an external aortic wrap in conjunction with an endovascular graft and to examine the histological response. Methods. Six female pigs, 56–84 kg, underwent laparoscopic retroperitoneal placement of homemade aortic wraps made of Dacron fabric and specially designed straps just below the renal arteries. One week later, stents (one 12 mm × 4 cm Wallstent, two 308 Palmaz stents) were inserted into the infrarenal aorta for preliminary experiments in three pigs, and stent-grafts (13 mm × 5 cm Viabahn) were placed in three pigs. The stents and stent-grafts were aligned with the proximal edge of the aortic wrap, and the balloon was expanded. One animal was prematurely sacrificed. The pigs were followed for 1 to 3 weeks in stent models and for 4 weeks in stent-graft models. The animals were then sacrificed, and abdominal aortas were harvested for histological examination. Results. Technical success was achieved in all animals without complications. One animal was prematurely sacrificed due to cerebral edema secondary to anesthesia. Laparoscopic operative time was 2:42 ± 0:47, and 0:43 ± 0:15 for stent placement. Gross examination of the samples revealed fibrosis external to the device at 1- and 3-week time-points; by 3 weeks the wrap was partially incorporated into the adventitia. Stents and stent-grafts were well incorporated into the intima and no migration was observed. Histological examination of all samples revealed a foreign-body response. Sections taken from beneath the device edges revealed necrosis localized to the muscularis and adventitial aortic junction; however, sections taken from beneath the device body showed no signs of necrosis and the vasa vasorum of the aortic wall was intact. Conclusions. Coordinate laparoscopic external aortic wrapping and stent-grafting is feasible in a porcine model. Aortic wall necrosis was limited. This adjunct to endovascular graft repair of abdominal aortic aneurysms may enhance eligibility for patients with large aortic neck and prevent proximal type 1 endoleak. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose. To develop a new drug delivery system made of hollow fiber fabric. We report preliminary in vitro results of drug-impregnated hollow fiber and hollow fiber fabric. Methods. (1) Impregnation of chemicals into the hollow space: Dacron hollow fiber (T-334W, 1 hole with 15% void, 5.5 Denier per filament, DuPont, USA) was submerged in the liquid solution and placed inside a vacuum chamber (-30 Torr, 5 min). The fiber was examined by microscopy. (2) Hollow fiber model: 4 g of 3.81-cm-long Dacron hollow fiber was impregnated with solutions (150 ml of 5 M NaCl and 40,000 IU/150 ml of low molecular weight heparin (Fragmin, Pfizer, NY, USA)) as mentioned above. They were placed in room air for 48 h to be dried and placed in 200-ml distilled water at 37°C. The cumulative conductivity was measured for 4 weeks. (3) Fabric model: a knitted patch (5 × 30 mm) made of hollow fiber was impregnated with 10,000 IU/3 ml of Fragmin as mentioned above. The cumulative conductivity was measured in 50 ml distilled water for 4 weeks. The concentration of solution and the rate of emission were calculated with calibration curve of each chemical. Results. (1) Under microscopy, fibers filled with liquid looked clear, although un-removed air remaining in the hollows appeared as dark streaks. (2) The cumulative release kinetics were curve-fit as follows: NaCl (mol) = 1.91 Ln(t) + 13.5 (R2 = 0.879); Fragmin (IU) = 825.6 Ln(t) + 10010 (R2 = 0.81), where t is time measured in days. The amount of NaCl or Fragmin released in each time interval decreased over time until day 4 or 5 and is thereafter relatively constant and zero order. The cumulative amount released of NaCl and Fragmin at day 28 was 18.9 mol and 12,174 IU. (3) In patch model, the results were almost the same as the fiber model. The cumulative released Fragmin (IU) = 18.0 Ln(t) + 57.4 (R2 = 0.92) (125 IU at day 28). The emission rate decreased over time until day 4 and is thereafter relatively constant: rate (IU/day) = 18.0/t. Conclusions. It was confirmed that chemicals were impregnated into hollow space with a vacuum chamber and they were released continuously from the hollow fiber and hollow fiber fabric models for more than 2 weeks. This new drug delivery system would be useful as an artificial patch or a graft in the field of cardiac or vascular surgery. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article presents the localization of the human α1,3-fucosyltransferase IX gene (FUT9) to chromosome band 6q16 by in situ hybridization. The terminal structure of carbohydrate chains consisting of the trisaccharide structure, Gal&b.beta; and 1-4 G1cNAc, is considered to play important roles in cell-cell interactions during embryonic development, differentiation and oncogenesis. The amino acid sequences of FUT9 are very highly conserved between human and the mouse homologue. This high conservation is not the case for other fucosyltransferases which were previously cloned. FUT9 has been under a strong selective pressure during its evolution, suggesting that it plays essential roles in ontogeny.

We report the discovery of a resolved (0.9 arcsec) substellar companion to a member of the 1–5 Myr Taurus star-forming region. The host star (2M0437) is a single mid-M type (T eff ≈ 3100 K) dwarf with a position, space motion, and colour–magnitude that support Taurus membership, and possible affiliation with a ∼2.5-Myr-old subgroup. A comparison with stellar models suggests a 2–5 Myr age and a mass of 0.15–0.18M⊙. Although K2 detected quasi-periodic dimming from close-in circumstellar dust, the star lacks detectable excess infrared emission from a circumstellar disc and its H α emission is not commensurate with accretion. Astrometry based on 3 yr of AO imaging shows that the companion (2M0437b) is comoving, while photometry of two other sources at larger separation indicates that they are likely heavily reddened background stars. A comparison of the luminosity of 2M0437b with models suggests a mass of 3–5 MJUP, well below the deuterium burning limit, and an effective temperature of 1400–1500 K, characteristic of a late L spectral type. The H − K colour is redder than the typical L dwarf, but comparable to other directly detected young planets, e.g. those around HR 8799. The discovery of a super-Jupiter around a very young, very low-mass star challenges models of planet formation by either core accretion (which requires time) or disc instability (which requires mass). We also detected a second, comoving, widely separated (75 arcsec) object that appears to be a heavily extincted star. This is certainly a fellow member of this Taurus subgroup and statistically likely to be a bound companion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Several exoplanets have recently been imaged at wide separations of >10 AU from their parent stars. These span a limited range of ages (<50 Myr) and atmospheric properties, with temperatures of 800-1800 K and very red colors (J -H > 0.5 mag), implying thick cloud covers. Furthermore, substantial model uncertainties exist at these young ages due to the unknown initial conditions at formation, which can lead to an order of magnitude of uncertainty in the modeled planet mass. Here, we report the direct-imaging discovery of a Jovian exoplanet around the Sun-like star GJ 504, detected as part of the SEEDS survey. The system is older than all other known directly imaged planets; as a result, its estimated mass remains in the planetary regime independent of uncertainties related to choices of initial conditions in the exoplanet modeling. Using the most common exoplanet cooling model, and given the system age of 160+350 Myr, GJ 504b has an estimated mass of 4+4.5 -1.0 Jupiter masses, among the lowest of directly imaged planets. Its projected separation of 43.5 AU exceeds the typical outer boundary of ~30 AU predicted for the core accretion mechanism. GJ 504b is also significantly cooler (510+30 -20 K) and has a bluer color (J - H = -0.23 mag) than previously imaged exoplanets, suggesting a largely cloud-free atmosphere accessible to spectroscopic characterization. Thus, it has the potential of providing novel insights into the origins of giant planets as well as their atmospheric properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the crystal structures of an ordered perovskite-type cobaltate, GdBaCo2O5+δ (δ<0.5), at elevated temperatures by transmission electron microscopy. Above the magnetic ordering temperature, we observed a first-order structural phase transition between the low-temperature tetragonal 3ap×3ap and high-temperature orthorhombic 1ap×2ap superstructure phases (where ap is the perovskite-unit cell). Upon the application of a magnetic field, an incommensurate phase emerges around the structural phase-transition temperature, which indicates a magnetic-field-induced structural phase transition via no magnetic ordering in the ordered perovskite-type cobaltate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The incommensurate structure of the GdBaCo2O5+δ (δ∼0.38) paramagnetic phase was studied using the single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The basic structure of the compound is a double-layered perovskite with an alternating layer sequence of [GdO δ ]–[CoO2]–[BaO]–[CoO2] along the c axis. The crystal belongs to the five-dimensional superspace group P4/mmm(α00)0000(0α0)0000, α=0.3368(1), with a 1×1×2-type tetragonal fundamental unit cell of a=3.8934(1)Å and c=7.5267(1)Å. The structure was refined to R=0.028 for all the observed 2216 reflections with I>3σ(I), including 331 main reflections (R=0.017), 1039 observed first-order satellites (R=0.033), and 846 observed second-order satellites (R=0.045). The crystal has oxygen deficiency that occurs only in the [GdO δ ] layer; however, it causes many positional modulations of the constituent atoms throughout the crystal in association with a valence fluctuation of Co between the divalent and trivalent states. Because the value of α was very close to 1/3, the structure was also investigated using both the commensurately modulated approach and the conventional three-dimensional approach assuming a 3×3×2 supercell of P4/mmm symmetry. These approaches successfully reproduced a prime structure of the compound that consists of intersecting CoO5 pyramidal arrays parallel to a or b axes. The bond valence sum and the charge neutrality principle suggested that the divalent and trivalent cobalt cations are distributed in an ordered way. The incommensurate approach also indicated the possible presence of a local disorder having a structural similarity with that of a high-temperature modification. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Central orexinergic and noradrenergic neurones are involved in the control of sleep and wakefulness. In addition, previous reports suggest that both neurones may have an important role to play in general anaesthesia. In the present study, we have determined whether general anaesthesia would affect plasma orexin A (OXA) and norepinephrine concentrations.Methods: Twenty-two patients undergoing elective ophthalmic surgery under general anaesthesia with propofol, fentanyl, and vecuronium were studied. Arterial blood was collected before and 1 and 2 h after induction of anaesthesia and at emergence to measure plasma OXA, propofol, norepinephrine, and epinephrine concentrations. During anaesthesia, the propofol infusion rate was changed to maintain the bispectral index between 40 and 50.Results: Plasma OXA and norepinephrine did not change during anaesthesia but significantly increased after emergence compared with pre-anaesthesia [from 19.9 (sd 3.2) to 28.3 (4.3) pM, P<0.01, and from 1351 (146) to 1798 (251) pM, P<0.05, respectively]. Plasma epinephrine did not change. There was a significant correlation between plasma OXA and norepinephrine (P<0.05) and also between plasma propofol and OXA (P<0.05) and norepinephrine (P<0.01).Conclusions: We found that plasma OXA and norepinephrine significantly increased during emergence from propofol-fentanyl anaesthesia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nano-sizing of cathode materials for higher power Li-ion rechargeable batteries is an effective method to shorten a Li-ion diffusion path and achieve fast charge transfer. Nanocrystalline LiCoO2 was synthesized through a combination of rapid thermal annealing method and a sol–gel method assisted with a triblock copolymer surfactant, and the electrochemical properties including the Li-ion chemical diffusion coefficient was investigated. Li-ion deintercalation/intercalation experiments suggested an extreme small amount of cation mixing between Li+ and Co3+ within a layered structure of LiCoO2, which was not observable in the Raman spectroscopy. The analysis based on the solution for the diffusion equation of the cylinder model revealed that the cation mixing strongly decelerates the Li-ion diffusion in LiCoO2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A systematic investigation on nanocrystalline LiCoO2 has been carried out using Raman spectroscopy. We synthesized nanocrystalline LiCoO2 (ca. 20–50nm) through a combination of rapid thermal annealing at various annealing temperatures and a sol–gel method assisted with a triblock copolymer surfactant. Powder X-ray diffraction measurements revealed the formation of LiCoO2. The crystallite size of LiCoO2 from the Scherrer equation strongly depended on the annealing temperature. The crystallite size was confirmed by SEM and TEM measurements. Raman shifts of the A1g and Eg modes for nanocrystalline LiCoO2 exhibited a broadening and a frequency shift according to the crystallite size. While the frequency shift could be ascribed to a structural strain at the surface, the broadening was due to the phonon confinement effect produced by narrow crystal boundaries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Long-term laboratory exposure tests for various Cr and Ni content steels and Ni-base alloys were conducted at 650°C in a 60vol.%CO–26%H2–11.5%CO2–2.5%H2O gas mixture simulating syngas environments. Upon isothermal heating, alloys with 15% and 20% Cr had many pits on the surface after a brief exposure, while no pit was found on alloys containing of 60% Ni and more than 23% Cr exposed for up to 5000h. The thermal cycling accelerated pit initiation drastically, resulting that all test specimens except 30%Cr–60%Ni alloy suffered from metal dusting. From a measurement of pit depths, Ni proved to be an effective alloying element to retard the pit growth: growth rate for 75% Ni alloy has achieved double-digit decrease compared to that for 20% Ni. Microscopic observations has revealed that platelet graphite aligned perpendicular at the boundary of gas/metal of pits. The length of the platelet graphite for high Ni alloys was appreciably longer than that for low Ni steels. This can be interpreted from the difference of super saturation of carbon. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Release-recapture experiments were conducted to examine temporal changes of the carbon and nitrogen stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) ratios in the muscle tissue of artificially produced Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus, juveniles. About 9000 juveniles (mean ± s.d. 43·3 ± 5·2 mm in standard length and 1·07 ± 0·37 g, n = 15) were released in each of three coastal areas: Chojagasaki, Arasaki and Jogashima with different geographical conditions, along Sagami Bay, Pacific coast of central Japan. Recapture efforts were made on 4, 11, 18, 40 and 55 days after the release. The stable isotope ratios, RNA:DNA ratio, stomach content mass (per body mass Msc) and condition factor ( K) of recaptured individuals were measured. The mean ± s.d. δ13C and δ15N values ( n = 15) were −18·3 ± 0·2‰ and 12·2 ± 0·2‰, respectively at the release. Wild Japanese flounder juveniles were captured only in Chojagasaki, and the δ13C and δ15N values ( n = 6) were −14·0 ± 0·4‰ and 13·2 ± 0·7‰, respectively; these values were considered to represent the wild diet. Nutritional conditions of the released and recaptured juveniles as determined by the RNA : DNA ratio, MSC and K were indicated to be the best in Chojagasaki, in which the stable isotope ratios gradually shifted towards and reached the wild values within 40 days. This result along with stomach content analyses suggested that the released juveniles had acquired a wild feeding habit. In Arasaki and Jogashima, nutritional conditions of the recaptured juveniles were poorer, with no clear changes in the stable isotope ratios. Greatly varied stable isotope ratio values were observed in the juveniles recaptured in Chojagasaki 11 days after the release, ranging from the release levels to the wild levels. The extent of changes in the stable isotope ratios had a positive correlation to the RNA : DNA ratio and K of these juveniles ( r = 0·87, n = 10 and r = 0·83, n = 18, respectively). The analyses of stable isotope ratios coupled with nutritional condition were considered to be an effective tool to examine post-release feeding adaptation of Japanese flounder juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a case in which multiple pancreatic tumours were diagnosed as metastatic clear cell renal carcinomas with chemical shift MRI (CSI) before surgery. Radiologists may be unable to recognize the loss of intensity on CSI macroscopically. We believe that it is useful to make subtraction images and calculate signal intensity on CSI, even if the lesions are multiple metastatic tumours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To develop a method that employs noninvasive, pulsed Doppler ultrasonography combined with measurement of flow-mediated vasodilation to evaluate characteristic endothelial dysfunction in various degrees of preeclampsia.Methods: Uterine, ophthalmic, and brachial arterial blood flow of 99 pregnant women (control group [n = 32], non-preeclamptic intrauterine growth restriction group (n = 15), mild preeclampsia group [n = 25], and severe preeclampsia group [n = 27]) were evaluated by pulsed Doppler ultrasound or flow-mediated vasodilation.Results: Uterine, orbital, and brachial circulation were altered in preeclampsia, whereas no significant differences were observed between the non-preeclamptic intrauterine growth restriction and control groups. Pulsatility index in the uterine arteries of preeclamptic women with intrauterine growth restriction was approximately three-fold higher than that of normotensive women with or without intrauterine growth restriction. The peak ratio (defined to quantify characteristic flow velocity waveform) of the ophthalmic artery of hypertensive women was significantly higher than that of normotensive women. Flow-mediated vasodilation in the brachial artery of preeclamptic women with intrauterine growth restriction was significantly lower than that in preeclamptic women without intrauterine growth restriction. Among preeclamptic women, elevation of the resistance in the uterine artery and reduced flow-mediated vasodilation were closely correlated to intrauterine growth restriction, whereas the elevated peak ratio of the ophthalmic artery was dependent on hypertension, irrespective of the presence of intrauterine growth restriction.Conclusion: Ultrasound evaluation of uterine and orbital circulation and flow-mediated vasodilation of the brachial artery helps differentiate the degree and severity of preeclampsia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nonketotic hyperglycinemia (NKH) is an inborn error of metabolism caused by deficiency in the glycine cleavage system (GCS); this system consists of four individual constituents, P-, T-, H-, and L-proteins. Several mutations have been identified in P- and T-protein genes, but not in the H-protein gene (GCSH), despite the presence of case reports of H-protein deficiency. To facilitate the mutational and functional analyses of GCSH, we isolated and characterized a human p1-derived artificial chromosome (PAC) clone encoding GCSH. GCSH spanned 13.5 kb and consisted of five exons. Using the PAC clone as a probe, we mapped GCSH to chromosome 16q24 by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The transcription initiation site was determined by the oligonucleotide-cap method, and potential binding sites for several transcriptional factors were found in the 5′ upstream region. Direct sequencing analysis revealed five single-nucleotide polymorphisms. The expression profiles of P-, T-, and H-protein mRNAs were studied by dot-blot analysis, using total RNA from various human tissues. GCSH was expressed in all 29 tissues examined, while T-protein mRNA was detected in 27 of the 29 tissues. In contrast, the P-protein gene was expressed in a limited number of tissues, such as liver, kidney, brain, pituitary gland, and thyroid gland, suggesting distinct transcriptional regulation of each GCS constituent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]