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Background: A protein that is expressed on capillary endothelial cells, called GPIHBP1 (glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchored high-density lipoprotein binding protein 1), binds lipoprotein lipase and shuttles it to its site of action in the capillary lumen. A deficiency in GPIHBP1 prevents lipoprotein lipase from reaching the capillary lumen. Patients with GPIHBP1 deficiency have low plasma levels of lipoprotein lipase, impaired intravascular hydrolysis of triglycerides, and severe hypertriglyceridemia (chylomicronemia). During the characterization of a monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay for GPIHBP1, we encountered two plasma samples (both from patients with chylomicronemia) that contained an interfering substance that made it impossible to measure GPIHBP1. That finding raised the possibility that those samples might contain GPIHBP1 autoantibodies.Methods: Using a combination of immunoassays, Western blot analyses, and immunocytochemical studies, we tested the two plasma samples (as well as samples from other patients with chylomicronemia) for the presence of GPIHBP1 autoantibodies. We also tested the ability of GPIHBP1 autoantibodies to block the binding of lipoprotein lipase to GPIHBP1.Results: We identified GPIHBP1 autoantibodies in six patients with chylomicronemia and found that these autoantibodies blocked the binding of lipoprotein lipase to GPIHBP1. As in patients with GPIHBP1 deficiency, those with GPIHBP1 autoantibodies had low plasma levels of lipoprotein lipase. Three of the six patients had systemic lupus erythematosus. One of these patients who had GPIHBP1 autoantibodies delivered a baby with plasma containing maternal GPIHBP1 autoantibodies; the infant had severe but transient chylomicronemia. Two of the patients with chylomicronemia and GPIHBP1 autoantibodies had a response to treatment with immunosuppressive agents.Conclusions: In six patients with chylomicronemia, GPIHBP1 autoantibodies blocked the ability of GPIHBP1 to bind and transport lipoprotein lipase, thereby interfering with lipoprotein lipase-mediated processing of triglyceride-rich lipoproteins and causing severe hypertriglyceridemia. (Funded by the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute and the Leducq Foundation.). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method of three-dimensionally visualizing the internal structure of a soybean seed, which was based on excitation-emission matrix (EEM) measurement and EEM pattern analysis, was developed. Cross-sectional images of three soybean samples at different germination stages were taken at 561 different excitation and emission wavelength conditions so that the EEM at each pixel was calculated. By applying principal component analysis (PCA) to these EEM data, two wavelength condition sets were selected for a simplified EEM measurement. Serial cross-sectional images at various depths of soybean seeds at pre-, early, and late germination stages were taken under the two wavelength condition sets. The difference in the simplified EEM pattern was converted into the difference in color by PCA and the color assignment of each pixel. Then, cross-sectional images were accumulated by a volume rendering method to develop three-dimensionally reconstructed models. Finally, six different three-dimensional reconstructed models of samples at each germination stage under the two wavelength condition sets were developed. Observations of these images suggested that vascular bundles or constituents forming them already existed in soybean seeds at the pre-germination stage. It was also considered that a soybean seed, similar to a cereal seed, has a specific part that emits autofluorescence between the seed coat and the endosperm. In addition, it was supposed that, at the early germination stage of a soybean seed, chlorophyll or related constituents were expressed in the cotyledon on the hypocotyl side, not throughout the seed, and spread along the vascular-bundle-like structure as germination progressed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enhanced production of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is recognized in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and mice with experimental colitis; however, the precise molecular function of MIF in colitis is not fully understood. To further investigate this matter, we examined the pathological features of MIF transgenic mice with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. We generated transgenic mice carrying a murine MIF cDNA driven by a cytomegalovirus enhancer and aβ-actin/β-globin promoter. Mice were orally administered 1–4% DSS in drinking water for 7 days. Clinical disease activity, survival and histological features were evaluated. The level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in the colon tissue was measured to assess neutrophil infiltration. The level of corticosterone in the serum was measured by enzyme linked-immunosorbent assay (ELISA). MIF mRNA and protein were markedly up-regulated in the colon and serum obtained from MIF transgenic mice. The severity of the colitis induced by 1% DSS treatment was markedly higher in MIF transgenic mice than in wild-type mice. We also found that MPO activity was significantly higher in MIF transgenic mice than wild-type mice in response to DSS stimulation. Interestingly, the corticosterone level remained unchanged in MIF transgenic mice. MIF enhances DSS-induced colitis, in part via neutrophil accumulation and inhibition of glucocorticoid bioactivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reports on a bronze processed niobium-tin strand that was fabricated into cables of six and 36 strands. Number of filaments in each strand; Alternating current (AC) quench for the 36-strand cable; Method of reducing AC losses; Strand's hysteresis losses following heat treatment.

SUMMARY The purpose of this study was (1) to assemble and verify a system to measure the three‐dimensional (3‐D) movement of the upper and lower complete dentures and the movement of the mandible simultaneously, and (2) to analyse the relation between denture movements and the path of closure of the mandible during function. A 3‐D motion capture system with four infrared TV cameras was used for this purpose. The relation between the dentures and the mandibular movements was analysed through the change of the inner product of normal vectors of the denture occlusal planes and mandibular planes. The mandibular movements were classified into two types the normal stroke (the path of closure was on the ipsilateral side of mastication) and the reverse stroke (on the contralateral side). The results showed that the system could measure the denture mobility within a 0·3 mm error. The mobility of the upper dentures had a correlation to the path of closure of the mandible regardless of the working side or nonworking side, and the lower dentures had a tendency to move toward the working side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroalgal canopies, which provide nutrients and habitats for many invertebrates and fishes in coastal waters, are disappearing worldwide. The simultaneous assessment of changes in macroalgae and fish distribution before and after coastal desertification, including deeper coastal waters where beyond macroalgae growth need attention. Therefore, we investigated their spatial distribution in the coastal waters off southwestern Japan in late autumn and winter using the acoustic method combined with visual observation. The number of fish schools was higher in late autumn than in winter, while they had similar acoustic backscattering strength (Sv) and school size, tended to be distributed in shallower waters. The number was lower after the macroalgae disappeared in both seasons, while the average Sv was higher, and the size was larger. They were distributed in similar water depths during the winter season. Fewer fish schools and higher Sv were observed in deeper waters after the macroalgae disappeared. We concluded that more fishes moved to shallower waters in the autumn than in the winter because of higher water temperatures. Macroalgae benefited small juvenile fishes in both shallow and deep coastal waters. Further studies on the distribution of specific species are expected for the assessment and restoration of the macroalgal ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Investigates the incorporation kinetics of rare earth metals in silicon during molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). Application of ion mass spectrometry; Surface segregation on rare earth metals in normal MBE growth; Implication of segregant-assisted growth using antimony for surface segregation reduction.

Assesses the guidance characteristics of three different translation stages for application as the driver in a high precision displacement transducer calibration instrument. Displacement measurement for high-precision lasers; Maximum yaw and pitch angles of the piezoceramic tube (PZT); Maximum guiding deviation of the three-segment PZT.

Scallop ( Patinopecten yessoensis) adductor muscles were heated using superheated steam (150 and 200 °C), boiling (98 °C), and normal steaming (95 °C). The amounts of amino acids, water-soluble peptides, and nucleotides, expressed as extractive nitrogen in scallop products, are very important elements of quality and taste. After 15-min heating of scallop muscles with normal steaming and boiling, respective losses of 50% and 64% of the extractive nitrogen were observed. However, most extractive nitrogen (> 86%) remained in the scallop muscles treated with superheated steam at 150 and 200 °C. Protective effects of superheated steam against elution loss of nitrogen compounds were also observed in amino acid analyses of the heated products. The scallop-muscle surface temperature during treatment with superheated steam increased more quickly than that with normal steaming and boiling. The rapid water loss and the surface protein denaturation engendered formation of a 30-μm-thick film covering the surface, which prevented extractive nitrogen loss from internal tissues. Superheated steam treatment at 200 °C caused browning, surface shrinkage, and 47% weight loss. In marked contrast, the appearance and the weight loss of sample treated at 150 °C were almost the same as those of normal steaming and boiling-treated samples. These results suggested that superheated steaming at 150 °C is an optimal heat treatment of scallop adductor muscles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To examine the responses of mouse odontoblast-lineage cell line (OLC) cultures to xylitol-induced hypertonic stress. Methodology: OLCs were treated with xylitol, sucrose, sorbitol, mannitol, arabinose and lyxose. Cell viability was evaluated using the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium assay. The expression of transient receptor potential vanilloids (TRPV) 1, 3 and 4 was detected using a reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay. The expression of aquaporin (AQP) 2 was detected using immunofluorescence and Western blotting analysis. The expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) under xylitol-induced hypertonic stress was assessed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Small interfering ribonucleic acid (siRNA) for AQP-2 was used to inhibition assay. Results: Xylitol-induced hypertonic stress did not decrease OLC viability, unlike the other sugars tested. OLCs expressed TRPV1, 3 and 4 as well as AQP2. Xylitol inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced IL-6 expression after 3 h of hypertonic stress. TRPV1 mRNA expression was upregulated by xylitol. Costimulation with HgCl2 (AQP inhibitor) and Ruthenium red (TRPV1 inhibitor) decreased cell viability with xylitol stimulation. OLCs treated with siRNA against TRPV1 exhibited decreased cell viability with xylitol stimulation. Conclusion: OLCs have high-cell viability under xylitol-induced hypertonic stress, which may be associated with TRPV1 and AQP2 expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Measurement of brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV) is recognized as a simple and practical method for assessing arterial stiffness. We determined whether the baPWV of adolescents is affected by obesity and its associated metabolic risk variables. A cross-sectional sample of 754 apparently healthy adolescents (383 men and 371 women), aged 15–17 years, was recruited for this study. baPWV was measured by a simple automatic oscillometric technique. Adiposity measures, blood pressure, serum lipoproteins, fasting glucose and insulin were evaluated. The baPWV of the adolescents was significantly higher in men than in women and increased with age in both genders. After being statistically adjusted for age and gender, baPWV was significantly correlated with body mass index, percent body fat, waist-to-height ratio, systolic and diastolic blood pressures, mean arterial pressure, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), atherogenic index, glucose, insulin, and homoeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). In the multivariate regression analysis, mean arterial pressure, atherogenic index, HOMA-IR, systolic blood pressure and age were found to be significant determinants of baPWV (P<0.001). An increasing number of clustered risk variables, including high values (>gender-specific top quartiles) of waist-to-height ratio, mean arterial pressure, atherogenic index and HOMA-IR showed a graded association with baPWV (P<0.001 for trend). These results suggest that obesity and its associated metabolic abnormalities are important factors in the increased baPWV of adolescents and that baPWV may be useful in investigating early arterial wall changes in this population.Journal of Human Hypertension (2009) 23, 444–450; doi:10.1038/jhh.2008.143; published online 11 December 2008 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have suggested that resistance training exercise under unstable conditions decreases the isometric force output, yet little is known about its influence on muscular outputs during dynamic movement. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of an unstable condition on power, force, and velocity outputs during the bench press. Twenty male collegiate athletes (mean age, 21.3 +/- 1.5 years; mean height, 167.7 +/- 7.7 cm; mean weight, 75.9 +/- 17.5 kg) participated in this study. Each subject attempted 3 sets of single bench presses with 50% of 1 repetition maximum (1RM) under a stable condition with a flat bench and an unstable condition with a Swiss ball. Acceleration data were obtained with an accelerometer attached to the center of a barbell shaft, and peak outputs of power, force, and velocity were computed. Although significant loss of the peak outputs was found under the unstable condition (p < 0.017), their reduction rates remained relatively low, approximately 6% for force and 10% for power and velocity outputs, compared with previous findings. Such small reduction rates of muscular outputs may not compromise the training effect. Prospective studies are necessary to confirm whether the resistance training under an unstable condition permits the improvement of dynamic performance and trunk stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was undertaken to establish a new technology, using pre-treatment with electrolyzed NaCl solutions and essential oil compounds, to extend the shelf-life of carp fillets. Samples of skinless carp fillets were treated with 100-fold (by weight) of electrolyzed NaCl solutions [cathodic solution, EW(−) and/or anodic solution, EW(+)] and 1% oil (0.5% carvacrol+0.5% thymol) [1%(C+T)]. Then chemical [pH, volatile basic nitrogen, peroxide value, and thiobarbituric acid], microbiological (total viable count) and sensory analyses were used to evaluate the preservative effect of this new technology during storage at 5 and 25°C. Our results from the chemical assays indicated that EW(−), followed by EW(+) and subsequently 1%(C+T) [EW(−)/EW(+)/1%(C+T)], significantly suppressed the lipid oxidation compared with other treatments. Data from sensory evaluation and microbiological assay showed that treatment with EW(−)/EW(+)/1%(C+T) extended the shelf-life of carp fillets to 16 and 1.3days compared with 4 and 0.3days for the control samples during storage at 5 and 25°C, respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

b.s.m. mahmoud, k. yamazaki, k. miyashita, s. il-shik, c. dong-suk and t. suzuki. 2004. To evaluate the efficacy of electrolysed NaCl solutions (EW) for disinfecting bacterial isolates from carp, and the potential application of EW to reducing the bacterial load in whole carp and carp fillets. EW was produced by using a two-compartment batch-type electrolysed apparatus. Pure cultures ( in vitro), whole carp (skin surface) and carp fillets were treated with EW to detect its antimicrobial effects. The anodic solution [EW (+)] completely inhibited growth of the isolates. Furthermore, dipping the fish samples in EW (+) reduced the mean total count of aerobic bacteria on the skin of whole carp and in fillets by 2·8 and 2·0 log10, respectively. The cathodic solution [EW (−)] also reduced growth of the isolates from carp by ca 1·0 log10. Moreover, the total counts of aerobic bacteria in whole carp (on the skin) and fillets were reduced by 1·28 and 0·82 log10, respectively. EW (+) has a strong bactericidal effect on bacteria isolated from carp. Treatment with EW (+) could extend the shelf life of these fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a new effect of ion irradiation on C60 thin films: C60 thin films irradiated with 7-MeV C2+ ions show resistance to photopolymerization. The resistance increases with increasing ion fluence of irradiation. The effect is qualitatively explained by the fact that the number of a C60 pair satisfying the topochemical requirement for photochemical reaction in solids decreases by destruction of C60 molecules accompanied by lattice disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BSTRACT In order to utilize upstream chum salmon as a component of nutraceutical food, their defatted muscle proteins were hydrolyzed with 5% thermolysin. The resulting hydrolysate showed high inhibitory activity against angiotensin I-converting enzyme (inhibitory concentration50= 27.9 protein μg/mL) in vitro. A significant reduction of systolic blood pressure was observed when 500 and 2000 mg/kg of body weight were orally administered into spontaneously hypertensive rats. Angiotensin I-converting enzyme inhibitory peptides contained in the hydrolysate were isolated with various chromatographs. These 6 active peptides were Trp residue-containing dipeptides: Trp-Ala, Val-Trp, Trp-Met, Met-Trp, Ile-Trp, and Leu-Trp. The inhibitory concentration50 values of these dipeptides ranged from 2.5 μM to 277.3 μM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate hearing levels among young Chinese in an urban area, audiometry was carried out in Jinan city, Shandong Province, China. The subjects were 442 healthy school children and students ranging in age from 6–19 y. All subjects were asked to complete a brief questionnaire on otological symptoms, personal histories and use of noisy playthings. Audiometric threshold testing was performed at the audiometric frequencies of 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 kHz. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyse the items of personal histories related to hearing impairment. Forty-five subjects (10% of the subjects) were classified as abnormal. Nineteen ears of the abnormal subjects showed 4 kHz-dip and 38 ears showed high-frequency hearing impairment. Lower prevalence of hearing impairment was found when compared with young Chinese in a rural area (20%). The logistic regression analysis showed that head trauma may be the cause of hearing impairment among young Chinese in urban areas. Otological examinations for all children sustaining head trauma are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the unstable surface feature in nanometer-scale of diamondlike carbon (DLC) films deposited through C[sub 60] evaporation with simultaneous bombardment of 1.5 keV Ne[sup +] ions. The periodical ripples, commonly appearing in postprocessing of the deposited films, form directly at 550°C and 700°C, which is qualitatively consistent with the theoretical model based on sputtering yield variation with surface curvature. A dramatic transition from ripple surface to mounding roughening occurs at 400°C. The graphitization with increasing temperature induces the different dominant smoothening mechanisms, which is responsible for the morphological change observed. Further, the calculations of height-height correlation function show that the roughness exponents are around 0.8 at 200°C and 400°C, implying self-affinity of roughened surfaces. This study exhibits a potential of ion beam assisted deposition to tune DLC morphologies by controlling the deposition parameters to drive the competition between ion erosion and film deposition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diamond-like carbon (DLC) films were prepared with mass-selected C[sup +], CH[sup +][sub 2], CH[sup +][sub 3], and CH[sup +][sub 4] ions, C, and the dependence of film microstructures and properties on ion species was investigated with micro-Raman spectroscopy, optical band gap measurement and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The results indicate that highly sp³ bonded DLC films are achieved using carbon and hydrocarbon ions with ion energy of 100 eV. AFM results exhibit that the surface roughness for these films is very low, which is associated with the formation of a dense diamond-like phase as suggested by the subplantation model. The thermal stability of the films were investigated in the temperature region of 200-800 °C. Raman measurements show that the D peak evolves at much lower temperatures for the film prepared with CH[sup +][sub 4] than that for the film prepared with C[sup +] ions during annealing. The results indicate that hydrogen-free carbon films have a much better thermal stability than hydrogenated carbon films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids are a class of naturally occurring pigment, carrying out important biological functions in photosynthesis and involved in environmental responses including nutrition in organisms. Saproxanthin and myxol, which have monocyclic carotenoids with a γ-carotene skeleton, have been reported to show a stronger antioxidant activity than those with β-carotene and zeaxanthin. In this research, a yellow-orange bacterium of strain 11shimoA1 (JCM19538) was isolated from a seaweed collected at Nabeta Bay (Shizuoka, Japan). The 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain 11shimoA1 revealed more than 99.99 % similarity with those of Jejuia pallidilutea strains in the family Flavobacteriaceae. Strain 11shimoA1 synthesized two types of carotenoids. One of them was (3 R, 3' R)-zeaxanthin with dicyclic structure and another was identified as (3 R, 2' S)-2′-isopentenylsaproxanthin, a novel monocyclic carotenoid with pentenyl residue at C-2′ position of saproxanthin, using FAB-MS, H NMR, and CD analyses. Culturing strain 11shimoA1 in an alkaline medium at pH 9.2 resulted in a markedly increased in production of 2′-isopentenylsaproxanthin per dry cell weight, but a decreased in zeaxanthin production as compared to their respective production levels in medium with pH 7.0. These carotenoids are likely to play some roles in the adaptation of the bacterium to the environmental conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical superconductive (SC) wires such as the Nb3Sn and Nb3Al strands used in fusion reactors are typical composite materials consisting of brittle superconducting intermetallic compounds. Thermally induced strain is inevitably generated in the composite due to the different coefficients of thermal expansion and different moduli of elasticity among the constituent components. In order to evaluate quantitatively the thermal strain, local strain measurements during heating by means of quantum beams, and room temperature tensile tests were carried out. The stress versus strain curves of both Nb3Sn and Nb33 typical elasto-plastic behavior, which could be numerically evaluated on the basis of the rule of mixtures. The local strain exerted on SC filaments along the axial direction was compressive at room temperature and tensile at high temperatures, which is common for Nb3Sn and Nb3Al strands. Their temperature dependence was numerically evaluated by means of the iteration method. As a whole, it has been established that the temperature dependence of thermal strain can be reproduced well by the numerical calculation proposed here. It is pointed out that the thermal strain in SC filaments is affected by the creep phenomenon at high temperatures above a threshold temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arteriovenous shunting visualized by angiography is one of the major features of glioblastomas, and the visualization is dependent on the presence of extensive shunting. Extensive arteriovenous shunting is associated with the risk of poorly controlled intraoperative bleeding. When a tumor with extensive arteriovenous shunting is located in close proximity to the eloquent regions of the brain, a meticulous surgical procedure is necessary. In the present study, the site-oriented visualization of angiographical arteriovenous shunting was evaluated from the perspective of surgical treatment, with a particular focus on the perisylvian region that is in close proximity to motor and language regions (dominant hemisphere), as well as large arteries and veins. Methods: Twenty-six consecutive patients underwent a resection of glioblastoma between February 2007 and September 2012. All patients were presurgically examined using digital subtraction angiography. The patients were subdivided into the following two groups based on the location of the tumor: 1) perisylvian glioblastoma (18 patients) and 2) non-perisylvian glioblastoma (eight patients). Angiography to detect the arteriovenous shunting was performed. In addition, the number of intratumoral vessels, tumor proliferative activity (MIB-1 labeling index), and volume of intraoperative bleeding were evaluated and compared between the two groups. Results: Angiographical arteriovenous shunting was definitively visualized in 13 of 18 (72 %) perisylvian glioblastomas, in contrast to only one of eight (13 %) non-perisylvian glioblastomas ( p = 0.007). There were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to the number of intratumoral vessels, MIB-1 labeling index, and volume of intraoperative bleeding. However, massive intraoperative bleeding of > 2,000 mL occurred in one perisylvian glioblastoma patient. Conclusions: Glioblastomas in the perisylvian region tend to be associated with extensive arteriovenous shunting that can be definitively visualized by performing an angiography. Because arteriovenous shunting carries the risk of intraoperative bleeding, perisylvian glioblastomas-particularly in the dominant hemisphere-should be resected with a meticulous surgical procedure and strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acoustic telemetry and microchemical analysis of otolith strontium-calcium ratios were used to evaluate how exotic brown trout Salmo trutta have responded to Japanese riverine environments of south-western Hokkaido by observing their migratory patterns. The existence of anadromous S. trutta was also verified. Most S. trutta caught in rivers for otolith analysis were freshwater residents (95·6%), whereas those caught in the sea were mainly smolts (91·3%), which had just migrated from rivers during spring. Anadromous S. trutta ( n = 6) were captured in rivers and in the sea, confirming the existence of mature pre- and post-spawning fish. According to telemetry results, both mature and immature S. trutta used the river in winter, and their estimated sea-run timings showed individual differences. Through the combination of these two methods, migratory patterns on various spatio-temporal scales were observed. This first documentation of the presence of both male and female anadromous S. trutta in the same region within Japan indicated the risk of further colonization of exotic S. trutta via oceanic migration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary effects of herring roe lipids (HR-L) and proteins (HR-P) on plasma lipids and abdominal fat pad weight were determined. The main lipid class of HR-L was phospholipids (74%) and the main fatty acids were palmitic acid (16:0, 25.8%), DHA (22:6n-3, 21.6%), EPA (20:5n-3, 14.4%), and oleic acid (18:1n-9, 13.2%). A little increase in total cholesterol level was observed in plasma lipids of mouse fed with HR-L, although HR-L contained 9% cholesterol. This would be due to the lowering effect of EPA and DHA contained in HR-L on plasma cholesterol. Replacement of a part of dietary protein (5%) to HR-P reduced abdominal fat pad weight, but not significantly. On the other hand, combination of HR-P and HR-L significantly reduced the fat pad weight of the mouse as compared with the control. A significant effect of HR-P + HR-L was also observed in the reducing plasma lipid levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We and others have reported that human NF-κB inhibitor-like-1 (NFKBIL1) was a putative susceptible gene for autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, its precise role in the pathogenesis of RA is still largely unknown. In this study, we generated transgenic mice expressing human NFKBIL1 (NFKBIL1-Tg) and examined whether NFKBIL1 plays some role(s) in the development of autoimmune arthritis. In both a collagen-induced arthritis model and a collagen antibody-induced arthritis model, NFKBIL1-Tg mice showed resistance to arthritis compared to control mice, indicating that the gene product of NFKBIL1 was involved in the control of thusly induced arthritis. Total spleen cells of NFKBIL1-Tg mouse showed decreased proliferation to mitogenic stimuli, consistent with its resistance to arthritis. Unexpectedly, purified T cells of NFKBIL1-Tg mouse showed increased proliferation and cytokine production. This apparent discrepancy was accounted for by the impaired functions of antigen-presenting cells of NFKBIL1-Tg mouse; both T/B cell-depleted spleen cells and bone marrow-derived dendritic cells of the Tg mouse induced less prominent proliferation and IL-2 production of T cells. Furthermore, dendritic cells (DCs) derived from NFKBIL1-Tg mouse showed lower expression of co-stimulatory molecules and decreased production of inflammatory cytokines when they were activated by lipopolysaccharide. Taken together, these results indicated that NFKBIL1 affected the pathogenesis of RA at least in part through the regulation of DC functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study identified seasonal habitat use by endangered adult Sakhalin taimen Hucho perryi and the environmental characteristics of their habitat (water depth, amount of riparian forest and sinuosity). Fifteen adult H. perryi with acoustic tags were tracked by towing an acoustic receiver with a canoe in the Bekanbeushi River system in eastern Hokkaido Island, Japan, during each month from late April to late November 2008. Individuals mainly used midstream (shallower than downstream) habitats in all seasons. These locations were generally characterized by relatively dense riparian forests and high sinuosity, indicating the presence of pools. In spring, individuals used habitats with less riparian forest cover compared to mean value of the river channel. From spring to autumn, adult H. perryi selected limnologically complex habitats with meandering channels. From summer to autumn, individuals selected habitats with more riparian forest cover. The inverse relationship between H. perryi detection and riparian forest area in spring was a result of seasonal defoliation in deciduous riparian forests. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: S-1, a novel oral fluoropyrimidine, is well tolerated in patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC). The response rate of S-1 for colorectal cancer is high, ranging from 35% to 40%. This study aimed to evaluate the safety and efficacy of S-1 combined with oral leucovorin (LV) to enhance antitumor activity in chemotherapy-naive patients with mCRC. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: Wakame (Undaria pinnatifida) is edible seaweed rich in fucoxanthin; whilst, pasta is an important dish from nutritional and gastronomic point of view. Pasta was prepared with wakame as an ingredient at different levels. In vitro antioxidant properties, total phenolic content, fatty acid composition, fucoxanthin and fucosterol contents formed the major bio-functional characteristics analysed. Pasta with 10% wakame was acceptable sensorially. The total phenolic content varied between 0.10 and 0.94mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/g, whilst total antioxidant activity varied from 0.16 to 2.14mg ascorbic acid equivalents (AAE)/g, amongst different samples. 2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and superoxide radical scavenging activities of sensorily acceptable pasta were 7.71% and 4.56%, respectively. The sensorily acceptable pasta had a mild seaweed flavour with taste similar to control pasta, as assessed by panelists. The ratio of n-3 to n-6 fatty acid in seaweed incorporated pasta was 1:3.4 as compared to 1:15.2 in the control. Heat process involved in pasta preparation and cooking did not destroy fucoxanthin. Microstructure studies revealed the enhanced interaction between starch granules and protein matrix in pasta containing seaweeds up to 20%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Trans and conjugated fatty acids may exhibit either beneficial or detrimental bioactive effects depending on their metabolic properties. This study was conducted to elucidate if isomerization and conjugation of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) demonstrate more favorable bioactivity on lipid metabolism compared to unmodified EPA and DHA. The effects of dietary intake of trans and conjugated forms of EPA and DHA on lipid metabolism were evaluated in animal trials and compared to a control group fed soybean oil. None of the experimental diets showed significant differences from the control in terms of body weight; however, the white adipose tissue weight of rodents fed trans DHA, conjugated EPA (CEPA), and conjugated DHA (CDHA) was significantly lower than the control. Triacylglycerol levels in plasma were significantly decreased in groups fed trans DHA (17.2 mg/dL) and CDHA (31.9 mg/dL) relative to the control (51.3 mg/dL). The total cholesterol concentrations were significantly lower than the control (68.0 mg/dL) in all experimental groups (47.3 to 53.7 mg/dL) except CEPA (58.3 mg/dL). Fatty acid compositions of lipids extracted from rodent livers were influenced by the dietary fatty acid profiles, with all groups showing higher concentrations of stearic acid and lower levels of linoleic acid compared to the control. Rodents fed trans DHA did not have detectable levels of these fatty acid isomers in their livers, suggesting either quick metabolism or a difficulty with bio-absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fucoxanthin has a unique structure including an unusual allenic bond and 5, 6-monoepoxide in its molecule. We found that abdominal white adipose tissue (WAT) weights of rats and mice fed fucoxanthin were significantly lower than those fed a control diet. The daily intake of fucoxanthin in mice also caused a significant reductions of body weight. Clear signals of uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and its mRNA were detected by Western and Northern blot analyses in abdominal WAT in mice fed fucoxanthin, although there is little expression of UCP1 in WAT in mice fed a control diet. UCP1 expression in WAT by fucoxanthin intake leads to oxidation of fatty acids and heat production in WAT mitochondria. Substrate oxidation can directly reduce WAT in animals. Fucoxanthin intake also significantly reduced blood glucose and plasma insulin. Furthermore, feeding fucoxanthin significantly increased the level of hepatic docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a most important n-3 functional polyunsaturated fatty acid in biological systems. These multi-functionalities of fucoxanthin indicate that it is an important bioactive carotenoid that is beneficial for the prevention of the metabolicsyndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Phase I/II clinical trials of S-1 plus cisplatin for advanced gastric cancer have yielded good responses and the treatment was well tolerated. In this S-1 Plus cisplatin versus S-1 In RCT In the Treatment for Stomach cancer (SPIRITS) trial, we aimed to verify that overall survival was better in patients with advanced gastric cancer treated with S-1 plus cisplatin than with S-1 alone. METHODS: In this phase III trial, chemotherapy-naive patients with advanced gastric cancer were enrolled between March 26, 2002, and Nov 30, 2004, at 38 centres in Japan, and randomly assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin or S-1 alone. In patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin, S-1 (40-60 mg depending on patient's body surface area) was given orally, twice daily for 3 consecutive weeks, and 60 mg/m(2) cisplatin was given intravenously on day 8, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 5-week cycle. Those assigned to S-1 alone received the same dose of S-1 twice daily for 4 consecutive weeks, followed by a 2-week rest period, within a 6-week cycle. The primary endpoint was overall survival. Secondary endpoints were progression-free survival, proportions of responders, and safety. Analysis was by intention to treat. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT00150670. FINDINGS: 305 patients were enrolled; seven patients were ineligible or withdrew consent, therefore, 148 patients were assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin and 150 patients were assigned to S-1 alone. Median overall survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin (13.0 months [IQR 7.6-21.9]) than in those assigned to S-1 alone (11.0 months [5.6-19.8]; hazard ratio for death, 0.77; 95% CI 0.61-0.98; p=0.04). Progression-free survival was significantly longer in patients assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in those assigned to S-1 alone (median progression-free survival 6.0 months [3.3-12.9] vs 4.0 months [2.1-6.8]; p<0.0001). Additionally, of 87 patients assigned S-1 plus cisplatin who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 46 patients had partial responses, ie, a total of 54% (range 43-65). Of 106 patients assigned S-1 alone who had target tumours, one patient had a complete response and 32 had partial responses, ie, a total of 31% (23-41). We recorded more grade 3 or 4 adverse events including leucopenia, neutropenia, anaemia, nausea, and anorexia, in the group assigned to S-1 plus cisplatin than in the group assigned to S-1 alone. There were no treatment-related deaths in either group. INTERPRETATION: S-1 plus cisplatin holds promise of becoming a standard first-line treatment for patients with advanced gastric cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This investigation was undertaken to evaluate the effect of treatment with electrolyzed NaCl solutions and 1% essential oil (0.5% carvacrol+0.5% thymol) on the proximate composition and nutritional components (amino acids and fatty acids) of carp fillets at room temperature (25°C). Carp fillet samples were treated with anodic electrolyzed NaCl solution [EW (+)], cathodic electrolyzed NaCl solution [EW (−)] followed by EW (+) [EW (−)/EW (+)], 1% essential oil (0.5% carvacrol+0.5% thymol) [1% (Cv+Ty)], EW (+) followed by 1% (Cv+Ty) [EW (+)/1% (Cv+Ty)] and EW (−) followed by EW (+) and finally with 1% (Cv+Ty) [EW (−)/EW (+)/1% (Cv+Ty)]. Proximate composition, SDS–PAGE, amino acid composition, digestibility and fatty acid composition were used to determine the changes in carp fillet composition. Moisture, total lipid, total protein, ash and carbohydrate contents of the carp fillets were approximately 76%, 3.9%, 17.5%, 1.0% and 0.40%, respectively. The dominant amino acid was glutamic acid, and the composition ranged from 14.2 to 14.5mol%. Protein digestibility of the carp fillets was approximately 85%. Oleic acid was the major monounsaturated acid in the carp fillets (41.0–41.9%). These results show that our method of fish preservation, using electrolyzed NaCl solutions and 1% (Cv+Ty), did not affect the quality (nutritional components) of carp fillets, and could be a good alternative to synthetic preservatives routinely used in the food industry. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Young’s modulus of Nb3Sn filaments in Nb3Sn/Cu superconducting composite wire was investigated in detail. Nb3Sn filaments were first extracted from composite wire. Nitric acid and hydrofluoric acid were used to remove copper stabilizer, Nb3Sn/Nb barrier and bronze. Then, Nb3Sn filaments were impregnated with epoxy resin to form simple filament bundle composite rods. A large difference in Young’s moduli of filaments and epoxy resin enhance the accuracy of the measurement of Nb3Sn filament modulus. The ratio of Nb3Sn to Nb in filaments and the number of filaments in the fiber bundle composite rods were used in the final calculation of the Young’s modulus of Nb3Sn. The obtained modulus of 127GPa was the lower bound of the already reported values. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: We have previously reported that troglitazone, a synthetic ligand for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), and bitter gourd seed oil rich in 9cis,11trans,13trans-conjugated linolenic acid (9c,11t,13t-CLN) prevent colon carcinogenesis. To evaluate the chemotherapeutic effect and potency of these compounds on colon cancer cells, we investigated their antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects using different human colon cancer cell lines. Methods: The antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing effects of troglitazone and 9c,11t,13t-CLN were evaluated and compared using HT-29, DLD-1 and Caco-2 cells at different stages of enterocytic differentiation. Results: Troglitazone and 9c,11t,13t-CLN decreased cell viability and induced apoptosis in three colon cancer cell lines. The susceptibility of HT-29, which expresses PPARγ at high levels, to troglitazone and 9c,11t,13t-CLN was higher than that of Caco-2 cells with low levels of PPARγ. Conclusion: Troglitazone and 9c,11t,13t-CLN exhibited more effective chemotherapeutic effects on HT-29 cells than on Caco-2 cells. Copyright © 2006 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), which recognizes lipopolysaccharides, plays an important role in the innate immune response. In this study, we investigated the role of TLR4 in the development of experimental colitis with regard to the biological actions of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) using TLR4 null (–/–) mice. TLR4–/– mice were given 2% dextran sulphate sodium (DSS) in drinking water to induce colitis, which was clinically and histologically as severe as that seen in wild-type (WT) mice. The level of tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-α in colon tissues was increased in WT mice but unchanged in TLR4–/– mice. The level of myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity in colon tissues was increased by DSS administration in both TLR4–/– and WT mice. The expression of MIF was up-regulated in the colons of TLR4–/– mice with acute DSS-induced colitis. An anti-MIF antibody significantly suppressed colitis and elevation of matrix metalloproteinase-13 in TLR4–/– mice. The current results obtained from TLR4–/– mice provide evidence that MIF plays a critical role in the development of acute DSS-induced colitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanical properties and the thermal residual stress distribution of copper in Nb3Sn/Cu composite superconductor were investigated in detail. The stabilizer copper was removed from the composite wire, and the stress–strain behavior of this wire was compared with that of the original composite wire. The subtraction yielded the stress–strain curves of the copper when the Bauschinger effect was taken into account. The tensile test of the composites from which about 30% and 60% of copper was removed suggested the existence of the distribution of the thermal residual stress in the stabilizer copper. When this factor was taken into account, the analytical stress–strain curve agreed well with the experimental stress–strain curve. Thus, the stress–stain behavior of each component was fully understood. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In patients with severe hypertension, chronic heart failure or a history of stroke, the lower limit of autoregulation of cerebral blood flow (CBF) is shifted to higher levels of blood pressure (BP) than those observed in healthy subjects. The aim of pharmacotherapy for hypertensive patients with an impaired autoregulation of CBF should be to reduce BP while preserving an appropriate CBF. In the present study, 16 hypertensive patients who had had an episode of stroke more than 4 weeks previously were administered the angiotensin II (AT1) receptor antagonist losartan at daily doses of 25-100?mg for 4 weeks. Systolic and diastolic blood pressures were recorded for 24?h using an ambulatory BP monitoring system. CBF in both hemispheres of the cerebrum and cerebellum was quantified using single photon emission tomography with N-isopropyl-p-[123I]iodoamphetamine. At baseline, CBF was 29.7±6.7?ml/min/100?g in the cerebrum and 31.5±7.5?ml/min/100?g in the cerebellum. At the end of treatment, BP was lower, while CBF increased by 7.7%in the cerebrum, and remained at the baseline level in the cerebellum. Thus, CBF was preserved despite the reduction in BP. We consider the use of losartan is advantageous for hypertensive patients with a history of stroke in whom autoregulation of CBF is potentially impaired.Journal of Human Hypertension (2004) 18, 693-699. doi:10.1038/sj.jhh.1001735 Published online 6 May 2004 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Energy beams, such as ion and laser beams, were employed to convert carbon allotropes into other ones at a specified position because these energy sources can be controlled precisely in time and space. The ion beam deposition technique employing mass-separated ions proved effective in studying the nucleation process by changing several growth parameters (ion species, incident energies, and substrate temperatures). Immersed nanosized diamonds were found in an sp³-rich amorphous film prepared with 100-eV [sup 12]C[sup +] ions at room temperature. Surrounding these nanodiamonds, regularly arrayed small bumps, "petals," were formed around the periphery of bald circles upon cooling. Ar-ion laser illumination is effective in designing the array of high luminescent points on a C[sub 60] film by careful control of the laser power, and the combination of a micro-Raman spectrometer with a piezoscanning system provides one with a tool for 2-dimensional processing of photosensitive materials. Simultaneous bombardment during C[sub 60] evaporation results in an interesting pattern formation specific to the simultaneous treatment. The dependence of the surface nanoscale pattern on the ion energy and the substrate temperatures provides one with a new tool for designing nanoscale functional materials. As an extreme, the appearance of hexagonal diamonds was detected with disordered carbon and graphite under the condition of there being a high ratio between the Ne ion beam and the C[sub 60] thermal beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether various carotenoids present in foodstuffs were potentially involved in cancer-preventing action on human prostate cancer. The effects of 15 kinds of carotenoids on the viability of three lines of human prostate cancer cells, PC-3, DU 145 and LNCaP, were evaluated. When the prostate cancer cells were cultured in a carotenoid-supplemented medium for 72 h at 20 micromol/L, 5,6-monoepoxy carotenoids, namely, neoxanthin from spinach and fucoxanthin from brown algae, significantly reduced cell viability to 10.9 and 14.9% for PC-3, 15.0 and 5.0% for DU 145, and nearly zero and 9.8% for LNCaP, respectively. Acyclic carotenoids such as phytofluene, zeta-carotene and lycopene, all of which are present in tomato, also significantly reduced cell viability. On the other hand, phytoene, canthaxanthin, beta-cryptoxanthin and zeaxanthin did not affect the growth of the prostate cancer cells. DNA fragmentation of nuclei in neoxanthin- and fucoxanthin-treated cells was detected by in situ TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Neoxanthin and fucoxanthin were found to reduce cell viability through apoptosis induction in the human prostate cancer cells. These results suggest that ingestion of leafy green vegetables and edible brown algae rich in neoxanthin and fucoxanthin might have the potential to reduce the risk of prostate cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A millimeter-wave phase-imaging interferometer has been developed for the study of density profiles of the GAMMA 10 tandem mirror. The interferometer uses a 70-GHz klystron oscillator and a quasi-optical transmission system. The probe beam is expanded so as to fill an orthogonal view of a plasma cross section. The view is imaged onto a detector array. The detector array consists of beam-lead GaAs Schottky barrier diodes bonded to antennas fabricated using photolithographic techniques on a fused-quartz substrate. Two types of antennas, bow-tie and Yagi-Uda antennas have been used in order to provide an effective matching to millimeter-wave beams, and compared for the performance of an imaging system. The interferometers have been applied to the central-cell and plug-cell plasmas of GAMMA 10. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A directional coupler (DC) with a coupling-strength control defect (CCD) based on a two-dimensional photonic-crystal slab waveguide is numerically and experimentally studied. The structure consists of two parallel-coupled single-defect waveguides separated by a triple-line air-hole array, with some missing air holes in the middle of the triple line. Using a two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain method, a 50% coupler was designed and almost 50% coupling performance was experimentally confirmed at a wavelength of ∼1.3 μm with a coupling length of about 7 μm, about 1/3 in length as compared to the DC without the CCD.© 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A strong anti-Stokes luminescence (ASL) peak associated with 3H color centers is observed from H[sup +]-irradiated diamond, when the diamond is excited at 514.5 nm of wavelength. The characteristics of 3H emission spectrum are discussed in terms of the vibrational–electronic interaction in diamond. We consider that the ASL peak is due to simultaneous phonon absorption with photon absorption in the process of electronic excitations. According to the mechanism of the ASL, some weak ASL peaks at the high-energy side of the strong ASL peak have been also found. © 2003 American Institute of Physics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]