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Recently, to enlarge spin-current-induced phenomena, such as spin–orbit torque (SOT) in a ferromagnet (FM)/heavy-metal (HM) bilayer, enhancement of spin-current transmittance by inserting an antiferromagnetic insulator at the FM/HM interface has been extensively studied. In this study, we have investigated the SOT modulation in a Pt/NiO/Co structure in which the NiO layer was deposited using Ar and Xe process gases. Consequently, the quality of the NiO layer could be regulated. An increase in the damping-like SOT efficiency was observed by inserting the 1 nm NiO layer in the Ar type while it monotonically decreased with an increase in the NiO thickness in the Xe type. Significant temperature dependence of the SOT efficiency in the Ar type indicates that thermal magnon largely contributes to the spin-current propagation. X-ray diffraction measurement result suggests that the difference in crystallinity of the NiO layer between the Ar and Xe types attributes to the different SOT modulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed an experimental platform for studying magnetic reconnection in an external magnetic field with simultaneous measurements of plasma imaging, flow velocity, and magnetic-field variation. Here, we investigate the stagnation and acceleration in counterstreaming plasmas generated by high-power laser beams. A plasma flow perpendicular to the initial flow directions is measured by laser Thomson scattering. The flow is, interestingly, accelerated toward the high-density region, which is opposite to the direction of the acceleration by pressure gradients. This acceleration is possibly interpreted by the interaction of two magnetic field loops initially generated by the Biermann battery effect, resulting in a magnetic reconnection forming a single field loop and additional acceleration by a magnetic tension force. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To explore the consistency in international expert opinions about palliative sedation.Methods: A modified electronic-Delphi procedure was carried out in two rounds. On hundred nine eligible experts were identified from their publications in MEDLINE related with terminal delirium, dyspnea and palliative sedation in the last 3 years. Delphi study included three vignettes of cancer patients and two non-cancer patients, with an estimated survival of days and severe suffering secondary to refractory complications. Experts were asked about whether they would perform continuous sedation and sedation level (described as Richmond Agitation Sedation Scale or defined as patient/family report of symptom relief). Consensus was considered when 70% or more of the experts agreed on a certain topic.Results: Thirty-four and 27 panellists completed the 2 Delphi rounds, respectively. Participants were from the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia and Asia. One hundred per cent, 97% and 88% of the respondent agreed use of sedatives, continuously or temporary, in cases of refractory delirium, dyspnea secondary to lung cancer and GOLD IV-EPOC. There were discrepancies for cases of dementia and psycho-existential suffering. Expert selection of continuous palliative sedation was 93% for delirium, 41% for cancer dyspnea, 66% for EPOC dyspnea, 22% for agitation/pain in dementia and 19% for existential suffering. Responses about types and levels of sedation did not achieve consensus in any cases.Conclusions: The Delphi study failed to reach consensus in continuous palliative sedation and sedation levels for patients with refractory symptoms described in hypothetical clinical scenarios. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study which prepared hysteresis model that reproduces smooth hysteresis curves including minor loops from several experimental hysteresis loops. Description of the hysteresis model by distribution of susceptibility; Application of the hysteresis model to the spatial network method.

OBJECTIVES: In Japan, the proportion of female doctors and elderly doctors is increasing as in other countries. We investigated the relationship between doctors' demographic changes and their geographical distribution. STUDY DESIGN: A national database study. METHODS: We assessed trends in unequal geographical distribution of the number of doctors by sex and age from 2004 to 2014 in Japan. RESULTS: The Gini coefficient values for the number of female doctors (0.18) were larger than those for male doctors across all generations (0.13-0.14). The Gini coefficient values for the number of elderly doctors aged 60 years and older (male: 0.12, female: 0.18-0.23) were larger than those for majority age groups aged 40-59 years (male: 0.10, female: 0.16-0.17). CONCLUSION: The persisting geographical maldistribution of doctors may be associated with demographic changes, such as increase in the number of female doctors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a method for evaluating the properties of electrostatic shock in laser-produced plasmas by using optical diagnostics. A shock is formed by a collimated jet in counter-streaming plasmas in nearly collisionless condition, showing the steepening of the transition width in time. In the present experiment, a streaked optical pyrometry was applied to evaluate the electron density and temperatures in the upstream and downstream regions of the shock so that the shock conditions are satisfied, by assuming thermal bremsstrahlung emission in optically thin plasmas. The derived electron densities are nearly consistent with those estimated from interferometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A physical model of adhesive wear mechanism needs to be improved from quantitative aspect as possible to predict phenomena in the real world. The model should also be able to provide necessary information for the design of tribo-mechanics in logical manner. In this research, an attempt on explaining how saw teeth shape in the chart of specimen displacement perpendicular to the sliding surface for tribo-testing of adhesive wear using a quantitative simulation method had been made. Some simple processes i.e. sliding, accumulation of material and transfer of the accumulated material, which appear in the very early stage of sliding, are subjects of simulation in this research. A simple model which consisted of limited number of parameters could achieve success to simulate experimental data to some extent and mimicked the selected simple processes. The research clarified the limitation of the proposed model. Necessary additional parameters should be shape and size of a transfer unit and shear strength at interface of sliding with theoretical background. It is necessary to define those parameters theoretically based on scientific knowledge to comprehend the sliding phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The right ventricular ( RV) Tei index ( TX) has a significant correlation with the severity of pulmonary hypertension. However, the role of RV dysfunction in dogs with myxomatous mitral valvular heart disease ( MMVD) has not been addressed. Objectives To investigate the correlation between right ventricular Tei-index ( RVTX) and the prognosis for dogs with MMVD. Animals Thirty client-owned dogs with MMVD. Methods Clinical cohort study. Dogs were divided into two groups on the basis of the onset of cardiac-related death within 1 year of the first echocardiographic examination. Physical examination and echocardiographic variables were compared between the groups. Receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) curves and multivariate logistic analysis were used to assess the comparative accuracy when identifying dogs with cardiac-related death. Results The highest accuracy was obtained for RVTX with an area under the ROC curve ( AUC) of 0.95 (95% confidence interval [ CI] 0.81-0.99) followed by the left atrial to aortic root ratio with an AUC of 0.91 (95% CI 0.74-0.98), peak early diastolic mitral inflow velocity with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.64-0.94), and Doppler estimates of systolic pulmonary artery pressure with an AUC of 0.84 (95% CI 0.61-0.95). According to the multivariate logistic regression analysis, RVTX was the only independent correlate of cardiac-related death within 1 year. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Right ventricular Tei-index has a strong correlation with the prognosis for dogs with MMVD. The most significant independent predictor of death was RVTX in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine an underlying factorial structure of existential distress in Japanese terminally ill cancer patients, a principal components analysis was performed on 162 Japanese hospice inpatients. Existential distress commonly identified was dependency (39%), meaninglessness in present life (37%), hopelessness (37%), burden on others (34%), loss of social role functioning (29%), and feeling emotionally irrelevant (28%). By a factor analysis, three primary components accounted for 66% of the variance. 'Dependency' and 'loss of social role functioning' loaded highly on the first factor, which was interpreted as 'loss of autonomy'. 'Burden on others' and 'feeling emotionally irrelevant' loaded highly on the second component interpreted as 'lowered self-esteem', while 'hopelessness' loaded highly on the third factor. On the other hand, 'meaninglessness in present life' loaded equally on all three components, and was significantly associated with other distress. In conclusion, existential suffering of Japanese terminally ill cancer patients has three principal components: loss of autonomy, lowered self-esteem, and hopelessness. It is also suggested that meaninglessness in present life would be an underlying theme in patients' spirituality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study design:Case-control study.Objectives:To identify daily living-related risk factors for pressure ulcer (PU) occurrence in community-living patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). To determine whether seat pressure influences PU occurrence, and how often patients with SCI perform pressure relief activities while living in the community.Setting:Kanagawa Rehabilitation Hospital, Kanagawa, Japan.Methods:Thirty-one patients admitted to this hospital for PU treatment were included in the case (PU) group. Thirty outpatients who did not have PUs at the time of the study, and had lived without PUs for at least a year, were included in the control (No PU) group. Patients were interviewed about lifestyle-related PU risk factors and a pressure-mapping system was used to measure interface pressure (IP) on their wheelchair seat. The No PU group patients recorded their daily activities and pressure relief maneuvers for 1 week.Results:Eight lifestyle factors and one risk assessment scale significantly differed between groups. Three factors showed significant odds ratios by logistic regression. IP did not significantly differ between groups. The self-counted number of pressure relief maneuvers (median (25th-75th percentile)) performed per hour in the No PU group was 2.5 (0.7-4.3) and including transfer and urination was 3.5 (2.0-5.3).Conclusion:We identified potential PU risk factors related to lifestyle. The scores of one risk assessment scale were also associated with PU risk. Our results did not suggest an IP damage threshold. Patients in the No PU group performed pressure relief maneuvers, including related activities, approximately once every 17 min. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The distribution and structure of laticifers in Ficus carica L. were investigated in a current-year branch and an 8-year-old trunk, using serial sections stained with safranin-fast green or nile blue. In the 8-year-old trunk, laticifers were found not only in the cortex, secondary phloem, and pith, but also in the secondary xylem. The laticifers in the phloem and xylem were of the branched, non-articulated type. In addition, horizontal laticifers extending from the phloem through the cambium to the xylem were found in some rays. Laticifers penetrating the cambial initial layer elongated in the cambial zone without cell division. Activation of latex production occurred after wounding of cortex and phloem, and the latex exuded from the cut site of laticifers into the surrounding wounded tissue and broken cells. The potential role of laticifers in defense of F. carica against certain pathogens is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratocystis ficicola causes serious wilt disease in many fig orchards in Japan. The transmission of this pathogen is thought to occur via soil to host roots, and an ambrosia beetle, Euwallacea interjectus, has been reported as a veetor of the pathogen. Anatomical investigations were made on the disease development process with a particular focus on the responses of host tissue to the activities of the vector beetle and the pathogen. Living 26- and 8-year-old Ficus carica trees that were naturally infected with C. ficicola and had holes excavated by E. interjectus were used for analysis. Dark brown discoloration was observed in the sapwood of specimens with poor shoot elongation and slight leaf wilt at harvest. Discolored sapwood coincided with the distribution of hyphae of the pathogen, which was verified by the presence of conidiophores. Most of the beetle's gallery was distributed inside the discolored area. In the non-discolored sapwood adjacent to the border of the diseolored area, some galleries were elongated and contained living new generation adults and larvae of E. interjectus. Hyphae of the pathogen and colored substances were identified also around those new galleries. The present study showed that elongation of galleries by E. interjectus in the functional sapwood induces the wide distribution of the pathogen and contributes to the expansion of the discolored area in which vessels were dysfunctional. This process causes a shortage of water supply and wilting in the infected trees. Euwallacea interjectus must be contributing to the symptom development of this wilt disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first direct measurement of temporally and spatially resolved plasma temperatures at a shock as well as its spatial structure and propagation in laser-produced counter-streaming plasmas. Two shocks are formed in counter-streaming collisionless plasmas early in time, and they propagate opposite directions. This indicates the existence of counter-streaming collisionless flows to keep exciting the shocks, even though the collisional effects increase later in time. The shock images are observed with optical diagnostics, and the upstream and downstream plasma parameters of one of the shocks are measured using Thomson scattering technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study the gravity dual of four dimensional pure Yang-Mills theory through D4 branes, as proposed by Witten (holographic QCD). In this holographic QCD, it has been widely believed that the confinement phase in the pure Yang-Mills theory corresponds to the AdS D4 soliton in gravity and the deconfinement phase corresponds to the black D4 brane. We inspect this conjecture carefully and show that the correspondence between the black D4 brane and the deconfinement phase is not correct. Instead, by using a slightly different set up, we find an alternative gravity solution called 'localized soliton', which would be properly related to the deconfinement phase. In this case, the confinement/deconfinement transition is realized as a Gregory-Laflamme type transition. We find that our proposal naturally explains several known properties of QCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONTEXT: Increasing numbers of patients with advanced cancer are receiving anticancer and/or palliative treatment in outpatient settings, and palliative care for outpatients with advanced cancer is being recognized as one of the most important areas for comprehensive cancer treatment. OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate pain intensity, quality of life, quality of palliative care, and satisfaction reported by outpatients with advanced cancer. METHODS: Questionnaires were sent to 1493 consecutive outpatients with metastatic or recurrent cancer from four regions in Japan; 859 responses were analyzed (58%). Questionnaires included the Brief Pain Inventory, Good Death Inventory, Care Evaluation Scale, and a six-point satisfaction scale. RESULTS: Approximately 20% of the patients reported moderate to severe pain. Whereas more than 70% agreed or strongly agreed with 'good relationship with medical staff' and 'being respected as an individual,' less than 60% agreed or strongly agreed with 'free from physical distress,' 'free from emotional distress,' 'maintaining hope,' and 'fulfillment at life's completion'; 54% reported some agreement with 'feel a burden to others.' About 20% reported that improvement is necessary in physical care by physicians, physical care by nurses, psycho-existential care, help with decision making, and coordination/consistency of care; 13% reported some levels of dissatisfaction. CONCLUSION: A considerable number of outpatients with metastatic or recurrent cancer experienced pain, physical symptoms, emotional distress, and existential suffering, and advocated improvements in palliative care across multiple areas.Copyright © 2012 by Elsevier Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CONTEXT: Although the combined use of the Impact Thermometer (IT) with the Distress Thermometer (DT), DIT, is reported to be a validated screening tool for clinically significant psychological distress in cancer patients, its longitudinal changes in the outpatient chemotherapy setting have not been examined. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to clarify the longitudinal changes in distress evaluated by the DIT and effects of coexisting physical symptoms in an outpatient chemotherapy setting. METHODS: A total of 297 patients who underwent chemotherapy for any malignancy on an outpatient basis were included. All the participants completed a questionnaire that included the DIT and intensities of seven physical symptoms (pain, somnolence, fatigue, dyspnea, appetite loss, abdominal distention, and nausea) at the initial and follow-up visit. RESULTS: Although 109 patients had moderate or severe distress (the DT >=4 and IT >=3) at the initial visit, 46.8% of these patients improved their distress (DIT score below the cutoff of moderate distress) at their follow-up visit. Also, 85 patients had severe distress (DT >=5 and IT >=4) at the initial visit, and 43.5% of these patients improved their distress (DIT score below the cutoff of severe distress) at their follow-up visit. In a subgroup of patients who had no severe physical symptoms at the initial visit, 69.0% and 68.4% of the patients with moderate or severe distress and severe distress at the initial visit, respectively, improved their distress (DIT scores below the cutoff of moderate and severe distress) at the follow-up visit. CONCLUSION: The distress evaluated by DIT can change on sequential measurements within short time intervals. Further study is needed to determine the appropriate use of the DIT for the screening and monitoring of psychological distress in an outpatient chemotherapy setting.Copyright © 2012 by Elsevier Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ceratocystis canker, which is caused by the fungus Ceratocystis fimbriata Ellis et Halsted, is one of the most severe diseases of the common fig ( Ficus carica L.). In contrast, the wild fig species F. erecta Thunb. is resistant to this fungus. We performed interspecific hybridization between the common fig (seed parent) and F. erecta (pollen parent) through artificial pollination. Even though hybrid seeds showed high germination rates, the seedling survival rates were low. All of the seedlings contained the expected simple sequence repeat (SSR) alleles from both common fig and F. erecta at each of the three loci tested, thus confirming the parent-offspring relationships of the interspecific hybrids. The leaf morphological characters of hybrid seedlings were intermediate between those of the parents. Cuttings of cultivars of common fig, F. erecta, and hybrid seedlings were inoculated with C. fimbriata by direct wounding of the shoot. All of the common fig cultivars tested withered and died within 10 weeks. Leaves and shoots of the hybrids and F. erecta were healthy 100 days after inoculation. Our results suggest that interspecific hybridization between the common fig and the wild species F. erecta is a breakthrough in the breeding of a new fig rootstock source with resistance to Ceratocystis canker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collisionless shocks in counter-streaming plasmas, created by the high-power laser system Gekko XII HIPER, are investigated. The shock structure and density are measured by optical diagnostics such as shadowgraphy, interferometry, and streaked interferometry. The plasma density and temperature are estimated from self-emission measurements with visible light by streaked optical pyrometer and gated optical imager. Brightness temperatures are calculated considering the efficiency of the detectors, and electron temperatures are estimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The primary objective of the study was to examine mindfulness-based meditation therapy qualitatively. A secondary goal was to examine the differences in themes selected by Japanese and Western patients receiving this therapy.Methods: The subjects were 28 patients who were undergoing anti-cancer treatment. The subjects participated in two sessions of mindfulness-based meditation therapy, including breathing, yoga movement, and meditation. Each patient was taught the program in the first session, then exercised at home with a CD, and subsequently met the interviewer in a second session after 2 weeks. Primary physicians recruited the patients and interviews were conducted individually by nurses or psychologists with training in the program. Patients provided answers to pre- and post-intervention interviews about the meaning of their illness.Results: Narrative data from the semi-structured interview were analyzed qualitatively. Pre-intervention, themes such as "Effort to cope," "Looking back," "Spirituality," "Personal growth," and "Suffering" were often chosen. Post-intervention, themes such as "Adapted coping," "Personal growth," "Positive meaning," "Spirituality," and "Negative recognition" were more commonly chosen.Conclusions: Mindfulness-based meditation therapy may be effective for producing adapted coping, including positive recognition and changes for an adapted lifestyle. There were some common aspects and some differences in the themes selected by patients in this study and Western patients received mindfulness therapy in other studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The experimental demonstration of the formation of a strong electrostatic (ES) collisionless shock has been carried out with high-speed counterstreaming plasmas, produced by a high-power laser irradiation, without external magnetic field. The nearly four times density jump observed in the experiment shows a high Mach-number shock. This large density jump is attributed to the compression of the downstream plasma by momentum transfer by ion reflection of the upstream plasma. Particle-in-cell (PIC) simulation shows the production of a collisionless high Mach-number ES shock with counterstreaming interaction of two plasma slabs with different temperatures and densities, as pointed out by Sorasio et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 96, 045005 (2006)]. It is speculated that the shock discontinuity is balanced with the momentum of incoming and reflected ions and the predominant pressure of the electrons in the downstream with PIC simulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate changes in medical and nursing care for patients just after admission to a palliative care unit (PCU) from general wards in one city.Methods: Subjects were 260 consecutive patients admitted to a PCU. Data on changes in medical and nursing care occurring just after admission were collected prospectively using a structured data collection sheet about four areas: (1) medical treatment, (2) nursing care, (3) giving additional information about the patient's condition to the patient and/or the family, and (4) obtaining psychosocial information.Results: The mean number of total changes was 8.0 +/- 5.6 per patient. The most common changes in medical treatment were initiation or increase of opioids (18%), discontinuation or decrease in artificial hydration (16%), initiation of steroids (13%), initiation of antiemetics (9%), initiation of antibiotics (8%), and initiation of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (7%). The most common changes in nursing care were starting oral care (19%), permission to take a bath (11%), and change in the pattern of meals (8%). Information about the patient's condition was given most frequently to key family members (27%). Psychosocial information obtained most frequently was about the family's expectations regarding the PCU and insight into the patient's condition (53% and 41%, respectively).Conclusions: Changes in medical and nursing care were frequent, and the frequency of local healthcare providers' assessment of the changes may be insufficient. Providing general ward staff with data about changes in interventions occurring just after PCU admission might be effective for improving palliative care for terminal patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We have previously shown that bereavement life review therapy improves the spiritual well-being of a bereaved family, but the factors that influence the efficacy of this therapy have not been determined. Therefore, this study was performed to identify factors associated with improvement of spiritual well-being of bereaved families.Methods: The participants were 21 bereaved family members who lost a relative who had been treated in a palliative care unit in Japan. The family members received the Bereavement Life Review over two sessions of about 60 min each. In the first session, the bereaved family member reviewed their memories of the deceased relative with a clinical psychologist and answered several questions. After the first session, the psychologist made an album. In the second session, the family member and the psychologist confirmed the accuracy of the contents of the album. Assessment was performed using the Functional Assessment Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual score, based on which the participants were separated into effective and non-effective groups. Factors were extracted from the narrative of the therapy using a text-mining software.Results: Factors such as "good memories of family," "loss and reconstruction," and "pleasant memories of last days" were commonly found in the effective group, whereas factors such as "suffering with memories," "regret and sense of guilt," and "disagreement on funeral arrangements" were more common in the non-effective group.Conclusions: Factors like "good memories of families," "loss and reconstruction," and "pleasant memories of last days" were associated with the improvement of spiritual well-being of bereaved families. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glucocorticoids, the most downstream effectors of the hypothalamus–pituitary–adrenal axis, are one of main mediators of the stress reaction. Indeed, exposure to high levels of stress-triggered glucocorticoids is detrimental to brain development associated with abnormal behaviors in experimental animals and the risk of psychiatric disorders in humans. Despite the wealth of this knowledge, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the detrimental effects of glucocorticoids on brain development remain unclear. Here, we show that excess glucocorticoids retard the radial migration of post-mitotic neurons during the development of the cerebral cortex, and identify an actin regulatory protein, caldesmon, as the glucocorticoids’ main target. The upregulation of caldesmon expression is mediated by glucocorticoid receptor-dependent transcription of the CALD1 gene encoding caldesmon. This upregulated caldesmon negatively controls the function of myosin II, leading to changes in cell shape and migration. The depletion of caldesmon in vivo impairs radial migration. The overexpression of caldesmon also causes delayed radial migration during cortical development, mimicking the excessive glucocorticoid-induced retardation of radial migration. We conclude that an appropriate range of caldesmon expression is critical for radial migration, and that its overexpression induced by excess glucocorticoid retards radial migration during cortical development. Thus, this study provides a novel insight into the underlying mechanism of glucocorticoid-related neurodevelopmental disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For polycrystalline aluminum with grain size of 170 and 346μm, tensile deformation was carried out at a true strain rate of 1×10−2/s and a temperature of 553K (=0.59T m, T m: melting temperature in K). Onset and progress of local necking during the deformation were investigated by measurements of small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from a viewpoint of cavity formation on grain boundaries. The cavitation was observed in the change of the SAXS intensities as a function of local strain along the gauge part of specimen. The intensities increase rather slowly during the beginning uniform deformation. However, it increases rapidly in the gauge part where the local necking has occurred. The degree of cavitation is found to be more remarkable for a specimen with smaller grain size. Cavity size and size distribution are evaluated from the SAXS profiles. The local necking phenomenon is discussed from a viewpoint of cavitation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The transition temperatures between high- and low-spin states of the assembled spin-crossover complexes, Fe(NCX)2(bpa)2(guest) (X = S, Se, BH3; bpa = 1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane; guest = biphenyl, 2-nitrobiphenyl, diphenylmethane, or 1,4-dichlorobenzene), were compared with the Mössbauer parameters. The transition temperature increases when the QS value of FeII high-spin state becomes small. The transition temperature also increases by changing the anion from NCS to NCSe and then to NCBH3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective The bioavailability of cellobiose (CEB) was investigated with respect to small intestinal digestibility and cecal fermentation in rats. Further, whether small intestinal Beta-galactosidase is responsible for the hydrolysis of CEB was examined. Methods Ileorectostomized rats were fed diets including 6% CEB or fructo-oligosaccharide with or without 0.1% neomycin in drinking water for 7 d. The fecal excretion of the respective oligosaccharides was determined. In vitro digestion of CEB and lactose was characterized using mucosal enzymes of the small intestine from suckling and adult rats. Cecal fermentation in normal rats fed a control diet or a diet including 3% or 6% CEB for 14 d was examined. Results The small intestinal digestibility of CEB was 64%, irrespective of the presence of neomycin in drinking water, whereas the digestibility of fructo-oligosaccharide differed significantly between groups administered (26%) or not administered (35%) neomycin. The in vitro digestibility of lactose (62%) and CEB (36%) was three times greater with the enzymes from the suckling rats than with those from the adult rats. Michaelis constant (Km) and maximum velocity (Vmax) values for CEB were 25 and 7 times lower, respectively, than those for lactose. Normal rats fed the 6% CEB diet showed a greater cecal organic acid than those fed the control diet, but no differences were observed between those fed the control and 3% CEB diets. Conclusion Our results indicate that dietary CEB was extensively digested in the small intestine by Beta-galactosidase in rats, leading to complete digestion of CEB when dietary supplementation was limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using an anionic surfactant, solubilization experiments were conducted with a suite of four very hydrophobic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs)—fluorene, phenanthrene, fluoranthene and pyrene—in all possible combinations to explore interactions in the microenvironment of the micellar core. Fluorene and phenanthrene demonstrated mutually competitive solubilization effects; however, fluoranthene and pyrene were less consistent in their demonstration of competitive effects. As a preliminary observation, it was postulated that hydrocarbons with similar hydrophobicities (i.e., log K ow values) and melting points could compete for a similar locus in the micelle. In addition, with increasing number of solubilizates in a system, the total mass and volume of the solubilized product increased, with fluorene and phenanthrene demonstrating relatively greater contributions than fluoranthene and pyrene. Furthermore, the outer limits of the solubilization pattern approached a plateau of about 0.17 for X m (0.20 for MSR) indicating a limiting maximum value, which conceptually could lend to an understanding of solubilization responses for multi-solubilizate systems as encounter in real remedial scenarios. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Hydrogen production by steam reforming of methane using catalytic membrane reactors was investigated first by simulation, then by experimentation. The membrane reactor simulation, using an isothermal and plug-flow model with selective permeation from reactant stream to permeate stream, was conducted to evaluate the effect of permselectivity on membrane reactor performance – such as methane conversion and hydrogen yield – at pressures as high as 1000kPa. The simulation study, with a target for methane conversion of 0.8, showed that hydrogen yield and production rate have approximately the same dependency on operating conditions, such as reaction pressure, if the permeance ratio of hydrogen over nitrogen (α(H2/N2)) is larger than 100 and of H2 over H2O is larger than 15. Catalytic membrane reactors, consisting of a microporous Ni-doped SiO2 top layer and a catalytic support, were prepared and applied experimentally for steam reforming of methane at 500°C. A bimodal catalytic support, which allows large diffusivity and high dispersion of the metal catalyst, was prepared for the enhancement of membrane catalytic activity. Catalytic membranes having H2 permeances in the range of 2–5×10−6 m3 m−2 s−1 kPa−1, with H2/N2 of 25–500 and H2/H2O of 6–15, were examined for steam reforming of methane. Increased performance for the production of hydrogen was experimentally obtained with an increase in reaction-side pressure (as high as 500kPa), which agreed with the theoretical simulation with no fitting parameters. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Purpose: Although more and more cancer patients are receiving chemotherapy in outpatient settings in their advanced stage and could have a broad range of palliative care needs, referral to the specialized palliative care service is often delayed. The primary aim of this study is to explore the usefulness of a combined intervention for cancer patients in identifying patients with under-recognized palliative care needs and referring them to the specialized palliative care service. The intervention consisted of (1) introducing the specialized palliative care service when starting chemotherapy, (2) using screening tools, and (3) providing on-demand specialized palliative care service.Materials and Methods: All cancer patients newly starting chemotherapy with primary tumor sites of the lung, gastrointestine, pancreas, bile duct, breast, ovary, and uterus were included. As routine practice, at the first instruction about chemotherapy, pharmacists provided information about the role of the specialized palliative care service using a pamphlet and handed out screening questionnaires. Screening questionnaires were distributed at every hospital visit. Treating physicians and/or nurses checked the questionnaire before examining the patients. The patients were referred to the palliative care team, if (1) the patients voluntarily wished for the specialized palliative care service or (2) the treating physicians clinically determined that, on the basis of the screening results, the patients had physical or psychological needs appropriate for referral to the specialized palliative care service. The screening questionnaire included an open-ended question about their greatest concerns, the severity of 11 physical symptoms, overall quality-of-life, the distress thermometer, help for information about the treatment and decision-making, economic problems, nutrition, daily activities, and wish for help from the specialized palliative care service.Results: Of 211 patients who newly started chemotherapy, 5 patients refused to complete the questionnaire (compliance rate, 98%). We obtained 1,000 questionnaires from 206 patients. The percentages of missing values ranged from 2.7% to 7.0%. Of 206 patients, 38 (18%) were referred to the palliative care team due to newly recognized problems, in addition to 10 patients with problems well-recognized by primary physicians. The total percentage of patients receiving specialized palliative care service was thus 23% of all patients. Frequently identified problems were oral problems (20%), insomnia (20%), help with information and decision-making (16%), psychological distress defined as the distress thermometer (14%), severe fatigue (9.0%), and severe appetite loss (8.8%). As a whole, problems were identified in half of all questionnaires.Conclusion: The combined intervention of introducing the specialized palliative care service, using screening tools and providing on-demand specialized palliative care service, was feasible as part of the routine clinical practice for all cancer patients starting chemotherapy. It might be useful in identifying patients with under-recognized palliative care needs and referring them to the specialized palliative care service at the appropriate time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The podosome and invadopodium are dynamic cell-adhesion structures that degrade the extracellular matrix (ECM) and promote cell invasion. We recently reported that the actin-binding protein caldesmon is a pivotal regulator of podosome formation. Here, we analyzed the caldesmon’s involvement in podosome/invadopodium-mediated invasion by transformed and cancer cells. The ectopic expression of caldesmon reduced the number of podosomes/invadopodia and decreased the ECM degradation activity, resulting in the suppression of cell invasion. Conversely, the depletion of caldesmon facilitated the formation of podosomes/invadopodia and cell invasion. Taken together, our results indicate that caldesmon acts as a potent repressor of cancer cell invasion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: We previously reported enhanced activation of auditory cortex in patients with bilateral chronic inner-ear hearing loss. To determine whether this enhancement can exhibit a short-term alteration, we measured auditory evoked magnetic fields (AEFs) in patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) in the acute phase (AP) and recovery phases (RPs). Methods: We recorded AEFs in two unilateral ISSHL patients at three time points (AP, RP1, and RP2) using a whole-head neuromagnetometer. Tone bursts of 1kHz were presented monaurally to the affected and healthy ear at four different intensities (40–70dB HL). Results: Both patients showed the enhancement of N100m moment at AP and not at RPs in response to the affected ear stimulation, and stronger N100m moment in ipsilateral than contralateral hemisphere in response to the healthy ear stimulation at AP. Conclusions: Enhancement of N100m amplitude occurs in ISSHL patients and disappears on the scale of days. Enhancement of activity in the auditory cortex derived from inner-ear hearing loss can thus exhibit short-term change. Significance: The results of this study provide first evidence for a recovery from enhancement of activation in the auditory cortex following injury of peripheral hearing organ. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This study investigates the phenomenon of water freezing below the freezing point in polymer electrolyte fuel cell (PEFCs). Water generated on the surface of the catalyst layer was observed simultaneously with visible and infrared images. Surprisingly, it was found that water generated below the freezing point is in the liquid state and that the temperature rises to 0°C at the time of freezing. It is generally known that heat of solidification is radiated when water in a super-cooled state starts to freeze. This study shows that water generated below the freezing point in polymer electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) is in a super-cooled state. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Aims: The mechanisms of Salmonella contamination in an oilmeal plant were investigated and the basic data were collected in order to achieve control of Salmonella in oilmeal. Methods and Results: Salmonella was detected in all contamination vectors and environmental factors investigated, namely: operators, processing floor, dust in the air and rodents. In particular, high concentrations of Salmonella were detected on the processing floor of the manufacturing area, which has high oil content. Steam was the most effective disinfection method used for the processing floor, as the effects of heat sterilization and disinfection may work in tandem. In addition, restricting the movement of operators of the production chain remarkably reduced Salmonella contamination, even in areas of otherwise high contamination. Conclusions: Within the oilmeal plant, high Salmonella contamination rates for the processing floor represent the greatest risk of contamination of oilmeal via operators, dust in the air and rodents. Therefore, control of the processing floor is the most important means for reducing the oilmeal contamination rate. Significance and Impact of the Study: Specific Salmonella control methods for oilmeal plants have been established. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to define the concept of comprehensive accessibility of community support for people with mental disorders and to clarify the multidimensional structures of comprehensive accessibility. We developed a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 47 items. A complete list of the municipalities in Japan was prepared, and the questionnaire was mailed to 3310 municipalities. Principal component analyses were applied to valid data in order to analyse the index and multidimensional structures of comprehensive accessibility. As a result, 14 principal components of community support for people with mental disorders were extracted. These principal components were interpreted as the scales for the evaluation of comprehensive accessibility. The two first principal component scores were interpreted as the index indicating the level of comprehensive accessibility. The other 12 principal components were interpreted as the scales constituting the multidimensional space of comprehensive accessibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cl− channels are widely found anion pores that are regulated by a variety of signals and that play various roles. On the basis of molecular biologic findings, ligand-gated Cl− channels in synapses, cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductors (CFTRs) and ClC channel types have been established, followed by bestrophin and possibly by tweety, which encode Ca2+-activated Cl− channels. The ClC family has been shown to possess a variety of functions, including stabilization of membrane potential, excitation, cellvolume regulation, fluid transport, protein degradation in endosomal vesicles and possibly cell growth. The molecular structure of Cl− channel types varies from 1 to 12 transmembrane segments. By means of computer-based prediction, functional Cl− channels have been synthesized artificially, revealing that many possible ion pores are hidden in channel, transporter or unidentified hydrophobic membrane proteins. Thus, novel Cl−-conducting pores may be occasionally discovered, and evidence from molecular biologic studies will clarify their physiologic and pathophysiologic roles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Assembled complex, Fe(bpa)2(NCX)2 (bpa=1,2-bis(4-pyridyl)ethane; X=S, Se, BH3) enclathrated diphenylmethane. The skeletons were interpenetrating structures for NCS and NCSe complexes, while 2D grid structure was obtained for NCBH3 complex. The assembled iron complexes showed spin-crossover phenomena by enclathrating diphenylmethane. The ratio of spin transition and the transition temperature depended on the assembled structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: In order to improve the quality of palliative care, we can learn from bereaved families who were dissatisfied with the care they received. The primary aim of this study was to explore why bereaved families were dissatisfied with specialized inpatient palliative care. METHODS: This qualitative study formed part of a nationwide questionnaire survey administered to 1225 bereaved family members of cancer patients who died in certified palliative care units in Japan. The participants were 22 consecutive family members who reported a greater need for improvement in care. Data were analysed by the content analysis. RESULTS: The reasons that the bereaved families listed are classified into 27 categories and seven themes: (1) lack of perceived support for maintaining hope; (2) lack of perceived respect of individuality, especially in attitudes toward death; (3) perceived poor quality of care, especially psychological care, not being treated with dignity and inadequate explanation from physicians; (4) inadequate staffing and equipment, especially physician availability; (5) unavailability of timely administration; (6) lack of accurate information about palliative care units; and (7) family's practical and economic burden. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified the multiple sources of dissatisfaction with specialized inpatient palliative care for bereaved families. These findings could be useful in developing a more desirable system of specialised inpatient palliative care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein 1 (TRAP1) is a member of the molecular chaperone HSP90 (90-kDa heat shock protein) family. We have previously demonstrated that Dictyostelium discoideum TRAP1 (Dd-TRAP1) synthesized at the vegetative growth phase is retained during the whole course of D. discoideum development, and that at the multicellular slug stage, it is located in prespore-specific vacuoles (PSVs) of prespore cells as well as in the cell membrane and mitochondria. Thereupon, we examined the function of Dd-TRAP1 in prepore and spore differentiation, using Dd-TRAP1-knockdown cells (TRAP1-RNAi cells) produced by the RNA interference method. As was expected, Dd-TRAP1 contained in the PSV was found to be exocytosed during sporulation to constitute the outer-most layer of the spore cell wall. In the TRAP1-RNAi cells, PSV formation and therefore prespore differentiation were significantly impaired, particularly under a heat stress condition. Although the TRAP1-RNAi cells formed apparently normal-shaped spores with a cellulosic wall, the spores were less resistant to heat and detergent treatments, as compared with those of parental MB35 cells derived from Ax-2 cells. These findings strongly suggest that Dd-TRAP1 may be closely involved in late development including spore differentiation, as well as in early development as realized by its induction of prestarvation response. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

PURPOSE: To clarify physician- and nurse-reported effects of intravenous hydration therapy on symptoms of terminally ill patients with cancer. METHODS: A cross-sectional questionnaire survey of Japanese physicians and nurses. The respondents were requested to report their clinical observations about improvement or deterioration of seven symptoms of terminally ill patients with lung or gastric cancer receiving 0.5-1 L/d intravenous hydration therapy, 1.5-2 L/d intravenous hydration therapy, and reduction of intravenous hydration volume from 1.5-2 L/d to 0.5-1 L/d. RESULTS: The responses from a total of 413 oncologists, 88 palliative care physicians, 2735 oncology nurses, and 593 palliative care nurses were analyzed (response rates, 53% in physicians and 83% in nurses). Fewer than 30% of the respondents in all specialties reported that they often or very often observed improvement of dehydration symptoms with 0.5-1 L/d or 1.5-2 L/d intravenous hydration therapy. Deterioration of fluid retention symptoms was reported by 5.8%-13% of the oncologists and 20%-50% of the other specialists with 0.5-1 L/d intravenous hydration therapy for patients with lung cancer, and by 9.3%-24% of the oncologists and 16%-68% of the other specialties with 1.5-2.0 L/d hydration for patients with gastric cancer. By reducing intravenous hydration volume, 20%-70% of the palliative care physicians and nurses reported that they often or very often observed improvement of fluid retention symptoms, while less than 7.0% of all specialists reported that they often or very often observed deterioration of dehydration symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: The physicians and nurses in both oncology and palliative care settings frequently observed deterioration of fluid retention symptoms with limited benefits in alleviating dehydration symptoms by intravenous hydration therapy for terminally ill patients with cancer. It is suggested that routine use of artificial hydration therapy should not be recommended, and individualized treatment policy based on the comprehensive assessment of each patient's needs is strongly required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Palliative sedation therapy is often required in terminally ill cancer patients, and may cause emotional burden for nurses. The primary aims of this study were 1) to clarify the levels of nurses' emotional burden related to sedation, and 2) to identify the factors contributing to the burden levels. METHODS: A questionnaire survey of 3187 nurses, with a response rate of 82%. RESULTS: Eighty-two percent of the nurses (n = 2607) had clinical experience in continuous-deep sedation. Thirty per cent reported that they wanted to leave their current work situation due to sedation-related burden (answering occasionally, often, or always). Also, 12% of the nurses stated that being involved in sedation was a burden, 12% that they felt helpless when patients received sedation, 11% that they would avoid a situation in which they had to perform sedation if possible, and 4% that they felt what they had done was of no value when they performed sedation. The higher nurse-perceived burden was significantly associated with shorter clinical experience, nurse-perceived insufficient time in caring for patients, lack of common understanding of sedation between physicians and nurses, team conference unavailability, frequent experience of conflicting wishes for sedation between patient and family, nurse-perceived inadequate interpersonal skills, belief that it was difficult to diagnose refractory symptoms, belief that sedation would hasten death, belief that sedation was ethically indistinguishable from euthanasia, nurse-perceived inadequate coping with their own grief, and nurses' personal values contradictory to sedation therapy. CONCLUSIONS: A significant number of nurses felt serious emotional burden related to sedation. To relieve nurses' emotional burden, we encourage 1) management efforts to reduce work overload, 2) a team approach to resolving conflicting opinions, especially between physicians and nurses, 3) co-ordination of early patient-family meetings to clarify their preferred end-of-life care, 4) education and training about sedation specifically focused on interpersonal skills, systematic approaches to diagnosing refractory symptoms, minimum life-threatening potency in sedation, and ethical principals differentiating sedation from euthanasia, and 5) exploring nurses' personal values through the patient-centered principle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of the present study was to develop an environmental assessment tool related to the living of the mentally disabled and to examine the health care professionals' perception of the current situations and its importance. The relationships between the current and ideal environmental situations were analyzed. The survey was conducted at 3310 municipalities nationwide by mailing self-report questionnaires, which consisted of 52 items developed by specialists for the mentally disabled and their families. The 52-item questionnaire was rated with a five-point scale for both current and important environmental situations. The main findings included statistically significant differences between the mean scores of the current and important environmental situations, items perceived as important at a similar degree, and those suggesting the largest gap between the current and important situations related to learning opportunities. These results could be useful for implementation in community health nursing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Although integrated care for existential suffering is an essential part of palliative care, little is known about its concept and efficacy as perceived by professionals. A questionnaire survey was carried out to 1) explore the underlying structure of psychosocial interventions recommended by specialists, 2) identify the professionally perceived effectiveness of each intervention for specific existential distress, and 3) examine the effects of specialty on their recommendations. METHODS: A questionnaire with three scenarios representing terminally ill cancer patients with uncertainty-related anxiety, guilt feelings, and dependency-related meaninglessness was mailed to 701 Japanese psychiatrists, 118 psychologists, and 372 palliative care nurses. RESULTS: A total of 456 responses were obtained (response rate = 38%). Recommended psychosocial interventions were classified into six subcategories: 'a supportive-expressive approach,' 'providing comfortable environments,' 'meaning-centered approach,' 'being,' 'education and coping skills training,' and 'a religious approach.' A 'supportive-expressive approach' was consistently recommended in all vignettes. On the other hand, 'providing comfortable environments' was most recommended for patients with uncertainty-related anxiety, and a 'meaning-centered approach' and 'being' were most recommended for patients feeling dependency-related meaninglessness. Psychiatrists estimated the effectiveness of psychopharmacological treatment significantly higher than psychologists and nurses, while nurses evaluated efficacy of all other interventions significantly higher than psychiatrists and psychologists. CONCLUSIONS: Experts evaluated a variety of clinical interventions as effective in palliating existential suffering, although the perceived levels of efficacy of each intervention differed according to the nature of suffering and their specialties. To effectively alleviate existential suffering in terminally ill cancer patients, an integrated care by an interdisciplinary team is necessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The maintenance of intellectual activity is an important area in the "good death" concept. To clarify the communication capacity levels of terminally ill cancer patients in their final week, and to identify factors contributing to the development of communication capacity impairment and agitated delirium, a retrospective study was performed on 284 consecutive hospice inpatients. The data were collected by chart review, and two independent raters measured the degree of communication capacity and agitation in the last week, using multiple items from the Memorial Delirium Assessment Scale, the Communication Capacity Scale, and the Agitation Distress Scale. The percentages of patients who could achieve complex communication were 43%, 28%, and 13% at 5 days, 3 days, and 1 day before death, respectively. Agitated delirium was identified in 20%. Patients receiving opioids at a dose of > or =120 mg oral morphine equivalents/day one week before death were significantly unable to communicate clearly 3 days before death (0.48 [0.28-0.84], P=0.011). Male gender and the presence of icterus were identified as significant contributors to the development of agitated delirium (odds ratios [95% C.I.]=2.6 [1.4-5.0], P<0.01; 2.4 [1.3-4.4], P< 0.01). These findings demonstrate that communication capacity impairment and agitated delirium are frequently observed in terminally ill cancer patients, and are significantly correlated with a higher dose requirement of opioids and the presence of icterus. To explore the best management to maintain the intellectual activity of dying patients, research should focus on a homogeneous sample of patients receiving high-dose opioids and those with hepatic encephalopathy. In the meanwhile, clinicians should educate patients and family members about the nature of the dying process and help facilitate the completion of life purposes requiring complex mental activities before the latest stages of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Injury of peripheral auditory organ often induces abnormality of loudness sensation such as loudness recruitment. However, objective evaluation of this phenomenon has rarely been performed. To elucidate this abnormal loudness sensation, cortical mechanisms were investigated by recording auditory evoked magnetic fields (AEFs).Methods: We recorded AEFs in 8 patients suffering from inner-ear hearing impairment with loudness recruitment and in 14 healthy hearing controls using a 122-channel whole-head neuromagnetometer. Tone bursts of 1 kHz were presented monaurally at 4 different intensities (40, 50, 60, 70 dB HL) with a constant interstimulus interval of 1 s.Results: In both groups, the 100 ms response (N100m) increased in amplitude and decreased in latency as a function of stimulus intensity in both hemispheres. Concerning the source strength, increment of dipole moment of N100m was more rapid according to the stimulus intensity in patients compared with that in healthy subjects. Source strength of N100m was enhanced at high stimulus intensity in patients, and its ratio to healthy subjects was 1.08 at 50 dB, 1.69 at 60 dB and 2.04 at 70 dB.Conclusions: In patients with inner-ear hearing impairment, enhanced activation of the auditory cortex was observed, and may help explain loudness recruitment. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

There is a strong controversy about the differences among standard medical care, palliative sedation therapy, and euthanasia in recent medical literature. To investigate the similarities and differences among these medical treatments, a secondary analysis of two previous surveys was performed. In those surveys, Japanese physicians and the general population were asked to identify their treatment recommendations or preferences for intolerable and refractory distress in the terminal stage. The options were standard medical care without intentional sedation, mild sedation, intermittent deep sedation, continuous deep sedation, and physician-assisted suicide (PAS)/euthanasia. Multidimensional scaling analysis mapped their responses. The physician responses were clustered into 3 groups: 1) standard medical care, 2) palliative sedation therapy including mild, intermittent deep, continuous deep sedation, and 3) PAS/euthanasia. The general population's responses were classified into 3 subgroups: 1) standard medical care, 2) mild and intermittent deep sedation, and 3) a group including continuous deep sedation and PAS/euthanasia. Physicians placed continuous deep sedation closer to mild and intermittent sedation, while the general population mapped it closer to PAS/euthanasia. In conclusion, physicians and general population can generally differentiate the three approaches--standard medical care, palliative sedation therapy, and PAS/euthanasia. We recommend that mild and intermittent deep sedation should be differentiated from standard medical care, and that continuous deep sedation should be dealt with separately from other types of sedation. Clear definitions of palliative sedation therapy will contribute to quality discussion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]