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Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate visual outcomes between medical treatment alone (MED) and Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation (AGVI) in Shiba dogs with primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). Procedures: Records of 65 Shiba dogs (104 eyes) with PACG were retrospectively reviewed. Vision was assessed qualitatively using both the menace response and maze testing. The significance of age, sex, intraocular pressure (IOP), and duration of clinical signs (≤72 h or >72 h) at first presentation (V1) was assessed. Eyes with vision at V1 were divided into groups according to subsequent treatment method (MED versus AGVI), and vision as a survival outcome was compared between group by the Kaplan–Meier method. Results: At V1, 65 eyes (62.5%) of 54 dogs had vision. There was no statistically significant difference in age or sex on the presence of vision at V1. Median IOP was higher in blind (52 mmHg) compared to sighted eyes (28 mmHg) (p <.001). Eyes presenting in ≤72 h of the onset of clinical signs were more likely to have vision (86.7%) compared to those presenting after 72 h (44.1%) (p <.001). By the Kaplan–Meier analysis, the cumulative visual retention rate was significantly higher with AGVI than with MED (69.2% vs. 7.7%; p <.01) at 12 months. The median time to visual loss was 39.9 months with AGVI vs. 1.7 months with MED. Conclusions: AGVI resulted in better visual outcomes than MED and should be considered in Shiba dogs with PACG that are visual at the time of presentation and suitable for surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations beneath Kanto, Japan have shown that seismic activity and seismic attenuation within the overlying continental plate change with time due to drainage caused by slow‐slip events (SSEs) along the upper boundary of the Philippine Sea plate. However, associated changes in rock properties have not been investigated. In this study, we estimate frequency‐dependent shear‐wave anisotropy to provide a detailed insight into the structural change associated with drainage. We perform shear‐wave splitting analysis in frequency ranges of 1–4, 2–6, and 4–8 Hz for 306 earthquakes that occur during September 2009–August 2021 and recorded at the Metropolitan Seismic Observation network. Obtained time differences between fast and slow S waves (delay time) range from almost zero to 0.16–0.18 s, exhibiting spatio‐temporal variation and frequency dependence. The fast S‐wave polarization directions are generally consistent with the direction of the maximum horizontal compressional axis in the study region, which suggests that the observed anisotropy is probably caused by the NE–SW‐oriented fractures developed under the regional stress field. The temporal variation in delay times is correlated with SSEs activity with a lag time of 0.0–0.1 year. Furthermore, comparisons between observed frequency‐dependent delay times and numerical calculation of fracture‐induced anisotropy suggest that the average fracture radius is almost constant (0.30–0.35 m) over time but fracture density temporally varies from 0.025 to 0.035. We infer that the fracture density is probably enhanced by opening of the NE–SW‐oriented fractures during the upward migration of fluids that are expelled from the plate interface. Plain Language Summary: Measurement of shear‐wave polarization anisotropy characterizes the intensity and orientation of fractures within the rocks beneath the Earth's surface. Furthermore, its frequency dependence provides important information for determining the fracture size and density. This study reveals that the strength of anisotropy shows temporal variations associated with the inferred periodic drainage from the subducting slab. We discuss a possible mechanism of the structural change focusing on the frequency dependence of the observed anisotropy and propose that the opening of fractures occurs immediately above the subducting slab following the periodic drainage. The obtained results will provide important constraints on fluid‐rock interaction above the subducting plate interface. Key Points: Shear‐wave splitting analysis in Kanto, Japan suggests that seismic anisotropy is orientated sub‐parallel to the regional stressAnisotropy above the plate interface is enhanced with a lag of 0.0–0.1 years from the occurrence of slow‐slip eventsThe observed frequency‐dependent anisotropy suggests that fractures open responding to drainage from plate interface [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutations in the gene encoding the transient receptor potential vanilloid member 4 (TRPV4), a Ca2+ permeable nonselective cation channel, cause TRPV4‐related disorders. TRPV4 is widely expressed in the brain; however, the pathogenesis underlying TRPV4‐mediated Ca2+ deregulation in neurodevelopment remains unresolved and an effective therapeutic strategy remains to be established. These issues were addressed by isolating mutant dental pulp stem cells from a tooth donated by a child diagnosed with metatropic dysplasia with neurodevelopmental comorbidities caused by a gain‐of‐function TRPV4 mutation, c.1855C > T (p.L619F). The mutation was repaired using CRISPR/Cas9 to generate corrected isogenic stem cells. These stem cells were differentiated into dopaminergic neurons and the pharmacological effects of folic acid were examined. In mutant neurons, constitutively elevated cytosolic Ca2+ augmented AKT‐mediated α‐synuclein (α‐syn) induction, resulting in mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation and dysfunction. The TRPV4 antagonist, AKT inhibitor, or α‐syn knockdown, normalizes the mitochondrial Ca2+ levels in mutant neurons, suggesting the importance of mutant TRPV4/Ca2+/AKT‐induced α‐syn in mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation. Folic acid was effective in normalizing mitochondrial Ca2+ levels via the transcriptional repression of α‐syn and improving mitochondrial reactive oxygen species levels, adenosine triphosphate synthesis, and neurite outgrowth of mutant neurons. This study provides new insights into the neuropathological mechanisms underlying TRPV4‐related disorders and related therapeutic strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Skin microvessels maintain temperature homeostasis by contracting and dilating upon exposure to changes in temperature. Under general anesthesia, surgical invasiveness, including incisions and coagulation, and the effects of anesthetics may cause variations in the threshold temperature, leading to the constriction and dilation of cutaneous blood vessels. Therefore, studies on skin microvascular circulation are necessary to develop appropriate interventions for complications during surgery. Methods: We visualized and quantified skin microcirculatory fluctuations associated with temperature variations using a light-emitting diode photoacoustic imaging (LED-PAI) device. The hands of ten healthy volunteers were stressed with four different water temperatures [25℃ (Control), 15℃ (Cold1), 40℃ (Warm), and 15℃ (Cold2)]. The photoacoustic images of the fingers were taken under each condition, and the microvascular flow owing to temperature stress was quantified as the area of photoacoustic signal (S) in each image. The S values were compared with the variations in blood flow (Q) measured by laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF). Results: The correlation between Q and S according to the 40 measurements was r = 0.45 (p＜0.01). In addition, the values of S under each stress condition were as follows: Scontrol = 10,826 ± 3364 pixels, Scold1 = 8825 ± 2484 pixels, Swarm = 13,369 ± 3001 pixels, and Scold2 = 8838 ± 1892 pixels; the differences were significant. The LDF blood flow (Q) showed similar changes among conditions. Conclusion: These findings suggest that the LED-PAI device could be an option for evaluating microcirculation in association with changes in temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent observations beneath central Japan have shown that periodic fluid drainage occurs during slow‐slip events (SSEs) based on temporal variations in QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ above the megathrust boundary of the subducting Philippine Sea slab. However, no previous studies have estimated associated QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$. A comparison of QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ can provide clues to the mechanism of seismic attenuation because of different propagation characteristics of the two waves. We estimate temporal variations in QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ via spectral analyses of waveform data from November 2009 to August 2021 period. The results indicate that both QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ exhibit temporal variations at about 1‐year periodicity and there are systematic differences between QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ that QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ have smaller values, less insignificant variation, and weaker correlations with SSEs. Furthermore, QP−1/QS−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}/{Q}_{S}^{-1}$ increases concurrent with SSEs. These differences suggest that attenuation is caused by the wave‐induced fluid flow. QP−1/QS−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}/{Q}_{S}^{-1}$ could be an important parameter for detecting the presence of fluid. Plain Language Summary: Q−1 ${Q}^{-1}$ value, which represents energy dissipation of seismic wave, is an important parameter for detecting the anelastic heterogeneity in subsurface rocks. However, few observational studies have revealed the characteristics of both P‐ and S‐wave attenuation (QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$, respectively) related to the presence of fluids in the crust and the uppermost mantle. This study reveals that both QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ show temporal variations associated with the inferred periodic drainage from the upper surface of a subducting slab but QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ is less fluctuated with time. We discuss a possible attenuation mechanism focusing on the differences in the observed QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ values and propose that the wave‐induced fluid flow (WIFF) may be a dominant control on the increases in attenuation concurrent with the drainage from the megathrust. The obtained results will provide important constraints on attenuation mechanism that is enhanced by the presence of fluid in rocks. Key Points: We estimated the long‐term temporal variations in QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ at 20–45 Hz above the megathrust boundary of the Philippine Sea PlateBoth QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ exhibited temporal variations with about 1‐year periodicity and spatiotemporal correlations with slow‐slip eventsSystematic differences between QP−1 ${Q}_{P}^{-1}$ and QS−1 ${Q}_{S}^{-1}$ may provide important constraints on attenuation mechanism enhanced by fluids [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focal cortical dysplasia is the most common malformation during cortical development, sometimes excised by epilepsy surgery and often caused by somatic variants of the mTOR pathway genes. In this study, we performed a genetic analysis of epileptogenic brain malformed lesions from 64 patients with focal cortical dysplasia, hemimegalencephy, brain tumors, or hippocampal sclerosis. Targeted sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and single nucleotide polymorphism microarray detected four germline and 35 somatic variants, comprising three copy number variants and 36 single nucleotide variants and indels in 37 patients. One of the somatic variants in focal cortical dysplasia type IIB was an in-frame deletion in MTOR, in which only gain-of-function missense variants have been reported. In focal cortical dysplasia type I, somatic variants of MAP2K1 and PTPN11 involved in the RAS/MAPK pathway were detected. The in-frame deletions of MTOR and MAP2K1 in this study resulted in the activation of the mTOR pathway in transiently transfected cells. In addition, the PTPN11 missense variant tended to elongate activation of the mTOR or RAS/MAPK pathway, depending on culture conditions. We demonstrate that epileptogenic brain malformed lesions except for focal cortical dysplasia type II arose from somatic variants of diverse genes but were eventually linked to the mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Robust translation elongation of any given amino acid sequence is required to shape proteomes. Nevertheless, nascent peptides occasionally destabilize ribosomes, since consecutive negatively charged residues in bacterial nascent chains can stochastically induce discontinuation of translation, in a phenomenon termed intrinsic ribosome destabilization (IRD). Here, using budding yeast and a human factor-based reconstituted translation system, we show that IRD also occurs in eukaryotic translation. Nascent chains enriched in aspartic acid (D) or glutamic acid (E) in their N-terminal regions alter canonical ribosome dynamics, stochastically aborting translation. Although eukaryotic ribosomes are more robust to ensure uninterrupted translation, we find many endogenous D/E-rich peptidyl-tRNAs in the N-terminal regions in cells lacking a peptidyl-tRNA hydrolase, indicating that the translation of the N-terminal D/E-rich sequences poses an inherent risk of failure. Indeed, a bioinformatics analysis reveals that the N-terminal regions of ORFs lack D/E enrichment, implying that the translation defect partly restricts the overall amino acid usage in proteomes. Here the authors find that nascent chains enriched in acidic amino acids destabilize the translating ribosome, eventually leading to stochastic premature termination in eukaryotes as in bacteria. Such risk of premature termination influences the amino acid distribution in the proteomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) is an adapter that targets dynamin-related protein 1 from the cytosol to the mitochondria for fission. Loss-of-function MFF mutations cause encephalopathy due to defective mitochondrial and peroxisomal fission 2 (EMPF2). To elucidate the molecular mechanisms that were involved, we analyzed the functional effects of MFF depletion in deciduous teeth-derived dental pulp stem cells differentiating into dopaminergic neurons (DNs). When treated with MFF-targeting small interfering RNA, DNs showed impaired neurite outgrowth and reduced mitochondrial signals in neurites harboring elongated mitochondria. MFF silencing also caused mitochondrial Ca2+ accumulation through accelerated Ca2+ influx from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) via the inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor. Mitochondrial Ca2+ overload led DNs to produce excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS), and downregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma co-activator-1 alpha (PGC-1α). MFF was co-immunoprecipitated with voltage-dependent anion channel 1, an essential component of the ER-mitochondrial Ca2+ transport system. Folic acid supplementation normalized ROS levels, PGC-1α mediated mitochondrial biogenesis, and neurite outgrowth in MFF depleted DNs, without affecting their mitochondrial morphology or Ca2+ levels. We propose that MFF negatively regulates the mitochondrial Ca2+ influx from the ER. MFF-insufficiency recapitulated the EMPF2 neuropathology with increased oxidative stress and suppressed mitochondrial biogenesis. ROS and mitochondrial biogenesis might be potential therapeutic targets for EMPF2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Continuous translation elongation, irrespective of amino acid sequences, is a prerequisite for living organisms to produce their proteomes. However, nascent polypeptide products bear an inherent risk of elongation abortion. For example, negatively charged sequences with occasional intermittent prolines, termed intrinsic ribosome destabilization (IRD) sequences, weaken the translating ribosomal complex, causing certain nascent chain sequences to prematurely terminate translation. Here, we show that most potential IRD sequences in the middle of open reading frames remain cryptic and do not interrupt translation, due to two features of the nascent polypeptide. Firstly, the nascent polypeptide itself spans the exit tunnel, and secondly, its bulky amino acid residues occupy the tunnel entrance region, thereby serving as a bridge and protecting the large and small ribosomal subunits from dissociation. Thus, nascent polypeptide products have an inbuilt ability to ensure elongation continuity. Synopsis: Acidic‐rich amino acid sequences destabilize the translating ribosome, stochastically inducing elongation abortion. This study unveils a positive feedback system mediated by the nascent chain within the ribosomal tunnel, which ensures elongation continuity by stabilizing the ribosome. Translation of acidic or proline‐intermitted intrinsic ribosome destabilization (IRD) sequences favors premature elongation cessation.Nascent peptide within the ribosomal exit tunnel helps to ensure translation continuity by counteracting IRD.IRD‐counteracting mechanisms include the exit tunnel‐spanning nascent polypeptide and its bulky amino acid residues that occupy the tunnel entrance region.Selection for length and bulkiness in nascent chains to minimize the risk of nonproductive translation discontinuation affects amino acid distribution throughout the proteome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene expression is controlled at the transcriptional and post-transcriptional levels. The TACC2 gene was known to be associated with tumors but the control of its expression is unclear. We have reported that activity of the intronic promoter p10 of TACC2 in primary lesion of endometrial cancer is indicative of lymph node metastasis among a low-risk patient group. Here, we analyze the intronic promoter derived isoforms in JHUEM-1 endometrial cancer cells, and primary tissues of endometrial cancers and normal endometrium. Full-length cDNA amplicons are produced by long-range PCR and subjected to nanopore sequencing followed by computational error correction. We identify 16 stable, 4 variable, and 9 rare exons including 3 novel exons validated independently. All variable and rare exons reside N-terminally of the TACC domain and contribute to isoform variety. We found 240 isoforms as high-confidence, supported by more than 20 reads. The large number of isoforms produced from one minor promoter indicates the post-transcriptional complexity coupled with transcription at the TACC2 locus in cancer and normal cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the main issue in neuroscience has been the imaging of the functional connectivity in the brain. No modality that can measure functional connectivity directly, however, has been developed yet. Here, we show the novel MRI sequence, called the partial spinlock sequence toward direct measurements of functional connectivity. This study investigates a probable measurement of phase differences directly associated with functional connectivity. By employing partial spinlock imaging, the neural magnetic field might influence the magnetic resonance signals. Using simulation and phantom studies to model the neural magnetic fields, we showed that magnetic resonance signals vary depending on the phase of an externally applied oscillating magnetic field with non-right flip angles. These results suggest that the partial spinlock sequence is a promising modality for functional connectivity measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectivesThere are three conceivable reasons for the failure of resective surgery for intractable epilepsy: incomplete resection of the epileptogenic zone including or overlapping with eloquent area (group A); incorrect determination of the epileptogenic zone prior to the first surgery (group B); and the development of a new epileptic focus after the first surgery (group C). We examined the relationship between the reason for failure of initial surgery and patient outcomes after repeated surgical resection. MethodsThe study included 18 patients (5.1%) underwent additional surgery after failure of the initial operation. Post-operative outcomes, complications and other clinical data were collected by retrospective chart review. ResultsFour patients (22.2%) were assigned to group A, 13 (72.2%) were assigned to group B, and 1 patient was assigned to group C (5.6%). Six patients (40.0%) were seizure-free for 2 or more years after additional surgery. In group B, 11 patients underwent additional resection of the cortex adjacent to the previously resected area and 2 underwent re-operation involving a site distant from the previously resected area; notably, the latter 2 patients did not achieve seizure-free status post-surgery. After the first operation, only one patient (group A) experienced transient paresis; after additional surgery, 10 of 18 patients (56%; 3 group A, 6 group B, and 1 group C) experienced various complications. DiscussionAlthough additional resective surgery provided freedom from seizures in about 40% of the patients, it is important to weigh a high risk of complications against possible benefits when considering additional surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Objective To determine the predictors of cognitive function in patients with drug-resistant gelastic seizures ( GS) related to hypothalamic hamartoma ( HH) before and after stereotactic radiofrequency thermocoagulation surgery ( SRT). Methods We studied 88 patients with HH who underwent SRT between October 1997 and December 2014. Patients received neuropsychological tests preoperatively and postoperatively. Based on the preoperative measures, patients were categorized as 'high-functioning' (full-scale intelligence quotient [ FSIQ] ≥70; n = 48) and 'low-functioning' group ( FSIQ <70; n = 40). Univariate and multivariate linear regression analyses determined the clinical, electroencephalography ( EEG), and imaging factors associated with preoperative cognitive function as well as postoperative cognitive change. Results Eighty-seven patients (98.8%) were followed postoperatively for an average of 3.3 years, and 75 (85.2%) of them achieved GS remission at the last hospital visit. Neuropsychological performance was significantly improved after surgery in both groups. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that a smaller HH size (p = 0.002) and a smaller number of antiepileptic drugs (p < 0.001) were preoperatively associated with better neuropsychological performance. Multivariate linear regression analysis showed that better postoperative improvement in cognition was associated with a shorter duration of epilepsy (p = 0.03). Significance Cognitive impairment related to epileptic encephalopathy may improve following SRT in substantial proportions of HH patients. Reduced improvement in postoperative cognitive function in patients with longer duration of epilepsy warrants further studies to determine if earlier SRT provides a greater chance of postoperative cognitive improvement in patients with HH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To study a new approach to indocyanine green ( ICG) angiography for contrasting the ocular fundus in cats. Animals studied Six healthy laboratory cats. Procedures Fluorescein ( FLUO) and ICG angiography were performed using an infrared-sensitive charged coupled device-equipped fundus camera on sedated cats. Results At 12.3 ± 3.4 s after ICG administration, the choroidal arteries could be seen extending radially from the optic disk. The choroidal veins became apparent at 16.2 ± 4.1 s alongside the choroidal arteries. Gradual fading of the choroidal vessels began 5.8 ± 1.5 min postdye administration and diffuse fluorescence of the fundus appeared. Diffuse fluorescence of the optic disk faded at about 18.8 ± 2.9 min. Mean arterial blood pressure at 1 and 3 min after ICG administration showed no significant change when compared to pre-administration ( P > 0.05). However, 5 min ( P = 0.054) and 10 min ( P < 0.05) postadministration, a significant drop in blood pressure occurred. The time lapse between FLUO administration and its appearance in the ocular fundus was 15.7 ± 3.8 s. Retinal veins became apparent at 22.0 ± 3.6 s alongside retinal arteries. At 31.2 ± 4.1 s, full venous fluorescence was visualized throughout the entire fundus. Conclusions While FLUO angiography shows only the retinal vessels, ICG angiography enabled visualization of the choroidal vasculature. ICG angiography provides clear resolution while remaining reliable and simple; thus, a combination of ICG and FLUO angiography shows promise as a diagnostic aid for clinical evaluation of various chorioretinal diseases in cats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous mast cells are present in the choroid, but the effects of mast cell mediators on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are not well understood. We investigated the influence of mast cell mediators on RPE cells in vitro, focusing on tryptase. Expression of receptors was examined by the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. We also assessed production of interleukin 8 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after RPE cells were stimulated with mast cell mediators by using an antibody array and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Furthermore, we investigated the influence of tryptase on RPE cell migration and integrity by the scratch assay and the transepithelial resistance. RPE cells expressed protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR2), histamine receptor 1, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) receptor 1, and CCR 1, 3, 4, 8, and 11. Tryptase, PAR2 agonists, histamine, and TNF-α all enhanced interleukin 8 production by RPE cells, while only tryptase enhanced VEGF production. Tryptase also enhanced expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinases 1/2, resulting in increased migration of RPE cells. However, tryptase did not alter epithelial integrity or the expression of zonula occludens-1 and junctional adhesion molecule-A by RPE cells. Mast cell mediators, especially tryptase, may influence RPE cell inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, optically pumped atomic magnetometers (OPAMs) replacing superconductive quantum interference device-based magnetometers have attracted a considerable amount of attention. To apply the OPAMs to biomagnetic field measurements, simultaneous multilocation measurements are required. To fulfill the specific requirement, we have developed a hybrid cell, which contains potassium and rubidium atoms. The OPAM with a hybrid cell can enhance the spatial homogeneity due to the suppression of pump-beam absorption. Thus, we can have multiple measurement locations inside a hybrid cell with multiple pump and probe lasers. In this paper, we proposed a novel method to accomplish simultaneous multilocation measurements based on pump-beam modulation. Using two optical choppers, we operated a two-channel OPAM with two modulated pump beams. We investigated the signal strength of the OPAM as a function of modulation frequency and found that the signal strength decreased as the modulation frequency increased. Subsequently, we measured the magnetic field distributions generated from a loop coil to validate the proposed method and could confirm that they showed good agreements with the theoretical values. These results demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method based on pump-beam modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypothalamic hamartoma (HH), composed of neurons and glia without apparent cytologic abnormalities, is a rare developmental malformation in humans. Patients with HH often have characteristic medically refractory gelastic seizures, and intrinsic epileptogenesis within the lesions has been speculated. Herein we provide evidence to suggest that in HH neurons, Ca2+ permeability through α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors is aberrantly elevated. In needle biopsy specimens of HH tissue, field potential recordings demonstrated spontaneous epileptiform activities similar to those observed in other etiologically distinct epileptogenic tissues. In HH, however, these activities were clearly abolished by application of Joro Spider Toxin (JSTX), a specific inhibitor of the Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptor. Consistent with these physiologic findings, the neuronal nuclei showed disappearance of adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 2 (ADAR2) immunoreactivity. Furthermore, examination of glutamate receptor 2 (GluA2) messenger RNA (mRNA) revealed that editing efficiency at the glutamine/arginine site was significantly low. These results suggest that neurons in HH may bear Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors due to dislocation of ADAR2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highly sensitive magnetic sensors for biomagnetic measurements are often used in gradiometers to suppress the magnetic noise from the environment. We propose a differential measurement method in optically pumped atomic magnetometers, where the frequency responses from the two magnetometers are balanced separately and the signals are subtracted. A magnetometer system that has two pairs of pump and probe beams was constructed to confirm the noise reduction experimentally. A general form for the transfer function of the magnetometer was derived and the parameters were experimentally fitted for the two magnetometers. The frequency responses were balanced with the inverse of the transfer function in the frequency domain, and the differential measurement improved the signal-to-noise ratio of the magnetometer system, even when the resonance frequency at the two sensing volumes differed by several hertz. This method considerably relaxes the requirement for the uniformity of the magnetic bias field at the two sensing volumes, which previously needed to be identical. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to establish an animal model of bone-anchored maxillary protraction (BAMP) and verify the effects of such treatment in this model. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Ten total immature (90-day-old) male beagle dogs were used. On Day −20, one miniplate per jaw quadrant was placed and secured with screws. From Day 0 to Day 60, miniplates in the dogs in the intermaxillary traction group (group T, n = 5) were loaded with coil springs. In the control group (group C, n = 5), the miniplates received no force. Every 20 days from Day −20, all dogs were assessed by measuring body weight, taking photographs, and acquiring standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs using a specially designed cephalostat. Cephalometric analyses were performed and the two groups compared. New bone formation was labelled by double-fluorochrome administration with calcein and tetracycline. Animals were sacrificed at Day 60, and bone sections of zygomaticomaxillary sutures were analysed using histomorphometry with fluorescence microscopy. Groups were compared with Mann–Whitney U-tests (P < 0.05). RESULTS: Cephalometric analysis indicated significant maxillary advancement and retroclination of maxillary incisors in group T, with concomitant significant posterior relocation of the condyles and proclination of the mandibular incisors. In histological analysis, vigorous bone apposition at the zygomaticomaxillary suture was only detected in group T. LIMITATIONS: Further histological studies would clarify the effects of BAMP on the mandible, especially on temporomandibular articulation. CONCLUSIONS/IMPLICATIONS: Our results, using this newly developed animal model, support the orthopaedic effects of BAMP. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

We measured the spatial homogeneity of spin polarization, which is directly related to the sensitivity and magnetic linewidth of an optically pumped atomic magnetometer with a hybrid cell of K and Rb atoms. This was done by changing the position of the probe beam. Furthermore, for comparison, we also measured the sensitivity and magnetic linewidth of atomic magnetometers with single K and single Rb cells, and found that optically thick atoms were spin polarized homogeneously with the hybrid cell. Optically thin alkali metal vapor can be spin polarized homogeneously, and the spin polarization transfers to an optically thick alkali metal vapor. An atomic magnetometer with the hybrid cell was found to be more effective in realizing simultaneous signal measurements at different locations with the uniform sensitivity and magnetic linewidth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus awamori K4 β-xylosidase has broad acceptor specificity. It has been used to synthesize a sugar fatty acid ester via its transxylosylation activity. One xylosyl residue was initially transferred to hexamethylene glycol as a linker with a yield of 0.36 g/g xylobiose. Linoleic acid was subsequently linked to one terminal hydroxyl side of the transfer product hydroxyhexyl xyloside through an esterification reaction catalyzed by a lipase. The synthesis of hexyl linoleoyl xyloside was confirmed by TOF-MS analysis. The binding with a linker improved the esterification reaction because of the hydrophobic hexamethylene chain and also prevented steric hindrance by the xylosyl residue. This sugar fatty acid ester synthesis method using transglycosylation should facilitate the production of emulsifiers or surfactants with various functions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An optically pumped atomic magnetometer using a hybrid cell of potassium and rubidium atoms was demonstrated to yield high sensitivity to magnetic fields. We operated the magnetometer with the four possible combinations of optically pumped and optically probed atoms and found that the combination of optically pumped potassium and optically probed rubidium showed the highest sensitivity among the four combinations because the rubidium atoms were denser than those of potassium. Furthermore, we investigated the dependence of the sensitivity on the power densities of the pump and probe beams and the wavelength of the probe beam. The magnetometer using the hybrid cell required higher pump-beam power and had narrower magnetic linewidth than those of the single alkali-metal cell. However, the magnetic linewidth was larger than the theoretical value, ignoring the spin relaxation caused by the spin-exchange collisions. By adjusting the laser conditions, the highest sensitivity approached 30 fTrms/\rm Hz^1/2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oligomethylene-tethered w-alkenyl ω-oxobutanoates and 3-oxobutanamides underwent manganese(III)-mediated oxidative intramolecular addition to produce dihydrofuran-fused macrolides and macrocyclic amides from 8 to 26 members. A similar reaction of the oligooxamethylene-tethered ω-alkenyl 3-oxobutanoates also gave dihydrofuran-fused crown ether type macrolides which had a phase-transfer ability with sodium and potassium picrates. The manganese(III)-assisted specific intramolecular addition could be explained by the π-complexation of the w-alkenyl part with the manganese(III) enolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A low-cost and simple monitoring method for early warning of landslides is proposed. To detect abnormal deformation of a slope, this method employs a tilt sensor in place of an extensometer on the slope surface. In order to examine the relevance of measuring rotation angle on a slope surface by tilt sensor, model tests were conducted, and rotation on the slope surface was observed together with slide displacement along the surface. The rotation data responded 30 min before failure in a model test, which could be useful as a signal for early warning. However, the behavior of rotation before failure varies from case to case, and thus, criteria to issue warning should be defined more carefully. For a model slope made of uniform loose sand, measurement of slide displacement along the slope surface is sensitive to failure at the toe, while the measurement of rotation on the slope surface is useful to detect the development of progressive failure upward along the slope. Wireless sensor units with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) tilt sensor and volumetric water content sensor were also examined on a real slope in Kobe City, and a long-term monitoring was attempted. A simple but possible way to define the criteria of judgment to issue warning can be proposed based on combination of data obtained by the tilt sensors and volumetric water content sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a damage estimation model of an earthquake using a pair of interferometric SAR data. Coherence is defined as a correlation function of two SLC (Single Look Complex) data. The coherence derived from multi-temporal SLCs before and after the earthquake includes a temporal decorrelation in disturbed regions. To estimate a degree of damage using the temporal decorrelation, the proposed model employs a coherence ratio, which is the ratio of the coherence derived from the SLCs before and after the event to the coherence derived from a pair of SLCs before the event. The temporal coherence ratio is computed by compensating the coherence ratio with the spatial decorrelation. The degrees of damage are defined by the logarithmic probability range of the ratio of the damage areas. It is shown that there is a significant relationship between the temporal coherence ratio and the probability of the degree of damage. In the case of the Hyogoken–Nanbu earthquake, its relationship can be represented by a linear function. The parameters of regression lines are set by applying the least-squares method. We have succeeded in estimating the cumulative probability of the degree of damage from the temporal coherence ratio. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 143(3): 49–57, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.10138 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents information on a study that proposed an extended Learning Vector Quantization (LVQ) neural networks (NN) to land cover mapping. Description of the LVQ NN; Experimental results of the study; Conclusions.

We have developed a K-Rb hybrid optically pumped atomic magnetometer (OPAM) for biomagnetic measurements. With this hybrid OPAM, we used a linear photodiode array and a charge-coupled device (CCD) sensor to instantaneously measure 1-D and 2-D magnetic field distributions generated by a test coil, respectively. The measured distributions were compared with those calculated using the Biot–Savart law and showed good agreement for the linear photodiode array; however, in the case of the CCD sensor in the area away from the test coil, the intensity of the detected magnetic field was slightly different from the calculated one, possibly because of the diffusion of the spin-polarized atoms as well as smear and blooming in the CCD sensor. The sensitivity of the OPAM was 5–6 pT/Hz ^1/2 using the linear photodiode array and $\sim 10$ pT/Hz ^1/2 using the CCD sensor. In future experiments, we plan to fabricate a sensor cell with a high density of probe atoms and reduce the noise generated in the electronic circuitry of the detectors in order to increase sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 68-year-old man who underwent living-unrelated kidney transplantation from his spousal donor was immunosuppressed with tacrolimus and mycophenolate mofetil. Despite his uneventful clinical course, protocol biopsy at 2 years post transplant showed de novo CNI tubulotoxicity despite low tacrolimus exposure. Everolimus was added in order to discontinue TACER. However, prominent proteinuria impeded continuation of everolimus since biopsy showed diffuse glomerular endocapillary proliferation without C4d deposition. No donor-specific antibody was detected. Pulse steroids were given and proteinuria returned to normal with histological reversal. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the discharge mechanisms in a helium plasma jet with a coaxial dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) configuration, which can generate low-temperature plasma plume mainly by positive corona streamer propagation. In this study, we focused on the relationships between the coaxial DBD inside a glass tube and the positive streamer propagating in the plasma plume, using novel types of electrode configurations composed of insulated electric wires. The discharge characteristics were investigated by measuring plume length, discharge currents of the DBD, and the line-integrated density of helium metastable atoms in the plume. The experimental results indicate that the excited-species density in the plume is largely dependent on surface-charge density accumulated by the DBD. Moreover, we analyzed the spatiotemporal distribution of electrical potential around the tube exit by the finite element method, and discussed the mechanism determining plume length. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to investigate the effect of accumulated charge on a substrate surface in the deposition of a SiO2 film with an atmospheric-pressure plasma jet, we have measured the discharge current flowing into a copper substrate, which was placed 20 mm from the exit of the plasma jet and connected to a variable capacitor in series. We found that the discharge current decreased markedly when the capacitance of the substrate was below 100 pF, and the deposition rate of SiO2 traced the variation of the capacitance. To analyze the behavior of the plasma jet, we considered an equivalent circuit of our system and verified the validity of our supposition that the accumulated charge restricts the deposition rate. Thereby, we found that the discharge current and deposition rate were determined by the capacitance of both the glass tube wall and the substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present an experimental study of plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of SiO2 films from tetraethoxysilane (TEOS) using a plasma jet based on capillary dielectric barrier discharge (CDBD) at atmospheric pressure. We tried three different configurations: (a) coaxial type, (b) a crossed type with a vertical plasma jet and a tilted TEOS supply, and (c) another crossed type with the reversed arrangement. The deposition rate of SiO2 films increased with the driving frequency of the plasma jet in all configurations, and as the best record it reached up to 280 nm/s at a frequency of 15 kHz in the configuration (c) with the aid of O3 supply, which was three times as fast as that measured in the configuration (a) without O3 supply. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The behavior of N2+ ions in a low-frequency driven atmospheric pressure He plasma jet effused into ambient air was analyzed from laser induced fluorescence (LIF) spectroscopy measurements. The gas temperature derived from the rotational distribution was kept near room temperature and the drift velocity of N2+ ions estimated from the line shape was almost zero as compared to the apparent speed of the plasma bunch given by the spatiotemporal intensity profile. This shows that the mechanism of moving plasma bunches can be attributed to the ionization wave propagation similar to the streamer in positive corona discharge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]