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The application of superconducting magnetic shields to neuromagnetic superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUID) is proposed. Magnetic fields emitted from human brains with a 64-channel whole-head SQUID magnetometer in he superconducting magnetic shield of high-Tc superconductor were detected. The characteristics of the superconducting magnetic shield and neuromagnetic SQUID measurements are described.

We report on the characterization of an AC-coupled, double-sided silicon strip detector, with fast binary readout electronics, in a pion beam before and after proton irradiation. The proton irradiation was non-uniform and to increase the damage the detector was heated to accelerate the anti-annealing. The effective radiation level was about 1 x [10.sup.14] p/[cm.sup.2]. Both the bias voltage of the detector and the threshold of the discriminator of the binary readout electronics were varied, and the efficiencies were determined. The irradiated detector clearly shows the effect of bulk inversion. The binary system proved to be efficient well below the full depletion voltage on the p-n junction side. Due to the highly non-uniform irradiation, the depletion voltage changes from close to zero to about 120V along a single strip, but the detector appears to work without any noticeable failures.

We report the results of a beam test at KEK using double-sided AC-coupled silicon microstrip detectors with binary readout, i.e., a readout where the signals are discriminated in the front-end electronics and only the hit location as kept. For strip pitch between 50[Mu] and 200[Mu], we determine the efficiency and the noise background as function of threshold setting. This allows us to reconstruct the Landau pulse height spectrum and determine the signal/noise ratio. In addition, the threshold/noise ratio necessary for operation with low occupancy is determined.

Neuromagnetic superconducting quantum interference device (SQUID) measurements were performed on a human brain protected by a helmet-shaped superconducting magnetic shield made from Bi-Sr-Ca-Cu-Ox alloy. The cerebral magnetic fields were generated by electrically stimulating the tibial nerves of the right ancle of a human subject. The measured data show that the presence of the helmet-shaped magnetic shield reduced the low-frequency-noise components of the fields and enhanced the accuracy of the SQUID measurements.

Summary: This study showed that autoimmune arthritis induces especially severe osteoporosis in the periarticular region adjacent to inflamed joints, suggesting that arthritis increases the fragility fracture risk near inflamed joints, which is frequently observed in patients with RA. Introduction: Periarticular osteoporosis near inflamed joints is a hallmark of early rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here we show that rheumatic inflammation deteriorates the bone quality and bone quantity of periarticular bone, thereby decreasing bone strength and toughness in a mouse model of RA. Methods: Female BALB/c mice and SKG mice, a mutant mouse model of autoimmune arthritis on the BALB/c background, were used. At 12 weeks of age, BALB/c mice underwent either Sham surgery or bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), and SKG mice underwent intraperitoneal injection of mannan to induce arthritis. Eight weeks later, the mice were killed and the femurs and tibias were subjected to micro-computed tomography, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopic imaging, X-ray diffraction, histology, and mechanical testing. Results: SKG mice developed significant trabecular bone loss in both the distal metaphysis of the femur and the lumbar vertebral body, but the extent of the bone loss was more severe in the distal metaphysis. Neither SKG nor OVX mice exhibited changes in the geometry and matrix properties of the diaphysis of the femur, whereas SKG mice, but not OVX mice, did exhibit changes in these properties in the distal metaphysis of the femur. Bone strength and fracture toughness of the distal metaphysis of the tibia adjacent to the inflamed ankle joint were significantly decreased in SKG mice. Conclusions: Autoimmune arthritis induces periarticular osteoporosis, characterized by deterioration of cortical bone geometry and quality as well as by trabecular bone loss, leading to severe bone fragility in periarticular bone adjacent to inflamed joints. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Study Design:Prospective cross-sectional study.Objectives:To investigate the timing of deep vein thrombosis (DVT) onset secondary to spinal cord injury without anticoagulant therapies.Setting:Spinal Cord Injury Center in Hokkaido, Japan.Methods:Between November 2012 and June 2013, patients with spinal cord injury who were admitted to our hospital within 1 day after the injury and treated surgically within 24 h underwent a neurological examination, leg vein ultrasonography and D-dimer test 1, 3, 7, 14 and 28 days after surgery. All patients received treatment with intermittent pneumatic compression and elastic stockings, but without any anticoagulant.Results:DVT developed in 12 patients (11 men and 1 women), with a mean age of 62.2 years (range, 41-80 years; mean age of total sample, 63.2 years (range, 25-78 years)), all distal to the popliteal vein. DVT occurred more often with a more severe paralysis (66.3%, AIS A and B). The median (± standard error) length of time from the operation to DVT detection was 7.5±2.2 days. The mean D-dimer level upon DVT detection was 14.6±11.8 μg ml−1, with no significant differences between those who developed DVT and those who did not at any of the time points.Conclusion:These results suggest that DVT can develop at the very-acute stage of spinal cord injury and the incidence increases with a more severe paralysis. DVT detection was more reliable with ultrasonography, which should be used with DVT-preventive measures, beginning immediately after the injury, for the management of patients with spinal cord injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Reactivation of hepatitis B virus ( HBV) infection, reverse seroconversion ( RS), is a serious complication after allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo HSCT). We previously conducted a post-transplant hepatitis B vaccine intervention trial and demonstrated the vaccine efficacy in preventing HBV- RS. This report is an update of the hepatitis B vaccine study. Methods In this trial, 21 patients were enrolled and received a standard 3-dose regimen of hepatitis B vaccine after discontinuation of immunosuppressants, whereas 25 transplant recipients with previous HBV infection did not receive the vaccine and served as controls. Results None of the 21 patients in the vaccine group developed HBV- RS and 12 controls developed HBV- RS in median follow-up periods of 60 months (range 13-245). HBV vaccine resulted in a positive value of hepatitis B surface antibody ( HBsAb) titer in 9 patients, while HBsAb remained negative in 12 patients. Presence of a high titer of HBsAb before vaccination was associated with conversion into HBsAb positivity after vaccination. Conclusion These results demonstrated the long-term effects of HBV vaccine for preventing HBV- RS after allo HSCT. Of note, no HBV- RS occurred, even in patients who did not achieve conversion into HBsAb positivity after vaccination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this retrospective cohort study, two surgical methods of conventional open-door laminoplasty and deep extensor muscle-preserving laminoplasty were allocated for the treatment of cervical myelopathy, and were specifically compared in terms of axial pain, cervical spine function, and quality of life (QOL) with a minimum follow-up period of 2 years. Eighty-four patients were divided into two groups and received either a conventional open-door laminoplasty (CL group) or laminoplasty using a deep extensor muscle-preserving approach (MP group). The latter approach was performed by preserving multifidus and semispinalis cervicis attachments followed by open-door laminoplasty and re-suture of the bisected spinous processes at each decompression level. The average follow-up period was 38 months (25-53 months). The preoperative and follow-up evaluations included the original Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) score, the new tentative JOA score including cervical spine function and QOL, and the visual analogue scale (VAS) of axial pain. Radiological analyses included cervical lordosis and flexion-extension range of motion (flex-ext ROM) (C2-7), and deep extensor muscle areas on MR axial images. The JOA recovery rates were statistically equivalent between two groups. The MP group demonstrated a statistically superior cervical spine function (84% vs 63%) and QOL (61% vs 45%) when compared to the CL group at final follow-up (P < 0.05). The average VAS scores at final follow-up were 2.3 and 4.9 in MP and CL groups (P < 0.05). The cervical lordosis and flex-ext ROM were statistically equivalent. The percent deep muscle area on MRI demonstrated a significant atrophy in CL group compared to that in MP group (56% vs 88%; P < 0.01). Laminoplasty employing the deep extensor muscle-preserving approach appeared to be effective in reducing the axial pain and deep muscle atrophy as well as improving cervical spine function and QOL when compared to conventional open-door laminoplasty. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

STUDY DESIGN: A retrospective review. OBJECTIVE: This study examined the clinical outcomes of circumferential spinal cord decompression through a posterior approach for thoracic ossification of posterior longitudinal ligament (OPLL), to determine the efficacy of this procedure and the incidence of complications. SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA: Since posterior decompressive laminectomy is not always effective in the treatment of thoracic myelopathy caused by OPLL, circumferential spinal cord decompression through a single posterior approach seems to offer an effective treatment option. However, this procedure is technically demanding and has a high risk of postoperative neurologic deterioration. Long-term clinical outcome data and complication rates of this procedure are not well covered in the literature. METHODS: Medical records of sequentially treated 30 patients, who had undergone circumferential spinal cord decompression through a single posterior approach, were reviewed to determine demographic data, neurologic examination, imaging findings, surgical procedure, and follow-up data. The Japanese Orthopedic Association (JOA) score was used to assess physical dysfunction and neurologic impairment. RESULTS: The mean follow-up period was 8 years; the average operative time was 389 minutes; the mean blood loss was 1883 mL. An average of 4-level spinal cord decompression was performed on all 30 patients. Posterior spinal fusion was performed on 26 of the 30 patients. The mean preoperative JOA score was 3.4/11, and it improved to an average of 7.1/11 at final evaluation. Clinical symptoms and the JOA score improved in 24 patients, but were unchanged or worsened in the other 6 patients compared to the preoperative conditions. Surgical complications included dural tear in 12 patients (40%), deep infection in 3 (10%), and postoperative neurologic deterioration in 10 (33%). Statistical analysis showed that a risk factor associated with the unfavorable surgical outcomes was multiple level circumferential spinal cord decompression of 5 or more vertebral levels. CONCLUSION: Despite circumferential spinal cord decompression through posterior approach for thoracic OPLL providing effective neurologic recovery, there was a high rate of complications such as postoperative neurologic deterioration. Risk factor analysis shows that multiple level circumferential decompression of 5 or more vertebral levels to be associated with unfavorable surgical outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Crustacean posture control is based on a complex interaction between the statocyst input and other sensory inputs as well as the animal's behavioral context. We examined the effects of behavioral condition on the activity of descending statocyst pathways using an optical telemetry system that allowed underwater recording of neuronal signals from freely behaving crayfish. A functionally identified statocyst-driven interneuron that directionally responded to body tilting without a footboard and to tilting of the footboard was found to show complicated responses depending upon the ongoing behavior of the animal when it freely walked around in water on the aquarium floor. The spike firing frequency of the interneuron increased significantly during walking. When the animal stood or walked on the tilted floor, the interneuron activity represented the tilt angle and direction if the abdomen was actively flexed, but not if it was extended. Two other statocyst-driven descending interneurons were found to be affected differently by the animal's behavioral condition: the spike activity of one interneuron increased during walking, but its directional response on the tilted floor was completely absent during abdominal posture movements, whereas that of another interneuron was enhanced during abdominal extension only, representing the tilt angle and direction. The results obtained in this study provide the first experimental demonstration that crustacean postural control under natural conditions is dependent on very fine aspects of the animal's locomotor behavioral context, suggesting far more complex control mechanisms than those expected from the experimental data obtained in isolated and fixed animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A master equation approach including weak exciton–phonon coupling is applied to the exciton dynamics of a dendritic molecular aggregate modeled after a phenylacetylene dendrimer, D25, which exhibits an efficient light-harvesting property. The mechanism of exciton migration from the periphery to the core is studied by analyzing relaxation terms among the exciton states originating in weak exciton–phonon coupling. Partial overlaps of exciton distributions between neighboring exciton states are found to be important for realizing the unique migration behavior by stepwise transfer from the periphery to the core via multi-step exciton states. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

T-3262[p-toluenesulfonic acid salt of dl-7-(3-amino-1-pyrrolidinyl)-1-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-6-fluoro-1, 4-dihydro-4-oxo-1, 8-naphthyridine-3-carboxylic acid monohydrate] is a new pyridone carboxylic acid with a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. The activity of T-3262 against most Enterobacteriaceae was comparable with that of ciprofloxacin except Proteus spp. and Providencia rettgeri and exceeded that of ofloxacin and norfloxacin. The activity of T-3262 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was comparable with that of ciprofloxacin, and T-3262 was more active than the other new quinolones against Acinetobacter calcoaceticus, Branhamella catarrhalis and Haemophilus influenzae, and also against staphylococci, streptococci, and Bacteroides fragilis. The protective effects of a single oral dose of T-3262 on systemic infection in mice were greater than norfloxacin. T-3262 was as effective as ofloxacin and ciprofloxacin against systemic infections in an animal model with Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, and more active against Ps. aeruginosa infections. T-3262 showed excellent activity against staphylococcal and streptococcal infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibacterial activity of quinolones against three species of coagulase-negative staphylococci was investigated. Tosufloxacin and sparfloxacin exhibited potent activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis, Staphylococcus haemolyticus and Staphylococcus saprophyticus compared with other quinolones tested. From the analysis of the DNA sequence in the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR), greater than 80% homology was recognized in coagulase-negative staphylococci. A series residue was conserved in all six species at the position corresponding to position 84 in Staphylococcus aureus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mutations in the quinolone-resistance determining regions (QRDR) of the gyrA, gyrB and grlA genes and in the norA gene from five clinical isolates of methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) were examined by DNA sequencing. The mutation from Ser84 to Leu in GyrA was associated with relatively high-level resistance to quinolones, whereas the mutation from Glu88 to Gly or Lys in GyrA was associated with low-level resistance to quinolones. Mutations of the grlA gene were observed at codon 80 (Ser80) or 84 (Glu84), independent of the mutations of gyrA. No mutations were observed in either the gyrB or norA genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]