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The aetiology of ulcerative colitis is inadequately understood, and drug therapy has been empirical rather than based on sound understanding of disease aetiology. This has been a major factor for refractoriness and adverse drug effects as additional complications. However, ulcerative colitis by its very nature is exacerbated and perpetuated by inflammatory cytokines, which are released by peripheral granulocytes and monocytes as well. Additionally, active ulcerative colitis is often associated with elevated peripheral granulocytes and monocytes with activation behaviour and are found in vast numbers within the colonic mucosa. Hence, from the clinicopathologic viewpoint, granulocytes and monocytes are appropriate targets for therapy in ulcerative colitis. Based on this thinking, an Adacolumn has been developed for depleting excess granulocytes and monocytes by adsorption.By colonoscopy, biopsy and histology, we investigated the impact of granulocyte and monocyte adsorption (GMA) on the mucosal level of granulocytes and monocytes in patients with active ulcerative colitis. Forty-five patients (26 steroid naïve and 19 steroid-dependent), mean age 44.7 yr, were included. Twenty patients had total colitis and 25 had left-sided colitis. Each patient was given up to 11 GMA sessions over 12 weeks. No patient received additional medications within 4 weeks (steroid) to 8 weeks (other immunosuppressants) prior to entry or during the GMA course. Colonoscopy together with biopsy was done at entry and within 2 weeks after the last GMA session.At entry, the mean clinical activity index was 12.6; range 10-16. A total of 400 colonic biopsies were examined, which revealed massive infiltration of the colonic mucosa by granulocytes, and GMA was associated with striking reduction of granulocytes in the mucosa. At week 12, 33 of 45 patients (73.3%, P0.01) had achieved clinical remission (the mean clinical activity indexor= 4). Colonoscopy revealed that most non-responders had deep colonic ulcers and extensive loss of the mucosal tissue. The response rate in steroid naïve subgroup was 22 of 26 patients (84.6%, P0.005) and in steroid-dependent was 11 of 19 (57.9%, P0.05 and P=0.02154 for steroid naïve vs. steroid-dependent). Patients who achieved remission could continue with their salicylates. On average, remission was sustained for 7.8 months in all 33 responders.This is the first report showing a striking difference in clinical response to GMA between steroid naïve and steroid-dependent patients. Further, patients with deep colonic ulcers together with extensive loss of the mucosal tissue are not like to respond to GMA.

The surface discharge on a dielectric barrier induced by dc pulses was successfully utilized as a stable bipolar ion source for neutralizing submicron aerosol particles where the concentration of positive and negative ions could be adjusted independently (a surface-discharge microplasma aerosol charger: SMAC; Kwon et al., 2005). The aim of this study was to determine the charge distribution obtained by the SMAC, which has been qualitatively presented in our previous study, and to investigate the effect of unequal bipolar ion concentration on the charge distribution. For this purpose, we performed quantitative analysis of the charge distribution of monodisperse particles in the size range of 30–200 nm acquired by the SMAC and compared the charge distributions with calculated charge fractions obtained from the diffusion charging theory. The ion parameters were calculated by measuring the ion mobility of positive and negative ions and they were used to obtain the analytic solutions of charge distribution. Th...

White root rot, caused by Rosellinia necatrix, is a serious soilborne disease of fruit trees and other woody plants. R. necatrix isolate W370 contains 12 segments of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) that is believed to represent a possible member of the family Reoviridae. W370 was weakly virulent and its hyphal-tip strains became dsRNA free and strongly virulent. The 12 segments of W370dsRNA were transmitted to hygromycin B-resistant strain RT37-1, derived from a dsRNA-free strain of W370 in all or none fashion through hyphal contact with W370. The W370dsRNA-transmitted strains were less virulent than their parent strain RT37-1 on apple seedlings, with mortality ranging between 0 to 16.7% in apple seedlings that were inoculated with the W370dsRNA-containing strains and 50 to 100% for seedlings inoculated with the dsRNA-free strains. Some W370dsRNA-containing strains killed greater than 16.7% of seedlings, but these were found to have lost the dsRNA in planta. These results indicate that W370dsRNA is a hypovirulence factor in R. necatrix. In addition, a strain lost one segment (S8) of W370dsRNA during subculture, and the S8-deficient mutant strain also exhibits hypovirulence in R. necatrix.

Imaging and detection of objects at optical wavelengths offers better resolution than at microwave or millimeter wavelengths. However, the imaging is severely affected by scattering from fog and clouds. This paper presents a study of optical imaging through clouds by using the point-source vector radiative transfer theory. The point-spread function including complete polarization characteristics is presented with numerical examples at 1 /spl mu/m wavelength showing the effects of aperture size and optical depth on the shower curtain effects.

To investigate the effect of the synovial fluid from knee joints of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients with different severities of joint destruction on osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption.Synovial fluid was harvested from the knee joints of 59 RA patients and 37 ostcoarthritis (OA) patients. RA patients with Larsen's knee grade 1-3 were classified as mild RA (n = 30) and those with grade 4 or 5 as severe RA (n = 29). Cytokine concentrations in synovial fluid were measured by ELISA. Osteoclastogenesis was measured by tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP)-positive multinucleated cell (MNC) formation in a co-culture of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells, and bone resorption by 45Ca release from pre-labelled cultured neonatal mouse calvariae.The synovial fluid of severe RA patients significantly stimulated TRAP-positive MNC formation and 45Ca release compared to those of mild RA and OA patients. Among the bone-resorptive cytokines fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), interleukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), only FGF-2 concentration in the synovial fluid was positively correlated to Larsen's grade, and severe RA patients showed significantly higher FGF-2 concentrations than mild RA patients. Osteoclastogenesis in a co-culture system which was stimulated by the synovial fluid of severe RA patients was significantly inhibited by a neutralizing antibody against FGF-2 and this inhibition was stronger than antibodies against other cytokines.The increase in endogenous FGF-2 levels in the synovial fluid of RA patients may play a role in the joint destruction by inducing osteoclastogenesis.

The polarimetric angular memory effect is applied to obtain the average topographic height of a rough surface. This novel effect improves the height sensitivity while maintaining a good degree of correlation between the sensors. By using a reference flat surface, the interferometric phase is linearly related to the mean topographic height. The combination of angular memory and wideband frequency interferometry (AMFI) is realized and offers a means to design a robust interferometric system. Extension of the technique to the pulse scattering problem is studied through the two-frequency mutual coherence function, and its time-domain transform provides an equivalent way to obtain the mean topographic height by combining both spatial and temporal diversity. Millimeter-wave (MMW) experiments are conducted with rough surfaces of different statistics and scattering media of different types (gravel, sand, and rough surfaces) to prove the effectiveness of the technique.

An experimental study was conducted to investigate the angular memory effect of millimeter-wave scattering from two-dimensional conducting random rough surfaces. The surfaces under investigation were machine-fabricated with known Gaussian roughness statistics, and the copolarized and cross-polarized angular correlation functions (ACFs) of scattering amplitudes were measured. It was found that for the case of reference antenna positions located bistatically in a backward direction, the measured ACF exhibits broad response when single scattering dominates but two peaks when multiple scatteringdominates. These observations are in good agreement with the second-order Kirchhoff approximation (KA2). Specifically, the observed broad and peak responses are analytically identified to be due to the first-order and second-order (ladder and cyclical) scattering components, respectively, in KA2.

The product branching ratio was studied in relation to the radical scrambling mechanism of laser isotope separation of uranium. A mixture of UF6/CH4/Ar was irradiated either using a low-intensity cw-UV source (high-pressure Hg lamp, 250 nm ∼ 400 nm) or using high-intensity pulsed UV lasers (4th-harmonic YAG laser at 266 nm or KrF laser at 248 nm) in a supersonic nozzle reactor. While the latter gave a higher C2H6/CH3F ratio in the photoproduct than the former, the C2H6/CH3F branching ratio was found to disagree with the results reported in a static cell experiment. This anomaly in the results obtained using a supersonic nozzle reactor was well represented by a model proposed in this study which assumed no mixing before a shock wave zone and sufficient mixing after it, leading to complete suppression of radical recombination.

We present the ultrasonic attenuation dependent on Al2O3 concentration at 3 MHz as a function of temperature in Na2Zr1.5Mg0.5(PO4)3-Al2O3 composite. From the ultrasonic relaxation spectra, we obtained an activation energy and a relaxation strength and then compared to the data obtained from an analysis of frequency-dependent resistivity. The background attenuation at 430 K was also estimated. Owing to these results, we explained an ionic mechanism.

The infrared (IR) and Raman spectra of gaseous Si 2 F 6 have been measured in the spectral range from 150 to 4400 cm −1 and from 30 to 2000 cm −1 , respectively. We have found that the doubly degenerate antisymmetric vibrations are not only IR but also Raman active. The previously assigned D 3 d structure of the molecule is therefore questionable and other possible structures are discussed. The torsional frequency has been indirectly measured to be 38 cm −1 . Values for the harmonic force field constants have been obtained with the Wilson's F-G matrix method and compared with a previous calculation. Coriolis coupling constants, vibrational amplitudes and isotopic shifts have also been estimated.

On an ad-hoc network which is consisted of movable nodes, the network topology is dynamic because each node is adaptive. So we must maintain the routing table in order to send a packet. In proactive routing protocols, each node exchanges their routing information in order to maintain the routing tables. In this type of protocol, we can send a packet quickly, but a lot of control packets are needed. So the battery life is short. On the other hand, in reactive routing protocols, a node starts making the routing table after receiving a packet sending request. So this protocol takes a lot of seconds to send a packet. In this paper, we focus on the cause that changes the routing table. Because we should update the routing table only when the node moves, we propose a novel routing protocol which has the acceleration information from the sensor. And a node exchanges the routing table only if it moves. We apply it to the surveillance camera system at a parking lot.

The effect of a random medium on the microwave imaging process is experimentally examined by positioning randomly distributed glass beads embedded in thin styrofoam sheets in various densities between the target and the antennas. The main effect of the random medium is a reduction in the signal-to-noise ratio for the tested medium with a small size parameter. If the medium consists of densely distributed particles, it is shown that the image quality is less than that of the sparsely distributed particle medium of the same optical distance. >

Background Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) is often used to assess functional disabilities, and is closely associated with disease activity and radiographic joint damage in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) 1 . Joint range of motion (ROM) is also affected by inflammation and joint destruction in RA. However, the relationship between HAQ and large joint ROM still remains. Objectives To examine the association of HAQ with clinical parameters including ROM of large joints in patients with RA. Methods We have examined 62 patients with RA that were resistant to disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs). The mean age was 58.7 years and mean disease duration was 10.2 years. We measured ROM of cervical spine and large joints (bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle joints), CRP, MMP-3 DAS28-ESR, SDAI, CDAI, degree of large joint damage (ARASHI status score 2 and HAQ. Correlations of parameters were estimated by Spearman9s rank correlation coefficient. Differences were considered significant if two-sided P-values were Results HAQ was well correlated with DAS28-ESR, SDAI and CDAI as expected. HAQ was not correlated with total ARASHI status score. However, HAQ was significantly correlated with shoulder flexion (r=0.38, P Conclusions We showed that HAQ was associated with ROM of large joint in patients with RA. Specifically, shoulder, elbow and ankle plantar flexion were important determinants of HAQ and, therefore, should be monitored to guide treatment. References Drossaers-Bal KW, et al. Arthritis Rheum. 1999; 42; 1854-1860. Kaneko A, Matsushita I, et al. Mod Rheumatol. 2013; 23; 1053-1062. Disclosure of Interest None declared

Methotrexate (MTX)-induced acute lung injury developed in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis. She was successfully treated with high-dose glucocorticoid therapy. During her hospital stay, the serum concentration of surfactant protein (SP)-D, which was markedly elevated on admission, was finally normalized and the disease resolved. However, the serum concentration of Klebs von den Lungen (KL)-6 remained high. Although the mechanisms of lung injury by MTX have not been well defined, serial measurements of serum SPD might be useful for the clinical evaluation of drug-induced acute lung injury.

A mechanically steerable antenna was designed and developed using an adjustable microwave phase shifter. The dielectric material /spl epsiv//sub /spl tau// = 10 (alumina) was used as the dielectric slab and was placed close to a coplanar TL. Numerical simulations using Ansoft HFSS and Designer were conducted at 20 GHz. For the testing purpose, a 4-element steerable array antenna at 5.8 GHz was fabricated and measured.

A truck mounted, fully polarimetric radar system was used for measuring the backscattering from snow-covered terrain at 35 and 94 GHz. The radar system is capable of obtaining the Mueller matrix using the coherent-on-receive method. In this technique, the radar transmits 6 different polarizations and measures magnitude and phase of V and H channels simultaneously. The Mueller matrix and the degree of polarization were obtained as a function of incidence angle and the terrain roughness. The diurnal measurement showed that the degree of polarization was sensitive to the snow liquid water content. polarization was approximately 0.5 for the circular incidence polarization. During the warm daytime, on the other hand, the degree of polarization increased to about 0.8.

(1996). Experimental studies of millimeter-wave scattering in discrete random media and from rough surfaces - Summary. Journal of Electromagnetic Waves and Applications: Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 451-453.

Measurements of multiphoton absorption of 16 µm Raman-laser radiation in supercooled238UF6 at 90 K were performed by using a pulsed Laval nozzle with an optical path length of 50 cm. The laser fluence was varied between 50 and 500 mJ/cm2 for four frequencies in the range from 625 to 629 cm−1. The energy absorbed by238UF6 molecules was investigated as a function of laser frequency or fluence, and highly accurate results were obtained with the use of the nozzle whose optical path length is much greater than that of nozzles used before. The results indicated that the absorption cross section at the peak absorption frequency (627.8cm−1) was proportional to the −1/3 power of the fluence.

An extensive radar clutter database was generated by the University of Michigan's millimeter-wave mobile polarimetric radar system. The database includes millimeter-wave observations of snow, trees, vegetation, and soil and road surfaces at 35, 94, 140, and 215 GHz. The radar measurements were often augmented with close-up observations of the targets including such measurements as water content and surface roughness when appropriate. For each data set, a summary of the observations and photographs of the target scene are provided. The millimeter-wave system consists of truck-mounted radars capable of making observations from a 20 m high platform at incidence angles between 0 and 70 degrees . The 35 and 94 GHz radars are fully polarimetric and capable obtaining the Mueller matrix in situ. >

We investigate experimentally an adaptive imaging approach, namely that of a synthetic wideband, stepped CW transmitter and a multichannel adaptive array for receiving backscattered energy from short range objects in a full +/-90 degree field of view. The method is a hybrid one, using conventional Fourier processing for range and is adaptive in angle. The 12-element linear array that was constructed is able to form an image in range and angle without Doppler information, and was tested with targets embedded in natural background clutter. The results show how background clutter affects the angular resolution of the array due to the increase in rank of the signal-plus-clutter covariance matrix, whereas at the same time the rank of this matrix is reduced for closely spaced scatterers due to signal coherence. In addition to investigating some known angular enhancement methods, we propose a method to enhance angular resolution in the presence of clutter by a projection, which seeks to reduce the received signal to a lower rank approximation, without using eigendecomposition, thus having an implementation advantage. This method allows more control over the angular resolution and the background clutter level. Computer simulations as well as the experimental results are presented.

In this work we have investigated the problem of angle of arrival (AOA) estimation in the indoor environment. Coherent, multi-path signals must be resolved. The approach is based upon measurement of the AOA using a band of frequencies, approximately 10%-20% of center, and utilizes order statistic filtering to estimate the true angle of arrival from the set of individual AOAs. A plane wave model is assumed for the propagating waves and a random arrangement of scatterers between the source and receiver array is assumed. We have constructed a four-element dipole array and associated receiver-acquisition system to test the approach. The results show good AOA estimates can be obtained in a building that would otherwise yield completely inconsistent estimates using narrowband methods. In addition we have simulated EM (electromagnetic) wave propagation characteristics inside buildings using 3-D computer simulation codes based on ray tracing. The model includes the physical and electrical description of the walls and the patterns of the antennas used. The EM modeling is used for evaluating the base level performance of indoor AOA algorithms.

The focus of this paper is to investigate the application of wideband adaptive array processing techniques to the problem of radar imaging. In particular we are interested in joint range-angle estimation with angular resolution improvement for small, relative to /spl lambda/, antennas. The simulations and experimental results indicate that this approach is viable in a practical sense, and yields significant angular resolution improvement over conventional methods.

Background Structural impairment of large joints in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is strongly associated with functional disabilities. Although evaluation methods of large joint damage were limited, the ARASHI study group has recently devised new radiographic scoring system (Status score; range 0-16 points, and Change score: range -11 to 12 points) [1]. Objectives To evaluate the radiographic damage of 10 large joints (bilateral shoulder, elbow, hip, knee and ankle joints) in patients with RA using the ARASHI score, and to explore factors that predict the progression of large joint damage. Methods We have prospectively examined 64 patients with RA. Radiographic findings of large joints (122 shoulder, 123 elbow, 120 hip, 98 knee, and 117 ankle joints), excluding the joints with history of surgical intervention, were evaluated at baseline using the ARASHI status score and at 1 year using the ARASHI change score. Total ARASHI status score and change score were calculated from scores of all 10 large joints in each patient. We measured CRP, MMP-3 DAS28-ESR, SDAI, CDAI and HAQ-DI at baseline and at 1 year, and then compared differences of these clinical features between total ARASHI change score Results The mean total ARASHI status score of all 10 large joints in 64 patients was 8.70 (0-58) at baseline. The total ARASHI change score showed joint remodeling (change score ≤ -1) in 18 patients (28.1%) and progression of joint damage in 21 patients (32.8%) at 1 year. The age, disease duration, CRP, MMP-3, disease activity, HAQ-DI and total ARASHI status score at baseline were not significantly different between non-progression group and progression group. The CRP, disease activity and HAQ-DI at 1 year were also not significantly different in each group. However, the mean MMP-3 value at 1 year in progression group was significantly higher that in non-progression group (153.5 ng/ml vs 80.9 ng/ml, P Conclusions We evaluated the radiographic damage of all 10 large joints in each patient with RA using total ARASHI score. Our results showed that decrement of serum MMP-3 level was associated with the inhibition of large joint damage in RA. References Kaneko A, et al. Mod Rheumatol. 2013; 23; 1053-1062. Disclosure of Interest None declared DOI 10.1136/annrheumdis-2014-eular.3961

Background Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) is characterised by severe and irreversible bone destruction in affected joints on its last stage. On the other hand, bone absorption by osteoclasts may be a natural physiological phenomenon as bone remodelling in mature manhood. Throughout our life, bone is constantly renewed with the process of old bone removing and new bone supplement. Osteoclasts are derived from the hematopoietic granulocyte/macrophage colony forming units, which also become to monocytes and macrophages, and their progenitors move from bone marrow to bone surface through the circulation or direct migration, and differentiate to functional mature osteoclasts with stimulation of some cytokines and/or direct contact. In RA, or another bone destructive disease, activated osteoclasts certainly have a critical role in bone destruction. But, is that all? How bone is broke down in RA? We have speculation that some cells derived from rheumatoid synovia were activated by inflammatory cytokines abundant in the joint of RA and take a significant role in the destruction of the bone. Objectives To elucidate what mechanism is there, we have observed the pannus-bone junctions in detail. Methods The specimens of the destructive bone derived from the RA patients under arthroplasty with their consent. Tissue sections from the pannus-bone junctions at sites of bone erosion were examined by hematoxylin-eosin staining, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) staining, and electron microscopy. Synovial tissues were also examined immunohistochemically. Results The specimens of the destructive bone derived from the RA patients showed that there were many not-classical osteoclasts in the area of bone erosions. Cells in the erosive front of RA are divided in four groups, the authentic osteoclasts, mononuclear osteoclasts, fibroblast-like cells and monocytes. The electron microscopy observations revealed that the fibroblast-like cells certainly have some contact with bone matrix. TRAP-positive cells and vitronectin receptor -positive cells were seen in frozen sections of synovial membrane from the patient with RA. Conclusion Our result showed that not only authentic osteoclasts, but the mononuclear cells and fibroblast-like cells were activated and have some role in bone destruction of RA. References Arthritis Rheum. 1984;27:968–75 Ann Rhuem Dis. 1993;52:133–7

A 16-year-old male presented with a large, solid hemangioblastoma located in the upper cervical cord manifesting as hyperactive reflexes, subtle weakness, and diminished position sense in all extremities. Neuroimaging studies indicated venous congestion due to arteriovenous shunt through the tumor. Preoperative embolization was accomplished without morbidity, and resulted in marked devascularization of the tumor and elimination of an early filling vein. Four days after embolization, the tumor was totally excised without excessive intraoperative bleeding. His neurological deficits gradually improved after surgery. Preoperative embolization is a valuable adjunct to surgical excision of large intramedullary hemangioblastomas, especially those associated with arteriovenous shunt, as cord dysfunction related to venous congestion and the risk of torrential intraoperative bleeding are reduced.

1. Chitin is known to promote skin wound healing. In this study, chitin, prepared from Zuwai crab shell, was used as a bridge between the proximal and distal stumps of cut hypoglossal nerves in shrews. We compared the effects of chitin on the regeneration of transected right hypoglossal nerve axons, with those of porcine dermis, bovine dermal aterocollagen, and autologous nerve bundles. 2. To assess the survival of neurones, the size of neuronal cell body, and number of motoneurones were determined in the absence of any bridged material and in the presence of porcine dermis, bovine dermal aterocollagen, chitin, or autologous nerve bundles as a bridge. 3. Our results revealed a significantly better outcome in chitin and autologous nerve bridged groups; the size of neuronal cell body and number of hypoglossal neurones were higher than in the other groups. Chitin also enhanced the regeneration of neurones; the number of horseradish peroxide positive neurones indicative of repaired axonal processes was significantly higher in chitin and autologous nerve-bridged groups than in other groups. 4. Our results demonstrated that the use of chitin sheet or autograft successfully prevented the death of severed neurones and promoted the regeneration of the lesioned nerve. Although the mechanisms underlying the effects of chitin are still unknown, chitin seems to be a potentially useful biocompatible material for nerve repair and regeneration.

A 21-year-old female presented with an unusual case of posterior fossa arteriovenous malformation (AVM) associated with ipsilateral persistent primitive trigeminal artery (PPTA), manifesting as intraparenchymal hemorrhage involving both the brain stem and the left cerebellar hemisphere. The presenting symptoms were compatible with Wallenberg's syndrome and Foville's syndrome on the left side. She was initially treated conservatively, and subsequently with transarterial embolization followed by stereotactic radiosurgery. This case combined the rare association of posterior fossa AVM and PPTA, with the clinical presentation of intraparenchymal hemorrhage causing both Wallenberg's syndrome and Foville's syndrome.

We studied the effects of intracarotid papaverine and prostaglandin E1 incorporated in lipid microsphere (Lipo-PGE1) in relation with transcranial Doppler parameters such as mean flow velocity (MFV) and pulsatile index (PI) of the proximal segment of the middle cerebral artery. Eighty patients with subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) were included in this study. In the case of angiographic vasospasm, papaverine at 7 mg/min with total dose below 300 mg per artery and 10-20 micrograms of Lipo-PGE1 were injected in the supraclinoid portion of the internal carotid artery. Vasospasm was improved in 24 patients (63%), however, it was unchanged in 14 patients (37%). The former patients had more favorable outcomes than the latter patients (p0.005). After intracarotid injection therapy, the correlation between MFV and PI was classified into three types: type 1, both MFV and PI decreased; type 2, MFV decreased but PI increased; and type 3, both MFV and PI fluctuated. The Glasgow Outcome Scale 3 months after SAH was as follows: type 1 (n = 15), good in 14 (93%) and moderate disability in one (7%); type 2 (n = 9), good in eight (89%) and vegetative state in one (11%); and type 3 (n = 14), moderate disability in five (36%), severe disability in seven (50%), and death in two (14%). Chi-square analysis showed significant differences between type 1 and type 3 (p0.005), and type 2 and type 3 (p0.005). In conclusion, intracarotid papaverine combined with Lipo-PGE1 was effective for vasospasm but type 3 patients require a different treatment protocol.

The proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) plays an important role in the formation of atherosclerotic lesions and restenosis after angioplasty. It has been suggested that probucol inhibits VSMCs proliferation, but this effect has not been directly demonstrated. In this study we investigated the effect of probucol on neointimal formation after balloon injury in normocholesterolemic rabbits and examined whether probucol could inhibit the proliferation of rabbit cultured VSMC stimulated by fetal bovine serum (FBS). Probucol inhibited the formation of neointima by about 63% 2 weeks after balloon injury. Probucol inhibited the increase in the number of cultured VSMCs and bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation stimulated by 10% FBS in a dose-dependent manner. Also, 10% FBS stimulated the activities of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAP kinase) and protein kinase C (PKC) in cultured VSMCs. Probucol inhibited these activities in a dose-dependent fashion. These results suggest that probucol may inhibit neointimal formation after balloon injury in normocholesterolemic rabbits by preventing the proliferation of VSMCs via inactivation of MAP kinase and PKC.

The effect of bezafibrate on plasma lipoproteins was investigated in Japanese familial combined hyperlipidemic patients with or without an impaired glucose tolerance accompanied by a low-density lipoprotein subclass, with the major gradient gel peak at a particle diameter of less than 25.5 nm. Bezafibrate treatment at a dose of 400 mg/d for 12 weeks produced an antiatherogenic effect on lipoprotein profiles, as reflected by a decrease in plasma triglyceride levels, an increase in plasma high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels, induction of the large-size subclass of low-density lipoprotein, and disappearance of intermediate-density lipoproteins. The plasma total and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol-lowering effect of bezafibrate was significant in patients without impaired glucose tolerance but was not significant in patients with impaired glucose tolerance. Bezafibrate increased lipoprotein lipase activity and decreased the activity of cholesteryl ester transfer protein, both in patients with or without impaired glucose tolerance. There was no difference in the distribution of signal peptide insertion/deletion or Xbal polymorphisms of the apolipoprotein B gene in patients with or without impaired glucose tolerance. Mechanisms other than lipoprotein lipase, cholesteryl ester transfer protein activities, and an apolipoprotein B gene polymorphism may be responsible for the resistance to lowering of plasma total and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels with bezafibrate treatment in familial combined hyperlipidemic patients with impaired glucose tolerance.

This paper is concerned with the numerical simulation for the electromagnetic (EM) scattering by a rough surface at a low grazing angle. First scattered electromagnetic fields are computed by the finite volume time domain (FVTD) method, second the field data in the time domain are converted to those in the spectral domain by the discrete Fourier transform (DFT), and finally far fields are computed by use of the Kirchhoff-Huygense theorem. The numerical results are compared with those obtained by other methods as well as with the experimental data.

The effects of cerivastatin sodium (BAY w 6228), a new type of inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase, on plasma cholesterol concentrations and the induction of hepatic LDL receptors were investigated with beagle dogs and Hep G2 cells. Oral administration of cerivastatin (0.01, 0.03, and 0.1 mg/kg per day) for 3 weeks reduced plasma total and very low-density lipoprotein plus low-density lipoprotein (VLDL + LDL) cholesterol concentrations and increased hepatic LDL receptor binding activity in dogs. Scatchard plot analysis revealed a 1.9-fold increase in the maximum binding capacity of hepatic LDL receptors in cerivastatin-treated animals. Similar results were obtained by administration of pravastatin (1.0 and 5.0 mg/kg/day) for 3 weeks. Binding activity of the LDL receptor, as well as receptor mRNA and protein concentrations, were increased in a dose-dependent manner (0.01-1.0 microM) by exposure of Hep G2 cells to cerivastatin. The results suggest that cerivastatin reduces plasma cholesterol concentrations by increasing hepatic LDL receptor expression. The mechanism of lowering cholesterol concentration by cerivastatin was the same as with the other previously examined HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors, but the effects with cerivastatin were apparent at doses much lower than the effective doses of the other drugs. Cerivastatin, therefore, shows potential for clinical use as a potent and efficacious plasma cholesterol-lowering drug.

The RING-finger is a unique zinc-chelating domain involved in mediating protein-protein interactions. The extensive sequence homology within the RING-finger domain allowed us to clone a novel member of the RING-finger family of genes. This cDNA clone, designated RNF5 (Ring-finger protein 5), contained an open reading frame of 540 nucleotides. Its predicted amino acid sequence revealed significant homology to a hypothetical protein encoded by Caenorhabditis elegans cosmid C16C10.7. The expression of RNF5 was detected in a variety of human tissues. The RNF5 gene was mapped by fluorescence in situ hybridization to chromosome 6p21.31. Radiation hybrid mapping further assigned RNF5 to a region proximal to the major histocompatibility complex (MHC) on chromosome 6. RNF5 is the third RING-finger gene identified in the region proximal to MHC raising the possibility that the RING-finger family of genes may exist as a cluster in this region.

The optical gain of a BGaN ternary system lattice-matched to 6H-SiC was estimated. The parameters used in this estimation, such as effective mass and a bandgap energy, were estimated according to Harrison's theory. The optical gain was estimated using the density matrix theory with intraband relaxation broadening. The transparency carrier density of BGaN is slightly only smaller than that of GaN. It may be possible to fabricate a BGaN-based semiconductor laser operating in the UV spectral region.

From a human fetal-brain cDNA library, we isolated and characterized a novel gene (KPNA3) encoding a protein highly homologous to certain nuclear transport proteins of Xenopus and human. The complete cDNA clone, designated karyopherin alpha 3, contained an open reading frame of 1,563 nucleotides encoding 521 amino acids. The predicted amino acid sequence showed 48%, 45% and 48% identity with Xenopus importin, yeast SRP1 and human RCH1, respectively. The similarities among these proteins suggest that karyopherin alpha 3 may be involved in the nuclear transport system. Eight repeats of the arm motif were well conserved among these proteins. The N-terminal region of the predicted karyopherin alpha 3 product was highly basic and the C-terminal region was strongly acidic. A 4.3-kb transcript was expressed in all adult human tissues examined by Northern blotting. The cDNA clone was assigned to chromosome band 13q14.3 by fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Background The influence of body mass index (BMI) on disease activity or risk for complication in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is unclear. Objectives To investigate the influences of BMI on disease activity, risk for hospitalization, and joint destruction in patients with RA using data of NinJa (National Database of Rheumatic Diseases by iR-net in Japan) in 2010. Methods A total of 3,255 RA patients (2,631 women and 624 men; mean age, 63.1 yr; disease duration, 13.1 yr; height/body weight/BMI, 153.2 cm/50.9 kg/21.7 kg/m 2 in women and 165.7 cm/61.6 kg/22.4k g/m 2 in men) were included in the analyses. They were categorized by BMI as follows; Group A (underweight): 2 , Group B (normal): 18.5-24.9 kg/m 2 , Group C (overweight): 25.0-29.9 kg/m 2 , Group D (obese): ≥30.0 kg/m 2 , and their composite disease activity indices (DAS28-ESR), their components and other markers (TJC, SJC, PtGA, PtPain, PhGA, mHAQ, CRP, ESR), incidence of hospitalization in 2010, and past history of joint arthroplasty were compared in a gender-specific manner. Results Women were younger (62.9 yr), had longer disease duration (14.0 yr), and higher SDAI scores (9.0) than men (65.2 yr, 9.6 yr, and 8.8). The mean SDAI scores were highest in Group A in both women and men. SDAI scores decreased gradually from Group A to D in men. Similarly, in women the scores decreased from A to C, but increased again in Group D (mean SDAI: Group A: 12.2, B: 8.9, C: 6.9, D: 4.0 in men, and A: 11.2, B: 8.6, C: 8.5, D: 10.6 in women). Mean numbers or values of each component showed almost similar trends to SDAI scores. In both women and men, incidence rate of hospitalization was highest in Group A (23.3% in women and 25.5% in men) and the following was in Group D (20.7% and 25.0%), but decreased in Group C (16.1% and 19.7%) and D (17.6% and 17.8%). Similar trends were observed in the rate of past history of joint arthroplasty. Conclusions Being underweight appears to be associated with high disease activity and risk for hospitalization in patients with RA. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

The antioxidative effect of monatepil maleate (CAS 103379-03-9, AJ-2615), a new antihypertensive agent, was investigated by measuring its ability to inhibit copper-induced lipid hydroperoxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) and was compared with those of diltiazem (Ca(2+)-channel antagonist), prazosin (alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist), and probucol. The concentration of AJ-2615 required to inhibit copper-induced lipid hydroperoxidation of LDL by 50% (IC50) was 28 mumol/l. The IC50 values for diltiazem, prazosin, and probucol were1 mmol/l,1 mmol/l, and 17 mumol/l, respectively. These results indicate that AJ-2615 has the same potent antioxidative effect as probucol and suggest that a previously reported ability of AJ-2615 to inhibit the progression of atherosclerosis may be due to this antioxidative property. In addition, the dihydrodibenzothiepine ring of AJ-2615 may have an antioxidative functions.

The response of the infarct-related coronary artery to acetylcholine (20, 30, 50 micrograms) was investigated in 30 patients without restenosis during a 4-month follow-up period after direct percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) of the left proximal anterior descending coronary artery. The patients were divided into two groups according to wall motion as obtained by the centerline method from a left ventricular angiogram: moderate group (n = 10) with reduced wall motion with less than 20 abnormal contraction segments (moderate reduction at the infarcted site), severe group (n = 20) with reduced wall motion with 20 or more abnormal contraction segments (severe reduction). The acetylcholine-induced percentage changes in luminal diameter were assessed at the PTCA site and the distal portion of the coronary artery and the effect of acetylcholine was compared at the two sites. Coronary artery diameter in the moderate and severe groups displayed 8.1 +/- 24.9% and 7.4 +/- 30.8% contraction at the PTCA site and 38.3 +/- 46.3% and 72.5 +/- 28.2% contraction at the distal portion, respectively. Severe group had greater contraction at the distal portion than at the PTCA site. Vasoconstriction of the patent infarct-related coronary artery tended to occur in the infarcted area where wall motion was severely affected. In addition, endothelial dysfunction appears to be induced by a lengthy interruption of epicardial coronary blood flow and is present in the patent infarcted coronary artery without restenosis.

Our findings revealed the nucleus ventralis lateralis pars oralis (VLo) projection to motor area, and the nucleus ventralis anterior pars principalis (VApc) projections to the premotor and supplementary motor areas (SMA). The VLo gave rise to thalamocortical projections terminating in the superficial half of layer I, mainly in the forelimb motor area. The VApc gave rise to the superficial projections to the post-arcuate premotor area around the arcuate genu and arcuate spur as well as SMA. We suggested that the medial pallidal segment projects to the motor area via VLo, and to the premotor area and SMA via VApc. We also proposed that the premotor area and SMA receive cerebellar afferents via nucleus ventralis lateralis pars caudalis and area X.