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Background: Redness of the facial skin is an important cosmetic concern. Although qualitative and quantitative modifications of sebum on the skin surface are major pathogenic factors of chronic inflammatory skin conditions, the relationship between skin redness, sebum, and mild inflammation on the cheeks of healthy subjects remains elusive. Aims: We aimed to explore the correlation between cheek redness and sebum and inflammatory cytokines in the stratum corneum (SC) of healthy subjects. We also examined the effects of representative sebum lipids on the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines in cultured keratinocytes. Patients/Methods: This study included 198 healthy participants. Skin sebum was analyzed using flow injection analysis, and skin redness was assessed using a spectrophotometer. Inflammatory cytokines in tape‐stripped SC were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. Results: Cheek redness parameters positively correlated with the amount of skin sebum and the proportion of monounsaturated free fatty acids (C16:1 and C18:1) in the sebum. They also positively correlated with the interleukin (IL)‐36γ/IL‐37 ratio in the SC. Among the representative sebum lipids examined, oleic acid (C18:1, cis‐9) dose‐ and time‐dependently regulated the mRNA expression of IL‐36γ and IL‐37 in cultured keratinocytes, and this effect was attenuated by the N‐methyl‐D‐aspartate (NMDA)‐type glutamate receptor antagonist, MK801. Conclusions: Skin surface sebum may be related to cheek redness in healthy subjects, and oleic acid‐induced IL‐36γ through NMDA‐type glutamate receptors may be a link between them. Our study provides a possible skincare strategy for mitigating unfavorable increase in skin redness by targeting the facial skin sebum, particularly oleic acid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence following hepatitis C virus (HCV) eradication has been previously reported, but the impact of HCV eradication on advanced HCC patient survival remains unclear. Therefore, the present study aimed to evaluate the effect of HCV eradication on the survival outcome of patients with advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. One hundred and three HCV‐related advanced HCC patients who were treated with sorafenib were enrolled in this study. Of these, 43 patients were administered antiviral therapy before sorafenib treatment (HCV eradication group), while 60 patients remained HCV‐infected (HCV non‐eradication group). We analysed the impact of HCV eradication on survival in advanced HCC treated with sorafenib. Median overall survival (OS) was significantly longer in the HCV eradication group than in the HCV non‐eradication group (24.0 months vs. 14.1 months; p = 0.001). Although there was no significant difference in the albumin‐bilirubin (ALBI) score at the start of treatment between the HCV eradication group and the non‐eradication group (p = 0.065), the ALBI score at 2 months after initiation of sorafenib treatment was significantly decreased in the HCV non‐eradication group (p < 0.001), but not in the HCV eradication group (p = 0.121). Multivariate logistic analysis revealed HCV eradication (hazard ratio [HR], 0.5; p = 0.006) and ALBI score at the start of treatment (HR, 2.47; p = 0.002) as factors that may contribute to OS. HCV eradication may serve an important role in the survival outcome of advanced HCC patients treated with sorafenib. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral C2‐symmetric 3,3′‐bisaminomethyl‐binaphthol (AMB) is an organocatalyst for the asymmetric epoxidation of trisubstituted acrylonitriles. Using cumene hydroperoxide (CHP) as an oxidant, 3,3′‐bis((R,R)‐2‐phenylethylaminomethyl)‐(R)‐binaphthol (AMB2) catalyzed epoxidation of trans‐2‐aroyl‐3‐arylacrylonitriles at −30 °C to give the chiral epoxides as a single diastereomer with enantioselective manner ranging from 15% ee to 97% ee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background & Aims: Mixed neuroendocrine-non-neuroendocrine neoplasm (MiNEN) is a rare neuroendocrine neoplasm (NEN) comprising dual neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components. Although the coexistence pattern of neuroendocrine and non-neuroendocrine components in definitive MiNEN is thought to overlap, there may be a coexistent pattern of both components, such as superficial carcinoma adjacent to NEN. The present study evaluated the histopathological findings of the coexistence pattern of superficial carcinomas adjacent to NENs in the esophagogastrointestinal tract. Methods: From 2000 to 2019, 35 serial NEN resections of the esophagus (n = 9), stomach (n = 3), and large intestine (n = 23), respectively, were performed at Gunma University Hospital. Borderline areas between NEN and resident superficial epithelium were observed in the 35 serial NEN cases as well as two additional cases from affiliated hospitals. Results: Among the 35 serial NEN samples, squamous cell carcinomatous/dysplastic components were identified 77.8% (7/9 cases) of esophageal NENs, and adenocarcinomatous areas were seen in 66.7% (2/3 cases) of gastric NENs and 26% (6/23 cases) of colorectal NENs. Thus, all superficial carcinomatous components adjacent to NENs were observed as squamous cell carcinoma/dysplasia in esophagus and adenocarcinoma in stomach and large intestine, which showed histological characteristics as the resident epithelial pattern in each organ. Conclusions: These findings suggested a potential "paratransformation" or "bystander effect" in resident epithelium by NENs. Thus, "bystander carcinogenesis" could be a pathogenic mechanism of resident epithelium transformation adjacent to NENs in the esophagogastrointestinal tract. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Direct‐acting antivirals (DAAs) have recently been developed to treat hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, and interferon‐free DAA treatment has improved liver function of HCV patients. The risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) occurrence following HCV eradication has been previously reported, but HCC may have been missed following imaging diagnosis before DAA administration in previous studies. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify definite predictors of HCC occurrence ≥1 year after DAA treatment. Among 956 patients receiving DAAs for HCV infection, 567 patients who achieved sustained virologic response with no history of HCC treatment were enrolled in this study between September 2014 and July 2021. The incidence of HCC in HCV‐infected patients ≥1 year following DAA treatment, and the predictors contributing to HCC occurrence were identified using clinical characteristics and blood test results. In the present study, 25 patients developed HCC. The incidence of HCC was 1.4%, 3.2%, 4.9% and 6.8% at 2, 3, 4 and 5 years, respectively, from the end of treatment with DAAs. Multivariate logistic analysis revealed serum α‐fetoprotein level at end of treatment (EOT‐AFP) >3.8 ng/ml ≥1 year following treatment with DAAs (HR, 9.7; p <.0001) as an independent factor that may contribute to HCC occurrence following DAA treatment. In conclusion, serum EOT‐AFP level may serve an important role in determining the risk of HCC occurrence ≥1 year after DAA treatment. Regular examinations are required even if serum EOT‐AFP level is low at treatment completion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a piezoelectric acoustic sensor that responds to rodents' audible frequency range as a front‐end device for a small hearing prosthesis system appropriate for animal experiments. The proposed piezoelectric transducer uses a biomimetic hearing mechanism that mimics bandpass‐filtering functions realized biologically in the cochlear membranes and hair cells of rodents via a frequency‐selective piezoelectric cantilever beam array that will be used to stimulate auditory neurons in future applications to humans. First, to examine the frequency selectivity and response sensitivity, a piezoelectric acoustic transducer having a cantilever array structure with multiple beams were designed, and the mechanical resonance properties of the sensor‐device structure were analyzed using a numerical calculation method. Next, on the basis of the numerical results, we proposed a practical acoustic sensor design and sensor construction method using a multiple cantilever array structure and piezoelectric material. We built the sensor using standard microfabrication techniques and evaluated its piezoelectric properties in terms of sound sensitivity. Finally, we addressed future applications of an integrated system containing the proposed acoustic sensor, which could be combined with an electrical stimulation system and used as an auditory prosthesis system to compensate hearing losses in rodent models with hearing disorders and diseases. © 2020 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by Wiley Periodicals LLC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The non‐bonding electron pair (n‐pair) of heteroatoms and π‐electrons are both efficient halogen bond (XB) acceptors. In solid and gas phase studies, n‐pairs generally prevail over π‐bonding orbitals as XB acceptors, whereas few studies have been conducted regarding the preference in solution phase. Herein, the Povarov reaction via the C−I⋅⋅⋅N XB interaction and [4+2] cycloaddition via the C−I⋅⋅⋅π XB interaction were evaluated, revealing that the n‐pair was more dominant in the XB catalysis system in solution. The XB donor‐catalyzed Povarov reaction gave diverse indolyl‐tetrahydroquinoline derivatives in good yields. Synthesis of indolyl‐quinolines was also developed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly developed dinuclear bis(benzylimino)binaphthol (BIB)−Pd complex showed good catalytic activity for the Mannich reaction of aldimines and isatin‐derived ketimines with alkylmalononitriles to give the products in a highly enantioselective manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral organic base catalyst with halogen bond donor functionality catalyzed asymmetric Mannich‐type reaction of malononitrile with α‐ketiminoesters to produce α,α‐disubstituted α‐amino acid derivatives in good yields with high enantioselectivities. The malononitrile‐derived amino acid was smoothly transformed to chiral aminomalonate without loss of ee. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chiral benzazaborole‐catalyzed regioselective sulfonylations of unprotected carbohydrate derivatives have been developed. This methodology enables direct regioselective functionalization of the secondary OH group in carbohydrate in the presence of the primary OH group. By using the chiral organoboron catalysis, kinetic resolution of the carbohydrate derivatives was also achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homo‐ and cross‐[4+2] cycloadditions of 2‐alkenylindoles, catalyzed by cationic halogen‐bond donors, were developed. Under mild reaction conditions, 3‐indolyl‐substituted tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields. Experimental and quantum calculation studies revealed that the electrophilic activation of 2‐alkenylindoles was achieved by C−I⋅⋅⋅π halogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Homo‐ and cross‐[4+2] cycloadditions of 2‐alkenylindoles, catalyzed by cationic halogen‐bond donors, were developed. Under mild reaction conditions, 3‐indolyl‐substituted tetrahydrocarbazole derivatives were obtained in good to excellent yields. Experimental and quantum calculation studies revealed that the electrophilic activation of 2‐alkenylindoles was achieved by C−I⋅⋅⋅π halogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An editorial is presented on self-awareness and culturally competent care. Topics include rise in cultural and linguistic diversity in healthcare settings in Japan and challenges associated with this diversity; impacts care provided by the healthcare team within Japan; and challenges of providing culturally competent care within Japan.

SUMMARY: The red alga Digenea simplex was cultured with various culture media to clarify the nutritional conditions to produce kainic acid (KA). Unlike the domoic acid‐producing red alga Chondria armata, D. simplex was insensitive to excessive manganese, and grew best (mean growth rate approximately 800% for 25 days) in modified PES medium (mPES; seawater + nitrate, phosphate, iron, trace metals, vitamins, and 2‐[4‐(2‐hydroxyethyl)‐1‐piperazinyl]‐ ethanesulfonic acid) prepared with autoclaved seawater. Liquid chromatography‐mass spectrometry analysis of the algal extracts revealed that the KA content of the explants cultured with mPES or N·P·Fe medium (seawater + nitrate, phosphate, and iron) was somewhat higher than that of wild specimens (1748–2378 μg g−1 vs 1562 μg g−1). The 1H‐nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the KA extracted and purified from pooled explants was indistinguishable from the previously reported KA spectrum. When D. simplex was cultured for 6 weeks with medium in which NaNO3 of mPES was replaced by Na15NO3, the ratio of 214KA to total measured KA (totalKA = 213KA + 214KA) in the cultured explants (0.1 at the beginning of culture) gradually increased to 2.5, indicating that D. simplex produces KA in proportion to its growth under the condition in which sufficient nitrogen source is available. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cyclooxygenasel (COX1) and COX2 mediate the rate-limiting step in arachidonic acid metabolism. Expression of COX2 mRNA and protein is often enhanced in various human cell types by inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNFα). IL-1β enhanced expression of various prostanoids and this expression was blocked by COX2 selective inhibitors. IL-1β markedly induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo, which was significantly inhibited by COX2 selective inhibitors but not by a vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. In contrast, COX2 selective inhibitors only partially blocked VEGF-induced angiogenesis. EP2, EP4 (prostaglandin E2 receptors) agonists and thromboxane A2 (TXA2) receptor agonists induced angiogenesis in vitro and in vivo; IL-1β-induced angiogenesis was blocked by an EP4 antagonist and a TXA2 receptor antagonist. IL-1β induced much less angiogenesis in cornea of COX2 knockout mice than that of wild-type mice. This is the first report that COX2 and some prostanoids play a key role in IL-1β-induced angiogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The iridium catalyst [IrCl(cod)]2-phosphine-I2 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene) selectively reduced isoxazolium triflates to isoxazolines or isoxazolidines in the presence of H2. The iridium-catalyzed hydrogenation proceeded in high-to-good enantioselectivity when an optically active phosphine-oxazoline ligand was used. The 3-substituted 5-arylisoxazolium salts were transformed into 4-isoxazolines with up to 95:5 enantiomeric ratio (e.r.). Chiral cis-isoxazolidines were obtained in up to 89:11 e.r., with no formation of their trans isomers, when the substrates had a primary alkyl substituent at the 5-position. The mechanistic studies indicate that the hydridoiridium(III) species prefers to deliver its hydride to the C5 atom of the isoxazole ring. The hydride attack leads to the formation of the chiral isoxazolidine via a 3-isoxazoline intermediate. Meanwhile, in the selective formation of 4-isoxazolines, hydride attack at the C5 atom may be obstructed by steric hindrance from the 5-aryl substituent. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photodecomposition of methyl- and ethyl-CoIII complexes of meso-tetrakis(4-sulfonatophenyl)porphyrin (CH3- and C2H5-CoIIITPPSs) was used as a reaction probe to study the cage effect of cyclodextrin capsules formed by two per- O-methylated β-cyclodextrin (TMe-β-CD) molecules and their covalently linked dimer, Ph2CD. The photodecomposition of CH3-CoIIITPPS under aerobic conditions was markedly suppressed in the presence of TMe-β-CD and Ph2CD, while C2H5-CoIIITPPS was less affected. Alkyl-CoIIITPPS formed two types of inclusion complex with Ph2CD, the alkyl groups in Type 1 being located at the opposite side of the phenyl linker of Ph2CD and those in Type 2 being located at the same side. The photodecomposition of C2H5-CoIIITPPS in Type 1 proceeded via an ethylperoxo complex, while that in Type 2 occurred via a radical pair generated in a narrow, rigid cage to form ethylene and CoIITPPS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The band gap of and disordered structure in Li8SiN4 (lattice constant: a = 10.148 Å, c = 9.567 Å) are studied by optical absorption, photoacoustic spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Raman scattering spectroscopy. Li8SiN4 is a semiconductor with a band gap of 2.4 eV, suggesting the transition from the N-2p valence band to the conduction band mainly consisting of Si-3s and/or -3p orbitals. A broad Raman peak is observed at 586 cm-1, indicating the homogenously random distribution of Li and Si atoms. Li8SiN4 crystallizes in a superstructure of eight face-centered N sublattices. In each sublattice, one Li and one Si atom are randomly and diagonally occupied at two tetrahedral sites next to N, while six Li atoms reside at the other sites next to N. The possible locations of one remaining Li atom are also discussed. Li8SiN4 is a direct transition, which is slightly larger than the d-d electron transitions in the typical cathode materials LiMn2O4 and LiCoO2. For a 5 × 5 mm2 sized lithium secondary battery with the Li8SiN4 + acetylene black cathode/propylene carbonate + LiClO4 electrolyte/Li anode structure, the capacity for the discharge current of 10 µA is between 2.44 µAh/cm2 and 3.56 µAh/cm2 for a potential range between 2.8 V and 3.8 V. (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrimidines proceeded with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) using an iridium catalyst composed of [IrCl(cod)]2, a ferrocene-containing chiral diphosphine ligand (Josiphos), iodine, and Yb(OTf)3 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene). The chiral catalyst converted various 4-substituted pyrimidines into chiral 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines in high yield. The lanthanide triflate is crucial for achieving the high enantioselectivity as well as for activating the heteroarene substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric hydrogenation of pyrimidines proceeded with high enantioselectivity (up to 99 % ee) using an iridium catalyst composed of [IrCl(cod)]2, a ferrocene-containing chiral diphosphine ligand (Josiphos), iodine, and Yb(OTf)3 (cod=1,5-cyclooctadiene). The chiral catalyst converted various 4-substituted pyrimidines into chiral 1,4,5,6-tetrahydropyrimidines in high yield. The lanthanide triflate is crucial for achieving the high enantioselectivity as well as for activating the heteroarene substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell-cycle progression of Ulva compressa is diurnally gated at the G1 phase in accordance with light-dark cycles. The present study was designed to examine the spectral sensitivity of the G1 gating system. When blue, red, and green light-emitting diodes ( LEDs) were used for illumination either alone or in combination, the cells divided under all illumination conditions, suggesting that all colors of light were able to open the G1 gate. Although blue light was most effective to open the G1 gate, red light alone or green light alone was also able to open the G1 gate even at irradiance levels lower than the light compensation point of each color. Occurrence of a period of no cell division in the course of a day suggested that the G1 gating system normally functioned as under ordinary illumination by cool-white fluorescent lamps. The rise of the proportion of blue light to green light resulted in increased growth rate. On the other hand, the growth rates did not vary regardless of the proportion of blue light to red light. These results indicate that the difference in growth rate due to light color resulted from the difference in photosynthetic efficiency of the colors of light. However, the growth rates significantly decreased under conditions without blue light. This result suggests that blue light mediates cell elongation and because the spectral sensitivity of the cell elongation regulating system was different from that of the G1 gating system, distinct photoreceptors are likely to mediate the two systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the structure-function relationships of invertebrate lysozymes, a new invertebrate-type (i-type) lysozyme was isolated from the common orient clam ( Meretrix lusoria) and the tertiary structure of this enzyme was determined. Comparison of the tertiary structure of this enzyme with those of chicken and Venerupi philippinarum lysozymes revealed that the location of the side chain of the second catalytic residue, an aspartic acid, and the N-acetylglucosamine trimer bound at subsites A- C were different. Furthermore, the amino acid electrostatically interacting with Asp30 in V. philippinarum lysozyme, Lys108, was substituted by Gly in M. lusoria lysozyme and no other possible amino acid that could contribute to this interaction was found in M. lusoria lysozyme. It therefore seems that the substitutions of the amino acids at the interface of the V. philippinarum lysozyme dimer are likely to change the oligomeric state of the M. lusoria lysozyme. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The relationship between the plasma ratio of dihydrouracil/uracil (UH2/Ura) and hepatic dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity after repeated 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) treatment in rats with colorectal cancer (CRC) was investigated. Repeated intravenous 5-FU bolus injections resulted in a significant decrease in the total clearance ( CLtot) and an increased area under the curve ( AUC0-∞) in CRC rats. Furthermore, the hepatic DPD levels and the plasma ratio of UH2/Ura decreased significantly and lost their circadian rhythms in CRC rats treated repeatedly with 5-FU, although significant circadian variation in the two parameters was observed in the control CRC rats. Moreover, a significant correlation was found between the plasma ratio of UH2/Ura and hepatic DPD activity in CRC rats untreated and treated with single or repeated 5-FU administration ( r2 = 0.865, p < 0.01). The ratio of UH2/Ura in plasma could be a predictive biomarker of the suppression of hepatic DPD levels during repeated 5-FU-based treatment. Furthermore, by plotting the observed pharmacokinetic parameters of 5-FU against hepatic DPD activity levels predicted by the ratio of UH2/Ura in plasma, AUC0-∞, CLtot and half-life ( t1/2) were closely linked to predicted hepatic DPD activity levels. These observations suggest that the factor that significantly influences the AUC0-∞, CLtot and t1/2 of 5-FU after single or repeated administration of 5-FU is the hepatic DPD activity and it could be assessed by the ratio of UH2/Ura in plasma. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses research on the effectiveness of chiral phosphoric acids in catalyzing kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols. It mentions the effectiveness of kinetic resolution in separating enantiomeric constituents from racemic materials. It also talks about the promotion by Brønsted acids of the acylation of alcohols with an acid anhydride.

The article discusses a study which investigated the kinetic resolution of secondary alcohols catalyzed by chiral phosphoric acids. The method provides effective access to optically pure 2-arylcycloalkanols, which are structural motifs of biologically significant compounds, such as lycorine, epicatechin, PF-998,425, and L- 733,060. The study explained that hydrogen bonding plays a crucial role in the selectivity and acceleration of the acylation.

In October 2001, a survey was conducted about cavities formed within the hoof wall (called GIDOH in Japanese) of racehorses at the Ritto and Miho Training Centres, which are managed by the Japan Racing Association (JRA). Gidoh is defined as a progressive cavity within the deep layers between the stratum medium and stratum internum. A total of 148 out of 5386 surveyed horses (2.75 per cent) were affected. Out of 244 affected feet, fore hooves (84.02 per cent) were more susceptible than hind hooves, and the site most affected was midline dead centre of the toe (59.62 per cent) which tends to place extra stress at the break-over point in a straight-line exercise. Logistic regression analysis revealed that prevalence was significantly related with horse affiliation (OR 0.65, 95 per cent CI 0.46 to 0.91) and age (OR 1.43 per one year, 95 per cent CI 1.27 to 1.61). We hypothesised that the primary cause of Gidoh development in JRA stables was mechanical deformation of the hoof wall during exercise, and secondary exciting causes can subsequently lead to the spread of the lesion over the entire hoof wall. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To illuminate brittle and ductile fracturing of magma, we investigated bubble expansion and fracturing in two contrasting fluids: a Maxwell‐type viscoelastic fluid and a Bingham‐type yield‐strength fluid. Measurements of the complex shear modulus, G′ + iG″ (i is the imaginary unit), under small‐strain oscillation showed that both fluids are elastic (G′ > G″) with similar rigidity. Viscous behavior (G′ < G″) appeared at lower frequency in the Maxwell fluid but at larger strain in the Bingham fluid. When we injected air into the Maxwell fluid, bubbles expanded viscously at low flux, fractured in a brittle manner at high flux, and behaved transitionally at intermediate flux. In contrast, we observed no fracturing in the Bingham fluid. This demonstrates that the G′ > G″ condition is insufficient to infer that brittle fracturing can occur. Brittle fracturing of the Maxwell fluid occurred not at a critical strain rate but under decreasing strain rate and increasing stress. Plain Language Summary: The flow‐to‐fracture transition of magma is an essential process controlling eruption explosivity. This transition has been explained based on the linear Maxwell viscoelastic model: magma can flow slowly but breaks in a brittle manner under rapid deformation. The Bingham model represents another type of fluid‐solid transition: a material flows under a sufficiently large force but behaves elastically below this force. The present study investigates bubble growth and fracture by air injection in Maxwell‐type and Bingham‐type fluids, both having similar elasticity. We demonstrate that brittle fracture occurs in the Maxwell fluid at high air flux but never in the Bingham fluid. Detailed observations of the deformation until brittle fracture reveals a stress increase and strain rate decrease. The fracture onset is not determined by the critical strain rate, contrary to conventional brittle fragmentation criteria widely used in volcanology. These results will help improve brittle‐ductile transition models for complex fluids in volcanic eruptions. Key Points: Rapid air injection generated brittle fracture in a Maxwell fluid but not in a Bingham fluid, although they have similar elasticityThe observation of elasticity in small‐amplitude oscillation tests is not sufficient to infer that the fluid can fractureThe strain rate around a bubble decreased toward fracture, contrary to the conventional critical strain‐rate fracture criterion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was designed to develop a technique for crossing and to gain insight into how sexual reproduction contributes to the maintenance of local populations of Ulva compressa L. To examine the durations of gamete motility and conjugation ability, freshly released gametes were incubated for various periods of time prior to mixing both mating types. The conjugation ability of the gametes gradually declined after being released from the thalli when the gametes were incubated without mixing with the opposite mating type. The ability to conjugate decreased by half after 6 h, although most of the gametes remained motile. The gametes released 4 h later had the same level of conjugation ability when mixed immediately after releasing. When the mature thalli were wrapped in a moist paper towel to prevent gametes from being released, the gametes were preservable for 7 h without a significant decrease in their conjugation ability. Conjugation occurred soon after mixing gametes of both mating types and reached a plateau after 30 s. However, conjugation rates did not exceed a rate of ∼70%, even though freshly released gametes were used. Interestingly, a portion of the gametes newly conjugated 30 min after mixing both mating types, and conjugation rates reached a second plateau at ∼90%. Gametes with delayed conjugation are provided some period of time that allows them to be transported away and increases their chances of mating with more distant populations, thus contributing to the maintenance of genetic variation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phytic acid acts as the major storage form of phosphorus in plant seeds and is poorly digested by monogastric animals. The degradation of phytic acid in animal diets is necessary to overcome both environmental and nutritional issues. The enzyme 1d- myo-inositol 3-phosphate [Ins(3)P1] synthase (EC 5.5.1.4) catalyses the first step of myo-inositol biosynthesis and directs phytic acid biosynthesis in seeds. The rice Ins(3)P1 synthase gene ( RINO1) is highly expressed in developing seed embryos and in the aleurone layer, where phytic acid is synthesized and stored. In rice seeds, 18-kDa oleosin (Ole18) is expressed in a seed-specific manner, and its transcripts are restricted to the embryo and the aleurone layer. Therefore, to effectively suppress phytic acid biosynthesis, antisense RINO1 cDNA was expressed under the control of the Ole18 promoter, directing the same spatial pattern in seeds as RINO1 in transgenic rice plants. The generated transgenic rice plants showed strong ‘low phytic acid’ (lpa) phenotypes, in which seed phytic acid was reduced by 68% and free available phosphate was concomitantly increased. No negative effects on seed weight, germination or plant growth were observed. The available phosphate levels of the stable transgenic plants surpassed those of currently available rice lpa mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Basic research in psychoacoustics and its applications are discussed. Psychophysical laws should be robust in order to be used for practical purposes. The importance of the development and use of appropriate psychophysical methods in relation to the present study is introduced. When laboratory findings are applied to real-life situations, there are various problems that have to be considered. It is necessary to control for complicated variables, to cover a wide area of stimuli, from static stimuli to dynamic stimuli, and to take into consideration the effects of cognitive factors and ecological validity. Using the loudness of non-steady-state sounds as an example, the process from basic psychoacoustic research to its practical applications is introduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell-cycle progression of Enteromorpha compressa (L.) Nees (= Ulva compressa L.) was diurnally regulated by gating the G1/S transition. When the gate was open, the cells were able to divide if they had attained a sufficient size. However, the cells were not able to divide while the gate was closed, even if the cells had attained sufficient size. The diurnal rhythm of cell division immediately disappeared when the thalli were transferred to continuous light or darkness. When the thalli were transferred to a shifted photoperiod, the rhythm of cell division immediately and accurately synchronized with the shifted photoperiod. These data support a gating-system model regulated by light:dark (L:D) cycles rather than an endogenous circadian clock. A dark phase of 6 h or longer was essential for gate closing, and a light phase of 14 h was required to renew cell division after a dark phase of >6 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The gametophytic cells of six species of Laminariales, Laminaria japonica Areschoug, L. longissima Miyabe, Kjellmaniella crassifolia Miyabe, Ecklonia stolonifera Okamura, E. kurome Okamura, and Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar, were subjected to cryopreservation in liquid nitrogen. The cells were suspended in various cryoprotective solutions and slowly cooled to –40°C over a period of 4 h. After this slow cooling step, the suspensions were immediately immersed in liquid nitrogen. All the species of Laminariaceae used in the present study survived maximally in a mixture of ethylene glycol and proline. On the other hand, the gametophytic cells of Undaria pinnatifida, a member of the Alariaceae, survived maximally in the mixture of glycerol and proline. The viability of the thawed gametophytic cells decreased during postthawing incubation. The decrease in viability continued for 4–6 days, and the minimum levels ranged from 36.2% to 67.2%. After 4–6 days of incubation, the percentage viability of all strains began to increase due to the renewal of cell division. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The Bacillus subtilis structural maintenance of chromosomes (SMC) protein is a member of a large family of proteins involved in chromosome organization. We found that SMC is a moderately abundant protein (∼1000 dimers per cell). In vivo cross-linking and immunoprecipitation assays revealed that SMC binds to many regions on the chromosome. Visualization of SMC in live cells using a fusion to the green fluorescent protein (GFP) and in fixed cells using immunofluorescence microscopy indicated that a portion of SMC localizes as discrete foci in positions similar to that of the DNA replication machinery (replisome). When visualized simultaneously, SMC and the replisome were often in similar regions of the cell but did not always co-localize. Persistence of SMC foci did not depend on ongoing replication, but did depend on ScpA and ScpB, two proteins thought to interact with SMC. Our results indicate that SMC is bound to many sites on the chromosome and a concentration of SMC is localized near replication forks, perhaps there to bind and organize newly replicated DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The Fas–Fas ligand (FasL) pathway is one of the important apoptosis-signalling molecule systems. We previously determined that this pathway may be involved in the pathogenesis of fibrosing lung diseases. In the present study, we evaluated the clinical significance of the levels of soluble forms of Fas (sFas) and FasL (sFasL) in serum from patients with fibrosing lung diseases. Methodology: We measured sFas, sFasL, KL-6 (a measure of alveolar type II cell damage), surfactant protein D (SP-D), and surfactant protein A (SP-A) levels in serum from 35 patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), 17 patients with interstitial pneumonia associated with collagen vascular diseases (CVD-IP), and 13 normal healthy controls using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA). Results: The serum levels of sFasL were significantly increased in patients with active IPF and CVD-IP, compared with those with inactive disease and controls. There was no significant difference in sFasL levels between patients with inactive disease and controls. Serum sFasL levels were significantly correlated with lactate dehydrogenase and KL-6 levels in IPF. The decrease in sFasL levels following corticosteroid therapy was not correlated with the clinical course of IPF. There was no significant difference in serum sFas levels between IPF or CVD-IP patients and controls. Conclusions: Although further studies need to be performed on a large number of patients with histologically proven IPF or CVD-IP, it would seem that serum sFasL levels may reflect the activity of IPF and CVD-IP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SummaryAn antimicrobial protein granulysin is constitutively expressed in cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL) and natural killer (NK) cells. However, little is known about the precise regulatory mechanisms underlying granulysin gene expression. In this study, we examined the regulatory mechanisms underlying granulysin gene expression using a human monocytic cell line, THP-1, treated with Acholeplasma laidlawii. The level of granulysin mRNA expression in THP-1 cells was significantly augmented in response to stimulation with A. laidlawii. The transfection of reporter gene constructs into THP-1 cells indicated that DNA sequences between residues -329 and -239, relative to the transcriptional start site of the granulysin gene, are responsible for mediating gene induction. In addition, mutagenesis of a putative activator protein-1 (AP-1)-binding site between residues -277 and -271 in the granulysin promoter resulted in the reduction of granulysin promoter activity. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) demonstrated that nuclear extract prepared from A. laidlawii-treated THP-1 cells can generate specific binding to DNA oligonucleotides encompassing the AP-1-binding site, whereas unstimulated nuclear extract from the cells failed to do so. Furthermore, competition and supershift assays confirmed that A. laidlawii can induce the activation of AP-1. These results indicate that AP-1 dominantly participates in the regulation of inducible granulysin gene expression in THP-1 cells. Therefore, the finding of inducible granulysin gene expression by A. laidlawii suggests that inducible granulysin in macrophages may function as a protective weapon when microbial invasion occurs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The human living environment is mostly surrounded by buildings. This paper assumes the corner of a structure, and presents a model analysis for a human body standing close to a right-angled corner, examining the SAR characteristics for TM and TE microwaves. In the microwave range, the three-dimensional model calculation is difficult because the length of the human body is large compared to the wavelength. A two-dimensional cylinder and an elliptic cylinder are therefore used as the human model. The whole-body average SAR obtained from the two-dimensional cylinder model is compared to the already known realistic model presented for the TM resonance frequency range, and the applicable range of the two-dimensional cylinder model is investigated. Based on the result, the frequency characteristics of the whole-body average SAR are investigated for various model positions and incidence angles. For 1 GHz, the result is compared to the case of the elliptical cylinder model. The local SAR distributions are also shown. It is seen that the whole-body average SAR can sometimes be as large as 10 times the case without a corner at a frequency below 1 GHz. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 83(3): 62–70, 2000 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional T cells (i.e. TCRhigh) are generated by the main stream of T-cell differentiation in the thymus. However, primordial T cells (i.e. TCRint) are generated by extrathymic pathways and an alternative intrathymic pathway. Since TCRint cells contain self-reactive clones, the diversity of the T-cell antigen receptor (TCR) complementarity-determining region (CDR) 3 was examined. The predominant Vβ8.2+ clones among TCRint cells were selected for DNA sequencing. Thymectomized, irradiated mice subjected to bone-marrow transplantation (BMT) were used; graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), B6→(B6 × C3H/He)F1 and syngeneic BMT, B6→B6. In these combinations, only TCRint cells were generated. Vβ8.2+ cells with a low diversity of CDR3 of V-gene expanded in GVHD mice. Vβ8.2+ cells of TCRint and TCRhigh cells in normal mice were polyclonal, showing that the former has a lower diversity of CDR3 than the latter. The clonality of activated TCRhigh cells was examined, in which CD3high cells (bm12 mice) were injected into 1 Gy-irradiated B6 nude mice. Some Vβ8.2+ clones among TCRhigh cells were expanding but the diversity of CDR3 was greater than that of CD3int cells, despite the fact that the recognition site of the H-2 difference was smaller. Taken together with invariant usage of Vα14, these results suggest that TCRint cells have a low diversity of CDR3 of Vβ genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conchocelis cells of four strains of Porphyra yezoensis Udea and four Porphyra species were cryopreserved in liquid mitrogen (LN) using a programmable freezer or a simple prefreezing system, which consisted of a Styrofoam box and deep-freezer at -40°C. The cells differed in their freezing tolerance but srevived maximally when prefrozen to -40°C in a cryoprotective solution composed of 10% dimethylsulfoxide and 0.5M sorbitol in 50% seawater. The cryopreservation was successfully performed by applying the simple prefreezing system as well as by a programmable freezer. Conchocelis cells thawed from the LN temperature formed colonies and retained the ability to form conchospores that grew into gametophytic thalli. This technique using a simple prefreezing system will accelerate the spread of Porphyra cryopreservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes the dual polarization DPSK (DPDPSK) as an extension of the polarization modulation to the narrowband system. The basic performances are examined. First, it is shown that the proposed scheme occupies half of the signal bandwidth of the polarization modulation scheme, the receiver configuration is the same as that of the polarization modulation, and the phase noise insensitivity, which is the feature of the polarization modulation, is utilized effectively in the proposed system. Assuming a receiver with the double-filtering configuration, a theoretical analysis for the receiver error rate is presented, considering the envelope fluctuation due to the phase noise at the bandpass filter (BPF) output, as well as the additive noise suppression by the lowpass filter (LPF) in the demodulator. It is shown that the optimal BPF bandwidth exists that maximizes the receiver sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In coherent optical communication systems, the phase noise of the optical source is the dominant factor in limiting the receiving characteristics and its redaction is required. In this paper, a polarization modulation/optical coherent detection system is proposed and theoretical and experimental studies are carried out for this system. First, it is demonstrated that the polarization modulation signal is a differential phase-modulated optical signal between the two orthogonal polarization components. The fundamental principle for the optical coherent detection system is presented. Next, by taking into account the characteristics of the modulator, a general representation of the polarization modulation optical signals is derived and the inherent characteristics of the present system is shown. Further, for s polarization modulation/optical heterodyne detection system for a long-distance transmission, the detection and demodulation methods are presented. The phase noise cancellation effect is found as well as the fact that the polarization axis matching between the transmitter and the receiver is not necessary if a circular polarization modulation is used. The bit error rate of the polarization modulation/optical heterodyne detection system is analyzed theoretically. By comparing this system with other coherent optical communication systems, the receiving characteristics are evaluated. Finally, fundamental experiments are carried out for the optical heterodyne detection of the polarization modulation signals and the phase noise cancellation effect of the present system is confirmed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the scattering coefficients of the E-plane right-angle bend, T junction, and cross junction in a rectangular waveguide are derived by the mode-matching method [12]. In this method, the electromagnetic fields in the junction section formed by a sectoral or a circular region are matched to those in the waveguide region. Since the T junction and the cross junction can be constructed with several right-angle bends, their scattering coefficient solutions can be unified in the same form as those of the right-angle bend. The expressions for these solutions are simple, convenient, and the numerical values are highly accurate over a wide frequency range. By using these values, the details of the scattering characteristics of the dominant and higher-order modes at the junction can be obtained. The resonance phenomena of the dominant and the higher-order a in the high frequency range are important for the study of the fundamental characteristics of the microwave circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scattering properties of the H-plane waveguide discontinuities such as the cross junction, T-junction, and right-angle, and are analyzed taking their symmetry into accounts. The solutions are synthesized in two new and simple expressions. These solutions are tinted rigorously by the mode-matching method in which each junction section is divided by a circular region and the electromagnetic fields are matched with the scattered waves into waveguide regions at the boundaries. By means of the accurate numerical results obtained in a wide frequency range, the scattering properties of the H-plane junctions in a standard waveguide and an oversized waveguide an examined in detail. The Latter is believed to be useful for an approximate estimation of the scattering properties of crossing roads in underground shopping centers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We constructed cDNA libraries from 8-9-S poly(A)-rich RNA from regenerating rat liver, isolated clones specific for ribosomal protein L27 and determined the nucleotide sequences of the cDNA clones. The longest cDNA consists of 15 base pairs from the 5' leading sequence, the entire coding sequence of 411 base pairs, and the 3' trailing sequence of 59 base pairs including the poly(A) tail. The primary structure of protin L27 was deduced from the sequence of nucleotides. Protein L27 contains 135 amino acids and has a molecular mass of 15 666 Da. The amino-terminal sequence agreed well with the published partial amino acid sequence and the calculated amino acid composition is also consistent with the reported composition determined for the hydrolyzate of L27. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

cDNA clones specific for rat ribosomal protein L5, which is the protein moiety of 5S RNA protein particles, were isolated by using a mixture of tetradecamer deoxyribonucleotide probes reflecting the amino acid sequence of the N-terminal portion of L5. A cDNA clone (pRL5-1) lacking the 3′-terminal region of L5 was isolated by hybrid-selected translation and shown to be L5-specific by the identity of the deduced amino acid sequence and that of the N-terminus of protein L5. pRL5-1 was then used to select another clone (pRL5-2) by colony hybridization which contained the entire coding region, 3′-non-coding region and poly(A) addition signal. The nucleotide sequence of L5-specific cDNA was determined by using these two clones. It contained a total of 1069 base pairs: 123 base pairs in the 5′-non-coding region, 894 base pairs in the coding region and 52 base pairs in the 3′-non-coding region. The poly(A) addition signal appeared at the 33rd nucleotide after the termination co- don. The amino acid sequence deduced from this nucleotide sequence consists of 296 amino acids. The homology of amino acid sequence between L5 and other 5S RNA-binding proteins is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cDNA clone, specific for rat ribosomal protein L31, was isolated by hybrid-selected translation from a cDNA library made for 8-9-S poly(A)-rich RNA from regenerating rat liver. The nucleotide sequence of the cDNA was determined. It consists of 25 base pairs from the 5' leading sequence, the entire coding sequence of 378 base pairs and the 3' trailing sequence of 36 base pairs besides the poly(A) tail. The primary structure of protein L31 was deduced from the nucleotide sequence. It consists of 124 amino acids with a relative molecular mass of 14331. The calculated amino acid composition is consistent with the reported composition determined for the hydrolysate of L31. The amino acid sequence showed marked homology with that of yeast ribosomal protein L34. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anisotropy of the structure in a die-pressed compact was studied directly through detailed analysis by confocal scanning laser fluorescent micrographs. The use of confocal optics and an immersion liquid produced micrographs that represented the structure of a cross section at a certain depth along two directions: parallel and normal to the pressing direction. The network formed by particles in contact was analyzed by measuring the components of particle contact parallel and normal to the pressing direction in the green compact. Different values were obtained in the total components of particle contact for the horizontal and normal directions for the cross section parallel to the direction of pressing: the ratio between these values was 1.15. This suggests that there should be 15% more shrinkage in the direction parallel to pressing, at least during the initial stages of sintering when the particle geometry is preserved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented in response to heliotrope-like eruption mimicking dermatomyositis in a patient treated with imatinib mesylate for chronic myeloid leukemia.

A letter to the editor is presented which focuses on the occurrence eosinophilic pustular folliculitis, a chronic papulovesicular disease observed in the late stages of HIV infection and its treatment.