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Background Although opioids induce intestinal muscle contraction and provoke constipation, the intestinal region(s) that contribute to the constipation have remained unclear. We report here a region-specific response of intestinal muscle contraction to morphine and its correlation with in vivo constipation. Methods Regions of mice small and large intestines were dissected histologically and circular muscle contractile responses were measured using isometric transducers. Bead expulsion assays were performed to assess in vivo constipation. Key Results The strongest contraction in response to morphine was detected in the rectum. The distal and transverse colon also showed strong contractions, whereas weak responses were detected in the proximal colon, jejunum, and ileum. Regarding the sustainability of muscle contractions during morphine exposure, prolonged waves were detected only in the rectum, while the waves diminished gradually in other regions. To identify the mechanism(s) underlying this difference, we focused on nitric oxide synthase ( NOS). In the distal colon, decreased contraction during morphine exposure was recovered by application of a NOS inhibitor (L- NAME), while a NOS substrate (L-arginine) enhanced contractile degradation. In contrast L- NAME and L-arginine modestly affected the sustained contraction in the rectum. To confirm the correlation with constipation, beads were inserted into the transverse colon, distal colon, or rectum after morphine administration and expulsion times were examined. Beads tended to stop at the rectum even when inserted in the deeper colonic regions. Conclusions & Inferences The rectum showed the greatest response to morphine in both in vitro and in vivo analyses, therefore it may play a key role for opioid-induced constipation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The analgesic action of 5-HT and noradrenaline reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) on nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal cord is poorly understood. We investigated the effects of milnacipran, an SNRI, on C-fibre-evoked field potentials (FPs) in spinal long-term potentiation (LTP), a proposed synaptic mechanism of hypersensitivity, and on the FPs in a neuropathic pain model. EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH C-fibre-evoked FPs by electrical stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres were recorded in the spinal dorsal horn of anaesthetized adult rats, and LTP was induced by high-frequency stimulation of the sciatic nerve fibres. A rat model of neuropathic pain was produced by L5 spinal nerve ligation and transection. KEY RESULTS Milnacipran produced prolonged inhibition of C-fibre-evoked FPs when applied spinally after the establishment of LTP of C-fibre-evoked FPs in naïve animals. In the neuropathic pain model, spinal administration of milnacipran clearly reduced the basal C-fibre-evoked FPs. These inhibitory effects of milnacipran were blocked by spinal administration of methysergide, a 5-HT1/2 receptor antagonist, and yohimbine or idazoxan, α2-adrenoceptor antagonists. However, spinal administration of milnacipran in naïve animals did not affect the basal C-fibre-evoked FPs and the induction of spinal LTP. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS Milnacipran inhibited C-fibre-mediated nociceptive synaptic transmission in the spinal dorsal horn after the establishment of spinal LTP and in the neuropathic pain model, by activating both spinal 5-hydroxytryptaminergic and noradrenergic systems. The condition-dependent inhibition of the C-fibre-mediated transmission by milnacipran could provide novel evidence regarding the analgesic mechanisms of SNRIs in chronic pain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bile acid-binding ability of a highly polymerized tannin (kaki-tannin) extracted from dried-young fruits of persimmon (Diospyros kaki) was examined. The kaki-tannin was composed mainly of epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin-3-O-gallate and epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate. Bile acid-binding ability of kaki-tannin was examined against cholic acid, glycocholic acid, taurocholic acid and deoxycholic acid in vitro, and its effect on fecal bile acid excretion in mice was also examined. Although the bile acid-binding ability of kaki-tannin was weaker than that of cholestyramine, kaki-tannin adsorbed all the bile acids tested and significantly promoted fecal bile acid excretion in mice when supplied at 1% (w/w) in the diet. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the processes of splash erosion under natural rainfall conditions with the use of piezoelectric saltation sensor for observations. The study conducted field observations between July and September 2006 in the plantations of 21- and 36-year-old Japanese cypress and measured splash detachments through splash cups. Results indicate that the rate of splashes was lower in 21-year Japanese cypress after rainfall.

Breadmaking was performed with cellulose-blended wheat flour. Cellulose granules (7 types) of various sizes (diameter) were prepared by kneading. With increase of the blend percent of the cellulose samples from 10% to 20%, breadmaking properties such as bread height and specific volume (SV) gradually decreased in every sample; however, the decreasing levels of the properties in 7 types of various sizes varied. The decrease of bread height and SV was associated with the size of the cellulose granule. It was observed at both 10% and 20% blends that the same bread height and SV as for bread baked with only wheat flour could be obtained when the diameter of cellulose granule was above 154 μm in cellulose/wheat flour breadmaking, while they gradually decreased with granules below 154 μm. When the largest cellulose granules were mechanically ground to make smaller ones, the bread height and SV decreased with increasing grinding time. It was ascertained that the size of the cellulose granule was important for breadmaking properties. Cellulose-blended wheat flour was subjected to mixograph tests. When cellulose granules above 154-μm dia were blended with wheat flour, the profile of the mixogram was almost the same as that for wheat flour; that is, the profile had a short mixing requirement and showed a viscous gluten matrix. However, when cellulose granules below 81-μm dia were blended, a different curve showing a nonviscous dough due to breakdown of the gluten protein was observed, as ascertained by microscopy. Farmograph test showed that the amount of the released gas from cellulose-blended bread dough increased with decrease of the size of the cellulose granule due to breakdown of the gluten protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and purpose:Exogenously administered thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) is known to exert potent but short-acting centrally-mediated antinociceptive effects. We sought to investigate the mechanisms underlying these effects using the synthetic TRH analogue taltirelin, focusing on the descending monoaminergic systems in mice.Experimental approach:The mice received systemic or local injections of taltirelin combined with either central noradrenaline (NA) or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) depletion by 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) or DL-p-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA), respectively, or blockade of their receptors. The degree of antinociception was determined using the tail flick and tail pressure tests.Key results:Subcutaneously (s.c.) administered taltirelin exhibited dose-dependent antinociceptive effects in the tail flick and tail pressure tests. These effects appeared to be primarily supraspinally mediated, since intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) but not intrathecally (i.t.) injected taltirelin generated similar effects. Depletion of central NA abolished only the analgesic effect of taltirelin (s.c. and i.c.v.) on mechanical nociception. By contrast, depletion of central 5-HT abolished only its analgesic effect on thermal nociception. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) and i.t. injection of the α2-adrenoceptor antagonist yohimbine respectively reduced the analgesic effect of taltirelin (s.c. and i.c.v.) on mechanical nociception. By contrast, the 5-HT1A receptor antagonist WAY-100635 (i.p. and i.t.) reduced the effect of taltirelin (s.c. and i.c.v.) on thermal nociception. Neither the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist ketanserin nor the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone altered the antinociceptive effect of taltirelin.Conclusions and Implications:These findings suggest that taltirelin activates the descending noradrenergic and serotonergic pain inhibitory systems, respectively, to exert its analgesic effects on mechanical and thermal nociception.British Journal of Pharmacology (2007) 150, 403–414. doi:10.1038/sj.bjp.0707125; published online 15 January 2007 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ectoine (1,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2-methyl-4-pyrimidinecarboxylic acid) biosynthetic genes ( ect. ABC) from Halomonas elongata were introduced to tobacco plants using an Agrobacterium-mediated gene delivery system. The genes for ectoine biosynthesis were integrated in a stable manner into the tobacco genome and the corresponding transcripts were expressed. The concentration of ectoine under salt-stress conditions was higher in the roots than in leaves. A close relationship was found between stomatal conductance and the amount of transported nitrogen, suggesting that water transport through the xylem in the stem and transpiration may be involved in nitrogen transport to leaves. The data indicate that the turgor values of the ectoine transgenic lines increased with increasing salt concentration. The data revealed two ways in which ectoine enhanced salinity tolerance of tobacco plants. First, ectoine improved the maintenance of root function so that water is taken up consistently and supplied to shoots under saline conditions. Second, ectoine enhanced the nitrogen supply to leaves by increasing transpiration and by protecting Rubisco proteins from deleterious effects of salt, thereby improving the rate of photosynthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We simulated the differential modal gain (DMG) property of WDM amplification characteristics for a ring-core erbium-doped fibre (RC-EDF) to clarify the possibility of an RC-EDF being used as a three- to five-signal LP-mode amplification medium. The authors defined two parameters, DMGYY-XX and WDGXX. The former and the latter are the difference between the gains of the LPXX mode and the LPYY mode at the shortest wavelength, and the gains of the LPXX mode at the shortest and longest wavelengths of WDM signal channel, respectively. XX and YY indicate the signal LP mode number. The authors present contour diagrams of the maximum DMGYY-XX and maximum WDGXX on the allowable three- to five-signal LP-mode areas of the RC-EDF. They confirm that it is possible to realise the amplification with a maximum DMGYY-XX of ≤2 dB, ≤1 dB, and about 2 dB for the 3, 4, and 5-LP modes and a maximum WDGXX of ≤ 1 dB for the three- to five-LP mode. The authors found that it is possible to realise an amplifier for 3-5 LP modes that operate with a relatively low DMG by using RC-EDF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is caused by a congenital defect of the branched-chain α-ketoacid dehydrogenase complex (BCKADC), and is one of the target disorders in newborn screening. However, it is not always easy to confirm the diagnosis; conventional methods of enzyme assay require cell culture, isolation of mitochondria, or radioisotope-labelled reagents, and disease-causing mutations can exist in any of the genes encoding the three enzyme subunits. To realize a practical test for diagnostic confirmation, we developed a simple and rapid enzymatic assay for BCKADC. In this procedure, the production of isovaleryl-CoA from 2-ketoisocaproic acid was measured using high-performance liquid chromatography. Detection of the BCKADC product was significantly reproducible depending on concentration of the substrates. We applied the assay to two patients with MSUD and demonstrated pathologically low levels of residual activity in both subjects. These results indicate that our method is a practical and sensitive assay for BCKADC, and that it can be a useful adjunct in newborn screening for MSUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective. This article examines whether there are differences in men’s and women’s use of the Internet and whether any such gender gaps have changed in recent years. Methods. We use data from several surveys during the period 1997–2001 to show trends in Internet usage and to estimate regression models of Internet usage that control for individuals’ socioeconomic characteristics. Results. Women were significantly less likely than men to use the Internet at all in the mid–1990s, but this gender gap in being online disappeared by 2000. However, once online, women remain less frequent and less intense users of the Internet. Conclusions. There is little reason for concern about sex inequalities in Internet access and usage now, but gender differences in frequency and intensity of Internet usage remain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY 1. The effects of oestrogen on thrombogenesis and the cerebral microcirculation of the female rat were studied during the oestrous cycle and after ovariectomy. 2. Serum levels of oestradiol (E2) and plasma concentrations of nitric oxide (NO) metabolites were significantly greater at prooestrus than at dioestrus. Blood vessel diameter, mean red cell velocity, wall shear rate and blood flow at pro-oestrus were significantly higher than at dioestrus. Thrombotic tendency, assessed using a He–Ne laser-induced thrombosis model, was significantly decreased at pro-oestrus compared with dioestrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the physical picture of higher-order Laue zone (HOLZ) line contrast in a large-angle convergent-beam electron diffraction pattern around a dislocation. Evaluation of the analytical expression of diffracted wave amplitude; Features of the HOLZ line contrast; Result of bending a localized lattice plane around a dislocation core.

Congenital porto–left renal venous (PRV) shunt was found to be the cause of galactosaemia in four galactosaemic neonates detected by mass screening (Paigen method). The patients did not have hereditary galactosaemias and were diagnosed as having galactosaemia of unknown cause, because porto–systemic venous (PS) shunts had not been recognized. At the time of diagnosis, hypergalactosaemia was not severe (0.44–0.55 mmol/L; 8–10 mg/dl) and plasma concentration of total bile acids (TBA) did not suggest a PS shunt (46–50 μmol/L). However, slightly but consistently increased concentrations of galactose and TBA strongly suggested the presence of a PS shunt, and careful ultrasonographic investigation revealed PRV shunt. We conclude that PRV shunt should be suspected in patients with hypergalactosaemia of unknown cause. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of hollows in cooked rice grains found before in the cultivar Koshihikari was confirmed for 4 more cultivars with various amylose contents. The size, shape, and total volume of hollows differed between cultivars. Hollow volumes increased with grain volume and length before 100 °C was reached, but subsequently decreased during prolonged boiling. The previously proposed mechanism, describing sealing by gelatinized starch of cracks formed during soaking, seemed accurate for all 5 cultivars. Based on the hypothetical model of their formation, a relationship between amylose content and hollow formation was assumed. However, no correlation existed between final hollow volume and shape on 1 side and individual parameters such as flour gelatinization and amylose content on the other side. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The first light source with a broadband spectrum in the 1800 nm wavelength region has been developed by employing a cascade configuration with a 1.65 μm band super luminescent diode and a Tm3+‐doped fibre amplification unit. The achieved bandwidth where the intensity exceeded ‐20 dBm/nm was 247 nm (from 1611 to 1858 nm) with a low ripple, whose peak‐to‐peak value was <0.15 dB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to develop a new method of analysing the shape of the residual ridge. The line of the residual ridge crest was regarded as the reference for artificial tooth arrangement and a method of determining it was evaluated. The shape of a plaster model was measured with a contact-type shape measurement system. The measurement data in each frontal section were interpolated by cubic splines. The points corresponding to the residual ridge crest were calculated and superimposed onto the image of the plaster model on a monitor screen of an image processor. Using these points and the image of the plaster model, the line of the residual ridge crest was marked on the plaster model. It was concluded that this method could be used to determine the line of the residual ridge crest on a plaster model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to duplicate the shapes of complete dentures by using a computer- aided design/manufacturing (CAD/CAM) system. The shapes of the complete dentures of an edentulous patient were measured using a non-contact type shape measurement system and morphological data at the interval of 0.25 mm were obtained in the X-axis and Y-axis directions. Measurement was performed from the occlusal surface and mucosal surface sides. Based on the three-dimensional morphological data, cutter paths for cutting were generated. For cutting, the three-step method consisting of rough cutting, finish cutting, and partial finish cutting was used and for duplicating the dentures the modelling wax was cut using a computerized numerical control (CNC) processor and ball-end nulls with diameters of 6 mm and 1 mm. The method for the controlling of three axes (X, V, and Z) of CNC machine was used, and cutting was performed only from two directions. Although further improvements are needed in the measurement and cutting in acute scope areas, the duplication of complete dentures appears to be possible using the CAD/CAM system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Proposed is a multi‐core fibre amplification method that can reduce crosstalk, in which the optical amplified signals in two adjacent cores propagate in opposite directions. By employing the proposed method, confirmed is a crosstalk improvement of more than 4 dB using the outer six cores of a seven‐core erbium‐doped fibre. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unlabelled: This report describes two patients with Gaucher's disease who had unusual clinical symptoms during enzyme replacement therapy. One patient was a female with type 3 Gaucher's disease. She developed a pericardial effusion at 7 y of age, which contained many Gaucher cells despite enzyme replacement therapy. She died from neurological deterioration during enzyme replacement therapy, despite an improvement in her visceral manifestations. The other patient is a male with type 2 Gaucher's disease, who has achieved long-term survival after being supported by mechanical ventilation and enzyme replacement therapy. While on enzyme replacement therapy at the age of 4 y, he suffered a generalized cutaneous disease which was clinically diagnosed as ichthyosis.Conclusion: These cases suggest that ordinary enzyme replacement therapy is insufficient for some of the non-neurological manifestations of severe types of Gaucher's disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A fan-in/fan-out device using small-diameter fibres for 12-core single-mode multicore fibre, which realises a hexagonal closely packed fibre arrangement by employing v-groove substrates and a low insertion loss is demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The differential modal gain (DMG) in a few-mode erbium-doped fibre amplifier (FM-EDFA) is successfully improved by employing a ringcore FM erbium-doped fibre (RC-EDF). The DMGs between LP01 and LP11 mode signals in the FM-EDFA with the RC-EDF are 1.8 and 1.6 dB for LP01 and LP11 mode pumping, respectively, whereas those in a FM-EDFA with a conventional step-index FM EDF are 9.2 and 6.1 dB, indicating 7.4 and 4.5 dB DMG improvement for LP01 and LP11 mode pumping, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inter-core crosstalk measurement method in a multi-core erbiumdoped fibre amplifier that uses a single-wavelength signal with multiple intensity tones is investigated. Its feasibility is confirmed and the output signal power dependence of the crosstalk values for the same signal gains between cores is successfully characterized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An inter‐core crosstalk measurement method in a multi‐core erbium‐doped fibre amplifier that uses a single‐wavelength signal with multiple intensity tones is investigated. Its feasibility is confirmed and the output signal power dependence of the crosstalk values for the same signal gains between cores is successfully characterised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]