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Objective To clarify whether antiparkinsonian drugs contribute to nocturnal sleep disturbances in patients with Parkinson’s disease (PD). Background Although the major antiparkinsonian drugs L-dopa and dopamine agonists (DAs) have been found to affect sleep, little is known about the effects of specific drugs on sleep in PD patients. Methods The study participants consisted of 112 PD patients (median age 72.5 years [inter-quartile range: IQR 65–79]; mean disease duration 8.44 years [standard deviation: 7.33]; median Hoehn and Yahr stage 3 [IQR 2–3.75]) taking one of three types of non-ergot extended-release DAs (rotigotine 32; pramipexole 44; ropinirole 36) with or without L-dopa (median daily total dosage of antiparkinsonian drugs 525.5 mg [IQR 376.25–658] levodopa equivalent dose [LED]). Participants were assessed using the PD Sleep Scale-2 (PDSS-2). Results For the whole PD patient cohort, the PDSS-2 sleep disturbance domain score and the scores for item 1 assessing sleep quality and item 8 assessing nocturia were positively correlated with daily total dosage of antiparkinsonian drugs and dosage of L-dopa, but not with the dosage of DAs. Sub-analysis according to DA treatment revealed that DA dosage was not correlated with item 1 or 8 score in any of the subgroups. The LED ratio of rotigotine to the total dosage of antiparkinsonian drugs was inversely correlated with the item 1 score. Conclusions These data suggest that antiparkinsonian drugs, in particular L-dopa, adversely affect nocturnal sleep in PD patients, especially in terms of sleep quality and nocturia. Thus, adjusting both the total dosage of antiparkinsonian drugs and the dose-ratio of L-dopa might be key actions for alleviating poor sleep quality in patients with PD. Among DAs, we found a clear positive correlation between the dose-ratio of rotigotine and sleep quality. Thus, partial L-dopa replacement with rotigotine could improve sleep quality in patients with PD.

The identification of alkali-rich components in extraterrestrial materials along with their separation from other constituents is indispensable for subsequent cosmochemical and isotopic studies. This paper presents a simple pre-screening method for such materials by autoradiography using imaging plates (IPs), which is applicable to identification of mm-sized samples containing ca. 30 µg of potassium in the Yamato-74442 chondrite. The detection limit of IPs was ~1 mBq of 40K under 49 days exposure. The method provides an opportunity to screen meteorite materials non-destructively and to inexpensively check potassium-rich areas and are suitable for the 40K–40Ca and 40K–40Ar (39Ar–40Ar) age determinations.

We present a dataset for boron and other trace element contents obtained from samples from 13 volcanoes distributed along the Quaternary volcanic front of the Southern Volcanic Zone (SVZ) of the Chilean Andes. The dataset shows constraints on the nature of slab-derived component to mantle source. Analyzed samples show large negative Nb and Ta anomalies, and enrichment of alkaline earth elements and Pb, which are features of typical island arc volcanic rocks. Boron contents of SVZ volcanic rocks range 2.3‐125.5 ppm, exhibiting marked enrichment relative to N-MORB and OIB. Both the boron contents and B/Nb ratios of the volcanic rocks increase from the southern SVZ (SSVZ) to central SVZ (CSVZ). Fluid mobile/immobile element ratios (B/Nb, Ba/Nb, Pb/Nb, and K/Nb) are used to examine slab-derived component to mantle source. Trace element compositions of altered oceanic crust (AOC)-derived fluid, sediment-derived fluid, and sediment melt are modeled. Mantle sources of volcanic rocks in CSVZ with high B/Nb ratios were contaminated by both AOC-derived and sediment-derived fluids. In contrast, mantle sources of volcanic rocks in SSVZ with a low B/Nb ratio were contaminated with ca. 3 wt% melt of subducted sediment, which had suffered from loss of boron during progressive devolatilization before melting.

Prompt gamma neutron activation analysis was applied to the determination of the titanium, potassium, samarium and gadolinium contents of nine Geological Survey of Japan (GSJ) reference materials (JB-1, 1a, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-1, 2). Firstly, the values in JB-1 were determined by the standard addition method: pressed powder disks of JB-1 were used for neutron irradiation and gamma-ray measurements, after known quantities of standard reagents had been added. Secondly, the contents of eight other reference materials were determined by comparison methods using JB-1 as the comparative standard. The precision of analyses were obtained by replicate determinations on these samples. The relative standard deviation was generally less than 5%. For most samples, analysed values agreed well (< 5%) with the recommended values. L'analyse par activation neutronique et comptage des particules gamma rapide a ete appliquee a la determination des concentrations en titane, potassium, samarium et gadolinium de neuf materiaux de reference du Service Geologique du Japon (GSJ) : (JB-1, 1a, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-1, 2). Tout d'abord les teneurs dans JB-1 ont ete determinees par la technique de l'addition de standard : des pastilles de poudre compressee de JB-1 ont ete irradiees par un flux neutronique puis la mesure des emissions gamma, a ete effectuee apres que des quantites connues de reactifs standards aient ete ajoutees. Ensuite les teneurs dans les huit autres ont ete determinees en utilisant JB-1 comme standard de calibration. La precision des analyses a ete determinee en dupliquant les analyses de ces echantillons. Les deviations standard relatives etaient generalement de moins de 5%. Pour la plupart des echantillons les teneurs determinees sont en bon accord (< 5%) avec les valeurs recommandees.

We determined chlorine contents in nine GSJ (Geological Survey of Japan) reference materials (JB-1, 1a, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-1, 2) by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis, employing the standard addition method. Pressed powder disks of each reference material were used for neutron irradiation and gammaray measurement, after known quantities (25-200 μl) of sodium chloride solution were added. The influence of the nearby sodium peak overlap was checked, and fluctuations in the chlorine count rate were corrected using silicon as an internal standard. The slopes of calibration lines for seven reference materials (JB-1, 2, 3; JA-1, 2, 3; JR-2) and SiO2 powders fall within 5% error, and their chlorine values were obtained from the intercepts. Chlorine contents in JB-1 a and JR-1 were also determined by using the calibration lines. Our chlorine values ranged from 26.1 to 934 μg g-1, which agrees well with the previously reported values. Nous avons determine les concentrations en chlore dans neuf materiaux geologiques de reference du Service Geologique du Japon (JB- 1, 1 a, 2, 3; JA- 1, 2, 3; JR-1, 2), par analyse par activation neutronique et gammas rapides avec la methode d'addition de standard. Des disques de poudre pressee de chaque materiau de reference ont ete utilises pour l'irradiation par neutrons puis l'analyse des rayonnements-gamma apres que des quantites connues (25-200 μl) de solution de chlorure de sodium aient ete ajoutees. L'influence sur le chlore du pic du sodium voisin etait suivie et les fluctuations du taux de comptage du chlore etaient corrigees en utilisant la silice comme standard interne. Les pentes des droites de calibration pour sept materiaux de reference (JB- h 2, 3; JA- h 2, 3; JR-2) et poudres de silice ont des erreurs inferieures a 5% et les valeurs de chlore ont ete determinees par leurs interceptes. Les teneurs en Chlore de JB- 1a et JR- 1 ont ete aussi determinees en utilisant les droites de calibration. Nos donnees de chlore varient de 26.1 a 934 μg g-1 ce qui est en accord avec les valeurs publiees precedemment.

即発γ線分析装置を用いて火山岩試料中のホウ素を短い装置使用時間で正確に定量する方法を検討した。ドップラー効果により台形型になったホウ素ピークの妨害となるナトリウムピークの除去方法を検討し, この影響はホウ素ピークの右半分を使えば避けることができることを明らかにした。火山岩中のホウ素の定量の際には試料の大きさの違いによりホウ素のγ線強度 (cps/g) は変化することを示し, この変動をケイ素を用いた内部標準法で補正できることを提案した。以上の分析方法を用いて地質調査所の火山岩標準試料中のホウ素含有量の定量を数回行ったところ, 再現性はよく, 各測定結果は9%以内で一致した。また今回求めたホウ素含有量は推奨値と一致した。

Mutations of the voltage gated sodium channel gene (SCN4A) are responsible for non-dystrophic myotonia including hyperkalemic periodic paralysis, paramyotonia congenita, and sodium channel myotonia, as well as congenital myasthenic syndrome. In vitro functional analyses have demonstrated the non-dystrophic mutants to show a gain-of-function defect of the channel; a disruption of fast inactivation, an enhancement of activation, or both, while the myasthenic mutation presents a loss-of function defect. This report presents a case of non-dystrophic myotonia that is incidentally accompanied with acquired myasthenia. The patient presented a marked warm-up phenomenon of myotonia but the repeated short exercise test suggested mutations of the sodium channel. The genetic analysis identified a novel mutation, G1292D, of SCN4A. A functional study of the mutant channel revealed marked enhancement of activation and slight impairment of fast inactivation, which should induce muscle hyperexcitability. The effects of the alteration of channel function to the myasthenic symptoms were explored by using stimulation of repetitive depolarization pulses. A use-dependent channel inactivation was reduced in the mutant in comparison to normal channel, thus suggesting an opposing effect to myasthenia.

[1] Boron, Cl, Ti, K, Sm, and Gd concentrations of oceanic crust samples were determined by prompt gamma neutron activation analysis. The samples include 63 basalts and 5 gabbros obtained at various depths (369–1503 m below seafloor) from Hole 1256D during Ocean Drilling Program Leg 206 and Integrated Ocean Drilling Program Expedition 309 and 312. The results show stepwise downhole variations, B content and B/K decrease, and Cl content and Cl/K increase with increasing depth. High B content (>1.5 ppm) in shallower rocks (extrusive lavas) is probably achieved by low-temperature seawater alteration, and high Cl contents (up to 1400 ppm) in the deeper rocks (plutonic section) would show result of high-temperature hydrothermal alteration. Average B and Cl values for the upper oceanic crust in Hole 1256D are 1.5 ppm and 334 ppm, respectively.

Clayton et al. (1976, 1982) established that equilibrated ordinary chondrites (EOC's) can be divided into the H- and L-groups on the basis of their oxygen isotopic composition. The present investigation is concerned with new oxygen isotopic analyses of petrologically well-characterized individual chondrules from the unequilibrated chondrites Dhajala (H3,4), Hallingeberg (L3), and Semarkona (LL3). A study is conducted regarding the implications of isotopic/petrologial correlations for the origin of chondrules in ordinary chondrites. It is found that the oxygen isotopic heterogeneities among chondrules are reminiscent of the bulk elemental and phase compositional heterogeneities among the same and other chondrules as reported by Gooding et al. (1979, 1980). It is concluded that chondrules formed possibly as a result of the melting of preexisting materials which were both chemically and isotopically heterogeneous.

Concentrations of uranium, and concentrations and isotopic ratios of thorium in zircon and glass were determined for pyroclastic dacite pumices in southern Kyushu, Japan, and lo-ages were calculated. Uranium and thorium distributions in other minerals were also determined. Uranium and thorium contents of minerals were highest for zircon and decreased in the order, zircon-apatite-glass-mafic minerals-plagioclase. Zircons showed the highest U/Th activity ratios compared with other minerals. Io-ages obtained by glass-zircon pair for pyroclastic flows in southern Kyushu, except for Ata pyroclastic flow were consistent with 14C and fission track ages and the stratigraphic sequence. Comparison of uranium and thorium concentrations in mineral constituents of acidic volcanic rocks showed that the glass-zircon pair is the most preferable for ionium dating.

Io-ages obtained for glass-zircon pairs which were not consistent with expected ages were discussed on the basis of uranium and thorium distribution between zircon and glass. Uranium and thorium distribution between zircon and host rocks from dacites and granites were also discussed. Discordant Io-ages obtained for glass-zircon pairs with normal (Th/U)zircon/(Th/U)glass ratio are explained by early stage crysallization of the zircon in the magma. Discordant Io-ages with abnormal (Th/U)zircon/(Th/U)glass ratios suggest that the zircon was captured in the magma as xenoryst. The discrepancy between (Th/U)zircon/(Th/U)glass ratios (about 0.19) for dacites and (Th/U)zircon/(Th/U)whole rock ratios (about 0.12) for granites could be explained by crystallization of granitic zircon from liquid having chemical composition different from that of the whole rock of granite.