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The standardization solution using three different methods is presented. The disintegration rate was determined by the CIEMAT/NIST and TDCR methods in liquid scintillator systems and self-absorption extrapolation method using 4π(PC)-β system. The results obtained for the activity of the 32 P solution were compared and they agree within experimental uncertainties.

Development on primary visible solid-state lasers (PVSSL) are very fascinating because the laser has many applications, for example, medicine, biology, and optical measurement systems. We have been developing a visible primary fiber laser with Pr-doped waterproof fluoro-aluminate glass fiber (Pr:WPFGF), and reported a single-mode laser performance in a double-clad structured Pr:WPFGF (Pr:DC-WPFGF) [1]. Recently, some reports on pulse generation in Pr:YLF were published [2, 3], and therefore, it is considered that research of visible laser pulse generation in Pr-doped materials has begun to be activated and another application on the PVSSL will be opened up. In this paper, we report a visible Q-switched pulse generation in Pr:DC-WPFGF.

The measurement of the gamma-ray emission probabilities per decay of 1077 keV of 68Ga is presented. The standardization system consists of a gas-flow proportional counter in 4π geometry coupled to an HPGe detector for the gamma-ray detection. The gamma-ray emission probabilities per decay were measured in an HPGe gamma-ray spectrometer. The weaker gamma-ray intensities of 68Ga were measured in a relative way, making use of an uncalibrated ampoule of 68Ge–68Ga in radioactive equilibrium, and considering the absolute result from the 1077 keV gamma-ray.

In the present work, the determinations of k0 and Q0 for 74Se, 113In, 186W and 191Ir targets were performed. The irradiations were conducted near the core of the IEA-R1 4.5 MW swimming-pool nuclear research reactor of the Instituto de Pesquisas Energeticas e Nucleares (IPEN-CNEN/SP – Nuclear and Energy Research Institute), in Sao Paulo, Brazil. The irradiation position was chosen where the neutron spectrum shape parameter α is very close to zero. For this reason, the correction to be applied for the determination of Q0 is very close to one, thus improving the accuracy of the results. For each experiment, two irradiations were carried out in sequence: the first one with bare samples and the second with a cadmium cover around the samples. All partial uncertainties were considered, applying the covariance matrix methodology. The final results were compared with the literature.

Background The aim of this study was to evaluate the use of intestinal fatty acid binding protein (I-FABP) and traditional biomarkers in the early diagnosis of acute intestinal ischaemia of different causes. Methods I-FABP, white blood cell (WBC) count, C-reactive protein, base deficit, lactate, lactate dehydrogenase, aspartate aminotransferase, creatine kinase and D-dimer were measured prospectively in consecutive patients suspected of having acute intestinal ischaemia. Biomarker levels were compared in patients with vascular and non-vascular ischaemia. Results Two hundred and eight patients with a clinical suspicion of acute intestinal ischaemia were enrolled. Vascular intestinal ischaemia was diagnosed in 24 patients (11·5 per cent), non-vascular ischaemia in 62 (29·8 per cent) and non-ischaemic disease in 122 (58·7 per cent). The levels of most biomarkers (except WBC count and creatine kinase) were significantly higher in the vascular ischaemia group than in the other groups (P < 0·010). However, none of the biomarker levels differed between patients with non-vascular intestinal ischaemia and those with non-ischaemic disease. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis suggested that I-FABP was best at diagnosing vascular intestinal ischaemia (area under the curve 0·88). Conclusion Serum biomarkers may be useful in the diagnosis of vascular, but not non-vascular, intestinal ischaemia. Among them, I-FABP shows promise for detecting vascular ischaemia.

Collagen-model peptides composed of (X-Y-Gly)n sequences were used to study the triple helical structure of collagen. We report the stability of these collagen-like peptides in biological fluids, and their pharmacokinetics including distribution, metabolism, and excretion in animals. A typical collagen-model peptide, H-(Pro-Hyp-Gly)10-OH, was found to be extremely stable in the plasma and distributed mainly in the vascular blood space, and was eliminated through glomerular filtration in the kidneys. Triple helical peptides of (X-Y-Gly)n sequences were quantitatively recovered from the urine of rats after intravenous injection regardless of the differences in peptide net charge between -3 and +6 per triple helix. In contrast, the renal clearance became less efficient when the number of triplet repeats (n) was 12 or more. We also demonstrated the application of a collagen-like triple helical peptide as a novel drug carrier in the blood with a high urinary excretion profile. We further demonstrated that a collagen-like triple helical peptide conjugated to a spin probe, PROXYL, has the potential to evaluate the redox status of oxidative stress-induced animals in vivo.

Three dimensional (3D) IC has been proposed for high performance and low power in recent years. Due to the narrow gap between stacked chips and fine pitch of bumps, new inter chip fill (ICF) which can be used for pre-applied ICF process is required. The heat generation of 3D-IC is higher than 2D, so that a high thermal conductive inter chip fill (HT-ICF) is simultaneously required to dissipate the heat from 3D-IC and for the purpose of pre-applied ICF and HT-ICF, highly active flux agent and thermal conductive materials such as filler and matrix have been called for at the same time. In this study, some kind of materials were prepared, synthesized and optimized for the HT-ICF, and we evaluated its characteristic and confirmed applicability to pre-applied joining for 3D-IC.

Background To clarify the influence of hypertension and blood pressure ( BP ) control on thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐ RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results A consecutive series of outpatients with atrial fibrillation was enrolled from 158 institutions. Of 7937 patients, 7406 with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (70.8% men, 69.8±10.0 years) were followed for 2 years or until an event occurred. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, a history of hypertension, and/or antihypertensive drug use. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for major hemorrhage (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.21, P =0.027) but not for thromboembolism (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.73–1.52, P =0.787). When patients were divided into quartiles according to their systolic BP at the time closest to the event or at the end of follow‐up (Q1, CI 1.75–4.74, P CI 1.02–2.53, P =0.041) after adjustment for components of CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score, warfarin use, and antiplatelet use. A systolic BP of ≥136 mm Hg was an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and major hemorrhage. Conclusions BP control appears to be more important than a history of hypertension and baseline BP values at preventing thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr . Unique identifier: UMIN 000001569.

Study on transcriptome, the entire pool of transcripts in an organism or single cells at certain physiological or pathological stage, is indispensable in unraveling the connection and regulation between DNA and protein. Before the advent of deep sequencing, microarray was the main approach to handle transcripts. Despite obvious shortcomings, including limited dynamic range and difficulties to compare the results from distinct experiments, microarray was widely applied. During the past decade, next-generation sequencing (NGS) has revolutionized our understanding of genomics in a fast, high-throughput, cost-effective, and tractable manner. By adopting NGS, efficiency and fruitful outcomes concerning the efforts to elucidate genes responsible for producing active compounds in medicinal plants were profoundly enhanced. The whole process involves steps, from the plant material sampling, to cDNA library preparation, to deep sequencing, and then bioinformatics takes over to assemble enormous-yet fragmentary-data from which to comb and extract information. The unprecedentedly rapid development of such technologies provides so many choices to facilitate the task, which can cause confusion when choosing the suitable methodology for specific purposes. Here, we review the general approaches for deep transcriptome analysis and then focus on their application in discovering biosynthetic pathways of medicinal plants that produce important secondary metabolites.

1. The aim of this work was to select lactic acid bacteria (LAB) strains from chicks and hens of egg-laying strains for potential use to control Salmonellae. 2. Nineteen LAB strains obtained from culture collections, and 24 strains isolated from excreta of laying hens and chicks, were evaluated for inhibitory capacities against two Salmonella serotypes using a "Spot-the-lawn" technique and other in vitro properties that could be predictive of antimicrobial activity. 3. The size of the inhibition zone differed slightly between Salmonella serotypes, however, the mean size of the Salmonella inhibition zone differed greatly among the LAB strains. Lactobacillus salivarius, L. plantarum, L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri exhibited powerful inhibitory effects to each Salmonella strain. 4. The result of the acid tolerance test showed that all L. salivarius, L. kitasatonis strains and each of L. ingluviei cannot survive in a low pH environment. In the bile acid tolerance assay, growth was inhibited in all strains, except L. kitasatonis HE4, and a large inhibition was observed in most of the L. salivarius and L. crispatus strains. 5. The results demonstrate that some LAB of poultry origin were able to inhibit the growth of Salmonella and survive simulated passage through the gastrointestinal tract. The selected LAB could act in the lower gastrointestinal tract to prevent salmonellosis in poultry.

Square-millimeter-sized free-floating translucent films are formed in physiological buffer by multiway connections between biotinylated collagen-like triple-helical peptides and avidin. Although the compositions of the films are almost constant, regardless of the ratios of the components loaded, their thicknesses can be controlled by the concentrations of the components. The film surfaces can be further modified by taking advantage of exposed biotin (or avidin) functionalities. The self-assembled films could serve as novel materials in biomedical and biosensing applications.

(Zn,Mn,Sn)As2 thin films containing Mn at more than 10% of cation sites were grown on InP substrates by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE). These films showed p -type conductivity and ferromagnetism with a Curie temperature greater than 330 K. They also indicated ferromagnetism, regardless of whether they are semiconducting or metallic. We discovered a linear relationship between the Curie temperature and Mn content in (Zn,Mn,Sn)As2 thin films. The experimental results are expected to provide an important clue to understanding the origin of ferromagnetism in ferromagnetic chalcopyrites, suggesting that the ferromagnetism in these materials derives from the scheme of hole-mediated ferromagnetic interaction. (© 2012 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

Orange laser pulses were successfully generated in a Pr-doped waterproof fluoride glass fibre (Pr:WPFGF) using a graphene thin film as a saturable absorber (SA). Two pulse generation modes were observed: a continuous mode with 0.47 μs pulse duration with a 2.61 μs repetition period and a single giant pulse mode with 9.7 ns pulse duration. The peak wavelength was 603 nm. This result shows that a graphene thin film can be effective as an SA in the visible region, and in the future a visible ultra-short pulse laser with a modelocking technique may be demonstrated.

The Nuclear Metrology Laboratory (LMN) at IPEN is carrying out measurements in a LSC (Liquid Scintillation Counting system), applying the CIEMAT/NIST method. In this context 35S is an important radionuclide for medical applications and it is difficult to be standardized by other primary methods due to low beta ray energy. The CIEMAT/NIST is a standard technique used by most metrology laboratories in order to improve accuracy and speed up beta emitter standardization. The focus of the present work was to apply the covariance methodology for determining the overall uncertainty in the 35S disintegration rate. All partial uncertainties involved in the measurements were considered, taking into account all possible correlations between each pair of them.

Background: Nasu–Hakola disease (NHD) is a rare autosomal recessive disorder, characterized by a combination of progressive presenile dementia and formation of multifocal bone cysts, caused by genetic mutations of DAP12 and TREM2, which constitute a receptor/adapter signaling complex expressed on osteoclasts, dendritic cells, macrophages, and microglia. No Japanese patients with TREM2 mutations have been reported previously. Methods: We reported three siblings affected with NHD in a Japanese family. Amongst them, two died of NHD during the fourth decade of life. The analysis of genomic DNA, cDNA cloning, and western blot of lymphocyte proteins was performed on samples of the living patient. The transcriptome was studied in the autopsied brain of one patient. Results: We identified a homozygous conversion of a single nucleotide T to C at the second position of intron 3 in the splice-donor consensus site (c.482+2T>C) of the TREM2 gene, resulting in exon 3 skipping and aberrant expression of truncated proteins. We identified 136 upregulated genes involved in inflammatory response and immune cell trafficking and 188 downregulated genes including a battery of GABA receptor subunits and synaptic proteins in the patient’s brain. Conclusions: This is the first report of a Japanese NHD family caused by a splicing mutation of TREM2 that induces both neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Diabet. Med. 28, 96–99 (2011) Abstract Aims Previous studies have implicated reduced serum bilirubin concentrations in the development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to examine whether bilirubin may explain the high incidence of vascular complications in haemodialysis patients with Type 2 diabetes. Methods We compared serum bilirubin concentrations, as well as other known aetiological risk factors for cardiovascular disease, in 206 Type 2 diabetes patients on haemodialysis with those in 741 Type 2 diabetes patients not receiving haemodialysis, and evaluated the association between serum bilirubin concentration and cardiovascular disease incidence. Results Incidences of cardiovascular disease and systolic blood pressure were higher; however, BMI and serum total cholesterol were lower in haemodialysis patients compared with those in patients without haemodialysis. Serum total (0.30 ± 0.10 vs. 0.74 ± 0.26 mg/dl, 0.005 ± 0.002 vs. 0.013 ± 0.004 mmol/l, P

Two experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of addition of sodium polyacrylate (SPA) to a phytase-supplemented diet on the performance and phosphorus (P) retention of chicks. In experiment 1, chicks were randomly allocated to four dietary treatments which were fed from 7 to 21 days of age: i) basal diet (low nonphytate phosphorus (0.23% NPP)); ii) basal with 250 U/kg diet of phytase; iii) as (ii) with 2.5 g/kg diet of SPA; and iv) as (ii) with 5.0 g/kg diet of SPA. In experiment 2, three replicates, each with three chicks, were fed from 7 to 28 days of age the basal diet (0.23% NPP) with supplementation of phytase (0, 300, 600, 900 U/kg diet) and SPA (0, 2.5 g/kg diet) in a 4x2 factorial arrangement. In Experiment 1, feed efficiency was improved and excreted P was 10% less with phytase supplementation. However, the addition of SPA did not affect performance or P excretion. Dietary SPA supplementation to the diets showed significantly higher amounts of P retention, and highest values were observed in chicks fed 2.5 g/kg of the SPA-supplemented diet. In Experiment 2, feed efficiency was improved with phytase supplementation, and the addition of SPA showed significant improvement in feed efficiency. Excreted P was significantly lower in chicks fed SPA-supplemented diets, and the retained P coefficient improved with SPA supplementation. In conclusion, the increased transit time of digesta with suitable supplementation levels of SPA may allow phytase activity to be more effective in the degradation of phytate, and improve P retention.

The k(0) method for quantitative reactor neutron activation analysis (NAA) has been applied in several laboratories for the determination of multi-elemental concentrations in different materials. The general formula that yields the concentration value can be divided in two parts: one involving detection parameters and the other involving irradiation parameters. A rigorous uncertainty calculation must take into account the correlations between each of these parameters. The Nuclear Metrology Laboratory at IPEN has a research program intended to develop a methodology applying covariance analysis in order to obtain the overall uncertainty in the concentrations of different elements in a given sample, and the correlation between each pair of them. The present paper concentrates in the determination of the neutron spectrum shape factor alpha by two methods: Cd-covered and Cd-ratio, using experimental data obtained in the IEA-R1 research reactor. The final values for alpha were: (0.001+/-0.018) and (0.001+/-0.019) for the Cd-covered and Cd-ratio methods, respectively, in good agreement with each other.

In this work, the uranium (U) content in sediment and soil samples collected near the Santos and São Vicente estuaries was determined using the fission track registration technique (SSNTD). The sediment and soil samples after oven-dried and pulverised were prepared in the solution form. About 10 microl of this solution was deposited on a plastic detector and irradiated at the IPEN-IEA-R1 (3.5 MW) nuclear reactor. After the irradiation and chemical etching of the plastic foils, the fission tracks were counted with a system consisting of an optical microscope together with a video camera and a PC. The U content in the analysed samples ranged from 3.12 +/- 0.55 to 18.3 +/- 1.2 ppm for sediments and from 3.21 +/- 0.63 to 11.5 +/- 1.1 ppm for soils or in terms of (238)U equivalent activity from 38.5 +/- 6.8 to 226 +/- 15 and 39.6 +/- 7.8 to 142 +/- 14 Bq kg(-1) for sediments and soils, respectively. These results were compared with other values reported in the literature for sediments and soils collected in environments similar to the ones studied in this work. Most of the values obtained in this work are higher than the world mean and are in reasonable agreement with results found by other authors for sediments and soils from regions considered as polluted or with a high level of radioactivity.

Background Patients with aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) have an increased risk of cardiovascular events. Patients with atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis (RAS) develop resistant hypertension and heart failure. We hypothesized AVS may be copresent with RAS in hypertensive patients. Methods Hypertensive patients with AVS (n = 167) underwent magnetic resonance (MR) angiography using nonenhanced steady-state free precession (SSFP) technique. More than 75% luminal narrowing in the proximal region of main renal artery was regarded as significant RAS. Peak aortic jet velocity was obtained by Doppler echocardiography. We measured brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), and estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease equation. Results Unilateral or bilateral RAS was detected in 40 patients. AVS patients with RAS were older (78 +/- 6 vs. 74 +/- 8 years), and had higher levels of aortic jet velocity (162 +/- 4 vs. 144 +/- 3 cm/s), and lower levels of GFR (55 +/- 13 vs. 62 +/- 14 ml/min/1.73 m(2)) than those without RAS. Higher aortic jet velocity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.09-2.31) and lower GFR (OR = 0.54, 95% CI = 0.33-0.38) were associated with the presence of RAS, after being adjusted for age, systolic blood pressure, and BNP. Conclusions RAS was detected in hypertensive patients with AVS, particularly in patients with higher aortic jet velocity and lower GFR. Higher aortic jet velocity and lower GRF may be useful as a potential indicator for those needing assessment of RAS for risk stratification and deserves further study.

AIMS To determine the metal ion and vitamin in vitro adsorption profile of sevelamer hydrochloride (sevelamer-HCl) and colestilan(INN)/colestimide(JAN), a novel ion-exchange resin being developed as a phosphate binder for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients undergoing hemodialysis, adsorption of metal ions (iron, cobalt, copper and zinc) and vitamins (B6, B12, C, K and folic acid) essential for hematopoiesis/blood coagulation was assessed. METHODS Mixtures of each resin (colestilan or sevelamer-HCl, 4 mg/ml) and metal ions (Fe(III), Fe(II), Co(II), Cu(II), and Zn(II), 1 microg/ml) were adjusted to pH 1.2 or 6.8 and incubated at 37 degrees C for 1 hour. Metal ions in the recovered filtrate were detected by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. In addition, the mixtures of each resin (4 mg/ml) and vitamins (B6, B12, C, K and folic acid, 0.5 - 250 microg/ml) were adjusted to pH 6.8 and incubated at 37 degrees C for 0.5 hour. The vitamin concentrations in the recovered filtrate were quantified by HPLC. RESULTS Colestilan did not adsorb any metals tested at either pH level, whereas sevelamer-HCl adsorbed copper(II) and zinc(II) ion at pH 6.8 with adsorption ratios of 99% and 38%, respectively. Both resins showed almost complete adsorption of vitamin C, vitamin K, and folic acid, but weak adsorption of vitamin B6, and no adsorption of vitamin B12. CONCLUSIONS The differing adsorption profiles for metal ions and vitamins between sevelamer-HCl and colestilan may be of importance for the individualized management of anemia and malnutrition in chronic hemodialysis patients receiving phosphate binding ion-exchange resins for the control of hyperphosphatemia.

Natto is a Japanese traditional soybean product fermented by Bacillus natto. The effects of dried fermented soybean (natto) supplement on egg production and egg qualities of layer chickens was studied with regard to the effective use of various waste foods in Japan. Dried natto, prepared by heating at 60°C, was added to a basic diet at a level of up to 3%. Forty 166-wk-old layer chickens (Rhode Island Red) were randomly divided into 4 groups and five layer chickens were used in each group with two replicates. Layer chickens in group 1 were fed a basic diet as the control. The remaining 3 groups were fed the basic diet supplemented with dried natto at levels of 1, 2, and 3% (w/w), respectively. The result did not show improvements in egg production or feed conversion ratio of layer chickens even when 3% dried natto was added to the control diet. The egg qualities including egg weight, eggshell strength and thickness, yolk color, yolk weight, albumen height, and Haugh unit were also not improved. However, the feeding of dried natto changed the cholesterol content in the egg yolk. The supplementation of dried natto showed the tendency to decrease the yolk cholesterol after 12-wk of feeding compared to the control diet though it did not change plasma cholesterol levels in the blood. On the other hand, yolk cholesterol decreased significantly after 12-wk of feeding 3% dried natto (p

Aortic valve sclerosis (AVS) may predispose to a prothrombotic state, as AVS is predictor of cardiovascular events in hypertensive populations. Thrombin exerts non-thrombotic effects such as vessel tone regulation, progression of atherosclerosis and stimulation of atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) secretion. We hypothesized that hypertensive patients with AVS may have a persistently activated thrombin generation. We studied 234 asymptomatic never-treated hypertensive patients (73 of them with AVS). Prothrombin F1+2 (F1+2), as a marker of thrombin generation and fibrin D-dimer, as a marker of thrombus formation, ANP and brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) were measured. Presence of AVS, aortic jet velocity and left ventricular diameter at diastole were determined by echocardiography. Glomerular filtration rate was estimated using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease formula. F1+2 (median and interquartile range (IQR) = 1.05, 0.87-1.38 nM vs. 0.93, 0.72-1.16) and ANP (22, 14-37 pg ml(-1) vs. 17, 11-25) levels were greater, and glomerular filtration rate values (65+/-9 ml min(-1)/1.73 m2 vs. 68+/-11) were lower in hypertensive patients with AVS than in those without AVS. F1+2 (odds ratio, 95% CI = 2.94, 1.07-8.6) was independently associated with AVS after being adjusted for age, gender and the variables of cardiorenal functions measured. After 6 months of treatment using valsartan, F1+2 levels remained elevated in hypertensive patients with AVS (1.14, 0.83-1.42 nM vs. 1.07, 0.84-1.5, n=19), but decreased in those without AVS (1.01, 0.85-1.31 vs. 0.8, 0.84-1.78, n=27). Thrombin generation was associated with AVS in untreated hypertensive patients, and this association was persistent after blood-pressure-lowering treatment using valsartan.

This work describes the procedure followed by the Laboratório de Metrologia Nuclear (LMN) for the standardization of (55)Fe by the tracing method. This technique was applied using two radionuclides, which decay by the electron capture process followed by a prompt gamma-ray, namely (51)Cr and (54)Mn, as tracers. The calibration was performed in a 4pibeta-gamma coincidence system. The efficiency was obtained by selecting a gamma-ray window set at the 320keV total absorption peak for (51)Cr and at 834keV for (54)Mn.

Plasma levels of von Willebrand factor (vWF), a marker of endothelial dysfunction/damage, are elevated in high-risk hypertensive patients and in patients with severe aortic regurgitation (AR). Patients with mild-to-moderate AR, frequently detected in hypertensive elderly, have additional left ventricular morphological and functional dysfunctions. We hypothesized that hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate AR may have enhanced endothelial and/or left ventricular dysfunctions that may lead to a deteriorated prognosis. We measured vWF, prothrombin F1+2 (F 1+2) as a marker of thrombin generation, brain natriuretic peptide (BNP) in 104 hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate AR and 66 hypertensive patients without AR. The left ventricular diameter at systole (LVDs) and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVWT) were determined by echocardiography and indexed by body surface area (LVDs/BSA and LVWT/BSA). VWF (median, interquartile range (IQR) 154, 120-196%) and BNP (34.7 pg ml(-1), 15-65%) levels were greater in patients with AR than in those without AR (135, 98-175% and 20, 10.3-49 pg ml(-1)). All patients were prospectively followed up for cardiac events during the period of median 43 months (IQR 31-81). Patients with AR had an increased risk of cardiac events (regression ratio (RR) 1.87, 95% confidence interval 1.28-2.87) when compared to those without AR. A multivariate Cox hazard analysis indicated that log vWF (RR 4.93) and log BNP (RR 1.9) were independent predictors in patients with AR. VWF was an independent predictor of clinical outcome in hypertensive patients with mild-to-moderate AR.

The effect of low-carbohydrate diet (LCD) on body composition, especially fat mass, in obese individuals remains to be elucidated. We performed a meta-analysis to provide quantitative summary estimates of the mean change of body weight (kg) and fat mass (kg) in LCD comparing to those in control diet. Literature searches were performed using EMBASE, MEDLINE and Cochrane Library until Dec 2014. Fourteen randomized controlled studies were included in this meta-analysis. Eight studies including very LCD (50 g carbohydrate or 10% calorie from carbohydrate) and seven studies including mild LCD (about 40% calorie from carbohydrate). Meta-analysis carried out on data of 1416 obese individuals, showed that LCD was associated with decrease in body weight (-0.70 kg [95% CI -1.07/-0.33]) or fat mass (-0.77 kg [-1.55/-0.32]). Subgroup meta-analysis of studies in over 12 months suggested that LCD was not associated with decrease in body weight (-0.44 kg [-0.94/0.07]), but LCD was associated with decrease in fat mass (-0.57 kg [-1.05/-0.09]). In addition, very LCD was associated with decrease in fat mass (-0.97 kg [-1.50/-0.44]), but mild LCD was not associated with decrease in fat mass (-0.43 kg [-1.15/0.33]). LCD, especially very LCD, might be effective for decrease in fat mass in obese individuals. © 2016 World Obesity.

To estimate the annual prevalence of different diagnostic categories by age, breed and sex in insured cats in Japan for which veterinary care claims had been made, and to identify if there is a pattern in these host factors.Data from 48,187 cats insured for veterinary care in Japan in the period from April 2012 to March 2013 comprising 26,003 males and 22,184 females were analysed to calculate the annual prevalence of 18 diagnostic categories of disease by age, breed and sex.The prevalence was highest for urinary system disorders (12·2% for males and 10·0% for females), followed by digestive disorders (11·6% for males and 10·7% for females) and dermatological diseases (8·7% for males and 9·0% for females). The male cats had a higher prevalence than female cats for most diagnostic categories. The prevalence of cardiovascular, urinary, endocrine and neoplastic disorders increased with age; infectious and parasitic diseases had high prevalence at young ages, and the prevalence of respiratory, musculoskeletal disorders and injuries had bimodal peaks. Dermatological disorders had a high prevalence at all ages. A large variation in prevalence was observed between breeds for otic, dermatological, dental and cardiovascular disorders.The findings can be used to increase awareness of patterns of health disorders in different categories of cat.

The procedure for the standardization of (59)Fe using a 4π(PC)β-γ software coincidence system is described. The standardization was performed with an experimental setup consisting of a thin window gas-flow proportional counter (PC) in 4π geometry coupled to a NaI(Tl) scintillator and to a HPGe detector. The data acquisition was carried out by means of a Software Coincidence System (SCS). The beta efficiency was changed by using Collodion films and aluminum foils as external absorbers.

A prototype cryomodule containing two 9-cell superconducting cavities of β = 0.725 and f 0 = 972 MHz had been constructed under the collaboration of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) and High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) on the development of superconducting LINAC for Accelerator Driven System (ADS). Cool-down tests to 2 K of the cryomodule and high power rf tests with a 972 MHz pulsed klystron have been carried out. Rf power of 350 kW in pulsed operation of 3 m s and 25 Hz was transferred to a 9-cell cavity through an input coupler. Accelerating gradients of 14 MV/m (compared to the specification of 10 MV/m) have been achieved in both cavities. Compensation of Lorentz-force detuning by a piezo tuner was successfully demonstrated.

The endoplasmic reticulum-resident chaperone heat-shock protein 47 (HSP47) plays an essential role in procollagen biosynthesis. The function of HSP47 relies on its specific interaction with correctly folded triple-helical regions comprised of Gly-Xaa-Yaa repeats, and Arg residues at Yaa positions have been shown to be important for this interaction. The amino acid at the Yaa position (Yaa-3) in the N-terminal-adjoining triplet containing the critical Arg (defined as Arg0) was also suggested to be directly recognized by HSP47 (Koide, T., Asada, S., Takahara, Y., Nishikawa, Y., Nagata, K., and Kitagawa, K. (2006) J. Biol. Chem. 281, 3432-3438). Based on this finding, we examined the relationship between the structure of Yaa-3 and HSP47 binding using synthetic collagenous peptides. The results obtained indicated that the structure of Yaa-3 determined the binding affinity for HSP47. Maximal binding was observed when Yaa-3 was Thr. Moreover, the required relative spatial arrangement of these key residues in the triple helix was analyzed by taking advantage of heterotrimeric collagen-model peptides, each of which contains one Thr-3 and one Arg0. The results revealed that HSP47 recognizes the Yaa-3 and Arg0 residues only when they are on the same peptide strand. Taken together, the data obtained led us to define the HSP47-binding structural epitope in the collagen triple helix and also define the HSP47-binding motif in the primary structure. A motif search against human protein database predicted candidate clients for this molecular chaperone. The search result indicated that not all collagen family proteins require the chaperoning by HSP47.

Neutron diffraction measurements, and structural modelling by reverse Monte Carlo simulation, have been performed for liquid Rb–Se mixtures in the Se-rich concentration range. In the liquid mixtures some of the Se chains are strongly bent to form ring-like Se chains with Rb atoms at the chain ends, creating a large amount of voids. The shortened Se chains link up to form a large cluster, and Rb atoms sit around it near the boundary of the miscibility gap at low temperature. The structure factor S(Q) exhibits a small pre-peak at ~1.3 A−1. From the void analysis it has been revealed that the observed pre-peak corresponds to a pre-peak in the concentration–concentration structure factor due to the chemically ordered packing of the interstitial voids and Se chains in the structure.

The inhomogeneity of the impurity- and field-induced magnetic order and superconductivity has been investigated in the hole-doped La 2− x Sr x CuO 4 (LSCO), La 2− x Ba x CuO 4 (LBCO) and the electron-doped Pr 1− x LaCe x CuO 4 (PLCCO). For the hole-doped cuprates, it has been found from the muon-spin-relaxation measurements that both Zn and Ni impurities tend to develop a magnetic order and to destroy the superconductivity around themselves not only around p (the hole concentration per Cu) = 1/8 but also at x = 0.15 and 0.18 in LSCO, though the development of the magnetic order by Zn is more marked than by Ni. Moreover, it has been found from the thermal conductivity measurements that the development of the magnetic order by the application of magnetic field is marked not just at p = 1/8 but in the neighborhood of p = 1/8 in LSCO and LBCO. The impurity- and field-induced magnetic order in the hole-doped cuprates can be interpreted as being due to pinning of the dynamical stripes of holes and spins by impurities and vortex cores in the CuO 2 plane, respectively. For the electron-doped PLCCO with x = 0.14, on the contrary, no impurity-induced magnetic order has been observed. The reason is discussed.

We have measured the thermal conductivity in the ab plane, κab, of La1.87Sr0.13Cu1−yMyO4 (M = Zn, Ni; y = 0.01, 0.03, 0.10) single crystals in magnetic fields up to 14 T parallel to the c axis. By the application of magnetic field, κab has been found to be slightly suppressed at low temperatures for y(Zn) = 0.01 and y(Ni) = 0.01. The suppression of κab is smaller for y(Zn) = 0.01 than that for y(Ni) = 0.01. These results support the stripe-pinning model where the dynamically fluctuating stripes of spins and holes are regarded as being pinned by vortex cores, leading to the development of the static stripe order.

Background There is strong evidence to suggest that anoxic depolarization (AD) is an important factor in hypoxia/ischaemia-induced neural damage. Treatments that prevent the occurrence of AD may be useful in providing neuronal protection against hypoxia. The current study was designed to determine whether general anaesthetics which have been suggested to ‘induce prophylaxis' against hypoxia can attenuate the incidence of AD. Methods The effects of anoxia (3 min) on evoked extracellularly recorded field potentials of CA1 neurons in rat hippocampal slices were assessed in the absence and presence of the i.v. general anaesthetics thiopental and propofol and the volatile anaesthetic isoflurane. Results In the absence of anaesthetics, AD occurred in 81% of the preparations tested. Thiopental (2×10 −4 M) significantly reduced the incidence of AD (16%, P =0.0006). In comparison, propofol (2×10 −4 M) and isoflurane (1.5 vol%) were ineffective (69% and 60%, respectively). Furthermore, in the presence of thiopental, the population spike amplitude recovered with and without AD (90% and 94% of pre-anoxic value, respectively) following 3 min anoxia. Conclusion The prophylactic effect of thiopental against hypoxia might be induced, in part, by preventing the generation of AD.

Our recent experimental works on the field-induced and impurity-induced magnetic order in La 2-x Sr x CuO 4 are reviewed. The muon-spin-relaxation (μSR) measurements of La 2-x Sr x Cu 1-y M y O 4 ( M = Zn , Ni ) have revealed that both Zn and Ni impurities develop the magnetic order around x=0.115, though the effect of Zn on the development of the magnetic order is more marked than that of Ni . The field-induced magnetic order around x=0.115 pointed out from the neutron scattering experiments has also been investigated by the thermal conductivity measurements in magnetic fields. Marked suppression of the thermal conductivity by the application of magnetic fields parallel to the c-axis has been observed in x=0.10 and x=0.13, which appears to be in good correspondence to the development of the magnetic order. In conclusion, not only impurities but also vortex cores in the CuO 2 plane seem to operate to pin the dynamical stripes of spins and holes, leading to the development of the magnetic order.

Two ultrashort-acting hypnotics, triazolam 0.25 mg and zolpidem 10 mg, were studied for their effects on equilibrium function in humans. Eight healthy male subjects participated in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study after informed consent. They subjected to static equilibrium tests, oculomotor tests and an assay of drug concentrations in the blood. Zolpidem was statistically significant in postural sway in tandem stance test, as defined by parametric values of tracing sum length and polygonal area of foot pressure center measured by a gait analysis system. In the tandem stance test, triazolam was statistically significant in postural sway only as defined by the polygonal area. However, in the Romberg test, the only statistically significant difference in zolpidem use was observed in polygonal area values. Blood concentrations of triazolam and zolpidem were found to closely correlate with the extent of postural sway in both tandem stance and Romberg tests. In this study, zolpidem with minimal muscle-relaxant effect incurred imbalance more extensively than triazolam, which is known for its effect of muscle relaxation. In addition, gaze deviation nystagmus was observed only in zolpidem use in 5 of 8 subjects (62.5%). From these results, it is suggested that in the use of hypnotics, sway derives from the suppression of the central nervous system relevant to awakening rather than from muscle relaxation. The prior reference to blood concentrations of hypnotics should help improve safety care in minimizing loss of balance control and possible fall.

We investigated ternary MnAs1-xSbx thin films on GaAs (001) substrates by low-temperature molecular beam epitaxy under varying growth conditions, studying their crystal structures and magnetic properties. It was found that MnAs1-xSbx film with x=0.2 seems to be lattice-matched to GaAs (001) substrates and is suitable for the growth of magnetic multilayers. We explored the possibility of growing magnetic MnSb/MnAs/MnAs1-xSbx multilayers on GaAs (001), and successfully prepared this kind of magnetic multilayer. We also report herein preliminary results regarding the magnetotransport properties of MnAs1-xSbx films in relation to the Sb content.

1. The study investigated mechanisms underlying the stereoselective hepatic disposition observed in rats of a zwitterionic diastereomeric pair ((3S)-3-[(3R or 3S)-2-oxo-3-[3-(5,6,7,8-tetrahydro-1,8-naphthyridin-2-yl)propyl]pyrrolidin-1-yl]-3-quinolin-3-ylpropanoic acid) with different lipophilicities. 2. In a recirculating isolated rat liver system, the more hydrophilic diastereomer II possessed biliary clearance, CLb, and bile-to-liver concentration ratio higher (about 10-30-fold) than the lipophilic zwitterion I, whereas both I and II exhibited comparably high concentration ratios between liver and perfusate. Although MK-571, a known multidrug resistance protein (MRP) inhibitor, significantly inhibited the CLb of both compounds, it did not inhibit their canalicular transport, as evident by unchanged concentration ratios between bile and liver of either I or II. 3. Following an intravenous infusion of I or II to Sprague-Dawley rats, the biliary clearance calculated either based on plasma (CL(b,p)) or liver concentration (CL(b,l)), of II was much higher than that of I (about 5-50-fold). In rats lacking multidrug resistance protein 2 (Mrp2) (Eisai hyperbilirubinemic rat, EHBR), the biliary excretion rate and CL(b,p) of II were also higher than the corresponding values for I. However, both CL(b,p) or CL(b,l) of either I or II were not reduced in EHBR, as compared with control SD rats. 4. In the in vitro rat canalicular membrane vesicle study, I and II exhibited no differences in their inhibitory effect on the Mrp2 mediated ATP-dependent [3H]DNP-SG initial uptake (no inhibition at 10 microM and only about 40% inhibition at 100 microM). 5. Collectively, these results suggested that (1) the difference in the hepatic disposition between the two isomers was due primarily to the difference in their transport mechanism across the canalicular membrane and (2) Mrp2 did not play a major role in the observed differences in the biliary excretion of the diastereomers I and II in rats.

Ce-doped CaGa2S4 and SrGa2S4 thin films were prepared for the first time by the flash evaporation method. The films were characterized before and after annealing in H2S(10%)+Ar gas stream by measuring photoluminescence and absorption spectra, X-ray diffraction and electron probe micro analyses. X-ray diffraction curves and absorption spectra before annealing show amorphous behaviour, whereas the annealing leads to a significant crystallization and improves the stoichiometry of the films. Based on the performance data obtained from dispersive type EL cells using CaGa2S4:Eu powder together with photoluminescence property comparison between CaGa2S4:Eu and CaGa2S4:Ce powders, the annealed films prepared by flash evaporation can be considered to become one of the candidates for TFEL flat panel devices.

Anomalies of the temperature coefficient of exciton absorption peak shift of TlGaS 2 were observed around 180–190 and 240–250 K. Some Raman lines were found to split at temperatures around 230–260 K. At low temperatures the light irradiation with the photon energy above the band gap energy caused a memory effect of photoluminescence quenching. This effect was observed for the emission appearing at 609 nm. Restoration of this photoluminescence quenching occurred with temperature range of 180–270 K. Complete recovery was attained at temperature above 270 K. The correspondences among the temperature ranges of the exciton absorption peak shift anomalies, the Raman line splitting, and the disappearance of the memory effect are considered to show that in TlGaS 2 successive phase transitions occur around 180–190 and 230–260 K.