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It is important to know the mechanisms underlying pain abnormalities associated with inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) regeneration in order to develop the appropriate treatment for orofacial neuropathic pain patients. However, peripheral mechanisms underlying orofacial pain abnormalities following IAN regeneration are not fully understood.Head withdrawal threshold (HWT), jaw opening reflex (JOR) thresholds, single-fibre recordings of the regenerated mental nerve (MN) fibres, calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), isolectin B4 (IB4), peripherin, neurofilament-200 (NF-200) and transient receptor potential vanilloid 1 (TRPV1) expression in trigeminal ganglion (TG) cells, and electron microscopic (EM) observations of the regenerated MN fibres were studied in MN- and IAN-transected (M-IANX) rats.HWT to mechanical or heat stimulation of the mental skin was significantly lower in M-IANX rats compared with sham rats. Mean conduction velocity of action potentials recorded from MN fibres (n = 124) was significantly slower in M-IANX rats compared with sham rats. The percentage of Fluoro-Gold (FG)-labelled CGRP-, peripherin- or TRPV1-immunoreactive (IR) cells was significantly larger in M-IANX rats compared with that of sham rats, whereas that of FG-labelled IB4- and NF-200-IR cells was significantly smaller in M-IANX rats compared with sham rats. Large-sized myelinated nerve fibres were rarely observed in M-IANX rats, whereas large-sized unmyelinated nerve fibres were frequently observed and were aggregated in the bundles at the distal portion of regenerated axons.These findings suggest that the demyelination of MN fibres following regeneration may be involved in peripheral sensitization, resulting in the orofacial neuropathic pain associated with trigeminal nerve injury.

The ZnS scintillator-based two-dimensional detector was developed for time-of-flight neutron imaging with a high spatial resolution and with a low gamma-ray sensitivity. The developed detector based on neutron counting method exhibited a high spatial resolution of less than 100 µm in full width at half maximum with a moderate count rate capability of several tens kcps. Its low gamma-ray sensitivity of less than 10−7 is also of particular interest. The detector is comprised of a thin ZnS/6LiF scintillator screen with crossed wavelength-shifting fiber (WLS fiber) arrays equipped with the fiber optic taper (FOT). Neutron imaging capabilities of the detector have been demonstrated by using a high-intensity pulsed neutron beam at the Materials and Life Science Experimental Facility in the Japan Proton Accelerator Complex (J-PARC).

This work compares the response properties of ortho, meta and para diallyl phthalate (DAP) resin plates and their copolymer plates cast under the same curing conditions. The plates were irradiated with fission fragments and alpha-particles. After irradiation, the plates were etched with a potassium hydroxide, ethanol and water (PEW) solution or an aqueous solution of potassium hydroxide. Enlarged nuclear tracks were observed and counted using an optical microscope. All plates were found to have a detection efficiency of almost 100% for fission fragments, and yet were found to be insensitive to alpha-particles. From the experimental results of finish in curing, ease in cutting, etching speed and heat resistance, the ortho-based plates have been found to be superior to the meta- or para-based plates as a fission track detector.

Hyaluronan (HA) is a major component of the extracellular matrix of cartilage, contributes to its structural and functional integrity, and has various important roles in the differentiation of chondrocytes. HA metabolism is regulated by both anabolic and catabolic processes; however, the details have not yet been clarified. The purpose of this study was to clarify the expression patterns of hyaluronidase (HAase) mRNAs (from the relevant HAase genes: the HYALs) and HAase activity during chondrocyte differentiation. Cartilage tissue and growth plate chondrocytes were isolated from the ribs of 4-week-old male Japanese rabbits. The expression of HYAL mRNAs in cartilage was analyzed by in situ hybridization. The expression levels of HYAL mRNAs in the culture were analyzed for each of the chondrocyte differentiation stages by means of quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. Enzymatic activity in the conditioned medium from the cultures was examined by using HA zymography and an enzyme-linked immunosorbent-like assay. The expression levels of HYAL1 and HYAL2 mRNAs were enhanced about 2.8-fold and 3.2-fold at the maximum during the early matrix forming stage, respectively, and by about 3.2-fold and 2.0-fold at the maximum in the hypertrophic stage, respectively. HYAL3 mRNA was not detected throughout the experimental period. HAase activity was enhanced at the early matrix forming and hypertrophic stages. These results suggest that selective expression of HYALs is essential for extracellular HA metabolism during chondrocyte differentiation.

Electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) was used to image the spatial variations in electrochemical activity at the heavily doped polycrystalline diamond surface. ECL was generated by the reaction of [Ru(bpy)3]2+ and tripropylamine. Images of the chemiluminescence patterns at the polycrystalline diamond surface were recorded photographically after magnification with optical microscopy to show the location and size of individual active regions. The spatial distribution for ECL intensity indicated that the electrochemical reactivity at polycrystalline diamond electrodes was microscopically heterogeneous. The ECL intensities for (100)-oriented growth sectors were much lower than those for other growth sectors, and remained at ca. 50% of those for (111) sectors even at the potential at which the intensity reached maximum. The ratios of the ECL intensities for the (100) sector to the average ECL intensities showed a linear relation with the potential, indicating that the conductivity for (100)-oriented microc...

Microparticles will probably play a promising role in the future of chemotherapy. These polymeric delivery systems are capable of maximizing the therapeutic activity while reducing side effects of anti-cancer agents. Usnic acid (UA) is a secondary metabolite produced by lichens, which exhibits an anti-tumour activity. In this study, PLGA-microspheres containing usnic acid from Cladonia substellata were prepared by the double emulsion method, with or without PEG as stabilizer. The morphology of the microspheres was examined by optical and scanning electron microscopy. The in vitro kinetic profile of usnic acid loaded-microspheres was carried out by dissolution testing. The usnic acid content was analysed by HPLC. The cytotoxicity of free and encapsulated usnic acid was evaluated against HEp-2 cells using the MTT method. The anti-tumour assay was performed in mice against Sarcoma-180 tumour (UA 15 mg kg(-1) weight body/day) during 7 days. Animals were then sacrificed and tumour and organs were excised for histopathological analysis. Microspheres presented a smooth spherical surface with a mean diameter of 7.02 +/- 2.72 microm. The usnic acid encapsulation efficiency was approximately 100% (UA 10 mg 460 mg(-1) microspheres). A maximum release of 92% was achieved at the fifth day. The IC50 values for free and encapsulated usnic acid were 12 and 14 microg ml(-1), respectively. The encapsulation of usnic acid into microspheres promoted an increase of 21% in the tumour inhibition as compared with the free usnic acid treatment. In summary, usnic acid was efficiently encapsulated into PLGA-microspheres and the microencapsulation improved its anti-tumour activity.

A hybrid experiment to operate simultaneously an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter and an emulsion chamber is under way at Mt Chacaltaya (5200 m, Bolivia). An event with a halo, a blackened area of ~1 cm on x-ray film of the emulsion chamber, was observed with the experiment. Information about the halo (Ehalo = 850 TeV) and on high energy particles of electromagnetic and hadronic components outside the halo (?E? = 632.5 TeV and ?E(?)h = 278.8 TeV with a detection threshold of 2 TeV) was obtained from emulsion chamber data. Details about low energy hadrons were determined from the hadron calorimeter data, and characteristics of the accompanying air shower (Ne = 7.0 ? 107, s = 0.59) were determined by the air shower array. We reconstruct the event, based on the observed data. The event is compared with simulated events, which supports the conclusion that nuclear interactions change their characteristics in the high energy region so as to result in stronger energy subdivision.

This study identified factors associated with awareness of genetic testing for cancer risk in the US general population. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to analyze data from the 2000 National Health Interview Survey. The strong predictors were education, race/ethnicity, immigration status, health status, interaction with health professionals, controlling for socioeconomic status, cancer diagnosis, family history of cancer, and perceived personal cancer risk. The substantial lack of awareness of genetic testing among immigrant and ethnic populations warrants further research and tailored educational interventions. Ways to improve quality of patient interactions with non-genetic clinicians in promoting public knowledge of genetic testing for cancer risk are also worthy of further exploration.

An experiment of an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter and an emulsion chamber is under way at Mt. Chacaltaya (5,200 m). Analysis of a halo event, detected by hybrid detectors, is presented. The data available for the event are on the halo ( E halo = 750 TeV), on the height of the interaction, the energy of the electron/photon and hadronic components from the emulsion chamber, on low energy hadrons from the hadron calorimeter, and on the characteristics of the accompanied air shower ( Ne = 7.0 × 10 7 , s = 0.59) using the air shower array. The structure and origin of the event is discussed based on the observed data of various components obtained by the hybrid detectors. The event is compared to simulated events, which support the conclusion that nuclear interactions change their characteristics in the high energy region resulting in a stronger energy subdivision.

We demonstrate the rare disorder of triple H syndrome in a 25-year-old man. He was pointed out as having short stature, at -5.9 s.d., and diagnosed as GH deficient at 6 years old. Approximately a year ago, he noticed systematic hair loss. He lost body weight by 7 kg during the last half year. He was admitted to Jichi Medical School Hospital because of unconsciousness. Physical findings showed disturbance of consciousness with Japan Coma Scale I-3. He had emaciation and alopecia universalis. Laboratory findings showed plasma glucose was as low as 1.11 mmol/l. GH and ACTH deficiency with hypoadrenocorticism were clarified. His intelligence was in the low normal range with a WAIS IQ of 70, and anterograde amnesia was suggested in the presence of a little, but not significant, morphological change in the hippocampus on a magnetic resonance imaging scan. Replacement by a physiological dose of hydrocortisone normalized plasma glucose, and restored body weight and growth of hair during the 7 month therapeutic period. The present finding strongly supports a clinical entity of triple H syndrome, including ACTH deficiency, alopecia universalis and anterograde amnesia, and that there may be some variation of the triad among the subjects.

We have previously shown the involvement of the ventromedial nucleus of the hypothalamus (VMH) in inducing running behavior. Stimulation of kainate (KA)-type glutamate receptors in the unilateral VMH of the rat exclusively elicited stereotyped running behavior. However, the neural pathways or functional connections of the VMH neurons involved in the running activity are yet to be elucidated further. In this study we examined whether the subthalamic locomotor region (SLR) is involved in the expression of the running activity originating in the VMH. The multiunit activity (MUA) in the ipsilateral SLR was significantly increased by KA injection into the VMH of urethane-anesthetized animals. Concomitant injection of 6,7-dinitroquioxalline-2,3-dione (DNQX, a KA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) with KA blocked this change in the MUA. Unilateral pre-injection of either kynurenate (non-selective glutamate receptor antagonist), D-2-amino-5-phosphonovalerate (AP5, an NMDA-type glutamate receptor antagonist) or DNQX into the SLR blocked the expression of the running activity induced by KA injection into the ipsilateral VMH. Results from the present study suggest that communication between KA-sensitive efferents from the VMH to glutamatergic pathways acting via NMDA and non-NMDA receptors in the SLR may underlie expression of running behavior originating in the VMH.

The origin of the highest energy cosmic rays (≥1020 eV) is not well understood. Interesting models called "top-down" scenarios have been proposed to explain the origin. The γ-ray flux in ultra-high-energy cosmic rays is a key parameter for giving constraints on such models. To study the properties of γ-ray showers, we carry out simulation studies that take into account both the Landau-Pomeranchuk-Migdal effect and electromagnetic interactions in the geomagnetic field. Based on an analysis of muons in air showers observed by the Akeno Giant Air Shower Array, the upper limits on the γ-ray flux are estimated to be 28% above 1019 eV and 67% above 1019.5 eV in the observed air showers at a confidence level of 95%. Above 1020 eV, the primary composition is in agreement with an extrapolation from lower energies, and there is no indication that the observed events are mostly γ-ray showers. These results provide observational constraints for origin models up to the highest energies.

A methane fermentation system for treating swine wastes was developed and successfully demonstrated in a field test plant (0.5 m 3 /d). The system was composed of a screw-press dehydrator, a methanogenic digester, a sludge separator, an oxidation ditch (OD) and composting equipment. A performance evaluation was carried out regarding physical pre-treatment using the screw-press dehydrator, methane fermentation for pre-treated slurry, and post-treatment for digested effluent by OD. Total solids (TS) and chemical oxygen demand (CODCr) removal by the screw-press pre-treatment were 38% and 22%, respectively. Properties of the screenings were as follows: water content 57%, ignition loss 93%, specific gravity 0.33. The pretreated strong slurry was digested under mesophilic conditions. Digestion gas (biogas) production rate was 25 m 3 /m 3 -slurry (NTP) and methane content of the biogas was 67%. COD Cr removal of 65% with methane fermentation treatment of the slurry operating at 35°C was observed. No inhibition of methane fermentation reaction occurred at the NH 4 + -N concentration of 3,000 mg/l or less during methane fermentation by the system. Mass balance from the present pilot-scale study showed that 1m 3 of mixture of excrement and urine of swine waste (TS 90 kg/m 3 ) was biologically converted to 25 m 3 /m 3 -slurry (NTP) of biogas (methane content 67%), 100 kg of compost (water content 40%, ignition loss 75%), and 0.80 m 3 of treated water (SS 30-70 mg/l).

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) affects more than 500,000 new patients each year and is characterized by fast growing, heterogeneous tumors and low five-year survival rates. Despite the identification of HCC risk factors, including alcohol consumption and chronic hepatitis B (HBV) infection, early diagnosis of HCC and molecular understanding of how these risk factors promote HCC both individually and in combination remain elusive. microRNAs (miRNAs), non-coding transcripts ~22 nt in length, have emerged as central mediators of post-transcriptional and translational gene regulation, and have been increasingly implicated in the initiation and progression of many cancers, including HCC. However, the dysregulation profile of miRNAs in HCCs of varying etiologies remains largely unexplored. To identify dysregulated miRNAs specifically associated with alcohol use or with HBV in HCC patients, we analyzed next-generation RNA-sequencing data from 234 HCCs in The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). Through differential expression analyses on cohorts stratified by alcohol consumption and HBV status, we discovered 10 miRNAs specifically dysregulated in alcohol-associated HCCs and 251 miRNAs specifically dysregulated in HBV-associated HCCs (FDR < 0.05). Among these, two miRNAs, miR-944 and miR-223-3p, significantly overexpressed in HCC alcohol consumers, exhibited additional correlations with patient survival, tumor stage, and mutations in CTNNB1, MUC16 and TNN (p < 0.05). We subsequently validated the upregulation of miR-944 and miR-223-3p in vitro following treatment of both normal liver and HCC cell lines with biologically relevant doses of alcohol and acetaldehyde, the first breakdown metabolite of ethanol. Knockdown of miR-944 and miR-223-3p significantly reduced cellular proliferation in both acetaldehyde-treated and untreated normal and HCC cell lines, and resulted in increased sensitivity to cisplatin. Inhibition of both miRNAs in HCC cell lines also restored the expression of several tumor suppressor genes targeted by miR-944 and miR-223-3p. Taken together, our findings enhance knowledge of the respective roles of miRNAs in alcohol- and HBV-mediated HCC, and highlight the increased transcriptomic resolution afforded by etiology-specific studies of cancer pathogenesis and progression. Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting. Citation Format: Pin Xue Li, Hao Zheng, Maarouf A. Saad, Angela E. Zou, Xiaoqi Wang, James G. Kwok, Avinaash Korrapati, Yuanhao Qu, Thomas K. Honda, Jessica Wang-Rodriguez, Weg M. Ongkeko. Alcohol consumption and hepatitis B-associated microRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 4426. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-4426

Correction for ‘Adhesive-free adhesion between polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and isobutylene–isoprene rubber (IIR) via heat-assisted plasma treatment’ by Y. Ohkubo et al., RSC Adv., 2017, 7, 6432–6438.

Previous measurements of the composition of Ultra-High Energy Cosmic Rays(UHECRs) made by the High Resolution Fly's Eye(HiRes) and Pierre Auger Observatory(PAO) are seemingly contradictory, but utilize different detection methods, as HiRes was a stereo detector and PAO is a hybrid detector. The five year Telescope Array(TA) Middle Drum hybrid composition measurement is similar in some, but not all, respects in methodology to PAO, and good agreement is evident between data and a light, largely protonic, composition when comparing the measurements to predictions obtained with the QGSJetII-03 and QGSJet-01c models. These models are also in agreement with previous HiRes stereo measurements, confirming the equivalence of the stereo and hybrid methods. The data is incompatible with a pure iron composition, for all models examined, over the available range of energies. The elongation rate and mean values of Xmax are in good agreement with Pierre Auger Observatory data. This analysis is presented using two methods: data cuts using simple geometrical variables and a new pattern recognition technique., Comment: 23 pages, 30 figures

In a worldwide collaborative effort, 19, 630 Y- chromosomes were sampled from 129 different populations in 51 countries. These chromosomes were typed for 23 short-tandem repeat (STR) loci (DYS19, DYS389I, DYS389II, DYS390, DYS391, DYS392, DYS393, DYS385ab, DYS437, DYS438, DYS439, DYS448, DYS456, DYS458, DYS635, GATAH4, DYS481, DYS533, DYS549, DYS570, DYS576, and DYS643) and using the PowerPlex Y23 System (PPY23, Promega Corporation, Madison, WI). Locus-specific allelic spectra of these markers were determined and a consistently high level of allelic diversity was observed. A considerable number of null, duplicate and off- ladder alleles were revealed. Standard single- locus and haplotype-based parameters were calculated and compared between subsets of Y-STR markers established for forensic casework. The PPY23 marker set provides substantially stronger discriminatory power than other available kits but at the same time reveals the same general patterns of population structure as other marker sets. A strong correlation was observed between the number of Y-STRs included in a marker set and some of the forensic parameters under study. Interestingly a weak but consistent trend toward smaller genetic distances resulting from larger numbers of markers became apparent.

Soybean dwarf virus (SbDV) is divided into four strains, namely YS, YP, DS and DP. YS and YP cause yellowing in soybeans, while DS and DP cause dwarfing. YS and DS are transmitted by Aulacorthum solani, while YP and DP are transmitted by Acyrthosiphon pisum. To clarify the taxonomic relationship between the four strains and to classify SbDV into an appropriate genus in the Luteoviridae, we determined the complete nucleotide sequences of genomic RNAs of four isolates belonging to each of the strains. The genomes of the four isolates had a chimeric form between Barley yellow dwarf virus-PAV and poleroviruses, and the genome organizations were similar to the Australian isolate SbDV Tas-1. In all of the non-coding regions and ORFs, nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequence identity between the same symptom-type strains was higher than that between the different symptom-type strains. However, in the N-terminal half of the readthrough domain (RTD) the deduced amino acid identity between the same aphid transmissibility-type strains was higher than that between the different aphid transmissibility-type strains. These data suggest that the N-terminal half of the RTD is closely related to the aphid transmission specificity, and that the present strains were generated from ancestral Y and D strains by mutations and strong selection pressures of efficient aphid transmission. Therefore, we propose that SbDV should be classified into a new genus in the family Luteoviridae and that the four strains described should be regarded as different strains of the same virus, rather than as distinct virus species.

Accumulation and fragmentation of hyaluronic (HA) accompanies the inflammatory changes in the periodontium and gingival crevicular fluid are involved in periodontitis, but the mechanism for this is unknown. Recently, three human hyaluronan-synthase (HAS1, 2, and 3) genes have been cloned and characterised as synthesising hyaluronans of different molecular weights. Both HAS1 and HAS2 synthesise high molecular-weight HA, whereas HAS3 produces lower molecular weight HA. In the present study the regulation of HAS genes by cytokines in cultured human periodontal ligament (PDL) cells was investigated using a novel real-time fluorescence polymerase chain reaction detection system. Human PDL cells derived from premolars were cultured with or without tumour necrosing factor (TNF)-alpha (1-100 ng/ml), interleukin (IL)-1beta (0.1-10 ng/ml) and interferon (IFN)-gamma (1-100 ng/ml). Expression of HAS mRNA was assessed in cultured cells treated with these cytokines for 0-24 h. The expression of HAS2 mRNA was enhanced about 4.5- and 2.2-fold at maximum after 3-h stimulation with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha and 1 ng/ml IL-1beta, respectively, whereas IFN-gamma exerted little effect on HAS2 or HAS3 mRNA expression during the experiment. Expression of HAS3 mRNA was increased by about 14- and 10-fold after 3-h stimulation with 10 ng/ml TNF-alpha and 1 ng/ml IL-1beta, respectively. These results suggest that TNF-alpha and IL-1beta regulate HAS expression, and consequently may result in an accumulation of HA and an increase in HA of a lower molecular-weight.

cDNAs for hyaluronic acid synthases (HAS2 and HAS3) were cloned from a cDNA library of cultured rabbit synovial membrane cells. The cDNA encoding the open reading frame of rabbit HAS2 and HAS3 was 1659 nucleotides in length with a predicted molecular mass of about 63 kDa. The amino acid sequence showed that the rabbit HAS2 was 98.7 and 98.4%, and HAS3 was 98.2 and 97.5% identical with human and mouse forms of the proteins, respectively. The predicted sequences for hyaluronic acid (HA) binding motifs and the catalytic domains related to beta 1-4 and beta 1-3 linkages, essential for HA synthesis, were almost conserved in both rabbit HAS2 and HAS3, similarly to human and mouse HASs. RT-PCR analysis and in situ hybridization revealed that the mRNA of HAS2 was highly expressed in the synovial membrane and articular cartilage, whereas the expression of HAS3 mRNA was slightest in these tissues. Thus, it is demonstrated that rabbit HASs are highly conserved in sequence content as compared to the human and mouse homologues described previously, and that HAS2 is predominantly expressed in the synovial membrane and articular cartilage, but HAS3 is not.

An experiment of an air shower array, a hadron calorimeter (8 m 2 ) and an emulsion chamber (8 m 2 , 15 cm Pb) is under way at Mt. Chacaltaya (5200 m above sea level, Bolivia), in order to study the hadron interactions and the primary cosmic rays in the energy region exceeding 10 15 eV. The number of particles in the hadronic component in the air shower, which is detected by the hadron calorimeter, is not compatible with that obtained by simulations, indicating that violation of the Feynman scaling law is stronger at 10 16 eV than the one assumed in the simulations. The average mass number of the primary cosmic rays, estimated from the distribution of the number of hadrons in the air shower, is A >= 2.8 ± 0.5 at 10 16 eV.

We designed and built a single-phase 1 MVA-22/6.9 kV HTS transformer with the multi-layered cylindrical windings composed of Bi2223 parallel conductors. In advance of the design, the AC loss induced in the windings was estimated on the basis of the observed results in a strand. A subcooled liquid nitrogen cryogenic system with the corresponding cooling capacity was developed and attached to the transformer. The actual AC loss was measured by an electrical method. It was a great part of the total heat load and dominated the temperature rise of subcooled liquid nitrogen. We discussed the validity of the present estimation procedure of the AC loss in the windings as compared with the observed results.

Thermal ring-opening polymerization of uniform macrocyclic ethylene terephthalate dimer was examined at various temperatures above its melting point. From SEC study, it can be indicated that the polymerization proceeded through chain reaction, not through a typical polycombination reaction. Maximum molecular weight of the polymer obtained under optimum reaction conditions reached to a sufficiently high level of more than 20,000 (Mw). It is noteworthy that this new reaction for synthesizing poly(ethylene terephthalate) progresses without any catalyst under atmospheric pressure.

治療目的で投与される種々の薬剤が大腸炎を誘発する.薬剤起因性大腸炎の治療法は起因薬剤の中止が基本となるため,その存在を認識することは重要である.抗生物質は代表的薬剤であり,急性出血性腸炎,偽膜性腸炎および最近ではMRSA(methicillin-cephem resistant staphylococcus aureus)腸炎を来すことはよく知られている.その発生機序に関しては不明な点もあるが,病態・治療に関してはほぼ確立されている.近年,大腸内視鏡検査の普及とともに,NSAIDs(non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)による大腸病変の報告が増加しており,高齢化社会を反映して今後さらに増加することが予測される.NSAIDs起因性腸炎は内視鏡所見から潰瘍型と腸炎型に大別され,その発生機序も異なることが推測されているが不明な点も多く,さらに症例を集積し診断基準を確立する必要がある.原因不明の腸炎の診断には薬剤起因性大腸炎を念頭において,薬歴とくに抗生物質,NSAIDs服用の有無を詳細に調べることが重要である.

To elucidate the mechanism of accumulation and fragmentation of hyaluronic acid (HA) under inflammatory conditions, we investigated the effect of proinflammatory cytokines on hyaluronic acid synthetase (HAS) mRNA expression using cultured rabbit synovial membrane cells. HASs mRNA levels were determined by real-time PCR. HAS2 mRNA expression was maximally enhanced 3.3- and 2.8-fold after 3-hour stimulation with IL-1beta (1 ng/ml) and after 1-hour stimulation with TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml). HAS3 mRNA expression was increased by a maximum of 4.3 times after 3-hour stimulation with IL-1beta (10 ng/ml), whereas 1-hour stimulation with TNF-alpha (10 ng/ml) and IFN-gamma (10 ng/ml) induced around a 2.5-fold increase in HAS3 mRNA. Although IFN-gamma (1-100 ng/ml) alone showed little effect on HAS2 mRNA expression, the effect was synergized by combined with both IL-1beta and TNF-alpha, substantially increasing HAS2 mRNA expression. These results suggest that proinflammatory cytokines regulate the HAS expression, and consequently may contribute to the accumulation and fragmentation of HA.

We search for ultra-high energy photons by analyzing geometrical properties of shower fronts of events registered by the Telescope Array surface detector. By making use of an event-by-event statistical method, we derive upper limits on the absolute flux of primary photons with energies above ${10}^{19}$, ${10}^{19.5}$, and ${10}^{20}\text{ }\text{ }\mathrm{eV}$ based on the first three years of data taken.

The detection efficiencies of ZnS neutron-sensitive scintillator detector were evaluated as functions of the neutron incidence angle on the scintillator and neutron wavelength using a pulsed neutron beam that generates neutron with wavelengths from 0.5 to 8 A. ZnS/6LiF and ZnS/10B 2 O 3 scintillator screens with thicknesses of 0.45 and 0.22 mm, respectively, were used for the evaluation. The detection efficiency of each scintillator was strongly influenced by the incidence angle and the neutron wavelength. A fitting model that incorporates both the neutron-absorption and light-escape probabilities reproduced the measured detection efficiencies very well.

The heat capacity measurements were carried out on a glassy sample of GeSe 2 using an adiabatic calorimeter in the temperature range from 13 to 300 K. The heat capacity data were compared with those previously measured on the crystalline GeSe 2 . The heat capacity value of the glassy GeSe 2 was smaller than that of the crystalline GeSe 2 below about 60 K, vice versa above it. The crossing phenomenon of the heat capacity curves was discussed on the basis of the density-of-states in the lattice vibrations, and a difference was pointed out in the long-range ordering in their layered structures.

Excessive mechanical load is thought to be responsible for the onset of osteoarthrosis (OA), but the mechanisms of cartilage destruction caused by mechanical loads remain unknown. In this study we applied a high magnitude cyclic tensile load to cultured chondrocytes using a Flexercell strain unit, which produces a change in cell morphology from a polygonal to spindle-like shape, and examined the protein level of cartilage matrixes and the gene expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs) and proinflammatory cytokines such as IL-1beta and TNF-alpha. Toluidine blue staining, type II collagen immunostaining, and an assay of the incorporation of [35S]sulfate into proteoglycans revealed a decrease in the level of cartilage-specific matrixes in chondrocyte cultures subjected to high magnitude cyclic tensile load. PCR-Southern blot analysis showed that the high magnitude cyclic tensile load increased the mRNA level of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-9, IL-1beta, TNF-alpha and TIMP-1 in the cultured chondrocytes, while the mRNA level of MMP-2 and TIMP-2 was unchanged. Moreover, the induction of MMP-1, MMP-3 and MMP-9 mRNA expression was observed in the presence of cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis. These findings suggest that excessive mechanical load directly changes the metabolism of cartilage by reducing the matrix components and causing a quantitative imbalance between MMPs and TIMPs.

The X-linked lymphoproliferative disease (XLP) is an inherited immunodeficiency characterized by an abnormal responses to infection with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), resulting in fatal infectious mononucleosis, hypogammaglobulinemia, virus-associated hemophagocytic syndrome, and malignant lymphoma. Mutations in the gene coding for a T cell-specific SLAM-associated protein (SAP) have been recently identified in XLP patients. We report on a 1-year-old boy representing fulminant hemophagocytic syndrome. He developed high fever, lymphadenopathy, hepatosplenomegaly with liver dysfunction, and pancytopenia with marrow hemophagocytosis. EBV DNA was abnormally increased in the blood. Polymerase chain reaction failed to amplify SAP mRNA and genomic DNA products from the patient' As peripheral blood. A large deletion of the SAP gene was confirmed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). FISH analysis also disclosed that the patient's mother was a carrier. We conclude that FISH can be useful in the diagnosis of XLP with large deletions of the SAP gene and its carrier state.

It is proposed that concurrent-flow flame spread over solid fuel beds will be steady under conditions where heat and momentum losses to the sides of the fuel samples and/or surface radiative losses are significant. These losses are argued to be unavoidable because the flame length will grow until these losses balance the heat and momentum generation rates. Approximate relations (with no adjustable parameters or necessity for supplemental measured quantities such as heat fluxes or pyrolysis times) are derived for steady spread rates in the presence of these losses for laminar and turbulent flow, buoyant and forced convection, and thin and thick fuels. Experimental tests of these relations were conducted for upward flame spread over thermally thin fuels. Varying pressures, oxygen mole fractions, and diluents were employed to cover a seven-decade range of the Grashof number. These experiments generally support the validity of the proposed mechanisms.

We have observed flares of TeV-gamma rays from Mrk501 in 1997 using three telescopes of the Utah Seven Telescope Array at Dugway, Utah. Determination of the energy spectrum from such Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) is very important, because the gamma-ray spectrum is expected to steepen around 10 TeV from objects like Mrk501 by the interaction of the infrared photons. We have developed the method to estimate energies of the gamma rays by stereoscopic analysis using multiple telescopes. The differential index of the energy spectrum obtained is well expressed by −2.5 between 700 GeV and 3 TeV. This spectrum seems to become steeper above several TeV.

A full system of 1 kWh/1 MW superconducting magnetic energy storage (SMES) has been completed early this year. This SMES is the first step to the realization of practical SMES system for power line stabilization. Main points in its design are two module type arrangement of six coils having three coils and one converter as one unit of module, modified-D-shaped coils with mechanical supports, liquid helium vessel type cooling of coils, and high-temperature superconducting current leads. The first test experiment was carried out on the site recently. The above design points were examined. A preliminary test for power line control was also made in the distribution line at the site. Satisfactory results were obtained.

In order to apply high T/sub c/ superconducting (HTS) tape to the power apparatus, it is necessary to evaluate the property of the coil shape. In particular, the stability of the coil is important, because it is expected to influence both the machine design and the operating conditions. In order to study the feasibility of HTS power application, they used double-pancake coils wound by Ag-sheathed Bi-2223 multi-filament tapes, and measured the transport current properties. From the experimental and analytical results, it was noted that the HTS double-pancake coils exhibited very stable properties, even beyond the critical current of coils. They believe that they can show the possibility of application of the HTS tape to the winding of power apparatus, although further improvements in superconducting properties of the tapes are needed. The stabilities of HTS and LTS (low T/sub c/ superconductor) are quite different, so it is also necessary to establish an analytical method for determining the stability of HTS winding.

We have observed gradient spin echoes in the ground state of $\mathrm{l}\mathrm{a}\mathrm{s}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{r}\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{c}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{d}{}^{85}\mathrm{Rb}$ atoms through paramagnetic Faraday rotation. We have obtained the exact expression for the behavior of the echo signal under the assumption that the motion of the cold atoms is ballistic. The qualitative behaviors predicted by the theory have been confirmed experimentally. We demonstrate the usefulness of the spin echo method for the diagnosis for the atomic density distribution of cold atoms. We discuss various advantages of the spin echo as a novel method for temperature measurement.

The heat-shock proteins are coded for the polycistronic operons hsp70 and hsp60 in Staphylococcus aureus. The hsp70 operon is comprised of five genes, hrc37, hsp20, hsp70, hsp40 and orf35, and the hsp60 is comprised of two genes, hsp10 and hsp60. The hsp70 operon transcribed five different sizes of mRNA from three promoters: P1, the most active promoter, transcribed 6.0 and 3.6 kb mRNAs; P2 transcribed a single 1.8 kb mRNA; and P3 transcribed 4.2 and 2.4 kb mRNAs. The hsp60 operon transcribed a single 2.1 kb transcript from only one promoter, P1. Both operons had a common structure of inverted repeat element (CIRCE, Controlling Inverted Repeat of Chaperon Expression) at the promoter region. All of the transcripts were heat (46 C) inducible. One of the unidentified genes, hrc37, was characterized. The disruptant of the hrc37 in the hsp70 operon enhanced the transcription of both operons at 37 C (derepression). Complementation of the disruptant with the cloned hrc37 plasmid recovered the repression of the transcription of both operons at 37 C. The product of hrc37, Hrc37, was found to bind to the CIRCE element. These findings indicated that Hrc37 from the hsp70 operon repressed the transcription of both the hsp70 and hsp60 operons by binding to the CIRCE element located at the promoter region.

This paper describes a dexterous and robust manipulation system with a multi-fingered hand. Dynamic interactions between the finger-tips and the grasped object together with those between the grasped object and the environment easily cause manipulation errors and task execution errors. Pose errors of the manipulated object is toosmall to be detected in the servo cycle of the finger control. However such small errors will grow rapidly to cause task execution error unless compensation is correctly made. We have developed a task evaluation module which observes the pose change of the object in a longer time span depending on the motion primitive of the multi-fingered hand. Error-recovery strategies are developed and successfully executed based on the task evaluation. Result of experiment is finally shown.

Three-dimensional (3D) image processing for analysis of track etching in a Solid State Nuclear Track Detector (SSNTD) was performed. A SSNTD in contact with boron nitride films was exposed to epithermal and thermal neutrons. In chemical etching process, sequential images of etch-pits on the surface of the SSNTD were obtained with a developed observation system. By use of a digital-image-processing technique, 3D images were reconstructed from data on sequential surface images of the track detector for particles released due to 10 B ( n , α ) 7 Li reactions.

The effects of the diffusion control technique by inserting physical vapor deposition (PVD)-TiN film between poly-Si and CVD-TiN films on the properties of p-MISFETs using poly-Si/TiN/HfSiON gate stacks have been studied. This insertion was effective in suppressing the diffusion of Si from poly-Si to HfSiON and was able to reduce the Vth value by 0.12 V while keeping the equivalent oxide thickness and S value constant, when the thicknesses of the PVD and CVD-TiN films were 10 and 5 nm, respectively. Although too much ion implantation of fluorine into the substrate deteriorates S value and ION, it was verified that this diffusion control technique, in conjunction with a moderate substrate fluorine implantation, provided a reduction of Vth in pMIS without a deterioration of ION.

We will report the observations of TeV gamma ray flares from Markarian 501 using Telescope Array Prototype. The observation were carried out continuously from the end of March to the end of July in 1997. The energy spectrum, and the time variation of the gamma ray intensities are shown. The intensity has been changed by the order of magnitude in this period and the possible quasi periodic oscillation of 12.7days were discovered., 16 pages, 4 figures

The effects of atmosphere composition on the rate of opposed-flow flame spread (Sf ) over thin solid fuel beds at microgravity (μg) were measured and compared to earth gravity (lg) results and theoretical predictions. Two modifications to standard atmospheres were considered. First, the effects of sub-flammability-limit concentrations of a gaseous fuel (CO or CH4) were measured and compared to an existing theoretical model that was extended to ug conditions. The agreement between the model and experiment is reasonable considering the simplicity of the model. Notably, both model and experiment show that the effect of added gaseous fuel is greater at μg than lg. Secondly, the effect of diluent type on Sf -was studied by comparing results using He, N2, Ar, CO2 and SF6 diluents. It was found that, in agreement with prior studies in N2 diluent, for He, N2 or Ar diluents, Sf was larger at 1g than μg. In contrast, for CO2 diluent, Sf was slightly lower at 1g than at μg and for SF6 diluent, Sf was much lower at 1...

The title compound, C 10 H 12 S 4 + .Br - .0.5C 7 H 5 N.0.5H 2 O, is a cation-radical salt of tetramethyltetrathiafulvalene (TMTTF) and bromine with a ratio of TMTTF to Br of 1:1. The TMTTF cations have crystallographically imposed C s symmetry with mirror planes at y = 0 and y = 1/2 which lie along the central C=C bonds. The cations are stacked to form a column structure extending along the c axis and face each other to assume dimeric structures around the inversion centres, with short S...S contacts of 3.430 (2) and 3.508 (2) A. The central double-bond lengths of 1.394(9) and 1.413(8)A are longer than the reported value of the corresponding CC distance of 1.35 A in TMTTF 2 Br. This is consistent with the findings that the greater the charge on the tetrathiafulvalene cation the longer the C=C bond distance.

症例は20歳の女性.1994年4月,家族性大腸腺腫症の診断で大腸全摘術を施行した.1995年10月より右下腹部の硬い腫瘍に気付き,1996年に入って頻尿,残尿感も出現した.その後も腫瘍は増大するとともに疼痛も訴えるようになったため,4月手術を目的に入院した.入院時の所見では右下腹部の腫瘍は9.3×8.1cm,右上腹部は4.5×3.9cmを計測した.腹部CTでは腹直筋内に境界明瞭な充実性腫瘍が描出され,左腎は腎盂が拡大し水腎症に陥っていた.DIPおよびRPでは左尿管の骨盤内での狭窄がみられた.腹壁デスモイドおよび腹腔内デスモイドによる左尿管狭窄と診断して6月4日に手術を施行した.腹壁のデスモイドを切除後開腹した.腹腔内では左尿管の狭窄部の他,4個のデスモイドを認めすべて切除した.デスモイドは妊娠可能な女性に好発し,手術などの外傷が契機となって発症するといわれているが,この様に多発した症例の報告はまれであり,文献的考察を加え報告した.