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The aim of this study was to determine whether estrogen modulates central and peripheral responses to cold in female rats. In ovariectomized female rats with and without administered estrogen [E(2) (+) and E(2) (-), respectively], the counts of cFos-immunoreactive cells in the medial preoptic nucleus (MPO) and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) in the hypothalamus were greater in the E(2) (+) rats than in the E(2) (-) rats at 5 degrees C. Examination of the response of normal female rats to exposure to 5 degrees C at different phases of the estrus cycle revealed that counts of cFos-immunoreactive cells in the MPO, DMH, and posterior hypothalamus and the level of uncoupling protein 1 mRNA in the brown adipose tissues were greater in the proestrus phase than on day 1 of the diestrus phase. This result was linked to the level of plasma estrogen. The body temperature during cold exposure was higher in the E(2) (+) rats than in the E(2) (-) rats and was also higher in the proestrus phase than on day 1 of the diestrus phase. We conclude that estrogen may affect central and peripheral responses involved in thermoregulation in the cold.

Recently, companies often carry out questionnaire(s) and develop marketing strategies. There are usually two types of forms for the answer of a questionnaire. One is the form to select prepared answers and the other is free text form. The true message might be in the text form rather than the numerical part, then the analysis of free text form is needed. The amount of text in a questionnaire is, however, usually large and difficult to read whole text data for analysis. This study tries to develop a free text analysis support system which visualizes relationships among respondents based on their texts and shows their opinions using graph structure of keywords. First, this paper proposes the extraction method of important keywords in their opinions based on the modification relationships. Next, it clusters the respondents interactively on visible space using MDS. Finally, it shows their opinions using HK Graph which can visualize the relationship among words with hierarchical network structure based on the co-occurrence information for the keyword graph.

Recently, the number of sites on the Internet which give users the opportunity to write their ideas and opinions for the public to read have been increasing. In addition, the number of people who want to know the opinions of others about interesting products has also been increasing. However, it is very difficult for people to read complete reviews on the Internet. This study tries to develop a new system for the analysis of reviews, a system which shows evaluation information about products using graphs of evaluation keywords. This paper focuses on the extraction of evaluation keywords from reviews on the Internet. This paper proposes a method for extracting evaluation keywords and displays its results as graphs. It employs HK Graph (Hierarchical Keyword Graph), which can visualize the relationship among words in a hierarchical network structure based on the co-occurrence information for the keyword graph.

As one of the methods for improving the efficiency of a dye-sensitized solar cell (DSC), we investigated series-connected tandem DSCs. In this system, the top cell is made up of a transparent cell and the bottom cell utilizes only the light passing through the top cell. We investigated several combinations of dyes in tandem-type DSCs. The best efficiency obtained in our study is 10.4% ( J sc =10.8 mA/cm 2 , V oc =1.45 V, and FF=0.67) for a series-connected tandem DSC consisting of an N719 top cell and a black-dye bottom cell.

Pathogens are sensed by Toll-like receptors (TLRs) expressed in leukocytes in the innate immune system. However, excess stimulation of TLR pathways is supposed to be connected with provocation of autoimmunity. We show that paired immunoglobulin (Ig)-like receptor B (PIR-B), an immunoreceptor tyrosine-based inhibitory motif–harboring receptor for major histocompatibility class I molecules, on relatively primitive B cells, B-1 cells, suppresses TLR9 signaling via Bruton's tyrosine kinase (Btk) dephosphorylation, which leads to attenuated activation of nuclear factor κB p65RelA but not p38 or Erk, and blocks the production of natural IgM antibodies, including anti-IgG Fc autoantibodies, particularly rheumatoid factor. The autoantibody production in PIR-B–deficient (Pirb−/−) mice was further augmented in combination with the Faslpr mutation, which might be linked to the development of autoimmune glomerulonephritis. These results show the critical link between TLR9-mediated sensing and a simultaneously evoked, PIR-B–mediated inhibitory circuit with a Btk intersection in B-1 cells, and suggest a novel way toward preventing pathogenic natural autoantibody production.

Purpose To measure the anterior loop length (ALL) for the mandibular canal and diameter of the mandibular incisive canal at various points to ascertain the mesial distance from the mental foramen at which it is safe to install endosseous implants in the most distal area of the interforaminal region. Patients and Methods Using 38 cadavers (75 hemimandibles), the ALL and the diameter of the incisive canal at its origin and at 1 mm intervals up to 5 mm mesially from the origin were measured using operative calipers. Results Measured data are expressed as minimum, maximum, and mean ± standard deviation. ALL was 0.0, 6.0, and 1.5 ± 1.4 mm, the diameter of the incisive canal was 1.0, 6.6, and 3.1 ± 1.2 mm at the origin, 0.6, 5.8, and 2.6 ± 1.1 mm at 1 mm, 0.5, 5.7, and 2.2 ± 1.0 mm at 2 mm, 0.5, 6.0, and 2.0 ± 1.0 mm at 3 mm, 0.5, 5.0, and 1.8 ± 0.8 mm at 4 mm, and 0.5, 4.9, and 1.7 ± 0.8 mm at 5 mm mesially. Conclusion The above results showed that because there may be large variations in the ALL and the diameter of the incisive canal, one should not assume that a fixed distance mesially from the mental foramen will be safe. Intraoperative examination of vital structures is indispensable for the safe installation of implants in the interforaminal area of the mandible. Not only the ALL but also the diameter of the incisive canal should be investigated on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate location for each individual.

This study presents a two-class, overlapping-generation model featuring social mobility inhibited by the mismatch of talents. Mobility decreases as the private education gap between the two classes widens, whereas it increases with an increased public education spending. Within this framework, we consider the redistributive politics of public education and show that the private education gap provides the government with an incentive to increase public education. We also show that social mobility reveals a cyclical motion across generations when the political power of the poor is weak.

This paper describes a query processing engine for multiple continuous XML data streams with correlated data as a notification mechanism for navigating data exploration. Stream processing, including formal models for stream filtering, union, activation, decomposition, and partition, is formulated in algebraic expressions. In addition, a query language, called QLMXS, over XML streams for complex event processing is described. QLMXS supports all functions of the algebraic expressions in a SQL-like form. QLMXS queries are converted into a visibly pushdown automaton (VPA) that analyzes complex event data from the XML streams. The VPA engine concurrently processes multiple XML data on multiple levels; therefore, it is very important to tune the performance of the engine. Four optimization methods are proposed to improve performance by utilizing VPA and XML features: VPA-state reduction, VPA unification, delayed evaluation, and elimination of unnecessary XML processing. Experimental results demonstrate that VPA unification increases the processing speed of the VPA engine 1.6 times, and the overall processing speed is increased 2.6 times.

We consider five dimensional deSitter spacetimes with a deficit angle due to the presence of a closed 2-brane and identify one dimension as an extra dimension. From the four dimensional viewpoint we can see that the spacetime has a structure similar to a Kaluza-Klein bubble of nothing, that is, four dimensional spacetime ends at the 2-brane. Since a spatial section of the full deSitter spacetime has the topology of a sphere, the boundary surface surrounds the remaining four dimensional spacetime, and can be considered as the celestial sphere. After the spacetime is created from nothing via an instanton which we describe, some four dimensional observers in it see the celestial sphere falling down, and will be in contact with a 2-brane attached on it., 5pages, 4figures, to be published in GRG

Objective: To measure the labio-lingual bone thickness in the mandibular interforaminal region to facilitate safe implant placement in Asian patients. Materials and Methods: Labio-lingual bone thicknesses were measured at 16 points in the interforaminal region of mandibles from 10 Japanese cadavers. Results: Mean thickness ranged from 9.23 to 11.80 mm with a minimal value of 5.23 mm in the midline region. No significant difference was noted between dentate and edentulous specimens. Conclusion: The thinnest region is medially located and is narrower than the minimum required for a 3.75 mm diameter endosseous implant.

The local density of the grazing goby (Sicyopterus japonicus) and benthic algal production were investigated in a 720 m reach of the Sate River in the northern part of Okinawa Island, Japan. The reach was spatially heterogenous in riparian shade and was divided into three segments (open-canopy, shaded and patchy segment) based on vegetation cover. In the reach, the goby was more abundant in the open-canopy segment and open-canopy patches than in the adjacent shaded segment and shaded patches. Between the open-canopy and shaded segments there was no significant difference in the algal biomass; however, the algal growth rate was greater in the open-canopy segment than in the shaded segment. These results indicate that the spatial heterogeneity in riparian shade controls the habitat use of the goby, with open-canopy areas with high algal renewal rates being preferred.

Synthetic peptides having hydroxyapatite binding ability can induce calcium phosphate (CaP) mineralization in simulated body fluids. The peptides freely dispersed in the solution induce formation o...

It has been speculated that the control of core temperature is modulated by physiological demands. We could not prove the modulation because we did not have a good method to evaluate the control. In the present study, the control of core temperature in mice was assessed by exposing them to various ambient temperatures (Ta), and the influence of circadian rhythm and feeding condition was evaluated. Male ICR mice (n=20) were placed in a box where Ta was increased or decreased from 27°C to 40°C or to -4°C (0.15°C/min) at 0800 and 2000 (daytime and nighttime, respectively). Intra-abdominal temperature (Tcore) was monitored by telemetry. The relationship between Tcore and Ta was assessed. The range of Ta where Tcore was relatively stable (range of normothermia, RNT) and Tcore corresponding to the RNT median (regulated Tcore) were estimated by model analysis. In fed mice, the regression slope within the RNT was smaller in the nighttime than in the daytime (0.02 and 0.06, respectively), and the regulated Tcore was higher in the nighttime than in the daytime (37.5°C and 36.0°C, respectively). In the fasted mice, the slope remained unchanged, and the regulated Tcore decreased in the nighttime (0.05 and 35.9°C, respectively), while the slopes in the daytime became greater (0.13). Without the estimating individual thermoregulatory response such as metabolic heat production and skin vasodilation, the analysis of the Ta-Tcore relationship could describe the character of the core temperature control. The present results show that the character of the system changes depending on time of day and feeding conditions.

Cold defense mechanisms in mice are attenuated in the light phase during fasting, resulting in hypothermia. The present study examined whether specific neurons and areas in the SCN are related to the response. Mice were fasted over 47h or remained fed, during which they were placed at 20 or 27°C for 3h in the light or dark phases. Body temperature (Tb) was monitored. After the exposure, immunoreactive (IR) cells of cFos, arginine vasopressin (AVP), and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP) in the SCN were assessed. Tb at 20°C during fasting was lower in the light phase than in the dark phase. Both AVP/cFos-IR and VIP/cFos-IR cells increased when mice were at 20°C during fasting in the light phase. Such increase was observed in the central part of the SCN. These responses in the SCN may be related to the hypothermia in the light phase.

A fulgide is a photochromic molecule which can not be isomerized by a thermal reaction. The CD spectra of the optically resolved helically chiral indolylfulgide (99% enantiomer excess), whose absolute configurations have been determined by an X-ray crystallographic analysis of their binaphthyl derivative, were estimated theoretically within the framework of semi-empirical molecular-orbital calculations. The optical rotatory strength of the indolylfulgide was calculated based on the Rosenfeld equation by using the optimized structures, conformational energies, and molecular orbitals. The estimated CD spectra reproduced characteristic features, such as the peak shape and sign of the Cotton effect, quite well, though the accuracy of the calculated wavelengths for the individual CD peaks’ maxima was fair.

We successfully cloned a novel branched-chain amino acid aminotransferase (Ts-BcAT; EC 2.6.1.42) gene from the Thermococcus sp. CKU-1 genome and expressed it in the soluble fraction of Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) cells. Ts-BcAT is a homodimer with an apparent molecular mass of approximately 92 kDa. The primary structure of Ts-BcAT showed high homology with the fold-type I, subgroup I aminotransferases, but showed little homology with BcATs known to date, i.e., those of Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium, which belong to the fold-type IV, subgroup III aminotransferases. The maximum enzyme activity of Ts-BcAT was detected at 95 °C, and Ts-BcAT did not lose any enzyme activity, even after incubation at 90 °C for 5 h. Ts-BcAT was active in the pH range from 4.0 to 11.0, the optimum pH was 9.5, and the enzyme was stable between pH 6 and 7. The exceptionally low pK a of the nitrogen atom in the Lys258 ε-amino group in the internal aldimine bond of Ts-BcAT was determined to be 5.52 ± 0.05. Ts-BcAT used 21 natural and unnatural amino acids as a substrate in the overall transamination reaction. L-Leucine and other aliphatic amino acids are efficient substrates, while polar amino acids except glutamate were weak substrates. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that Ts-BcAT is a novel fold-type I, subgroup I branched-chain aminotransferase.

In patients with chronic liver disease who are at risk of malnutrition, simple and useful assessments for nutritional status should be established for ordinary medical care. The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and controlling nutritional status (CONUT) are simple assessments constructed of only two or three laboratory data. We aimed to describe the potential of PNI and CONUT as a nutritional assessment tool in patients with chronic liver disease. We enrolled 165 patients, aged 18-85 years, with chronic liver disease. These patients were nutritionally assessed by PNI or CONUT, demonstrating the association with the severity of chronic liver disease or anthropometric values. The value of PNI or CONUT was significantly associated with the severity of chronic liver disease (P 0.001, respectively). In addition, the value of CONUT was significantly associated with all the anthropometric values such as body mass index (BMI, P 0.05), mid-arm circumference (AC, P 0.001), mid-arm muscle circumference (AMC, P 0.001), and triceps skinfold thickness (TSF, P 0.001), whereas the value of PNI was significantly associated with the values of AC (P 0.01), AMC (P 0.05) and TSF (P 0.05). Approximately 80% of cirrhotic patients were assessed by PNI or CONUT to have obvious malnutrition. PNI and CONUT are potential tools for nutritional assessment in patients with chronic liver disease, especially for ordinary medical care, because of their simplicity.

Dietary habits are involved in the development of chronic inflammation; however, the impact of dietary profiles of hepatitis C virus carriers with persistently normal alanine transaminase levels (HCV-PNALT) remains unclear. The decision-tree algorithm is a data-mining statistical technique, which uncovers meaningful profiles of factors from a data collection. We aimed to investigate dietary profiles associated with HCV-PNALT using a decision-tree algorithm. Twenty-seven HCV-PNALT and 41 patients with chronic hepatitis C were enrolled in this study. Dietary habit was assessed using a validated semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire. A decision-tree algorithm was created by dietary variables, and was evaluated by area under the receiver operating characteristic curve analysis (AUROC). In multivariate analysis, fish to meat ratio, dairy product and cooking oils were identified as independent variables associated with HCV-PNALT. The decision-tree algorithm was created with two variables: a fish to meat ratio and cooking oils/ideal bodyweight. When subjects showed a fish to meat ratio of 1.24 or more, 68.8% of the subjects were HCV-PNALT. On the other hand, 11.5% of the subjects were HCV-PNALT when subjects showed a fish to meat ratio of less than 1.24 and cooking oil/ideal bodyweight of less than 0.23 g/kg. The difference in the proportion of HCV-PNALT between these groups are significant (odds ratio 16.87, 95% CI 3.40-83.67, P = 0.0005). Fivefold cross-validation of the decision-tree algorithm showed an AUROC of 0.6947 (95% CI 0.5656-0.8238, P = 0.0067). The decision-tree algorithm disclosed that fish to meat ratio and cooking oil/ideal bodyweight were associated with HCV-PNALT.

Standardized photographs (lateral and basal view) of fetal mandibles (n = 80) were taken. Outline segments (from gnathion to condylion, on the coronoid process and from infradentale to gnathion in lateral view; and on the inferior margin in basal view) were analyzed into sine curves, according to Fourier series. Using the calculated Fourier coefficients, we statistically examined how mandibular shape changed with fetal growth. Materials were classified into four groups on the basis of the body length (BL): 100 < or = BL < 200 mm (BL1, n = 20); 200 < or = BL < 300 mm (BL2, n = 20); 300 < or = BL < 400 mm (BL3, n = 20); and 400 < or = BL < or = 500 mm (BL, 4 = 20). Statistical analyses were all done on these stature groups. On the outline from gnathion to condylion, the constant and the first term phase showed statistically greater values in BL4 than in the other groups, as assessed by t-test. The first term phase for the coronoid process significantly decreased with increments in stature in the canonical disciminant analysis. On the outline from infradentale to gnathion, although the cumulative contributions of the first two terms were constant (about 85%) in all four groups, the relative contributions with growing stature decreased in the first term and increased in the second term. The mean of the phase in the first term indicated slightly more than -90 degrees in BL1, and was less than -90 degrees in BL2 to BL4. The averages of the second term phases presented little change from BL1 to BL3, and were close to -100 degrees. From the canonical discriminant analysis, the constant was great and the first term amplitude was small in BL1 and BL4, and the constant was small and the first term amplitude was great in BL2 and BL3. Also, the second term amplitude in BL4 indicated a significantly bigger volume than in BL3. The constant for the inferior margin manifested statistically significant increments in BL2 to BL4, as assessed by t-test. We interpret the results as follows: 1. On the outline from gnathion to condylion, anteroinferior shift occurs in BL4, resulting in an acute gonial angle. The change of angle during the prenatal period precedes the postnatal findings that bring about a progressive decrease in the gonial angle. 2. The tip of the coronoid process indicates a forward shift with increasing fetal body stature.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

In a previous study, we investigated the contribution of the surface of the face, chest, abdomen, and thigh to thermal comfort by applying local temperature stimulation during whole-body exposure to mild heat or cold. In hot conditions, humans prefer a cool face, and in cold they prefer a warm abdomen. In this study, we extended investigation of regional differences in thermal comfort to the neck, hand, soles, abdomen (Experiment 1), the upper and lower back, upper arm, and abdomen (Experiment 2). The methodology was similar to that used in the previous study. To compare the results of each experiment, we utilized the abdomen as the reference area in these experiments. Thermal comfort feelings were not particularly strong for the limbs and extremities, in spite of the fact that changes in skin temperature induced by local temperature stimulation of the limbs and extremities were always larger than changes that were induced in the more proximal body parts. For the trunk areas, a significant difference in thermal comfort was not observed among the abdomen, and upper and lower back. An exception involved local cooling during whole-body mild cold exposure, wherein the most dominant preference was for a warmer temperature of the abdomen. As for the neck and abdomen, clear differences were observed during local cooling, while no significant difference was observed during local warming. We combined the results for the current and the previous study, and characterized regional differences in thermal comfort and thermal preference for the whole-body surface.

Rats place their tails underneath their body trunks when cold (tail-hiding behavior). The aim of the present study was to determine whether this behavior is necessary to maintain body temperature. Male Wistar rats were divided into 'fed' and '42-h fasting' groups. A one-piece tail holder (8.4 cm in length) that prevented the tail-hiding behavior or a three-piece tail holder (2.8 cm in length) that allowed for the tail-hiding behavior was attached to the tails of the rats. The rats were exposed to 27°C for 180 min or to 20°C for 90 min followed by 15°C for 90 min with continuous body temperature and oxygen consumption measurements. Body temperature decreased by -1.0 ± 0.1°C at 15°C only in the rats that prevented tail-hiding behavior of the 42-h fasting group, and oxygen consumption increased at 15°C in all animals. Oxygen consumption was not different between the rats that prevented tail-hiding behavior and the rats that allowed the behavior in the fed and 42-h fasting groups under ambient conditions. These results show that the tail-hiding behavior is involved in thermoregulation in the cold in fasting rats.

Although branched chain amino acid (BCAA) supplementation improves malnutrition in cirrhotic patients, patient compliance with the administration of BCAA-rich supplements is poor due to their bitter taste. Since temperature is an important factor affecting taste, we examined the effect of heating on the stability of BCAAs and on the compliance of patients with liver cirrhosis with BCAA-rich supplement administration. A thermal denaturation test was first conducted, in which the BCAA-rich supplement Aminoleban® EN was heated to 37, 60, or 80°C for 30 or 60 min. The concentration of three amino acids, L-valine, L-leucine and L-isoleucine, was subsequently measured. The nutritional status of the cirrhotic patients was also evaluted. Patients presenting liver failure with a Child-Pugh class of A (n=2), B (n=2) or C (n=2) were hospitalized at Kurume University Hospital. Six patients with liver cirrhosis (HCV, n=3; HBV, n=1; alcohol, n=2) were enrolled. Venous blood samples were drawn in the morning after a 12-h overnight fast. The BCAA-rich supplement was administered to patients at room temperature (25°C) or heat loaded at 60°C for 10 min, with the temperature maintained above 45°C. Each patient was interviewed by a nationally registered dietitian regarding food consumption and intake of the BCAA-rich supplement immediately after each meal. Nutritional status was evaluated according to serum albumin levels, blood hemoglobin, prothrombin time and total lymphocyte count. No significant decrease was noted in valine, leucine or isoleucine levels following the heating of the BCAAs to 80°C. The caloric intake of the BCAA-rich supplement was significantly higher with administration after heating to 60°C, compared to caloric intake with administration at 25°C. In addition, heating of the BCAA-rich supplement significantly increased blood lymphocyte counts. In conclusion, heating did not affect the stability of the BCAAs, and may improve compliance with BCAA-rich supplement administration. As a result, the nutritional status of cirrhotic patients may be improved.

We develop a novel MEMS microphone with a wide dynamic range. The microphone has two channels and consists of two condensers, a single diaphragm and a backplate. Each channel has a different role. The Normal channel has higher sensitivity and an intermediate dynamic range, whereas the High channel has lower sensitivity and a higher dynamic range. By switching the two channels to correspond to sound pressure levels, the device can act as a single-channel microphone in digital signal processors.

The present study examined the effect of the central administration of estrogen on responses to the cold. Estrogen or cholesterol was applied locally to the medial preoptic nucleus (MPO) or dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DMH) of the hypothalamus in free-moving ovariectomized rats. Forty-eight hours after the application, rats had 2-h exposure at 10 or 25 degrees C. Body temperature (T(b)) and the tail surface temperature (T(tail)) were continuously measured by telemetry and thermography, respectively. The change of T(b) at 10 degrees C from the 25 degrees C baseline was higher in the estrogen application in the MPO than that in the cholesterol application; however, such difference was not observed in the DMH application. The uncoupling 1 protein mRNA level in the interscapular brown adipose tissue involved in non-shivering thermogenesis was not different between the estrogen and cholesterol applications in the MPO and DMH. T(tail) decreased in the cold, which was greater after the estrogen application in the MPO than after the cholesterol application. These results show that estrogen affects the MPO in female rats, changing T(b) in the cold. Moreover, suppression of heat loss from the tail may be involved in the mechanism.

This paper presents experimental results on heat transfer characteristics of turbulent gas flows though a micro-tube with constant wall temperature. The experiments were performed for nitrogen gas flows through a micro-tube with 242μm in diameter and 50 mm in length. The wall temperature was maintained at 5K, 20K and 30K higher than the inlet temperature by circulating water around the micro-tube, respectively. In order to measure heat transfer rate of gas flow through a micro-tube, the total temperature at a micro-tube exit was measured. The stagnation pressure was chosen in such a way that the Reynolds number ranges from 3000 to 12000. The outlet pressure was fixed at the atmospheric condition. The total temperature at the outlet, the inlet stagnation temperature, the mass flow rate, and the inlet pressure were measured. The heat transfer rates obtained by the present study are higher than those of the incompressible flow. This is due to the additional heat transfer near the micro-tube outlet caused by the energy conversion into kinetic energy. A correlation for the prediction of the heat transfer rate of the turbulent gas flow through a micro-tube was proposed.

Liver cirrhosis is frequently accompanied by malnutrition and hypoalbuminemia, which in turn commonly induces ascites in patients with liver cirrhosis. Ascites leads to abdominal distention and appetite loss, resulting in a deteriorated quality of life (QOL). Administration of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA)-rich supplements reduces hepatic encephalopathy and malnutrition. In addition, BCAAs by themselves up-regulate albumin synthesis through an increase in Fisher's ratio. Thus, in patients with liver cirrhosis, BCAA-rich supplements seem to be effective at reducing ascites and improving the QOL. Here, we report the case of a 58-year-old Japanese man with liver cirrhosis with severe ascites and peripheral edema. The hepatic function of the patient was classified as Child-Pugh grade C. To reduce protein-energy malnutrition, BCAA-rich supplements were administered as a late evening snack as part of a regimen including 2000 kcal/day (32.5 kcal/kg/day) of total energy and 83.5 g/day (1.3 g/kg/day) of total protein intake. Eight weeks after admission, ascites and edema had decreased. Nutritional status also improved from the time of admission to discharge; the serum BCAA level increased from 365.4 to 450.2 µmol/l. Furthermore, the ratio of BCAAs to tyrosine (BTR) increased from 1.70 to 3.65. We also evaluated the effects of nutritional therapy on the patient's QOL using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey upon admission and at discharge. All subscores showed marked improvement and reached a level greater than the Japanese norm with nutritional treatment. In conclusion, BCAA supplementation not only reduced ascites, but also improved the QOL in a patient with liver cirrhosis.

Hypohydration caused by exercise in the heat attenuates autonomic thermoregulation such as sweating and skin blood flow in humans. In contrast, it remains unknown if behavioral thermoregulation is modulated during hypohydration. We assume that thermal unpleasantness could drive the behavioral response, and would also be modulated during hypohydration. Nine healthy young men participated in the present study. Body and skin temperatures were monitored. Ratings of thermal sensation and pleasantness were conducted. After approximately 45 min rest at 27 degrees C, they performed 50-min cycling exercise, which was at the level of 40% of heart rate range at 35 degrees C (hypohydration trial) or at the level of 10% of heart rate range at 23 degrees C (control trial), respectively. Subjects returned to the rest at 27 degrees C, and the ambient temperature was then changed from 22 to 38 degrees C. Body weight decreased by 0.9+/-0.1% immediately after exercise in the hypohydration trial and 0.3+/-0.1% in the control trial. In the cold, no significant difference in thermal sensation or pleasantness was observed between trials. There was no significant difference in thermal pleasantness between trials in the heat, although thermal sensation in the heat (32.5-36 degrees C) was significantly lower in the hypohydration trial than in the control trial. In addition, laser Doppler flow of the skin and sweat rate were attenuated in the heat in the hypohydration trial. These results may indicate that mild hypohydration after exercise in the heat has no influence on behavioral responses to the heat.

The circadian rhythm of body temperature (T(b)) is a well-known phenomenon. However, it is unknown how the circadian system including the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) and clock genes affects thermoregulation. Food deprivation in mice induces a greater reduction of T(b) particularly in the light phase. We examined the role of Clock, one of key clock genes and the SCN during induced hypothermia. At 20 degrees C with fasting, mice increased their metabolic heat production in the dark phase and maintained T(b), whereas in the light phase, heat production was less, resulting in hypothermia. Under these conditions, neuronal activity in the SCN, assessed by cFos expression, increased only in the light phase. However, such differences in thermoregulatory and neural responses between the phases in Clock mutant mice were less marked. The neural network between the SCN and paraventricular nucleus appeared to be important in hypothermia. These findings suggest that the circadian system per se is influenced by both the feeding condition and environmental temperature and that it modulates thermoregulation.

The circadian rhythm of body temperature (Tb) is a well-known phenomenon. However, it is unknown how the circadian system affects thermoregulation. Food deprivation in mice induces a greater reduction of Tb particularly in the light phase. We examined the role of the clock gene and the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN) during induced hypothermia. At 20C with fasting, mice increased their metabolic heat production in the dark phase and maintained T~b~, whereas in the light phase, heat production was less, resulting in hypothermia. Under these conditions, neuronal activity in the SCN, assessed by cFos expression, increased only in the light phase. The differences between the phases in Clock mutant mice were less marked. The neural network between the SCN and paraventricular nucleus appeared to be important in hypothermia. These findings suggest that the circadian system per se is influenced by both the feeding condition and environmental temperature and that it modulates thermoregulation.

Aim: Cirrhotic patients tend to develop malnutrition by fasting, yet the importance of nutritional care during examination-associated fasting has not been investigated. This study aimed to examine the effects of a nutritional supplement on nutrition and stresses caused by examination-associated fasting in cirrhotic patients. Methods: Twenty-nine cirrhotic patients were enrolled in this study. No energy was supplied to patients in the fasting group (n = 11) prior to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examination. A supplement of 200 kcal was given to the patients in the supplement group (n = 18) prior to computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examination. The effect of the supplement on stresses was evaluated by self-rating questionnaire. Changes in biochemical parameters were also investigated before and after computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging examinations. Results: There were no significant differences in age, sex, body mass index, or liver function tests between the two groups at the start of the study. In the supplement group, stress scores for physical symptoms (thirst and light-headedness) and mental symptoms (hunger, hypodynamia and fatigue) were significantly lower compared to those in the fasting group. Also in the supplement group, peripheral 3-hydroxybutyric acid and free fatty acids levels were significantly decreased compared to those in the fasting group, to within normal ranges. In addition, a decrease in prothrombin time was significantly inhibited by intake of the supplement. Conclusion: We demonstrated that a nutritional supplement improved nutrition and reduced both the physical and mental stresses associated with examination-associated fasting in cirrhotic patients.

Purpose To measure and compare the anterior loop length (ALL) for the mandibular canal and the mandibular incisive canal diameter (ICD) at its origin in cadavers using anatomy and cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) to safely install endosseous implants in the most distal area of the interforaminal region. Materials and Methods The ALL and ICD were measured using CBCT in 4 cadavers, and using anatomy in 71 cadavers. Results The ranges and mean ± SD for the anatomic measurements were: ALL, 0.0 to 9.0 mm and 1.9 ± 1.7 mm; ICD, 1.0 to 6.6 mm and 2.8 ± 1.0 mm. The average discrepancies between CBCT and anatomic measurements were 0.06 mm or less for both the ALL and the ICD, which were less than the resolution of CBCT. Conclusions Because large variations in measurements were observed, both for ALL and ICD, no fixed distance mesially from the mental foramen should be considered safe. The ALL and the ICD can be estimated from the CBCT measurement. The preoperative CBCT measurement yields important information for each case.

On procede a une etude relative a l'efficacite de trois procedes humides. Il s'agit de traitements dans un bain-marie avec extraction de composes deteriorants provenant de vieux papiers entre des cartons buvards humides (blotter washing), d'un traitement sur table a succion avec de l'eau vaporisee par des ultra-sons. Pour aboutir a une base d'appreciation on fait une estimation de la suppression d'acides organiques (acides acetique, lactique, maleique, succinique et oxalique) et de celle d'anions (Br, Cl - , SO 4 2- , NO 2- ), qui en fin de traitement ont ete analyses a chaque fois dans l'eau du du bain. Le traitement au bain-marie s'est avere etre le plus efficace, suivi par le traitement sur la table a succion, lequel toutefois n'a ete efficace que sur du papier fin et poreux et n'a eu aucun effet sur du papier epais ou compact. Quant au procede dit blotting washing, il s'est avere etre le moins efficace sur le plan de l'elimination d'acides organiques, en particulier celle de l'acide oxalique.

It is unlikely that uniqueness theorem holds for stationary black holes in higher dimensional spacetimes. However, we will examine the possibility that the higher multipole moments classify vacuum solutions uniquely. Especially, we compute the potentials associated with rotational Killing vectors and look at the dependence on the total mass M and angular momentum J. Consequently, there is a potential $\sigma$ which we cannot write down in terms of integer power of M and J explicitly. This may be regarded as an evidence for the uniqueness using multipole moments generated by $\sigma$., Comment: 5 pages, 1 figure, reference added

The Einstein-Maxwell equations in D-dimensions admitting (D-3) commuting Killing vector fields have been investigated. The existence of the electric, magnetic and twist potentials have been proved. The system is formulated as the harmonic map coupled to gravity on three-dimensional base space generalizing the Ernst system in the four-dimensional stationary Einstein-Maxwell theory. Some classes of the new exact solutions have been provided, which include the electro-magnetic generalization of the Myers-Perry solution, which describes the rotating black hole immersed in a magnetic universe, and the static charged black ring solution., 26 pages

The massless scalar field in the higher-dimensional Kerr black hole (Myers- Perry solution with a single rotation axis) has been investigated. It has been shown that the field equation is separable in arbitrary dimensions. The quasi-normal modes of the scalar field have been searched in five dimensions using the continued fraction method. The numerical result shows the evidence for the stability of the scalar perturbation of the five-dimensional Kerr black holes. The time scale of the resonant oscillation in the rapidly rotating black hole, in which case the horizon radius becomes small, is characterized by (black hole mass)^{1/2}(Planck mass)^{-3/2} rather than the light-crossing time of the horizon., 16 pages, 7 figures, revised version

Purpose: This study used maxillary and zygomatic measurements to obtain information for installing zygomatic implants. Patients and Methods: Angular and linear distances between the maxilla and the zygoma were measured in 12 cadavers (n = 22 sides) classified into short and tall groups by height (140 to 159 cm and 160 to 180 cm, respectively). Results: Based on mean and standard deviation values, the installation angle of zygomatic implants was between 43.8° and 50.6°. The distance between the crest of the maxillary alveolar process near the palate and the jugale (Ju) point of the zygoma was between 44.3 and 54.3 mm. The minimum distance between the most lateral corner of the maxillary sinus and the Ju point was 6.41 mm, and the minimum anteroposterior length of the zygoma was 5.68 mm in the shorter group. Conclusions: When the installation angle of zygomatic implants is 43.8° or less, perforation of the maxilla and the zygoma or the infratemporal fossa must be avoided. When the angle is 50.6° or more, perforation of the orbital floor must be avoided. Special attention is needed to ensure osseointegration in shorter patients, because the distance between the most lateral corner of the antrum supporting the zygomatic implant and the Ju point is 10 mm or less. The apex of the implant is 3.75 mm in diameter, and the thickness of the zygoma must be 5.75 mm or more. The threads of the implant must not be exposed from the zygoma in shorter patients. © 2001 American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons

Purpose: This study measured maxillary sinus volume as an aid in determining graft bone volume before grafting of the maxillary sinus floor. Materials and Methods: Maxillary sinus size was measured in 32 cadavers (59 sinuses) using casts of the maxillary sinus made using dental impression material. Results: Anteroposterior length, height, width, and volume of the maxillary sinus (mean ± SD) were 30.1 ± 5.65 mm, 34.6 ± 7.71 mm, 25.4 ± 5.71 mm, and 11.3 ± 4.60 cm3, respectively. When the sinus-lift procedure was simulated, inferior sinus volumes (mean ± SD) were 3.51 ± 1.23 cm3 for a 15-mm lift and 5.66 ± 1.71 cm3 for a 20-mm lift. Conclusions: In bone grafting of the maxillary sinus floor, taking into consideration individual differences in maxillary sinus volume and resorption of the grafted bone, 4.74 cm3 or more of the graft is required for a 15-mm lift, and 7.37 cm3 or more is required for a 20-mm lift.