Search

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known to be up-regulated in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) after peripheral nerve injury, and to contribute to neuropathic pain. Here, we found that thermal hyperalgesia and mechanical allodynia at day 7 post-injury were inhibited only when anti-BDNF antibody was intrathecally administrated at day 2 post-injury. Consistent with behavioral results, Western blot analysis showed that the expression levels of BDNF protein in the spinal dorsal horn were markedly induced during early stage post-injury. Moreover, the maximal increase in BDNF mRNA expression in the DRG was observed at day 1 post-injury, and significantly elevated levels were sustained for at least 14 days. Four of five BDNF mRNA transcripts were up-regulated after nerve injury, and the most inducible transcript was exon I. Using a chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay, we found that nerve injury promotes histone H3 and H4 acetylation, transcriptionally active modifications, at BDNF promoter I at day 1 post-injury, and the levels of histone acetylation remain elevated for at least 7 days. Taken together, our findings suggest that an initial increase in BDNF exon I expression controlled by epigenetic mechanisms might have a crucial role in the development of neuropathic pain.

Tensile tests were carried out on SUS304 Stainless steel single crystals, whose respective tensile axes were parallel to [001], [111] and 0.5 in Schmid factor, under cathodic charging in 0.5kmol/m3 H2SO4 solution with a small amount of NaAsO2 at room temperature, and the characterristics of hydrogen embrittlement of this material in tension were evaluated from the nominal stress-strain curve.The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement appeared prominently in the elongation and fracture morphology. The elongation decreased with increasing current density and the resulting fracture surface morphology changed from ductile to cleavage manner. The cracks produced by hydrogen initiated at the deformation bands and propagated perpendicular to the tensile axis, then connected each other and fractured.The orientation dependence of hydrogen embrittlement was recognized on the fracture morphology when the current density was between 4 to 10A/m2. The morphology of fracture surface under the present test condition was dependent on both amount of martensite induced by deformation and the concentration of hydrogen.

The susceptibility to potential-free and potential-controlled stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of SUS304 steel has been investigated in various MgCl2 solutions under two stress conditions.The threshold concentration for SCC occurrence under the constant load condition was about 37%, above which the susceptibility to SCC had a maximum at 42%. Such a tendency, however, did not appear under the slow strain rate condition. The cracking susceptibility also decreased with decreasing temperature of MgCl2 solution, regardless of stress conditions. The critical potentials of SCC under the constant load and slow strain rate conditions were about -320mV and -360mV, respectively. Following each of SCC ranges, the uneven general corrosion occurred as the potential was shifted to more noble values. The transgranular fracture was susceptible to the larger concentration, higher temperature and noble potential conditions, and changed gradually to intergranular fracture. The corroded regions (e.g., pitting, corrosion groove and others) were found by AES and EDX analysis to be almost depleted of iron and nickel, and highly enriched in chromium and magnesium of which both phases were most likely oxides, In the stressed specimens, therefore, it is supposed that chloride ions penetrate the oxide cracks at the early stage of SCC. In addition, it is important for the potential-free SCC tests under the slow strain rate condition to choose a solution in which the peak corrosion potential has a value about equal to that under the constant load condition, i.e., the use of lower MgCl2 concentration.

Based on experimental results from three fluid beds of different cross sections (15 × 15 cm, 8 × 8 cm and 7.1 cm i.d.), the effects of superficial gas velocity, freeboard height, cross sectional area and particle properties on the axial particle hold-up distribution in the freeboard and the elutriation rate from the top of the column were investigated. An entrainment intensity R was proposed for the particles to explain the effect of size distribution and density on the particle hold-up. The particle hold-up was found proportional to R1.87, and increased with increasing freeboard height and cross-sectional area. Empirical equations for both the particle hold-up distribution and for the particle elutriation rate were obtained.

The tensile properties of single crystals of high purity ferritic stainless steel were investigated under cathodic charging. The susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement (HE) and the fracture morphology were influenced prominently by the tensile axis orientation. In the [001]-oriented specimen, the susceptibility to HE had a maximum and the fracture surface was characterized by the cleavage growth along (001) plane which was perpendicular to the tensile axis. On the other hand, the susceptibility of the [101]-oriented specimen had a minimum and the fracture surface with some small cleavage facets was observed. From the results of stereographic analysis, these facets were composed of two equivalent {100} planes in schmid factor.

従来より用いられている根巻資材と最近用いられ始めた根巻資材の相違が移植樹木の生育.発根に及ぼす影響を明らかにするため, 新規根巻資材である紙・麻袋・麻布とこれまでの藁を用いて, 3樹種 (カイズカイブキ・カナメモチ.マテバシイ) の移植樹木を対象に, 根巻資材の分解状況, 根巻資材からの発根量, 樹木の生育状況より検討を行った。その結果, 資材の分解は紙が早くから分解の進行を示すが, 一年後においては藁が最も分解する。しかし, 各資材とも生育はこれまでの藁と同様であり, 生育に及ぼす影響は現われなかった。また, 根巻資材の相違が発根に及ぼす影響は, 移植経過一年からみても生育同様影響がないことが明らかとなった。

The present study demonstrates a novel high-affinity neuronal target for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which potentially cause psychological disorders. EDCs competitively inhibited the binding of bovine serum albumin-conjugated progesterone to recombinant human microtubule-associated protein 2C (rhMAP2C) with an inhibition constant at picomolar levels. In the rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly assay, agonistic enhancement was observed with dibutyl phthalate and pentachlorphenol and pregnenolone, while an inverse agonistic effect was observed with 4-nonylphenol. In contrast, progesterone and many of the EDCs, including bisphenol A, antagonized the pregnenolone-induced enhancement of rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly. These agonistic and inverse agonistic actions were not observed in tubulin assembly stimulated with Delta1-71 rhMAP2C, which lacks the steroid-binding site. Using a dark-field microscopy, pregnenolone and pentachlorphenol were observed to generate characteristic filamentous microtubules in a progesterone- or bisphenol A-reversible manner. In cultured hippocampal neurons, similar agonist-antagonist relationships were reproduced in terms of dendritic outgrowth. Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching of hippocampal neurons showed that pregnenolone and agonistic EDCs enhanced, but that 4-nonylphenol inhibited the MAP2-mediated neurite outgrowth in a progesterone- or antagonistic EDC-reversible manner. Furthermore, none of the examined effects were affected by mifepristone or ICI-182,786 i.e. the classical progesterone and estrogen receptor antagonists. Taken together, these results suggest that EDCs cause a wide variety of significant disturbances to dendritic outgrowth in hippocampal neurons, which may lead to psychological disorders following chronic exposure during early neuronal development.

Following stroke or traumatic damage, neuronal death via both necrosis and apoptosis causes loss of functions, including memory, sensory perception, and motor skills. As necrosis has the nature to expand, while apoptosis stops the cell death cascade in the brain, necrosis is considered to be a promising target for rapid treatment for stroke. We identified the nuclear protein, prothymosin alpha (ProTalpha) from the conditioned medium of serum-free culture of cortical neurons as a key protein-inhibiting necrosis. In the culture of cortical neurons in the serum-free condition without any supplements, ProTalpha inhibited the necrosis, but caused apoptosis. In the ischemic brain or retina, ProTalpha showed a potent inhibition of both necrosis and apoptosis. By use of anti-brain-derived neurotrophic factor or anti-erythropoietin IgG, we found that ProTalpha inhibits necrosis, but causes apoptosis, which is in turn inhibited by ProTalpha-induced neurotrophins under the condition of ischemia. From the experiment using anti-ProTalpha IgG or antisense oligonucleotide for ProTalpha, it was revealed that ProTalpha has a pathophysiological role in protecting neurons in stroke.

The present study demonstrates a novel high-affinity neuronal target for endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), which potentially cause psychological disorders. EDCs competitively inhibited the binding of bovine serum albumin-conjugated progesterone to recombinant human microtubule-associated protein 2C (rhMAP2C) with an inhibition constant at picomolar levels. In the rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly assay, agonistic enhancement was observed with dibutyl phthalate and pentachlorphenol and pregnenolone, while an inverse agonistic effect was observed with 4-nonylphenol. In contrast, progesterone and many of the EDCs, including bisphenol A, antagonized the pregnenolone-induced enhancement of rhMAP2C-stimulated tubulin assembly. These agonistic and inverse agonistic actions were not observed in tubulin assembly stimulated with Delta1-71 rhMAP2C, which lacks the steroid-binding site. Using a dark-field microscopy, pregnenolone and pentachlorphenol were observed to generate characteristic filamentous microtubules in a progesterone- or bisphenol A-reversible manner. In cultured hippocampal neurons, similar agonist-antagonist relationships were reproduced in terms of dendritic outgrowth. Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching of hippocampal neurons showed that pregnenolone and agonistic EDCs enhanced, but that 4-nonylphenol inhibited the MAP2-mediated neurite outgrowth in a progesterone- or antagonistic EDC-reversible manner. Furthermore, none of the examined effects were affected by mifepristone or ICI-182,786 i.e. the classical progesterone and estrogen receptor antagonists. Taken together, these results suggest that EDCs cause a wide variety of significant disturbances to dendritic outgrowth in hippocampal neurons, which may lead to psychological disorders following chronic exposure during early neuronal development.

We previously reported that lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) initiates nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain and its underlying mechanisms. In addition, we recently demonstrated that intrathecal injection of LPA induces de novo LPA production through the action of autotaxin (ATX), which converts lysophosphatidylcholine to LPA. Here, we examined nerve injury-induced de novo LPA production by using a highly sensitive biological titration assay with B103 cells expressing LPA1 receptors. Nerve injury caused high levels of LPA production in the ipsilateral sides of the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal roots, but not in the dorsal root ganglion, spinal nerve, or sciatic nerve. Nerve injury-induced LPA production reached its maximum at 3 h after injury, followed by a rapid decline by 6 h. The LPA production was significantly attenuated in ATX heterozygous mutant mice, whereas the concentration and activity of ATX in cerebrospinal fluid were not affected by nerve injury. On the other hand, the activities of cytosolic phospholipase A2 (cPLA2) and calcium-independent phospholipase A2 (iPLA2) were enhanced, with peaks at 1 h after injury. Both de novo LPA production and neuropathic pain-like behaviors were substantially abolished by intrathecal injection of arachidonyl trifluoromethyl ketone, a mixed inhibitor of cPLA2 and iPLA2, or bromoenol lactone, an iPLA2 inhibitor, at 1 h after injury. However, administration of these inhibitors at 6 h after injury had no significant effect on neuropathic pain. These findings provide evidence that PLA2- and ATX-mediated de novo LPA production in the early phase is involved in nerve injury-induced neuropathic pain.

Boron nitride (BN) films have been attractive due to their excellent properties such as high hardness, thermal conductivity and chemical stability. In this study, BN films were prepared by depositing B vapor under simultaneous irradiation of N ions, that is ion mixing and vapor deposition (IVD) technique. The effects of processing parameters such as, acceleration voltage of N ions, transport ratio B/N and substrate temperature, on the internal stress of BN films were investigated. As a result, compressive internal stress increases at low acceleration voltage and high transport ratio B/N, which corresponded to the condition for formation of cBN phase. The hardness also becomes high at this condition and there is a strong correlation between internal stress and hardness of BN film. In addition to that, relaxation of internal stress by inserting inner layer between substrate and cBN layer has been carried out. It is confirmed that internal stress can be decreased by inner layer. Especially, relaxation of internal stress without degradation of high hardness can be achieved when the crystal structure of inner layer is hBN.

It has been widely recognized that the successful formation of cBN phase requires a bombardment of growing films with energetic ions. However, the intensive ion bombardment also causes high compressive internal stress during formation of film and decreases adhesion performance. The molecular dynamics analysis was applied to investigate the generation mechanism of internal stress in BN film prepared by ion mixing and vapor deposition (IVD) technique. Firstly, projection analysis was carried out as changing the acceleration voltage of N ion. After projection analysis, relaxation of target was carried out under constant pressure by Parrinello‐Rahman method. As a result, during projection analysis, the formation of sp3 bonds was observed and cubic structure was generated by transition of crystal structure from rhombohedral. After relaxation of target, an increase of volume of unit cell was observed. Therefore, it is concluded that the high internal compressive stress of cBN film is caused by increase of volum...

The thermal stress analysis of a silicon bulk single crystal with a diameter of 6 or 8 inches is performed in the cases of the [001] and [111] pulling directions by using a three-dimensional finite element program developed for calculating thermal stress in a bulk single crystal during the Czochralski growth. Elastic anisotropy and temperature dependence of material properties are taken into account in this program. The temperature distribution and shape of a silicon bulk single crystal which are required for the thermal stress analysis are obtained from a computer program for a transient heat conduction analysis which is specialized for the Czochralski growth. The stress components obtained from the thermal stress analysis are converted into the parameters related with dislocation density. The time variations of these parameters are shown in this paper. The relation between these parameters and the shape of the crystal-melt interface is discussed.

現在普及している根巻資材の現状と問題点を歴史的背景, 生産者・施工者の視点からアンケート調査などを基に分析し, 今後の根巻資材の課題について検討した。生産者は, 若手不足・現労働者の高齢化が進む中で根巻作業の省力が図れる資材を要請している。施工者側をみると, 全県の41%で仕様書に従い根巻資材を除去し, 一方仕様書のない県では藁62%, 麻布58%・麻袋は50%でそのままの植栽が実施されていた。その除去理由は腐敗程度の遅れ・根の伸長阻害, 外さない理由は有機物で肥料となる・折角巻いたのだから等が上げられる。このことから今後は全国レベルでの根巻資材の取扱いに関する統一見解を確立・規格化することが重要な課題であろう。

The Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome, also called EMG syndrome, is characterized by umbilical cord hernia, macroglossia, and gigantism. It may be accompanied by deformity of the ear lobe, hypertrophy of the internal organs, low blood sugar, and hemihypertrophy.We report a case of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome in a 1-year-3-month-old girl. The diagnosis was made at the Department of Pediatrics, Kansai Medical College Hospital. She had no erupted teeth, and could not close her mouth completely because of macroglossia. There was also hemihypertrophy on her right side at presentation. The patient had occasional cramps because of low blood sugar (33mg/dl). Vshaped resection of the tongue was performed with the patient under general anesthesia after the blood sugar level had recovered to 76mg/dl. The patient made an uneventful recovery and was able to close her mouth. Eleven years after surgical treatment, she had no difficulty in mastication, swallowing, and speech. However, there was some impairment in the ability to sense acid and bitter tastes, and eruption of the permanent teeth was delayed.

Peripheral nerve injury causes a variety of alterations in pain-related gene expression in primary afferent, which underlie the neuronal plasticity in neuropathic pain. One of the characteristic alterations is a long-lasting downregulation of voltage-gated potassium (K v ) channel, including K v 4.3, in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG). The present study showed that nerve injury reduces the messenger RNA (mRNA) expression level of K v 4.3 gene, which contains a conserved neuron-restrictive silencer element (NRSE), a binding site for neuron-restrictive silencer factor (NRSF). Moreover, we found that injury causes an increase in direct NRSF binding to K v 4.3-NRSE in the DRG, using chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) assay. ChIP assay further revealed that acetylation of histone H4, but not H3, at K v 4.3-NRSE is markedly reduced at day 7 post-injury. Finally, the injury-induced K v 4.3 downregulation was significantly blocked by antisense-knockdown of NRSF. Taken together, these data suggest that nerve injury causes an epigenetic silencing of K v 4.3 gene mediated through transcriptional suppressor NRSF in the DRG.

A three-dimensional finite element program is developed for calculating the thermal stress in bulk single crystals during Czochralski growth. Elastic anisotropy is taken into account in this program. Thermal stress analyses of a GaAs bulk single crystal are performed in the cases of the [001] and [111] pulling directions, using its temperature distribution obtained from a heat conduction analysis and its material properties. The stress component and the dislocation density parameter are compared between the anisotropic analysis, taking account of elastic anisotropy, and the isotropic analysis, using Young's modulus and the Poisson ratio in the {111} plane. Significant differences are found in their values and distribution patterns between both analyses.

A rare case of periosteal osteosarcoma arising in the distal part of right femoral bone of a 24-year-old man is reported.Radiographically, the tumor was located at the surface of cortex with perpendicular spicula.After marginal excision, chemotherapy and limb-salvage surgery were performed.Histologically, the tumor was moderately differentiated and chondroblastic. Some areas were composed of spindle cells that had foci of lace-like osteoid and frequently trabecular-appearing young bone was observed.

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of SUS 316 steel single crystals in a boiling 42% MgCl2 solution at 416K was investigated under the constant-loading conditions.Most of the threshold stress to SCC initiation which depended on the tensile axis orientation decreased with increasing Schmid factor in the primary slip system, and the cracking susceptibility increased accordingly. The threshold stress corresponded to 60-80% of the 0.2% yield stength (or critical resolved shear stress) in oil at 416K. In the [001]-oriented specimen, however, the cracking susceptibility was influenced by the primary slip directions: The more parallel they were to the top or side surface, the more the cracking susceptibility increased. Many cracks preferentially nucleated from the micro-pits (and/or corrosion grooves) formed along slip-steps, and grew along the ‹100›direction on the {210} plane in every type of specimens.

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of SUS 310S steel single crystals was investigated by the slow strain rate technique. The smoothed specimens oriented for [001], [101] and [111] were prepared, and each susceptibility to SCC was evaluated from the nominal stress-strain curves in a boiling 42% MgCl2 solution at 416K. The results indicated that the transgranular cracks occurred at the strain rate below 2.38×10-5S-1, and the tensile strength and elongation decreased with decreasing strain rate. The fracture surface of which the appearance was changed by the tensile axis orientation, was formed by the crack growth along ‹110› direction on {100} plane. The susceptibility index to SCC defined by comparing with the nominal stress-strain curves in noncorrosive oil decreased with decreasing strain rate, whereas it was independent of tensile axis orientation. With a longer time to fracture (a lower strain rate), the normal stress to the (001) crack plane nearly became coincident with that on the threshold of SCC obtained by the constant load technique. This fact demonstrates that the susceptibility to crack growth is strongly controlled by the normal stress to the crack plane.

The stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of pure copper poly- and single crystals in NaNO2 solutions was investigated potentiostatically by the slow strain rate technique. The susceptibility to SCC has a maximum in 1kmol·m-3 NaNO2 solution of 7.3-7.5pH, at the strain rate below 1.67×10-5S-1. In this solution, a close correlation was found between the SCC and anodic polarization behavior of pure copper: The potential range for SCC occurrence was 0-100mV (SCE), nearly corresponding to that of passivity/transpassivity transition where the formation or rupture of black tarnish film (Cu2O) occurred. The fractographic results showed that many cracks nucleated from the specimen surfaces with frequent slip-steps, producing the tarnish film. The crack propagation was predominantly transgranular, along ‹110› direction on {110} plane. The evidence introduced here supports an anodic dissolution mechanism for the transgranular SCC of pure copper in NaNO2 solutions, including a tarnish rupture mechanism.

Publisher Summary This chapter examines the stress corrosion cracking (SCC) tests of AZ31B magnesium alloy undertaken in distilled water and sodium chloride (NaCI) solutions using a slow strain rate tensile (SSRT) technique under various potential conditions. SSRT tests are performed at 298 K provided through thermoregulation under open-circuit condition. Electrode potentials during SSRT tests are controlled potentiostatically using a potentiostat, a platinum (Pt) counter electrode, and a saturated calomel reference electrode (SCE). Results are also obtained under cathodically- and intermittently-polarized conditions. After testing, the specimens are examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) with no further preparation other than rinsing the specimens in acetone and drying. The results indicate that there is a marked degradation of mechanical properties of the magnesium alloy as a result of its exposure to the 4% NaCI solution at -1.6 V (SCE). SEM results show that many cracks nucleate normally to the tensile axis of specimens and are characterized by transgranular quasi-cleavage appearance. Quasi-cleavage fracture in distilled water is observed at relatively low strain rate. Quasi-cleavage fracture is also observed in chloride solutions, but with corrosion products on the fracture surface that are identified as magnesium hydroxides.

The susceptibility to stress corrosion cracking (SCC) and its fracture morphology of pure titanium in CH3OH/HCl solutions with various HCl concentrations at room temperature were examined fractographically.It was found from the stress-free immersion tests in CH3OH/HCl solutions that the weight loss increased gradually with the immersion time, and that the intergranular corrosion occurred scarcely. In the subsequent tensile tests in air, however, the mechanical properties deteriorated greatly due to the intergranular embrittlement, especially during the prior immersion at a concentration of 0.4% HCl. The SCC susceptibility under constant load conditions also increased in a CH3OH/0.4% HCl solution. The fracture mode was changed from an intergranular into a transgranular fracture, and finally into a ductile fracture. A similar tendency was revealed by SCC tests under slow strain rates: In the crosshead speed of 5×10-2-5μm/s, all three modes of intergranular, transgranular and ductile fracture were observed. The aging treatment after stress-free immersion improved the mechanical properties, and thus decreased the area fraction of intergranular fracture. From the evidence introduced here, a possible mechanism for SCC of pure titanium was discussed.

ニワゼキショウの群生地の形成手法を確立するため, 種子の発芽と生育習性, および刈取り抵抗性を調べた。その結果, 種子の発芽には光の照射が要求され, 発芽適温が15～20℃ にあった。花期は5～11月で, 葉は常緑に近い性質を持ち, 主に, 4～9月は地下部の養分と地上での生産養分によって, 地上部の栄養と繁殖成長を行い, 9～11月に生産養分を地下部に蓄積した。2週毎刈取りでは枯死し, 群生地形成における最適下刈り頻度は4週毎であった。

Many organs, including salivary glands, lung, and kidney, are formed by epithelial branching during embryonic development. Branching morphogenesis occurs via either local outgrowths or the formation of clefts that subdivide epithelia into buds. This process is promoted by various factors, but the mechanism of branching morphogenesis is not fully understood. Here we have defined melatonin as a potential negative regulator or “brake” of branching morphogenesis, shown that the levels of it and its receptors decline when branching morphogenesis begins, and identified the process that it regulates. Melatonin has various physiological functions, including circadian rhythm regulation, free-radical scavenging, and gonadal development. Furthermore, melatonin is present in saliva and may have an important physiological role in the oral cavity. In this study, we found that the melatonin receptor is highly expressed on the acinar epithelium of the embryonic submandibular gland. We also found that exogenous melatonin reduces salivary gland size and inhibits branching morphogenesis. We suggest that this inhibition does not depend on changes in either proliferation or apoptosis, but rather relates to changes in epithelial cell adhesion and morphology. In summary, we have demonstrated a novel function of melatonin in organ formation during embryonic development.

A rust layer formed on a low-alloy steel surface is generally considered to be responsible for protecting the steel against corrosives in the atmosphere. Therefore, the rust layer plays an important role in corrosion control. Certain alloying elements promote the formation of a so-called “protective rust layer” on the surface of the steel. For example, it is well known that weathering steel, which contains small amounts of anticorrosive alloying elements such as Cr, P, Cu and Ni, possesses a high corrosion resistance of approximately twice that of carbon steel. Consequently, weathering steel is recognized to be a structural material that does not require painting. We have only a nominal understanding of the mechanism of the protective ability of the rust layer. The properties of a material can generally be explained on the basis of its atomic structure. Therefore, it is meaningful to study the structural properties of the protective rust layer of weathering steel. It is particularly necessary to analyze the local structural and chemical properties of anticorrosive alloying elements and corrosive ions in the rust layer. In addition, it is also desirable to observe the corrosion process directly. Information obtained in this manner can be the guiding principle of the research and development of high-performance weathering steel. As is well known, X-rays and gamma rays are easily available for analyses of the chemical state and structure of a material on a nanometer scale. Recently synchrotron radiation has been particularly useful for this purpose in a wide variety of scientific fields. Synchrotron radiation is electromagnetic radiation emitted from a fast electron moving at approximately the velocity of light following a curved trajectory under a magnetic field in an accelerator. It has a number of unique properties as follows

Metal-free phthalocyanines and their peripherally substituted derivatives have been synthesized from unsubstituted and substituted phthalimides, phthalic anhydrides, and naphthalimide on heating with hexamethyldisilazane under mild conditions.

A convenient synthesis of peripherally substituted or unsubstituted phthalocyanines having a variety of metals is described. Phthalocyanines can be obtained by heating phthalimides or phthalic anhydride with metal salts, hexamethyldisilazane, a catalytic amount of p-TsOH, and DMF at 150 degrees C.

Microwave irradiation of a mixture of aromatic aldehydes and hexamethyldisilazane in the presence of a solid catalyst such as alumina afforded methanediamines which were efficiently converted to either cis- or trans-2,4,5-triarylimidazolines depending on the base used. A one-pot selective synthesis of cis- and transimidazolines from aromatic aldehydes was achieved under microwave irradiation.

The intraplantar injection of dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS), a representative neurosteroid, showed hyperalgesia in the Hargreaves' thermal or automatic paw-pressure mechanical nociception test. The DHEAS-induced hyperalgesia was abolished by diphenhydramine (DPH), a H(1) histamine (His) receptor antagonist, as well as the hyperalgesia induced by His or compound 48/80, a mast cell degranulating agent. The DHEAS-induced hyperalgesia was also blocked by progesterone (PROG), another type of neurosteroid and a putative neurosteroid receptor antagonist. Neither DPH nor PROG showed any changes in the thermal threshold. On the other hand, endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are known to disrupt reproductive system in wild-lives and humans through the disturbance of the endocrine homeostasis. In this study, the flexor responses induced by intraplantar injection of DHEAS were blocked by p,p'-DDE, an EDC as well as by PROG in the algogenics-induced nociceptive flexor responses test (ANF test) in mice. Similarly, p,p'-DDE blocked the DHEAS-induced hyperalgesia in Hargreaves' thermal nociception test. Besides the hyperalgesic actions, DHEAS increased vascular permeability as measured with Evans blue plasma extravasation. Consistent with behavioral studies, it was blocked by DPH, PROG, and p,p'-DDE. These results suggest that DHEAS has significant hyperalgesic and vasodilatory actions through histamine release, and these actions were reversible by PROG and an EDC.

The parathyroid hormone 2 (PTH2) receptor's anatomical distribution suggests that, among other functions, it may be involved in modulation of nociception. We localized PTH2 receptor protein to spinal cord lamina II and showed that it is synthesized by subpopulations of primary sensory neurons and intrinsic spinal cord dorsal horn neurons. Tuberoinfundibular peptide of 39 residues (TIP39) selectively activates the PTH2 receptor. Intraplantar microinjection of TIP39 caused a paw-withdrawal response and intrathecal injection caused scratching, biting, and licking, a nocifensive response. Intrathecal administration of a TIP39 antibody decreased sensitivity in tail-flick and paw-pressure assays. Intrathecal administration of TIP39 potentiated responses in these assays. We determined the sequence of TIP39's precursor and found that mRNA encoding TIP39 and TIP39-like immunoreactivity is concentrated in two brainstem areas, the subparafascicular area and the caudal paralemniscal nucleus. Cells in these areas project to the superficial dorsal horn of the spinal cord. Our data suggest that TIP39 released from supraspinal fibers potentiates aspects of nociception within the spinal cord.

Internet use by the people with disabilities and the elderly in Japan is still low, but growing. However, the majority of web contents written in Japanese, even government sites, have very low accessibility. This paper introduces the active measures being taken in Japan to improve such conditions; consideration of a web contents accessibility guideline tailored to the unique characteristics of the Japanese language, development of a system to evaluate accessibility and implementation of actual trials.© (2001) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.