Search

The biopsy 2 via dart, trocar or surgery 2 is becoming the preferred protocol for sampling skin and blubber of many cetacean species, because a small sample from a healthy animal may provide better information than a larger sample collected via necropsy from an ill or emaciated animal. Furthermore, the biopsy is often the only means of obtaining samples (e.g. for threatened or endangered species). Because biopsy darts collect only a small sample of tissue 2 and blubber can be heterogeneous in structure and composition 2 it is essential to compare the results obtained from biopsies to those found by analysing full-thickness blubber samples obtained via necropsy. This manuscript compares blubber stratification in two odontocete species, white whales (Delphinapterus leucas) and killer whales (Orcinus orca). Five parameters (i.e. lipid percent and classes, contaminant concentrations and profiles, fatty acid profiles) were measured by blubber depth. Results of these comparisons strongly suggest that biopsy results must be interpreted with caution and in conjunction with results from species-specific blubber depth profiling. For example, lipid classes measured in biopsy samples of white whales and killer whales were similar to those for equivalent-depth samples obtained by necropsy. In addition, lipid-adjusted contaminant concentrations measured in dart or trocar samples adequately represented those obtained by necropsy of both species. Conversely, the lipid content in biopsy samples was lower than that found in same-depth necropsied samples due to loss of lipid during sampling. Also, because of the high level of fatty acid stratification observed, fatty acid profiles from the outer blubber layer collected via biopsy from both species are less likely than the metabolically active inner layer to be useful in determining the prey species consumed by these odontocetes. This study demonstrates, for white and killer whales, that properly interpreted results from blubber biopsies can provide valuable information about the body condition, health and life history of individual animals.

Introduction There is a wide range of problems associated with ejaculation, including decreased semen volume, vaginal ejaculation problems, premature ejaculation, delayed ejaculation, hematospermia, and pain associated with ejaculation. However, there is no simple questionnaire that can comprehensively evaluate these ejaculatory functions. Objective In this study, we evaluated the overall ejaculation function of the patients in question using an originally developed ejaculation function score (Kimura and Shoji's Ejaculation Function Score). Methods We examined 20 patients who visited our sexual function outpatient clinic with a chief complaint of ejaculation. As a control group, we also examined 20 patients who had undergone vasectomy using the same score. The questionnaire consisted of the following five items (1) Awareness of sufficient momentum, (2) Pleasant sensation during ejaculation, (3) Presence of pain associated with ejaculation, (4) Presence of blood in semen, and (5) Perception of decreased semen volume. The total score was also evaluated. In addition, satisfaction with the current ejaculation was assessed. Results The mean age of the ejaculation disorder group was 43.5±15.1 years. The main complaints were decreased semen volume in 7 cases (35%), vaginal ejaculation disorder in 6 cases (30%), delayed ejaculation in 2 cases (10%), premature ejaculation in 2 cases (10%), lack of orgasm in 1 case (5%), and pain associated with ejaculation in 1 case (5%). The mean scores for each item were 1.5 for item 1, 1.8 for item 2, 3.0 for item 3, 3.0 for item 4, and 2.0 for item 5, resulting in a mean total score of 11.2. On the other hand, the mean age of the vasectomy group was 42.0±9.4 years, item 1 was 2.8, item 2 was 2.9, item 3 was 3.0, item 4 was 3.0, item 5 was 2.9, and the mean total score was 14.6. When the two groups were compared, significant differences were found except for items 3 and 4. There was also a significant difference in satisfaction of present ejaculation with mean scores of 1.3 and 2.9. As a result of examining the clinical severity and the total score, the total score of 5-6 was considered severe, 7-9 moderate, 10-13 mild ejaculation disorder, and 14-15 within the normal range. Conclusion Although our ejaculation function score is still in the developmental stage, we believe that it can be a screening tool for ejaculation function in practical medical care and self-assessment. Disclosure Work supported by industry: no.

Decomposition of nitrous oxide (N2O) over titania (TiO2) supported copper (Cu) catalyst was investigated with the existence of oxygen and water vapor. The catalytic activity of TiO2 was promoted by copper loading. It was found that there are optimum levels of copper loading on TiO2, and these values are correlated to the specific surface area of TiO2 support being used. The relationship between the catalytic activity for decomposition of N2O and the crystal structure of TiO2 was also investigated. The result revealed that Cu/TiO2 catalysts with the rutile structure has a higher activity toward N2O decomposition than those with the anatase structure. In this research, Cu(5wt%)/TiO2 prepared from TiO2 JRC-TIO-4 (reference catalyst provided by Catalysis Society of Japan) which was mainly constituted of rutile showed the highest activity for N2O decomposition and it could decompose N2O completely at 650℃. The catalytic activity was inhibited by the existence of oxygen. However, there was no influence of water vapor to the catalytic activity of Cu/TiO2 for N2O decomposition.

Glucan-binding proteins (Gbps) of Streptococcus mutans, a major pathogen of dental caries, mediate the binding of glucans synthesized from sucrose by the action of glucosyltransferases (GTFs) encoded by gtfB, gtfC, and gtfD. Several stress proteins, including DnaK and GroEL encoded by dnaK and groEL, are related to environmental stress tolerance. The contribution of Gbp expression to biofilm formation was analyzed by focusing on the expression levels of genes encoding GTFs and stress proteins. Biofilm-forming assays were performed using GbpA-, GbpB-, and GbpC-deficient mutant strains and the parental strain MT8148. The expression levels of gtfB, gtfC, gtfD, dnaK, and groEL were evaluated by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Furthermore, the structure of biofilms formed by these Gbp-deficient mutant strains was observed using confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Biofilm-forming assay findings demonstrated that the amount formed by the GbpA-deficient mutant strain (AD1) was nearly the same as that by the parental strain, while the GbpB- and GbpC-deficient mutant strains produced lower amounts than MT8148. Furthermore, RT-qPCR assay results showed that the expressions of gtfB, dnaK, and groEL in AD1 were elevated compared with MT8148. CLSM also revealed that the structure of biofilm formed by AD1 was prominently different compared with that formed by the parental strain. These results suggest that a defect in GbpA influences the expression of genes controlling biofilm formation, indicating its importance as a protein for firm and stable biofilm formation.

Ras is frequently activated in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, a prevalent form of skin cancer. However, the pathways that contribute to Ras-induced transformation have not been entirely elucidated. We have previously demonstrated that in transgenic mice, overexpression of the Ras activator RasGRP1 promotes the formation of spontaneous skin tumors and enhances malignant progression in the multistage carcinogenesis skin model that relies on the oncogenic activation of H-Ras. Utilizing a RasGRP1 knockout mouse model (RasGRP1 KO), we now show that lack of RasGRP1 reduced the susceptibility to skin tumorigenesis. The dependency on RasGRP1 was associated with a diminished response to the phorbol ester tumor promoter 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA). Specifically, we found impairment of epidermal hyperplasia induced by TPA through keratinocyte proliferation. Using a keratinocyte cell line that carries a ras oncogenic mutation, we also demonstrated that RasGRP1 could further activate Ras in response to TPA. Thus, we propose that RasGRP1 upregulates signaling from Ras and contributes to epidermal tumorigenesis by increasing the total dosage of active Ras.

The gas barrier film formation technique using simultaneous photo-irradiation and heat-treatment has been researched on alicyclic polyimide film coated with a polysilazane solution. A fine SiO2 thin film on polyimide film was formed at low temperatures, which greatly improved the substrate’s gas barrier characteristics by this technique. The values of gas barrier characteristics depended on the substrate temperature at the time of photo-irradiation. For photo-irradiated thin film heat-treated to 150°C, the water vapor transmission rate and oxygen transmission rate fell below the equipment measurement limit of 0.02 g/m2/day and 0.02 cm3/m2/day, respectively. This polyimide film with a gas-barrier film coating has good transmittance in the region of visible light, heat resistance, and flexibility.

Among the populations of Pacific salmon and steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss (anadromous Rainbow Trout) that inhabit the Columbia River basin there are currently 13 Evolutionarily Significant Units listed as threatened or endangered under the U.S. Endangered Species Act. While habitat loss, dams, overharvest, and climate change have been implicated in declining abundance of Chinook Salmon O. tshawytscha in the Columbia River, chemical contaminants represent an additional, yet poorly understood, conservation threat. In this study we measured concentrations of persistent organic pollutants in juvenile Chinook Salmon from various Columbia River stocks and life history types to evaluate the potential for adverse effects in these threatened and endangered fish. Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDTs), recognized contaminants of concern in the Columbia basin, are the primary focus of this paper; other contaminants found in these fish, such as polybrominated diphenyl eth...

A three-year field study was conducted from 2006 to 2008 to monitor the spatial and temporal trends of organic pollutants in migrating juvenile Snake River spring Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) sampled from the Lower Snake and Middle Columbia River Basins. Specifically, hatchery-reared juvenile salmon were monitored as they navigated the Federal Columbia River Power System (FCRPS) by either transport barge (Barged) or remained in the river (In-River) from Lower Granite Dam to a terminal collection dam, either John Day Dam or Bonneville Dam. Levels of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and organochlorine (OC) pesticides were detected in the bodies of both In-River and Barged salmon during the 2006, 2007 and 2008 outmigrating season. At the terminal dam, In-River fish had greater concentrations of persistent organic pollutants POPs than Barged salmon. Of the POPs detected, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) were found at the greatest concentrations in the salmon bodies. These elevated lipid-normalized concentrations in the In-River fish were due to lipid depletion in all years as well as increased exposure to POPs in some years as indicated by an increase in wet weight contaminant concentrations. Salmon were also exposed to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as indicated by the phenanthrene (PHN) signal for biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs) at the hatcheries or prior to Lower Granite Dam. There were detectable levels of biliary FACs as fish migrated downstream or were barged to the terminal dam. Therefore, the potential exists for these organic pollutants and lipid levels to cause adverse effects and should be included as one of the variables to consider when examining the effects of the FCRPS on threatened and endangered juvenile salmon.

The study aimed at determining the relative proportions of forest cover and other components in a mixed pixel. For this purpose a linear mixing model was used for the derivation of a land cover classification map in two study areas of Tuv province, Mongolia. Main types of forest cover change are forests to burn scars and agricultural fields in the study areas. In this paper, two reflective channels 3 and 4 of LANDSAT ETM+ and reflective channels land 2 of MODIS data was used to map five and four land components respectively. Clouds proportion was derived using MODIS data. A synergy between high-resolution MODIS and Landsat ETM+ data may greatly enhance the operational success of satellite based vegetation monitoring, in providing multi-spectral data on parameters of the environment.DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5564/pmas.v0i4.40Proceedings of the Mongolian Academy of Sciences 2007 No 4 pp.50-59

We conducted a dietary feeding study with juvenile chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) to assess the potential for tributyltin (TBT) to elicit the obesogen response that has been described for mammals. The results show increases in whole-body lipid content, which is consistent with the obesogen response; however, we also observed associated parameters that were dissimilar. We found increases in body mass and alterations to several physiological parameters at doses between 0.4 and 3.5 ng/g fish/day (1.4-12 pmol/g fish/day) and reduced body mass at the highest dose after 55 days of exposure. Lipid related plasma parameters (plasma triacylglycerols, cholesterol, and lipase) exhibited monotonic increases over all doses while other values (glucose and insulin-like growth factor (IGF)) exhibited increases only for the low-dose treatments. The increases noted for several parameters in fish were opposite to those reported for the obesogen metabolic syndrome, which is characterized by a reduction in serum glucose, free fatty acids, and triglycerides. This is the first report of growth stimulation resulting from low-dose exposure to this pesticide, which is an unusual response for any animal exposed to an organic or organometallic xenobiotic. Because a number of environmental contaminants act as metabolic disruptors at very low doses, these results are noteworthy for a variety of species. Intuitively, enhanced growth and lipid storage may appear beneficial; however, for salmonids there are numerous potentially negative consequences for populations.

Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can cause severe damage to the skin and is the primary cause of most skin cancer. UV radiation causes DNA damage leading to mutations and also activates the Erbb2/HER2 receptor through indirect mechanisms involving reactive oxygen species. We hypothesized that Erbb2 activation accelerates the malignant progression of UV-induced skin cancer. Following the induction of benign squamous papillomas by UV exposure of v-ras(Ha) transgenic Tg.AC mice, mice were treated topically with the Erbb2 inhibitor AG825 and tumor progression monitored. AG825 treatment reduced tumor volume, increased tumor regression, and delayed the development of malignant squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Progression to malignancy was associated with increased Erbb2 and ADAM12 (A Disintegin And Metalloproteinase 12) transcripts and protein, while inhibition of Erbb2 blocked the increase in ADAM12 message upon malignant progression. Similarly, human SCC and SCC cell lines had increased ADAM12 protein and transcripts when compared to normal controls. To determine whether Erbb2 up-regulation of ADAM12 contributed to malignant progression of skin cancer, Erbb2 expression was modulated in cultured SCC cells using forced over-expression or siRNA targeting, demonstrating up-regulation of ADAM12 by Erbb2. Furthermore, ADAM12 transfection or siRNA targeting revealed that ADAM12 increased both the migration and invasion of cutaneous SCC cells. Collectively, these results suggest Erbb2 up-regulation of ADAM12 as a novel mechanism contributing to the malignant progression of UV-induced skin cancer. Inhibition of Erbb2/HER2 reduced tumor burden, increased tumor regression, and delayed the progression of benign skin tumors to malignant SCC in UV-exposed mice. Inhibition of Erbb2 suppressed the increase in metalloproteinase ADAM12 expression in skin tumors, which in turn increased migration and tumor cell invasiveness.

Objective: To report the results of prenatal triple marker screening on a population of Japanese pregnant women. Methods: From April 1994 through March 1999, a total of 32,925 native Japanese women with singleton pregnancies requested a triple marker-screening test. Multiples of the median values for 3 markers and individual risks for each patient were calculated following adjustment for the Japanese weight correction factor. The risk cut-off values used for Down syndrome (T21), open spina bifida (OSB) and trisomy 18 (T18) were 1:295, 1:290, and 1:100, respectively. Follow-up information was collected postpartum and statistically analyzed. Results: Detection rates (DR) of T21 for women less than 35 years, over 35 years and overall were 58, 94, and 83%, respectively. DR of T18 for women less than 35 years, over 35 years and overall were 75, 79, and 79%, respectively. DR of open neural tube defects (ONTD) was 100%. Conclusions: The first cumulative data of an intervention program and prospective follow-up studies in Japan have proven to be similar to other published reports. Individual risk values were calculated for each pregnancy for T21, T18 and ONTD. This screening program is more effective than age-dependent screening for detecting T21, T18 and ONTD pregnancies.

The white dwarfs are promising laboratories for the study of cosmochronology and stellar evolution. Through observations of the pulsating white dwarfs, we can measure their internal structures and compositions, critical to understanding post-main-sequence evolution, along with their cooling rates, which will allow us to calibrate their ages directly. The most important set of white dwarf variables to measure are the oldest of the pulsators, the cool DA variables (DAVs), which have not been explored previously through asteroseismology due to their complexity and instability. Through a time-series photometry data set spanning 10 yr, we explore the pulsation spectrum of the cool DAV, G29-38 and find an underlying structure of 19 (not including multiplet components) normal-mode, probably l=1 pulsations amidst an abundance of time variability and linear combination modes. Modeling results are incomplete, but we suggest possible starting directions and discuss probable values for the stellar mass and hydrogen layer size. For the first time, we have made sense out of the complicated power spectra of a large-amplitude DA pulsator. We have shown that its seemingly erratic set of observed frequencies can be understood in terms of a recurring set of normal-mode pulsations and their linear combinations. With this result, we have opened the interior secrets of the DAVs to future asteroseismological modeling, thereby joining the rest of the known white dwarf pulsators.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), derived from oil and fuel combustion, are ubiquitous nonpoint source pollutants that can have a number of detrimental effects on fish and wildlife. In this study, we monitored PAH exposure in outmigrant juvenile Chinook salmon from the Lower Columbia River to evaluate the risk that these contaminants might pose to the health and recovery of threatened and endangered salmonids. Juvenile Chinook salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) were collected by beach seine from five sites in the Lower Columbia River from Bonneville Dam to the mouth of the estuary (Warrendale, the Willamette-Columbia Confluence, Columbia City, Beaver Army Terminal, and Point Adams) and from a site in the Lower Willamette near downtown Portland (Morrison Street Bridge). Sediment samples were also collected at the same sites. Concentrations of PAHs in sediment samples were relatively low at all sites with average total PAH concentrations1000 ng/g dry weight (wt.). However, we found PAHs in stomach contents of salmon from all sites at concentrations ranging from100 to10,000 ng/g wet wt. Metabolites of low and high molecular-weight PAHs were also detected in bile of salmon from all sites; for metabolites fluorescing at phenanthrene (PHN) wavelengths, concentrations ranged from 1.1 to 6.0 μg/mg bile protein. Levels of PAHs in stomach contents and PAH metabolites in bile were highest in salmon from the Morrison Street Bridge site in Portland and the Willamette-Columbia Confluence, Columbia City, and Beaver Army Terminal sites. Mean PAH concentrations measured in some stomach content samples from the Columbia City, Beaver Army Terminal, and Morrison Street Bridge sites were near the threshold concentration (approximately 7200-7600 ng/g wet wt.) associated with variability and immune dysfunction in juvenile salmonids (Meador et al., Can J Fish Aquat Sci 63:2364-2376, 2006; Bravo et al., Environ Toxicol Chem 30:704-714, 2011). Mean levels of biliary fluorescent aromatic compounds (FACs)-PHN in juvenile Chinook collected at the Morrison Street Bridge site in Portland, at the Confluence and Columbia City sites, and at the Beaver Army Terminal site were at or above a threshold effect concentration of 2 μg/mg protein for FACs-PHN linked to growth impairment, altered energetics, and reproductive effects (Meador et al., Environ Toxicol Chem 27(4):845-853, 2008). These findings suggest that PAHs in the food chain are a potential source of injury to juvenile salmon in the Lower Columbia and Lower Willamette rivers.

A male neonatal Pacific harbor seal (Phoca vitulina richardsi) stranded off the coast of California, USA, was presented for rehabilitation with numerous partially haired, soft tissue masses around the mouth and in the oropharynx. Because of the extent of the lesions, the seal was humanely euthanized. Histologically, the masses consisted of subepithelial connective tissue and subcutis expanded by a proliferation of streams and bundles of spindle to stellate cells. Morphology of these cells suggested a neural origin, which was confirmed by positive immunohistochemistry for two neural markers, S-100 protein and glial fibrillary acidic protein, so the masses were diagnosed as neuroglial heterotopia. Heterotopic neuroglial tissue is a rare lesion comprised of benign mature neural tissue in an ectopic location with no connection to the central nervous system. Results of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) metabolite analysis of bile indicated recent exposure to a petroleum source. Although fetal exposure to PAHs in utero can cause neurotoxicity and affect normal embryonic development, it is unknown whether gestational exposure occurred in this case.

The fertilization rate after ooplasmic micro-injection in mammals is low. In hamsters, micro-injection of sperm nuclei into oocytes resulted in the release of the second polar body and the formation of female and male pronuclei, but disappearance of the cortical granules was minimal. These unfavourable results seem to be associated with insufficient activation of oocytes by the current techniques of micro-injection. Therefore, we attempted to increase the fertilization rate by pretreating the oocytes with a Ca2+ ionophore, A23187 (10 microM, 3 min). Sperm nuclei were then micro-injected into the treated oocytes and 5 h later the percentage of oocytes at the pronuclear stage was examined: 53.1% for untreated controls and 85.7% for the treated group (P less than 0.05). However, when the number of pronucleate oocytes was divided by the number of A23187-activated oocytes, the percentage was 81.0% for the controls and 85.7% for the treated group. These findings suggest that pretreatment of oocytes with ionophore does not facilitate fertilization of activated oocytes, but that it indirectly enhances their development to the pronuclear stage by increasing the efficiency of egg activation.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been measured in tissues of marine mammals since the mid 1960s (Holden and Marsden, 1967; Wolman and Wilson, 1970). These compounds include several pesticides (e.g., DDTs, chlordanes) and industrial chemicals (e.g., PCBs) that are ubiquitous, highly lipophilic and not readily degraded or metabolized. As a result, they can biomagnify to high levels in lipid- rich tissues of top-level marine predators. POPs enter marine waters via direct inputs (e.g., sewage outfalls, industrial and agricultural runoff) as well as from indirect sources (e.g., ocean currents) (Friedlander et al., 2005). Exposure to POPs in marine mammals has been linked to a number of biological effects including reproductive impairment (DeLong et al., 1973; Subramanian et al., 1987), reduced reproductive success (Wells et al., 2005), immune suppression (De Swart et al., 1994; Hammond et al., 2005; Ross et al., 1995) and endocrine disruption (reviewed in O Hara and O Shea (2001)). Although many POPs, such as PCBs and DDTs, have been banned for production or use in the US for more than thirty years, some of these compounds are still used in other regions of the world (Fielder, 2008; van den Berk, 2009) and continue to be measured in the tissues of marine mammals throughout coastal regions of the US.

We performed electron acceleration experiment with PW‐class laser and a plasma tube, which was created by imploding a hollow polystyrene cylinder. In this experiment, electron energies in excess of 600 MeV have been observed. Moreover, the spectra of a comparatively high‐density plasma ∼1019 cm−3 had a bump around 10 MeV. Additionally, we performed the absolute sensitivity calibration of imaging plate for 1 GeV electrons from the injector Linac of Spring‐8 in order to evaluate absolute number of GeV‐class electrons in the laser acceleration experiment.

The sperm concentration and motility within a Makler chamber increased markedly after 3-5 min of settling when one large drop (approximately 24 microliters) of semen was loaded in the chamber. The values remained stable when a 5-microliter volume was loaded and were intermediate with a 10-microliter volume. In order to obtain accurate data, it is necessary to load the Makler chamber with a semen volume of no more than 5 microliters.

A digital signal processor module (DSPM) has been developed for use in real-time processing of signals from acoustic arrays. This newly developed DSPM is characterized by flexibility; it is compact and gives high performance, and can be used in a wide range of applications. To make this new module, three new VLSIs for digital signal processing were developed: a digital signal processor, an address generator and an input/output port. This new DSPM has a processing capacity of 5 MIPS. The circuitry is fabricated on two printed circuit boards measuring 297 mm × 210 mm.

International audience; We observed the pulsating hydrogen atmosphere white dwarf G 185-32 with the Whole Earth Telescope in 1992. We report on a weighted Fourier transform of the data detecting 18 periodicities in its light curve. Using the Hubble Space Telescope Faint Object Spectrograph time resolved spectroscopy, and the wavelength dependence of the relative amplitudes, we identify the spherical harmonic degree (l) for 14 pulsation signals. We also compare the determinations of effective temperature and surface gravity using the excited modes and atmospheric methods, obtaining Teff=11 960 ± 80 K, \log g=8.02 ± 0.04 and M=0.617 ± 0.024 M&sun;.

A single chip encoder and decoder dedicated to the low bitrate visual communication is described, with the main theme focused on the object extraction and vector quantization. A new scheme is devised for a detailed edge detector, which is to seek horizontal and vertical edges simultaneously. A new concept is also introduced into a PE (Processing Element) array so as to be commonly used by the vector quantizer and the motion estimator. Owing to a sophisticated architecture, these CODEC facilities have been implemented in 72.24 mm/sup 2/ by a 0.6 /spl mu/m triple-metal CMOS technology, which can enable the visual communication of QCIF (176/spl times/144) 10 fps pictures at a bitrate below 30 K bps. The designed encoder and decoder operate at 10.0 MHz, and dissipate 147 mW from a single 3.3 V supply.

The pulsating PG 1159 planetary nebula central star RXJ 2117+3412 has been observed over three successive seasons of a multisite photometric campaign. The asteroseismological analysis of the data, based on the 37 identified l = 1 modes among the 48 independent pulsation frequencies detected in the power spectrum, leads to the derivation of the rotational splitting, the period spacing and the mode trapping cycle and amplitude, from which a number of fundamental parameters can be deduced. The average rotation period is 1.16 ± 0.05 days. The trend for the rotational splitting to decrease with increasing periods is incompatible with a solid body rotation. The total mass is 0.56⁺⁰˙⁰²₋₀.₀₄ Mѳ and the He-rich envelope mass fraction is in the range 0.013–0.078 M*. The luminosity derived from asteroseismology is log(L/Lѳ) = 4.05⁺⁰˙²³₋₀.₃₂ and the distance 760⁺²³⁰₋₂₃₅ pc. At such a distance, the linear size of the planetary nebulae is 2.9 ± 0.9 pc. The role of mass loss on the excitation mechanism and its consequence on the amplitude variations is discussed.

Aim. Evidence for a prospective association of stressful working conditions, characterized by high strain job (i.e., high job demands with low job control) and low social support at work (i.e., supervisor support and co-worker support), with "smoking careers" such as smoking relapse is still limited. The purpose of the present study was to investigate a prospective association of job strain and social support at work as well as their indicators with smoking relapse during a three-year follow-up period among Japanese male employees. Methods. At baseline (2007), a total of 9,766 employees (9,162 men and 604 women) in a large listed company in Japan were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire comprising the Brief Job Stress Questionnaire (BJSQ: including scales for job demands, job control, supervisor support, and co-worker support) and questions about smoking status and demographic characteristics (i.e., age, marital status, type of job, occupational status, and work form). A total of 1,351 male former smokers were followed for three years, with 1,037 completing a follow-up question about smoking habit in 2010. Taking the lower tertile of job strain (i.e., job demands/control ratio) or job demands; or higher tertile of job control, supervisor support, or co-worker support as a reference, multiple logistic regression analyses were conducted. Results. A total of 113 (10.9%) participants relapsed smoking during the three-year follow-up period. Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that after adjusting for demographic characteristics, low and moderate co-worker support groups had marginally significantly lower odds ratios of smoking relapse (odds ratio = 0.67 [95% confidence interval: 0.41–1.07], p = 0.093 and 0.60 [95% confidence interval: 0.35–1.01], p = 0.056, respectively) compared to the high co-worker support group. No significant association of job strain, job demands, job control, or supervisor support with smoking relapse was observed (p > 0.05). Conclusions. The present findings suggest that a supportive work environment from co-workers is a risk factor, rather than a protective factor, for smoking relapse among Japanese male employees. Job strain or supervisor support may not be an important psychosocial factor related to smoking relapse.

The Japanese Society of Gynecologist and Obstetrician (JSGO) revised criteria for early uterine cervical cancer.In this study, we investigated the value of the revised JSGO criteria.Retrospective review was performed for 70 patients with tumors limited to the uterine cervix who were classified stage I under old JSGO criteria.Forty patients were re-classified into stage IA1 and 4 patients into stage IA2. Incidence of lymph-vascular infiltration (LVI) in stage IA1 and IA2 were 5% and 25%. There was one patient with stage IA1 disease who had nodal metastasis and no patients with stage IA2 disease. There were 14 patients with stage IB1 disease and 12 patients with stage IB2 disease. Mortality of patients with stage IB2 disease was 25% and significantly higher than that of patients with stage IA and IB1 disease (P0.001 and0.05)Although the revised JSGO criteria for early cervical cancer are acceptable for assessment of patients, the therapy of patients is still controversial. We recommend that patients with stage IA1 and negative LVI should have less radical hysterectomy and patients with stage IA1 with LVI or stage IA2, IB should have radical hysterectomy.

In recent years, favorable results have been achieved in patients suffering from azoospermia by microinsemination of spermatozoa taken from their testes. Microinsemination is being introduced in the treatment of patients who have no spermatozoa in their testes via their spermatid and spermatocyte. There are still doubts relating to immature male germ line-cells, such as whether they have, oocyte activating factors, the level of stability of DNA of cell nuclei, and the differences in chromosome numbers. The relatively few cases of gestation using the human spermatid treatment may be due to embryological problems resulting from the instability of nuclear DNA and the insufficiency of oocyte activating factors, which are the result of imperfect microinjection techniques. Improvements in techniques for the clinical application of spermatid and secondary spermatocyte, as well as the collection of basic data to confirm embryological safety are therefore necessary.

This study investigated whether K(+)-rich medium is better than pure NaCl solution or Na(+)-rich cell culture medium for handling round spermatid nuclei prior to injection into oocytes (ROSNI).Round spermatids of the mouse were isolated and stored in isotonic NaCl, a cell culture medium (CZB), or a nucleus isolation medium (NIM) before injection into oocytes. The rates of normal fertilization, embryonic development in vitro, and birth of normal offspring after transfer of embryos to foster mothers were determined.In vitro development of ROSNI-produced zygotes to blastocysts was the same when "naked" spermatid nuclei were exposed briefly to three media. However, a long (60-min) exposure of the nuclei to Na(+)-rich medium was detrimental. In K(+)-rich NIM "naked" spermatid nuclei best retained their ability to participate in normal embryonic development.NIM was better than Na(+)-rich medium for retaining isolated spermatids competent to participate in normal embryonic development.

One of the anaphylatoxins, C5a, is known to increase the expression of the complement receptors, CR1 and CR3, on PMNs which play important roles in the phagocytosis. We measured the expression of these receptors before and after the stimulation with C5a and C5a-receptors (C5aR) on PMNs in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). PMNs from 16 patients and 11 normal controls were tested. All the patients with SLE were administered with prednisolone orally and were in the inactive stage. The CR1 expression in SLE was significantly weak (p0.01) before and after stimulation with 4.55 nM (50 micrograms/ml) of C5a. There was no significant difference of CR3 expression before stimulation. However, after the stimulation with C5a, the increase of CR3 on PMNs from SLE was significantly small (p0.01). C5aR on PMNs showed no difference between the two groups. However, the expression of C5aR was significantly suppressed in patients treated with a high dosage of prednisolone (= 10 mg/day) compared to those with a low dosage of prednisolone (10 mg/day). There was no significant difference of CR1 and CR3 expression between these groups. It is concluded that the increase of CR1 and CR3 on PMNs by C5a in small in SLE, of which impaired increase is not due to C5aR on PMNs, and that the expression of C5aR is suppressed by prednisolone.

The construction of the SPring-8 was started in 1990. The accelerator system of the SPring-8 consists of the 1 GeV linear accelerator, the 8 GeV synchrotron and the storage ring. This facility will be operated in 1997. In order to operate the accelerators, several types of monitors were prepared. These beam monitors are current transformer, a button type position monitor, a screen monitor, a micro bunch length monitor, a wire scanner monitor and so on. The authors present the designs and the performances of such beam monitors including the amorphous core monitor.

The effect of M-CSF and C5a on the expression of complement-related membrane proteins on the peripheral white blood cells was investigated. M-CSF or C5a was added into the suspension of the peripheral white blood cells. The expression of the complement receptors, CD35 (CR1) and CD11b/18 (CR3), and inhibitory membrane proteins, DAF and MCP, was measured by flow cytometry. M-CSF increased CR3 on polymorphonuclear cells (PMNs) and CR1, CR3, MCP and DAF on monocytes. C5a increased CR1, CR3 and DAF on PMNs, but did not affect the expression of those on monocytes. It is concluded that M-CSF possessed the activity of increase expression of both complement regulatory proteins and complement receptors of monocytes and C5a selectively affected the expression of those on PMNs.

Epiphyseal ossification in the radius, ulna, metacarpus, proximal phalanx and tuber calcaneus was examined radiographically in Japanese Black beef cattle. The grade of standard ossification was assessed monthly for each epiphysis. Bone maturations could be divided into 8 grades for the distal radius and distal ulna, 7 grades for the distal metacarpus, 5 grades for the proximal phalanx, and 8 grades for the tuber calcaneus, respectively. The closure of the epiphyseal line completed at the earliest (12-14 months of age) on the proximal phalanx, and at the latest (35-37 months of age) on the distal ulna. Changes in gradings were steep at 0 to 5 months of age but became almost constant after 10 months of age in all the epiphyses. There were no significant differences in bone maturation between the cattle with different sex and breeding conditions.

This study was undertaken to clarify the susceptibility to infection of patients with diabetes mellitus. The complement system is activated through the classical and/or the alternative pathways to produce many kinds of anaphylatoxins in the inflammatory process. One of the anaphylatoxins, C5a, possesses both the strong biological activity of a chemotactic factor and the increasing effect of CR1 and CR3 expression on polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs). It is well known that the complement receptors, CR1 and CR3, on PMNs play important roles in the phagocytosis. We studied the changes of the expression of these receptors on PMNs in non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus after the stimulation with recombinant human C5a. PMNs from 11 patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and 11 normal controls were tested. There was no significant difference of CR1 and CR3 expression on PMNs after the addition of 10 ng/ml C5a between patients with diabetes mellitus and normal controls. However, by the stimulation with 50 ng/ml C5a, the increase of the CR3 expression on PMNs of patients with diabetes mellitus was significantly smaller than normal controls (p0.02). The increase of the expression of CR1 on PMNs was not significantly different the two groups. It is suggested that the small increase of the CR3 expression on PMNs by the stimulation with C5a is one of the factors of the susceptibility to infection in patients with diabetes mellitus.

CytoporeTM (distributed as Asahi Microcarrier in Japan) is a new macroporous microcarrier made of cellulose substituted DEAE [1]. It is designed to produce a high density cell culture over a long period. We found a method for counting total cell numbers attached to Cytoporerm with enzymes to dissolve the cellulose matrix and extracellular matrix, and confirmed with a confocal microscope that cells are viable at the center part of CytoporeTM. Comparing the productivity of recombinant cells, recombinant CHO-producing IL-4 was cultivated both in suspension and microcarrier culture. High cell density was easily maintained when CHO cells were immobilized in CytoporeTM. The IL-4 productivity of microcarrier culture was higher than suspension culture even in serum-free conditions.

Serial changes of circulating immune complexes and anti-mite specific IgG antibody in the peripheral blood were measured eight times in six status asthmatics treated with high doses of methylprednisolone (MPS). Circulating immune complexes decreased to normal levels three hours after MPS administration. By contrast, anti-mite specific IgG antibody increased to beyond the normal range 14 days after MPS administration. Serum levels of IgE and allergen specific IgG4 antibody did not show any significant changes. In vitro experiments, circulating immune complexes in the sampled sera were decreased by an absorption test with anti-mite specific IgG antibody, and increased by reaction with an adequate volume of mite allergen. These facts indicate that circulating immune complexes are an anti-complementary factor working on the complement system, as previously reported, and that mite allergen and anti-mite IgG antibody relate to their conformation in status asthmatics. Clinically, MPS might possess an inhibitory effects on the formation of immune complexes and/or accelerate complement-dependent solubilization of antigen-antibody complexes, so that anti-mite specific IgG antibody increased markedly in the peripheral blood.

Complement system was investigated in 7 patients with status asthmatics treated with large doses of methylprednisolone (MPS). Complement hemolytic activities, complement protein profile, complement fragments and circulating immune complexes were measured before, 3 and 8 hours after and 14 days after MPS administration. MPS normalized C4 and C1INH activities 6 hours after administration. MPS also decreased ACH50 6 hours after administration and D activity 3 and 6 hours after, but these activities recovered to their previous normal range within 14 days. P and H were decreased at each measurement time, and C1s was transiently decreased 6 hours after MPS administration. Complement fragment iC3b was increased at each measurement time, but fragment Bb tended to be decreased 14 days after MPS administration. The increment of anaphylatoxin C3a recovered to normal 14 days after MPS administration. In vitro experiments, MPS inhibited D and C1s activation directly, and decreased the decay of B and C4. Inhibition of C1s might also increase C1INH activity clinically. These results clarified that the alternative complement pathway was activated, and suggested that the C1 bypass pathway might be also activated in status asthmatics. It was further considered that these anti-complementary effects induced by MPS, brought about an improvement in asthmatic symptoms. Studies to identify the complement activators continued, and circulating immune complexes may possibly be one of those agents activating complement cascade.

1. Metabolites and DNA adducts of 3H-benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) formed by isolated hepatocytes from English sole (Parophrys vetulus) in vitro were compared to those in bile and liver of sole exposed i.m. to 3H-BaP. 2. English sole liver was perfused with a collagenase solution and hepatocytes were isolated with greater than 95% viability. Determination of kinetic parameters for metabolism of 3H-BaP showed a Km of 29 +/- 10 microM and an apparent Vmax of 1300 pmol BaP metabolized/10(6) cells per h. 3. Analysis of medium from hepatocyte cultures and bile by ion-pair h.p.l.c. showed significant amounts of radioactivity in regions where glucuronide and glutathione conjugates of BaP metabolites elute. No sulphate conjugates of BaP metabolites were detected. The major unconjugated metabolite formed by hepatocytes was the BaP-9,10-dihydrodiol. 4. Hydrolysis of glucuronide conjugates by beta-glucuronidase and reversed-phase h.p.l.c. analysis of chloroform-soluble metabolites showed the presence of BaP-7,8-dihydrodiol, 1-hydroxyBaP and 3-hydroxyBaP. The identities of these metabolites were confirmed by comparing their fluorescence spectra with those of standard BaP metabolites. 5. Analysis by 32P-postlabelling of the BaP-DNA adducts formed in isolated hepatocytes and liver revealed that major adducts detected are derived from the anti-7,8-dihydrodiol-9,10-epoxideBaP (anti-BaPDE) and syn-BaPDE. 6. Results show that the types of conjugated metabolites and BaP-DNA adducts formed in primary hepatocyte culture were similar to those in bile and liver of English sole exposed to BaP. Thus, isolated hepatocytes from English sole afford a reliable alternative to live fish for studies of the mechanisms of hepatic xenobiotic metabolism and DNA adduct formation in a species shown to be susceptible to induction of hepatocarcinogenesis by PAHs.

In this study, we investigated the pharmacological reactions induced by ibudilast to the complement system with the aim of clarifying the functional relation of the complement system to allergic reactions and pathology in patients with bronchial asthma. Complement hemolytic activities (CH50 and ACH50), complement profile, anaphylatoxins (C3a and C5a) and complement fragments (Bb, iC3b and C4d) were measured in 20 patients with bronchial asthma. One of antiasthmatic activities induced by ibudilast was concluded to be brought about though inactivation of the alternative complement pathway working on type III allergic reaction. Ibudilast increased the complement fragment Bb in the patients' plasma with the fairly controlled bronchial asthma. This increase in circulating Bb was suspected to be a result of inactivation of intermediate complement complexes, for example C3b.Bb.P, because the amounts in plasma of C3 and C5 showed no changes, while those of factor, B, P, H and I were decreased by ibudilast administration in patients with fairly controlled bronchial asthma. This antiasthmatic ability of ibudilast was restrained in those patients whose peripheral leukocytopenia was advanced before ibudilast administration, and in those whom ibudilast did not provoke an increase in the plasma level of iC3b, or did not prevent the serum level of C5 from increasing. In those unfairly controlled cases, enough anaphylatoxins, especially C5a might be produced to make the margination of peripheral neutrophils to the lung and increase CR3 on neutrophils binding with iC3b.

A patient of Coombs negative autoimmune hemolytic anemia was massively transfused of 162 units concentrated red blood cells in 3 months and developed iron overload disease which was confirmed by liver biopsy. Hemolysis was successfully treated with high-dose methyl-prednisolone therapy and splenectomy. To treat iron overload, we administered recombinant human erythropoietin (Epo) in combination with phlebotomy. Total iron removed for 5 months was about 4 g. Thus, combination of Epo and phlebotomy was effective for the treatment of iron overload disease. Furthermore, we compared a degree of clinical effect of subcutaneous administration of Epo with that of intravenous administration in the clinical course and found the former more effective.

Nuclei isolated from spermatozoa of various species (golden hamster, mouse, human, rooster, and the fish tilapia) were heated at 60 degrees-125 degrees C for 20-120 min and then microinjected into hamster oocytes to determine whether they could decondense and develop into pronuclei. Mature, mammalian sperm nuclei, which are stabilized by protamine disulfide bonds, were moderately heat resistant. For example, they remained capable of pronucleus formation even after pretreatment for 30 min at 90 degrees C. Indeed, a temperature of 125 degrees C (steam) was required to inactivate hamster sperm nuclei completely. On the other hand, nuclei of rooster and tilapia spermatozoa and those of immature hamster and mouse spermatozoa, which are not stabilized by protamine disulfide bonds, were sensitive to heating; although some of them decondensed after exposure to 90 degrees C, none formed male pronuclei. Furthermore, nuclei of mature hamster sperm became heat labile when they were pretreated with dithiothreitol to reduce their protamine disulfide bonds. These observations suggest that the thermostability shown by the nuclei of mature spermatozoa of eutherian mammals is related to disulfide cross-linking of sperm protamines.