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Charge-transfer reaction at a lithium manganese oxide (LiMn 2 O 4 ) thin-film electrode/lithium phosphorus oxynitride glass electrolyte (LiPON) interface was investigated using all-solid-state thin-film batteries (Li/LiPON/LiMn 2 O 4 ). X-ray diffraction measurements revealed that the crystal structure of the thin-film LiMn 2 O 4 electrode changed on depositing the LiPON thin-film electrode, but a thermal treatment at 498 K for 60 min re-formed the original crystal structure. The potential sweep curve of the thermally treated film battery was identical to the cyclic voltammogram of a LiMn 2 O 4 thin-film electrode in a conventional organic electrolyte (1 mol dm -3 LiClO 4 dissolved in propylene carbonate). In contrast to a LiPON/LiCoO 2 interface, the charge-transfer resistance at the LiPON/LiMn 2 O 4 interface did not decrease sufficiently after the thermal treatment relative to the charge-transfer resistance of the organic electrolyte/LiMn 2 O 4 interface. This indicates that there should be a compatible electrode and LiPON film electrolyte combination to obtain an effective decrease in the charge-transfer resistance. Charge-discharge tests revealed that the resultant film battery repeated stable charge-transfer reaction on its cycling compared with the organic electrolyte system. Also, this electrochemical stability was maintained at a high temperature (333 K), which is probably because the formation of the LiMn 2 O 4 /LiPON interface inhibited Mn dissolution from the LiMn 2 O 4 thin-film electrode.

We report on superconducting nature under pressure in CeIr(In1–xCdx)5 by In-Nuclear-Quadrupole-Resonance (NQR) studies. In CeIr(In0.925Cd0.075)5, the inhomogeneous antiferromagnetic order at TN ~ 2.3 K is induced by Cd-dopants and superconductivity disappears at ambient pressure. However, the measurements of a nuclear-spin-lattice-relaxation rate 1/T1 have revealed that the superconductivity suddenly occurs above 2.1 GPa. It is observed that the superconducting gap is enhanced in the Cd-doped sample, indicating that the Cd-doping induces the strong coupling superconductivity leading to the enhancement of Tc in the CeIrIn5 system. Furthermore, we found that the residual density of states at the Fermi level increases with increasing pressure, suggesting that the superconducting nature of CeIrIn5 is quite different from those of CeCoIn5 and CeRhIn5.

OBJECTIVE to quantify autonomic function in bedfast elderly patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS we analysed orthostatic blood pressure, heart rate response to tilt, heart rate response to deep breathing, quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) and beat-to-beat blood pressure during phases II and IV of the Valsalva manoeuvre (VM) in 15 patients with (OH+) and without orthostatic hypotension (OH-) and 12 age-matched controls. RESULTS all bedfast patients had a poor response in the late phase II of beat-to-beat blood pressure, while OH+ patients had an additional abnormality in phase IV. QSARTs in the distal leg and foot were decreased in both OH+ and OH- groups. There was no difference between the two groups in duration of being bedfast or in activities of daily living. CONCLUSIONS (i) being bedfast results in postganglionic sympathetic dysfunction in the lower extremities; (ii) some patients who have beta-adrenergic dysfunction have OH and (iii) preventing patients from becoming being bedfast may be important for the maintenance of normal autonomic functions.

A mixture of Fe(II) and Fe(III) phenanthroline (phen) chelate complexes was isotachophoretically separated and analyzed by using a conventional electrolyte system for cation analysis (leading electrolyte: 20 mM ammonia solution, acetic acid buffer, pH 4.8; terminating electrolyte: β-alanine, pH 3.6). The migration order was Fe(III) chelate, Fe(II) chelate, phen. The recovery was 100% both for Fe(II) and Fe(III) according to PIXE analysis of the isotachophoretic (ITP) fractions. The sample mixture used (pH 2) was stable for a few days at room temperature. The sensitivity of Fe(III) chelate was 60% of that of Fe(II) chelate. This is because the ionic charge of Fe(II) chelate (+2) was larger than that of Fe(III) chelate, in which the coordination number of phen was 1.8±0.1 due to the addition of at least one pH buffer anion. The ionic charge of Fe(III) chelate was estimated as +1.4 by simulation of the concentration and effective mobility at the ITP steady state.

An operational electrolyte system using EDTA as a chelating agent was developed for the bidirectional isotachophoresis (ITP) of metal ions. The anolyte used was 20 m M HCl buffered by adding β-alanine at pH 3.6. The catholyte was 20 m M ammonia solution buffered by acetic acid at pH 4.8 and containing EDTA in the range 0–1 m M . In relation to the concentration of EDTA, the isotachophoretic separation behaviour of eighteen metal cations containing equimolar EDTA was studied by using with particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE). They were Na + , Li + , Ba 2+ , Sr 2+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Mn 2+ , La 3+ , Ce 3+ , Co 2+ , Zn 2+ , Gd 3+ , Pb 2+ , Y 3+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ , Lu 3+ and Fe 3+ in increasing order of chelate stability constants. When a catholyte containing 0.1 m M EDTA was used, Na + , Li + , Ba 2+ , Sr 2+ , Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ and Mn 2+ were completely recovered as cations and La 3+ , Ce 3+ , Co 2+ , Zn 2+ , Gd 3+ Pb 2+ , Y 3+ , Ni 2+ , Cu 2+ and Lu 3+ were completely recovered as chelate anions. The recovery was incomplete for a test mixture without adding EDTA, even when the EDTA concentration in the catholyte was 1 m M . Absolute mobilities of several chelates were obtained and the concentration and pH of isotachophoretic zones were simulated to clarify the decomposition during migration.

We followed eight hereditary motor and sensory neuropathy patients with proximal dominance (HMSN-P) in Shiga prefecture from 1984 to 2007. There were 4 men and 4 women from two families showing autosomal and dominant prepotency. These families were related by marriage. The average onset of disease was at 53.4 +/- 8.9 (40-68) years-old. Initial symptoms were difficulty of standing up, difficulty elevating their arms, limping, or numbness. The main feature was neurogenic muscular atrophy with proximal dominance. All deep tendon reflexes were decreased or nonexistent. Paresthesia in the hands and feet and/or decreased vibratory sense in the legs were found in six patients. High CK blood levels were recognized in three patients. EMG in four patients revealed neurogenic pattern. Nerve conduction study was conducted in two patients. MCV of the median nerve and of the tibial posterior nerve, also SCV of the median nerve and of the sural nerve were within normal range in all nerves. Amplitudes of sensory action potential or of M wave were decreased or nonexistent in five of eight nerves, and distal latency of M waves was delayed in three of four nerves. These data suggests dysfunction of distal parts of the peripheral nerve fibers and axonal degeneration of the nerve trunk. Seven patients have died, and their average death age was 69.1 +/- 8.2 (52-77) years-old. Their average affected period was 16.6 (4-30) years. Their clinical history resembles Okinawa-type HMSN-P, but without the painful muscle cramps which are distinctive Okinawa-type signs.

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) is characterized by persistent mental and physical fatigue for at least 6 months. Its pathophysiology is unknown and there is no proven effective treatment. We describe three cases who fulfill the criteria of CFS, in whom a defect of neuromuscular transmission and dysautonomia are present and who respond to acetylcholine-esterase inhibition. Case 1: 18-year-old female with a 3-year history of CFS. Response of compound-muscle-action potential, recorded using surface recording electrode, over left abductor pollicis brevis muscle, to repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) at a rate of 10 Hz showed a 42% incremental response. Composite autonomic scoring system (CASS) showed mild cholinergic impairment (cardiovagal score: 1; sudomotor score: 2). Serological tests for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) revealed positive antiviral capsid antigens (anti-VCA) immunoglobulins G (IgG). Oral pyridostigmine therapy (30 mg) resulted in marked improvement in symptoms. Case 2: 28-year-old female with 10-year history of CFS. RNS, using identical protocol, showed a 60% incremental response over the same muscle. CASS showed mild cholinergic impairment (cardiovagal score: 1; sudomotor score: 2) and this patient was also positive for EBV. This patient responded dramatically to 10-mg pyridostigmine. Case 3: 29-year-old female with a history of CFS for longer than 15 years. Repetitive stimulation, using identical paradigm to left abductor pollicis brevis muscle, showed a 42% incremental response. CASS showed mildly cholinergic impairment (cardiovagal score: 2; sudomotor score: 1). EBV antibody titers were positive. Patient responded to 30-mg pyridostigmine with an improvement in her fatigue. These three cases generate the hypothesis that the fatigue in some patients with clinical CFS might be due to a combination of mild neuromuscular transmission defect combined with cholinergic dysautonomia. Support for this thesis derives from the improvement with cholinesterase inhibition.

A 57-year-old woman developed muscular stiffness and painful cramps, which were relieved by administration of dantrolene sodium. Her serum level of antibodies to glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) was markedly elevated and continuous muscular activities were observed on resting surface EMG. These features were compatible with those in stiff-person syndrome (SPS). She was found to have thymoma on CT scan. Immediately after thymomectomy, which was histologically diagnosed as a benign hyperplasia, she developed head retraction reflex-like movements evoked by sensory stimulation to the face, which were followed by severe bulbar symptoms with dysphagia and respiratory arrest. Postoperative myasthenia gravis was excluded clinically. While somatosensory evoked EMG on splenius muscle initially showed biphasic responses with latency of 15 msec and 55 msec, respectively after oral angle non-painful electric stimulation, the late potential phase disappeared after the patient recovered from bulbar symptoms. This suggests that head retraction reflex-like movements of this patient reflected the attenuation of inhibitory potentials from the brainstem.

Mobilities of 16 anions of rare-earth-EDTA 1:1 chelate (RE-EDTAs) were isotachophoretically measured by using two leading electrolytes (pH 3.6 and 6.0) in order to assess their separation behavior. The leading electrolyte was 20 mM hydrochloric acid. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 3.6 by adding beta-alanine and to 6.0 by adding histidine. The obtained mobilities were very close to each other in the range 20.1x10(-5)-21.9x10(-5) cm2 V(-1) s(-1) with the minimum mobilities for Pr-EDTA and Nd-EDTA for pH 3.6 and 6.0, respectively, and pH dependence was hardly observed. On the basis of the above knowledge. minor rare-earth elements in a standard iron ore sample were determined as RE-EDTAs by bidirectional isotachophoresis-particle-induced X-ray emission (PIXE), where the Fe(II) matrix digested by alkali fusion was separated as Fe(II)Phen3(2+) (phen = 1,10-phenanthroline). Since 5% of the total iron was still detected as Fe(III)EDTA- and might disturb PIXE analysis of RE-EDTA-, itaconic acid was used as the spacer for Fe(III)EDTA- and RE-EDTA-. The fractions of RE-EDTA- were successfully analyzed off-line by a multielemental analytical method, PIXE [analytical result (3.62% (w/w) as RE2O3]; the nominal value was 3.37% (w/w) as RExOy.

We examined autonomic function in 46 patients with symmetric sensory non-insulin dependent diabetic neuropathy without autonomic symptoms and 31 age-matched control patients using the composite autonomic scoring scale (CASS) and electrophysiologic examination. The patients were divided into three groups by subjective severity of pain or numbness; 17 had slight pain or numbness, 15 had mild pain or numbness, and 14 had moderate pain or numbness. The patients in the moderate group had the following: a mild reduction in systolic and mean blood pressure (BP) within 1 minute of head-up tilt and a partial recovery after 5 minutes; an excessive fall in early phase II (IIe), an absence of late phase II (IIl) and reduced phase IV beat-to-beat BP responses to Valsalva maneuver (VM); a poor heart rate response to deep breathing; a reduced quantitative sudomotor axon reflex test (QSART) response in distal leg and foot; the highest CASS among the 3 groups; and reduced conduction velocity and amplitude in post-tibial nerve and sural nerve. The mild group had a mild reduction in BP during phase IIe and an absent phase IIl but normal phase IV overshoot during VM; a reduced QSART in the foot; a CASS between the moderate and slight groups; and reduced conduction velocity and amplitude in post-tibial nerve and reduced amplitude in sural nerve. The slight pain group had no abnormalities except for mild cardiovagal dysfunction. CASS gathered from all cases had a significant correlation with amplitude of sural nerve. These results suggest that the patients with symmetric sensory diabetic neuropathy may also have autonomic dysfunction, although they did not have any obvious autonomic symptoms, and that abnormalities in autonomic function parallel changes in somatic function in peripheral nerve. The CASS may be a sensitive tool, similar to the neurophysiologic test, for assessing diabetic neuropathy.

We studied central nervous system lesions in patients with neuro-Behcet's disease using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain and recording of brain-stem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs). MRI revealed abnormal findings in seven of eight patients. MRI studies demonstrated extensive regions with high intensity signal in the brain stem and/or basal ganglia on T2-weighted images obtained during the acute stage of the disease in three patients. One of these patients had a strongly gadolinum-enhanced round lesion in the lower pons. In four of the other five patients with chronic disease, brain-stem atrophy was observed on T1-weighted images. Atrophic changes were more severe in the brain stem than in the cerebellum. Abnormal BAEPs were observed in three patients and consisted of prolongation of interpeak latency of waves III-V and defects of wave III or V. Abnormal BAEPs were recorded in patients with severe inflammatory changes or progression of atrophic changes in the brain stem. Our findings show that MRI and BAEPs are useful in detecting the presence and assessing the degree of neurological involvement in patients with neuro-Behcet's disease.

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