Search

Innovative technologies for intracellular delivery are ushering in a new era for gene editing, enabling the utilization of a patient's own cells for stem cell and immunotherapies. In particular, cell-squeezing platforms provide unconventional forms of intracellular delivery, deforming cells through microfluidic constrictions to generate transient pores and to enable effective diffusion of biomolecular cargo. While these devices are promising gene-editing platforms, they require frequent maintenance due to the accumulation of cellular debris, limiting their potential for reaching the throughputs necessary for scalable cellular therapies. As these cell-squeezing technologies are improved, there is a need to develop next-generation platforms with higher throughput and longer lifespan, importantly, avoiding the buildup of cell debris and thus channel clogging. Here, we report a versatile strategy to coat the channels of microfluidic devices with lipid bilayers based on noncovalent lipid bicelle technology, which led to substantial improvements in reducing cell adhesion and protein adsorption. The antifouling properties of the lipid bilayer coating were evaluated, including membrane uniformity, passivation against nonspecific protein adsorption, and inhibition of cell attachment against multiple cell types. This surface functionalization approach was applied to coat constricted microfluidic channels for the intracellular delivery of fluorescently labeled dextran and plasmid DNA, demonstrating significant reductions in the accumulation of cell debris. Taken together, our work demonstrates that lipid bicelles are a useful tool to fabricate antifouling lipid bilayer coatings in cell-squeezing devices, resulting in reduced nonspecific fouling and cell clogging to improve performance.

The addition of single-chain lipid amphiphiles such as antimicrobial fatty acids and monoglycerides to confined, two-dimensional phospholipid bilayers can trigger the formation of three-dimensional membrane morphologies as a passive means to regulate stress. To date, relevant experimental studies have been conducted using pure phospholipid compositions, and extending such insights to more complex, biologically relevant lipid compositions that include phospholipids and sterols is warranted because sterols are important biological mediators of membrane stress relaxation. Herein, using the quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) technique, we investigated membrane remodeling behaviors triggered by the addition of sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), lauric acid (LA), and glycerol monolaurate (GML) to supported lipid bilayers (SLBs) composed of phospholipid and cholesterol mixtures. The SLB platforms were prepared by the solvent-assisted lipid bilayer method in order to form cholesterol-rich SLBs with tunable cholesterol fractions (0-52 mol %). The addition of SDS or LA to fabricated SLBs induced tubule formation, and the extent of membrane remodeling was greater in SLBs with higher cholesterol fractions. In marked contrast, GML addition led to bud formation, and the extent of membrane remodeling was lower in SLBs with higher cholesterol fractions. To explain these empirical observations, we discuss how cholesterol influences the elastic (stiffness) and viscous (stress relaxation) properties of phospholipid/cholesterol lipid bilayers as well as how the membrane translocation properties of single-chain lipid amphiphiles affect the corresponding membrane morphological responses. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that single-chain lipid amphiphiles induce highly specific membrane morphological responses across both simplified and complex model membranes, and cholesterol can promote or inhibit membrane remodeling by a variety of molecular mechanisms.

β-Amyloid aggregates in the brain play critical roles in Alzheimer's disease, a chronic neurodegenerative condition. Amyloid-associated metal ions, particularly zinc and copper ions, have been implicated in disease pathogenesis. Despite the importance of such ions, the binding sites on the β-amyloid peptide remain poorly understood. In this study, we use scanning tunneling microscopy, circular dichroism, and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy to probe the interactions between Cu2+ ions and a key β-amyloid peptide fragment, consisting of the first 16 amino acids, and define the copper-peptide binding site. We observe that in the presence of Cu2+, this peptide fragment forms β-sheets, not seen without the metal ion. By imaging with scanning tunneling microscopy, we are able to identify the binding site, which involves two histidine residues, His13 and His14. We conclude that the binding of copper to these residues creates an interstrand histidine brace, which enables the formation of β-sheets.

Monoamine oxidase A and B (MAO-A and B) are mitochondrial outer membrane enzymes that are implicated in a number of human diseases, and the pharmacological inhibition of these enzymes is a promising therapeutic strategy to alleviate disease symptoms. It has been suggested that optimal levels of enzymatic activity occur in the membrane-associated state, although details of the membrane association process remain to be understood. Herein, we have developed a supported lipid bilayer platform to study MAO-A and B binding and evaluate the effects of known pharmacological inhibitors on the membrane association process. By utilizing the quartz crystal microbalance-dissipation (QCM-D) technique, it was determined that both MAOs exhibit tight binding to negatively and positively charged bilayers with distinct concentration-dependent binding profiles while only transiently binding to neutral bilayers. Importantly, in the presence of known inhibitors, the MAOs showed increased binding to negatively charged bilayers, although there was no effect of inhibitor treatment on binding to positively charged bilayers. Taken together, our findings establish that the membrane association of MAOs is highly dependent on membrane surface charge, and we outline an experimental platform to support the in vitro reconstitution of monoamine oxidases on synthetic membranes, including the evaluation of pharmacological drug candidates. NRF (Natl Research Foundation, S’pore)

The growing problem of antibiotic resistant bacteria, along with a dearth of new antibiotics, has redirected attention to the search for alternative antimicrobial agents. Conjugated oligoelectrolytes (COEs) are an emerging class of antimicrobial agents which insert into bacterial cell membranes and are inhibitory against a range of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. In this study, the extent of COE resistance that

The objective of this growth chamber study was to evaluate the effect of adding N-(n-butyl) thiophosphoric triamide (NBPT) and dicyandiaminde (DCD) to urea fertilizer, on the physiology and growth of cotton (Gossypiumhirsutum L.) under normal and high temperatures. Treatments consisted of two day temperature regimes, 30°C and 38°C, and five nitrogen fertilization applications: unfertilized control, 125 kg ha−1 of urea, 93 kg ha−1 of urea, 93 kg ha−1 urea + NBPT, and 93 kg ha−1 urea + NBPT + DCD. The addition of NBPT to urea fertilizer had positive effects on leaf chlorophyll, leaf area, dry matter, nitrogen (N) uptake, and N use efficiency. The absence of a significant interaction effect indicated that N fertilization was not influenced by temperature. Deficiency of N significantly decreased leaf chlorophyll, increased glutathione reductase, decreased protein and increased leaf nitrate reductase. Physiological changes under high temperature included increased plant N uptake, glutamine synthetase, leaf chl...

This study examines and analyzes the R&D and field applications of concrete-polymer composites conducted in the past 5 years in Korea by reviewing related patents, new technologies and technical research articles. Among the materials, polymer cement concrete (mortar) was used the most for patent application followed by geopolymer concrete (rnortar) and polymer concrete (mortar). As for the uses, pavement overlay took the most for field application followed by repair and waterproof, and bricks were used the most for precast products followed by sewerage products and interior materials. The main subjects of the published research papers were repair of concrete pavement, manufacturing of polymer concrete using recycled wastes, and production of polymer cement concrete with improved performance. Most of the commercialized new technologies were related to the rehabilitation of concrete pavement using polymer concrete or polymer cement concrete and various precast products using polymer concrete. Based on the results of the examination and analysis, in respect of materials, the R&D activities in Korea focused on geopolymer concrete as a new item while few research studies were conducted on polymer impregnated concrete. Regarding field application, the mainstream was the R&D on overlay and repair, and the development of precast products. (A)

The cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) crop experiences high temperatures during flowering and boll development, but information regarding the impact of ethylene inhibition and high temperature on early boll development is limited. The objective of this study was to determine the effects of high temperature and the anti-ethylene compound 1-methylcy-cloprone (1-MCP) on G. hirsutum boll development. Treatments consisted of temperature regime (38/20?C and 30/ 20?C), 1-MCP treatment, and days past anthesis (DPA). High temperature decreased ethylene synthesis by 61% at 2 DPA, and 1-MCP caused a 40% decrease in ethylene production at 1 DPA. Glutathione reductase activity increased under high temperature, whereas superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) and membrane peroxidation (malondialdehyde content) remained unchanged. 1-MCP treatment did not affect GR activity in developing bolls. High temperature and 1-MCP treatment increased the weight of cotton bolls collected 8 DPA with an increase of 0.7 and 1 g, respectively. We propose that increased GR activity in bolls exposed to high temperature may mitigate oxidative damage. Additionally, we conclude that ethylene inhibition (either high temperature or 1-MCP-induced) immediately after flowering (1 or 2 DPA) could potentially have positive impacts on early boll growth.

Nitrogen deficiency and poor N use efficiency adversely affect cotton ( Gossypium hirsutum L.) growth and yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the urease inhibitor NBPT and the nitrification inhibitor DCD with urea fertilizer on the physiology and yield of irrigated cotton. Field experiments were conducted in 2009 and 2010 with the following treatments: untreated control, full recommended N rate with urea, 75% recommended N rate with urea, 75% recommended N rate with urea + NBPT, and 75% recommended N rate with urea + NBPT + DCD. The treatment Urea-75% plus NBPT improved cotton N uptake by 17% and N use efficiency by 41% when compared to the Urea-75% alone. NBPT addition to urea also positively affected leaf chlorophyll content, plant growth and fiber quality. The use of NBPT improved cotton lint yield by 14% compared to a similar urea application rate without NBPT. However, addition of DCD to urea fertilizer limited NBPT performance. The use of DCD resulted in decreased N uptake, N use efficiency, leaf chlorophyll, plant growth and yields. Under the field conditions of the current study, it is concluded that addition of NBPT to urea, but not DCD in combination with NBPT, improved N fertilization in cotton.

Salinity stress and inefficient nitrogen fertilization adversely affect cotton growth and yield. The effect of salinity on the growth and stress response of cotton seedlings and the effect on N-use efficiency from the use of the inhibitors of urease (NBPT) and nitrification (DCD) under salinity stress were studied in growth chambers. The study consisted of three levels of salinity – low (0.45 dS m−1), moderate (8 dS m−1) and high (16 dS m−1) – and five N treatments – unfertilized control, 100 % N rate with urea, 80 % N rate with urea, 80 % N rate with urea +NBPT and 80 % N rate with urea +NBPT + DCD. The results indicated that salinity stress reduced plant growth (low leaf area and plant dry matter), decreased N assimilation (low NR, GS and protein), increased plant stress response (high GR and SOD), and decreased leaf chlorophyll, stomatal conductance and quantum yield. Addition of NBPT to urea improved N uptake by 22 % under low salinity; however, this effect was not observed with increasing salinity. No benefit of addition of DCD was observed in any of the parameters collected. In conclusion, salinity stress hindered the performance of the additive NBPT and negatively affected the growth and physiology of cotton.

On March 11, 2011, a massive earthquake with a magnitude of 9.0 struck Sanriku Coast, Japan. The ensuing tsunami swept across many cities and villages along the Pacific coast of the Tohoku district, causing tremendous human and structural damage. These disasters gave a good chance to review the relationship between infrastructures and sustainability in Japan from the viewpoints of concrete structures and concrete-polymer composites. The article introduces essential defects of cement concrete structures and discusses different state-of-the-art concrete-polymer composites and the properties of ultra high strength fiber reinforced concrete.

The great East Japan earthquake occurred on March 11th, 2011. The number of death toll and missing are 15,492 and 7,356, and collapsed houses and buildings totalled over 628,377. The damages amount to about 16.9 trillion Japanese Yen. The main disaster was caused by an unprecedented tsunami just after the earthquake. In this paper, the natural disaster and damage of structures excluding man-made disaster such as nuclear power plant accidents and diffusion of radioactive debris were studied. First, seismic characteristics such as earthquake magnitude, seismic waves and ground motions were introduced. Second, tsunami investigation into the actual conditions along the coastal lines was reported. Furthermore, the damages of structures due to earthquake and tsunami were investigated and evaluated by referring to the current specified seismic design for bridges and the damage from historical earthquake. Immediate issue is the processing of the debris of 22.5 million tons such as pieces of lumber, steel and concrete. These huge waste volumes will be incinerated, reclaimed and recycled. Finally, the mitigation of disaster is discussed from the viewpoints of sustainable development. (A)

The treatment for high-grade glioma remains an enigma. The standard treatment using surgery, radiation therapy and chemotherapy for such highly malignant lesions has only yielded modest results, in terms of survival and improving the quality of life of patients. Less than 10% of such patients survive beyond two years. All conventional therapies have failed to increase the survival beyond this extent. There has been a growing interest in the molecular approaches for the treatment of high-grade gliomas which include gene therapy, oncolytic virotherapy, and immunotherapy. These new therapies are in preclinical and investigational stages. They may not substitute the conventional therapies; they may not be the ultimate elixir for this deadly disease. However, in the coming years, they are likely to have synergistic and complimentary roles alongside conventional therapies. Through this paper, we have attempted to highlight the rationale behind gene therapy which can be used for cytotoxic approaches, immunomodulation strategy, and targeted toxin delivery in the tumor cell. We have reviewed current available literature and through this paper focus on reporting such therapeutic options, their potential usage, benefits and limitations.

Although photosynthetic thermotolerance has been investigated extensively in cotton leaves, reports on the biochemical influence of the pistil in promoting fertilization thermostability are limited. To evaluate the effect of temperature, genotype, and exogenous calcium application on fertilization and pistil biochemistry in cotton, thermosensitive (cv. ST4554 B2RF) and thermotolerant (cv. VH260) plants were grown under control (30/20 °C) or high-temperature (38/20 °C) conditions during flowering, and exogenous CaCl 2 was applied to flowers 1 day prior to anthesis. Measured pistil parameters included fertilization efficiency; protein concentration; glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and NADPH oxidase activities; and ATP and calcium levels. Exogenous calcium had no effect on reproductive thermostability due to poor calcium uptake under high temperature. High temperature resulted in a 19.2 % decline in fertilization efficiency for ST4554 but no change in fertilization efficiency for VH260 relative to optimal temperature conditions. Pre-stress glutathione reductase and SOD activities were higher in VH260 than ST4554 pistils, and calcium and ATP content were higher in VH260 than ST4554 pistils. It was concluded that pre-stress antioxidant enzyme activity, ATP and calcium content of the pistil may be associated with reproductive thermotolerance in cotton. These findings should be confirmed in future experiments with a larger number of cultivars.

The current study investigated the effect of 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), an ethylene inhibiting compound, in alleviating the detrimental effect of drought on cotton plants. The experiment was conducted in a growth chamber in 2006 and 2007. Treatments consisted of (T1) an untreated control well-watered, (T2) 1-MCP at 10 g ai/ha well-watered, (T3) an untreated control water-stressed, and (T4) 1-MCP at 10 g ai/ha water-stressed. Water-stress treatment consisted of withholding water from the pots until stomatal closure. The water-stress regime and the 1-MCP treatments were imposed at the pinhead-square stage, approximately 4 weeks after planting. Water-stressed plants treated with 1-MCP had a higher stomatal resistance, less negative water potential, higher activity of antioxidant enzymes, and better maintenance of membrane integrity. The greatest effects on stomatal resistance were observed at 5 days after treatment initiation, in which water-stressed 1-MCP-treated plants exhibited stomatal resistance of 0.079 m2 s mmol−1, whereas water-stressed untreated plants exhibited only 0.047 m2 s mmol−1. There was no significant effect of 1-MCP on water-use efficiency, transpiration, and dry matter production. These results indicated that application of 1-MCP to water-stressed cotton may have the potential to lower levels of stress in treated plants.

Although ferns have been developed by hybridization and chromosome doubling, no natural polyploidy has yet been recorded in Osmundaceae. So, we produced hybrids artificially by crosses between Osmunda banksiifolia (2n = 2x = 44) and Osmunda lancea (2n = 2x = 44), and investigated their sporogenesis. From the O. banksiifolia x O. lancea hybrid with 44 univalent chromosomes, allotetraploids with 44 bivalent chromosomes were produced by chromosome doubling, and allotriploids with 22 univalent chromosomes and 22 bivalent chromosomes were then produced by back crosses. The results show when and how chromosome doubling occurs in hybrids. The success of artificial hybridization between O. banksiifolia and O. lancea, did not, however, reflect any product of natural hybridization between the two species.

The effects of lesions in the basal medial hypothalamus and limbic structure on the acetate metabolic responses to daily repeated heat exposure in the liver of rabbits have been investigated. The results obtained were summarized as follows: (1) THe acetate metabolic responses to the 1st heat exposure (heat exposure on the 1st day) were altered by the lesions in the periventricular arcuate nucleus (ARC), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), stria terminalis (ST) and dorsal fornix (FX). (2) The acetate metabolic responses to heat exposure were completely abolished by the ten times repetition of heat exposure in the rabbits with lesions in ARC or VMH. They were similar to sham-operated animals. (3) The acetate metabolic responses to heat exposure remained even after the ten times repetition of heat exposure in the rabbits with lesions in ST and FX indicating the differences from sham-operated animals. (4) From these results, it might be suggested that the basal medial hypothalamus and limbic structure participated in the mechanism of acetate metabolic response to the 1st heat exposure, but only these limbic structure played some roles in the complete disappearance process of acetate metabolic responses to heat exposure by the ten times repetition of heat exposure.

The effects of lesions of the limbic-hypothalamic structures on the pyruvate metabolic responses to daily repeated cold exposures in the liver of rabbits have been investigated. The experimental results were as follows: The metabolic pattern of pyruvate and the pyruvate metabolic responses to the 1st cold exposure (cold exposure on the 1st day) were altered by lesions of periventricular arcuate nucleus (ARC), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), stria terminalis (ST) and dorsal fornix (FX). The pyruvate metabolic responses to cold exposure were completely abolished by seven times repetition of daily cold exposures in rabbits with lesions of ARC, VMH and FX, as well as in each sham-operated group. In rabbits with ST lesions, the pyruvate metabolic responses to cold exposure remained even after the seven times repetition of daily cold exposures. From these results, it might be suggested that the ARC, VMH, amygdala (AMYG)-ST system and dorsal hippocampus (HPC)-FX system played a certain role in the metabolic regulation of pyruvate and in the mechanisms of pyruvate metabolic responses to the 1st cold exposure, but that only the AMYG-ST system participated in the process of pyruvate metabolic adaptation to daily repeated cold exposures.

Aim: The study was undertaken to determine whether ageing affects kidney expression of the aquaporin-2 (AQP2) water channel in glucocorticoid-deficient rats. Methods: After adrenalectomy, 6- and 52-week-old Sprague–Dawley rats received aldosterone via osmotic minipumps (glucocorticoid-deficient rats). Aldosterone and dexamethasone were administered to control rats of the same age. Results: An acute water load test verified impairment of water excretion in both young and aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency, with a more serious impairment in the older rats. Despite the presence of hypoosmolality, non-suppressible release of arginine vasopressin (AVP) was particularly evident in the aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency in comparison with the young rats. The expression levels of AQP2 mRNA and protein were lower in the aged rats, with a particularly large reduction in AQP2 protein expression. AQP2 expression levels were significantly augmented in the glucocorticoid-deficient rats compared with the controls under both basal and water-loaded conditions. Acute water loading did not suppress expression of AQP2 mRNA and protein, and the percentage increases in AQP2 mRNA and protein expression vs. the respective controls were more pronounced in the 52-week-old glucocorticoid-deficient rats compared with the 6-week-old rats. Conclusion: The findings indicate that upregulation of AQP2 expression is maintained dependent upon non-suppressible release of AVP in rats with glucocorticoid deficiency, and that AQP2 plays a crucial role in persistent impairment of water excretion in aged rats with glucocorticoid deficiency.

The effect of removing cytoplasmic lipid droplets (delipidation) at the 2-cell and developmental stages on the survival of porcine somatic cell nuclear-transferred blastocysts developed from the enucleated oocytes receiving somatic cells from kidney of an adult female after cryopreservation was examined. Vitrification was performed using the Cryoloop method with a small volume of medium (0.5 microl). To select 2-cell embryos with a high potential to develop into blastocysts, the relationship between the timing of the first cleavage and the developmental potential was examined. The potential of nuclear-transferred oocytes to develop into blastocysts in the intermediate-cleavage group (20-24h after activation, 25%) was slightly or significantly (P0.05) higher than that in fast-cleavage (20 h after activation, 13%) and slow-cleavage groups (24h after activation, 5%). Most non-delipidated blastocysts did not survive after thawing (0% for early-stage and 9% for advanced-stage blastocysts), but the survival rate of delipidated blastocysts 48 h after culture (54% and 72%, respectively) was not significantly different from that of non-vitrified blastocysts (80% and 92%, respectively). The survival rate of advanced-stage blastocysts after vitrification was slightly higher than that of early-stage blastocysts. The present study demonstrates that somatic cell nuclear-transferred porcine blastocysts developed from embryos selected at the 2-cell stage can be preserved by vitrification with a small volume of medium if the lipid droplets of the embryos are first removed.

Haploid sporophytes of Osmunda claytoniana (2n = x = 22) were apogamously produced from calli when cultivated on a hormone-free medium. Flow cytometric analysis showed that ploidy chimeras were spontaneously produced in a haploid sporophyte of O. claytoniana and those of O. japonica that were obtained in the previous study. In the haploid sporophyte of O. claytoniana, a diploid pinnule and a partially diploid terminal segment were produced in a haploid pinna. In O. japonica, a haploid sporophyte yielded a diploid pinna in a haploid frond, and another haploid sporophyte yielded a diploid pinnule in a haploid pinna. Diploid chimeras were large in size and could be readily distinguished from other haploid parts of the fronds. It is likely that the chimeras were produced clonally from a single diploid cell that established chromosome doubling.

目的 : 下部直腸癌術後の排便機能および性機能を明らかにする.方法 : 超低位前方切除術後92症例における排便機能の経時的推移を外来診療録から調査した. また術後5年以上経過し, 無再発生存中の直腸癌術後症例を対象に, 排便機能および男性性機能に関するアンケート調査を実施, 術式別に比較検討した.結果 : 超低位前方切除術直後には1日6回以上の頻便を呈する症例が54%を占めていたが, 術後1年では6.5%, 術後3年では3%未満と術後年数の経過とともに改善していた. 前方切除術後あるいは低位前方切除術後と比較すると, 超低位前方切除術後では便意切迫を経験する症例 (22% vs 44%, p=0.03) や便失禁を経験する症例 (18% vs 44%, p

Medial Preoptic (MPO) Unit Responses to Stimulation of Medial Amygdala (m -AMYG) and Dorsal Hippocampus (d -HPC) during Different Phases of Estrous Cycle in the Rat

Hydroxyapatite was prepared by a reaction of CaWO4 with phosphate at temperatures from 90 °C to 210 °C. High concentration of NaOH was appropriate for the formation processes of hydroxyapatite. The temperature dependence of reaction rate was related to the mass transport through a reaction layer. Very small activation energy of reaction, 25.5 kJ/mol, was attributed to the diffusion of Ca2+ ions in liquid among reaction products.

An assessment of a novel laser-assisted pulsed plasma thruster (PPT) was conducted, in which a laser-induced plasma was induced through laser-beam irradiation onto a solid target and accelerated by electrical means instead of direct acceleration using only a laser beam. It was found that the discharge duration at low-voltage cases was as long as that of laser-induced plasma. However, in high-voltage cases, the discharge duration was much longer than that of laser-induced plasma. In this case, the laser-induced plasma should be leading the main discharge from a capacitor, where a certain amount of neutral components of vaporized propellant must be ionized through the discharge. At 8.65-J discharge energy, the maximum current reached about 8000 A. With a newly developed torsion-balance-type thrust stand, thrust performances of laser-assisted PPTs could be estimated. The impulse bit and the specific impulse linearly increased. On the other hand, the coupling coefficient and the thrust efficiency did not increase linearly. The coupling coefficient decreased with energy showing a maximum value (20.8 μN s/J) at 0 J, or in a pure laser ablation case. The thrust efficiency first decreased with energy from 0 to 1.4 J and then increased linearly with energy from 1.4 J to 8.6 J. At 8.65-J operation, an impulse bit of 38.1 μN s, a specific impulse of 3791 s, a thrust efficiency of 8%, and a coupling coefficient of 4.3 μN s/J were obtained.

A mouse-adapted influenza A virus, A/equine/London/1416/73-MA (H7N7) caused viral pneumonia, ganglionitis and encephalitis after intranasal inoculation in mice. Virological and pathological data suggested that this virus spreads to the brain by both hematogenous and transneuronal routes, and produces encephalitic lesions similar to those seen in mice infected with H5 highly pathogenic avian influenza A viruses by intranasal infection. Some mice infected with this strain were affected by aspiration pneumonia, which may be caused by neurogenic dysfunction of the pharyngeal/laryngeal reflex due to brain stem encephalitis.

Clinical islet transplantation has recently received a strong impulse from the results obtained with the introduction of the Edomonton group. However, islet transplantation is at present a minimally invasive procedure and offers for the future the unique possibility of being performed under donor-specific tolerant conditions because islets may potentially be engineered in vitro. In addition, various approaches such as in vitro islet expansion, or xenogenic islets could make the availability of donor tissues unlimited. Recent advances in tissue engineering (technology) and cell biology may allow for the development of novel strategies for the treatment and cure of type I diabetes. In particular, it is now possible to envisage restoration of insulin secretion by cell-replacement therapy. And it will be necessary to ensure that implanted beta-cells are protected in some way from recognition by the immune system (a bio-artificial endocrine pancreas).

Since an EIE-core variable inductor is constructed from cores and windings, it has good features for an electric power apparatus, such as simple construction and high reliability. The variable inductor does not need any gaps for harmonic current reduction and has a suitable structure for a larger capacity. For optimum design, a quantitative analysis method for the variable inductor is important. In a previous paper, we derived a two-dimensional nonlinear magnetic circuit model of the EIE-core and found operating characteristics of the variable inductor. Although the calculation value and actual measurement showed good coincidence, in the large domain of the control current, a tendency was shown to expand quantitive error, and further improvement in calculation accuracy became a subject. In this paper, we present a three-dimensional magnetic circuit to improve analysis accuracy, and compared calculated results with actual measurements.

Three out of four haploid sporophytes of Osmunda japonica (2n=x=22), produced artificially by induction of apogamy, developed fertile fronds and spores. The spores that germinated (up to 25% of the total green spores) were monoploid, determined by the nuclear DNA content and the somatic chromosome numbers of the gametophytes. The haploid 2 sporophyte produced more fertile spores than the two other haploids, providing an opportunity to observe the details of fertile spore development. In some spore mother cells of this plant, the random separation of 22 univalent chromosomes did not occur at the first meiotic division, but restitution nuclei were formed. The observation of chromosome behavior in the haploid 2 sporophyte showed that sporogenesis in haploid O. japonica resembles the Braithwaite scheme in apogamous ferns. Gametophytes, developed from spores of the three haploid sporophytes, produced a few sporophytes with diploid chromosome numbers. One of the new sporophytes was trisomic.

The EIE core variable inductor is a device of variable inductance that is controlled by DC current. This device controls the cancellation of AC magnetic flux and thus always maintains the flux density on the magnetic path within the saturation flux density in control mode. It cancels high harmonic distortion and does not require gaps, which reduce distortion. Thus, it is simply structured and easy to scale up. This paper describes the basic structure and characteristics of the device, and presents examples of its application to electrical power equipment. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 144(4): 22–33, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.10140