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Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: None. Background Anthracycline cardiotoxicity is an important prognostic determinant in childhood cancer survivors (CCSs). That has been reported to improve with early therapeutic intervention, and because it is dose-dependent and progressive, early diagnosis and long-term follow-up are important. In adult survivors of cancer, the longitudinal strain (LS) is useful as a sensitive index of cardiac function. In childhood cancer survivors, strain abnormalities are also observed at both short-term and long-term follow-up. Global longitudinal strain (GLS) abnormalities are common during or early after chemotherapy, whereas changes in global circumferential strain (GCS) are more significant and consistent on long-term follow-up. Purpose In this study, we aimed to conduct a cross-sectional study using strain analysis in childhood cancer survivors of a wide age range to clarify the mode of progression of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity and to identify useful indicators for long-term follow-up. Methods In total, 116 patients (median age: 15.5 [range: 4.7-40.2] years) with childhood cancer who had passed at least 1 year after chemotherapy with anthracycline, and 116 control patients of similar age. Strain measurements were assessed for longitudinal strain (LS) and circumferential strain at the apical, papillary and basal levels using speckle tracking imaging. Estimated value at 5, 15, 25 and 35 years old were mathematically calculated. Results Results were shown in tables and figures. Most of conventional echocardiographic parameters were not significantly different between CCCs and controls. LS, papillary CS and basal CS in CCCs decreased compared to normal controls at all age. The difference of estimated value between CCCs and normal controls in LS at all age were relatively constant. However, those in basal CS tended to increase with aging. Furthermore, basal CS in CCCs decreased with aging (r = 0.212, p < 0.001) and the duration after completion of anthracycline treatment (r = -0.244, p < 0.008). Conclusions In childhood cancer survivors, strain analysis is a more sensitive indicators of cardiac function than conventional parameters. In addition, basal CS may decrease most markedly over time and could be useful indicator in long-term follow-up. Longitudinal studies should be conducted in the future to improve the accuracy of predicting anthracycline cardiotoxicity. These are new findings regarding the decline in cardiac function in childhood cancer survivors. Abstract Figure. Relationship between age and strains Abstract Figure. Estimated values for each age group

Study question Does postponement of intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) timing after spindle visualization for Metaphase I (MI) oocytes improve developmental outcomes of embryos? Summary answer Postponement of ICSI timing after spindle visualization for MI oocytes improves blastocyst utility rates. What is known already Immature oocytes are generally considered poor developmental outcomes. Meanwhile, the timing of ICSI adjusted by using spindle visualization can improve clinically utilized embryos and live birth rates, but these outcomes remain inferior to those of mature oocytes. In in vitro maturation culture, nuclear maturation is thought to occur before the completion of cytoplasmic maturation, and in immature oocytes, synchronization of nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation may be insufficient for ICSI immediately after spindle visualization. Study design, size, duration Data for this retrospective cohort study were obtained 672 oocytes retrieved under mild stimulation cycles using letrozole, in patients aged younger than 39 years between April 2017 and October 2020.Written informed consent was obtained from all patients. This study was approved by the institutional review board. Participants/materials, setting, methods As a control group, 464 MetaphaseIIoocytes that underwent ICSI immediately after visualization of the spindle were used. In group A, 103 MI oocytes underwent ICSI immediately after the first polar body release and spindle visualization, and in group B, 105 oocytes underwent ICSI 2–3 hours after spindle visualization. The primary outcomes were fertilization rates, degeneration, cleavage, embryo blastocyst formation, and utility rates. Outcomes were compared among the three groups. Main results and the role of chance The baseline fertilization rates of each group (control, A, B) were 82.3% (382/464), 73.8% (76/103), and 83.8% (88/105), respectively. The rate was significantly lower in group A than in the control group (P Limitations, reasons for caution The optimal timing of ICSI for MI oocyte cannot be determined by the presence or absence of spindles. In addition, the postponement duration we set was based on reports which reported on final oocyte maturation, and further investigation is needed to establish the optimal ICSI timing for MI oocytes. Wider implications of the findings: In MI oocytes, postponement of ICSI timing after spindle visualization is essential for synchronization of the nucleus and cytoplasmic maturation. Trial registration number none

Study question Are one live birth rates (LBRs) similar in minimal stimulation cycle IVF with letrozole only and natural cycle IVF for the first ART cycle? Summary answer LBRs after first ART cycle in minimal stimulation cycle IVF with letrozole only are superior to natural cycle IVF. What is known already The addition of letrozole to gonadotropins in ovarian stimulation (OS) may reduce the risk of OHSS, but there is no significant difference were reported in ongoing pregnancy rate or number of oocytes retrieved in the letrozole + FSH group compared to the FSH only. No differences were also reported in clinical pregnancy rates or number of mature oocytes in the additional of letrozole in an GnRH antagonist protocol group compared to the GnRH antagonist group. There are no previous study comparing LBRs after first ART cycle in minimal stimulation cycle IVF with letrozole and natural cycle IVF. Study design, size, duration Data for this retrospective cohort study were obtained 643 women, 30–39 years of age started their first ART cycle at one private fertility clinic between January 2016- December 2019. Participants/materials, setting, methods A total of 643 women were scheduled their first oocyte retrieval cycle. 118 women started with letrozole (LE) and 525 women started natural cycle (NC). The main strategy for OS in our center is minimal stimulation and natural cycle IVF. Patients consulted with gynecologists to determine their treatment plan based on patients’ preference or their menstrual cycle. All pregnancies generated from oocyte retrieval during the first IVF cycle including fresh and frozen-thaw cycles were registered. Main results and the role of chance The number of retrieved oocytes and the normal fertilization rates were significantly higher in the LE than NC (4.4 vs 3.4, 77.6% vs 71.1%), p Limitations, reasons for caution The strength of the present study was the use of a large cohort of women who underwent minimal stimulation IVF with letrozole only. Although our results are promising, limited by retrospective cohort study. These interpretations prompted the need for a perspective cohort study to evaluate the efficacy of letrozole. Wider implications of the findings: When comparing minimal stimulation IVF with letrozole only and natural cycle IVF, we found significantly higher LBRs per OR in minimal stimulation IVF with letrozole only, despite similar CPRs per ET. Trial registration number none

We have already reported multi-photon excitation of tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium complex [Ru(bpy) 3 2+ ] by femtosecond pulse laser with near infrared wavelength as the light sources, the multi-photon sensitized polymerization of pyrrole and the 3D printing (photo-fabrication) system of polypyrrole (PPy) by 3D scanning of the laser focal point. In the present study, the 3D printing of PPy into a Nafion sheet was carried out to evaluate the electronic conductivity of the product micro-structures formed by multi-photon sensitized polymerization. When the PPy straight line structure was drawn in the direction of the optical axis (vertical), relatively higher conductivity values (Max 410 Scm−1) were obtained in the fully-doped state. The values of over 102 Scm−1 indicated the Drude model of electrical conduction, therefore, the micro-structures would be applied to a metamaterial. On the other hand, 1 or 2 orders of magnitude lower conductivity values were obtained from the crooked line structures drawn in the vertical and horizontal directions. This difference in the conductivity would be affected by the distorted cross section of the PPy deposition and the electrically overlapping of each deposition particle.

Swine influenza viruses (SIVs) are important not only for pig farming, but also for public health. In fact, pandemic A(H1N1) 2009 viruses [A(H1N1)pdm09] were derived from SIVs. Therefore, timely characterization of locally circulating SIVs is necessary for understanding the global status of SIVs. To genetically characterize SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations, we isolated 24 SIVs of three subtypes (17 H1N1, four H1N2 and three H3N2 strains) from 14 pig farms in Japan from 2013 to 2016. Genetic analyses revealed that the haemagglutinin (HA) and neuraminidase (NA) genes of the 17 H1N1 and the HA gene of one H1N2, A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2), SIVs belonged to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. More importantly, all of the remaining six gene segments (i.e., PB1, PB1, PA, NP, M and NS) of the 24 SIVs, regardless of the HA and NA subtype, were also classified as belonging to the A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage. These results indicate that gene segments of A(H1N1)pdm09 lineage are widely distributed in SIVs circulating in Japanese pig populations In addition, the NA gene of A/swine/Aichi/02/2016 (H1N2) shared less than 88.5% nucleotide identity with that of the closest relative A/swine/Miyagi/5/2003 (H1N2), which was isolated in Japan in 2003. These results indicate the sustained circulation of classical H1N2-derived SIVs with remarkable diversity in the NA genes in Japanese pig populations. These findings highlight the necessity of both intensive biosecurity systems and active SIV surveillance in pig populations worldwide for both animal and public health.

Introduction The position and inclination of the long axis of teeth in the human dentition can be described by a set of rules. The purpose of this study was to analyze the architecture of the mandibular dentition of adult Caucasians using virtual three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of skulls and mandibles.

In this case report, crowding malocclusion with TMJ (temporomandibular joint) closed lock was treated with modified offset archwire (MOAW) and multi-loop edgewise archwire (MEAW). Owing to the TMD (temporomandibular disorder) problems, we decided to extract the lower third and upper second molars. Crowding in the upper and lower arches was successfully treated with the improvement of TMD. Condylar movement was improved by orthodontic treatment with ΔY shift noted on condylographic evaluation. Two years after the treatment, the occlusion was fairly stable.

Introduction: The relationship between the increase in vertical dimension(VD)andgrowth ofthemaxillaandmandible is poorly established. In order to examine the relationship between VD change and growth of the maxillo-facial complex, we measured the vertical dental and skeletal heights, and maxillo-mandibular growth. Materials and methods: The study material consisted of serial lateral cephalograms of 25 subjects in whom the cephalographic series was complete, taken every year from the ageof6–14years along with radiographs andimpressions. We examined growth in different stages, Stage 1 through 4. Results: The correlation analysis between the increase in dental and skeletal VD and the forward growth of maxilla and mandible showed that the growth of maxilla and mandible was significantly correlated with the increase in skeletal VD (S-PP) as well as dental VD. The mandibular growth in the Class III group was highly correlated with the increase in dental VD. Conclusions: From these findings, it was concluded that maxillo-mandibular growth is strongly related to VD.

INTRODUCTION: The mandibular fossa (MF) connects the mandible to the cranium through a bilateral articulation. It is suggested that the mandible and the temporal bones have a reciprocal effect on their position and movement, acting as a temporo-mandibular unit. The purpose of this study was to analyze the possible role of the mandibular fossa in the development of malocclusion by comparing its three-dimensional (3D) position in different dentoskeletal frames in caucasic European human skulls. METHOD: Several 3D angular and linear measurements obtained from Cone Beam Computerized Tomography scanning images of 101 skulls from the Weisbach collection at the Vienna Natural History Museum were analyzed. RESULTS: The position of MF varied in different dentoskeletal frames. The sagittal position measured from the Nasion or Sella landmark was significantly smaller in Class III compared with the other two groups. The vertical position of MF did not differ significantly amongst groups. Two effective ways of evaluating the MF sagittal position are to measure the 3D distance from MF mean landmark to the fronto-nasal suture (Nasion) or to the Sella landmark. CONCLUSION: The MF position is suggested to be considered an important factor in the development of malocclusions. Its influence on the position of the mandible supports the idea of a temporo-mandibular unit. Analysis of the position of MF should be included in the diagnostic process.

PURPOSE: Mandibular growth rotation is an important phenomenon in human facial growth. However, changes in the vertical height of the dentition, the inclination of the occlusal plane, and subsequent mandibular rotation during growth, are only poorly established. This study was designed to examine the inter-relation among occlusal plane rotation, mandibular growth rotation, and the establishment of tooth axis during growth and development. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials used consisted of 351 lateral cephalograms from 39 children who belonged to a longitudinal growth study. We observed their growth changes in the developmental stages from first molar eruption (Initial stage) until the completion of permanent dentition (Final stage). We measured values regarding the posture of the lower face, including mandibular rotation, occlusal plane, and tooth axis. The tangent law was applied for the sagittal organization of the mandibular teeth by geometrical analyses. RESULTS: Results showed that mandibular growth rotation is associated with occlusal plane rotation, which is caused by greater vertical height increase in the molars than in the anterior incisors. It was also shown that the mandibular incisors followed the tangent law, but the long axis of the posterior mandibular teeth exhibited almost the same angle, approximately 15° with the direction of the tangent. This tooth axis arrangement was very much dependent upon occlusal plane rotation and mandibular rotation during growth. CONCLUSION: The results of this cephalometric study could help dentists to determine a more suitable organization of occlusion in the sagittal plane, as required in orthodontics, prosthodontics, and implant dentistry.

PURPOSE: In order to examine the relationship between the vertical dimension change and the growth of the maxillo-facial complex in the mixed dentition, we applied a denture frame analysis including the measures of vertical dental and skeletal height, and maxillo-mandibular growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The materials used in this study consisted of 225 pair of dental casts in occlusion and serial lateral cephalograms of 25 children. We observed their occlusion and growth in the initial stage (Stage 1), beginning of exchange of the buccal segment (Stage 2), end of exchange of the buccal segment (Stage 3), and final stage (completion of occlusion, Stage 4). RESULTS: Most of the dentition (58%) became Class I molar relation before Stage 2 and almost all of the Class II at Stage 2 remained as Class II occlusion at the final occlusion (Stage 4), indicating rarely available Lee way space for obtaining Class I molar relation. The skeletal Class II group showed a significantly higher eruption of the lower first molar in Stages 2 and 3, while Class III skeletal group showed a significantly higher eruption of upper first molars at Stage 4. There were significant differences of posterior occlusal plane (POP) in different skeletal frames. CONCLUSION: The results suggested that the increase in vertical dimension and inclination of the POP influence the growth of the mandible in obtaining Class I molar relation and that improper vertical dimension and inclination of POP are related to the development of skeletal malocclusions.

PURPOSE: The aim of the present study was to investigate whether there is any association between occlusal contact patterns during sleep bruxism and signs of temporomandibular disorders (TMD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The association of occlusion pattern and symptoms of TMD was assessed in 240 Japanese participants. Participants completed a questionnaire to report pain and other symptoms regarding TMD and their self-awareness of sleep bruxism. A simple device (BruxChecker) custom fitted to each participant was applied to evaluate the occlusal contact pattern during sleep. Condylograph was also applied to examine the function of temporomandibular joint (TMJ). RESULTS: Participants with a major increment in the mediotrusive side occlusal contact areas on BruxChecker reported significant impact on the high prevalence of TMD signs and self-awareness of sleep bruxism. CONCLUSION: The positive relationship between a certain classification of occlusal grinding during sleep bruxism and signs of TMD constitutes a key point to consider the possible role of occlusal factors during sleeping as risk indicators in the genesis of TMD.

The dentist must have a broader perspective in treating occlusion and consider the masticatory organ in terms of dynamic function and not in a static manner. Speech function is very complex and thus it is thought to be one of the contributors to the development of temporomandibular joint dysfunction. In this study, we have examined the condylar movement pattern during speaking in different skeletal frame, Class I, Class II-1, Class II-2 and Class III, in order to establish the foundation or baseline information involving phonetic function for the diagnosis of craniomandibular function and dysfunction. In conclusion, subjects with Class II skeletal frame showed a relatively long and forward position of phonetic movement, while the Class III skeletal showed a short and close to RP working position. These results indicated that the craniomandibular system has a capacity for functional compensation to the skeletal discrepancy. It is necessary and important to evaluate the pattern of condylar movement during phonation in establishing a proper diagnosis of the stomatognathic function.

The aim of this study was to investigate high-resolution manometry (HRM) findings in symptomatic post-fundoplication patients with normal endoscopic configuration. A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted to identify patients who underwent evaluation with HRM and endoscopy for symptom evaluation after previous fundoplication. Study period extends from September 2008 to December 2012. Only patients with complete 360° fundoplication (Nissen) were included, and patients with partial fundoplication were excluded. Patients with endoscopic abnormality or patients who underwent Collis procedure were also excluded. Additionally, contrast study and 24-hour pH study if done were reviewed. Symptoms were graded using a standard questionnaire with symptoms graded on a scale of 0-3. Symptom grade 2 or 3 was considered a significant symptom. One hundred seventy-nine symptomatic patients with previous Nissen fundoplication underwent HRM and endoscopy during the study period. Of these, 136 patients were excluded (51 had recurrent hiatal hernia, 2 had disrupted fundoplication, 68 had slipped fundoplication, 10 had twisted fundoplication, 2 had esophageal stricture, and 3 had Collis procedure). Remaining forty-three patients met inclusion criteria (mean age of 56.0 ± 14.8, 32 females).The most common symptom was dysphagia (67%). Patients with dysphagia had a significantly longer length of distal esophageal high pressure zone (HPZ) and a higher integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) than patients without dysphagia (P = 0.020, 0.049). Especially, patients who had shorter HPZ (≤2 cm) were less likely to have significant dysphagia. Twenty-three patients (53%) had heartburn. There was no significant difference in HRM findings between patients with and without heartburn. Only 4 of 28 patients with concomitant pH study showed abnormal DeMeester score (14.7), and there was no correlation between results of pH study and lower esophageal sphincter pressure/length and IRP. Longer HPZ complex length and higher IRP as measured with HRM is associated with post-Nissen fundoplication dysphagia in patients with normal endoscopic configuration. No HRM parameters are associated with reported heartburn or a positive pH score.

A novel method for the contactless sheet resistance measurement is presented. The sheet resistance of a silicon wafer has been conventionally measured using the four-point probe technique. However, the high mechanical pressure of the probe causes pitting and structural damage in semiconductor wafers. Therefore, to prevent such damage, a contactless measurement technique was devised that employs electromagnetic induction. The conventional contactless method is implemented using high frequency sinusoidal magnetic excitation with a Robinson marginal oscillator as an excitation current supply. However, the oscillator gain drifts due to an increase in temperature during continuous scanning of the wafer, which causes an error in the resistance measurement. The proposed method does not require an analogue electronic circuit; therefore, more precise measurement is expected. This novel method utilizes an impulse voltage to generate an eddy current in the sheet under test. However, no high voltage source is required, because the impulse voltage is generated by cutting off the DC current flowing through the winding of a ferrite core facing the sheet.

Self- and cross-compatibility was evaluated under field conditions in 48 taxa belonging to all sections of subgenus Rosa and subgenus Platyrhodon in the genus Rosa. Four species exhibited fruit set...

There are divergent opinions as to whether atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) is a nosologic entity or a primary atrophic morphoea. In this study, we used high performance liquid chromatography to analyse the skin disaccharide contents of glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in two patients with APP and compared the results with those from a typical atrophic morphoea patient. Perilesional uninvolved skin was used as a control in each patient. In the atrophic phase morphoea, both the total amount of disaccharide per skin punch-biopsy and the amount of DeltaDi-4S(DS) - the main disaccharide unit of dermatan sulphate - per mg dry weight were increased. These changes were consistent with sclerotic phase morphoea. In contrast, the total amount of disaccharide per skin punch-biopsy was decreased and the amount of DeltaDi-4S(DS) per mg dry weight was decreased or unchanged in APP. Our results suggest that GAG metabolism in APP may be unique and quite different from that in morphoea.

Limited cutaneous systemic sclerosis (lSSc) or CREST syndrome is sometimes complicated by primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). To characterize the clinical and immunological features of patients with SSc overlapping PBC (SSc-PBC), the clinical and laboratory data of 11 SSc-PBC were studied. Since all of the SSc-PBC were lSSc, the features of SSc-PBC were compared with those of 266 patients with lSSc alone. The sera from SSc-PBC showed a significantly higher positivity for anti-centromere antibody (ACA) (p < 0.0005) and higher reactivity to centromere protein-C. Although SSc-PBC more frequently exhibited calcinosis and telangiectasia (p < 0.05), there was no statistical difference in other features of CREST syndrome. There was no statistical difference in other scleroderma-related features either. SSc-PBC were more frequently complicated with Sjogren syndrome (p < 0.05). The most prominent feature of SSc-PBC was a higher incidence of ACA than in lSSc alone.

Background: Mastocytosis is a disorder of mast cell proliferation that occurs in both cutaneous and systemic forms. The most frequent site is the skin. Objective: The mast cell subtype of two patients with mastocytosis was investigated. Methods: Immunohistochemical studies were performed on the skin or gastric mucosa or both of the two patients. Blood and urine levels of various mediators were measured for one patient. Results: Mast cells containing tryptase and chymase were the only type seen in the skin lesions of an 11-month-old boy with urticaria pigmentosa. Mast cells containing tryptase were predominant in lesions of the skin and gastric mucosa of a 41-year-old man with indolent systemic mastocytosis. However, mast cells containing tryptase and chymase were predominant in the nonlesional and the normal skin of this patient. Tryptase-positive cells were more numerous in lesional skin than nonlesional skin and normal skin. Elevated blood and urine levels of various mediators were decreased by means of combination therapy with ketotifen and ranitidine. Conclusion: In indolent systemic mastocytosis, mast cell dynamics involve only cells containing tryptase. Release of mediators from mast cells may be inhibited by means of combination therapy with histamine H1 and H2 receptor antagonists. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 1997;100:S25-32.)

Objective Juzentaihoto (JTX) is a traditional Japanese medicine that consists of 10 herbs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of multi-herbal medicine JTX as a preventive and therapeutic drug for periodontal bone resorption and for reducing restraint stress. Materials and methods Porphyromonas gingivalis ATCC 33277 was used for testing the antibacterial activity of JTX and a rat experimental periodontitis model. To evaluate the effect of JTX against P. gingivalis infection, we determined the differences in alveolar bone loss among experimental groups. The concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormones were measured as stress markers, and atrophy of the thymus and spleen was assessed. Results JTX had antibacterial activity against P. gingivalis ATCC 33277. JTX treatment of mouse bone marrow cells at a concentration of 0.1 μg/ml significantly inhibited osteoclast formation. Administration of JTX to rats with P. gingivalis infection and restraint stress significantly reduced alveolar bone loss compared with the case with just the combination of P. gingivalis infection and restraint stress. In the restrained groups, stress markers were elevated, and the thymus and spleen were atrophied. The groups with administration of JTX showed not only inhibition of the decrease of weight but also normalization of corticosterone and cortisol values. Conclusion JTX effectively inhibited restraint stress and osteoclastogenesis. It appears that the effects of JTX inhibit the destruction of periodontal tissue by suppressing stress. Our study demonstrated that JTX affects the correlation between restraint stress and periodontitis.

Super Resolution image processing (SR) is a heavy task for a today's mid-range Xeon server. To accelerate SR, we utilize a server system with manycore coprocessor, Intel Xeon Phi coprocessor. Function offload model is a usual execution model for those systems. However it is difficult for SR to increase utilization of both host processors and coprocessors by the model. We propose a virtual pipeline model which can fully utilize both processors. Experimental results show that our SR improves performance 3.3 times and performance/watt 1.5 times. Our SR achieves 30 frames per sec from SD to HD.

Introduction The aim of the present study was to evaluate how vertical facial height correlates with mandibular plane angle, facial width and depth from a three dimensional (3D) viewing angle. Methods In this study 3D cephalometric landmarks were identified and measurements from 43 randomly selected cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) images of dry skulls from the Weisbach collection of Vienna Natural History Museum were analyzed. Pearson correlation coefficients of facial height measurements and mandibular plane angle and the correlation coefficients of height-width and height-depth were calculated, respectively. Results The mandibular plane angle (MP-SN) significantly correlated with ramus height (Co-Go) and posterior facial height (PFH) but not with anterior lower face height (ALFH) or anterior total face height (ATFH). The ALFH and ATFH showed significant correlation with anterior cranial base length (S-N), whereas PFH showed significant correlation with the mandible (S-B) and maxilla (S-A) anteroposterior position. Conclusions High or low mandibular plane angle might not necessarily be accompanied by long or short anterior face height, respectively. The PFH rather than AFH is assumed to play a key role in the vertical facial type whereas AFH seems to undergo relatively intrinsic growth.

Perinuclear type of antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies (p-ANCA) have been found in patients with periarteritis nodosa, Churg-Strauss arteritis, or pauci-immune idiopathic crescentic glomerulonephritis. Recently, the association of p-ANCA and normotensive renal failure, in patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc), was reported. We have studied the incidence of p-ANCA in patients with SSc and have investigated its relationship to clinical and laboratory findings. Sera from 77 patients with SSc were examined by the indirect immunofluorescence (IIF) test, employing an ethanol-fixed human neutrophil and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, using purified myeloperoxidase (MPO) as an antigen (MPO-ELISA). The sera from seven patients (9.1%) were p-ANCA positive, by both IIF and MPO-ELISA. One patient died from systemic necrotizing angiitis but the remaining six patients have shown no symptoms of systemic vasculitis or of renal involvement. There was a tendency for patients positive for p-ANCA (anti-MPO antibody) to also be positive for other autoantibodies, such as anti-Sc1-70 antibody, anti-centromere antibody, anti-microsome antibody, anti-thyroglobulin antibody and rheumatoid factor. Although the incidence of p-ANCA (anti-MPO antibody) is low in patients with SSc, and its clinical significance in SSc needs further investigations, this could be a serological marker for certain symptoms in SSc.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the sensation of each tooth type at the cortical level. The tactical sensation from teeth plays an important role in controlling the masticatory system. However, the role of each tooth type has not been determined. Functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) was used to detect changes in cerebral blood flow in the somatosensory cortex of 12 healthy volunteers. Painless vibrotactile stimuli were applied to 8 teeth (left maxillary and mandibular incisors, canines, 1st premolars, or 1st molars). The somatosensory cortex was activated during stimulation of all teeth. A comparison of cortical activation revealed significantly greater activation during stimulation of the maxillary and mandibular first molars. However, no significant differences were seen between any other teeth. These results indicate that the first molar is the most sensitive tooth type at the cortical level, and provide basic data on the relationship between input from individual tooth type and brain activation. These data could be useful for understanding the neural mechanisms of individual tooth types.

This study evaluated cephalometric differences between 113 Japanese (43 males and 70 females, aged 14.1 ± 5 years) and 106 European subjects (36 males and 70 females, aged 13.5 ± 7.3 years) using two compound angular measurements and their single components: the overbite depth indicator (ODI) for the assessment of vertical skeletal relationships and the antero-posterior dysplasia indicator (APDI) for an evaluation of sagittal dysgnathia. Both populations were assigned to groups representing Angle Classes I, II, and III, and an anterior open bite (AOB) group. Two sample t - and Wilcoxon signed-ranks tests were performed ( P < 0.05). The ODI values showed no statistically significant differences between the Japanese and European samples. The Japanese sample showed a significantly smaller APDI but only in the Class II group. In the Japanese Class II and III subjects, the malocclusion patterns were more pronounced than those in the Caucasian sample (overbite, overjet, and APDI).

This paper presented evaluation of electromagnetic (EM) energy absorption rate in terms of a specific absorption rate (SAR) in a fetus that was exposed to the EM wave from a portable radio terminal when used in the vicinity of the maternal abdomen. As for the numerical calculation, the electric fields around the antenna were analyzed by the finite-difference time-domain method. We considered analyzing six different positions of the antenna that are located around the waist. The SARs are normalized by 5-W radiated power from the antenna, which were a prevalent input power of wireless radio terminals in Japan. We confirmed that the SARs in the fetus are significantly affected by the distance and penetration path from the antenna to the surface on the fetus. Nonetheless, the SARs in the fetus are lower than the RF safety guidelines for occupational exposure in this paper.

Endurance training and ingestion of green tea extract (GTE), composed mainly of tea catechins (TC), are well known to enhance fat metabolism. However, their synergistic effects remain to be fully elucidated. We tested the hypothesis that endurance training supplemented with GTE would further accelerate whole-body fat utilization during exercise, compared with training alone, in humans. Twelve healthy male subjects [peak oxygen consumption (VO2peak), 50.7 ± 1.3 (SEM) mL/kg/min] were divided into two groups: GTE and placebo (PLA) groups. Subjects in both groups performed a cycle ergometer exercise at 60% of VO2peak for 60 min/day, 3 days/week, and daily ingested 572.8 or 0 mg TC in GTE and PLA groups for 10 weeks, respectively. Before and after training, respiratory gas exchange was measured during 90-min exercise at pre-training ∼55% of VO2peak. After training, the average respiratory exchange ratio during exercise remained unchanged in the PLA group (post-training: 0.834 ± 0.008 vs pre-training: 0.841 ± 0.004), whereas it was lower in the GTE group (post-training: 0.816 ± 0.006 vs pre-training: 0.844 ± 0.005, P0.05). These results suggest that habitual GTE ingestion, in combination with moderate-intense exercise, was beneficial to increase the proportion of whole-body fat utilization during exercise.

The disaccharides constituting chondroitinase-digestible glycosaminoglycan (GAG) in the skin lesions of patients with systemic sclerosis were determined using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). In scleroderma there was an increase in the amount of delta Di-4S(DS), the main disaccharide unit of dermatan sulphate, and a decrease in delta Di-HA, the disaccharide unit of hyaluronic acid, as compared with normal skin from a similar site. The distribution pattern of the main disaccharides constituting chondroitin sulphate and dermatan sulphate in scleroderma differed from that in scars or scleredema.

In this paper, the SAR distribution in the fetus was calculated using the numerical model of the pregnant woman by the NHA with the metallic case at 150 MHz. As a result, it has confirmed that the SAR of the NHA at 150 MHz in deep region of the maternal body (y ges 80 mm) is higher than that of the half-wave dipole antenna at 2 GHz. In addition, it has confirmed that the fetus averaged SAR is 38% higher than the whole body averaged SAR. Furthermore, it has confirmed the fetus and the fetal brain averaged SARs are approximately 0.1 W/kg when the radiated power of the antenna is 5 W. As a further study, the SAR in the fetus will be evaluated under various fetal positions and the temperature rise of the fetus will also be investigated to evaluate safety of the fetus when the pregnant woman is exposed to EM waves.

Even though many neurochips have been developed and investigated, the best suitable way for implementation has not been known clearly. Our approach is to exploit stochastic logic for various operations required for neural functions. The advantage of stochastic logic is that complex operations can be implemented with a few ordinary logic gates. On the other hand, the operation speed is not so fast since stochastic logic requires certain accumulation time for averaging. However, a huge integration can be achieved and its reliability is high because all of operations are done on digital circuits. Furthermore, we propose a nonmonotonic neuron realized by stochastic logic, since the nonmonotonic property is efficient for the performance enhancement in association and learning. In this paper, we show the circuit design and measurement results of a neurochip comprising 50 neurons are shown. The advantages of nonmonotonic and stochastic properties are shown clearly.

We present a large scale hardware neural network system which consists of 16 chips, 1024 neurons. The system is realized by using stochastic logic. Stochastic logic makes possible to implement numerous neurons on a VLSI chip and to build a system comprising multiple chips easily. In addition, stochastic logic has a characteristic as some noise is generated while coding operations. This noise is effective for escaping from the local minima in a Hopfield network. The availability of this noise is confirmed in the measurement of our system.

Application of rubber block joint (RBJ or one piece joint) has been recently increasing for a 66 kV or more XLPE cable from the merit of easy construction. We have developed the more economical and super compact RBJ whose volume is reduced to about 1/3 of the conventional one, by employing the high dielectric constant (/spl epsiv/) thin layer between insulation and inner semi-conductive electrode layer in order to relieve electrical stress. The high /spl epsiv/ rubber containing much amount of high /spl epsiv/ filler is key material of this joint and the most important factor of high /spl epsiv/ rubber is to prevent the fall of mechanical and electrical properties such as electrical breakdown strength and dielectric loss. This report describes the characteristics of high /spl epsiv/ rubber and super compact RBJ applying this high /spl epsiv/ rubber.

A chip size package (CSP) and fine pitch ball grid array (FBGA) are increasing by becoming the focal point of attention in semiconductor field. A reel-to-reel consecutive manufacturing process has been developed by the authors for a tape-based substrate consisting of multi conductive wiring layers (minimum four layers) with ball grid array connections. This substrate, compared to those presently in use, is (a) thin (150/spl sim/200um for four layers) and low weight; (b) applicable to many pin counts; (c) makes possible fine conductive wiring and insulating layers with high accuracy in layer thickness and (d) facilitates the control of characteristic impedance. Interlayer connection technology is key to multi-conductive wiring layer structures, which may have effect primarily on substrate reliability. In the present study, a copper deposited plating process was used in conjunction with UV-laser drilling so as to produce very small via-holes in diameter 40-50um as interlayer connections. The reliability of interconnections was confirmed for via-holes with diameter 40-50um under the condition of 1000cycle thermal shocks of -65C/+150C a gaseous phase. Filled via-hole formation without interior voids was found to take place in the plating process. Minute stacked via-hole formation was noted to provide a substrate with high density pin counts. The substrate structure was designed with consideration electromagnetic transmission characteristics by computer simulation. The present substrate meets recent requirements for GHz order signal transmission.

Both transepidermal water loss (TEWL) and skin surface high-frequency conductance are functions of the skin barrier. Systemic sclerosis (SSc) and hypertrophic scar (HS)/keloid are characterized by abnormal fibrotic changes in the dermis. Since the close interrelationship between the epidermis and the dermis has been well established, we analyzed the stratum corneum functions of forearm skin in 39 SSc patients after assessing the degree of the skin thickening and compared those functions with 10 age-matched normal controls. We also analyzed the stratum corneum functions of HS or keloid lesions in seven patients using the same methods, and compared those functions to adjacent or contralateral normal skin in identical patients. Neither the TEWL, nor high-frequency conductance of forearm skin in SSc patients were significantly different from those in normal controls. There was no correlation between the levels of TEWL or high-frequency conductance and the degree of skin thickening in SSc. In HS or keloid conditions, high-frequency conductance was significantly elevated (42.5+/-8.9 vs. 26.4+/-5.7, P0.001). Although TEWL was elevated, there was no statistical significance (48.6+/-39.7 vs. 25.1+/-10.1). Our results revealed that stratum corneum functions are distinct between SSc and HS or keloid. This may reflect the various natures of dermal changes, which in turn differentiate the functions of the stratum corneum in the diseases.

The grasshopper Podisma sapporensis consists of two main chromosome races in Hokkaido. The western group of populations of P. sapporensis, belonging to the XO race, has a diploid number of chromosomes 2n = 23 in the male and 2n = 24 in the female (sex determination XO male/XX female). The eastern group of populations of this species, belonging to the XY race, differs from the western one as a result of Robertsonian translocation between the originally acrocentric X chromosome and M5 autosome in homozygous state, having resulted in the forming of chromosome sex determination neo-XY male/neo-XX female (2n = 22). These races are geographically isolated by the mountainous system consisting of the Mts Daisetsu and Hidaka range, occupying the central part of the island. The hybrid zones between the races have not so far been discovered. Various levels of polymorphism for the pericentric inversions and C-banding variation exist in different chromosomes throughout populations in both chromosome races. In some solitary populations (the population at the summit of Mt Yotei, populations in the vicinity of Naganuma, Oketo, and Tanno) pericentric inversions are fixed in some pairs of chromosomes, which enables marking of the discrete karyomorphes. In the Mt Daisengen population all chromosomes are two-armed as a result of fixing the pericentric inversions. These facts contradict karyotypical conservatism of the tribe Podismini. The level of diversity of P. sapporensis karyotypes could provide a new perspective on the evolutionary process of different karyotype in Orthoptera. The considerable occurrence of polymorphism in chromosomes suggests that karyotypic diversification is undergoing in P. sapporensis. The authors also proposed that P. sapporensis would be divided into four chromosome subraces in the XO chromosome race and two chromosome subraces in the XY race, on the basis of karyotypic features. These races may have been established by fundamental climatic changes during the glacial epoch.

To evaluate the effects of newly developed nitroglycerine (NTG) tape on the peripheral circulatory disturbance in systemic sclerosis (SSc).The finger temperature (FT) of 25 patients with SSc was monitored by thermography before the application of NTG tape to the wrist and one hour afterwards. To check the placebo effect, the change of FT with placebo tape in six patients who had shown a distinct rise in FT (2 degrees C) with NTG tape was monitored.Twenty one patients with SSc had a low FT before the application of NTG tape (colder than mean-2SD of normal controls). FT was significantly raised in patients with SSc after the application of NTG tape (p0.01). Patients with low FT showed a distinct rise in FT more often than patients with a normal FT (71% v 0%, p0.01). FT was raised with NTG tape more than with placebo tape (4.2 (SD 1.9) degrees C v 2.2 (2.8) degrees C, p0.05).The application of NTG tape increases peripheral circulation in patients with SSc who have distinct circulatory disturbance. The application of NTG tape may improve peripheral circulatory disturbance in SSc.