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Guitar is a primary clinical instrument for many music therapists; however, minimal research focuses on effective guitar teaching methods (GTMs) in music therapy education. The purpose of this integrative review was to synthesize and critically evaluate the existing literature on GTMs to develop recommendations for music therapy guitar education. The research questions included: (a) What are the characteristics (i.e. participants, study design, teaching method, course type, dosage) of studies using GTMs in music therapy education and training? (b) What are the measures, outcomes, and de/limitations from GTMs studies in music therapy education? Three studies met the criteria. These studies included GTMs of behavioral contracting, audio and video modeling, and learning music “by ear.” Studies indicated that (a) playing “by ear” may improve student musicianship, (b) experienced instructor modeling improves learning, (c) evaluation could include accuracy behavioral markers, and (d) experiential and social learning benefit students in introductory guitar courses. Implications for music therapy education and training and recommendations for further research are discussed.

Context Epidemiological studies have shown that consumption of dairy products reduces the risk of dementia and cognitive decline in older individuals. Tryptophan-tyrosine-related β-lactopeptides and their representative β-lactolin of glycine-threonine-tryptophan-tyrosine tetra-peptide have been identified as agents in dairy products, which improve cognitive function as well as memory function via the activation of the dopaminergic system in a mouse model of amnesia. Previous clinical trials have shown that supplementation with β-lactolin improves memory retrieval in healthy older adults. Specifically, β-lactolin improved the scores in some neuropsychological tests. However, the effects of β-lactolin on memory function have not been clarified. Objectives The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of β-lactolin on memory function using statistical methods. Data Sources We searched the Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and JDream III until November 2021 to identify relevant randomized controlled trials for integrated analysis. Data Synthesis Three randomized controlled trials evaluating the effect of β-lactolin on memory in healthy adults were selected for the integrated analysis. The results showed that the score of cued recall among the neuropsychological tests in the β-lactolin group was significantly higher than that in the placebo group (g=0.33; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.55). In addition, the total memory score was higher but this difference was not significant (g=0.17; 95% CI: −0.09, 0.43). Conclusions Taken together, these results suggest that supplementation with β-lactolin improves cued recall in healthy older adults.

Titanium alloys used for rotating parts of aeroplanes must meet the strict standards of quality, so that it is required to demonstrate that electron beam melting is capable of producing defects-free ingots. However, complete elimination by dissolution of low density inclusions (LDI) having high nitrogen content would be difficult, so that a new way of eliminating LDI was needed. Therefore, control of a state of the molten titanium flow with the aide of Marangoni flow induced by electron beam has been studied, and the effects on eliminating LDI have been verified.

A novel system for hydrophilic surface treatment was developed. This system consists of a vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) unit for aromatic polyurea coating and a vacuum ultraviolet (VUV) irradiation unit for the hydrophilic treatment of the coated polyurea. Because the two vacuum chambers are connected by a load-lock system, a highly hydrophilic surface can be obtained without airborne molecular contamination (in situ process). The typical thickness of the polyurea film ranges from tens of nanometers to several micrometers. This system can be used for the high-throughput fabrication of chemical/biochemical microchips, which require a stable highly hydrophilic surface. The polyurea is made highly hydrophilic and a water contact angle of

1. The potential for drug-drug interactions with febuxostat was examined in the following three in vitro systems: the characteristics of the binding of febuxostat to human plasma proteins; identification of the cytochrome P450 (CYP) and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) enzymes participating in the metabolism of febuxostat; and the potential inhibitory effects of febuxostat on typical CYP reactions. 2. The results have shown that the presence of ibuprofen or warfarin did not change the plasma protein binding of febuxostat, and that febuxostat did not influence the plasma protein binding of ibuprofen or warfarin. These results indicate that there is little possibility that febuxostat causes a drug-drug interaction by binding to albumin. 3. The UGT 1 and 2 families were involved in the glucuronidation, and several CYPs participated in the metabolism of febuxostat, suggesting that there is little possibility that the blood concentration of febuxostat varies widely even if febuxostat is concomitantly administered with drugs that inhibit CYP or UGT enzyme. Examination of the inhibitory effect of febuxostat on CYP enzymes suggests that febuxostat minimally inhibits the activities of any CYP. 4. The results demonstrate that febuxostat is a novel anti-hyperuricaemia drug with low drug-drug interaction potential in clinical use.

Protein modifications resulting from reactive aldehydes are thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of various degenerative diseases. Aged cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) spontaneously develop drusen in the macula, consistent with the phenotype observed in early-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), indicating that this animal is an optimum model for AMD. In retinal sections from three monkeys with macular degeneration, regardless of their size, drusen were consistently positive with immunohistochemical labeling against protein modifications by 4-hydroxynonenal and 4-hydroxyhexenal, end products of non-enzymatic oxidation of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids, respectively. Positive labeling for both modifications was observed in the ganglion cell layer, the inner nuclear layer, the outer nuclear layer, and the retinal pigment epithelium. However, no consistent differences in location or intensity of the labeling were observed between monkeys with normal macula and macular degeneration. The results suggest a possible association between drusen formation and protein modifications by aldehydes in the pathogenesis of AMD.

NHK has developed a system for computer generation of Japanese Sign Language (JSL) graphics for meteorological information. As JSL is a different language from Japanese, persons whose first language is JSL have been demanding more TV programmes with sign language in addition to the closed caption services. The JSL CG system automatically generates animations from the telegrams distributed by the Japan Meteorological Agency so that the user can immediately see the latest meteorological information on the Internet. In addition, we are now working on development to adapt the system to the NHK Hybridcast, which is the integrated broadcast and broadband system in Japan. A major issue for the CG animations to be accepted by persons who use JSL for their daily communication is that the automatically generated hand movements of the animated characters connecting the sign language words may seem unnatural. Therefore we have developed a new method for connecting and interpolating between sign language word motions.

The current redistribution during the limiting phase of a FCL element using YBCO thin film was studied. The FCL element which we have been studying consists of YBCO thin film and nickel film shunt resistor and they are connected in parallel by indium bridges. When a normal zone appears in YBCO thin film due to the over-current, the current transfers from YBCO thin film to nickel film shunt resistor through indium bridges. We measured the change in the distribution of magnetic flux produced by the current carried by the FCL element using an array of pick-up coils. From the pick-up coil signals, the change in the lateral current distribution in the FCL element was calculated assuming an electrical circuit model of the FCL element.

Flow visualization, heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics in flow through staggered tube bundles have been regarded as classical, with results well-documented. However, the mechanism of producing such results has been left untouched. Applications of staggered tube bundles are abundant in industry, for example as heat exchange devices like the shell-and-tube type and fuel bundles in nuclear reactor cores. An experimental study is recorded in the present paper which investigates the interaction of von Karman vortices and intersecting main streams in staggered tube bundles. Flow visualization by means of the particle tracing method, laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV) and pressure drop measurements using a piezometer are conducted. A modified Reynolds number appropriate to flow through a staggered tube arrangement is defined together with a pressure drop coefficient. Auto-correlation and power spectrum analyses of signals obtained from LDV measurements yield an optimum spectrum frequency which is correlated against the Reynolds number. It is concluded that flow characteristics in staggered tube bundles are determined by the interaction between the von Karman vortex street and X-shaped interacting main streams.

The water sorption behavior of polymers for a capacitive-type humidity sensor was examined using three different techniques. The sorbed water in hydrophilic polymers with a pyridine or hydroxyl group was highly bound and that in less hydrophilic polymers with a carbonyl or ether group was loosely bound to the polymer as determined from the sorption analysis. Among less hydrophilic polymers, the tendency to form the clustered sorbed water molecules was higher for PEG and EC, which have an ether oxygen as the hydrogen bonding basicity. The results of this study proved that cluster formation of sorbed water of a sensing polymer was closely related to the sensor's characteristics. The polymers with a weak hydrophilic site, which have a low hydrogen bond propensity, are suitable for the capacitive-type humidity sensor.

The No. 1 round billet CCM (No. 1 RCC) was started up in July 1996 at Wakayama Works, featuring the tundish hot recycle operation and high speed casting technologies. The tundish is successfully recycled by the hot slag discharge equipment and proper tundish flux selection. The high speed casting, 3.0 m/min with a O 191 mm mould, can be achieved thanks to the improvement of oscillation condition and mould fluxes. Machine concept and operating technology of the No. 1 RCC are discussed.

We have previously reported a cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis) pedigree with early onset macular degeneration that develops drusen at 2 yr after birth. In this study, the molecular composition of drusen in monkeys affected with late onset and early onset macular degeneration was both characterized. Involvement of anti-retinalautoimmunity in the deposition of drusen and the pathogenesis of the disease was also evaluated. Funduscopic and histological examinations were performed on 278 adult monkeys (mean age=16.94 yr) for late onset macular degeneration. The molecular composition of drusen was analyzed by immunohistochemistry and/or direct proteome analysis using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS). Anti-retinal autoantibodies in sera were screened in 20 affected and 10 age-matched control monkeys by Western blot techniques. Immunogenic molecules were identified by 2D electrophoresis and LC-MS/MS. Relative antibody titer against each antigen was determined by ELISA in sera from 42 affected (late onset) and 41 normal monkeys. Yellowish-white spots in the macular region were observed in 90 (32%) of the late onset monkeys that were examined. Histological examination demonstrated that drusen or degenerative retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells were associated with the pigmentary abnormalities. Drusen in both late and early onset monkeys showed immunoreactivities for apolipoprotein E, amyloid P component, complement component C5, the terminal C5b-9 complement complex, vitronectin, and membrane cofactor protein. LC-MS/MS analyses identified 60 proteins as constituents of drusen, including a number of common components in drusen of human age-related macular degeneration (AMD), such as annexins, crystallins, immunoglobulins, and complement components. Half of the affected monkeys had single or multiple autoantibodies against 38, 40, 50, and 60 kDa retinal proteins. The reacting antigens of 38 and 40 kDa were identified as annexin II and mu-crystallin, respectively. Relative antibody titer against annexin II in affected monkeys was significantly higher than control animals (P

We report herein a new method of transumbilical laparoscopic surgery using a GelPort through an umbilical zigzag skin incision. The method involves collaborating with plastic surgeons to ensure the procedure was minimally invasive.After marking a zigzag skin incision in the umbilical region, the skin was incised along this line. Then, a GelPort double-ring wound retractor was inserted through the incision, which enlarged the diameter of the fascial opening to 6 cm. The Gelport was latched on the wound retractor ring, following the inflation of the pneumoperitoneum by CO (2). One or more additional ports were inserted as necessary. All operations were performed in the standard fashion. The specimen was easily extracted from the abdomen through the umbilical incision, and anastomosis was performed. Using the above method, we performed the following procedures: one total gastrectomy, one distal gastrectomy, three gastric local resections, five right hemicolectomies, two high anterior resections, three cholecystectomies, and seven transabdominal preperitoneal hernioplasties. All cases were accomplished without any complications using this method. The wounds of the umbilical region were almost "scarless" in all cases.We developed an umbilical zigzag skin incision technique to perform abdominal laparoscopic operations using a GelPort, with a minimal number of skin incisions. We consider that our method reduces the technical difficulties associated with laparoscopic surgery and maintains cosmesis.

Three kinds of experiments are conducted to determine flow characteristics inside two intersecting square ducts: flow visualization by means of the dye injection, hydrogen bubble and string methods, velocity measurement using the laser Doppler anemometry, and pressure measurement using a piezometer. Angle of intersection and Reynolds number are varied. Four distinct flow regimes are disclosed: entrance, initial centrifugal, intersecting and final centrifugal regions. The geometrical dividing line in the intersection zone of the two ducts forms a flow divider separating the flow network into two independent, symmetrical flow units. Each flow unit constitutes a curved passage with a “radius of curvature” whose magnitude varies with the angle of intersection. Hence, the secondary effects prevail in each unit, resulting in complete flow mixing. The mechanisms disclosed by the flow visualization and LDA methods are supported by the quantitative results from the piezometer measurements. The string method discloses an important evidence that the intersecting zone promotes turbulence. A location of the maximum energy grade and minimum hydraulic grade is disclosed on the flow divider where the surrounding streamlines congregate and disperse.

The central region of the primate retina is called the macula. The fovea is located at the center of the macula, where the photoreceptors are concentrated to create a neural network adapted for high visual acuity. Damage to the fovea, e.g., by macular dystrophies and age-related macular degeneration, can reduce central visual acuity. The molecular mechanisms leading to these diseases are most likely dependent on the proteins in the macula which differ from those in the peripheral retina in expression level. To investigate whether the distribution of proteins in the macula is different from the peripheral retina, proteomic analyses of tissues from these two regions of cynomolgus monkeys were compared. Two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometry identified 26 proteins that were present only in the macular gel spots. The expression levels of five proteins, cone photoreceptor specific arrestin-C, gamma-synuclein, epidermal fatty acid binding protein, tropomyosin 1alpha chain, and heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoproteins A2/B1, were significantly higher in the macula than in the peripheral retina. Immunostaining of macula sections by antibodies to each identified protein revealed unique localization in the retina, retinal pigment epithelial cells and the choroidal layer. Some of these proteins were located in cells with higher densities in the macula. We suggest that it will be important to study these proteins to determine their contribution to the pathogenesis and progression of macula diseases.

The authors suggest the concepts of protection relay systems for operation within a Smart Grid and describe the results of a prototype development. This paper introduces each of the system characteristics that should be considered for protection operation within Smart Grid, and the evaluation methods that were applied under both normal and faulted conditions. The results of a field trial in the 66 kV system operated by Shikoku Electric Power CO., INC indicate that the proposed system has the capability of evaluating power system characteristics in detail on a real-time basis and contributing toward supervision, coordination check and optimisation of setting values. Moreover, it has been proven that an agent system can be applied under practical conditions. Further developments aimed at commercial operation will be considered in future. (5 pages)

As the bacterial spores are difficult to stain, a number of staining techniques including their modifications have been proposed to date. Most of the conventional staining procedures unexceptionally contain the step of staining with steamed dye reagent in order to increase the stainability of the spores. We made an attempt to improve the conventional Moeller's methods for staining bacterial spores.Spores of Bacillus species were stained with our modified Moeller's spore stain and evaluated for its staining properties. We investigated the stainability of both of the conventional and the modified Moeller's methods and the evaluation was made whether or not the step of steaming of Kinyoun's carbol-fuchsine dye reagent could be omitted by adding to aliquots of Tergitol 7, in place of the conventional dye solution steamed for some interval over hot blue flame of a Bunsen burner.We successfully omitted the heating step of steaming the Kinyoun's carbol fuchsine dye solution in the Moeller's method of bacterial spore stain, by the replacement of Kinyoun's carbol-fuchsine dye solution involving 2 drops of Tergitol 7, nonionic polyglycol ether surfactants type NP-7 (Sigma-Aldrich Japan, Tokyo, Japan) per 10 ml of Kinyoun's carbol-fuchsine dye solution. Bacillus spores stained pink to red and vegetative bacterial cells stained blue, although without applying any heating step during the whole course of staining processes including the fixation process. The novel staining method of our proposal resulted in far better satisfactory stainability in comparison with the conventional Moeller's method with the steaming dye solution.The modified spore stain without applying any heating step using the Kinyoun's carbol-fuchsine dye solution with an addition of Tergitol 7 aliquots was demonstrated to be reproducible and yielded consistent and satisfactory stainability. This simplified staining procedure is rapid to perform and found to be applicable to detect the bacterial spores in routine clinical microbiology laboratories.

PURPOSE. To describe hereditary macular degeneration observed in the cynomolgus monkey (Macaca fascicularis), which shares phenotypic features with age-related macular degeneration in humans, and to test the involvement of candidate gene loci by mutation screening and linkage analysis. METHODS. Ophthalmic examinations with fundus photography, fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (IA), electroretinography (ERG), and histologic studies were performed on both affected and unaffected monkeys in the pedigree. The monkey orthologues of the human ABCA4, VMD2, EFEMP1, TIMP3, and ELOVL4 genes were cloned and screened for mutations by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis or denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) and direct sequencing in six affected and five unaffected monkeys from the pedigree and in six unrelated, unaffected monkeys. Subsequently, 13 human macular degeneration loci including these five genes were analyzed to test for linkage with the disease. Nineteen affected and seven unaffected monkeys in the pedigree were analyzed by using human microsatellite markers linked to the 13 loci. RESULTS. Yellowish white spots were observed in the macula and fovea centralis, and in some cases the spots scattered to the peripheral retina along the blood vessels. FA showed hyperfluorescence corresponding to the dots except in the foveola. No anomalies were found by IA and ERG. Histologic studies demonstrated that the spots were drusen. Mutation analysis of the ABCA4, VMD2, EFEMP1, TIMP3, and ELOVL4 genes identified a few sequence variants, but none of them segregated with the disease. Linkage analysis with markers linked to these five genes and an additional eight human macular degeneration loci failed to establish linkage. Haplotype analysis excluded the involvement of the 13 candidate loci for harboring the gene associated with macular degeneration in the monkeys. CONCLUSIONS. Significant homology was identified between monkey and human orthologues of the five macular degeneration genes. Thirteen loci associated with macular degeneration in humans or harboring macular degeneration genes were excluded as causal of early-onset macular degeneration in the monkeys. It is likely that none of these loci, but rather a novel gene, is involved in causing the observed phenotype in this monkey pedigree. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2005;46: 683‐691) DOI:10.1167/iovs.04-1031

We have previously cloned a human, retina-specific, amine oxidase gene (RAO, gene symbol: AOC2), a member of the copper-binding amine oxidase super family. AOC2 shares sequence identity with the human kidney amine oxidase gene (KAO, gene symbol: AOC1) and the vascular adhesion protein-1 gene (VAP-1, gene symbol: AOC3). For further analysis of AOC2, the sequences surrounding the human AOC2 and the complete mouse and partial rat homologue of AOC2 were cloned for characterization. Real-time quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization, and immunohistochemistry were performed to determine the specific expression of AOC2 in the mouse retina and especially in the retinal ganglion cells. Our results demonstrated that the copper-binding motif and the enzyme active site of AOC1 and AOC3 were both conserved in mouse AOC2. The human and mouse AOC2 was flanked by two genes, the Psme3 gene for PA-28 gamma subunit and, surprisingly, the AOC3 gene. Rat AOC2 contained a stop codon that terminated the peptide length to 127 amino acids. The presence of human and rat AOC pseudogene in this region, in addition to the tandemly positioned two AOC genes, indicates the possibility of successful AOC3 replication to retina-specific AOC2 for human and mouse but unsuccessful for rat.

ELOVL4, elongation factor of very long chain fatty acids-4, is known to be responsible for autosomal dominant macular degeneration and Stargardt-like macular degeneration. In this study, we cloned the monkey homologue of ELOVL4 and determined the cellular and tissue distribution of the gene product. Sequence analysis of the monkey ELOVL4 gene revealed a high degree of homology between human and monkey. The cloned full-length cDNA of monkey ELOVL4 encoded 314 amino acids, the same length as human and two amino acids longer than mouse. The monkey ELOVL4 conserved the characteristics typical of the super family of ELO enzymes involved in the metabolism of membrane-bound fatty acid elongation. Real-time quantitative PCR demonstrated that the monkey ELOVL4 gene was highly expressed in restricted tissue-specific fashion, not only in the retina but also in the skin (90% of retina) and thymus (111% of retina). Immunohistochemical analysis detected signals predominantly in the photoreceptor layer of the monkey retina.

A new SMD type hermetic seal package using glass wafers has been developed for SAW (surface acoustic wave) resonators. This package is composed of two glass wafers in which many cavities and through holes are formed. The SAW resonator chip is inserted into the cavity. Electrodes are led out from the through holes without using wire. Two glass wafers are directly bonded at the atomic level using no adhesive. This package technology realizes small size, low profile SMD type package whose size is the chip size plus 1.0 mm and whose height is 1.0 mm. The size of the glass package type SAW resonator is 4.0/spl times/2.0/spl times/1.0 mm. The area is 1/9 and the volume is 1/33 of the conventional CAN package. The frequency characteristics and reliability of the developed SAW resonators were checked. No degradation was observed by the packaging process. The insertion loss was reduced by wireless assembly. The change in the characteristics after high-temperature storage test was extremely small because no resin is used in the glass package.

A new hermetic seal package using glass wafers for surface acoustic wave (SAW) device was developed. Two glass wafers are used. Cavity and through hole are formed on each glass wafer by the grinding process. Two glass wafers are combined in atomic level by using the glass direct bonding technique. The SAW device chip is inserted into the cavity. Electrodes are taken out from through holes by solder balls without using wires. These technologies were applied to SAW resonator. The size of developed SAW resonator is 4.0/spl times/2.0/spl times/0.8 mm. The characteristics and reliability of developed SAW resonator were investigated. The characteristics degradation by packaging process was not observed. Insertion loss was improved due to wireless assembly, and the characteristics change after high temperature preservation test was extremely small because there is no resin in the glass package.

The paper proposes a methodology of modeling and simulation for supply chain business systems. Supply chain systems require collaboration with the chain member companies. The well-organized communication should be performed within the chain in order for the chain members to synchronize daily operations and to utilize common resource. First, the paper describes a case study for process specifications of a supply chain system. Second, it gives generic information process models, which represent process synchronization and data communication among chain member companies. It also proposes a methodology for business system simulation of supply chains.

[(1--6)-2,5-Anhydro-3,4-di-O-ethyl-D-glucitol]-bound silica gel (CSP 4a), which was prepared by a two-step reaction, was used as a chiral stationary phase in high-performance liquid chromatography. The chiral recognition ability of the CSP 4a for racemates was examined using aq. NaClO4 (pH 2) and aq. NaClO4 (pH 2)/CH3CN as the eluents. For the resolution of amino acids and amino acid methyl esters, the D-isomers were eluted first. The separation factors of many of the racemates were 1.1-1.4, and the resolution factors were 0.59-7.75. This stationary phase showed a relatively high-resolving power toward compounds having a bulky substituent on the chiral carbon, such as phenylglycine and 1-(1-naphthyl)ethylamine.

1-Methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine has been reported to cause parkinsonism via its neurotoxic form, 1-methyl-4-phenylpyridinium ion (MPP+), which inhibits complex I of the mitochondrial respiratory chain. Its parkinsonism-causing mechanisms attract a great deal of interest as a model of the disease. Recently, we reported that MPP+ strongly decreases the amount of mtDNA independent of the inhibition of complex I. Maintenance of a proper amount of mtDNA is essential for the normal function of mitochondria as exemplified in many mitochondrial diseases. The most characteristic feature in vertebral mtDNA replication is that H-strand synthesis proceeds displacing the parental H-strand as a long single strand. It forms the D-loop, a triplex replication intermediate composed of the parental L-strand, nascent H-strand and displaced H-strand. Here we show that MPP+ does not inhibit DNA synthesis by DNA polymerase gamma, but rather releases the nascent H-strands from mtDNA both in organello and in vitro. This indicates that MPP+ directly destabilizes the D-loop structure, thereby inhibiting replication. This study raises a new mechanism, i.e. destabilization of replication intermediates, for depletion of mtDNA.

We have clarified the usefulness of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy for patients with ureteral stone in an outpatient clinic.One hundred ten patients with ureteral stone were treated using a small focused piezoelectric lithotriptor (Toshiba ESL-500A). No anesthesia and no associated therapy was applied to all patients.Ninety eight patients (89.1%) were successfully treated in our outpatient clinic. Twelve patients (10.1%) were treated after admission because of several reasons such as colicky attack. In 107 patients (97.3%) no remaining stone was observed. We judged our treatment was effective in 109 patients (99.1%) including 2 cases with very small remaining fragment. No serious complication was encountered. In 83 cases with ureteral stone smaller than 10 mm in longer diameter, mean treatment sessions was 1.24 and mean total shots was 3,227. In contrast, in 27 cases with ureteral stone bigger than 10 mm, mean 2.67 sessions and 11,715 shots was needed. Although some patients with bigger stone underwent several sessions up to 9 times, all of them had no problem before completion of treatment.These results indicated that most of patients with ureteral stone can be simply treated in an outpatient clinic using a small focused piezoelectric lithotriptor.

In mice homozygous for the osteopetrosis (op) mutation, loss of osteoclasts in the postnatal period and their development, differentiation, and maturation following daily M-CSF administration in adult life were investigated. Histochemical, immunohistochemical, and ultrastructural approaches, as well as [3H]thymidine autoradiography, clarified the role of M-CSF on osteoclast development and differentiation. In op/op mice osteoclasts appeared normal at birth. However, osteoclast numbers were reduced within a few days after birth, and osteoclasts were undetectable by 3-4 days of age. In adult op/op mice there were no multinuclear osteoclasts; however, small numbers of mononuclear cells (so-called 'preosteoclasts') were observed on the endosteal surface of bone. These preosteoclasts expressed tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase and showed ultrastructural features of immature osteoclasts. After daily M-CSF administration in op/op mice, osteoclasts developed from the fusion of preosteoclasts and osteoclasts numbers increased to the levels of normal littermates at 3 days. Autoradiographic analysis with [3H]thymidine revealed no labeling in osteoclasts and preosteoclasts. In the mutant mice, M-CSF administration induced numerical increases of monocytes, promonocytes, and earlier precursor cells in bone marrow, ER-MP12- or, ER-MP58-positive granulocyte/macrophage colony-forming cells (GM-CFCs). Among these macrophage precursors, ER-MP58-positive cells were considered preosteoclast precursors, and possessed marked proliferative potential. These data suggest that an ER-MP58-positive cell subpopulation of GM-CFCs proliferates in response to M-CSF, differentiates into preosteoclasts which fuse with each other to develop into mature osteoclasts.

This report describes a man aged 65 years who developed spastic paraparesis secondary to arachnoiditis ossificans in the thoracic spine. Over 35 years previously, in Southeast Asia, the patient had received repeated lumbar punctures in the treatment of meningitis possibly associated with malarial fever. He had multiple arachnoidal ossifications located at levels from T6 to T9 dorsal to the spinal cord which were well delineated by computed tomography. The lesions were completely extirpated by dorsal route surgery, and the patient had marked neurological improvement after surgery. Histology confirmed that the lesions showed mature bone that formed with an osseous marrow and trabeculae, and the lesions exhibited clusters of arachnoidal cells as well as the proliferation of osteoblasts surrounding the ossified area. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention, however, are mandatory in such cases, if the patient is to attain an acceptable degree of recovery.

As-grown superconducting MgB 2 thin films were fabricated by very simple RF sputtering method. A two-component target comprising of many small slices of B on a Mg disk was used. The films were deposited onto polished single crystal sapphire or SrTiO 3 substrates at rather low temperatures ranging from 100 to 110 °C. Five samples on SrTiO 3 substrate and one on sapphire showed zero resistivity at about 15 K and onset at about 20 K with measuring the resistance versus temperature ( R – T curves). The overall feature of the transport phenomena was very different from the measured feature in the prepared MgB 2 bulk sample with much grain boundaries. The temperature dependence of the critical current and the transition behavior in current versus voltage curves ( I – V curve) were much BCS-type.

There are few reports on the assessment of left ventricular contraction during cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) in open heart surgery. LV Emax is thought to be a load-independent index of left ventricular function. We used a left ventricular conductance catheter to measure LV Emax from "non-working beating heart" during CPB in 16 patients who underwent open heart surgery. During CPB, at 45 minutes after aortic declamping, changes of heart rate with atrial pacing (120/min) did not change LV Emax, but after intravenous dobutamine administration (DOB, 10 micrograms/kg/min) LV Emax increased by 26% (p0.01). DOB increased LV Emax in 14 of 16 patients during CPB. These 14 patients were weaned from CPB without difficulty. But in 2 other patients DOB didn't increase LV Emax during CPB. In order to be weaned from CPB, the two patients needed epinephrine and intraaortic balloon pumping. We concluded that change of LV Emax made by intravenous administration of dobutamine is one of useful indexes to assess left ventricular contractility during cardiopulmonary bypass.

Primary tumors of the heart are rare, with the most common being myxoma, although myxoma of ventricular origin are uncommon. A careful review of the literature showed that 72 patients worldwide had cardiac myxomas located in the right ventricle. A 13-year-old asymptomatic girl with no previous history of cardiac disease was referred to a local hospital for evaluation of a heart murmur detected during a routine medical examination. Right ventricular myxoma was diagnosed and confirmed by echocardiogram, angiocardiography, CT, and MRI, MRI was firstly performed of right ventricular myxoma, and that showed right ventricular myxoma and the myocardium at the same intensity. Surgery was performed by first opening the right atrium. A lobulated mass was visualized through the tricuspid valve. Using a long needle, we confirmed that the wall was attached to the pedicle of the myxoma. Right ventriculotomy was subsequently performed in this region. The mass was passed through the tricuspid valve, and was reseated along with surrounding myocardium but with minimal excision of the right ventricular wall. The excised myxoma weighed 11 g, and had developed a short and small pedicle (5 mm x 5 mm) on the free wall and septum of the right ventricle. The patient recovered uneventfully and was discharged two weeks after the operation.

Regio- and stereoselectivity of cytochrome P-450-mediated propranolol metabolism (4-, 5- and 7-hydroxylations and N-desisopropylation) was studied using 15 purified cytochrome P-450 species. With each purified cytochrome P-450 species, the regioselectivity was distinct and different between the two optical isomers used as substrates. The stereoselectivity was different depending on the position of propranolol to be metabolized. The regio- and stereoselectivity was altered when substrate concentration was altered, suggesting that the kinetics of the reactions are different depending on the positions of propranolol to be metabolized. Furthermore, the selectivity and its manner of alterations with substrate concentrations were different among all cytochrome P-450 species used. Propranolol, with its multiple metabolic pathways and optical isomers, is an extremely interesting substrate for characterization of cytochrome P-450 species.

University of Wisconsin (UW) solution has been reported to extend the safe cold ischemic time in the preservation of the liver, kidney and pancreas. However, there have been few reports of safe cold ischemic time in heart preservation with UW solution. The purpose of this study was to find whether UW solution can extend the safe cold ischemic time in cardiac transplantation in dogs. Heterotopic cardiac transplantation was performed in mongrel dogs after cold ischemic preservation of the hearts with UW solution, ischemic time 8, 16 and 24 hours (Gr.UW8, Gr.UW16 and Gr.UW24, respectively) and with GIK solution, ischemic time 4 hours (Gr.G4) which is considered the safe cold ischemic time in clinical cardiac transplantation. The following was studied: 1) Emax of the LV, myocardial contraction, by pressure-volume curve with the volume measured conductance catheter method, 2) myocardial tissue blood flow of the LV (MTBF), with laser doppler tissue flow meter, 3) serum CPK and electron microscopical evaluation. Emax and MTBF were measured before transplantation and after reperfusion. Their results were expressed as percentage of the values before transplantation. As results, after 120 minutes from reperfusion, Emax was recovered to 94 +/- 13% in Gr.G4, 104 +/- 11% in Gr.UW8, 67 +/- 22% in Gr.UW16 and 66 +/- 16% in Gr.UW24. Emax in Gr.G4 and Gr.UW8 were significantly (p less than 0.01) higher than that in Gr.UW16 and Gr.UW24. After 120 minutes from reperfusion, MTBF was recovered to 90 +/- 19% in Gr.G4, 98 +/- 9% in Gr.UW8, 63 +/- 19% in Gr.UW16 and 61 +/- 6% in Gr.UW24.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

One of pathophysiological processes in cardiac cachexia with severe congestive cardiac failure is malabsorption in the intestine. This malabsorption might be caused by high venous pressure in the intestine, following congestive liver due to congestive cardiac failure. However, this has not been proved experimentally yet. In this experiment, rabbits were utilized because their body weights are relatively equal and their life cycle is shorter than that of dogs, for which experimental procedure has been established. Our purpose was first, to establish the technique which can produce tricuspid regurgitation (TR) in rabbits, and secondly, to examine the degree of malabsorption in these animals in the chronic stage of TR.The TR rabbits (n = 4) were provided by means of division of the chordae of the tricuspid valve through the 4th intercostal space in the right thoracotomy. Division of the chordae was performed through the right atrial incision under direct vision while employing total temporary inflow occlusion. The duration of inflow occlusion varied from one to two minutes.The mean of the peak right atrial pressure before the procedure was 6.5 mmHg, that just after the procedure was 16.1 mmHg, and that two to four months after the procedure was 17.0 mmHg. The peak right atrial pressure just after the procedure were higher than those before the procedure, and the peak right atrial pressure two to four months after the procedure were also higher than those before the procedure in all rabbits.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

A cytochrome P-450 isozyme, P-450 bunitrolol (BTL), catalyzing bunitrolol 4-hydroxylation was partially purified from liver microsomes of adult male Sprague-Dawley rats by hydrophobic affinity chromatographic (omega-aminooctyl-Sepharose 4B) and high-performance liquid chromatographic (anion-exchange diethylaminoethyl-5PW) techniques. The specific content of the final preparation was 5.02 nmol/mg protein, which was 7.8-fold that of microsomes. It showed two protein bands of 49 and 32 kDa in sodium dodecylsulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. N-Terminal 20 amino acid sequence of the protein of a higher molecular mass (49 kDa) isolated by an electroblotting technique is 94% homologous with that of CYP2D2. In a reconstituted system including NADPH-cytochrome P-450 reductase and an NADPH-generating system, the final preparation had the highest activity toward BTL and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation among 12 isozymes of cytochrome P-450 examined. Kinetic parameters, KM and Vmax values, of P-450 BTL calculated for BTL 4-hydroxylation were 10.7 microM and 19.68 nmol/min/nmol P-450, respectively, whereas those values (mean +/- SE) of rat liver microsomes were 0.84 +/- 0.05 microM and 2.05 +/- 0.11 nmol/min/nmol P-450. When preincubated with rat liver microsomes, the antibody against the final P-450 BTL preparation suppressed bunitrolol and debrisoquine 4-hydroxylase activities dose-dependently and almost completely. These results suggest that cytochrome P-450 BTL and its immunochemically related P-450 isozyme(s) play a major role in debrisoquine 4-hydroxylation as well as in BTL 4-hydroxylation in rat liver microsomes.

A pseudo HIP (PHIP) process has been developed for the purpose of consolidation of powder compacts to true density. This paper reports the application of this PHIP process to the reaction synthesis of the NiAl intermetallic compound. Compacts of the elemental powder mixture of Ni and Al or the powder mixture after subjected to the mechanical alloying treatment for various length of time are tested as starting material for PHIP. Significant improvement in mechanical properties of consolidated NiAl compounds have been noted by the mechanical alloying treatment prior to the reaction synthesis by PHIP.

IABP and well functioning left ventricular assist device for a failing left ventricle have potential for altering the loading condition of the right heart. Depending on the extent of myocardial damage and the pulmonary vascular resistance, IABP and LVAD can have different degree of hemodynamic effect on the right ventricle. We examined 20 clinical cases who required IABP support to wean from cardiopulmonary bypass. In 10 cases (group I), CVP rose up above 20 cmH2O within 12 hrs of post operative period. In another 10 cases (group II), CVP rose less than 20 cm H2O. Then we compared hemodynamic change (m-PAP, PVR, CVP, PAWP, CI and RVSWI) between two groups until 72 hrs of post operative period. No significant differences were noted in PVR and CI between two groups, but CVP, m-PAP, PAWP and RVSWI were markedly higher in I group. Reduction of RV afterload produced with an IABP may probably be due to degree of recovery of failing left ventricular function. It is though that IABP has less favorable effect on right ventricular in the cases whose CVP elevate above 20 mmH2O within 12 hrs after operation than in those with CVP below 20 cmH2O. Clinical studies were made on 4 cases with biventricular failure in our experiences of 8 LVAD cases (LV aneurysmectomy + VSP closure, MVR + AVR + CABG + LV aneurysmectomy, CABG + LV aneurysmectomy and MVR + CABG). LVAD seems to have more beneficial effect on RV afterload, than IABP right ventricular dysfunction, however, is likely to continue in the cases whose CVP elevates above 30 mmH2O even if LVAD is used.