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Peptidoglycan (PG) is a central component of the bacterial cell wall, and the disruption of its biosynthetic pathway has been a successful antibacterial strategy for decades. PG biosynthesis is initiated in the cytoplasm through sequential reactions catalyzed by Mur enzymes that have been suggested to associate into a multimembered complex. This idea is supported by the observation that in many eubacteria, mur genes are present in a single operon within the well conserved dcw cluster, and in some cases, pairs of mur genes are fused to encode a single, chimeric polypeptide. We performed a vast genomic analysis using >140 bacterial genomes and mapped Mur chimeras in numerous phyla, with Proteobacteria carrying the highest number. MurE–MurF, the most prevalent chimera, exists in forms that are either directly associated or separated by a linker. The crystal structure of the MurE–MurF chimera from Bordetella pertussis reveals a head-to-tail, elongated architecture supported by an interconnecting hydrophobic patch that stabilizes the positions of the two proteins. Fluorescence polarization assays reveal that MurE–MurF interacts with other Mur ligases via its central domains with K D s in the high nanomolar range, backing the existence of a Mur complex in the cytoplasm. These data support the idea of stronger evolutionary constraints on gene order when encoded proteins are intended for association, establish a link between Mur ligase interaction, complex assembly and genome evolution, and shed light on regulatory mechanisms of protein expression and stability in pathways of critical importance for bacterial survival.

Fix and flap surgery for severe open limb fractures is already a standard treatment. In cases where the fracture is complicated or accompanied by bone defects, secondary surgery is required for fracture sites covered with a myocutaneous flap after the soft tissue condition has stabilized. We applied the delayed procedure concept used for distant flaps and attempted to prevent postoperative myocutaneous flap necrosis by performing a provisional incision prior to the longitudinal incision of the flap. We report the course of five cases of the longitudinal division of the myocutaneous flap using "provisional incision" after free-flap surgery for severe open fracture and verify its usefulness. In this case series, five patients with severe open limb fractures treated from 2020 to 2021 who underwent longitudinal incision of the myocutaneous flap using provisional incision after free-flap surgery were included. The types of flaps used for soft tissue reconstruction in the acute phase, the reasons for the need for secondary surgery, the period from soft tissue reconstruction to additional surgery, and the healing status of soft tissue after secondary surgery were all investigated retrospectively. The types of flaps used for soft tissue reconstruction were latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap in four cases and anterolateral thigh flap in one case. The breakdown of secondary surgery was osteosynthesis in one case, plate removal in one case, and bone cement removal and autologous bone grafting in three cases. The period from soft tissue reconstruction to secondary surgery ranged from 6 weeks to 4 months. In all cases, the wound healed without necrosis of the myocutaneous flap. For the treatment of severe open limb fractures, longitudinal division of the myocutaneous flap using "provisional incision" is a safer approach to the necessary secondary surgery and reduces the possibility of necrosis of the flap.

Funding Acknowledgements Type of funding sources: Private grant(s) and/or Sponsorship. Main funding source(s): Japan Organization of Occupational Health and Safety onbehalf J3D Introduction Improvements in cardiovascular imaging have contributed to the accurate diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In recent years, we can find a new demand from surgical departments, i.e., 3D heart models of patients for preoperative simulations. However, a 3D surgical model needs a detailed segmentation of heart structures from clinical images because these details are essential for achieving accurate polygon data of an exact 3D model. Thus, in most cases, manual segmentation is required for complicated heart shapes such as the chamber wall, valves, and papillary muscles, which causes a prolonged duration time. Purpose We aim to achieve an automated heart segmentation using a convolutional neural network (CNN) trained using deep learning techniques for the rapid creation of 3D surgical heart models of individual patients. Methods We constructed our original CNN program based on the latest artificial intelligence techniques and trained it to extract shapes of the heart from cardiac computed tomography (CT) images. The training data was 361 slices selected from CT scans of 10 patients. We used data augmentation to increase the amount and diversity of the data into 24,052 slices. The training result with the best Intersection over Union (IoU), one of the evaluation metrics used in deep learning, was saved. Finally, we used the best-trained CNN to construct 3D polygon data of two surgical cases of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM) for preoperative assessments. Results The IoU attained 0.85 after deep learning. The time required to complete the 3D polygon data for the first HOCM case was 5 minutes for segmentation by the trained CNN and 3 hours for data correction by a human operator. Similarly, the time required for the second case was 5 minutes for segmentation without manual correction. We had to correct the segmentation for the first case because we needed an exact 3D model for the preoperative assessment (Fig. 1). According to our records of the other eight 3D heart models in the lab, the work for a 3D polygon shape from CT images needs a median 30 hours (quartiles 23-50 hours) when the procedure is fully manual and non-continuous with breaks in between. Conclusion The CNN-based segmentation aided the constructing heart shapes from cardiac CT images of preoperative patients. Although the performance, reaching IoU of 0.85, was insufficient for fully automatic segmentation, the methodology can shorten the process duration from several hours to several minutes for detailed segmentation of heart structures. We previously applied the CNN-based segmentation to the aorta, aortic stenosis valves, and atheromatous plaque in clinical images, demonstrating adequate segmentation performance. The proposed methodology can be applied as a fundamental technology of cardiovascular imaging for obtaining the actual structures of a target object as 3D coordinate values or a 3D model within a reasonable duration time. Abstract Figure 1

Transition metal oxides have been extensively investigated as novel catalysts for oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Partial elemental substitutions are effective ways to increase catalytic performance and such electronic interactions between multiple elements are known as synergistic effects. However, serious issues such as random atomic arrangement and ambiguous roles of constituent elements humper theoretical investigations for rational materials design. Herein, we describe systematic study on OER activity of AA′3B4O12-type quadruple perovskite oxides, in which multiple transition metal ions are located at distinct crystallographic sites. Electrochemical measurements demonstrate that OER catalytic activities of quadruple perovskite oxide series, CaCu3B4O12 (B = Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, and Co), are all superior to those of simple perovskite counterparts CaBO3. The order of activity of B-site transition metal ions for CaBO3 (Fe4+ > Co4+ ≫ Ti4+, V4+, Cr4+, Mn4+) is retained in CaCu3B4O12, indicating that B-site ...

Nitric oxide (NO) gas concentrations are higher in expired air in asthmatics. NO is synthesized by three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) encoded by three distinct genes, NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3. Genome-wide searches have identified linkages to asthma on chromosomes 7, 12, and 17 where these three genes are localized. No association study, however, has been reported to date. To test whether variants of NOS1, NOS2, and NOS3 relate to asthma, a genetic association study was conducted in a British population (n = 300). Intragenic microsatellite variants of NOS1 were significantly associated with asthma [odds ratio (OR) = 2.08, 95% CI: 1.20–3.57 (95% CI), P = 0.008 (Pc = 0.048)], but not with IgE levels. Neither NOS2 nor NOS3 variants showed any association with asthma nor IgE levels. These findings suggest that NOS1 variants may be a significant contributor to asthma in a British population.

In order to identify a novel candidate gene in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), we analysed a panel of six genes encoding molecules involved in the type I interferon (IFN) system. We first identified variants in the five genes related to type I IFN pathway by sequencing. Genotyping of a panel of eight selected single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in six candidate genes ( TLR9, MYD88, IRF3, IRF7, IFNB1, IFNA17) was performed in 137 patients with SLE and matched with 152 healthy controls using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. In functional assay, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction was performed to assess constitutive IRF3 mRNA expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy subjects with different IRF3 promoter haplotypes. Among eight SNPs genotyped, an IRF3 SNP at –925 was found to be associated with SLE after correction for multiple tests (corrected P = 0.016). Of total five IRF3 SNPs genotyped, the promoter IRF3 SNPs –925A/G and –776C/T showed the most significant association with SLE. With regard to –925A/G, the frequency of GG genotype was significantly decreased among SLE patients compared with the control group (1.5% vs. 9.9%; χ2= 10.0, P = 0.0015, odds ratio 0.12, 95% confidence interval 0.027–0.554). Our experimental data indicated that constitutive IRF3 mRNA expression was significantly lower in cells carrying the minor G-T/G-T haplotype pair compared with those carrying the major A-C haplotype. In conclusion, we showed that the promoter SNPs of the IRF3 gene were significantly associated with resistance against SLE.

CARD15 was first identified as a susceptibility gene for Crohn's disease. More recently, CARD15 mutations were shown to be associated with the pediatric granulomatous inflammatory diseases, Blau syndrome and early-onset sarcoidosis (EOS). The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether CARD15 variants also play a role in patients with ordinary sarcoidosis other than EOS. We enrolled 135 Japanese sarcoidosis patients with uveitis as well as 95 healthy individuals and performed mutation analysis by direct sequencing of CARD15 exon 4. Direct DNA sequencing in the sarcoidosis patients showed eight CARD15 variants, including five novel mutations (13402C>T, 13543C>T, 13775C>A, 13937G>A, and 14079C>T). Compared with healthy individuals, CARD15 mutations are not common in the Japanese patients with sarcoidosis. Based on the results, we examined the clinical manifestations in patients with sarcoidosis according to their CARD15 mutations. Sarcoidosis patients with these mutations have no specific clinical features with regard to course of the disease or disease severity. Our results indicate that in general, CARD15 mutations may not contribute to the risk of sarcoidosis.

We developed a new method to detect Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli in watermelon seeds, by modifying the membrane filter immunostaining method, which was developed to detect Burkholderia glumae in rice seeds. The detection threshold of this new method for A. avenae subsp. citrulli was several cfu per 100 ml phosphate buffer using 1000 commercial watermelon seeds. Living cells of A. avenae subsp. citrulli could be obtained by stamping the membrane on selective medium plate before immunostaining.

Bismuth–telluride-based alloy thin film thermoelectric generators are fabricated by a flash evaporation method. We prepare Bi 0.4 Te 3.0 Sb 1.6 (p-type) and Bi 2.0 Te 2.7 Se 0.3 (n-type) powders for the fabrication of the flash evaporated thin films. The overall size of the thin film thermoelectric generators, which consist of seven pairs of legs connected by aluminum electrodes, is 20 mm by 15 mm. Each leg is 15 mm long, 1 mm wide and 1 μm thick. We measure the output voltage and estimate the maximum output power near room temperature as a function of the temperature difference between hot and cold junctions of the thin film thermoelectric generators. In order to improve the performance of the generators, a hydrogen annealing process is carried out at several temperatures from 25 °C to 250 °C. The highest output voltage of 83.3 mV and estimated output power of 0.21 μW are obtained from a hydrogen annealing temperature of T a = 250 °C and a temperature difference of Δ T = 30 K. The hydrogen annealing temperature of T a = 250 °C also results in the best electrical performance for both p-type thin film (Seebeck coefficient = 254.4 μV/K, resistivity = 4.1 mΩ cm, power factor = 15.9 μW/cm K 2 ) and n-type thin film (−179.3 μV/K, 1.5 mΩ cm, 21.5 μW/cm K 2 ).

Among four ethnic groups in a lowland area of Nepal, the prevalences of abnormal haemoglobin, thalassaemia, glucose-6-phosphate-dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency, hereditary South-east Asian ovalocytosis (SAO) and Duffy blood-group antigen Fy/Fy were determined and related to each group's habitat. The group that has lived for many decades in a malaria-endemic lowland area, the Danuwar, was found to have a high prevalence of alpha+-thalassaemia (79.4%) and low prevalences of haemoglobin E and G6PD deficiency. Much lower prevalences of alpha+-thalassaemia were observed in the Newar (20.5%), Parbate (16.5%) and Tamang (8.8%), who, until the 1950s, all spent their hot-season nights in malaria-free areas at higher altitudes. No subjects with any other identified abnormal haemoglobin, beta-thalassaemia, SAO or Fy/Fy were detected.

スイカ苗の育苗におけるスイカ果実汚斑細菌病菌(Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli, Aac)の第二次伝染について検討した.その結果,苗上からの潅水によってAac汚染種子の発芽した苗から周囲の苗にAacが拡散して発病に至ると共に,多くの無病徴Aac汚染苗を形成した.Aac汚染種子を播種した発病苗から穂木を採取したり,Aacを接種したスイカ苗汁液で汚染したナイフで健全苗を採取すると採取した穂木がAacで汚染して接木後に穂木と台木が高率に発病した.また,無病徴Aac汚染苗から穂木を採取したナイフでAacが伝染して,同じナイフで採取した健全穂木を接木した接木苗の穂木と台木が発病した.さらに,穂木の保湿のために使用する濡れ新聞や穂木を浸漬した水道水がAacで汚染して,健全な穂木に伝染することが明らかとなった.以上のことから,種子にわずかなAac汚染種子が混入していると,スイカ苗の育苗時において苗上でAacが増殖すると共に,頭上潅水と接木操作により,健全な苗に第二次伝染して多くの無病徴の保菌苗を形成する危険性があることが考察された.

スイカ果実汚斑細菌病菌・Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac)の種子と発芽苗での動態を解析した.その結果,4∼30°CのAacは汚染種子上で26ヶ月以上生存し,伝染源となり得ることが明らかとなった.この時,種子上のAac数が1cfu/seedであっても育苗環境によっては高率で発病する可能性があることが示された.この発病は,湿潤環境下で多く,乾燥条件下では少なかった.この要因を検証するために,異なる湿度環境におけるスイカ発芽苗上でのAacの密度変動を調査した.噴霧接種により湿潤環境区では101cfu/g fresh weightであったAac数は2日後には106cfu/g fresh weight, 4日後には107∼108cfu/g fresh weightとなり,接種2日後から発病が観察された.一方,乾燥区でも2∼3日後に104cfu/g fresh weightとなったが発病を認めなかった.同様な結果は,Aacに汚染した種子を播種した場合でも認められた.

The immunological agglutitation method, using either latex particles or Staphylococcus aureus conjugated with anti-Aac-IgG, was tested for diagnosing bacterial fruit blotch of watermelon caused by Acidovorax avenae subsp. citrulli (Aac). In either case, when the suspensions of various plant pathogenic bacteria were tested, only Aac yielded a strong positive reaction. When sap prepared from sections including lesions was tested, both methods produced positive reactions with all sections from artificially inoculated watermelon plants. Moreover, positive reactions were observed with lesions older than 28 days. These methods are very simple, and only about 5min/sample is needed to reach a diagnosis.

スイカ果実汚斑細菌病を迅速に診断するためにDIBA法,TPI法によるAcidovorax avenae subsp. citrulliの病斑からの検出を検討した.スイカ果実汚斑細菌病菌に特異的なIgGにアルカリフォスファターゼを結合させたコンジュゲートと反応させ,AS phoshate溶液で発色させたときにDIBA法での本菌純粋培養液の検出限界は約106cfu/mlであった.108cfu/mlに調整した各種植物病原細菌をDIBA法で検定した場合,A. avenae subsp. citrulliのみが強い反応を示し,そのほか細菌は反応しないか,弱い反応を示した.DIBA法及びTPI法によって人工汚染種子由来の罹病苗を診断し,選択培地・AacSMを用いた分離結果と比較すると,AacSMで菌が検出された病斑はDIBA, TPIで全て陽性を示した.さらに選択培地でA. avenae subsp. citrulliが分離されなかった古い病斑からもDIBA法,TPI法で本菌の検出が可能であった.したがって,DIBA法,TPI法は,スイカ果実汚斑細菌病の迅速で簡易な診断技術として利用可能であることが示唆された.

Whole genome scan analyses have revealed that chromosomal region 3p21−24, which contains a gene cluster of CC chemokine receptors such as CCR3, is possibly linked to asthma. Because CCR3 ligands play a pivotal role in the selective recruitment and activation of inflammatory cells in the asthmatic airway, the authors examined whether there is any association between asthma and the CCR3 gene polymorphisms. Three polymorphisms were identified using the single stranded conformational polymorphism method in Japanese (Asian) and British (Caucasian) subjects; one silent mutation T51C and two missense mutations G824A and T971C. These polymorphisms were examined in 391 Japanese subjects (210 asthmatics and 181 nonasthmatic controls) and 234 British subjects (142 asthmatics and 92 nonasthmatic controls). Asthma diagnosis was based on episodic symptoms, documented wheeze, and the presence of reversible airflow limitation. CCR3 T51C demonstrated a significant association with the diagnosis of asthma in the British population (odds ratio 2.35, p

Genes of the IL-1 family encode three different peptides, IL-1alpha, IL-1beta, and IL-1Ra, respectively. IL-1 operates through IL-1RI, and is involved in airway inflammation in asthmatic subjects, whereas IL-1Ra appears to be a specific competitive inhibitor of IL-1. All genes are on chromosome 2q12-21 where genomewide searches have identified linkage for asthma. To test whether variants of IL-1 relate to asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in a Japanese population. We show that the A2 allele of IL1RN (encoding IL-1Ra) associates with nonatopic asthma [OR = 5.71, 95% CI: 1.63-19. 8, Pc = 0.007]. Both atopic and nonatopic asthmatics with the A2 allele had significantly lower serum IL-1Ra levels in both types of asthmatics. Peripheral blood cells from asthmatics with A2 alleles, however, produced as much IL-1 as did those with A1 homozygotes. Since Th1 and Th2 cytokines differentially regulate the ratio between IL-1beta and IL-1Ra, these findings suggest that dysregulation of IL-1beta/IL-1Ra, probably due to interaction between epithelium and immuno-competent cells in the airway, is important in asthma inflammation.

The first phosphor-free white LED based on II–IV compound materials is demonstrated. Our device utilizes a phenomenon unique to ZnSe homoepitaxy, where a portion of the main greenish-blue emission from the active layer of a pn junction diode is absorbed by the conductive substrate which in turn gives off an intense broad-band yellow emission centered around 585 nm by photoluminescence. These two emission bands combine to give a spectrum which appears white to the naked eye. A typical ZnSe-based white LED lamp exhibits a color temperature of approximately 3400 K with a CRI (color rendering index) of 68. The optical output power and operating voltage of such a device at a forward current of 20 mA is 2.0 mW and 2.7 V, respectively. The luminous efficiency estimated from these results is 10.4l m/W, which is comparable to the incandescent lamp as well as the commercial InGaN-based white LED. Device lifetimes (half-life) have exceeded 800 h at 20°C.

Asthma and atopy show epidemiological association and are biologically linked by T-helper type 2 (T(h)2) cytokine-driven inflammatory mechanisms. IL-4 operates through the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R, a heterodimer of IL-4Ralpha and either gammac or IL-13Ralpha1) and IL-13 operates through IL-13R (a heterodimer of IL-4Ralpha and IL-13Ralpha1) to promote IgE synthesis and IgE-based mucosal inflammation which typify atopy. Recent animal model data suggest that IL-13 is a central cytokine in promoting asthma, through the stimulation of bronchial epithelial mucus secretion and smooth muscle hyper-reactivity. We investigated the role of common genetic variants of IL-13 and IL-13Ralpha1 in human asthma, considering IgE levels. A novel variant of human IL-13, Gln110Arg, on chromosome 5q31, associated with asthma rather than IgE levels in case-control populations from Britain and Japan [peak odds ratio (OR) = 2.31, 95% CI 1.33-4.00]; the variant also predicted asthma and higher serum IL-13 levels in a general, Japanese paediatric population. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated that both subunits of IL-13R are prominently expressed in bronchial epithelium and smooth muscle from asthmatic subjects. Detailed molecular modelling analyses indicate that residue 110 of IL-13, the site of the charge-modifying variants Arg and Gln, is important in the internal constitution of the ligand and crucial in ligand-receptor interaction. A non-coding variant of IL-13Ralpha1, A1398G, on chromosome Xq13, associated primarily with high IgE levels (OR = 3. 38 in males, 1.10 in females) rather than asthma. Thus, certain variants of IL-13 signalling are likely to be important promoters of human asthma; detailed functional analysis of their actions is needed.

Atopy is an immune disorder in which a Th2 dominant mechanism leads to high IgE levels and the clinical disorder asthma. It has been postulated that the Th1 cytokine IFNgamma, acting through its heterodimeric receptors, IFNgammaR1 and IFNgammaR2, in the induction/proliferation of Th1 cells, might suppress the Th2 responses that may underlie atopic asthma. However, neither murine nor human variants of IFNgamma associate with atopy. Several dysfunctional mutations have been identified in IFNgamma receptor genes (IFNGR1 and IFNGR2) in relation to severe and selective infections with poorly pathogenic organisms. However, little is known about common polymorphisms and their functional role in atopy. To test whether such variants of IFNGR1 and IFNGR2 relate to atopic asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in both British (n = 300) and Japanese (n = 200) populations. An intronic variant of IFNGR1 showed marginal association with total serum IgE levels in the British population compared with those with total IgE levels30 IU/ml and those with120-500 IU/ml [odds ratio = 2.00 (95% CI 1. 00-4.07), P = 0.048]. A coding variant, Gln64Arg of the IFNGR2, also associated with total serum IgE levels in the British population [chi(2) = 5.08, P = 0.024]. Further genetic and functional analyses are needed to clarify the role of variants of IFNgamma receptor genes in atopic immune disorder among different ethnic groups.

Asthma is a complex syndrome in which bronchial inflammation and smooth muscle hyperactivity lead to labile airflow obstruction. The commonest form of asthma is that due to atopy, which is an immune disorder where production of IgE to inhaled antigens leads to bronchial mucosal inflammation. The ultimate origins of asthma are interactive environmental and genetic factors. The genetics is acknowledged to be heterogeneous, and one chromosomal region of interest and controversy has been 11q13. To clarify the nature of the chromosome 11q13 effect in atopy and asthma, we conducted a genetic association study in subjects with marked atopic asthma and matched controls, which incorporated the study of 13 genetic variants over a distance of 10-12 cM and which took account of detailed immune and clinical phenotyping. Association with high IgE levels was limited to the interval flanked by D11S1335 and CD20 in a 0.8-Mb interval and was greatest for variants of Fc epsilon RI beta and HTm4; these variants also associated with asthma (recurrent wheeze with labile airflow obstruction and need for regular inhaler treatment). At the more telomeric marker, D11S480, variants associated with asthma, but not with high IgE levels. The data might support the possibility of multiple loci relevant to atopic asthma on chromosome 11q13.

Background: Multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using multiple tandem forward primers and a common reverse primer (MPTP) was recently established as a comprehensive scanning system for mutations in X-linked recessive diseases. In this report, MPTP was tested to scan for mutations of the glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) gene. Methods: Mutations in exon 11 of the G6PD gene were screened by MPTP in five unrelated Filipino cases with G6PD deficiency. Results: Of the five patients, four screened positive for a mutation in the gene. Sequencing of the amplified products confirmed that three cases had a CT substitution at nucleotide (n.t.) 1360 (C1360T) resulting in an amino acid change of arginine to cysteine at position 454 and one had a silent single base substitution CT at nucleotide 1311. Conclusion: Our results document a C1360T mutation of the G6PD gene in three Filipino patients in the Philippines.

With a view of understanding the potential roles of phosphodiesterase (PDE)3 in the acceleration of atherosclerosis in diabetes, we have analyzed the in vivo levels of low Km cAMP PDE3 and PDE4 activities as well as PDE3A and PDE3B mRNA in a relevant animal model. The JCR:LA-cp rat is a unique strain that develops obesity, insulin resistance, and vasculopathy when homozygous for the autosomal recessive cp gene (cp/cp). Lean rats, bred (designated +/?) as a 2:1 mixture of animals that are heterozygous (cp/+) or homozygous normal (+/+), are metabolically normal. We find that PDE3 activity is the major low Km cAMP activity in the aorta of cp/cp rats and is approximately twofold higher than that in lean +/? rats. PDE3A mRNA levels in middle-aged cp/cp rats are also elevated, approximately threefold, compared with those of +/? rats or young 12-week-old cp/cp rats. Thus, in the aorta of atherosclerosis-prone insulin-resistant cp/cp rats, PDE3A gene expression is upregulated, resulting in significantly higher PDE3 activity. This upregulation of PDE3A mRNA levels was a rather unique phenomenon to the aorta of JCR:LA-cp rats compared with that in the aorta of other rat strains. This result is consistent with our hypothesis that an increased PDE3 activity in aortic smooth muscle cells may contribute to accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. Furthermore, determination of PDE3 activity and PDE3A and PDE3B mRNA levels in heart and white and brown fat tissues of JCR:LA-cp rats revealed that PDE3B mRNA and activity in white adipose tissue is downregulated in this diabetic animal model, and that PDE3A and PDE3B genes are tissue-specifically expressed and differentially regulated in aorta and adipose tissue, respectively, under hyperinsulinemic conditions.

Large ZnSe single crystals with a diameter of 30 mm and a thickness of 25 mm were successfully obtained by the rotational chemical vapor transport (R-CVT) using iodine as a transport agent, which comprises the rotation of the horizontal growth ampoule with a constant frequency. Two-step annealing was developed to ensure the stable growth of the epitaxial layer by MBE on the obtained ZnSe substrates in addition to electrical conductivity. It was demonstrated that the optical properties of the CVT-grown ZnSe, photoluminescence and excitation of SA emission, was superior for the fabrication of white LEDs.

851 school children aged at 12–13 years including 145 with eczema were tested for genetic association to a mast cell chymase (MCC) genetic variant. MCC genotypes showed a strong association with eczema, but not with asthma and rhinitis. This association is strongest in eczematous children with lower serum total IgE levels. Independent of IgE responsiveness when total serum IgE of less than 500 IU/ml, MCC variants may play an important role in inflammatory skin disorders.

A ZnSe homo-interface, which was formed by MBE, was characterized. First, when the unetched ZnSe substrates were used, 3D-nucleation occurred, which suggested the remnant of the heterogeneous nuclei. Consequently, the interface layer was clearly visible and as high as 108 cm−2 crystal defects, such as dislocations and stacking faults, were observed by cross sectional TEM. The EPD was uncountable at this high defect density. Second, when the substrates were chemically etched, 2D-nucleation was confirmed by RHEED, and interface layer and defects were not observed by cross sectional TEM. However plan-view TEM and EPD revealed that about 106–107 cm−2 crystal defects were observed. To clarify the origin of the crystal defects at the homo-interface, SIMS analysis was performed and the results showed the pile up of oxygen at the interface, and the EPD was proportional to the intensity of the O signal. Finally, the reduction of the oxide layer after the chemical etching was tried using various reagents. The reconstruction pattern of the RHEED was observed at lower temperatures using HCl solution and the EPD was lowered near the level of the ZnSe substrates, 104–105 cm−2

Bulk crystal growth of ZnSe from the vapor phase was conducted. A high reproducibility of the growth rate was obtained using a semi-open ampule into which Ar gas was introduced. The dependence of the growth rate on the growth temperature, measured by in situ growth rate monitoring, indicated that the growth rate was determined by diffusion of component gas in Ar gas with a constant non-stoichiometry.

InGaAs crystals were grown by the Bridgman method on earth and in microgravity. The difference of Ga composition profiles in the growth crystals is associated with the difference of heat transfer.

We present results of a high statistics calculation of hadron masses and meson decay constants in the quenched approximation to lattice QCD with Wilson quarks at $\beta=$ 5.85 and 6.0 on $24^3 \times 54$ lattices. We analyze the data paying attention in particular to the systematic errors due to the choice of fitting range and due to the contamination from excited states. We find that the systematic errors for the hadron masses with quarks lighter than the strange quark amount to 1 --- 2 times the statistical errors. When the lattice scale is fixed from the $\rho$ meson mass, the masses of the $\Omega^{-}$ baryon and the $\phi$ meson at two $\beta$'s agree with experiment within about one standard deviation. On the other hand, the central value of the nucleon mass at $\beta=6.0$ (5.85) is larger than its experimental value by about 15\% (20\%) and that of the $\Delta$ mass by about 15\% (4\%): Even when the systematic errors are included, the baryon masses at $\beta=6.0$ do not agree with experiment. Vector meson decay constants at two values of $\beta$ agree well with each other and are consistent with experiment for a wide range of the quark mass, when we use current renormalization constants determined nonperturbatively by numerical simulations. The pion decay constant agrees with experiment albeit with large errors. Results for the masses of excited states of the $\rho$ meson and the nucleon are also presented.

Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) flow within the syrinx in post-traumatic syringomyelia was studied by cardiac-triggered phase images of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to investigate the relationship between CSF flow in the syrinx and patients' symptoms.

We have developed a much safer metalorganic chemical vapor phase epitaxy (MOVPE) process with all liquid phase organic precursors without using hazardous gases including doping sources. In this study, the silicon doping in GaAs grown using tetraethylsilane with tertiarybutylarsine has been investigated. Excellent controllability and reproducibility of n-type doping level from 1 × 10 17 to 6 × 10 18 cm -3 with low carbon incorporation are confirmed. The carrier concentration increases with increasing growth temperature and decreases with increasing V/III ratio. In addition, we applied the MOVPE process with all liquid sources for the fabrication of the GaAs solar cell, and obtained good cell performance of over the conversion efficiency of 20%.

In 2-D time-of-flight MR angiography (2-D TOF MRA) of the liver, artifacts caused by respiratory motion are unavoidable. Therefore, a 3-D black blood MRA of the liver was attempted in 7 healthy volunteers, using a 3-D gradient echo sequence which allows imaging during breath holding. 2-D TOF MRA was performed as well. In all subjects, 3-D MRA allowed visualization of the trunk, 1st-, and 2nd-order branches of the portal vein without interruption. Right 3rd-order branches were visualized without interruption in 6 of 7 subjects (85%). However, with 2-D MRA, the transverse portion of the left main portal vein could not be visualized in any subject, and the periphery of the portal vein was less clear than with 3-D MRA.