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This study aimed to comprehensively evaluate whether income affects long-term health outcomes for older patients who underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) provided by a universal health coverage system. Data were from the Latter Stage Elderly Healthcare Insurance database in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. A total of 5625 individuals aged ≥65 years who underwent PCI in 2014-2016 were included. Cox proportional hazards models were used to assess the association between income status and the incidence of health outcomes. With a median follow-up of 1095 days, 554 acute myocardial infarction (AMI) cases, 1075 stroke cases, 1690 repeat revascularization cases, and 1094 deaths were observed. Risk of all-cause mortality decreased significantly with increasing income level in both unadjusted and adjusted Cox regression models. Patients in the low-income level had a significantly higher rate of AMI (log-rank

Summary: Background & Aims: The prevalence of artificially administered nutrition and hydration (AANH) in different age groups among patients with advanced cancer remains unknown. The present study investigated the current utilization of AANH according to age groups in palliative care units. Methods: This was a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study. We obtained information on primary nutritional administration routes during the first week of admission and data on the averaged calorie sufficiency rate or total calorie intake on the 7th day of admission. Patients were divided into five age groups (18–39, 40–59, 60–74, 75–89, and 90- years). Among patients receiving AANH, the proportions of higher-calorie AANH were compared between the five age groups. Results: A total of 1453 patients were included. The proportion of patients categorized as receiving nutrition and hydration via the parenteral route was the highest in the 18–39 and 40–59 groups (52.4 and 41.1%, respectively). Among patients receiving AANH (n = 534), the proportions of patients categorized into the

Parenteral morphine is widely used for dyspnea of imminently dying cancer patients (terminal dyspnea). However, the efficacy of other opioids such as oxycodone remains largely unknown.To explore the efficacy of parenteral oxycodone vs. morphine by continuous infusion over 24 hours in cancer patients with terminal dyspnea.This was a pre-planned subgroup analysis of a multicenter prospective observational study. Inclusion criteria were advanced cancer patients admitted to palliative care units, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status = 3-4, and a dyspnea intensity ≥2 on the Integrated Palliative care Outcome Scale (IPOS) for which oxycodone or morphine was initiated by continuous infusion. We measured dyspnea IPOS scores over 24 hours.We analyzed 164 patients who received oxycodone (n = 26) and morphine (n = 138) for dyspnea (median survival = 5 days). The mean age was 70 years, 58 patients (35%) had lung cancer, and 97 (59%) had lung metastases. Complete case analysis revealed that mean dyspnea IPOS scores decreased from 3.0 (standard deviation = 0.7) to 1.5 (0.7) in the oxycodone group (difference in means = 1.5; P 0.001), and from 2.9 (0.7) to 1.6 (1.0) in the morphine group (difference in means = 1.3; P 0.001). No significant between-group differences existed in the IPOS scores at 24 hours (P = 0.753). Adverse events were seen in no and 5 patients in the oxycodone and morphine groups, respectively.Parenteral oxycodone may be equally effective and safe as morphine in the treatment of terminal dyspnea in cancer patients. Future randomized controlled trials should confirm the efficacy and safety of opioids other than morphine for terminal dyspnea.

Background: Although many Japanese patients wish to take a bath in their last days, the safety of bathing for patients with a prognosis of a few days is not known. Objective: To examine whether taking a bath affects the survival of advanced cancer patients with prognoses of a few days. Design: A single-center prospective cohort study. Setting/Subject: Advanced cancer patients in their last days of life in a palliative care unit of a Japanese hospital. We compared patients who took baths with those who did not. The primary endpoint was 24-hour survival rate. Result: Among 110 patients eligible for this prospective study, 89 (72%) met the inclusion criteria. Forty-eight patients (43%, 223 person-days) were eligible for analysis. A total of 28 patient-days were classified into the bathing group, and 192 patient-days were classified into the nonbathing group. After propensity score matching, the 24-hour death rate was 10.7% in the bathing group and 8.0% in the nonbathing group, respectively (mean difference 2.8% with 95% confidence interval of −11.2% to 16.8%, p = 0.65). Conclusion: Taking a bath does not appear to bear a significant association with shortening of life among advanced cancer patients in their last days of life.

BACKGROUND: Despite the rapidly increasing attention being given to Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, more commonly known as coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the relationship between cardiovascular disease and COVID-19 has not been fully described.Methods and Results:A systematic review was undertaken to summarize the important aspects of COVID-19 for cardiologists. Protection both for patients and healthcare providers, indication for treatments, collaboration with other departments and hospitals, and regular update of information are essentials to front COVID-19 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Because the chief manifestations of COVID-19 infection are respiratory and acute respiratory distress syndrome, cardiologists do not see infected patients directly. Cardiologists need to be better prepared regarding standard disinfection procedures, and be aware of the indications for extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and its use in the critical care setting.

Major cardiology societies’ guidelines support integrating palliative care into heart failure (HF) care. This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of the HEart failure Palliative care Training program for comprehensive care providers (HEPT), a physician education program on primary palliative care in HF. We performed a pre- and post-test survey to evaluate HEPT outcomes. Physician-reported practices, difficulties and knowledge were evaluated using the Palliative Care Self-Reported Practices Scale in HF (PCPS-HF), Palliative Care Difficulties Scale in HF (PCDS-HF), and Palliative care knowledge Test in HF (PT-HF), respectively. Structural equation models (SEM) were used to estimate path coefficients for PCPS-HF, PCDS-HF, and PT-HF. A total of 207 physicians participated in the HEPT between February 2018 and July 2019, and 148 questionnaires were ultimately analyzed. The total PCPS-HF, PCDS-HF, and PT-HF scores were significantly improved 6 months after HEPT completion (61.1 vs 67.7, p

The benefits of artificial nutrition and hydration in patients with advanced cancer remain unknown. Therefore, we conducted a prospective study to evaluate effects of enteral nutrition (EN) and parenteral nutrition and hydration (PNH) on survival in palliative care units.This study involved a secondary analysis of a multicenter cohort study. Data of primary nutritional administration routes during the first week after admission (oral intake, enteral tube feeding, parenteral nutrition, parenteral hydration, poor oral intake) were obtained. Data of averaged calorie sufficiency rate/total calorie intake [high (75% ≤ or 750 kcal/day ≤), moderate (50-75% or 500-750 kcal/day), low (25-50% or 250-500 kcal/day), very low (25% or250 kcal/day)] were also obtained. After investigating the implementation of artificial nutrition and hydration, participants were divided into three groups according to the nutritional administration route and calorie sufficiency rate/total calorie intake: EN, PNH, and control. We conducted time-to-event analyses using the Kaplan-Meier method, log-rank test, and univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.Patients were divided into the EN group (n = 730), PNH group (n = 190), and control group (n = 533). Differences in survival rates among the three groups were significant (Log-rank P 0.001). Median survival times were 43.0 (95% CI 40-46), 33.0 (95% CI 29-37), and 15.0 (95% CI 14-16) days, respectively (P 0.001). In the multivariate-adjusted model, a significantly lower risk of mortality was observed in Cox's proportional hazard model in the EN group and PNH groups (HR 0.43 [95% CI 0.37-0.49], P 0.001; and HR 0.52 [95% CI 0.44-0.62], P 0.001, respectively) than in the control group.This study indicated the clinical benefits of EN and PNH for patients with advanced cancer. Nevertheless, managing symptoms to improve oral intake is essential before initiation of PNH, because EN was superior to PNH.

OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to examine the effectiveness of ramelteon and suvorexant for delirium prevention in real-world practice. It explored whether ramelteon and/or suvorexant would affect delirium prevention among both patients at risk for but without delirium (patients at risk) and those with delirium the night before a consultation. METHODS This multicenter, prospective, observational study was conducted by trained psychiatrists at consultation-liaison psychiatric services from October 1, 2017, to October 7, 2018. Patients who were aged 65 years or older and hospitalized because of acute diseases or elective surgery, had risk factors for delirium, and had insomnia or delirium on the night before the consultation were prescribed ramelteon and/or suvorexant. The decision to take medication was left to the discretion of each patient. The primary outcome was incidence of delirium based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition, during the first 7 days. RESULTS Among 526 patients at risk, those taking ramelteon and/or suvorexant developed delirium significantly less frequently than those who did not, after control for the effects of risk factors on the estimate of an independent association between the effects of ramelteon and/or suvorexant and the outcome of developing delirium (15.7% vs 24.0%; odds ratio [OR] = 0.48;, 95% CI, 0.29-0.80; P = .005). Similar results were found among 422 patients with delirium (39.9% vs 66.3%; OR = 0.36; 95% CI, 0.22-0.59; P < .0001). CONCLUSIONS Ramelteon and suvorexant appear to be effective for delirium prevention in real-world practice.

Mycoplasma bovis is a major bacterial pathogen that causes pneumonia, mastitis, and arthritis in cattle. In this study, we performed whole-genome sequencing of an M. bovis strain isolated in Japan for the first time and announce the complete genome sequence of strain KG4397, which caused respiratory diseases in cattle in 2012.

Collagen-related peptides, Gly-Pro-Arg and its analogues, were examined for their inhibitory effects on platelet aggregation induced by the addition of ADP. Human platelet aggregation was suppressed by more than 50% with each of Gly-Pro-Arg and such Gly-Pro-Arg-containing peptides as Gly-Pro-Arg-Gly, Gly-Pro-Arg-Gly-Pro, Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro, and Gly-Pro-Arg-Pro-Pro-Pro at a concentration of 0.3 mM. The inhibitory effects of these peptides were about 10 times higher in human PRP than in rat PRP. Other Gly-Pro-Arg analogues such as Sar-Pro-Arg, Gly-Pro-Lys, Gly-Ala-Arg, and Ala-Gly-Pro-Arg had no inhibitory effect at a concentration from 0.1 to 0.8 mM even in human PRP. Intravenous and oral administrations of Gly-Pro-Arg and enzymatic hydrolysates of collagen suppressed the decrease in platelet count for endotoxin-induced DIC in rats. Collagen itself has been regarded as a potent inducer of platelet aggregation, but these findings suggest that collagen-related peptides and enzymatic hydrolysates of collagen prevent platelet aggregation.

A new wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) imaging spectrometer equipped with a high-sensitivity imaging sensor was developed in our laboratory. In this instrument, a straight polycapillary optic was applied instead of a Soller slit as well as a 2D imaging X-ray detector instead of X-ray counters, which are used in conventional WD-XRF spectrometers. Therefore, images of elemental distribution were available after a short exposure time. Ni Kα images and Cu Kα images were clearly obtained at corresponding diffraction angles for a short exposure time of 10 s. By optimizing the spectrometer, the time required for imaging is reduced, leading to XRF image movies. It is difficult to distinguish two peaks (Ti Kα (4.508 keV) and Ba Lα (4.465 keV)) due to the poor energy resolution of EDXRS. However, Ti and Ba images could be successfully observed by the WD-XRF imaging spectrometer. The energy resolution of the developed spectrometer was 25 eV at the Ti Kα peak.

Aims The purpose of the present study was to investigate the correlation between cognitive function and clinical variables in people with schizophrenia. Methods The subjects were 61 stabilized outpatients with schizophrenia (DSM-IV). Their mean age was 40.1 (SD = 12.2) years. All subjects gave written informed consent to participate in the research. Cognitive function was evaluated using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia. Clinical symptoms were assessed using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale, the Calgary Depression Scale for Schizophrenia, and the Drug-Induced Extrapyramidal Symptoms Scale. Results The Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale Negative syndrome score was significantly correlated with verbal memory score (r = −0.37, P

Micro-X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis provides us with elemental maps that are very useful for understanding the samples under test. Usually, scanning-type elemental mapping is performed. That means a sample stage is scanned to a fixed X-ray microbeam. XRF analysis is performed at the scanned points, leading to 2D elemental mapping. One of the drawbacks of this technique is the long acquisition time depending on the area being mapped and the lateral resolution required. Thus, projection-type elemental mapping has been studied. We have studied the projection type XRF imaging by using a straight polycapillary optic combined with an X-ray CCD camera. To obtain the elemental map, we applied a wavelength dispersive spectrometer (WDS). In this paper, we report a newly developed 2D dispersive device. The construction and analytical performance of this X-ray optic will be explained.

We have developed a novel cinnamic acid-type photo-cleavable surfactant. This surfactant experiences photo-cleavage through UV-induced cyclization in aqueous solutions. The photo-cleavage not only reduces its capabilities as a surfactant but also yields two functional materials including a coumarin derivative and an aminated polyoxyethylene compound. This means that the photo-cleavable surfactant synthesized in this study is a photo-responsive function-exchangeable material. In our current study, we have characterized the photo-cleavable behavior that occurs in aqueous solutions and a resulting change in interfacial properties. The photo-cleavage induces an increased interfacial tension of a squalane/water interface and a decreased solubilization capability of the surfactant micelles.

A new wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) imaging spectrometer equipped with a two-dimensional X-ray detector was developed in the laboratory. Straight polycapillary optics was applied instead of a soller slit, which is used in conventional WD-XRF spectrometers. X-rays were guided through the straight polycapillary to the exit of the optics by X-ray external total reflections. X-ray fluorescence was dispersed by an analyzing crystal (LiF(200)), keeping the information of elemental distribution on the surface of the sample. The energy resolution of the developed spectrometer was 130-152 eV at the Zn Kα peak. X-ray elemental images of Cu Kα and Ni Kα were successfully obtained by an X-ray CCD detector at the corresponding diffraction angles. The analytical performance of this technique, and further improvements are discussed.

The processes of chemical synthetic method to prepare Mg2Ni hydrogen absorbing alloy were studied. Ni was first deposited onto Mg by stirring DMF which contained Mg particle and Ni ions. Mg2Ni was obtained by heating the Ni-deposited Mg subsequently. Here the stirring condition which was among the most important factors influencing the alloy formation was mostly studied. It seemed that there were two steps in the stirring process for the alloy formation, i.e. the Ni deposition (adsorption) onto Mg and the precursor formation. The stirring speed and temperature affected the two steps intricately and the different behaviors were observed at the stirring temperature of 40 °C from the cases at 20 °C and 80 °C. The obtained alloy samples had rather the mixture forms and exhibited the hydrogen absorption of ∼3 wt% at above 250 °C.

降圧作用を有する鶏コラーゲン加水分解物（C-COP）を健常人に摂取させ，C-COPの血中動態およびアンジオテンシン変換酵素（ACE）阻害活性との関連性について検討した．体重60kgあたり25gのC-COPをヒトに単回摂取させた場合，血中に遊離ヒドロキプロリン（Hyp）とともに，ペプチド型のHypも確認された．血中のペプチド型Hyp量は，2時間後（91.1μmol/L）に最大となった．摂取2時間後の血中からPro-Hyp, Leu-Hyp, Pro-Hyp-Gly, Phe-Hyp, Ala-Hyp, Hyp-Gly, Glu-Hyp-Gly, Ala-Hyp-Gly, Ser-Hyp-GlyのHyp含むペプチドが確認された．血中ペプチドは，ACEに対する阻害活性を有しており，Ala-Hyp（IC50 : 0.177mmol/L）の活性がもっとも高かった．以上より，C-COPの降圧作用は，血中ペプチドによるACE阻害が作用機序であると考えられた．

We have been studying small-scale, dispersed hydrogen production by water electrolysis by using renewable energy such as solar light. In order to fabricate the compact nickel oxide diaphragms used in such system, a novel method was devised where Ni deposition was applied in combination with a masking process. The method has the merits of being controllable in thickness and porous structure, making it possible to fabricate the compact diaphragms. The diaphragms were evaluated under atmospheric pressure, in 1 M KOH and 30 wt% KOH, from room temperature to 80 ∘ C , regarding the properties of diaphragm resistance, I – V characteristic of the electrolysis, gas separation ability, and durability. It was confirmed that the diaphragms fabricated by the present novel method had eligible properties in the water electrolysis.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) species with 21-25 nucleotides in length guide mRNA cleavage, translational arrest, and heterochromatin formation in RNA interference (RNAi). To delineate the target region of RNAi, a construct harboring a transcriptional fusion between parts of the target mRNA and the beta-glucuronidase gene was biolistically delivered into tobacco leaves showing an RNAi phenotype and the assay sequence was transiently expressed. The RNAi effect was monitored by amplification of this chimeric transcript. By using this assay method, we addressed the transitive RNA silencing of a tobacco endoplasmic reticulum omega-3 fatty acid desaturase gene (NtFAD3). In the NtFAD3 RNAi plants, the target region of RNAi was restricted in the inducer region corresponding to a stem sequence of the hairpin double-stranded RNA, indicating that endogenous NtFAD3 mRNA was not a template for an RNA-dependent RNA polymerase. The secondary NtFAD3 siRNAs were produced in the crossbred plants between the NtFAD3 overexpressed plant and the NtFAD3 RNAi plant. Similarly, the secondary siRNAs were generated in the systemically silenced scion. Although these secondary siRNAs originated preferentially from the 3' region downstream of the inducer region, the secondary siRNAs produced in the silenced scion (non-cell autonomous secondary siRNAs) resulted in the strong degradation of the target mRNA, but the secondary siRNAs in the crossbred plants (cell-autonomous secondary siRNAs) showed limited RNA degradation activity. These results showed that this in vivo assay for determination of RNAi efficiency is a useful tool to delineate RNAi mechanisms.

The aim of this study is to control pressure and flow rate in a circulating pipeline system to conform to various target cyclic waveforms by operating a pump at rotational speed n and valve opening θ. In a first step, the pipeline system is operated at arbitrarily selected cyclic waveforms n and θ. Then, a recurrent neural-network (RNN) computer program learns the response characteristics of the system from the input and output data. At the next step, suitable values of n and θ are obtained by using the two-dimensional steepest descent method so that the sum of root-mean-square residuals between target values and the respective outputs of the RNN is minimized. Thereby, the RNN can generate values of n and θ that can produce a pressure and flow rate that conform to the target waveforms. This method was investigated by numerical simulation of the pipeline system as a preliminary step toward applying it to a real experimental apparatus. By using the RNN which has learned the response characteristics obtained by measuring the controlled variable time-series of the system without investigating the individual characteristics of each device, it was possible to derive operating variables time-series that produced pressure and flow rate conforming to target waveforms with high accuracy.

In this study, we developed novel multifunctional raw materials, polyoxyethylene/polyoxypropylene dimethyl ether (EPDME). EPDME is a random copolymer of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide. The structure of the obtained EPDME was confirmed by Infrared (IR) absorption and NMR spectra. EPDME, which dissolves in water and oil. The compound has the following effects: [1] a high moisture-retaining effect without sticky feeling, [2] a preventing effect on dry skin, and [3] an improving effect on dry skin by daily application. It was also found that the application of EPDME in combination with glycerol resulted in a synergistic effect on the dry skin. When EPDME was formulated to lipsticks (oily bases), a high moisture-retaining effect was found. EPDME is a useful cosmetic ingredient that can give a good skin care effect in both water-based formula and oil-based formula. As the polarity of EPDME can easily be controlled, it is expected to be applicable for various cosmetics in the near future.

In this study, the effect of polyoxyethylene (POE)/polyoxypropylene (POP) dimethylethers [EPDMEs] with various molecular weights and polarities on self-organizing structures of pentaethyleneglycol dodecylether (C12E5) was investigated. The investigation on micelle formation of C12E5 in EPDME aqueous solutions showed that [1] EPDME disturbed the micelle formation of C12E5, [2] the micelle formation was also disturbed more strongly with the increase of temperature, and [3] the surface tension of solution became low in spite of the decrease of the amount of adsorption of C12E5 with the increase of the concentration of EPDME. The result of measuring the cloud points of C12E5 in EPDME solutions unveiled that the cloud points became remarkably higher at high EPDME concentration, suggesting that the rise of the cloud points in EPDME solutions might be caused by the decrease of the aggregation number of C12E5. Moreover, it was speculated that C12E5 and EPDME might aggregate partially and form mixed micelles, since the cloud points of their mixture appeared beyond 50 °C. Liquid paraffin could be solubilized at a specific temperature above the could point of C12E5 in 27wt% EPDME (17/4) aqueous solution. It was speculated that [1] a special micelle containing oil might be formed when the cohesive force of the hydrophobic groups of C12E5 increased by solubilizing liquid paraffin, [2] EPDME distributed to the hydrophilic chain of C12E5, and [3] the curvature of the interfacial film became positive. Therefore, as described in the previous study, EPDME functions as a hydrophilic co-surfactant when the concentrations of both EPDME and polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants are high, because EPDME may probably distribute on the polyoxyethylene chain of the surfactant. A microemulsion can be formed in a wide temperature range by preventing the aggregation of nonionic surfactants with the increase of temperature.

New multifunctional raw materials for cosmetics, polyoxyethylene (POE) /polyoxypropylene (POP) dimethylether [EPDME] were previously developed by the authors. The present study presents a novel emulsifying method by which ultrafine emulsions of particle size less than 100 nm can be easily prepared using EPDME. The equilibrium phase state of the water - oil - surfactant - EPDME was examinated using a phase diagram so as to clarify the underlying mechanism in the preparation of ultrafine emulsions and the results indicated the following: [1] a special microemulsion phase is formed in a region different from that of the normal microemulsion phase when oil, EPDME, surfactant and water are mixed in the proper proportions and [2] ultrafine emulsions form in a two-phase region (O + Wm) when the composite of the microemulsion phase is diluted with water. The chemical structure of EPDME is similar to that of the polyoxyethylene chain in polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants. EPDME may thus be considered a hydrophilic co-surfactant and a special microemulsion phase is formed at high EPDME and polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactant. EPDME may possibly be distributed in the polyoxyethylene chain of the polyoxyethylene surfactant. When diluting this microemulsion phase, EPDME rapidly decreases in concentration and, in free form virtually unadsorbed onto the oil - water interface may diffuse in the bulk water phase from polyoxyethylene chains in surfactants. It would then follow that an ultrafine emulsion consisting only of nonionic surfactant and oil may form in excess.

The glucose uptake activity in Babesia rodhaini and B. microti - infected red blood cell (IRBC) was investigated in mice using 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2DOG) and L-glucose (L-Glc), a non-metabolizable analogue of D-glucose and non-incorporative glucose to non-infected RBC (NRBC), respectively. The uptake activities of both DOG and L-Glc were higher in IRBCs than those in NRBC. The concentration dependent uptake of 2DOG and L-Glc in both IRBC revealed a linear curve, indicating non-transporter mediated uptake. In addition, B. microti IRBC showed higher 2DOG uptake than B. rodhaini IRBC, whereas no difference was observed in L-Glc uptake. These results indicated that some new glucose uptake system, at least two systems, developed in both IRBC. The new systems were sodium independent, non-competitive to L-Glc, and sensitive to temperature. One of two systems had no kinetical difference between B. rodhaini and B. microti IRBC, however another one might have higher uptake activity in B. microti IRBC compared to that in B. rodhaini IRBC.

A combinatorial method suitable for accelerating the development of new thin-film photocatalysts was developed. It is constituted by a high throughput evaluation of photocatalytic activity using two-dimensional pH imaging method, synthesis of thin-film libraries using laser molecular beam epitaxy (MBE) technique combined with mask system and analysis using two-dimensional fluorescence X-ray. The principle and details of the high throughput evaluation method were described. Ferric sulfate liquid film was placed on the combinatorially prepared cobalt-doped TiO2 thin-film library, and then irradiated by visible light. Photo excited electrons reduced ferric ions to ferrous ions. Positive holes oxidized water to oxygen molecules. The resulting increase of proton concentration in the liquid film was measured by two-dimensional pH imaging, indicating the strengthening of photocatalytic activity. As a demonstration of this evaluation method, a library of TiO2 films doped with cobalt was screened. Doping with cobalt at 5.4–9 atom % made TiO2 active under visible light irradiation.

To evaluate the effects of epidermal growth factor (EGF) on placental amino acids uptake, transport activities for L-proline, L-leucine, and L-alanine were kinetically examined in placental microvillous vesicles(PMV) obtained from pregnant rats administered with EGF(100 and 200 microg/kg/day) from day 18 to 21 of pregnancy. The Vmax of Na(+)-dependent proline uptake remarkably increased with a dose-dependent manner of EGF, while Km did not change. In contrast, Vmax and Km values of Na(+)-dependent and -independent alanine, and Na(+)-independent leucine uptake were not affected. These results suggested that EGF enhanced proline transport activity in placental microvillous membranes, resulting in an increase of proline concentration in the fetal blood. The selective up-regulation of proline uptake was considered to contribute to fetal growth by EGF.

Electrochemical CO 2 reduction was studied in KCl and KHCO 3 using a Au electrode prepared by sputtering. We investigated the influence of the sputtering parameters (rf power, Ar pressure during deposition, and the distance between substrate and target) and thickness on the reduction potential and products, CO and H 2 . In KCl, the reduction potential, i.e. the overvoltage, was influenced by the Ar pressure, which affects the Au surface geometrical structure/surface area, while in KHCO 3 , the potential remained almost constant, probably due to the neutralizing capacity of KHCO 3 . The other sputtering parameters did not change the CO 2 reduction behavior appreciably.

土着天敵の働きを明らかにするため,福岡県内のガーベラ施設でマメハモグリバエ成虫の発生消長を黄色粘着トラップでモニターするとともに,潜孔内のマメハモグリバエ幼虫の解剖により,死亡要因を特定し,齢別死亡率ならびに齢別寄生率を求めた.ガーベラ被害葉からはヒメコバチ科の3属6種が得られ,Neochrysocharis formosaとChrysocharia pentheusが優占種であり,Diglyphus albiscapusがこれに次いだ.定期的なサンプリング調査から,非選択的農薬が散布された慣行防除施設では土着天敵による寄生率は極めて低く,土着天敵の活動は農薬散布に大きく影響されることが明らかとなった.一方,農薬散布を数ヵ月間中断した施設では,マメハモグリバエ個体群の増加がみられたが,時間とともに土着天敵による寄生率も上昇した.また,寄生率の増加とともに,寄生以外の要因によるマメハモグリバエ幼虫の死亡率が増加する例も認められ,その原因として土着天敵による寄主体液摂取が考えられた.天敵の働きが顕著であった下広川の6月上旬では,2齢幼虫期ならびに3齢幼虫期に高い割合で死亡幼虫や被寄生幼虫が認められ,各齢期での生存率は20∼40%と低かった.以上の結果から,土着天敵による寄生ならびに寄主体液摂取がマメハモグリバエ個体群の死亡要因として大きいことが示唆された.

The electrodeposition of Ag at MoSe2 has been investigated, in situ, by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (EC-STM). The process was investigated by observing MoSe2 at fixed electrode potentials which were referenced to the onset potential in the cyclic voltammograms of Ag electrodeposition at MoSe2. When an electrode potential more negative than the onset potential was applied to MoSe2, continuous Ag bulk deposition occurred. Consistently, the scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) image showed Ag deposits which exhibit a growth mode between island and layer growth. In the STM images taken near the onset potential, a small amount of Ag, presumably with sub-monolayer level coverage, was thought to be deposited. This initial deposition occurred so as to make the MoSe2 surface smooth in the STM images. STM imaging was difficult in the electrode potential region positive of the onset potential because the applied bias voltage became small. However, the STM images acquired during Ag deposition after a...

Surface modification of MoSe2 has been accomplished in an electrochemical environment by a combined technique of scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) indentation with the following etching reaction. The artificial holes (defects), amde by STM indentation, could successfully serve as sites that initiated the electrochemical etching reaction that resulted in growth of the holes. The etching progressed in a highly anisotropic way, mainly occurring toward directions within the basal plane of the MoSe2, and predominantly leaving the step edges with equilateral triangular shapes. The etched holes had depths of a few van der Waals layers of the MoSe2, irrespective of the depths of the artificially made initial holes. The present technique could provide favorable opportunities not only for nanometer scale lithography in solution but also for fundamental studies on the mechanism of the etching processes at layered transition metal dichalcogenide materials.

The surface of a p-MoSe 2 electrode has been observed in 0.05 M HNO 3 , in situ, by electrochemical scanning tunneling microscopy (ECSTM). Randomly oriented nanometer size spots have been observed on the surface. The STM images of the p-MoSe 2 surface have been found to change with the electrode potential. That is, the nanometer size spots appeared as a dark contrast under a smaller band bending condition (0.2 V versus SCE) while the spots disappeared or further appeared as bright contrast under a larger band bending condition (0 and -0.2 V versus SCE). This is presumed to result from whether the acceptor level, within the band gap of the p-MoSe 2 , is occupied or not. In addition, it will depend on the electrode potential, which determines the amount of the band bending.

The AlPcCl films deposited on a KCl substrate at two different substrate temperatures (Ts, −120°C and 180°C) with the average film thickness of 100 nm were investigated using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and tunneling spectroscopy (TS). The films were transferred onto HOPG in order to make STM and TS measurements possible. The STM as well as the electron diffraction measurement exhibited the amorphous and crystalline structures for Ts of −120°C and 180°C, respectively. The potential region with low conductance (conductance well) in the dI/dV curve was smaller (Ts, −120°C) and larger (Ts, 180°C) when compared with the band gap value of the AlPcCl film (Ts, 180°C) which we previously evaluated from the optical absorption measurement. We estimated the band bending with the assistance of the carrier concentration obtained from the ESR measurement. It is supposed that the electronic states created within the band gap caused the vanishing of band bending change for Ts of −120°C, leading to the decrease of conductance well. On the other hand, the band bending was found to be crucial for Ts of 180°C, which possibly resulted in the widening of conductance well.

Recently, we have reported a new cinnamic acid-type photocleavable surfactant, C4-C-N-PEG9 that experiences a photocleavage through UV-induced cyclization in aqueous solution, yielding a coumarin derivative (7-butoxy-2H-chromen-2-one) and an aminated polyoxyethylene compound. Here, we have studied the effects of C4-C-N-PEG9 on the photorheological behavior of viscoelastic wormlike micelles formed by aqueous mixture of nonionic surfactants, polyoxyethylene phytosterol ether (PhyEO20) and tetraoxyethylene dodecyl ether (C12EO4). The 4.9 wt % PhyEO20/H2O + 2.4 wt % C12EO4 solution forms wormlike micelles, and its viscosity is ~10 Pa·s. We have found that the addition of C4-C-N-PEG9 into this viscous, non-Newtonian fluid system decreases the viscosity. Viscosity decreased in parallel to the C4-C-N-PEG9 concentration reaching ~0.003 Pa·s at 2.5 wt % of C4-C-N-PEG9. However, viscosity of the C4-C-N-PEG9 incorporated system increased significantly (~200 times at 1.5 wt % of C4-C-N-PEG9 system) upon UV irradiation. Small-Angle X-ray scattering studies have shown that addition of C4-C-N-PEG9 favors wormlike-to-sphere type transition in the micellar structure. However, UV irradiation in the C4-C-N-PEG9 incorporated system causes one-dimensional micellar growth. Since C4-C-N-PEG9 has relatively bigger headgroup size compared to the C12EO4, addition of C4-C-N-PEG9 into wormlike micelles reduces the critical packing parameter resulting in the formation of spherical aggregates. UV irradiation induced one-dimensional micellar growth is caused due to photocleavage of the C4-C-N-PEG9 into a less surface-active coumarin derivative and an aminated polyoxyethylene compound, as confirmed by UV-vis spectrometry and HPLC measurements. The hydrophobic coumarin derivative formed after cleavage of C4-C-N-PEG9 goes to the micellar core and is responsible for decreasing the viscosity. However, the hydrophilic aminated polyoxyethylene prefers to reside at the vicinity of headgroup of PhyEO20 reducing the interhead repulsion, increasing the critical packing parameter and the viscosity as well.

We investigated the effects of a chicken collagen hydrolysate (CCH) on the circulation system in humans. A total of 58 subjects with either mild hypertension (systolic blood pressure (SBP) of 140-159 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) 90-99 mmHg) or high-normal blood pressure (SBP 130-139 mmHg or DBP 85-89 mmHg) were assigned to two groups, one involving a placebo and the other, the test food (including CCH of 2.9 g/d). The parameters related to each subject's circulation system were monitored over the study period of 18 weeks. The Δbrachial-ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), an indicator of arterial stiffness and marker of vascular damage, was significantly lower in the test food group than in the placebo group during the treatment period. The blood pressure in the test food group was also significantly lower than that in the placebo group, while the serum nitrogen oxide was higher in the test food group after the treatment. These results suggest that CCH exerted modulatory effects on the human circulation system.

The ammonia-oxidizing chemoautotrophic bacterium Nitrosomonas europaea possesses prominant succinate-reducing activity of succinyl-Coenzyme A synthetase (SCS, EC 6.2.1.5). SCS was purified as an electrophoretically homogeneous protein from Nitrosomonas europaea strain ATCC 25978 about 275-fold, with a 3.9% activity yield. The molecular mass of the native enzyme was estimated to be about 130 kDa by gel filtration, whereas SDS-PAGE gave two protein bands with M r values of 29 (α) and 36 kDa (β). The isoelectric point of the enzyme was 5.3. The apparent K m values of the enzyme for ATP, succinate and CoA were 0.4 mM, 5 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively. The pH and temperature optima of the SCS were about 5.0 and 55°C, respectively. The SCS was stable in the pH range of 8.0–10.0 and up to 70°C. The enzyme was thermostable; 50% of the enzyme activity was retained at 90–100°C for 10 min. The SCS was activated by Mg 2+ at 1.0–100 mM, but inhibited by Cu 2+ (0.1 mM) and SDS (1.0 mM). The enzyme utilized ATP as the preferred substrate.