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Objective To evaluate voiding behavior characteristics in intact and sham mice, and to examine whether intact mice show changes in "normal" micturition with aging. Methods A total of 72 8-week-old mice were divided into two groups - intact and sham - and the latter group was subjected to a sham of partial bladder outlet obstruction surgery. Urination frequency was evaluated (through metabolic cages) at 1, 2, 3, 6 and 12 months after the surgery (or at the equivalent time points for the intact mice). To address possible mechanisms for aging and surgical effects on urinary behavior, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were carried out. Primary data were evaluated using scatter plots and descriptive statistics. Results In sham mice, urination frequency showed strong variation at the earlier post-surgical time points (especially at 1 month), with variation decreasing with time. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction showed that the serotonin 2C receptor-encoding mRNA accumulated to >28-fold higher levels at 24 months compared with 3 months in intact mice. A major limitation of the quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction experiments was that we did not separate whole bladder into muscle and mucosa. Conclusions Although a sham operation is typically used in partial bladder outlet obstruction experiments to provide control animals, the sham group might itself show increased variation in micturition frequency at early times after surgery, compared with intact animals.

Objective To investigate the effect of chronic administration of an alpha-1 blocker on micturition patterns in long-term partial bladder outlet obstruction. Methods Mice were divided into three groups: a normal group, in which animals were fed a standard diet; a partial bladder outlet obstruction group, in which the proximal urethra was tied and animals were fed a standard diet; and a partial bladder outlet obstruction + naftopidil group, in which the proximal urethra was tied and animals were fed a standard diet containing naftopidil. Micturition behavior was evaluated in all groups for 6 months after partial bladder outlet obstruction surgery. The parameters evaluated included voided volume, time per void, urination frequency and total urine volume. Quantitative assessment of gene expression was also carried out. Results Total urine volume, as well as total and average voided volume during night, was significantly decreased in partial bladder outlet obstruction + naftopidil mice compared with partial bladder outlet obstruction animals. The levels of transcripts encoding 5-hydroxytryptamine 2A and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 were significantly decreased in the partial bladder outlet obstruction + naftopidil group compared with the partial bladder outlet obstruction group. Conclusions Long-term administration of an alpha-1 blocker seems to reverse the disturbance of the micturition pattern caused by partial bladder outlet obstruction. Mechanistically, this effect might be mediated by changes in the expression of a serotonin receptor and/or in the activity of the fibrogenesis pathway.

The circadian clock programs daily rhythms and coordinates multiple behavioural processes, including micturition. Partial bladder outlet obstruction (pBOO) in mice produces hyperactive voiding. However, long-term effects of pBOO on bladder function have not been clarified. In this study, we investigated micturition under conditions of impaired circadian bladder function by inducing long-term pBOO by tying the proximal urethra. Micturition behavior was evaluated at 1, 3, 6 and 12 months after surgery. We used automated voided stain on paper method for a precise micturition recording for mice. And quantitative assessment of gene expression was performed at 24 months after pBOO surgery using qRT-PCR procedure. The micturition frequencies in the pBOO group were significantly decreased at 3, 6, and 12 months compared to those at 1 month after operation in the same group (p

Because treatment for postsurgical pain (PSP) remains a major unmet medical need, the emergence of safe and innovative nonopioid drugs has been strongly coveted. Tetrahydrobiopterin (BH4) is an interesting molecule for gaining a better understanding the pathological mechanism of neuropathic pain. However, whether BH4 and its pathway are involved in the pathogenesis of PSP remains unclear. In this study, we found that early in a rat paw incision model, the gene expression of GTP cyclohydrolase 1 (GTPCH) and sepiapterin reductase (SPR), BH4-producing enzymes in the de novo pathway, were significantly increased in incised compared with naive paw skin. Although a significant increase in GTPCH protein levels was observed in incised paw skin until only 1 day after incision, a significant increase in BH4 levels was observed until 7 days after incision. In vivo, Spr-knockout mice showed an antinociceptive phenotype in the hind paw incision compared with the wild-type and Spr heterozygote groups. Furthermore, QM385, the SPR inhibitor, showed a significant dose-dependent, antinociceptive effect, which was supported by a reduction in BH4 levels in incised skin tissues, with no apparent adverse effects. Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that macrophages expressing GTPCH protein were increased around the injury site in the rat paw incision model. These results indicate that BH4 is involved in the pathogenesis of PSP, and that inhibition of the BH4 pathway could provide a new strategy for the treatment of acute PSP.

Estrogens play undisputedly important physiological roles, but lifetime exposure to estrogens has also been linked to the development of breast cancer. Moreover, imbalanced estrogen levels have been associated with various symptoms such as osteoporosis and menopausal disorders. For the improvement of such estrogen imbalances, estrogenic reagents with regulatory properties have shown promising potential. Herein, we report the construction of a 12-arylbenzoacridine library via a diversity-oriented strategy that furnished non-toxic estrogenic and anti-estrogenic agents. Derivatives with a hydroxy group at the molecular edge exhibit potent binding affinity to the estrogen receptor α (ERα) and ERβ (IC50 < μM), while binding to the estrogen-related receptor γ (ERRγ), i.e., an orphan nuclear receptor on which estrogens often trigger unfavorable events, was not observed. These findings offer valuable insights into 12-arylbenzoacridines as a novel platform for the development of selective estrogen-receptor modulators (SERMs).

The features in the synthesis of title compound (X) are higher reproducibility, more facile handling without needs of setting dry and inert conditions, easy purification of (X) by recrystallization, and much better scalability.

This paper proposes a new simple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control scheme for a PV system without using conventional “mountain climbing” optimum operating point searching technique. Although no information is needed on PV array, the generated output power is maximized by utilizing limit cycle phenomena occurring on the equilibrium/nonequilibrium boundary of system power flow. A parameter design procedure to determine operating period based on a theoretical model is presented. It has been found that the operating period of limit cycle is kept constant depending on the circuit and control parameters irrespective of the insolation conditions of PV array. Availability of the proposed new MPPT control scheme has been shown by simulation and experimental results. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 143(2): 67–75, 2003; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.10134

This paper proposes a new simple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control scheme for a PV system without using conventional “mountain climbing” optimum operating point searching technique. Although no information is needed on PV array, the generated output power is maximized by utilizing limit cycle phenomena occurring on equilibrium/non-equilibrium boundary of system power flow. A parameter design procedure to determine operating period based on a theoretical model is presented. It has turned out that the operating period of limit cycle is kept constant depending on the circuit and control parameters irrespective of the insolation conditions of PV array, Availability of the proposed new MPPT control scheme has been shown by simulation and experimental results.

In the previous study, we identified genes that were differentially expressed between monolayers and spheroids in prostate cancer cell lines. The KIF22 gene was extracted as one of candidate genes related with spheroid formation and multicellular resistance. KIF22 is one of the kinesin superfamily proteins that are microtubule-dependent molecular motor proteins with DNA-binding capacity. KIF22 plays an important role in eukaryotic cell mitosis and macromolecule transportation. Alteration of KIF22 expression and function may lead to cancer development and progression. In this study, we explored the function of the KIF22 in prostate cancer cell lines, DU145 and LNCaP using the KIF22 siRNA. The KIF22 mRNA levels in LNCaP and DU-145 monolayers were detected, and time-dependently increased in both spheroids. The inhibition of KIF22 mRNA using siRNA affected cell proliferation in DU145 and LNCaP spheroids as well as monolayers. In addition, this suppression caused G2/M arrest and apoptosis in both cell lines. In clinical samples, its mRNA expression was significantly higher in tumor portions than in non-cancerous portions. However, the inhibition of KIF22 mRNA did not affect cell migration and invasion in DU145 and LNCaP cells. These findings suggest that KIF22 may play an important role in prostate cancer proliferation, especially spheroid formation, and have the potential to be targeted for prostate cancer treatments such as combination therapy with docetaxel. Citation Format: Rina Sakamaki, Shungo Saito, Tatsuya Kitano, Tadashi Nittami, Jieun Seo, Akimitsu Takagi, Hitoshi Ishiguro, Hiroji Uemura, Masatoshi Watanabe. Functional analysis of the KIF22 in human prostate cancer cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 3473. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-3473

Since maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control is useful to realize an efficient PV system, many papers on MPPT scheme have been proposed. In most cases, they basically depend on so-called mountain climbing method which depends on the information of output power of PV array. Authors previously proposed a new MPPT control scheme for PV system connected in parallel with the ac system line. The system also depends on mountain climbing method. However, it needs no sensors or calculation for PV array power detection, and utilizes an interior control signal of dc link voltage control loop itself. For this reason, system response and stability greatly depend on the main circuit and control system parameters. This paper shows system design to ensure well-damped stable operation and fast response based on system analysis. Response of the experimental system has been proved fast enough for practical use.

The features in the synthesis of title compound (X) are higher reproducibility, more facile handling without needs of setting dry and inert conditions, easy purification of (X) by recrystallization, and much better scalability.

A new circuit topology, Multi-DC Tap, in which several switching devices with anti-parallel diodes are connected in series to enable several arbitrary DC terminal voltages from a common DC link, is proposed. The control switching pattern for the Multi-DC Tap is investigated based on the direction of each terminal current and its buck/boost operation conditions. As a result, a simple strategy for switching pattern generation which doesn't depend on the current direction in each terminal is proposed. Several application examples including a battery-charger and a single phase PWM converter with DC active filter function have been shown.

The objective of this paper is to develop a power converter module that charges a battery with solar power, and the design technique at the product level is introduced to realize a compact size and light weight. The main circuit is a buck-boost chopper so that it can cover wide range of charging voltage. The MPPT control is realized by a very simple algorithm of Limit-Cycle MPPT (LCMPPT) proposed by authors previously. All control functions are implemented in digital algorithm and a HITACHI H8 microprocessor is used for the control. In addition to the battery, a load can be directly connected also, which is automatically disconnected in the case of detecting a low voltage condition of the battery. RS-232C port is also available for observing the internal variables such as input/output voltages and currents through a PC. An example of obtained test results showing the relations of output power versus input/output voltages and efficiency are given. The efficiency is about 70-72% in a wide range of output power.

This paper proposes a new switching pattern generating algorithm based on SVM (space vector modulation) technique for a high-frequency link soft-switching converter. Because of its totally soft-switched operation, isolated output stage and bidirectional power flow, the proposed converter system is suited for interfacing a new energy system, such as a PV (photovoltaic) system having a battery, with AC system line. The restriction of output vector transition in applying SVM technique is discussed first. Then, a suitable pattern which satisfies soft-switching operation is proposed. The validity of the proposed scheme has been proved with simulation study using PSIM and experimental results with DSP based prototype system.

This paper proposes a new simple MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control scheme for A PV (photovoltaic) array based on the principle of power equilibrium at the DC link. In contrast to the typical conventional MPPT scheme based on the so-called mountain climbing method, the proposed scheme needs no detection or calculation of the power and no decision making logic or look up tables, except for several numbers of operational amplifiers. Its operation principle is explained quantitatively. In order to confirm the availability of the scheme, a simulation study using general purpose circuit simulation software PSIM and an experiment have been carried out. Although the stability study and system design are left for future study, the validity of the proposed new MPPT method has been clarified through the simulation and experimental results.

A new method is proposed in order to compute dynamic behaviours of a liquid free surface. The method is based on a discrete singularity method, and enables us to simulate sloshing problems very easily and efficiently. The authors consider the free surface in a two-dimensional rectangular container that is vibrated vertically. It was found that there is the optimum clearance of singularity from a boundary, which makes surface error minimum. Furthermore, the authors conducted some experiments, and have observed three sloshing modes, and their stability regions. Then, we confirm that for the method is effective for 2D-sloshing problems.Copyright © 2003 by ASME

The authors previously proposed a new MPPT (maximum power point tracking) control scheme for PV (photovoltaic) power systems connected in parallel with the AC system line. It is characterised by utilizing power balance at the DC link under steady state conditions, hence eliminating the array output power detection and achieving power sensorless operation. However, the system response and stability greatly depend on its main circuit and control system parameters. This paper shows a system design to ensure stability and response based on system transfer functions. Response of the experimental system has been proved fast enough for practical use. Full-daytime testing data show the successful tracking results of the system.

The authors previously proposed a new maximum power point tracking strategy based on limit cycle phenomena (LCMPPT) for a grid connected PV system with dc linked two power conversion stages. This paper enhances its principle for the systems with single power conversion stage such like a battery charging system. Since, it needs only one current sensor, it is cost effective being easy to implement by using a low cost PIC microprocessors. Experimental results in proto-type system have been shown to prove its validity and usefulness.

This paper proposes a new simple maximum power point tracking (MPPT) control scheme for a PV system without using conventional “mountain climbing” optimum operating point searching technique. Although no information of voltage and current is needed on PV array side, the generated output power on ac system side can be automatically maximized by utilizing limit cycle phenomena occurring on equilibrium/non-equilibrium boundary of system power flow. After explaining the operating principle of proposed scheme, it is applied to a common “boost chopper/3-phase inverter” interface power converter system. The experimental results show an availability of the new control scheme.