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Drug-induced lupus (DIL) is a drug-mediated immune reaction with the same symptoms as that of lupus erythematosus. We herein report the first case of tocilizumab-induced lupus syndrome presenting with cardiac tamponade. A 65-year-old man presented with cough, exertional dyspnea, and chest pain after 2 months of tocilizumab therapy for rheumatoid arthritis. Echocardiography revealed marked pericardial effusion. Antinuclear antibodies and anti-double-stranded deoxyribonucleic acid antibodies were positive. The diagnosis of cardiac tamponade due to tocilizumab-induced lupus syndrome was made. He had no recurrence of pericardial effusion after tocilizumab discontinuation. Clinicians should be alert for lupus syndrome in patients receiving tocilizumab.

Background Simulation-Based Education (SBE) simulates specific physiological characteristics of a patient, allowing student practice in developing clinical skills and assessment of skill competency. Literature is limited regarding SBE’s effectiveness in curriculum enrichment. This study investigated Blood Pressure (BP) measuring proficiency of second-year medical students with first-year SBE training and a second-year review, by comparing data from Simulation-Based assessments in 2017 and 2019. Methods Second-year medical students measured BP on three manikin arms, associated with distinct clinical contexts (healthy young male, young female experiencing hypotension, and older male suffering hypertension and diabetes). All manikins’ BP settings were independent of clinical context. In January 2019, 108 second-year medical students who received traditional training, as well as SBE in 2017 and Simulation-Based practice in 2018, were divided into four groups (n = 32, 24, 24, and 28), with two groups each assessed on consecutive days. The proportions of correct BP values in each of three contexts were compared between experiments in 2017 and 2019. Additionally, systolic (SBP) and diastolic (DBP) blood pressure results were stratified into three groups: lower than setting value, correct, and higher than setting vgalue, with proportions for each group compared for the 2017 and 2019 studies using Fisher’s Exact Tests. Results In Case Two and Three, the proportion of correct BP values significantly increased from 2017 (Case Two: 51%; Case Three: 55%) to 2019 (Case Two: 73%; Case Three: 75%). Additionally, proportions of students who reported lower SBP values than setting values were significantly decreased in Case One and Two, with five failing all contexts. Conclusions Second-year student BP measurement skills were improved, not only due to repeated Simulation-Based practice but advancing basic science knowledge and mastery experience in ongoing curriculum. Simulation-Based assessment provided an effective tool for evaluating skill retention and proficiency in medical training.

Objectives To explore the association between clinical contexts and accuracy of manikin blood pressure readings by first-year medical students after first Simulation-Based-Education training. Methods This cross-sectional study, in controlled simulation settings, was comprised of 121 first-year medical student participants after their first Simulation-Based-Education training. Divided into three groups (n = 39, 42 and 40), participants measured blood pressure on three simulator arms assigned different clinical contexts: healthy young male, young female with hypotension, and elderly male with hypertension and diabetes. Each group performed the same protocol on three different days. A Chi-squared test was performed for between-day and between-case differences of correct answers, and one-way ANOVA with Bonferroni post-hoc comparisons was performed for manikin-settings deviation (reported Systolic Blood Pressure (SBP) - set SBP) among cases. Results The proportion of correct answers of on Day Two was significantly lower than on the other two days (χ2(2, N = 285) = 0.34, p = .84), but roughly comparable among cases (χ2(2, N = 285) = 24.07, p < .001). The mean of the differences of (SBPreported - SBPset) of Case Two (M = -6.68, SD = 8.91) was significantly lower than Case One (M = -3.07, SD = 9.11) and Three (M = -1.63, SD = 7.76) (F (2, 274) = 8.68, p < .001). Conclusions Although no statistical associations were found between clinical contexts and student performance in blood pressure measurement, student familiarity with diseases may be associated with performance in taking blood pressure. Day Two performance underscores the need to promote student confidence in diagnostic skills.

Background: In Japan, sexual and gender minorities (SGM) remain stigmatized, provoking hospital access barriers and health disparities from judgmental care. Japan’s Western-influenced introduction of SGM course content into medical education for future physicians addresses these disparities, although often perfunctorily and inconsistently. Objective: To examine the prevalence and characteristics of medical education curriculum with respect to SGM patients, we surveyed medical schools. Methods: A medical education faculty member from each of 80 Japanese medical schools received double postcards to identify relevant SGM coursework. Upon acknowledgement, 43 schools received seven-item anonymous questionnaires in March 2018. Survey results were analyzed from the perspective of three of the qualities and abilities required of a physician – Patient Care, Knowledge for Practice, and Professionalism from Japan’s Medical Core Curriculum – to develop recommendations for outcomes-based SGM curriculum through the lens of Van Melle’s medical education framework. Results: The response rate was 46%, with 22 schools providing SGM lectures mostly to first- and third-year students. Obstetrics and Gynecology, Neuropsychiatry, and Introduction to Medicine lectures were the top three subjects offering SGM lectures, primarily consisting of basic knowledge of SGM and Differences in Sex Development. Several lectures addressed the health challenges of SGM. Primary reasons for not offering SGM lectures were lack of suitable instructors or no school policies. Conclusions: Students can best experience the humanity of SGM patients and employ more appropriate diagnostic practices and modes of treatment with targeted curriculum to address SGM health disparities and inclusion of SGM patients in clinical practice training. To disseminate SGM education in Japanese medical schools, development of qualified instructors and policies is essential, employing currently active experts. The Van Melle reforms framework can guide in the development of recommended tailored learning experiences and lectures for improved and expanded SGM education, integrating appropriate coursework within current medical core curriculum structure.

Aim Hawaii is a fast-aging, multi-ethnic state. At present, ethnic Japanese represent the largest segment of the elderly population (aged ≥65 years). Studies in Western countries have identified an association between ethnicity and the use of homecare services. The present study sought to substantiate this association in relation to the use of a personal emergency response system service by older ethnic Japanese adults in Hawaii. Methods Questionnaires were mailed to 585 elderly subscribers of a company providing personal emergency response system services in Hawaii in 2014. The questionnaire inquired about the subscriber's ethnicity, functional disability, number of medications taken and falls experienced. Additional information on the sex, age and service payer was obtained for each of the responding subscribers from the corporate database. The χ2-test and t-test were carried out to assess the associations between factors. Results A total of 244 questionnaires were analyzed (41.7% response rate; mean age of respondents 86.1 + 7.8 years). Compared with non-Japanese older adults, ethnic Japanese older adults had a higher propensity to use the personal emergency response system services, were older, used fewer prescribed medications and were more likely to have these services paid for by family members or to pay themselves. Conclusions Japanese culture might influence the use of personal emergency response system services. Ethnic Japanese older adults might want to receive homecare services focusing on preventing minor accidents from becoming medical crises because of their high level of concern for health, their independence and the availability of family support. Healthcare planners should consider such factors in the provision of care in Hawaii.

In Japan, traditional gender roles of women, especially the role of motherhood, may cause early career resignations in female physicians and a shortage of female researchers. Besides this gender issue, a general physician shortage is affecting basic science fields. Our previous study suggested that female physicians could be good candidates for the basic sciences because such work offers good work-life balance. However, the attractiveness for female physicians of working in the basic sciences, including work-life balance, is not known. In a 2012 nationwide cross-sectional questionnaire survey, female physicians holding tenured positions in the basic sciences at Japan's medical schools were asked an open-ended question about positive aspects of basic sciences that clinical medicine lacks, and we analyzed 58 respondents' comments. Qualitative analysis using the Kawakita Jiro method revealed four positive aspects: research attractiveness, priority on research productivity, a healthy work-life balance, and exemption from clinical duties. The most consistent positive aspect was research attractiveness, which was heightened by medical knowledge and clinical experience. The other aspects were double-edged swords; for example, while the priority on research productivity resulted in less gender segregation, it sometimes created tough competition, and while exemption from clinical duties contributed to a healthy work-life balance, it sometimes lowered motivation as a physician and provided unstable income. Overall, if female physicians lack an intrinsic interest in research and seek good work-life balance, they may drop out of research fields. Respecting and cultivating students' research interest is critical to alleviating the physician shortage in the basic sciences.

Background In Japan, the field of Basic Sciences encompasses clinical, academic, and translational research, as well as the teaching of medical sciences, with both an MD and PhD typically required. In this study, it was hypothesized that the characteristics of a Basic Sciences career path could offer the professional advancement and personal fulfillment that many female medical doctors would find advantageous. Moreover, encouraging interest in Basic Sciences could help stem shortages that Japan is experiencing in medical fields, as noted in the three principal contributing factors: premature resignation of female clinicians, an imbalance of female physicians engaged in research, and a shortage of medical doctors in the Basic Sciences. This study examines the professional and personal fulfillment expressed by Japanese female medical doctors who hold positions in Basic Sciences. Topics include career advancement, interest in medical research, and greater flexibility for parenting. Methods A cross-sectional questionnaire survey was distributed at all 80 medical schools in Japan, directed to 228 female medical doctors whose academic rank was assistant professor or higher in departments of Basic Sciences in 2012. Chi-square tests and the binary logistic regression model were used to investigate the impact of parenthood on career satisfaction, academic rank, salary, etc. Results The survey response rate of female physicians in Basic Sciences was 54.0%. Regardless of parental status, one in three respondents cited research interest as their rationale for entering Basic Sciences, well over twice other motivations. A majority had clinical experience, with clinical duties maintained part-time by about half of respondents and particularly parents. Only one third expressed afterthoughts about relinquishing full-time clinical practice, with physicians who were parents expressing stronger regrets. Parental status had little effect on academic rank and income within the Basic Sciences, Conclusion Scientific curiosity and a desire to improve community health are hallmarks of those choosing a challenging career in medicine. Therefore, it is unsurprising that interest in research is the primary motivation for a female medical doctor to choose a career in Basic Sciences. Additionally, as with many young professionals with families, female doctors seek balance in professional and private lives. Although many expressed afterthoughts relinquishing a full-time clinical practice, mothers generally benefited from greater job flexibility, with little significant effect on career development and income as Basic Scientists. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s12960-017-0241-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Well-defined (AB)3 type star block copolymer consisting of aromatic polyether arms as the A segment and polystyrene (PSt) arms as the B segment was prepared using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), chain-growth condensation polymerization (CGCP), and click reaction. ATRP of styrene was carried out in the presence of 2,4,6-tris(bromomethyl)mesitylene as a trifunctional initiator, and then the terminal bromines of the polymer were transformed to azide groups with NaN3. The azide groups were converted to 4-fluorobenzophenone moieties as CGCP initiator units by click reaction. However, when CGCP was attempted, a small amount of unreacted initiator units remained. Therefore, the azide-terminated PSt was then used for click reaction with alkyne-terminated aromatic polyether, obtained by CGCP with an initiator bearing an acetylene unit. Excess alkyne-terminated aromatic polyether was removed from the crude product by means of preparative high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) to yield the (AB)3 type star block copolymer (Mn = 9910, Mw/Mn = 1.10). This star block copolymer, which contains aromatic polyether segments with low solubility in the shell unit, exhibited lower solubility than A2B or AB2 type miktoarm star copolymers. In addition, the obtained star block copolymer self-assembled to form spherical aggregates in solution and plate-like structures in film. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012

The Ebbinghaus illusion is a geometric illusion based on a size-contrast between a central circle and surrounding circles. A central circle surrounded by small inducing circles is perceived as being larger than a central circle surrounded by large inducing circles. In the present study we investigated 5- to 8-month-old infants' perception of the Ebbinghaus illusion using a preferential-looking paradigm. We measured the preference between a central circle surrounded by small inducing circles (overestimated figure) and a central circle surrounded by large inducing circles (underestimated figure). Infants showed a significant preference for the overestimated figure when the central circle was flashing, but not when it was static. Furthermore, there was no preference between the two figures when the central circles were removed. These results suggest that infants' preference reflects their perception of the size illusion of the central circle. There is a possibility that 5- to 8-month-old infants perceive the Ebbinghaus illusion.

Well-defined AB2 and A2B type miktoarm star copolymers consisting of aromatic polyether arms as the A segment and polystyrene arms as the B segment were synthesized from trifunctional initiators. Atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of styrene was carried out in the presence of 3,5-bis(1-bromoethyl)-4′-fluorobenzophenone as a trifunctional initiator, and then the terminal C−Br bond of the polymer was reduced with Bu3SnH. The obtained polystyrene macroinitiators were used for aromatic polyether segment construction via chain-growth condensation polymerization (CGCP). The GPC trace showed a clear shift toward the higher-molecular-weight region with retention of low polydispersity, and no peak was detected in the lower-molecular-weight region. Accordingly, the target AB2 type miktoarm star copolymers were synthesized without step-growth polycondensation. The synthesis of A2B type miktoarm star copolymers was carried out similarly using 1-bromomethyl-3,5-bis(4-fluorobenzoyl)benzene as a trifunctional i...

Well-defined diblock condensation copolymers composed of an aromatic polyamide and an aromatic polyether have been synthesized by means of successive chain-growth condensation polymerizations. Polymerization of a polyamide monomer with an orthogonally difunctional initiator is accompanied with side reactions. On the other hand, polymerization with a monofunctional initiator afforded well-defined polyamide, which has been converted into a macroinitiator by introduction of a terminal 4-fluorobenzophenone unit. Well-defined diblock copolymers are obtained by polymerization of a polyether monomer in the presence of this macroinitiator.

Hawaii is a fast-aging, multi-ethnic state. At present, ethnic Japanese represent the largest segment of the elderly population (aged ≥65 years). Studies in Western countries have identified an association between ethnicity and the use of homecare services. The present study sought to substantiate this association in relation to the use of a personal emergency response system service by older ethnic Japanese adults in Hawaii.Questionnaires were mailed to 585 elderly subscribers of a company providing personal emergency response system services in Hawaii in 2014. The questionnaire inquired about the subscriber's ethnicity, functional disability, number of medications taken and falls experienced. Additional information on the sex, age and service payer was obtained for each of the responding subscribers from the corporate database. The χA total of 244 questionnaires were analyzed (41.7% response rate; mean age of respondents 86.1 + 7.8 years). Compared with non-Japanese older adults, ethnic Japanese older adults had a higher propensity to use the personal emergency response system services, were older, used fewer prescribed medications and were more likely to have these services paid for by family members or to pay themselves.Japanese culture might influence the use of personal emergency response system services. Ethnic Japanese older adults might want to receive homecare services focusing on preventing minor accidents from becoming medical crises because of their high level of concern for health, their independence and the availability of family support. Healthcare planners should consider such factors in the provision of care in Hawaii. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2017; 17: 1392-1398.

Objectives To investigate the difficulties Japanese female doctors face in continuing professional practice. Design A qualitative study using the Kawakita Jiro method. Setting A survey conducted in 2011 of 13 private Japanese medical school alumni associations. Participants 359 female doctors. Primary outcome measures Barriers of balancing work and gender role. Results The female doctors reported that professional practice was a struggle with long working hours due to a current shortage of doctors in Japan. There was also a severe shortage of childcare facilities in the workplace. Some women appeared to have low confidence in balancing the physician9s job and personal life, resulting in low levels of professional pursuit. There appeared to be two types of stereotypical gender roles, including one expected from society, stating that “child rearing is a woman9s job”, and the other perceived by the women themselves, that some women had a very strong desire to raise their own children. Male doctors and some female doctors who were single or older were perceived to be less enthusiastic about supporting women who worked while raising children because these coworkers feared that they would have to perform additional work as a result of the women taking long periods of leave. Conclusions Important factors identified for promoting the continuation of professional practice among female doctors in Japan were the need to improve working conditions, including cutting back on long working hours, a solution to the shortage of nurseries, a need for the introduction of educational interventions to clarify professional responsibilities, and redefinition of the gender division of labour for male and female doctors. In addition, we identified a need to modernise current employment practices by introducing temporary posts to cover maternity leave and introducing flexible working hours during specialist training, thus supporting and encouraging more women to continue their medical careers.

視能訓練士が、眼科外来で経験したヒヤリハット事例について、内容・経験年数・発生日時および発生時の業務の多忙度について調査し、発生原因に関する検討を行った。点眼と検査に関する報告が多数あった。報告の中に重大事故は無かったが、「点眼時の薬剤間違い」「患者の間違い」など、重大事故につながる可能性のあるインシデントが多かった。「点眼ミス」「診察室を間違えて案内する」等、確認不足が原因となるヒヤリハット報告は経験年数の短い者から多数あり、経験年数が長くなるにつれその割合が減少した。しかし、経験年数の長い者からも「眼鏡処方検査でのカルテ記載ミス」の報告があり、経験年数だけでなく、従事する業務内容によっても報告の内容が変化していると考えられた。ヒヤリハット報告数は、多忙時に多くなっている傾向があったが、報告時の自覚的多忙度では「多忙」よりも「普通」と答えた者が多く、報告者自身が「多忙」と感じていない、もしくは個人的な「多忙」の状態をミスの原因にしたくないという意識が働いていた可能性があり、指示系統の適切性や確認の手順など、システムエラーに関する検討が重要と考えられた。よって、ヒヤリハット事例は、「確認不足」「経験年数による業務内容の変化」「多忙」等の因子が複雑に絡み合って発生していると考えられた。

Lipid emulsions with particle sizes of 190-270 nm were prepared with soybean oil (SO) and a series of hydrogenated castor oils (HCOs) with various oxyethylene numbers, and the effect of oxyethylene numbers of HCOs on the pharmacokinetics of menatetrenone incorporated into the lipid emulsions was studied in rats. Plasma half-life of menatetrenone after administration as the lipid emulsions prepared by HCO with 10 oxyethylene units (SO/HCO10) was similar to that after the administration as SO/egg yolk phosphatides (SO/EYP), but was shorter than that as the lipid emulsions prepared by HCOs with20 oxyethylene units (SO/HCO20, SO/HCO30, SO/HCO60, SOHC and SO/HCO100). Menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCO10, SO/HCO20 and SO/HCO60 was not taken up by the blood cells in vitro, and the plasma level of menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCO10 was similar to that of triglycerides, suggesting that menatetrenone was not released from the oil particles even after entering the circulation. Menatetrenone uptake by the liver for SO/HCO10 was similar to that for SO/EYP, while those for SO/HCO20, SO/HCO30, SO/HCO60 and SO/HCO100 was less than that for SO/EYP. These findings clearly demonstrate that 20 oxyethylene units in HCOs is the minimum requirement for the prolongation of the plasma circulation time of menatetrenone incorporated in SO/HCOs.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is widely regarded as an effective treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and is usually provided on an outpatient basis. A minority of individuals need a more intensive/ inpatient service, which is particularly important for patients who cannot be managed as outpatients owing to the nature or extent of their symptoms. Inpatient treatment is generally provided by a multidisciplinary team and psychiatric nurses play a specific and prominent role as they are afforded a unique assessment and intervention opportunity by virtue of their 24-hour presence on the unit. However, there are few facilities, reports of multidisciplinary approaches, or descriptions of the role of nursing staff as cotherapists for CBT-oriented treatment of inpatients with OCD. The present paper therefore reports the developed nursing guidelines for inpatients with OCD in line with the progress of CBT at Chiba University Hospital in the context of Japan being a country in which CBT is under development. In addition, availability of the guidelines, better means of managing severe OCD and key issues for dissemination of CBT in Japan are discussed.

The number of physicians engaged in basic sciences and teaching is sharply decreasing in Japan. To alleviate this shortage, central government has increased the quota of medical students entering the field. This study investigated medical students' interest in basic sciences in efforts to recruit talent. A questionnaire distributed to 501 medical students in years 2 to 6 of Juntendo University School of Medicine inquired about sex, grade, interest in basic sciences, interest in research, career path as a basic science physician, faculties' efforts to encourage students to conduct research, increases in the number of lectures, and practical training sessions on research. Associations between interest in basic sciences and other variables were examined using χ(2) tests. From among the 269 medical students (171 female) who returned the questionnaire (response rate 53.7%), 24.5% of respondents were interested in basic sciences and half of them considered basic sciences as their future career. Obstacles to this career were their original aim to become a clinician and concerns about salary. Medical students who were likely to be interested in basic sciences were fifth- and sixth-year students, were interested in research, considered basic sciences as their future career, considered faculties were making efforts to encourage medical students to conduct research, and wanted more research-related lectures. Improving physicians' salaries in basic sciences is important for securing talent. Moreover, offering continuous opportunities for medical students to experience research and encouraging advanced-year students during and after bedside learning to engage in basic sciences are important for recruiting talent.

The number of physicians engaged in basic science and teaching is sharply decreasing in Japan. To alleviate this shortage, central government has increased the quota of medical students entering the field. This study aimed to determine the characteristics of physicians who are engaged in basic science in efforts to recruit talent. A questionnaire was distributed to all 30 physicians in the basic science departments of Juntendo University School of Medicine. Question items inquired about sex, years since graduation, years between graduation and time entering basic science, clinical experience, recommending the career to medical students, expected obstacles to students entering basic science, efforts to inspire students in research, increased number of lectures and practical training sessions on research, and career choice satisfaction. Correlations between the variables were examined using χ(2) tests. Overall, 26 physicians, including 7 female physicians, returned the questionnaire (response rate 86.7%). Most physicians were satisfied with their career choice. Medical students were deemed not to choose basic science as their future career, because they aimed to become clinicians and because they were concerned about salary. Women physicians in basic science departments were younger than men. Women physicians also considered themselves to make more efforts in inspiring medical students to be interested in research. Moreover, physicians who became basic scientists earlier in their career wanted more research-related lectures in medical education. Improving physicians' salaries in basic science is important to securing talent. In addition, basic science may be a good career path for women physicians to follow.

Despite recent increases in the number of female physicians graduating in Japan, their premature resignations after childbirth are contributing to the acute shortage of physicians. Previous Japanese studies have explored supportive measures in the workplace, but have rarely focused on the specific problems or concerns of physician-mothers. Therefore, this study explored the challenges facing Japanese physician-mothers in efforts to identify solutions for their retention. Open-ended questionnaires were mailed to 646 alumnae of Juntendo University School of Medicine. We asked subjects to describe their opinions about 'The challenges related to female physicians' resignations'. Comments gathered from alumnae who graduated between 6 and 30 years ago and have children were analyzed qualitatively. Overall, 249 physicians returned the questionnaire (response rate 38.5%), and 73 alumnae with children who graduated in the stated time period provided comments. The challenges facing physician-mothers mainly consisted of factors associated with Japanese society, family responsibilities, and work environment. Japanese society epitomized by traditional gender roles heightened stress related to family responsibilities and promoted gender discrimination at work environment. Additionally, changing Japanese society positively influenced working atmosphere and husband's support. Moreover, the introduction of educational curriculums that alleviated traditional gender role was proposed for pre- and post- medical students. Traditional gender roles encourage discrimination by male physicians or work-family conflicts. The problems facing female physicians involve more than just family responsibilities: diminishing the notion of gender role is key to helping retain them in the workforce.

DNA damage was monitored by fluorescent microscopy observations of DNA fluorescent images after hydrodynamic stretching on a microscope glass. DNA double-strand breaks lead to a decrease of the average length of observed fluorescent DNA molecules. Compared to conventional methods such as electrophoresis, the proposed method allows for the analysis of the DNA damage at very low DNA breaking frequency. In particular, this method was used to study DNA damage by weak UV irradiation in solutions of quantum dots.

Semiconductors nanoparticles (quantum dots) possess outstanding optical properties compared to conventional organic fluorescent dyes. At present, quantum dots are widely used for observation of cells and tissues, labeling short oligonucleotide sequences for detection of oligonucleotide hybridization, and other biological purposes. On the other hand, labeling of long polyelectrolytes including genome DNAs with quantum dots has not been examined yet. In this report we present results of our investigation on long DNA molecules and long synthetic polyelectrolyte (sodium polysterenesulfonate) labeling by commercially available quantum dots (Qdotsreg, Invitrogen, USA) as a first protocol for quantum dot based single molecule observation of long polymer chains. We optimized experimental conditions for observation of single-molecule DNA and sodium polystyrene sulfonate chain performed comparative analysis of the possibility to use Qdots for tracking DNA and polyelectrolyte conformational transitions such as "coil-globule" transition.

Well-defined diblock condensation copolymers composed of an aromatic polyamide and an aromatic polyether have been synthesized by means of successive chain-growth condensation polymerizations. Polymerization of a polyamide monomer with an orthogonally difunctional initiator is accompanied with side reactions. On the other hand, polymerization with a monofunctional initiator afforded well-defined polyamide, which has been converted into a macroinitiator by introduction of a terminal 4-fluorobenzophenone unit. Well-defined diblock copolymers are obtained by polymerization of a polyether monomer in the presence of this macroinitiator.

Most developmental studies consistently show that sensitivity to purely pictorial cues to perceptual organizationemerges around 6–7 months of age (e.g. B. I. Bertenthal, J. J. Campos, & M. M. Haith, 1980). Here, we showevidence for an early emergence of visual completion using purely static two-dimensional pictorial information. Byusing preferential looking technique, we examined whether 3–4 and 5–6 month-olds perceive illusory transparentsurface which is induced by a newly developed mixed polarity Kanizsa configuration. Our results suggest that 3–4 and5–6 month-olds discriminate and prefer the transparent Kanizsa configuration both from its rotated counterpart, andfrom the non-transparent Kanizsa configuration. Our stimuli and experimental manipulation exclude the possibility thatthese responses were based on the geometrical properties of the figure or the local contrast difference between thefigures. Our finding suggests the sensitivity for surface segmentation based solely on two-dimensional cues in both 3–4and 5–6 month olds.Keywords: visual completion, illusory contours, transparency, neon spreading, infant, developmentCitation: Otsuka, Y., Yamazaki, Y., Konishi, Y., Kanazawa, S., Yamaguchi, M. K., & Spehar, B. (2008). The perception ofillusory transparent surfaces in infancy: Early emergence of sensitivity to static pictorial cues. Journal of Vision, 8(16):6, 1–12, http://journalofvision.org/8/16/6/, doi:10.1167/8.16.6.

Mitiglinide is novel class of rapid-acting insulin secretagogues, which have been widely used alone or in combination with other oral hypoglycemic drugs to improve postprandial hyperglycemia in early type 2 diabetes. While mitiglinide enhances postprandial requirement of insulin, the efficacy of mitiglinide combined with insulin has yet to be established. We investigated the efficacy of mitiglinide combined with insulin glargine, the first soluble insulin analog that has a flat and prolonged effect. After control with the intensive regimen (daily aspart insulin and glargine), 30 inpatients with type 2 diabetes were switched to premeal mitiglinide combined with once daily insulin glargine (mitiglinide regimen), and daily profiles of blood glucose level were compared under each regimen. Fifteen patients showed similar control of hyperglycemia with mitiglinide regimen and intensive insulin regimen, assessed by M value (32), while the remaining 15 showed worsening under the mitiglinide regimen. The patients who were well controlled with mitiglinide regimen were significantly younger (51.9 +/- 16.0 years, p0.005) and heavier (body mass index: 25.7 +/- 3.3 kg/m(2), p0.05) than those who were not (67.9 +/- 8.7 and 23.0 +/- 3.1, respectively). Moreover, insulin doses of aspart per body weight were significantly fewer in effective group than in ineffective group. Duration of diabetes was shorter in the effective group, albeit insignificantly. Previous treatment before starting intensive insulin regimen, such as insulin and sulfonylurea, was not different between the two groups. Our results suggest that mitiglinide plus insulin glargine combination therapy is useful for lowering both fasting and postprandial hyperglycemia in a subpopulation of type 2 diabetes. The long-term effects of such treatment need to be established in future studies.

The homeodomain-containing protein Hex acts as an activator as well as a repressor of transcription in animals. While its repression domain has been mapped to the amino-terminal region, the activation domain has never been identified. Here, we show that the homeodomain and the acidic carboxyl-terminal region are necessary for full activation of the sodium-dependent bile acid cotransporter gene promoter in a cell type-independent manner, suggesting that the carboxyl-terminal region comprising residues 197 to 271 functions as the activation domain. In addition, we observed that a Hex mutant without this activation domain acts as a dominant-negative mutant as to the transactivating function of Hex.

Previously, we prepared lipid emulsions with soybean oil (SO; 20%) as oil phase and hydrogenated castor oils (HCOs; 2.4%) as emulsifiers (SO(20)/HCOs(2.4)), and found that the lipid emulsions prepared with HCO of 10 oxyethylene units (SO(20)/HCO10(2.4)) were quickly cleared from the plasma, while those prepared with HCO of 20 oxyethylene units (SO(20)/HCO20(2.4)) showed prolonged plasma circulation of the incorporated drug (Ueda et al., 2003). In the present study, the pharmacokinetics of menatetrenone incorporated into SO/HCO10s and SO/HCO20s of different particle sizes (100-280 nm), obtained by altering the SO contents, were examined in rats. The plasma half-lives of menatetrenone as SO/HCO10s were similar to each other, irrespective of particle size, even though the liver uptake of menatetrenone as SO(2.5)/HCO10(2.4) was larger than that as SO(20)/HCO10(2.4). The menatetrenone half-lives were also similar to each other for SO/HCO20s. The pretreatment with dextran sulfate 500,000 (DS500), a suppressor of the reticuloendothelial system (RES), increased the plasma concentration and inhibited the liver uptake of menatetrenone as SO/HCO10s, but not for those as SO/HCO20s. These findings indicated that the particle sizes did not affect the minimum oxyethylene units within HCOs for the prolonged plasma circulation of menatetrenone as SO/HCOs, which was 20.

Fluorescent microscopy observation of gene-size DNA (T4 phage DNA or λ phage DNA) was used to assess DNA damage induced by UV irradiation in the presence of nanomaterials, such as QDs (quantum dots: CdSe/ZnS semiconductor nanoparticles), the water-soluble fullerene derivative C(60)(OH)(n) (n = 6-12) and titanium oxide nanoparticles of 25 nm in diameter. The magnitude of DNA damage could be simply evaluated based on the degree of shortening of the stretched DNA image. This method showed that DNA damage was amplified by the action of QDs under irradiation by C-band (λ(max) = 254 nm) or B-band (λ(max) = 303 nm) UV. Smaller QDs that emitted higher-energy fluorescence (λ = 565 nm) induced more severe damage than medium- and larger-size QDs that emitted longer-wavelength fluorescence (λ = 605 and 705 nm, respectively). The fullerene derivative and TiO(2) nanoparticles caused DNA damage even under irradiation by A-band UV (λ(max) = 365 nm) and showed more severe DNA damage than QDs under similar conditions.

Novel dinuclear manganese(III) complex with a new dodecadentate ligand, 1,4,8,11-tetrakis(2-5-chlorosalicylideneaminoethyl)-1,4,8,11-tetraazacyclotetradecane (H4L), [Mn2(L)(CH3COO)2]·2CHCl3 has been synthesized and characterized by X-ray crystallography.