Search

Background: Slow-motion training, an exercise marked by extremely slow movements, yields a training effect like that of a highly intense training, even when the applied load is small. This study evaluated the effects of low-intensity bodyweight training with slow movement on motor function in frail, elderly patients. Methods: Ninety-seven elderly men and women aged 65 years or older, whose level of nursing care was classified as either support required (1 and 2) or long-term care required (care level 1 and 2), volunteered to participate. Two facilities were used. Participants in the first facility used low-intensity bodyweight training with slow movement (the LST group, n = 65), and participants in another facility used machine training (the control group, n = 31). Exercises were conducted for 3 months, once or twice a week, depending on the required level of nursing care. Changes in motor function were examined. Results: Post-exercise measurements showed significant improvements from the pre-exercise levels after 3 months, based on the results of the Timed Up and Go test (p = 0.0263) and chair-stand test (p = 0.0016) in the low-intensity exercise with slow movement and tonic force generation (LST) group. Although the ability to stand on one leg with eyes open tended to improve, no significant change was found (p = 0.0964). Conclusions: We confirmed that carrying out LST bodyweight training for 3 months led to improvements in ambulatory function and lower-limb muscle strength. In this way, it is possible that LST training performed by holding a bar or by staying seated on a chair contributes to improved motor function in elderly patients within a short time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is no doubt that wavelength-division multiplexing will continuously play an important role in future space-division multiplexing (SDM) capable optical networks. In this paper, we propose a unified architecture for integrated wavelength selective switches (WSSs) that can be applied to various types of SDM fibers and recon-figurable optical add/drop multiplexer switching types. A recently reported planar lightwave circuit (PLC)-based spatial beam transformer (SBT) array is anticipated to be used as a key enabler for the architecture to integrate multiple WSSs on a single liquid crystal on silicon beam steering device. The architecture enables individual switching and power adjustment functionality of an SDM-WSS that supports an uncoupled single-mode multicore fiber (SM-MCF) in an economical manner. The same architecture provides fractional joint wavelength switching functionality in an SDM-WSS for a few-mode MCF (FM-MCF) and a grouped-coupled-core MCF (GCC-MCF) as well as joint wavelength switching in an SDM-WSS for multiple few-mode fibers with almost no additional hardware complexity. Preliminary scalability evaluation shows that a 1 χ 24 individual switching SDM-WSS for a single-mode eight-core uncoupled MCF or a 1 χ 7 fractional joint wavelength switching SDM-WSS for a three-mode eight-core FM-MCF or a three-coupled-core χ eight-group GCC-MCF is feasible using the SBT array design reported in the literature. The evaluation also shows that compared to the traditional approach based on conventional WSSs, the proposed architecture is anticipated to reduce the hardware footprint requirement by parallelism factor mC, where m and C indicate the number of modes per core and the number of cores per fiber, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Application of microbial enzymes for paper deinking is getting tremendous attention due to the rapidly increasing of waste paper every year. This study reports the deinking efficiency of laser-printed paper by the lignocellulolytic enzyme from Penicillium rolfsii c3-2(1) IBRL strain compared to other enzyme sources as well as commercial available enzymes. High enzymatic deinking efficiency of approximately 82 % on laser-printed paper was obtained by pulp treatment with crude enzyme from P. rolfsii c3-2(1) IBRL. However, this crude enzyme was found to reduce the paper strength properties of the pulp based on the results of tensile, tear and burst indices, most probably due to the cellulose degradation. This was further proven by the low viscosity of paper pulp obtained after enzymatic treatment and increasing of sugar production during the treatment. Balancing to this detrimental effect on paper pulp, high deinking efficiency was achieved within a short period of time, in which the enzymatic treatment was conducted for 30 min that enabled contribution to higher brightness index obtained, thus promoting savings of time and energy consumption, therefore environmental sustainability. Extensive research should be conducted to understand the nature and mechanism of enzymatic deinking process by the crude enzyme from P. rolfsii c3-2(1) IBRL in order to improve paper strength properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose an adaptive point-spread spherical wave synthesis method based on the point-source hologram technique for fast hologram pattern generation. The calculation time of the hologram generation is reduced by decreasing the number of reconstructed point sources composing an object. A larger point source is reconstructed in the area where an object can be partially expressed by low resolution. The point-spread is adjusted corresponding to the spatial frequency of an object. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed by a computer simulation using two-dimensional images. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

This study characterizes crude enzymes derived fromPenicillium rolfsiic3-2(1) IBRL, a mesophilic fungus isolated from the local soil of Malaysia. Prior to enzyme activity evaluation,P. rolfsiic3-2(1) IBRL was inoculated into a broth medium containing oil-palm trunk residues for the preparation of crude enzymes. Oil-palm trunk residues were optimally hydrolysed at pH5.0 and 50°C.P. rolfsiic3-2(1) IBRL-derived crude enzymes displayed higher thermal stability compared with the commercial enzymes, Celluclast 1.5 L and Acellerase 1500. Moreover, the hydrolysing activities of theP. rolfsiic3-2(1) IBRL-derived crude enzymes (xylan, arabinan, and laminarin) were superior compared to that of Celluclast 1.5 L and Acellerase 1500, and exhibit 2- to 3-fold and 3- to 4-fold higher oil-palm trunk residues-hydrolysing specific activity, respectively. This higher hydrolysis efficiency may be attributed to the weak ‘lignin-binding’ ability of theP. rolfsiic3-2(1) IBRL-derived enzymes compared to the commercial enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A speckle reduction method based on a spherical waves synthesis with low-coherence digital holography for hologram generation is proposed. An object information is experimentally obtained from a number of recorded low-coherence digital holograms. A hologram is generated by synthesizing the fields of spherical waves with the obtained information. The performance of the proposed method as hologram generation from a distribution contained spike noises like speckles is confirmed. The image quality is evaluated by the speckle contrast of the reconstructed image. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Utilization of cheap renewable carbon feedstock for polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) production not only brings down its production cost but also ensures sustainability. The scope of this study was to evaluate the potential of sap extracted from felled oil palm trunk (OPT) as a novel inexpensive renewable carbon source for PHA production. OPT sap was found to be nutritionally rich and contained various fermentable sugars (5.5% w/v) as its major constituent. Termite gut isolate, Bacillus megaterium MC1 grew profoundly in mineral medium with OPT sap as carbon source and a cell density of 10.9 g/L was attained after 16 h of cultivation in shake flask cultures. A maximum poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] content (% cell dry weight; CDW) of 30 wt% and a P(3HB) concentration of 3.28 g/L was recorded. Additionally, OPT sap extracted from younger tree trunks with prolonged storage had higher sugar content (10.8% w/v) and, when used as a growth medium without the addition of any nutrients, supported bacterial growth comparable to commercially available media. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The anaerobic thermophilic bacterium, Clostridium thermocellum, is a potent cellulolytic microorganism that produces large extracellular multienzyme complexes called cellulosomes. To isolate C. thermocellum organisms that possess effective cellulose-degrading ability, new thermophilic cellulolytic strains were screened from more than 800 samples obtained mainly from agriculture residues in Thailand using microcrystalline cellulose as a carbon source. A new strain, C. thermocellum S14, having high cellulose-degrading ability was isolated from bagasse paper sludge. Cellulosomes prepared from S14 demonstrated faster degradation of microcrystalline cellulose, and 3.4- and 5.6-fold greater Avicelase activity than those from C. thermocellum ATCC27405 and JW20 (ATCC31449), respectively. Scanning electron microscopic analysis showed that S14 had unique cell surface features with few protuberances in contrast to the type strains. In addition, the cellulosome of S14 was resistant to inhibition by cellobiose that is a major end product of cellulose hydrolysis. Saccharification tests conducted using rice straw soaked with sodium hydroxide indicated the cellulosome of S14 released approximately 1.5-fold more total sugars compared to that of ATCC27405. This newly isolated S14 strain has the potential as an enzyme resource for effective lignocellulose degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

INTRODUCTION: The number of patients with both hypertension and obesity has been increasing in Japan. Many of these patients may also have insulin resistance. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), selectively activates peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, and this effect is considered to markedly improve insulin resistance in obese patients with hypertension. We compared the antihypertensive and insulin resistance-improving effects of telmisartan with those of candesartan and valsartan in this patient population. METHODS: Twenty-eight elderly patients with an average body mass index (BMI) of 27.1 kg/m(2) were enrolled in this 6-month study. Patients were randomly selected to either switch from candesartan or valsartan to telmisartan or to continue with their current ARB. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and after switching, and the effect of telmisartan on the insulin response to glucose loading was investigated. RESULTS: There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups after drug administration, but glucose tolerance significantly improved in the telmisartan group. The hyperinsulin response to glucose loading also significantly improved in those taking telmisartan, as well as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). These changes were not observed in the control group. CONCLUSION: In patients with hypertension and obesity showing insulin resistance, treatment with telmisartan significantly improved the hyperinsulin response to glucose loading. Telmisartan may therefore be beneficial in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The number of patients with both hypertension and obesity has been increasing in Japan. Many of these patients may also have insulin resistance. Telmisartan, an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), selectively activates peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, and this effect is considered to markedly improve insulin resistance in obese patients with hypertension. We compared the antihypertensive and insulin resistance-improving effects of telmisartan with those of candesartan and valsartan in this patient population. Methods: Twenty-eight elderly patients with an average body mass index (BMI) of 27.1 kg/m were enrolled in this 6-month study. Patients were randomly selected to either switch from candesartan or valsartan to telmisartan or to continue with their current ARB. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) was performed before and after switching, and the effect of telmisartan on the insulin response to glucose loading was investigated. Results: There was no significant difference in blood pressure between the two groups after drug administration, but glucose tolerance significantly improved in the telmisartan group. The hyperinsulin response to glucose loading also significantly improved in those taking telmisartan, as well as homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). These changes were not observed in the control group. Conclusion: In patients with hypertension and obesity showing insulin resistance, treatment with telmisartan significantly improved the hyperinsulin response to glucose loading. Telmisartan may therefore be beneficial in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to develop a method for producing fuel ethanol from cassava pulp using cell surface engineering (arming) technology, an arming yeast co-displaying α-amylase (α-AM), glucoamylase, endoglucanase, cellobiohydrase, and β-glucosidase on the surface of the yeast cells was constructed. The novel yeast strain, possessing the activities of all enzymes, was able to produce ethanol directly from soluble starch, barley β-glucan, and acid-treated Avicel. Cassava is a major crop in Southeast Asia and used mainly for starch production. In the starch manufacturing process, large amounts of solid wastes, called cassava pulp, are produced. The major components of cassava pulp are starch (approximately 60%) and cellulose fiber (approximately 30%). We attempted simultaneous saccharification and ethanol fermentation of cassava pulp with this arming yeast. During fermentation, ethanol concentration increased as the starch and cellulose fiber substrates contained in the cassava pulp decreased. The results clearly showed that the arming yeast was able to produce ethanol directly from cassava pulp without addition of any hydrolytic enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly isolated fungus Aspergillus niger SOI017 was shown to be a good producer of β-glucosidase from all isolated fungal strains. Fermentation condition (pH, cellobiose concentration, yeast extract concentration, and ammonium sulfate concentration) was optimized for producing the enzyme in shake flask cultures. Response surface methodology was used to investigate the effects of 4 fermentation parameters (yeast extract concentration, cellobiose concentration, ammonium sulfate concentration, and pH) on β-glucosidase enzyme production. Production of β-glucosidase was most sensitive to the culture medium, especially the nitrogen source yeast extract. The optimized medium for producing maximum β-glucosidase specific activity consisted of 0.275% yeast extract, 1.125% cellobiose, and 2.6% ammoniumsulfate at a pH value of 3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-phase bone scintigraphy has been used for the diagnosis of osteomyelitis in some regions of the body. However, its utility in patients with chronic osteomyelitis of the mandible (COM) has been reported only occasionally and the significance has not been fully examined. The aim of this study was to investigate what can be identified from each phase of the three-phase bone scintigraphy in patients with COM. Three-phase bone scintigraphy using 99mTc-labeled phosphonates was performed [96 s (phase 1), 5 min (phase 2) and 3 h (phase 3)] in 15 patients with COM. An increase in accumulation was regarded as a positive result in visual analysis. We investigated the positive ratio of each phase, including in the classification of the disease type, serum white blood cell count, C-reactive protein value and morbidity period. We also calculated the uptake ratio relative to the contralateral side using mean and maximum counts of the region of interest in semiquantitative analysis and investigated the correlation between the uptake ratios of each phase. The positive ratio of phases 2 and 3 was 100% and higher than that of phase 1 (33.3%, p = 0.0001). Almost all patients with a positive result in phase 1 had the osteolytic type (5/6). The extent of increased uptake on phase 3 images was similar to that of phase 2 images. The uptake ratio of phase 2 correlated with that of phase 3 (mean: r = 0.88, p < 0.0001, max: r = 0.78, p = 0.0006), but was not as high as that of phase 3. The phase 1 results reflect hyperemia and have a strong potential to diagnose the disease type. Phase 3 alone is sufficient to diagnose the disease and the extent of lesion in patients with highly suspected COM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Paenibacillus curdlanolyticus B-6 showed effective degradation activities for xylan and cellulose and produced an extracellular multienzyme complex (approximately 1,450 kDa) containing several xylanases and cellulases. To characterize the multienzyme complex, we purified the complex from culture supernatants by four kind of chromatography. The purified multienzyme complex was composed of a 280-kDa protein with xylanase activity, a 260-kDa protein that was a truncated form on the C-terminal side of the 280-kDa protein, two xylanases of 40 and 48 kDa, and 60 and 65 kDa proteins having both xylanase and carboxymethyl cellulase activities. The 280-kDa protein resembled the scaffolding proteins of cellulosomes based on its migratory behavior in polyacrylamide gels and as a glycoprotein. Cloning of the 40-kDa major xylanase subunit named Xyn11A revealed that Xyn11A contained two functional domains which belonged to glycosyl hydrolase family-11 and to carbohydrate-binding module family-36, respectively, and a glycine- and asparagine-rich linker. However, an amino acid sequence similar to a dockerin domain, which is crucial to cellulosome assembly, was not found in Xyn11A. These results suggest that the multienzyme complex produced by P. curdlanolyticus B-6 should assemble by a mechanism distinct from the cohesin-dockerin interactions known in cellulosomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the influence of blockade of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) on adipocytes, we compared the effect of telmisartan versus valsartan and amlodipine on adipocyte cellularity in the spontaneously type 2 diabetic, obese rat model. Methods: Male Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty rats, 8-week-old, were divided into four groups as follows: valsartan (V) group (10 mg/kg, n = 12), telmisartan (T) group (5 mg/kg, n = 12), amlodipine (A) group (2 mg/kg, n = 12), and control (C) group (n = 12). Each drug was mixed with chow and given for 16 weeks. Results: Although no significant differences were observed in the fasting plasma glucose level between the groups, the fasting plasma insulin level for group T was significantly lower than that for group C. Histopathologic examination showed that the ratio of small adipocytes in groups V and T was significantly higher than that in group C, with the ratio of large adipocytes and the mean adipocyte size shown to be significantly lower in groups V and T than in group C. Furthermore, group T was shown to have a significantly higher ratio of small adipocytes, a significantly lower ratio of large adipocytes, as well as a significantly lower mean adipocyte size, compared to group V. Conclusions: Although both valsartan and telmisartan downsized adipocytes, adipocyte downsizing was significantly greater with telmisartan compared to valsartan. The likely mechanism for this difference was thought to be the PPAR-γ-mediated action of telmisartan. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Angiotensin II receptor blockers as a class are reported to act as insulin sensitizers. Of these, telmisartan has been shown to have additional unique peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma-mediated, insulin-sensitizing properties. In this study, investigators explored the effects of telmisartan on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes who had switched to telmisartan from another angiotensin II receptor blocker. The study subjects were 42 hypertensive outpatients with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with candesartan 8 mg/d and who agreed to switch to treatment with telmisartan 40 mg/d. Relevant laboratory variables were measured 6 mo before treatment switching, at the time of switching, and 6 mo after switching. No significant differences were noted in blood pressure, body mass index, or glycosylated hemoglobin among subjects before and after therapy was switched. No adverse reactions such as edema or hepatic toxicity were noted. No significant changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-R (insulin resistance as measured by the homeostasis model), preheparin lipoprotein lipase mass, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and free fatty acids were noted. Triglyceride levels were significantly decreased, however, and adiponectin levels were significantly increased (8.1+/-3.1 microg/mL at switching; 8.6+/-3.0 microg/mL 6 mo after switching; P<.01) after the switch to telmisartan therapy. Study results show that telmisartan did not affect glycemic control, but it improved lipid metabolism and adiponectin production in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that AT(1)-receptor antagonism and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma activation by telmisartan combine to account for observed effects on lipid metabolism and adiponectin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II receptor blockers as a class are reported to act as insulin sensitizers. Of these, telmisartan has been shown to have additional unique peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma-mediated, insulin-sensitizing properties. In this study, investigators explored the effects of telmisartan on glycemic control and lipid metabolism in hypertensive patients with type 2 diabetes who had switched to telmisartan from another angiotensin II receptor blocker. The study subjects were 42 hypertensive outpatients with type 2 diabetes who were being treated with candesartan 8 mg/d and who agreed to switch to treatment with telmisartan 40 mg/d. Relevant laboratory variables were measured 6 mo before treatment switching, at the time of switching, and 6 mo after switching. No significant differences were noted in blood pressure, body mass index, or glycosylated hemoglobin among subjects before and after therapy was switched. No adverse reactions such as edema or hepatic toxicity were noted. No significant changes in fasting plasma glucose, fasting insulin, HOMA-R (insulin resistance as measured by the homeostasis model), preheparin lipoprotein lipase mass, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and free fatty acids were noted. Triglyceride levels were significantly decreased, however, and adiponectin levels were significantly increased (8.1±3.1 μg/mL at switching; 8.6±3.0 μg/mL 6 mo after switching; P<.01) after the switch to telmisartan therapy. Study results show that telmisartan did not affect glycemic control, but it improved lipid metabolism and adiponectin production in patients with type 2 diabetes, suggesting that AT1-receptor antagonism and selective peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma activation by telmisartan combine to account for observed effects on lipid metabolism and adiponectin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate changes in free benzodiazepine receptor density in response to repeated, long-term administration of diazepam in epilepsy, we assessed 125I-iomazenil (125I-IMZ) binding in a mouse model.Methods: El mice were divided into two groups of 12 mice each which received either no diazepam (E1(D[-]) group) or 2 mg/kg of diazepam per week (El(D[+]) group). Nine ddY mice were used as a control. Once each week from the age of 5 to 19 weeks, the El mice received stimulation to produce epileptic seizures 20 minutes after receiving intraperitoneal injections. At 20 weeks of age, a total dose of 0.37 MBq of 125I-IMZ was injected in all mice and their brains were rapidly removed 3 hours later. The incidence of epileptic seizures at the age of 19 weeks and the autoradiograms of the brain were compared.Results: The incidence of epileptic seizures in response to weekly stimulation was significantly lower in the E1(D[+]) group than in the E1(D[-]) group (p < 0.001). The percent injected doses of 125I-IMZ per gram of tissue in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala were significantly lower in the E1(D[+]) group than in the E1(D[-]) group (p < 0.05).Conclusion: The results suggest that diazepam binds competitively to 125I-IMZ as an agonist to free benzodiazepine receptor sites in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala and shows anticonvulsant effect in E1 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate changes in free benzodiazepine receptor density in response to repeated, long-term administration of diazepam in epilepsy, we assessed125I-iomazenil (125I-IMZ) binding in a mouse model. El mice were divided into two groups of 12 mice each which received either no diazepam (EI(D[-]) group) or 2 mg/kg of diazepam per week (EI(D[+]) group). Nine ddY mice were used as a control. Once each week from the age of 5 to 19 weeks, the El mice received stimulation to produce epileptic seizures 20 minutes after receiving intraperitoneal injections. At 20 weeks of age, a total dose of 0.37 MBq of125I-IMZ was injected in all mice and their brains were rapidly removed 3 hours later. The incidence of epileptic seizures at the age of 19 weeks and the autoradiograms of the brain were compared. The incidence of epileptic seizures in response to weekly stimulation was significantly lower in the E1(D[+]) group than in the E1(D[-]) group (p < 0.001). The percent injected doses of125I-IMZ per gram of tissue in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala were significantly lower in the E1(D[+]) group than in the E1(D[-]) group (p < 0.05). The results suggest that diazepam binds competitively to125I-IMZ as an agonist to free benzodiazepine receptor sites in the cortex, hippocampus and amygdala and shows anticonvulsant effect in El mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the relationship between insulin resistance, postprandial hyperglycemia, postprandial hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes, changes in postprandial glucose, triglyceride, and nitrotyrosine levels vs baseline after diet loading were examined in type 2 diabetic patients given pioglitazone (PG) or glibenclamide (GB). Twenty-four outpatients with type 2 diabetes treated with oral PG for 6 mo (BMI, 26.3±0.9; HbA1c, 8.2±0.2%) and 10 type 2 diabetic patients treated with GB (BMI, 27.4±1.6; HbA1c, 8.1±0.2%) at our institutions were compared. These patients were given meal tolerance tests (MTT; each consisting of energy 400 kcal, protein 8.7 g, fat 22.4 g, carbohydrate 41 g) before and 6 mo after administration of either agent. PG produced a significant decrease in FPG, HbA1c, HOMA-R, and TG levels in the subjects compared to baseline. In contrast, GB significantly decreased FPG and HbA1c levels, while not affecting HOMA-R and TG values. While PG produced a significant increase in LPL, HDL-cholesterol, and adiponectin levels, GB did not affect these values. At MTT 6 mo after PG administration, insulin levels before and 4 h after MTT, free fatty acid (FFA) levels 1, 2, and 4 h after MTT, glucose, TG, and RLP-TG levels before and 1, 2, 4, and 6 h after MTT were significantly decreased compared to baseline. At MTT6 mo after GB administration, while a significant decrease in fasting and 2 h, postprandial glucose values compared to baseline MTT levels was observed, fasting and postprandial TG and RLP-TG levels remained unchanged compared to baseline. After 6 mo of PG and GB administration, serum nitrotyrosine levels before and after MTT were significantly decreased compared to baseline in both groups, while the decrease in nitrotyrosine levels before and after MTT was more marked in the subjects given PG. Our study results suggest that PG suppresses increases in postprandial glucose and TG levels, and improves insulin resistance; and, in addition, that PG may have a favorable impact on oxidative stress in type 2 diabetic patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To elucidate the role of visceral fat accumulation in the metabolic syndrome, differences in the pathology of the metabolic syndrome with or without visceral fat accumulation were investigated. A total of 472 prediabetic Japanese men (mean age, 47.5±7.2 yr) with impaired fasting glycemia (IFG) levels of 110–125 mg/dL were eligible for participation in the study. The study subjects were divided into the following four groups, and intergroup comparisons were made: group I without visceral fat area [VFA]≥100 cm2 but presenting with fewer than two other risk factors (i.e., TG≥150 mg/dL, HDL-C<40 mg/dL, BP≥130/≥85 mmHg, or FPG≥110 mg/dL) ( n=231); group II without VFA of ≥100 cm2 but presenting with three or more other risk factors ( n=57); group III with VFA of ≥100 cm2 accompanied by FPG≥110 mg/dL alone ( n=27); and group IV with VFA≥100 cm2 and two or more other risk factors ( n=157). The prevalence of patients who had three or more risk factors with or without VFA≥100 cm2 was 45.3% (214 out of 472 patients), while that of those with VFA≥100 cm2 who had two or more other risk factors was 33% (157 out of 472 patients). Group II had significantly higher VFA values than group I ( p<0.05), and group IV had significantly higher VFA values than group II ( p<0.001). While no significant differences in HOMA-R values were seen between groups I and II, these values were significantly higher in group IV compared to groups I and II ( p<0.001 and p<0.05, respectively). Furthermore, group IV showed significantly higher 2-h insulin levels after glucose loading compared to group I ( p<0.001). While no significant differences were seen between groups II and IV, insulin levels tended to be higher in group IV. Adiponectin levels showed an incremental fall in VFA from group I through groups II and III to group IV. Groups III and IV showed significantly lower adiponectin levels compared to group I ( p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively); and group IV showed significantly lower adiponectin levels than group II ( p<0.05). A logistic regression analysis using VFA, TG and HDL-C, and BP as explanatory variables showed that the relative risk for high HOMA-R values were 2.65 ( p<0.001) for patients with VFA ≥100 cm2; 1.64 ( p<0.05) for those with TG≥150 mg/dL and HDL<40 mg/dL; and 1.79 ( p<0.01) for those with BP≥130/≥85 mmHg. These findings demonstrate that the degree of insulin resistance and the risk of arteriosclerosis vary depending on whether or not the metabolic syndrome accompanied by a clustering of risk factors has visceral fat accumulation as an underlying pathology, strongly suggesting a crucial role for visceral fat accumulation in the metabolic syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experienced a case in which 131I-6beta-iodomethyl-19-norcholest-5(10)-en-3beta-ol (131I-adosterol) scintigraphy showed high uptake in the right adrenal gland. We diagnosed functional cortical adenoma because of the finding of 131I-adosterol scintigraphy. However, no positive findings for the existence of cortical adenoma were obtained in other examinations and we performed right adrenalectomy. Unexpectedly, pathological finding showed the right adrenal gland was occupied with a large ganglioneuroma. This is an instructive case in which 131I-adosterol scintigraphy showed abnormal high uptake in the adrenal gland, in spite of the fact that the adrenal gland was occupied by a tumor derived from adrenal medulla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We experienced a case in which131I-6ßiodomethyl-l9norcholest-5(10)-en-3ß-ol (131I-adosterol) scintigraphy showed high uptake in the right adrenal gland. We diagnosed functional cortical adenoma because of the finding of131I-adosterol scintigraphy. However, no positive findings for the existence of cortical adenoma were obtained in other examinations and we performed right adrenalectomy. Unexpectedly, pathological finding showed the right adrenal gland was occupied with a large ganglioneuroma. This is an instructive case in which131I-adosterol scintigraphy showed abnormal high uptake in the adrenal gland, in spite of the fact that the adrenal gland was occupied by a tumor derived from adrenal medulla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The efficacy of technetium-99m methoxyisobutylisonitrile (99mTc-MIBI)-guided surgery for detecting abnormal parathyroid glands in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (2-HPT) was evaluated and compared with the results from the same examination in patients with primary hyperparathyroidism (1-HPT). The results were also compared with those found by ultrasonography (US) and preoperative 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy was also made. At operation 99mTc-MIBI accumulated in 64 nodules of 15 cases of 2-HPT, and all of 60 parathyroid swellings were detected (true-positives 60, sensitivity 100%, accuracy 94%). In the cases of 1-HPT, 99mTc-MIBI revealed 11 hot nodules in 10 cases, and the evaluation was true-positive 10, sensitivity 100%, and accuracy 91%. US and preoperative 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy in patients with 2-HPT had a sensitivity of 75% and 67% and an accuracy of 70% and 66%, respectively. The usefulness of 99mTc-MIBI-guided surgery for detecting abnormal parathyroid tissue in 2-HPT patients was similar to that in 1-HPT patients but was superior to US and preoperative 99mTc-MIBI scintigraphy. Intraoperative 9mTc-MIBI for patients with 2-HPT is effective and makes the surgery easier, especially when the parathyroid glands are ectopic or when a few glands are markedly enlarged but the other glands are atrophied. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is diagnosed by either inspection of the brain perfusion SPECT, or three-dimensional stereotactic surface display (3D-SSP). The purpose was to compare diagnostic performances of these methods.Methods: Sixteen nuclear medicine physicians independently interpreted 99mTc-ECD SPECT in one session and SPECT with 3D-SSP in another session without clinical information for 50 studies of AD patients and 40 studies of healthy volunteers. Probabilities of AD were reported according to a subjective scale from 0% (normal) to 100% (definite AD). Receiver operating characteristics curves were generated to calculate areas under the ROC curves (Az's) for the inspection as well as for an automated diagnosis based on a mean Z value in the bilateral posterior cingulate gyri in a 3D-SSP template.Results: Mean Az for visual interpretation of SPECT alone (0.679 +/- 0.058) was significantly smaller than that for visual interpretation of both SPECT and 3D-SSP (0.778 +/- 0.060). Az for the automated diagnosis (0.883 +/- 0.037) was significantly greater than that for both modes of visual interpretation.Conclusions: 3D-SSP enhanced performance of the nuclear medicine physicians inspecting SPECT. Performance of the automated diagnosis exceeded that of the physicians inspecting SPECT with and without 3D-SSP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin secretion dynamics and response to nateglinide were studied in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduced early-phase insulin secretion. On day 1, 24 patients underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test without taking nateglinide. On day 2, they were given oral nateglinide 90 mg immediately before the oral glucose tolerance test. After glucose loading, insulin levels increased significantly at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the patients took nateglinide, along with insulinogenic indices, the total area under the insulin curve, the area under the 0- to 90-minute insulin curve, and the area under the 90- to 180-minute insulin curve. Both the plasma glucose level at 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes and the total area under the glucose curve were significantly reduced following nateglinide administration. Compared with the low responders (n=13), the high responders (n=11) had a significantly shorter duration of disease, significantly higher insulinogenic indices in the absence of nateglinide administration, and a higher homeostasis model assessment-β cell performance. Nateglinide demonstrated a rapid-onset and rapidoffset insulin secretion-stimulating effect in this study population. A single dose of nateglinide may be indicated for patients with a relatively high homeostasis model assessment-β cell performance, a short duration of disease, and relatively high insulinogenic indices prior to nateglinide administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insulin secretion dynamics and response to nateglinide were studied in patients with type 2 diabetes and reduced early-phase insulin secretion. On day 1, 24 patients underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test without taking nateglinide. On day 2, they were given oral nateglinide 90 mg immediately before the oral glucose tolerance test. After glucose loading, insulin levels increased significantly at 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes after the patients took nateglinide, along with insulinogenic indices, the total area under the insulin curve, the area under the 0- to 90-minute insulin curve, and the area under the 90- to 180-minute insulin curve. Both the plasma glucose level at 60, 90, 120, and 180 minutes and the total area under the glucose curve were significantly reduced following nateglinide administration. Compared with the low responders (n=13), the high responders (n=11) had a significantly shorter duration of disease, significantly higher insulinogenic indices in the absence of nateglinide administration, and a higher homeostasis model assessment-beta cell performance. Nateglinide demonstrated a rapid-onset and rapid-offset insulin secretion-stimulating effect in this study population. A single dose of nateglinide may be indicated for patients with a relatively high homeostasis model assessment-beta cell performance, a short duration of disease, and relatively high insulinogenic indices prior to nateglinide administration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report the first clinical PET study using [1-methyl-11C]8-dicyclopropylmethyl-1-methyl-3-propylxanthine ([11C]MPDX) for imaging adenosine A1 receptors in the human brain. The binding of [11C]MPDX evaluated quantitatively as the distribution volume by a graphical analysis was high in the striatum and thalamus, and low in the cerebellum. The distribution pattern of [11C]MPDX was coincident with that of adenosine A1 receptors in vitro reported previously, and was different from those of blood flow and [18F]FDG. The [11C]MPDX PET has the potential for mapping adenosine A1 receptors in the human brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We compared the ability to diagnose skeletal metastasis between serum prostate specific antigen (PSA), C-terminal propeptide of blood type I procollagen (PICP), and urine type I collagen-crosslinked N telopeptide (NTx) in prostate cancer patients. In sixty-nine patients with prostate cancer, bone scintigraphy was performed, and serum PSA and PICP and urine NTx were measured. The median level of serum PSA in the osseous metastasis-negative group (n = 33) was 0.80 ng/ml being significantly lower as compared to the osseous metastasis-positive group (n = 36, 7.70 ng/ml) (p < 0.0001). The serum PICP and urine NTx/Cr levels appeared lower in the osseous metastasis-negative group than the osseous metastasis-positive group, but there was no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis showed that ability to diagnose skeletal metastasis of serum PSA was 68.1% and superior to those of serum PICP (56.5%) and urine NTx/Cr (53.6%). Serum PSA improved the ability to diagnose skeletal metastasis when combined with serum PICP or urine NTx/Cr. When patients were grouped according to the extent of disease grade (EOD grade) nomenclature, Spearman's correlation coefficient by rank showed that serum PSA was most significantly correlated with EOD grade (p < 0.0001). In 14 patients whose skeletal metastases progressed or regressed, the change of serum PSA more clearly separated the osseous metastasis-regression group and osseous metastasis-progression group than did serum PICP and urine NTx/Cr. Serum PSA was more reliable than bone resorption and formation markers produced by crosslinking of type I collagen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to re-evaluate and clarify the diagnostic role of ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy in Japan, now that single-detector-row helical CT and multidetector-row CT are available in clinical practice. The Respiratory Nuclear Medicine Working Group of the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine distributed a questionnaire to institutions in Japan equipped with scintillation cameras as of September 2001. Of 1,222 institutions, 239 returned effective answers (19.6%). The most frequent combination for initial diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism was chest radiography, perfusion lung scintigraphy, and contrast-enhanced CT (111 institutions, 46.4%). The questionnaire revealed that the validity and usage of perfusion lung scintigraphy and those of contrast-enhanced CT were equivalent in the present clinical situation. On the other hand, the diagnostic value of ventilation lung scintigraphy in suspected pulmonary thromboembolism has not been established in Japan. Even though contrast-enhanced CT is widely used in Japan, perfusion lung scintigraphy is still required to determine disease severity and monitor its progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to re-evaluate and clarify the diagnostic role of ventilation/perfusion lung scintigraphy in Japan, now that single-detector-row helical CT and multidetector-row CT are available in clinical practice. The Respiratory Nuclear Medicine Working Group of the Japanese Society of Nuclear Medicine distributed a questionnaire to institutions in Japan equipped with scintillation cameras as of September 2001. Of 1,222 institutions, 239 returned effective answers (19.6%). The most frequent combination for initial diagnosis of acute pulmonary thromboembolism was chest radiography, perfusion lung scintigraphy, and contrast-enhanced CT (111 institutions, 46.4%). The questionnaire revealed that the validity and usage of perfusion lung scintigraphy and those of contrast-enhanced CT were equivalent in the present clinical situation. On the other hand, the diagnostic value of ventilation lung scintigraphy in suspected pulmonary thromboembolism has not been established in Japan. Even though contrast-enhanced CT is widely used in Japan, perfusion lung scintigraphy is still required to determine disease severity and monitor its progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We investigated the changes in 125I-iomazenil (125I-IMZ) benzodiazepine receptor (BZR) binding with psychological stress in a rat model.Methods: Six male Wistar rats were placed under psychological stress for 1 hour by using a communication box. No physical stress was not received. 1.85 MBq of 125I-IMZ was injected into the lateral tail vein and the rat was killed 3 hours later. Twenty-micrometer-thick sections of the brain were collected and % injected dose per body weight (%ID/BW) of eleven regions (frontal, parietal, temporal, occipital cortices, caudate putamen, accumubens nuclei, globus pallidus, amygdala, thalamus, hippocampus and hypothalamus) were calculated by autoradiography. The %ID/BW of rats which were placed under psychological stress was compared with that of 6 control rats.Results: The %ID/BW of rats which were placed under psychological stress diffusely tended to show a reduction in 125I-IMZ-BZR binding. A significant decrease in BZR binding was observed in the hippocampus of the rats which were placed under psychological stress.Conclusion: 125I-IMZ-BZR binding tended to decrease throughout the brain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A cellobiose phosphorylase (CBP) cloned from the Clostridium thermocellum YM4 strain was purified to homogeneity, and the reaction mechanisms of both the phosphorolytic and synthetic reactions were studied in detail. The enzyme reaction proceeded via an ordered bi bi mechanism, in which P1 bound to the enzyme prior to D-cellobiose and then G 1-P was released after D-glucose. The order of substrate binding was different from that of CBP from Cellvibrio gilvus, which bound to cellobiose prior to P,. In the synthetic reaction, the enzyme showed three times higher activity with p-D-glucose than with a-D-glucose, and also showed weak activity with 1, 5-anhydro-D-glucitol, indicating that the p-anomeric hydroxyl group of D-glucose is highly required. However, even when it is removed enzyme activity remains. The substrate specificity and kinetic studies revealed that the configurations of the C3 and C4 hydroxyl groups were strictly required for the enzyme activity, whereas those of C2 and C6 could be substituted or deleted. The mechanism of substrate inhibition by D-glucose was studied in detail and it was concluded that D-glucose competed with G 1-P for its binding site in the synthetic reaction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

99mTc-methoxy-isobutyl-isonitrile (99mTc-MIBI) scintigraphy with Digirad 2020tc ImagerTM (2020tc), which was a multi-crystal scintillation camera with solid-state detectors was performed for patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism having autografts of parathyroid glands in the right arm. With the 2020tc camera, three abnormal accumulations were found in the right arm. The images obtained with this camera were superior in resolution to those obtained with a conventional NaI crystal gamma camera (ZLC7500, Siemens, Germany). The next day, resection of autografts of parathyroid glands was done. Four hyperplastic parathyroid glands were resected and all were hyperplastic in pathological findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the effect of troglitazone on body fat distribution in type 2 diabetic patients. Research design and methods; Results; Conclusions.

Ventilation and pulmonary perfusion scintigraphy were performed in 7 patients in whom postural change from the sitting position to the supine position decreased partial oxygen pressure in arteries (PaO2) by 15 mmHg or more. Six of these 7 patients were obese. Five patients had organic pulmonary disease or space occupying lesions of the liver. On lateral supine-position images taken by using the continuous inhalation method for 81mKr ventilation scintigraphy, ventilation was reduced in the dorsal area corresponding to a gravity-dependent area, but on pulmonary perfusion scintigrams, there were no marked changes compared to normal adults. The mismatch of ventilation to perfusion may have caused hypoxemia. Reduced ventilation was correlated with reduced PaO2. The distribution of 81mKr bolus gas inhalation suggested closure of the airway in the dorsal area at functional residual capacity (FRC), which means the resting expiratory level, in the supine position. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A glycogen-rich adenoma occurring in the minor salivary gland of the nasopharynx in a 41-year-old woman was studied ultrastrucrurally. The cytoplasm of the tumour cells was abundantly filled with glycogen particles. The tumour cells possessed many mitochondria, a great number of microvillous processes and microvilli and were joined to each other by desmosomes. These findings suggest that this adenoma is of salivary duct epithelial origin most probably from storing striated ductal cells, and is a variant of monomorphic oxyphilic adenoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nucleotide sequences for the κ-casein precursor proteins have been determined from the genomic DNAs or hair roots of the Ruminantia. The coding regions, exons 2, 3, and 4, were amplified separately via the three kinds of PCRs and then directly sequenced. The primers were designed from the sequence of bovine κ-casein gene; they were applicable for the amplification of the κ-casein genes from the 13 species in the Ruminantia except exon 2 of the lesser mouse deer. These results permitted an easy phylogenetic analysis based on the sequences of an autosomal gene. A phylogenetic tree was constructed from the mature K-casein sequences and compared with the tree of the cytochrome b genes which were sequenced from the same individuals. The Cervidae (sika deer, Cervus nippon) were separated from the branch of the Bovidae on the tree of κ-casein genes with a relatively high confidence level of the bootstrap analysis, but included in the branch of the Bovidae on the tree of cytochrome b genes. The κ-casein tree indicated a monophyly of the subfamily Caprinae, although the internal branches were uncertain in the Caprinae. The tree based on the nucleotide sequences of cytochrome b genes clearly showed the relationships of the closely related species in the genus Capricornis consisting of serow ( C. smatorensis), Japanese serow ( C. crispus), and Formosan serow ( C. swinhoei). These results would be explained by the difference of resolving power between the κ-casein and the cytochrome b sequences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]