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Koichi Yamamura,* Masafumi Nojiri,* Kazuaki Nishiki, Ryo Kato, Shohei Shinomiya, Yutaka Takahara, Taku Oikawa, Takeshi Ishizaki, Hirohisa Toga, Shiro Mizuno Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, Japan*These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Shiro Mizuno, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, 920-0293, Japan, Tel +81-76-218-8157, Fax +81-76-286-0980, Email shirotan@kanazawa-med.ac.jpPurpose: Oxidative stress is known to activate tumor suppressor p53, which inhibits cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis. Levels of p53 in lung tissues from patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are increased compared with levels in nonsmokers or smokers without emphysema. A polymorphism in p53 codon 72 (rs1042522) is associated with emphysematous changes in patients with COPD. However, whether oxidative stress in the serum is associated with the p53 polymorphism and disease severity in COPD patients is unclear.Patients and Methods: A total of 251 patients with a history of smoking more than 10 pack-years were enrolled in this study, and serum levels of derivatives of reactive oxygen metabolites (d-ROMs), biological antioxidant potential (BAP), and d-ROMs/BAP ratio (oxidative stress index; OSI) were measured. The percent low-attenuation area (LAA%) and cross-sectional area of the erector spinae muscles (ESMCSA) at the Th12 level were calculated from chest high-resolution computed tomography images. p53 codon 72 C/G genotyping was performed using polymerase chain reaction–restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis.Results: In patients carrying the p53 GG genotype, LAA% was significantly higher than in those carrying the CC genotype. d-ROM levels and OSI were associated with COPD severity and correlated with airflow limitation and markers of muscle atrophy (ESMCSA and creatinine/cystatin C ratio). Associations between markers of oxidative stress and COPD severity were observed primarily in patients carrying the p53 codon 72 GG genotype.Conclusion: Susceptibility to pulmonary emphysema and responses to oxidative stress may be affected by the p53 gene polymorphism.Keywords: oxidative stress, low attenuation area, sarcopenia, smoking status

Kazuaki Nishiki, Masafumi Nojiri, Ryo Kato, Shohei Shinomiya, Taku Oikawa, Takeshi Ishizaki, Hirohisa Toga, Shiro Mizuno Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, Ishikawa, JapanCorrespondence: Shiro MizunoDepartment of Respiratory Medicine, Kanazawa Medical University, 1-1 Daigaku, Uchinada, Kahoku-gun, Ishikawa, 920-0293, JapanTel +81-76-218-8157Fax +81-76-286-0980Email shirotan@kanazawa-med.ac.jpPurpose: Muscle atrophy is a major clinical feature of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is considered a predictor of mortality in COPD patients. Recently, the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the erector spinae muscles measured by chest computed tomography (CT) scans (ESMCSA) has been reported as a clinical parameter reflecting disease severity and future prognosis in patients with COPD. In addition, the serum creatinine (Cr)/cystatin C (CysC) ratio has been considered a quantitative marker of residual muscle mass, because serum Cr levels are affected by muscle mass, and correction by CysC counteracts the effect of renal function on serum Cr levels. The purpose of this study was to assess whether the serum Cr level corrected by serum CysC can be used as a predictive marker of pulmonary function and disease severity in patients with COPD.Patients and Methods: A total of 99 patients without COPD and 201 patients with COPD, with a smoking history of more than 10 pack-years were enrolled in this study, and serum Cr and CysC levels were measured. On chest high-resolution CT images, %low attenuation area (LAA%) (≤ 960 Hounsfield units (HU)) and ESMCSA at the Th12 level were identified.Results: There was a significant correlation between the ESMCSA and the Cr/CysC ratio. The Cr/CysC ratio was significantly associated with forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) values, especially in former smokers.Conclusion: The serum Cr/CysC ratio could be a convenient substitute for the measurement of muscle atrophy and pulmonary function testing in patients with COPD.Keywords: muscle atrophy, low attenuation area, sarcopenia, smoking status

Objective: This study analyzes interactions of body condition score (BCS) with other factors and the effect of BCS on estimates of genetic paremeters of conception rate (CR) in Japanese Black cows. Methods: Factors affecting CR were analyzed through the linear mixed model, and genetic parameters of CR were estimated through the threshold animal model. Results: The interactions between BCS and each season and the number of artificial inseminations (AI) was significant (p<0.05), but that between BCS and parity showed no significance for CR. High CR was observed with BCS 3 in autumn (0.56±0.01) and BCS 4 in summer (0.56±0.02). The highest CR with BCS 3 (0.56±0.02) and BCS 4 (0.55 ±0.01) was observed at first AI. With BCS 5, however, the highest CR (0.55±0.08) was observed at second AI. Conclusion: The model with BCS was notably conducive to the estimation of genetic parameters because of a low deviance information criterion of heritability that, nevertheless, was slightly lower than the model without BCS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Four populations in the Amazon area were selected for a comparative study of mercury-exposed and non-exposed populations: São Luiz do Tapajós, Barreiras, Panacauera, and Pindobal Grande. The highest mercury levels in human hair samples were found in São Luiz do Tapajós and Barreiras, greatly exceeding the limits established by the World Health Organization. Panacauera showed an intermediate level below 9 µg/g. This was the first comparative and simultaneous evaluation of mercury exposure in the Amazon area. Also, thanks to this type of monitoring, we were able to eliminate the uncertainties about the reference dose. On the basis of these data, we can conclude that the mercury levels detected in exposed populations of the Tapajós River basin may be dangerous not only because they are above the World Health Organization limits, but also because the simultaneous mercury detection in non-exposed populations with similar characteristics provided a valid control and revealed lower mercury levels. Our results support the importance of continuous monitoring in both exposed and non-exposed populations.

The objective of this study was to estimate genetic parameters for growth and body composition traits at 60 d of age and at finish in a population of Berkshire pigs and to evaluate the effectiveness of selection at 60 d of age for meat productivity. A total of 4,548 purebred Berkshire (2,344 males and 2,204 females) pigs born between December 1994 and January 2005 were used in this study. The traits analyzed were BW at 60 d of age; daily BW gain from birth to finish, from weaning to 60 d, from weaning to finish, and from 60 d to finish; age at finish; backfat thickness at 60 d of age and at finish; loin eye area at 60 d of age (LEA60) and at finish; and the number of teats. The heritability estimates for BW at 60 d of age, daily BW gain from weaning to 60 d, backfat thickness at 60 d of age, and LEA60 were 0.22, 0.25, 0.49, and 0.22, respectively. The estimated common environmental effect for BW at 60 d of age, daily BW gain from weaning to 60 d, backfat thickness at 60 d of age, and LEA60 were 0.12, 0.13, 0.18, and 0.21, respectively. Therefore, the common environmental effect should be included in the model to analyze traits at 60 d of age. The positive genetic correlation between LEA60 and loin eye area at finish and the negative genetic correlation between LEA60 and backfat thickness at finish indicated that improvement of the ultrasonic loin eye area at 60 d of age may result in favorable correlated responses to the traits at finish, an increase in loin eye area, and a decrease in backfat thickness. In addition, genetic correlations of backfat thickness at 60 d of age with backfat thickness at finish and loin eye area at finish were found to be favorable, indicating that improvement of ultrasonic backfat thickness at 60 d of age may result in greater correlated responses to the traits at finish: an increase in loin eye area and a decrease in backfat thickness. Therefore, constructing a selection scheme that includes body composition traits at 60 d and traits at finish is practical for gaining a greater selection response. Key words: Berkshire pig, genetic parameter, postweaning trait, teat number

Records on 514 bulls from the sire population born from 1978 to 2004, and on 22,099 of their field progeny born from 1997 to 2003 with available pedigree information (total number = 124,458) were used to estimate genetic parameters for feed intake and energy efficiency traits of bulls and their relationships with carcass traits of field progeny. Feed intake and energetic efficiency traits were daily feed intake, TDN intake, feed conversion ratio (FCR), TDN conversion ratio (TDNCR), residual feed intake (RFI), partial efficiency of growth, relative growth rate, and Kleiber ratio. Progeny carcass traits were carcass weight (CWT), yield estimate, ribeye area, rib thickness, subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT), marbling score (MSR), meat color standard (MCS), fat color standard (FCS), and meat quality grade. All measures of feed intake and energetic efficiency were moderately heritable (ranged from 0.24 to 0.49), except for partial efficiency of growth and relative growth rate, which were high (0.58) and low (0.14), respectively. The phenotypic and genetic correlations between FCR and TDNCR were [greater than or equal to] 0.93. Selection for Kleiber ratio will improve all of the energetic efficiency traits with no effect on feed intake measures (daily feed intake and TDN intake). The genetic correlations of FCR, TDNCR, and RFI of bulls with most of the carcass traits of their field progeny were favorable (ranged from -0.24 to -0.72), except with fat color standard (no correlation), MCS, and SFT. Positive (unfavorable) genetic correlations of MCS with FCR, TDNCR, and RFI (0.79, 0.70, and 0.51, respectively) were found. The SFT was negatively genetically correlated with FCR and TDNCR (-0.32 and -0.20, respectively); however, the genetic correlation between RFI and SFT was not significantly different from zero ([r.sub.g] = -0.08 [+ or -] 0.12). Favorable correlated responses in CWT, yield estimate, ribeye area, rib thickness, MSR, and meat quality grade would be predicted for selection against any measure of energetic efficiency. The correlated responses in CWT and MSR of progeny were greater for selection against RFI than for selection against any other energetic efficiency trait. Results of this study indicate that RFI should be preferred over other measures of energetic efficiency to include in selection programs. Key words: beef cattle, carcass trait, feed efficiency, genetics

Genetic parameters for the efficiency of gain traits on 380 boars and the genetic relationships with component traits were estimated in 1,642 pigs (380 boars, 868 gilts, and 394 barrows) in 7 generations of a Duroc population. The efficiency of gain traits included the feed conversion ratio (FCR) and residual feed intake (RFI) and their component traits, ADG, metabolic BW (MWT), and daily feed intake (FI). The RFI was calculated as the difference between the actual and expected FI. The expected FI was predicted by the nutritional requirement and by the residual of phenotypic ([RFI.sub.phe]) and genetic ([RFI.sub.gen]) regressions from the multivariate analysis for FI on MWT and ADG. The means for [RFI.sub.phe] and [RFI.sub.gen] were close to zero, and the mean for nutritional RFI was negative (-0.11 kg/d). The traits studied were moderately heritable (ranging from 0.27 to 0.53). The genetic and phenotypic correlations between ADG and FI were moderate to high, whereas the genetic correlation between MWT and FI was moderate, and the phenotypic correlation between them was low. The corresponding correlations between [RFI.sub.phe] and [RFI.sub.gen] were > 0.95, implying that they can be regarded as the same trait. The genetic and phenotypic correlations of FCR with measures of RFI were high but lower than unity. The [RFI.sub.phe] was phenotypically independent of its component traits, MWT ([r.sub.p] = 0.01) and ADG ([r.sub.p] = 0.03). The [RFI.sub.gen] was genetically independent of MWT ([r.sub.g] = -0.04), whereas there was a weak genetic relationship ([r.sub.g] = 0.15) between [RFI.sub.gen] and ADG. Residual FI was more heritable than FCR, and the genetic and phenotypic correlations of [RFI.sub.phe] and [RFI.sub.gen] with FI were positive and stronger than that of FCR with FI. These results provide evidence that [RFI.sub.phe] or [RFI.sub.gen] should be included in breeding programs for Duroc pigs to make genetic improvement in the efficiency of gain. Key words: Duroc pig, efficiency of gain, genetic parameter, growth

Abstract Limited evidence is available as to whether Kampo medicine modifies gastrointestinal function in humans. We investigated the effect of a Kampo medicine, Hange-koboku-to (Banxia-houpo-tang, HKT), on patients with functional [...]

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The first and second order energy terms of uniaxial magnetic anisotropy, [K.sub.u1] and [K.sub.u2], of CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] perpendicular recording media were studied as a function of film composition and film structure. Moreover, the fabrication of CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] media having adequate values of [K.sub.u1] and [K.sub.u2] for high recording density was preliminarily studied. An analysis of CoPtCr films with various kinds of seed layer materials revealed that the values of [K.sub.u1] and [K.sub.u2] varied significantly with the seed layer material used, probably due to epitaxial growth of CoPtCr on the seed layers. [K.sub.u2] increased, accompanied by a reduction in [K.sub.u1] as the c/a ratio of the hcp-CoPtCr lattice increased. Moreover, experimental results suggest that a high stacking-fault density enhances the [K.sub.u2] values, especially in the high Pt content region. The addition of Si[O.sub.2] reduces the total anisotropy, [K.sub.u1] + [K.sub.u2], but no significant change in the ratio of [K.sub.u2]/[K.sub.u1] was observed. The fabrication of CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] media with adequate values of [K.sub.u1] and [K.sub.u2] was successfully demonstrated, although more intensive efforts to enhance grain isolation are required to confirm the advantages conferred by the [K.sub.u2] term. Index Terms--CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] high order energy term, lattice deformation, magnetic anisotropy, perpendicular recording media, thermal stability.

Hard/soft-stacked perpendicular recording media were proposed in order to improve recording writability without notable changes in thermal stability and noise performance. A preliminary study on stacked media consisting of a 10-nm magnetically hard CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] layer underneath a soft NiFe-Si[O.sub.2] layer (0-4 nm) was performed. Transmission electron microscope images revealed that NiFe/CoPtCr stacked grains were well isolated by Si[O.sub.2] at grain boundaries, similar to the isolation of single layer CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] media. No change was observed in the slope of the hysteresis loop on stacking the NiFe-Si[O.sub.2] layer, suggesting there was no significant change in intergranular magnetic coupling. The switching field decreased by 2 kOe as the NiFe-Si[O.sub.2] layer thickness increased from 0 to 3 nm, without a notable reduction in the stabilizing thermal energy barrier. Moreover, the angular dependence of remanenee coereivity indicates that magnetization reversal occurs by coherent rotation in (CoPtCr/NiFe)-Si[O.sub.2] stacked media as predicted theoretically, and no significant difference in switching mechanism from single layer CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2] media was observed. We successfully demonstrated that the hard/soft-stacked media show a better recording writability with no notable change in signal-to-media-noise ratio or thermal stability. Index Terms--Coereivity, CoPtCr-Si[O.sub.2], hard/soft-stacked media, media noise, NiFe-Si[O.sub.2], perpendicular recording media, thermal stability.

Optimization of the [SiO.sub.2] content for high-density recording was discussed for {([Co.sub.90] [Cr.sub.10.) [sub.80] [Pt.sub.20]}100-z-{[SiO.sub.2]}z perpendicular recording media. The grain size Dgraln decreases significantly from 8.8 to 5.4 nm as the [SiO.sub.2] content Z increases from 0 to 14.4; however, no significant difference in c-axis orientation was observed. Magnetocrsytalfine anisotropy of grains maintains a large value of nearly 8 x 106 erg/cm3, even at 10 at % [SiO.sub.2] addition, indicating a nigh potential of perpendicular anisotropy [K.sub.u] to resist thermal agitation of magnetization. The coercivity [H.sub.c] increases significantly as the [SiO.sub.2] increases, which is coincident with the reduction of the slope of magnetization curve [alpha] = 4[phi](dM/dH) due to the enhancement of grain isolation. The He shows a maximum at around 11 at % [SiO.sub.2] (nearly 30 vol % [SiO.sub.2]). A further increase of [SiO.sub.2] reduces the value of [H.sub.c] significantly, although the [alpha] maintains a constant value of nearly 2, due to thermal agitation of magnetization. The media noise reduces significantly as the [SiO.sub.2] increases; however, the addition of [SiO.sub.2] beyond about 13 at % leads to a slight increases in media noise probably due to a significant increase of thermal agitation. The recording resolution [D.sub.50] shows a broad maximum of ~ 420 kFCI at around 11 at % [SiO.sub.2], suggesting that the [D.sub.50] is related to the media noise performance. Experimental results indicate that there is a tradeoff to be made between the thermal stability and media noise performance as a function of [SiO.sub.2] composition. Index Terms--Coercivity, CoPtCr-[SiO.sub.2], magnetic anisotropy, media noise, perpendicular recording media, [SiO.sub.2] content, thermal agitation of magnetization.

The perpendicular magnetic anisotropy [K.sub.u] of CoPtCr films deposited on Ru seed layers is discussed as a function of film composition. Moreover, the change in [K.sub.u] by the addition of [SiO.sub.2] is examined in light of thermal stability of CoPtCr-[SiO.sub.2] media. The [K.sub.u] of Co-10 at % Cr shows a high value of ~ 5 x [10.sup.6] erg/[cm.sup.3], which is much higher than that reported by Bolzoni et al The addition of Pt to the Co-10 at % Cr flint results in a further enhancement of [K.sub.u]. A maximum [K.sub.u] of nearly 10 x [10.sup.6] erg/[cm.sup.3] is observed at 25 ~ 30 at % Pt. All series of films with various Cr contents show maximum values of [K.sub.u] at 25 ~ 30 at % Pt. The maximum value for CoPt (Cr = O) films reaches ~ 15 x [10.sup.6] erg/[cm.sup.3]. The value of magnetocrystalline anisotropy of grains [K.sup.g.sub.u.], calculated by taking account of the volume fraction of CoPtCr grains, decreases as the [SiO.sub.2] content increases. However, the [K.sup.g.sup.u] maintains a large value of more than 7 x [106.sup.6] erg/[cm.sup.3], even at 10 at % [SiO.sub.2] in addition to ([Co.sub.90][Cr.sub.10])[sub.80] [Pt.sub.20], which indicates a high potential of CoPtCr-[SiO.sub.2] media to resist thermal agitation of magnetization. Index Terms--CoPtCr films, CoPtCr-[SiO.sub.2] media, perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, Ru seed layer, thermal agitation of magnetization.