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To investigate the magnetization process in the intermediate frequency region, the frequency dependences of coercivities in Ni and Co–Fe–B thin films were determined by anisotropic magnetoresistance measurements up to ~160 kHz. In the low-frequency region (<5 kHz) the coercivity of Co–Fe–B was lower than that of Ni. However, the increasing rate of the coercivity in Ni was lower than that in Co–Fe–B. Consequently, above 19 kHz, the coercivity of Ni was lower than one of Co–Fe–B. Considering the basic material properties, better soft magnetic properties of Ni compared with Co–Fe–B should arise from the higher Walker breakdown field. This difference was mainly due to the Gilbert damping constant.

AbstractDevelopment of an electron cyclotron heating (ECH) mirror antenna and MW gyrotrons for power modulation experiments in GAMMA 10 has been started in order to generate and control the high heat flux and to make the edge-localized mode (ELM)-like intermittent heat load pattern for divertor simulation studies. A peak heat flux of more than 10 MW/m2on the GAMMA 10 axis has been obtained during ECH injection within the available power of ECH. This value almost corresponds to the steady-state heat load of the divertor plate of ITER. However, we need a substantial upgrade of the heating power to approach the ITER level ELM energy density. We carry out a design study for a mirror antenna and higher power gyrotrons in order to generate higher intermittent heat flux in GAMMA 10 tandem mirror for future divertor simulation studies.

AbstractAt the Plasma Research Center at University of Tsukuba, development of megawatt gyrotrons is being performed as a collaborative electron cyclotron heating (ECH) study with some research organizations. A 28 GHz 1 MW 1 s gyrotron has been developed to upgrade the GAMMA 10/PDX ECH systems. To improve the oscillation efficiency in high current regions, the magnetron injection gun (MIG) of the 28 GHz gyrotron has been modified. Output power of 1.25 MW has been achieved with this gyrotron. For the first step of the collaborative research between Tsukuba University and Kyushu University, the Tsukuba 28 GHz gyrotron was adapted to the Q-shu University Experiment with Steady-State Spherical Tokamak (QUEST) ECH system, and the plasma heating and current drive effect were demonstrated. We obtained successful results, including an electron cyclotron–driven plasma current of 66 kA in the QUEST plasma experiment. For the next step of the collaborative research, the design targets of a 2 MW 3 s and 0.4 MW continuous wave have been achieved in a design study of a new 28 GHz gyrotron.

In neonates, small changes in tidal volumes (VT) may lead to complications. Previous studies have shown a significant difference between ventilator-measured tidal volume and tidal volume delivered (actual VT). We evaluated the accuracy of three different ventilators to deliver small VTduring volume-controlled ventilation.We tested Servo 300, 840 ventilator and Evita 4 Neoflow ventilators with lung models simulating normal and injured neonatal lung compliance models. Gas volume delivered from the ventilator into the test circuit (VTV) and actual VTto the test lung were measured using Ventrak respiration monitors at set VT(30 ml). The gas volume increase of the breathing circuit was then calculated.Tidal volumes of the SV300 and PB840 in both lung models were similar to the set VTand the actual tidal volumes in the injured model (20.7 ml and 19.8 ml, respectively) were significantly less than that in the normal model (27.4 ml and 23.4 ml). PB840 with circuit compliance compensation could not improve the actual VT. VTVof the EV4N in the normal and the injured models (37.8 ml and 46.6 ml) were markedly increased compared with set VT, and actual VTwere similar to set VTin the normal and injured model (30.2 ml and 31.9 ml, respectively). EV4N measuring VTclose to the lung could match actual VTto almost the same value as the set VT, however the gas volume of the breathing circuit was increased.If an accurate value for the patient's actual VTis needed, this VTmust be measured by a sensor located between the Y-piece and the tracheal tube.

Introduction: We evaluated the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) in Japanese patients with morbid obesity.

AbstractTS-1 is a novel oral anticancer agent comprised of tegafur, a prodrug of 5-flurouracil, and two modulators. A phase i study of TS-1 plus carboplatin combination therapy was conducted to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MtD), recom-mended dose (RD), and dose limiting toxicities (DLT) in advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSClC). TS-1 was given orally at a dose of 80 mg/m2/day for 2 weeks, followed by a 2-week rest. Carboplatin was given intravenously on day 8 at a dose of 4.0, 5.0, 6.0 area under the curve (AUC) values. Fifteen patients with advanced NSClC were analyzed. The grade 3-4 toxicities observed during the first cycle were febrile neutropenia (6%), anemia (6%), anorexia (6%), and diarrhea (6%). These toxicities were reversible and manageable. The MTD for carboplatin was evaluated to be more than 6.0 AUC values, as one of six patients developed Dlt at this dose. The RD for carboplatin was estimated as 6.0 AUC values. Objective responses were seen in five patients (response rate 33%).

Semi-Solid metal (SSM) processing is now considered a commercially successful manufacturing route producing millions of near net shape parts per annum for the automotive industry. Although semi-solid process is currently widely used as a manufacturing process which produces near net-shape metal component, the processes those used for the preparation of semi-solid slurry still take a great deal of time, energy and money. Cup cast method – recently developed by the authors – is able to make semi-solid slurry preparation as easy as pouring water from a pitcher into drinking glass. In this method globular solid particles are prepared by controlling the turbulence and heat distribution in the melt through pouring instead of applying certain external stirring forces, in other common method. In the current study, cup cast method applied to Al-A356 alloy using simple cylinder. Vital factors of this method were optimized by investigating micro-structures.

Carboranes (dicarba-closo-dodecaboranes) are a class of carbon-containing polyhedral boron-cluster compounds having remarkable chemical and thermal stability and hydrophobic character. These features may allow application of carboranes as a new hydrophobic core structure in biologically active molecules that interact hydrophobically with receptors. We report here the design and synthesis of novel androgen antagonists bearing carborane. The most potent compounds, the arylcarborane derivatives 6e and 6i, exhibited antiandrogenic activity greater than that of the well-known antiandrogen hydroxyflutamide in reporter gene assay using NIH3T3 cells transfected with a human AR expression plasmid, as well as in cell growth inhibition assay using androgen-dependent SC-3 cells. Further development of the potent carborane-containing androgen antagonists described here, having a new skeletal structure and unique characteristics, may yield novel therapeutic agents, especially selective androgen receptor modulators.

Candidate estrogen receptor (ER) ligands with two phenolic residues on a three-dimensional hydrophobic core structure (carborane, bicyclo[2.2.2]octene, or adamantane) were synthesized and biologically evaluated. The biological properties of the ligands were markedly dependent on the nature of the hydrophobic core structure. Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)-o-carborane (6) was a partial agonist/antagonist for ER. 1,2-Bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)bicyclo[2.2.2]octene (10) exhibited potent agonist activity for ER, even though the two phenolic groups are located similarly to those of 6.

To establish the progression of brain atrophy rates in patients with a known date of onset of Alzheimer disease (AD).

Three-dimensional porphyrin-monolayer-protected gold clusters with different chain lengths (MPCs) have been prepared to examine the structure and photophysical properties, in comparison with self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the porphyrins on a flat gold surface. The three-dimensional porphyrin MPCs exhibit electrochemical and photophysical properties that are much closer to those of a porphyrin reference compound in solution than those of two-dimensional porphyrin SAMs on the flat gold surface. The three-dimensional architectures of porphyrin MPCs with large surface area have improved the light-harvesting efficiency relative to the corresponding porphyrin SAM on the two-dimensional flat gold surface. Time-resolved single photon counting fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopic studies have demonstrated that undesirable quenching of the porphyrin excited singlet state via energy transfer to the gold surface of the three-dimensional MPCs is much suppressed, as compared to the quenching of the porphyrin SAMs on the two-dimensional flat gold surface. Both the quenching rate constants of the porphyrin excited singlet state by the surfaces of bulk gold and gold nanoclusters reveal weak chain length dependence of the energy transfer quenching.

The inhomogeneous structure of agar gels was examined by means of mechanical-scanning probe microscopy. Several domains were observed in the elasticity images, while such domains could not be seen in the height images. The domain size decreased with increases in agar concentration. We found that the histograms of the logarithm of the local elastic modulus were described well by a single normal distribution. As the agar concentration increased, the peak values of the histograms increased, while the half-value width remained constant. These results imply that the gelation process of agar gels has a common mechanism, despite its complexity.

AbstractBackground/Aims: This study evaluated the mechanism of hemodynamic improvement in polymyxin B-immobilized fiber (PMX) treatment. Methods: Fifteen septic patients with endotoxemia and/or gram negative infection were treated with PMX. Plasma concentrations of calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and nitric oxide metabolites were measured. Results: CGRP and nitric oxide metabolites before treatment were significantly higher than in healthy controls. CGRP had a significantly inverse correlation with diastolic blood pressure and a positive correlation with the Septic Severity Score and the number of failed organs. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure and systemic vascular resistance index increased significantly both immediately after and 24 h after PMX treatment. CGRP decreased significantly 24 h after the treatment. In contrast, there were no significant changes in nitric oxide metabolites. Conclusion: PMX treatment improved hemodynamic parameters in septic patients, and CGRP increased with increasing severity of sepsis. We conclude that a decrease in CGRP levels may be related to hemodynamic improvement resulting from PMX treatments.

We recently isolated an aptamer that binds to the Tat protein of HIV-1 with extremely high affinity and specificity (Yamamoto, R.; et al. Genes Cells 2000, 5, 371.). In the present study, we exploited this strong binding to develop a novel coupling method that links genotype with phenotype. To strengthen the original RNA−protein interaction still further, we connected three units of the aptamer in tandem and three units of a peptide derived from Tat that interacted with the aptamer. The binding of the resultant RNA, which consisted of three units of the aptamer, to the resultant peptide, which consisted of three units of the peptide, was extremely strong. In fact, the RNA−protein interaction was one of the strongest ever reported, with an apparent Kd below 16 pM. This strong interaction was attempted for the selection of functional proteins, namely, dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) or streptavidin, which we chose as an example, and we succeeded in the expected selection, although to a limited extent, of the target protein. The noncovalent but strong interaction described above should be useful as a novel tool for the future selection of functional proteins from pools of random sequences of amino acids.

The method of leukocytapheresis for ulcerative colitis (UC) by using extracorporeal circulation (on-line system) has been reported. To perform leukocytapheresis, we have applied leukocyte elimination filters for blood transfusion to leukocytapheresis without using extracorporeal circulation (off-line leukocytapheresis system). Four hundred milliliters of peripheral blood was collected and reinfused through a leukocyte elimination filter. This procedure was repeated 5 times, and up to 2,000 ml of peripheral blood was treated. This method has been applied once a week for 5 weeks. We applied the off-line leukapheresis system to a 31-year-old male ulcerative colitis patient. As a result, the frequency of defecation and the dose of medicine were effectively decreased, and endoscopic finding was also improved. Because of the absence of complications observed with the on-line system, the off-line leukocytapheresis system that we have applied to the clinical patient is simple, safe, and useful.

In an attempt to examine stress-induced behavioral disorders, including circadian rhythm disturbances, we measured motor activity, feeding, drinking, and body temperature over a 14-day period following a long-term stress exposure in rats. Male Wistar rats were exposed to foot shock (physical) or non-foot shock stress (psychological) induced by the communication box for 1 h daily over 12 weeks. Two to three months after the termination of the stress sessions, motor activity, food intake, water intake, and body temperature were measured by means of an automatic behavioral measurement system under a 12:12-h light:dark cycle. Motor activity, feeding, and drinking patterns were not influenced by either of the previous stress exposures. Daily rhythm of body temperature was also unchanged in either stress group, however, a significant elevation in body temperature (by 0.20°C, p<0.05) was observed only in non-foot-shocked rats. The present study suggests that only psychological stress induces an elevation of body temperature following the stress exposures; however, long-term stress exposures in the present experiment do not disturb behavioral activities and daily rhythms of behaviors.

Guest Editor's Introduction: Endotoxins, which consist of lipopolysaccharides (LPS), are known to be a pathogenic substance in patients with septic shock. Since Nolan reported endotoxin adsorption by ion exchange resin and activated charcoal, the search for more effective adsorbents were continued and have lead to the development of polymyxin B immobilized fibers. Polymyxin B is a cationic antibiotic agent which interacts with acidic phospholipids and LPL by electrostatic force. This paper was the first report written in English regarding polymixin B immobilized fibers. The adsorbent is now known as Toraymyxin PMX-20R and manufactured by Toray Co. This paper was published in Therapeutic Apheresis: A Critical Look, Y. Nosé, P.S. Malchesky, and J,W. Smith eds., ISAO Press, page 167-170 (1984).
A new method of preparing polymyxin B fixed to insoluble fiber (PMX-F) was developed. PMX-F (1 g) was detoxified with 0.5-4.8 mg of lipopolysaccharides (LPS) as endotoxin (ET) in a batch system. Fixed polymyxin B(PX) was found to be firmly attached to fiber even after washing with isotonic saline or endotoxin solution. Toxicological study of the mortality of mice after injection of PMX-F-treated ET indicated that 24% (5 of 21) of the treated group survived, whereas 100% (21 of 21) of the untreated group died. In ex vivo experiments, direct hemoperfusion (DHP) by PMX-F was performed for ET-injected canine. Only 12.5% (1 of 8) survived in the control group, but 83% (10 of 12) survived in the group receiving DHP with PMX-F. Mortality in the treated group decreased remarkably. The results thus indicate the efficacy of PMX-F in neutralizing ET.

Pepocin, isolated from Cucurbita pepo, is a ribosome-inactivating protein (RIP). RIPs site-specifically recognize and depurinate an adenosine at position 4324 in rat 28 S rRNA, rendering the ribosome incapable of interacting with essential elongation factors. Aptamers that target pepocin were isolated from a degenerate RNA pool by in vitro selection. A conserved hairpin motif, quite different from the sequence of the toxin-substrate domain in rat 28 S rRNA, was identified in the aptamer sequences. The aptamers selectively bind to pepocin with dissociation constants between 20 and 30 nM and inhibit the N-glycosidase activity of pepocin on rat liver 28 S rRNA. Competitive binding experiments using aptamer variants suggest that the conserved hairpin region in the anti-pepocin aptamer binds near the catalytic site on pepocin and prevents the interaction of pepocin and 28 S rRNA. Anti-RIP aptamers have potential use in diagnostic systems for the detection of pepocin or could be used as therapy to prevent the action of pepocin in mammalian cells.

We found unique behaviors among platelets within a few minutes of the intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) into mice. Platelets accumulated primarily in the liver at lower doses of LPS, but at higher doses they accumulated largely in the lungs. When the platelets accumulated in these organs were degraded, there was a rapid anaphylactoid shock. The platelet response depended on the strain of mouse and on the source of LPS. Of various LPSs tested, the LPS from the smooth type of Klebsiella O3 (KO3-S LPS) was the most potent at inducing the platelet response and shock. K-76 monocarboxylic acid, an inhibitor of complement C5, effectively prevented the KO3-S LPS-induced degradation (but not accumulation) of platelets and the ensuing rapid shock in BALB/c mice. Moreover, in DBA/2 mice (which are deficient in complement C5), platelets accumulated in the lungs and liver in response to KO3-S LPS but soon returned to the circulation without degradation, and there was no rapid shock. The LPS from the rough type of KO3 induced an accumulation of platelets in the liver and lungs but not a degradation of platelets. On the basis of these results and those reported by other investigators, we propose that in the platelet response to LPS, the lectin pathway to form C3 convertase from C4 and C2 is involved in the rapid accumulation of platelets in the liver and lungs and that the pathway from C5 to C9 is involved in the destruction of platelets and the consequent anaphylactoid shock.