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We compared the shapes and catches of two trawl nets having differing headrope and groundrope configurations based on paired tow data collected by two research vessels (Yoko Maru and Kumamoto Maru) in the East China Sea. According to the paired data, the vertical opening of the net was significantly higher on the Yoko Maru, which employed a headrope kite, than the Kumamoto Maru, which uses floats on the headrope, while the horizontal opening of the net was significantly wider on the Kumamoto Maru than Yoko Maru (p < 0.01). According to generalized linear model (GLM) analysis of paired data, the capture of Dentex hypselosomus and Photololigo edulis increased when either or both the vertical and horizontal openings of the net of Yoko Maru increased or the horizontal opening of the net of Kumamoto Maru decreased. The catch of these fishes was estimated to be 0.9–4.0 times greater for Yoko Maru compared with Kumamoto Maru, depending on the vertical opening of the net of Yoko Maru. The catch of Champsodon snyderi was only influenced by the horizontal opening of the net, while for two Carangidae species, Trachurus japonicus and Kaiwarinus equula, no influence of the net shape was detected.

We have developed a test setup to measure frequency up-conversion gain in superconductor–insulator–superconductor (SIS) junctions at W band (75–110 GHz). A conventional SIS mixer with Nb/AlOx/Nb tunnel junctions was used as a frequency up-converter. An up-converted signal is measured by a room-temperature down-converter system. We observed distinct intermediate frequency responses to signal inputs from a continuous microwave source. The measured single-sideband up-conversion gain in SIS junctions was clearly positive (> 0 dB) with input frequency less than 2 GHz, which was well-calibrated by using an input from the continuous-wave source.

A coupling device, which can extract coherent edge radiation (CER) from an optical cavity for a free-electron laser (FEL) without damaging the FEL due to diffraction loss, was developed at Nihon University. We successfully observed the CER beam with a power of 1 mW or more in the terahertz range during FEL oscillation. It is revealed that the CER power changed with the detuning of the optical cavity and the dependence of the CER power on the detuning length differs from that of the FEL power. The measured CER spectra indicate that the longitudinal electron distribution in a bunch is modulated by the FEL oscillation with a period corresponding to the FEL slippage length. We herein report the characteristics of the CER with FEL oscillation in detail. These results demonstrate that the CER is excellent tool to reveal the overall effect of FEL interaction on electron distribution in a bunch.

Slow-slip events frequently occur, but regular earthquakes are much less active on the H2O fluid-rich subduction interface at depths of ~ 40 km. The characteristic duration for silent earthquakes, which are categorized as the great slow-slip events, is more than five orders of magnitude longer than that for regular earthquakes. Such phenomena are often attributed to the slippage of the softer part of the subduction interface, but the impact of H2O fluid on aseismic slip is still unsolved. Here, we conduct deformation experiments on water-saturated harzburgite at pressures of 1.2 to 3.0 GPa and temperatures of 770 to 1250 K, corresponding to the conditions of the lower part of the overriding plate just above the subduction interface. We observe deformation of the harzburgite followed by silent faulting at a significantly low stress level down to 0.3 GPa under fluid-bearing conditions, even though many acoustic emissions are generated at the onset of faulting in fluid-free harzburgite. We find that the observed silent faulting is caused by the detachment of asperity contacts by high pore pressures and lubrication of the fault plane by a hydration reaction. We therefore propose that H2O fluid may prevent the occurrence of regular intraslab earthquakes, but trigger silent earthquakes.

Fishery-dependent catch per unit effort (CPUE) data have been used as an abundance index (AI) in fish stock assessments. However, fishery-dependent CPUE data are influenced not only by changes in fish abundance but also by other factors, such as the choice or restrictions of fishing grounds to operate. Accordingly, bias may arise in AIs due to a lack of data from unfished or rarely fished areas. To improve the accuracy of AI estimates, spatially arranged CPUE datasets from both trawl fisheries and research vessel surveys in the East China Sea were concurrently analyzed in the present study using a multivariate autoregressive state-space (MARSS) model. Survey datasets complemented information on stock status in the fishing areas where fishery-dependent datasets were limited. As a result, the combined use of datasets from both sources effectively improved the accuracy of estimates of AIs and the spatial distribution of the population density of each fish species.

Earthquakes can occur at great depths in the Earth, within subducting tectonic plates. Deformation experiments suggest these deep earthquakes can be triggered by localized heating of the slabs under high pressures.

The role of aqueous fluid in fracturing in subducting slabs was investigated through a series of deformation experiments on dunite that was undersaturated (i.e., fluid-free) or saturated with water (i.e., aqueous-fluid bearing) at pressures of 1.0–1.8 GPa and temperatures of 670–1250 K, corresponding to the conditions of the shallower regions of the double seismic zone in slabs. In situ X-ray diffraction, radiography, and acoustic emissions (AEs) monitoring demonstrated that semi-brittle flow associated with AEs was dominant and the creep/failure strength of dunite was insensitive to the dissolved water content in olivine. In contrast, aqueous fluid drastically decreased the creep/failure strength of dunite (up to ~ 1 GPa of weakening) over a wide range of temperatures in the semi-brittle regime. Weakening of the dunite by the aqueous fluid resulted in the reduction of the number of AE events (i.e., suppression of microcracking) and shortening of time to failure. The AE hypocenters were located at the margin of the deforming sample while the interior of the faulted sample was aseismic (i.e., aseismic semi-brittle flow) under water-saturated conditions. A faulting (slip rate of ~ 10−3 to 10−4 s−1) associated with a large drop of stress (Δσ ~ 0.5 to 1 GPa) and/or pressure (ΔP ~ 0.5 GPa) was dominant in fluid-free dunite, while a slow faulting (slip rate

The biological characteristics of Conger myriaster in the East China Sea were studied in May and June (summer), and in November and December (winter), from 2009 to 2010. C. m yriaster was collected mainly at stations in the survey area contained within longitudes 125°E and 128°E and latitudes 28°N and 33°N. Depths and bottom water temperatures for the positive stations ranged from 73 to 186 m and 12.5 to 19.2 °C in summer, and from 65 to 187 m and 13.8 to 21.4 °C in winter. A total of 107 specimens included 64 pre-vitellogenesis (peri-nucleolus to early oil droplet stages) females, 16 mid-vitellogenesis (primary to secondary yolk globule stages) females, 24 pre-meiosis males (spermatogonial proliferation stage), and three sex-unidentified specimens. The gonads of summer-collected mid-vitellogenesis females were more developed than those of winter-collected mid-vitellogenesis females. Additionally, mid-vitellogenesis females were collected mostly where bottom water temperature was lower than 20 °C in both summer and winter. On the other hand, males were captured only in winter and were all pre-meiosis individuals. This suggested that C. m yriaster has different behaviors between females and males. Furthermore, sex ratios (female:male) were 46:0 in summer and 34:24 in winter. The presence of mid-vitellogenesis females and the absence of males in summer suggested different spawning migration routes and/or seasons for females and males.

The phase and melting relations in the Fe–S–Si system were determined up to 60 GPa by using a double-sided laser-heated diamond anvil cell combined with X-ray diffraction. On the basis of the X-ray diffraction patterns, we confirmed that hcp/fcc Fe–Si alloys and Fe3S are stable phases under subsolidus conditions in the Fe–S–Si system. Both solidus and liquidus temperatures are significantly lower than the melting temperature of pure Fe and both increase with pressure. The slopes of the Fe–S–Si liquidus and solidus curves determined here are smaller than the adiabatic temperature gradients of the liquid cores of Mercury and Mars. Thus, crystallization of their cores started at the core–mantle boundary region.

We investigated the factors determining the distribution and dynamics of tree species in a warm–temperate mature mixed forest of evergreen coniferous and broad-leaved tree species in a steep mountainous area for 13 years in southwest Japan, with particular focus on instability of the ground surface. Among various site conditions, landform unit was the principal factor determining the distribution of tree species, while moisture regime was the second-most important factor within the upper area. The amount of movement of sediment and litter on the ground surface in the lower area was much higher than movement within the upper area, indicating that the lower area was unstable due to mass movement caused by erosion. The effects of instability of the ground surface on mortality and recruitment varied across the dominant tree species. Symplocos prunifolia (SYMPLOCACEAE), which was distributed in the upper area, and Machilus japonica, which was distributed in the lower area, exhibited lower mortality and higher recruitment in the areas where they were mainly distributed. These results suggest that topographic niche differentiation caused habitat segregation for some species. However, for most species, such relationships were not consistently observed, and growth rates did not significantly differ between the upper and lower areas. This study, by using long-term data, demonstrates that variation in sensitivity to stability due to topography contributes to local species richness and co-existence.

We present a case of classical Hodgkin's lymphoma (HL) co-occurring with histological features of Castleman's disease (CD). A 25-year-old man presented with left supraclavicular and axillary lymph node swelling and mediastinal mass. Using an initial biopsy specimen from left axillary lymph node, a tentative diagnosis of multicentric CD of plasma cell type was made. The serum level of interleukin-6 (IL-6) was elevated. The patient was treated with immunosuppressive therapy containing tocilizumab (TCZ). Shrinkage of mediastinal mass and axillary lymph nodes was seen; however, swelling of his left axillary lymph nodes reemerged, even after therapy with TCZ. A second left axillary lymph node biopsy was performed and a diagnosis of nodular sclerosis of classical HL without histologic features of CD was made. The initial biopsy specimen was re-examined, and scattered CD30+ Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells were found in the interfollicular area. Interestingly, Hodgkin/Reed-Sternberg cells and surrounding reactive cells in both lymph nodes were stained with anti-IL-6 antibody. We emphasize that biopsy specimens with HL involvement may also have histologic features reminiscent of those seen in CD. To our knowledge, this is the first report to provide a detailed description of this pathology, including a survey of IL-6 and clinical course upon treatment with TCZ.

Many indicators/indices provide information on whether the 2010 biodiversity target of reducing declines in biodiversity have been achieved. The strengths and limitations of the various measures used to assess the success of such measures are now being discussed. Biodiversity dynamics are often evaluated by a single biological population metric, such as the abundance of each species. Here we examined tree population dynamics of 52 families (192 species) at 11 research sites (three vegetation zones) of Japanese old-growth forests using two population metrics: number of stems and basal area. We calculated indices that track the rate of change in all species of tree by taking the geometric mean of changes in population metrics between the 1990s and the 2000s at the national level and at the levels of the vegetation zone and family. We specifically focused on whether indices based on these two metrics behaved similarly. The indices showed that (1) the number of stems declined, whereas basal area did not change at the national level and (2) the degree of change in the indices varied by vegetation zone and family. These results suggest that Japanese old-growth forests have not degraded and may even be developing in some vegetation zones, and indicate that the use of a single population metric (or indicator/index) may be insufficient to precisely understand the state of biodiversity. It is therefore important to incorporate more metrics into monitoring schemes to overcome the risk of misunderstanding or misrepresenting biodiversity dynamics.

We report here a quite rare case of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) with isolated tumor cells in the sentinel lymph node in a 17-year-old adolescent girl whose mother also had advanced breast cancer. Findings included an elastic mass in the right breast accompanied by serous nipple discharge. DCIS of the breast was diagnosed following core needle biopsy. Although no invasive focus was clearly observed in the mastectomy sample, isolated tumor cells were found in the sentinel lymph node. Although the family refused genetic testing, a hereditary abnormality may have played a role in the carcinogenesis in this case.

Fe–Mg partitioning between post-perovskite and ferropericlase has been studied using a laser-heated diamond anvil cell at pressures up to 154 GPa and 2,010 K which corresponds to the conditions in the lowermost mantle. The composition of the phases in the recovered samples was determined using analytical transmission electron microscopy. Our results reveal that the Fe–Mg partition coefficient between post-perovskite and ferropericlase (K D PPv/Fp ) increases with decreasing bulk iron content. The compositional dependence of K D PPv/Fp on the bulk iron content explains the inconsistency in previous studies, and the effect of the bulk iron content is the most dominant factor compared to other factors, such as temperature and aluminum content. Iron prefers ferropericlase compared to post-perovskite over a wide compositional range, whereas the iron content of post-perovskite (X Fe PPv , the mole fraction) does not exceed a value of 0.10. The iron-rich ferropericlase phase may have significant influence on the physical properties, such as the seismic velocity and electrical conductivity at the core–mantle boundary region.

The melting temperature of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy was determined up to 119 GPa based on a change of laser heating efficiency and the texture of the recovered samples in the laser-heated diamond anvil cell experiments. We have also investigated the subsolidus phase relations of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy by the in-situ X-ray diffraction method and confirmed that the bcc phase is stable at least up to 57 GPa and high temperature. The melting curve of the alloy was fitted by the Simon’s equation, P(GPa)/a = (T m(K)/T 0) c , with parameters, T 0 = 1,473 K, a = 3.5 ± 1.1 GPa, and c = 4.5 ± 0.4. The melting temperature of bcc Fe–18 wt% Si alloy is comparable with that of pure iron in the pressure range of this work. The melting temperature of Fe–18 wt% Si alloy is estimated to be 3,300–3,500 K at 135 GPa, and 4,000–4,200 K at around 330 GPa, which may provide the lower bound of the temperatures at the core–mantle boundary and the inner core–outer core boundary if the light element in the core is silicon.

We studied the age and growth of the lizardfish Saurida elongata using ground thin sections of otoliths (sagittae) from specimens collected in the Tsushima/Korea Strait between May 1999 and June 2001. A total of 695 individuals with fork lengths (FL) ranging from 189 to 478 mm were examined. The frequency of translucent zone occurrence at the outer margin of the otoliths indicated that translucent zones formed once a year between November and February. Most of the males examined were estimated to be 2–7 years old and the females, 3–9 years old. The maximum estimated age of a male specimen was 10 years and that of a female, 11 years. The estimated von Bertalanffy growth curves were FL t = 451{1 − exp[−0.172(t + 2.50)]} and FL t = 515{1 − exp[−0.151(t + 2.47)]} for males and females, respectively. At all ages, the FL at a specific age for females was greater than that for males, suggesting that females of this species grow faster than males.

The age and growth of chub mackerel Scomber japonicus collected from the East China Sea and the northern waters off Kyushu between June 2000 and June 2001 were determined by observing the otolith surface after dipping it in xylene. The translucent and opaque zones on the otolith surface were identified, and the number of translucent zones was counted. Monthly changes in the frequency of fish with translucent zones on the otolith margin, and in the marginal increments, indicated that the translucent zones were formed between April and June. The seasonal pattern of annulus formation on the otolith became clear by observing the otoliths of fish with known ages, and the otolith formation in wild fish was consistent with that of fish with known ages. The mean gonadosomatic index of male and female fish was high from March to May, and spawning females were observed from mid-March to mid-May. The estimated ages were 1–5 years for males and 1–6 years for females. The von Bertalanffy growth parameters did not significantly differ between male and female. The model was obtained as FLt=406×{1−exp[−0.372×(t+1.68)]

Breast metastases from extra-mammary malignancies, especially those mimicking primary inflammatory breast carcinoma, are extremely rare. We report here two cases of inflammatory breast metastases from gastric or ovarian cancer. Both patients, who had prior advanced malignant disease, presented with unilateral breast redness and swelling with peau d'orange sign, resembling primary inflammatory breast cancer or acute mastitis. Breast biopsy revealed poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with signet-ring cells or clear cell carcinoma in the lymphatic vessels and the parenchyma without an in situ lesion, similar to primary lesions of the stomach or ovary, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining for estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and gross cystic disease fluid protein 15 was of value for correct diagnosis. Since breast metastasis is a sign of poor prognosis of the primary malignant disease, the possibility of breast metastasis should be considered in appropriate patients to preclude unnecessary major surgery.

We have detected the rotational lines of HCOOCH3 toward a Class 0 low-mass protostar, NGC1333 IRAS4B, which is reported to be extremely young according to the dynamical age of the molecular outflow (a few 100 yr). This suggests that the complex organic molecules appear from the very early stage of protostellar evolution. On the other hand, the complex organic molecules are not detected in a more evolved protostar, L1527. We have also found a similar trend in a massive star forming region, NGC2264. The HCOOCH3 emission is almost absent toward IRS1, whereas it is concentrated near MMS3, which is younger than IRS1. In addition, the HCOOCH3 intensity peak is slightly shifted from the dust emission peak, as is seen in the Orion KL Compact Ridge, giving an important clue to solve its origin.

We report here a rare form of invasive ductal carcinoma composed of a mass protruding from the tip of the nipple in a 43-year-old woman with hyperprolactinemia. She had been amenorrheic for 15 years following an incomplete pituitary adenomectomy for prolactinoma. She presented with a mass on the left nipple that had been growing for 6 months. Morphologically, the mass resembled adenoma of the nipple. Another mass was located in the subareolar region. She underwent mastectomy after invasive ductal carcinoma was diagnosed. Histopathologically, the tumor of the nipple was invasive ductal carcinoma, which had extended intraductally from another invasive ductal carcinoma in the subareolar region, and had infiltrated the epidermis of the nipple (Paget's disease). MR mammography successfully detected the relationship between the tumors. Postoperatively, the plasma prolactin level was abnormally high, while the plasma estradiol level was quite low, although macro-pituitary adenoma was not detected by MRI. The patient was treated with bromocriptine mesilate, in addition to adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer, and the plasma prolactin level has since normalized.

A marine bacterial strain that degraded fucoidan from Kjellmaniella crassifolia (class Phaeophyceae, order Laminariales, family Laminariaceae) was isolated in our laboratory. The strain was gram-negative, ubiquinone 8 was the predominant respiratory quinone, and the GC-content of its genomic DNA was 36%. The cells of the strain were rod-shaped (2.0 microm long x 1.0 microm wide), and each cell was motile by means of one polar flagellum. Phylogenetic analysis of its 16S ribosomal DNA sequence indicated that it was a member of the family Alteromonadaceae. It produced a type of extracellular fucoidanase, an endosulfated fucan-digesting enzyme. The enzyme was purified with 3500-fold purity at 12.0% yield. Optimum conditions for the enzyme reaction were approximately pH 6.5 to 8.0 and temperature 30 degrees to 35 degrees C. The enzyme was activated by calcium ions, and maximum activity was observed in the presence of greater than 30 mM calcium ion.

A fucoidan-utilizing marine bacterium, Fucophilus fucoidanolyticus, was cultivated in medium containing fucoidan from Cladosiphon okamuranus. The C. okamuranus fucoidan was digested into oligosaccharides with the intracellular enzymes of F. fucoidanolyticus, and their structures were determined by nuclear magnetic resonance analyses. Some of their structures are represented by one general structural formula, (-3 L-Fuc palpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate)alpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate)alpha1-3( D-Glc pUAalpha1-2) L-Fuc palpha1)(m)-3 L-Fuc palpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate)alpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate) alpha1-3 L-Fuc p ( m = 0, 1, 2, or 3). We concluded that all oligosaccharides obtained were derived from a sulfated-fucose-containing polysaccharide of C. okamuranus, which has a repeating unit of (-3 L-Fuc palpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate)alpha1-3 L-Fuc p(4- O-sulfate)alpha1-3( D-Glc pUAalpha1-2) L-Fuc palpha1-).

Three kinds of trisaccharides were prepared by digesting fucoidan from the brown alga Kjellmaniella crassifolia, with the extracellular enzymes of the marine bacterium Fucobacter marina. Their structures were determined as delta 4,5GlcpUA1-2(L-Fucp(3-O-sulfate)alpha 1-3)D-Manp, delta 4,5GlcpUA1-2(L-Fucp(3- O-sulfate)alpha 1-3)D-Manp(6-O-sulfate), and delta 4,5GlcpUA1-2(L-Fucp(2,4-O-disulfate)alpha 1-3)D-Manp(6-O-sulfate), which indicated the existence of a novel polysaccharide in the fucoidan and a novel glycosidase in the extracellular enzymes. In order to determine the complete structure of the polysaccharide and the reaction mechanism of the glycosidase, the fucoidan was partially hydrolyzed to obtain glucuronomannan, which is the putative backbone of the polysaccharide, and its sugar sequence was determined as (-4-D-GlcpUAbeta 1-2D-Manpalpha 1-)n, which disclosed that the main structure of the polysaccharide is (-4-D-GlcpUAbeta 1-2(L-Fucp(3-O-sulfate)alpha 1-3)D-Manpalpha 1-)n. Consequently, the glycosidase was deduced to be an endo-alpha-D-mannosidase that eliminatively cleaves the alpha-D-mannosyl linkage between D-Manp and D-GlcpUA residues in the polysaccharide and produces the above trisaccharides. The novel polysaccharide and glycosidase were tentatively named as sulfated fucoglucuronomannan (SFGM) and SFGM lyase, respectively.

Population structure and ecological characteristics of component species of a riparian Ulmus-Quercus forest in central Japan were analyzed with special reference to riparian disturbance regime. Though the dbh distribution of the whole community was L-shaped, those of several component tree populations had several modes, suggesting intermittent regeneration periods in the past. Correlation of spatial distributions among tree populations and subpopulations showed 6 major groups reflecting riparian disturbances in the past and different establishment patterns among species. A cluster of small-sized tree populations (Salix sachalinensis, Alnus hirsuta and Populus maximowiczii

Many craters and thick regoliths of the moon imply that it has experienced heavy meteorite bombardments. Although the existence of a high-pressure polymorph is a stark evidence for a dynamic event, few high-pressure polymorphs are found in a lunar sample. α-PbO₂-type silica (seifertite) is an ultrahigh-pressure polymorph of silica, and is found only in a heavily shocked Martian meteorite. Here we show evidence for seifertite in a shocked lunar meteorite, Northwest Africa 4734. Cristobalite transforms to seifertite by high-pressure and -temperature condition induced by a dynamic event. Considering radio-isotopic ages determined previously, the dynamic event formed seifertite on the moon, accompanying the complete resetting of radio-isotopic ages, is ~2.7 Ga ago. Our finding allows us to infer that such intense planetary collisions occurred on the moon until at least ~2.7 Ga ago.

We developed a measurement system of image rejection ratio for the sideband-separating receiver. This system comprises a horn moved by a motor slider, a harmonic mixer and a signal generator. We have installed the system on the Nobeyama 45-m millimeter telescope and compared the image rejection ratio measured by this system with that obtained from molecular line observations of celestial objects. We confirmed that we can measure image rejection ratio with an accuracy of ±10% with our system. By using the system, we can tune the applied bias voltage of mixer chips to the best performance of image rejection ratio and accurate calibration of the intensity of molecular line observations becomes possible. This is the first IRR measurement system developed for practical use with the 2SB receiver system.

The vertical foliage distribution of Castanopsis cuspidata (Thunb.) Schottky was examined in trees of various sizes to clarify its variation in relation to tree size and the light environment in a stand. As indices of these parameters, we analyzed crown social position (CSP: percent of stand height) and specific leaf area (SLA). The vertical foliage distribution of trees was expressed by a Weibull function. The variation in the vertical foliage distribution of C. cuspidata could be categorized into three types using crown social position and light environment. In the first type, leaves were concentrated to the top 20% of the tree; such trees are canopy trees that can receive full sunlight. The second type had a large relative crown depth and an asymmetric distribution with the maximum foliage located near the top of the tree; such trees are suppressed trees whose crowns do not receive sufficient light. The third type had a large relative crown depth and a symmetric distribution; such trees occur in high light environments, although their crowns are in the understory layer. The differences in the vertical foliage distribution are related to the strategies used to capture light. Multiple regression analysis showed that CSP and SLA at the top layer of the tree explained successive changes in the vertical foliage distribution. These results will contribute to scaling-up the vertical foliage distribution to the community level in pure stands of C. cuspidata using an individual-based model.

The effects of diltiazem and its derivative, TA3090 on the Ba-induced inward current were investigated using dispersed smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery. Diltiazem and TA3090 inhibited the inward current, in a concentration-dependent manner, and TA3090 was more potent than diltiazem (IC50 for diltiazem was 300 mumol/l and for TA3090, 30 mumol/l). The inward current completely recovered from the inhibitory actions of diltiazem (100 mumol/l) after its removal at holding potentials of -60 and -40 mV, though complete recovery did not occur after TA3090 (1-100 mumol/l). The voltage-dependent inactivation curves were shifted to the left by both drugs. Judging from the amplitudes of shift of V-half, the dissociation constants of inhibition for both diltiazem and TA3090 in the inactivated state were 17 mumol/l and 2.6 mumol/l, respectively. At a holding potential of -60 mV, diltiazem and TA3090 reduced the peak amplitude of the inward current, and diltiazem, but not TA3090, accelerated the decay of the current (300 ms command pulse duration). However, TA3090 did accelerate the decay of the current when a longer pulse (1 s) was applied, or when a depolarizing pulse was applied from a holding potential of -80 mV. Changes in the pH (range 6.8-7.7) of the bathing solution did not influence the decay of the current. In conclusion, TA3090 inhibits the Ca-channels of smooth muscle cells of the rabbit mesenteric artery, in a voltage-dependent manner, and its inhibitory actions are similar to those of diltiazem. However, TA3090 has much longer and stronger inhibitory actions on the Ba-inward current than diltiazem.