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Oral Diseases (2010) 16, 781–787 Objective: This study addressed the relationship between periodontal condition and second derivative of the finger photoplethysmogram (SDPTG) in Japanese adults. Subject and methods: The Community Periodontal Index (CPI) and SDPTG were recorded in 415 subjects (mean age: 44.0 years). For assessing SDPTG, we mainly focused on the ratio of the absolute value of the height of the early negative ‘b’ wave and ratio of the late re-decreasing ‘d’ wave to the height of the initial positive ‘a’ wave, namely the b/a and d/a ratios. Results: The CPI score was positively correlated with the b/a ratio (P −0.69, female >−0.64) of b/a ratio (Odds ratio = 1.7, P = 0.026) and lower level (male ≤−0.29, female ≤−0.32) of d/a ratio (Odds ratio = 2.2, P = 0.001) than those with CPI scores 0–2, after adjusting for age, gender, smoking status, pulse rate and presence of hypertension. Conclusion: There was a statistical association between the CPI scores and SDPTG indices in Japanese adults.

Introduction: We retrospectively reviewed and compared the operation records and long-term results of patients with metastatic renal cell carcinoma (mRCC) who underwent laparoscopic cytoreductive nephrectomy and those who underwent open procedure. Methods: A total of 75 patients with mRCC who underwent cytoreductive nephrectomy between 1997 and 2007 were studied: 23 patients in the laparoscopy group (LCN group) and 52 in the open group (OCN group). Most patients received interferon-based cytokine therapy after surgery. Patients with tumor thrombus in the inferior vena cava were excluded from this study. Results: Operating time in the LCN group was significantly longer than in the OCN group (320.3 min vs 269.6 min, P=0.049). Blood loss was less in the LCN group (527.8 ml) than in the OCN group (1372.3 ml, P=0.072). Convalescence was shorter in the LCN group (18.1 d) than in the OCN group (32.9 d, P

Background: Hypoxia has been shown to change electroencephalogram parameters including frequency and amplitude, and may thus change bispectral index (BIS) and spectral entropy values. If hypoxia per se changes BIS and spectral entropy values, BIS and spectral entropy values may not correctly reflect the depth of anaesthesia during hypoxia. The aim of this study was to examine the changes in BIS and spectral entropy values during hypobaric hypoxia in volunteers. Methods: The study was conducted in a high-altitude chamber with 11 volunteers. After the subjects breathed 100% oxygen for 15 min at the ground level, the simulated altitude increased gradually to the 7620 m (25,000 ft) level while the subjects continued to breathe oxygen. Then, the subjects discontinued to breath oxygen and breathed room air at the 7620 m level for up to 5 min until they requested to stop hypoxic exposure. Oxygen saturation (SpO2), heart rate, 95% spectral edge frequency (SEF), BIS, response entropy (RE), and state entropy (SE) of spectral entropy were recorded throughout the study period. Results: Of the 11 subjects, seven subjects who underwent hypoxic exposure for 4 min were analysed. SpO2 decreased to 69% at the 7620 m level without oxygen. However, SEF, BIS, RE, and SE before and during hypoxic exposure were almost identical. Conclusion: These data suggest that hypoxia of oxygen saturation around 70% does not have a strong effect on BIS and spectral entropy.

Background and purpose: Inhibition of squalene synthesis could transform unstable, macrophage/lipid-rich coronary plaques into stable, fibromuscular plaques. We have here treated WHHLMI rabbits, a model for coronary atherosclerosis and myocardial infarction, with a novel squalene synthase inhibitor, lapaquistat acetate (TAK-475). Experimental approach: Young male WHHLMI rabbits were fed a diet supplemented with lapaquistat acetate (100 or 200 mg per kg body weight per day) for 32 weeks. Serum lipid levels were monitored every 4 weeks. After the treatment, lipoprotein lipid and coenzyme Q10 levels were assayed, and coronary atherosclerosis and xanthomas were examined histopathologically or immunohistochemically. From histopathological and immunohistochemical sections, the composition of the plaque was analysed quantitatively with computer-assisted image analysis. Xanthoma was evaluated grossly. Key results: Lapaquistat acetate decreased plasma cholesterol and triglyceride levels, by lowering lipoproteins containing apoB100. Development of atherosclerosis and xanthomatosis was suppressed. Accumulation of oxidized lipoproteins, macrophages and extracellular lipid was decreased in coronary plaques of treated animals. Treatment with lapaquistat acetate increased collagen concentration and transformed coronary plaques into fibromuscular plaques. Lapaquistat acetate also suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 in the plaque and increased peripheral coenzyme Q10 levels. Increased coenzyme Q10 levels and decreased very low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were correlated with improvement of coronary plaque composition. Conclusion and implications: Inhibition of squalene synthase by lapaquistat acetate delayed progression of coronary atherosclerosis and changed coronary atheromatous plaques from unstable, macrophage/lipid accumulation-rich, lesions to stable fibromuscular lesions. British Journal of Pharmacology (2008) 154, 949–957; doi:10.1038/bjp.2008.143; published online 21 April 2008

Cowpea and kidney bean plants were grown in a hydroponic system, and the effect of calcium silicate supplied to the nutrient solution under salt stress was investigated. The plants were subjected to four different treatments: (1) nutrient solution alone (C), (2) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl (NaCl), (3) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl + 0.5 mmol l )1 CaSiO3 (NaCl + Si1) and (4) nutrient solution + 40 mmol l )1 NaCl+1 mmol l )1 CaSiO3 (NaCl + Si2). The results showed that, in both species, salinity reduced all growth variables but silicate supplementation however partly overcame this growth reduction. Addition of silicate in NaCl-stressed plants maintained membrane permeability. Net photosynthesis, chlorophyll content, stomatal conductance and transpiration were higher in plants under control treatment, and the inclusion of silicate in the nutrient solution resulted in a slight increase in these plant parameters. Intercellular CO2 was slightly higher in plants under silicate treatment than in plants under control or NaCl treatment. Calcium concentration in shoots and roots in both species was slightly higher in the treatments where silicate was added. Potassium concentration for salt treatment was reduced in shoot and root of both species in the absence of silicate. Sodium and chloride concentration in shoots and roots in both species were slightly higher in the presence of NaCl and were slightly reduced in the plants under silicate treatments. The results suggest that, in hydroponically grown plants, the inclusion of silicate in the nutrient solution is beneficial because it improves growth, physiological parameters and may contribute to a more balanced nutrition by enhancing nutrient uptake under NaCl-stressed conditions. Added calcium silicate may ameliorate the parameters affected by high salinity, may reduce sodium and chloride, and can

A Si/III-V-N alloys/Si structure was grown on a Si substrate by solid-source molecular beam epitaxy (SSMBE) with an rf plasma nitrogen source and electron-beam (EB) evaporator. A two-dimensional (2D) growth mode was maintained during the growth of all layers. High-resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) revealed that the structure had a small lattice mismatch to the Si substrate. InGaPN/GaPN double-heterostructure (DH) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) were fabricated on Si/III-V-N alloys/Si structure. The various sized LEDs were fabricated to put into the MOSFET for monolithic optoelectronic integrated circuits (OEIC). The luminescence properties of LEDs were evaluated by electroluminescence (EL). A double emission peak from all LED samples was observed at about 642 nm and 695 nm at room temperature (RT). As injection current increased, the emission peak wavelength changed from the peak wavelength of the InGaPN layer to that of the GaPN layer, likely due to carrier overflow of the active layer. A simplified fabrication process for the microsize LED of the unit circuit was proposed. The LEDs with emission areas from 5 x 5 μm 2 to 20 x 20 μm 2 were fabricated. The LED with an emission area of 5 x 5 μm 2 can be applied to an optical device of a monolithic OEIC.

In this article a study of the weak antilocalization effect in an InGaSb/InAlSb two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) as a function of temperature is presented. Detailed information about the spin-splitting and transport parameters of the electronic system was obtained by fitting the model of Golub [L. E. Golub, Phys. Rev. B 71, 235310 (2005)] to the magnetoconductance data. A good agreement between the model and the experiment was achieved, taking into account only one of the k-linear spin-orbit coupling terms. Zero field spin-splitting energy was estimated to be of 1 meV. (© 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)

We examined the effects of chronic salt loading on the hypothalamic expressions of the enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP), arginine vasopressin (AVP) and oxytocin (OXT) genes in AVP-eGFP transgenic rats that expressed eGFP in the hypothalamic AVP-containing neurones. In these rats, salt loading for 5 days caused a marked increase of the eGFP fluorescence in the magnocellular divisions of the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), the supraoptic nucleus (SON) and the internal layer of the median eminence. Expression of the eGFP gene was increased seven- to eight-fold in the PVN and SON of salt-loaded rats in comparison with euhydrated rats. By contrast, none of these changes were observed in the suprachiasmatic nucleus. The expression of the AVP and OXT genes was increased 1.5- to two-fold in the PVN and SON of salt-loaded nontransgenic (control) and transgenic rats. There were no differences in the expression levels of the AVP and OXT genes in the PVN and SON between nontransgenic (control) and transgenic animals under normal conditions and after salt loading. In the posterior pituitary gland, the intensity of the eGFP fluorescence did not change after salt loading for 5 days, but increased after 10 days of salt loading. Upon salt loading, significant increases in the plasma AVP concentrations, plasma osmolality and plasma Na+ were observed. Furthermore, there were no significant differences in changes of water intake, food intake, urine volume, urine osmolality, urine Na+ concentrations, and the body weights in both models under normal or salt-loaded conditions. Our results show that the response of the AVP-eGFP fusion gene to chronic salt loading is exaggerated, and humoral responses such as AVP and OXT and the body fluid homeostasis are maintained in AVP-eGFP transgenic rats. The AVP-eGFP transgenic rat gives us a new opportunity to study the dynamics of the AVP system in vivo.

Fishing gear usage in small-scale coastal fisheries of Pelabuhanratu Bay, Indonesia was explained by two approaches: temporal fishing gear allocation analysis and adaptive responses of fishers to external factors, especially climate and abundance of target species. Gear usage, with the exception of hand lines and seine nets, was more intensive during the dry season than the rainy season. The decision to use seine nets was governed by seasonal variability in the abundance of Auxis thazard, Lacepede, and Trichiurus spp. to the catch. Sustainable management of fishing activities in Pelabuhanratu Bay requires proportional reductions in the use of lift nets and fixed gillnets across the seasons rather than gear specific effort reductions.

The antihypertensive effect of crude stevioside obtained from the leaves of Stevia rebaudiana (Bertoni) Bertoni (Compositae) on previously untreated mild hypertensive patients was examined. Patients with essential hypertension were submitted to a placebo phase for 4 weeks. The volunteers selected in this phase were randomly assigned to receive either capsules containing placebo during 24 weeks or crude stevioside 3.75 mg/kg/day (7 weeks), 7.5 mg/kg/day (11 weeks) and 15.0 mg/kg/day (6 weeks). All capsules were prescribed twice a daily (b.i.d.), i.e. before lunch and before dinner. After the placebo phase and after each dose of crude stevioside, body mass index, electrocardiogram and laboratory tests were performed. During the investigation blood pressure (BP) was measured biweekly and the remaining data were collected at the end of each stevioside dose step. All adverse events were prospectively recorded but no major adverse clinical effects were observed during the trial. Systolic and diastolic BP decreased (p < 0.05) during the treatment with crude stevioside, but a similar effect was observed in the placebo group. Therefore, crude stevioside up to 15.0 mg/kg/day did not show an antihypertensive effect. Moreover, the results suggest that oral crude stevioside is safe and supports the well-established tolerability during long term use as a sweetener in Brazil. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Both mammary gland development and mammary carcinogenesis involve extensive remodeling of the mammary gland extracellular matrix. The expression of four membrane-type matrix metalloproteinases (MT-MMPs) with matrix remodeling potential in development and tumorigenesis was evaluated by in-situ hybridization on mouse mammary gland sections. MT1-MMP and MT3-MMP were found in the mammary stroma mainly around epithelial structures in both developing and mature mammary gland. In contrast, MT2-MMP was found exclusively in the mammary epithelium. Lactating gland expressed none of the examined MT-MMPs. Mammary gland tumors expressed MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, and MT3-MMP while MT4-MMP was not expressed in any developmental or cancerous stage analyzed here. Our results suggest that MT1-MMP, MT2-MMP, and MT3-MMP may be involved in remodeling of both the normal and diseased mammary gland either directly or indirectly by activation of other MMPs. Published 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Restriction proteolysis of the yolk proteins during the final oocyte maturation appears to result in the low content of free amino acids (FAA) and the unique FAA profile in Japanese eel Anguilla japonica eggs obtained by hormonal inducement.

A portable x-ray fluorescence spectrometer equipped with a silicon drift detector (SDD) and a digital signal processor (DSP) was developed for in-field analysis of archeological samples at an excavation site. This spectrometer allows us to carry out highly sensitive analyses of various elements with atomic numbers down to Na in air by using two monochromatic x-ray sources obtained by doubly bent toroidal monochromators of graphite (0002) (Pd Kα for medium–heavy elements) and PET (200) (Pd Lα for light elements) and white x-rays with a Zr filter excited at 40 kV for heavy elements. The detection limit was 0.31% for Al and 4 ppm for Sr in a standard cement sample. The spectrometer was set in a room of the excavation laboratory at al-Tūr Sinai in the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt in the summer of 2001. The Middle Eastern Culture Center has been conducting an excavation of the sites in al-Tūr al-Kilani and Rāya, which were important port cities of Red Sea trade from early Islamic periods: al-Tūr (A.D.14–20) and Rāya (A.D.8–12). The instrument was operated without any problems and 222 glass objects, 26 pottery sherds, seven pigments and 88 metallic objects were analyzed non-destructively during a 1 month stay. Since this was the first chemical analysis done at the sites, many important archaeological findings were obtained in the present study. Glass objects were successfully classified based on their chemical compositions. Characterization of stained (luster) glasses was conducted. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The present study examines the dental root after Er:YAG laser irradiation, compared with CO2 lased and non-treated surfaces, using Fourier Transformed Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. Freshly extracted human teeth were irradiated by Er:YAG laser at an energy output of 40 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz (0.4 watts), with or without water coolant, and by CO2 laser at an energy output of 0.5 watts in continuous wave mode without coolant. The surfaces were chalky and smooth after irradiation by Er:YAG laser with water coolant, were charred and irregular after irradiation by Er:YAG laser without water coolant, and were completely carbonized after CO2 laser irradiation. The FTIR profiles from samples of the surfaces that were irradiated by Er:YAG laser with water coolant were similar to those from non-treated samples, except for a slight decrease on the OH and amide bands, which are mainly related to organic components. This decrease was observed to be extreme after CO2 laser irradiation and moderate after Er:YAG laser irradiation without coolant. The formation of new bands showing toxic substances was observed to a large extent after CO2 laser irradiation and to a smaller extent after Er:YAG laser irradiation without water coolant. In contrast, no such bands were detected after Er:YAG laser irradiation with water coolant. The present results show that these laser treatments selectively ablated more organic components than inorganic components and that Er:YAG laser irradiation with water coolant did not cause major compositional changes or chemically deleterious changes in either root cementum or dentin.

In systemic autoimmune-prone (NZB × NZW)F1 (NZB/W F1) mice, B-cell abnormalities characterized by hypergammaglobulinaemia accompanying autoantibodies have been thought to be a main cause of the disease. To examine a possible regulatory role of B cells in the disease manifestations, we injected, intravenously (i.v.), normal or autoimmune B cells into non-irradiated NZB/W F1 mice. The injection of splenic B cells from major histocompatibility (MHC)-matched or allogeneic normal mice caused a marked decrease in serum immunoglobulin G (IgG) levels of autoantibodies, delayed the appearance of proteinuria and prolonged life span, whereas treatment with splenic B cells from NZB/W F1 or X-linked immunodeficient (Xid) mice failed to suppress the autoimmunity. Moreover, in vitro polyclonal antibody responses to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) of NZB/W F1-derived B cells from the treated mice were markedly reduced. Interestingly, the treatment of NZB/W F1 mice at 16, 18 and 20 or at 20, 22 and 24 weeks of age was more effective than that at 6, 8 and 10 weeks. The treatment also inhibited the development of surface IgG+ (sIgG+) B cells and splenomegaly, prominent in aged NZB/W F1 mice. In addition, when untreated NZB/W F1 responding B cells were precultured with normal B cells in vitro for 3 days, they also diminished the autoantibody production to subsequent LPS stimulation. Hence, the present results imply a novel function of normal B cells to ameliorate autoimmune disease in NZB/W F1 mice by correcting their B-cell abnormalities, and indicate that NZB/W F1 and Xid mice possess defects in this regulatory B-cell function.

We have investigated the applicability of a simple and inexpensive osteoclastic assay system using bone-like apatite-coated polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) disks. A 1 μm thick apatite layer, uniform and homogeneous bone-mineral-like with no organic components, was made on PET disks using a biomimetic process. As substrates for an osteoclastic assay, these coated disks were compared with dentine as well as with bone-like or heat-treated apatite of various thicknesses on apatite- and wollastonite-containing glass ceramic (A-W GC) disks. The unfractionated bone cells, including osteoclasts, of a neonatal rabbit were seeded onto these substrates. By scanning electron microscopic examination, the resorption lacunae of the thick bone-like apatite clearly showed track-like shapes at various depths, similar to those of dentine although the border between the A-W GC and the apatite was unclear. In contrast, those of heat-treated apatite showed small and shallow shapes with irregular margins, quite different from those of dentine. By reducing the thickness of bone-like apatite to 1 μm as well as using PET as its substrate, the margins of the resorption lacunae became quite clear, and with the use of phase-contrast microscopy during culture, osteoclasts and resorption pits could be precisely observed. The resorbed area, easily measured with the aid of bright-field microscopy and an image analyzer, was found to have increased in a time-dependent manner and at the end of 4 days of culture was not statistically different from that of dentine. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 42, 278–285, 1998.

Ž . ABSTRACT: Ab initio calculations of the second hyperpolarizabilities g for oneŽ . dimensional hydrogen chains H with different bond-length alternations and charges n are performed. We investigate their signs, magnitudes, and chain-length dependences at various electron correlation levels using an extended basis set. Remarkable differences in the g are observed for different bond-length alternations and for different charged states. In order to elucidate the differences in g , spatial contributions of electrons to the g are analyzed for these short and long H chains by using the second hyperpolarizability n density plots. The effects of the introduction of charged defects into the linear chains on the g are also investigated by varying the intercharged defects distance. Q 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Int J Quant Chem 70: 269]282, 1998

Neonatal rabbit bone cells were cultured for 1 and 4 days on biphasic calcium phosphate ceramic specimens to study the osteoclastic resorption of the ceramic. Scanning electron microscopic studies after removal of stromal cells with pronase E and EDTA revealed many osteoclast-associated lacunae on the ceramic surface. The degraded crystals inside the lacunae appeared to have been dissolved by acids. Cellular degradation of the ceramic was clearly due to the extracellular process characteristic of osteoclastic resorption. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res, 37, 346-352, 1997.

In order to clarify the origin of acetylcholine (ACh) in human blood, we measured the content and synthesis activity of ACh in several human leukemic cell lines. The intracellular ACh content determined by a specific and sensitive radioimmunoassay in the human leukemic T cell lines, HSB-2, MOLT-3, and CEM, was 79.6, 36.2, and 9.5 pmol/10(6) cells, respectively. These values were 9-70-fold higher than those of other cell lines, including a helper T cell line, Jurkat. Stimulation of HSB-2 and MOLT-3 by phytohemagglutinin (PHA) increased both the intracellular content and release of ACh into the culture medium, but did not influence the intracellular content and release of ACh in CEM. ACh synthesis activity was found in all the T cell lines tested. Bromoacetylcholine (100 microM), a choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) inhibitor, and bromoacetyl-L-carnitine (100 microM), a carnitine acetyltransferase (CarAT) inhibitor, decreased ACh-synthesizing activity in MOLT-3, and HSB-2 and CEM, by about 50% and 30%, respectively, indicating that both ChAT, and to a lesser extent CarAt, are involved in ACh synthesis in T cells. These results suggest that T lymphocytes have the potential to synthesize and release ACh, which may play a role in regulating T cell-dependent immune responses.

Usual evaluation of the relationship between oxygen delivery (DO2) and oxygen uptake (VO2) is based on the arterial oxygen tension (pO2), oxygen saturation (sO2), haemoglobin concentration (ctHb), the same indicators in mixed venous blood and cardiac output, sometimes supplemented by the expiratory carbon dioxide concentration. And, so far, the relationship among DO2, VO2 and the new parameters for an evaluation of oxygen status (oxygen extraction tension: pK, concentration of extractable oxygen: cx, oxygen compensation factor: Qx) (1) has not been discussed enough. Therefore, this study was designed to evaluate whether the new parameters give the clinically significant information to analyse the relationship between DO2 and VO2 during the acute haemodynamic change with intentionally induced hypotension in anaesthetized adult patients.

Both the linear and nonlinear optical properties of our newly designed high temperature electrooptic chromophores are discussed. In addition to the charge separated mechanism for the new chromophores, isomer effects are equally important in determining the optical properties of the new class.

We immersed mirror-polished apatite- and wollastonite-containing glass-ceramic (A-W GC) disks in a simulated body fluid (SBF) for 5 days to form bonelike apatite on their surface. Neonatal rabbit bone cells were cultured on these or on plain A-W GC disks for 10, 24, and 48 h. We observed the substrates by scanning electron microscopy after treating them with pronase E plus EDTA to remove all cells except osteoclasts. Osteoclasts with a non-motile appearance formed no lacunae on the plain A-W GC, whereas on the bonelike apatite formed on A-W GC by the SBF, actively moving osteoclasts made many tracklike resorption lacunae. These were evident even after 10 h of culture and became more extensive after longer culture periods. The bonelike apatite was therefore a more suitable medium than plain A-W GC for maintaining osteoclast activity. This study demonstrated in vitro osteoclastic resorption of bonelike apatite formed on A-W GC by an SBF. It suggests that the apatite layer, through which a surface-active ceramic bonds to bone in vivo, can be resorbed by osteoclasts and subjected to bone remodeling.

This paper reports on thin films of hydrogen storage alloys (LaNi{sub 5}, LaNi{sub 25} Co{sub 25}) prepared by RF sputtering under argon and hydrogen atmospheres. Crystallinity (amorphous or crystalline) and electrical capacity of the thin films depended on the types of targets and the kinds of substrates and the conditions for RF sputtering such as RF power, temperature, and atmosphere. Both crystalline-oriented and amorphous films were obtained. In the former film, the c-axis was parallel to the substrate plane. Hydrogen was absorbed as a solid solution, causing no new phase. Electrode properties such as discharge capacity, charge-discharge cycle life, discharge capability, temperature dependence, and self-discharge rate were examined and discussed in comparison with those for the bulk materials. These alloy films had no pressure plateau on electrochemical pressure-composition isotherms. The maximum capacities were 160 mAh/g for LaNi{sub 5} crystalline film, 80 mAh/g for LaNi{sub 5}-H film prepared under Ar-H{sub 2} atmosphere, and 80 mAh/g for the LaNi{sub 25} Co{sub 25} amorphous film. The capacity of LaNi{sub 5} films was reduced to half after 100 cycles, while the LaNi{sub 5}-H and LaNi{sub 25}Co{sub 25} films showed only small capacity decay even after 500 cycles (about 10-25%). The LaNi{sub 25}Co{sub 25} filmmore » had better discharge capability at low temperatures than the LaNi{sub 5} film. Self-discharge rates of these electrodes were so high that the storage capacities were completely lost within one week.« less

Treatment of 1-nitro-1-cyclohexene with methyl 4-hydroxy-2-butynoate in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide gave 3a-nitrooctahydrobenzo[b]furan in excellent yield through a tandem conjugate addition initiated by the oxygen nucleophile.

When 1-nitrocyclohexene (1) was treated with methyl 4-hydroxy-2-butynoate (2) in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide in tetrahydrofuran-tert-butanol at 0°C for 10 min, a tandem conjugate addition product, methyl cis-3a-nitrooctahydrobenzo[b]furan-Δ3, α-acetate (3a), was obtained in quantitative yield as a 55 : 45 mixture of the (Z)- and (E)-isomers. The scope and limitations of this reaction were examined. Some transformation reactions of 3a are also described.

The gene expression of human type 1 procollagen was investigated in cirrhotic human liver by using in situ hybridization with nonradioactive DNA probes. Using in situ hybridizaiton can provide direct evidence for the cell type capable for type I collagen synthesis in tissues. T-T dimerized DNA probes were used and DNAs hybridized in situ were detected immunohistochemically using specific antibodies against T-T dimer. The data demonstrated that type I collagen is synthesized in hepatocyles and stellate cells in pseudolobules and in fibroblasts in Glissons capsules in cirrhotic human livers. we indicated hepatocytes morphologically and functionally by using immunohistochemical localization of albumin, which ws used as a marker of hepatocyte, since albumin is synthesized exclusively by hepatocytes. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

We propose a method and a system for counting secondary electrons and for displaying micrographs from the SEM in real time. Evaluating the images obtained by the new system, we confirm that electron counting images have a higher signal to noise ratio than analogue images. This tendency is remarkable when the secondary electron signal is weak. We present the method and show experimental results obtained with our novel system for the detection of the secondary electron signal.

We have been manufacturing the STN-panel with an original “LC-Dropping method” from 1984. LC-Dropping method eliminates the hole (LC injection hole) which infuses LC in the cell. This paper presents the development of the “LC-Dropping method” in order to manufacture the large size TFT-panel. And we can reduce the injection time of the LC substantially.

An x‐ray imagingsystem is described that can be used for obtaining arterial blood flow information. The system consists of a linear photodiode array image detector, simple optical and mechanical components, and a data acquisition microcomputer that connect to a conventional x‐ray image intensifier based fluorography system.Flow information is obtained by detecting the movement of a small, locally injected bolus of radio‐opaque contrast agent. This is done by determining the bolus mass, integrated over the cross‐sectional area, at each of 1024 positions along the length of the artery with a sampling rate of up to 200 samples per s. It is shown in a phantom study that the peak flowvelocity can be measured with an accuracy of ±5% by detecting the bolus arrival times at each of the 1024 positions. The mean velocity is obtained with similar accuracy using a cross‐correlation technique and a modified form of the Stewart–Hamilton principle. In addition, it is shown that the separation and reattachment points resulting from flow separation near a stenosis can be determined from the bolus clearance times. The locations of these points are consistent with theoretical values for the cosine shaped symmetric 89% stenosis used in this study.

1 Some pharmacological properties of surugatoxin (SGTX), a purified toxic substance from the Japanese ivory mollusc (Babylonia japonica), have been investigated. SGTX (50 nmol/kg i.v.) produced a prolonged fall of blood pressure in anaesthetized cats. This hypotensive effect was neither blocked by atropine and propranolol nor by spinal cord transection. 2 SGTX (37-50 nmol/kg i.v.) inhibited the hypertensive and hypotensive response to 1,1-dimethyl-4-phenylpiperazinium iodide (DMPP) and to electrical stimulation of the splanchnic and vagal nerve, whereas it usually augmented the hypertensive response to adrenaline and to 4-(m-chlorophenylcarbamoyloxy)-2-butynyltrimethylammonium chloride (McN-A-343) in anaesthetized cats. 3 Close intra-arterial injection of SGTX (6.2-12.3 nmol/kg) to the superior cervical ganglion blocked the contractile response of the nictitating membrane to preganglionic stimulation of cervical sympathetic nerve or injected DMPP, but not to postganglionic stimulation or to injected adrenaline and McN-A-343. 4 SGTX affected neither the indirectly nor the directly stimulated response of the rat isolated phrenic nerve-diaphragm at concentrations less than 12.3 mum. 5 The effect of SGTX on the contractile response to some agonists and on the twitch response to transmural stimulation in the guinea-pig isolated ileum was investigated. At less than 12.3 mumSGTX did not depress responses to acetylcholine or histamine. The curves for nicotine- and DMPP-induced contractions were shifted to the right and depressed gradually as the concentration of SGTX was increased (12.3 nm-1.23 mum). SGTX partially inhibited the contraction induced by 5-hyroxytryptamine and the transmurally-stimulated twitch response. 6 These results suggest that SGTX has a ganglion-blocking action. The mode of anti-nicotinic action of SGTX in the guinea-pig isolated ileum seems to differ from that of hexamethonium and tetraethylammonium and to resemble more closely that of mecamylamine.

The shift of the Fermi level by addition of Sb or Ga is studied on evaporated amorphous germanium by the measurements of conductivity, thermoelectric power, and tunneling spectroscopy. For undoped films, both, conductivity and state density at the Fermi level are relatively low, and n-type conduction is observed. It is found that with Sb doped films the n-type conduction remained, while the conduction type is changed from n to p by Ga doping. By the doping, the width of the mobility gap is decreased and both, conductivity and state density at the Fermi level are increased for both types of impurities. It is concluded from these results, especially from the tunneling spectroscopic results, that a shift of the Fermi level of evaporated amorphous germanium is possible by the doping with Sb or Ga. Eine Verschiebung des Ferminiveaus wird durch Zufugen von Sb oder Ga in aufgedampften amorphen Ge durch die Messung von Leitfahigkeit, Thermokraft und Tunnel-Spektroskopie untersucht. Fur undotierte Schichten ist sowohl die Leitfahigkeit als auch die Zustandsdichte am Ferminiveau relativ niedrig, und es wird n-Leitfahigkeit beobachtet. Es wird gefunden, das die n-Leitfahigkeit fur Sb-dotierte Schichten erhalten bleibt, wahrend der Typ der Leitfahigkeit bei Ga-Dotierung von n zu p wechselt. Mit Dotierung wird die Breite des Beweglichkeitsgaps vermindert, wahrend sich sowohl die Leitfahigkeit als auch die Zustandsdichte am Ferminiveau fur beide Storstellentypen erhoht. Aus diesen Resultaten wird geschlossen, besonders aus dem Resultat der Tunnel-Spektroskopie, das die Verschiebung des Ferminiveaus von aufgedampften amorphen Ge von der Dotierung mit Sb oder Ga verursacht wird.

Electrical conductivity and optical absorption of amorphous As2Se3: Cu are investigated as a function of the copper concentration up to 4 at%. Addition of copper up to 0.5 at% increases the density of localized tail states due to the increase of disorder. It is considered that at a copper content of 0.5 at% and more the Fermi level shifts toward the valence band, and that acceptor like states are produced. At a copper content of 1 at% and more, the optical energy gap decreases with the increase of copper concentration and an alloying effect is supposed to take place in the amorphous As2Se3. Die elektrische Leitakhigkeit und der optische Absorptionskoeffizient von amorphen As2Se3: Cu werden in Abhangigkeit vom Kupfergehalt bis zu 4 At% untersucht. Bei Zusatz von Kupfer biszu 0,5 At% nimmt die Dichte der lokalisierten Auslaufer-Zustande bedingt durch die Zunahme der Unordnung zu. Bei Kupfergehalt von 0,6 At% und daruber kann man annehmen, dast das Fermi - Niveau sich zum Valenzband hin verschiebt, und dast Akzeptor-ahnliche Zustinde erzeugt werden. Bei einem Kupfergehalt von 1 At% und daruber, nimmt die optische Energielucke mit zunehmender Kupferkonzentration ab und ein Legierungseffekt setzt im a- As2Se3 ein.

There are two series of infrared emission bands in β-SiC doped with boron. One of them is predominant at lower temperatures, and has already been assigned to be due to the nitrogen donor–boron acceptor pair recombination. The other one, designated as A emission, is investigated in detail. It is shown that both the spectral shape of the zerophonon band of the A emission and its temperature dependence are well described by the free-to-bound transition model. The recombination of electrons in the conduction band with holes trapped at the boron acceptors will be responsible for the mechanism of the A emission. The ionization energies of the nitrogen donor and the boron acceptor are estimated to be about 0.055 and 0.735 eV, respectively. Es gibt zwei Typen von ultraroten Emissionsbanden in Bor-dotiertem β-SiC. Eine dieser Emissionsbanden herrscht bei niedrigeren Temperaturen vor und wurde bereits der Stickstoff-Donator–Bor-Akzeptor-Paarrekombination zugeordnet. Die andere Emissionsbande, die A-Emission genannt wird, wird ausfuhrlich untersucht. Es wird gezeigt, das sowohl die spektrale Form der Null-Phononbande als auch deren Temperaturabhangigkeit mit dem Modell von Ubergangen zwischen freien und gebundenen Zustanden erklart werden kann. Rekombination von Leitungselektronen mit Lochern in den Akzeptorzustanden ist fur den Mechanismus der A-Emission verantwortlich. Die Aktivierungsenergien des Stickstoff-Donators und Bor-Akzeptors werden auf 0,055, beziehungsweise 0,735 eV geschatzt.

Photoconductivity of amorphous As2Se3 is investigated. From the temperature dependence, the activation energy of photoconductivity is found to be about 0.4 eV at high photon energy range and it increases with decreasing photon energy in the energy range less than 1.5 eV. The dependence of photoconductivity on incident light intensity indicates that the slow and fast components of it are concerned with bimolecular and monomolecular characters, respectively. Die Photoleitung von amorphem As2Se3 wird untersucht. Aus der Temperaturabhangigkeit wird gefunden, das im Gebiet hoher Photonenergie der Wert der Aktivierungsenergie der Photoleitung etwa 0,4 eV ist, und das sie im Gebiet unterhalb 1,5 eV mit abnehmender Photonenergie zunimmt. Die Abhangigkeit der Photoleitung von der Beleuchtungsstarke zeigt, das die langsame und schnelle Komponente der Photoleitung mit bimolekularem bzw. monomolekularem Charakter verbunden sind.

Optical absorption coefficient and dc conductivity of amorphous As2Se3Agx system are measured as a function of silver content up to 4 at %. The samples are prepared by various methodes, that is, melt quenching, vacuum evaporation, and bubble blowing technique. The results obtained on different kinds of samples are compared with each other, and reasonable curves of absorption coefficient are found. The activation energy of conductivity decreases with increase of silver content. It decreases rapidly in the lower concentration region but slowly in the higher one. In the latter region, the decrease of the activation energy corresponds to the change in optical gap energy. It is considered, therefore, that silver additive shifts the Fermi level in the lower concentration region and shifts the band edge in the higher one. Der optische Absorptionskoeffizient und die Gleichstrom-Leitfahigkeit des amorphen As2Se3Agx-Systems werden in Abhangigkeit vom Silbergehalt bis zu 4 At % untersucht. Die Proben werden durch verschiedene Methoden, Abschrecken aus der Schmelze, Aufdampfen, und Blasen hergestellt. Die an verschiedenen Proben erzielten Ergebnisse werden miteinander verglichen und vernunftige Kurven fur den Absorptionskoeffizienten erreicht. Die Aktivierungsenergie der Leitfahigkeit nimmt mit zunehmenden Silbergehalt ab, und zwar schnell im Gebiet niedriger Konzentration, jedoch langsam im Gebiet hoherer Konzentration. Diese Abnahme korrespondiert mit der Anderung der optischen Energielucke im letzteren Gebiet. Deshalb kann man annehmen, das das Hinzufugen von Silber das Fermi-Niveau im Gebiet niedrigerer Konzentration verschiebt, und im Gebiet hoherer Konzentration den Bandrand.