Search

Purpose Dental faculties in Japan have organised many short-term international exchange programs to enable their undergraduates to study abroad. However, not many students apply for those programs. In this present study, we attempted to clarify the factors that discourage undergraduate dental students from studying abroad. Methods We administered a questionnaire survey to 512 undergraduate dental students in three national universities located in different areas in Japan. Results Although 61.7% of the participants expressed interest in studying abroad, only 19.1% of them had prior experiences of study abroad or plans to do so. Their main worries were about lack of sufficient language ability in academic fields. Comparing those who were interested in studying abroad with those who were not revealed significant differences regarding their concern about lack of language ability and lack of specialised knowledge in dentistry. Participants who did not want to study abroad indicated that they did not perceive a purpose in doing so and cited not having foreign friends as a problem. Household income was significantly correlated with concerns about overall expenses. Conclusion Overall, language ability and academic knowledge appeared to be the two strongest factors affecting dental students’ consideration of studying abroad. Dental schools in Japan can use the findings of this study to improve their undergraduate exchange programs in such a way as to stimulate greater interest amongst their students.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 6 months of walking training on muscle strength, muscle thickness and tendon stiffness on various parts of the lower limbs in the elderly. Subjects were assigned to training (n=35) and control (n=10) groups. Maximal isometric torque (MVC) and muscle thickness for knee extensors (KE), knee flexors (KF), dorsi flexors (DF) and plantar flexors (PF) were measured. Tendon stiffness for KE and PF was measured using ultrasonography while subjects performed isometric contraction. No significant changes occurred in any measured variables in the control group. In the training group, muscle thickness increased significantly for KF and DF, but not for PF. For KE, significant increases of muscle thickness at the proximal and medial sides were observed, although mean relative increase of the eight measured sites for KE was not significant. MVC increased significantly for KF, DF, and PF, but not for KE. In addition, tendon stiffness for KE and PF did not change after training. These results indicated that walking training brought about increments of muscle thickness and strength in most of the lower limbs in the elderly, but it did not result in any changes in tendon stiffness.

Two kinds of dielectric absorptions due to motion of carbonate groups in polycarbonate were observed. In the primary transition region near 150°C, the shape of e′ versus log frequency curve is little affected by a temperature change, while it becomes more widely spread when the polymer is partially crystallized. In contrast, in the secondary transition region near −120°C., the shape of e′ versus log frequency curve is greatly affected by a temperature change, but it is not sensitive to the crystallinity. By using a conclusion drawn from a separate study that an increase in width of the loss curve is a manifestation of segments that are constrained, it is suggested here that the secondary transition involves local motions which persist in a highly restricted framework of glassy polymer chains and that such restriction becomes more pronounced at lower temperatures. Results from the PVT and x-ray studies are consistent with the above concept, i.e., glassy polymers in general contain enough space so that limited local motions arc allowed that give rise to the low temperature transition.

We have grown epitaxial thin sheets of graphene on BC 3 /NbB 2 (0001) and measured phonon dispersion curves of the graphene sheets by means of high-resolution electron energy-loss spectroscopy (HREELS). The phonon dispersion curves have been calculated on the basis of ab initio calculations. The observed curves were in good agreement with theoretical curves. The quality of crystallinity of the graphene layers was high compared with the bulk graphite crystals. In this paper, we demonstrate that the combination of HREELS measurement and ab initio calculations is extremely effective for investigation of honeycomb-structured materials.

Raman and absorption measurements under high pressure were performed in NiO single crystals at room temperature. A drastic increase of the absorption intensity was observed in the whole visible range. Furthermore, the intensity of a defect induced Raman peak located around 500 cm -1 becomes remarkably, especially at 25 GPa. Neither of the spectral changes recover even after removing the pressure. These results indicate that a permanent lattice disorder is introduced. The remarkable spectral changes are explained to be a result of defects (especially singly charged nickel vacancies) introduced by a deformation of the crystal due to the non-hydrostatic compression.

Standard reference ranges for all laboratory test values are mandatory. This study was designed to establish a reference range for blood vitamin B1 levels, since the normal range has not been determined in the Japanese population. We founded the Japan Committee for Vitamin Laboratory Standards, which was incorporated with the Vitamin Society of Japan and the Japanese Society of Nutrition and Food Science. We standardized whole blood vitamin B1 levels using three HPLC techniques (post-column reverse-phase HPLC, pre-column reverse-phase HPLC, and precolumn GP-HPLC). The reference range was obtained in 54 volunteers administered a 1,800 kcal diet with 2 mg of vitamin B1 (1.74 mg measured) daily to avoid marginal vitamin B1 deficiency in the population. The range for each assay was 26-47, 28-51, and 28-56 ng/ml, respectively. Our data suggest that 26-28 ng/ml is the lower limit of normal for whole blood vitamin B1, but further studies in a larger population are needed in order to obtain more definitive results.

Cytologic evaluation of conjunctival epithelium using Cytobrush-S: value of slide preparation by ThinPrep technique Recent clinical trials have indicated that an automated smear apparatus (ThinPrep process) of sample preparation has great diagnostic sensitivity. In this study, conjunctival brush cytology prepared using the ThinPrep method was applied in ocular surface disorders especially for dry eye status. To assess its diagnostic value in cellular samples, 17 patients with keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS) and 10 normal volunteer patients were examined using this technique. Conjunctival cells from normal controls revealed fine chromatin and polyhedral cytoplasm without having keratinized cytoplasm. On the other hand, the cellular samples from KCS revealed increased keratinized cells with pyknotic nuclei. They also contained extremely elongated cells. In KCS patients, the mean number of keratinized cells was significantly higher (34.1 cells/300 cells) than that of the normal control group (0.2 cells/300 cells). In patients with KCS, inflammatory cell counts were also higher than those of normal controls. Conjunctival cytology by means of the ThinPrep method obviously deserves additional trials as an adjunct in the cytology of dry eye states, especially in quantitative ocular evaluation for various ocular lesions.

Changes in electroencephalogams (EEG) and cerebral blood flow were examined in carp immobilized with a muscle relaxant during 60 min hypoxia (water Po2 of approximately 20 mmHg) and subsequent 30 min normoxia. The amplitude of EEG waves recorded from the telencephalon decreased gradually but slightly with the progression of hypoxia, whereas the telencephalic blood flow increased mainly due to an increased blood velocity. These findings suggested that cerebral activity during hypoxia was compensated to some degree by increased cerebral blood flow. However, carp showed large variations in the patterns of EEG responses and cerebral blood flow.

A new series of high transition temperature (T{sub c}) superconductors (Cu,V)Sr{sub 2}Ca{sub n{minus}1}Cu{sub n}O{sub y} [(Cu,V)-(n{minus}1)n-Sr, n = 3--7] was synthesized under a high-pressure/high-temperature condition of 6 GPa and 1,300 C. X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy measurements revealed that they have M-12(n{minus}1)n-type structures with M = (Cu,V) and a stacking sequence of planes, SrO-(Cu,V)O-SrO-CuO{sub 2}-(Ca-CuO{sub 2}){sub n{minus}1}. Simple tetragonal lattices without any superstructures were observed for every member of the series implying a random arrangement of copper and vanadium in the (Cu,V) plane. Electron-probe microanalysis indicated partial substitution of strontium for calcium in the (Cu,V)-12(n{minus}1)n-Sr phases. All the (Cu,V) phases gave large diamagnetic susceptibilities at a low temperature indicating a bulk nature of superconductivity. The highest T{sub c} was found to be 107 K for the (Cu,V)-1234-Sr phase.

The detection of threshold concentrations and relative stimulatory effectiveness (RSE) for 19 amino acids were studied by olfactory bulbar electroencephalogram (EEG) in the algivorous rabbitfish. The threshold concentrations for 19 amino acids ranged from 10−10 to 10−5 M. l-Alanine was the most effective amino acid, and the threshold concentration was estimated to be from 10−10 to 10−9M. These results were compared with the olfactory response in herbivorous and carnivorous fishes previously reported. The comparison of RSE for rabbitfish with those for other fishes showed correlation coefficients ranging from r= 0.97 to r= 0.50, but high similarities did not correspond with difference in feeding habits for herbivores and carnivores. The role of amino acids in fish chemosensory behaviour and the olfactory response of the rabbitfish was compared with the gustatory response reported previously. It was found that l-serine was the most potent stimulant in both chemoreceptors, l-proline and l-glutaminic acid were the most potent gustatory stimulants, and l-alanine, l-glutamine, l-arginine and l-lysine were the most potent olfactory stimulants.

The change of subspecies of protein kinase C (PKC) was studied in 3T3-L1 cells in terms of their differentiation to adipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells feasible to differentiate to adipocytes by exposure to 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX) and dexamethasone had both alpha- and beta-PKC. However, 3T3-L1 cells unfurnished with such feasibility had only alpha-PKC. alpha-PKC, therefore, seems to be more deeply involved in differentiation of 3T3-L1 cells to adipocytes than alpha-PKC.

Objective: We report a patient with urosepsis, Lleptospira syndrome, TTP-HUS syndrome, fulminant hepatic failure, vasculitis syndrome and TSS treated with plasma component exchange. Methods: Conditions for plasma component exchange were membrane plasma separator (Evacure EC-3A), substitute fluid (3 % albumin solution), blood flow rate (150 mL/min), filtration rate (30 mL/min), quantity of substitute fluid (4,600 mL) and anticoagulant (nafamostat mesilate 30 mg/hr). Result: Plasma component exchange in combination with hemodiafiltration induced a rapid remission of both hepatic toxicity and renal failure caused by streptococcal sepsis. Membrane plasma separator evacure EC-3A allowed the use of 3% albumin solution as substitute fluid. Colloid osmotic pressure temporarily increased after the treatment, but within 24 hours, returned to the same level as before the treatment. Conclusion: Plasma component exchange using a membrane plasma separator may allow the use of albumin instead of fresh frozen plasma (FFP) as substitute fluid, which results in a lower risk of infection.

Purpose: Performed free coagulant hemodialysis to patients having hemorrhage with the hope to avoid aggravation of bleeding caused by anticoagulant agent from dialysis. Method: Examined 19 cases of patients with bleeding tendency, whether it is possible to perform free coagulant hemodialysis by using PAES membrane, EVAL membrane, PS membrane, Cellulose triacetate membrane and Vitamin-E modified-dialysis membrane. Result: With PAES membrane, the result showed a non- blockade rate of 91% after four hours and 100% after two hours. Therefore, blockade was prevented with a fairly high rate. In cases of blockade, most of them were possibly avoidable with a little contrivance as the reason were lack of establish blood flow rate, faulty position of a needle, etc. Conclusions: By using PAES membrane, it was possible to perform free coagulant hemodialysis. In order to completely have no blockade of blood lines in the future, we must strive further on.

Background and Purpose: Colloid osmotic pressure (COP) in plasma rises by ultrafiltration during hemodialysis, and it consequently causes plasma refilling in which water moves from interstitial tissue to capillary space. Although hemodynamic stability is one of the important factors for good dialysis outcome, no informative and convenient indicators are available other than monitoring of blood pressure. Thus, we measured COP during hemodialysis whether COP can be used as an indicator for the hemodynamic status in comparison with hematocrit (Ht). Plasma osmolality, ultrafiltration volume, and the alteration of blood pressure were also measured to examine whether COP is associated with them. Method: Sixteen patients hospitalized in this hospital were examined. Amongst them, 10 patients underwent both dialysis and ultrafiltration, while 4 patients received only dialysis and 2 patients were with ultrafiltration only by extracorporeal ultrafiltration method. Ultrafiltration was performed with constant speed to the dry weight for 4 h. The measurements of COP, plasma osmolality, Ht levels, and blood pressure were performed at 30 min (12.5% of the total water removal), 1 h (25%), 2 h (50%), and 3 h (75%) after the start of hemodialysis and also at the end of dialysis (100%). Result: COP markedly rose by 26.0% (±13.3%) in the patients who received both dialysis and ultrafiltration, whereas Ht rose by only 13.6% (±5.21%). And the curve for COP increase was sigmoid shape, whereas that for Ht showed linear change. On the other hand, in the patients whose Ht levels showed low values, the curves for both COP and Ht showed similar pattern. Conclusion: These results suggest that COP is a more sensitive indicator to be monitored for the hemodynamic status than Ht during hemodialysis.

The structure of the ∑ = 7 symmetrical tilt boundary in titanium is simulated by molecular dynamics using the Lennard-Jones (12-6) potential. The boundary is characterized by trigonal prisms capped with two half-octahedra and tetrahedra. The local vibrational density of states (LDS) of each atom around the boundary is calculated by the recursion method. Some of the LDS's have resonant modes at the low-frequency side. The calculated results are compared with those of the bubble and colloid models. Die Struktur der symmetrischen ∑ = 7 Neigungskorngrenze im Titan wird molekular-dynamisch unter Verwendung des Lennard-Jones (12-6)-Potentials simuliert. Die Korngrenze wird durch trigonale Prismen charakterisiert, auf die zwei Halboktaeder und Tetraeder aufgesetzt sind. Die lokale Schwingungszustandsdichte (LDS) wird fur jedes Atom an der Grenzflache mit Hilfe der Rekursionsmethode berechnet. Einige der LDS haben Resonanzmoden auf der niederfrequenten Seite. Die berechneten Ergebnisse werden mit denen des Blasen- und Kolloid-Modells verglichen.

In an autopsy case of sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, there were intracytoplasmic eosinophilic inclusions of the Bunina type in motor neurons. Electron microscopically, these bodies were observed as amorphous substances, irregularly deposited around the endoplasmic reticulum to form masses. Similar small masses were also visible in mitochondria. These substances did not stain for acid phosphatase. By analytical electron microscopy they contained silicon. Bunina bodies, therefore, seem to be due to deposition of some metabolite, but their nature is still obscure.

Polymerization of 1,3-bis(p-vinylphenyl) propane (St-C3-St) was investigated by using radical and anionic initiators. Radical polymerization yielded linear polymer with pendant styryl groups in pertinent conditions without gelation. Anionic polymerization with n-butyllithium and sodium naphthalene produced insoluble polymers that, according to infrared (IR) spectroscopy, had no cyclized units. On the other hand, phenylmagnesium bromide gave soluble polymer in HMPA-benzene mixed solvent. Zero-valent nickel catalyst also gave soluble polymer. The soluble polymers could be analyzed by several spectroscopies, and it was confirmed that those obtained by anionic and coordination polymerization had no [3.3]paracyclophane units in the main chain. From these results it was concluded that cationic propagation could be assumed if the polymer Of St-C3-St contained [3.3]paracyclophane units in the main chain.

The RT1-B/D region-associated antigens which were serologically defined in the previous study (Ohhashi et al., 1981), were partially purified from membranes of a rat B cell leukaemia, KNL-14. Sequential immunoprecipitation test, with the partially purified 125I-B/Dak preparation using four different rat alloantisera, including a monoclonal antibody, disclosed three distinctive populations of beta units of the class II molecules. Highly purified beta units of three discriminable class II molecules were shown to have different structural properties in terms of molecular weights and of electrophoretic profiles on the isoelectric focusing. The beta units shifted to a position of higher molecular weight on SDS-PAGE under reducing condition, thus suggesting to carry intradisulfide bonds. Furthermore, the highly purified beta units cross-reacted with murine anti-Ia sera. The rebinding test revealed that at least two discriminable species of beta units cross-react with anti-I-Ak monoclonal antibody, whereas beta units purified by binding with the 1E4 monoclonal antibody cross-reacted with anti-I-Ab and/or anti-I-Ad antiserum. On the basis of structural and antigenic properties, we have postulated that the rat class II region can be divided into at least three subregions, each containing a locus which encodes a distinctive beta unit of the class II molecule.

A theoretical estimate of mechanical design and material selection of ceramic components is made to guarantee long-term reliability of ceramic components for high-temperature applications. A fracture map, which consists of a stress-temperature distribution map of a component, and an allowable stress-temperature map, which relates strength, required lifetime, and required survival probability, are proposed. The stress-temperature distribution of a ceramic component in operation is estimated by means of finite element method numerical analysis. The allowable stress-temperature map is based on long-term durability data of ceramic materials considering temperature dependence. An application of the fracture map to a ceramic turbocharger rotor design is discussed.

When potassium (45.4 mM) was applied to isolated taenia of guinea-pig caecum, the muscle developed a rapid phasic and sustained tonic tension during aerobic conditions bubbled with 95% O2:5% CO2. Under hypoxic conditions bubbled with 95% N2:5% CO2, the taenia lost its ability to respond to high potassium with sustained tonic contraction, although it still showed rapid phasic contraction. Raising the glucose concentration from 5.5 to 55.5 mM in the presence of high potassium during hypoxia caused development of a sustained contraction which was 50% that of the muscle in aerobic conditions. In the presence of high potassium, the ATP content of the taenia decreased in hypoxia, but increased with increasing glucose concentration. When the taenia was exposed to hypoxic conditions, the amount of lactate released from the muscle increased. Raising the glucose concentration caused a further increase in lactate release in the presence of high potassium under hypoxia. Good correlations (gamma greater than 0.9) were observed between tension development, the ATP content and lactate release of the taenia in the presence of high potassium under hypoxia when the glucose concentration was varied between 5.5 and 55.5 mM. The total calcium content was increased by the presence of high potassium under aerobic conditions and the increase was abolished when the muscle was exposed to hypoxic conditions. Under hypoxia the total calcium content was not increased by raising the glucose concentration in the presence of high potassium. The cellular calcium content of the taenia, determined by the lanthanum method, was increased in the presence of high potassium under aerobic and hypoxic conditions, but the content was smaller in hypoxic conditions than in aerobic conditions. Under hypoxic conditions, raising the glucose concentration in the presence of high potassium did not affect the cellular calcium content. These results suggest that under hypoxic conditions the potassium-induced sustained contraction of the taenia is increased by raising the glucose concentration owing to increased ATP production through the glycolytic pathway, but not through mechanisms increasing the intracellular Ca concentration.

SUMMARY Three monoclonal antibodies HU-11, HU-32, and HU-33, which recognize two distinct polymorphic determinants of human class II antigens, were found to cross-react with rat B cells carrying an RT1B region-associated specificity Ba-2.6. This is the first report demonstrating that xenoimmune antibodies raised against polymorphic determinants of human class II antigens are able to detect polymorphic determinants of class II antigens in a third party species.

Reaction de tosyl- et benzenesulfonyl-1 chloro-5 tetrahydro-4,5,6,7 indolones-1 avec des amines: apres dechlorhydratation des imines obtenues, on obient les amino-4 indoles correspondants

Irradiation of 2-phenylisoflavones through a Pyrex filter gave 3,4-diphenylisocoumarins and phenanthro[9,10-c]isocoumarins; the former are precursors of the latter.

Die Chromverbindungen (III) wurden durch Umsetzung der Grignard-Verbindungen (I) mit dem Chrom(III)-chlorid/Tetrahydrofuran-Komplex (II) dargestellt.