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Abstract: This study was conducted to test our hypothesis that intramuscular fat (IMF) accumulation increases in pigs fed on a low lysine diet during the dark period than those fed on the same diet during the light period. Using barrows aged 6 weeks, we monitored whether serum glucose and insulin levels were affected by light conditions. Two diets with different levels of lysine, 0.78% (LL diet) and 1.37% (control diet) were prepared. Eight pigs were fed on the diet during the light period, while the remaining pigs were fed during the dark period. The pigs were fed either the LL diet or the control diet. Although IMF contents of Longissimus dorsi (LD) muscle were higher in the pigs fed on a LL diet (p < .05), the light conditions had no effect. Low dietary lysine caused reduction in serum glucose levels (p < .05) and serum insulin levels (p = .0613). However, they were also unaffected by the lighting conditions. To gain further insights, we determined the messenger RNA levels of insulin receptor, insulin receptor substrate 1, acetyl CoA carboxylase, and fatty acid synthase in LD and Rhomboideus muscles and in the liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taste is a crucial factor of meat quality, and amino acids are important taste-active components in meat. Here, the effects of dietary lysine (Lys) content on taste-active components in meat, especially free glutamate (Glu), were investigated. Twenty-eight-day-old broilers ( Gallus gallus) were fed diets with graded Lys content of 90% or 100% of the recommended Lys requirement, (according to the National Research Council, ) for 10 days. Free amino acid content in meat and sensory scores of meat soup were estimated. Free Glu content, the main taste-active component of meat, was significantly increased by a reduction of dietary Lys. Compared with the Lys 100% group (control), free Glu concentrations of meat were increased by 35.7% in the Lys 90% group ( P < 0.05). In addition, free glycine, valine, isoleucine, leucine, histidine and threonine concentrations of meat were significantly increased in the Lys 90% group ( P < 0.05). Sensory evaluation of meat soup made from the Lys 100% and 90% groups indicated different meat tastes. Sensory scores of taste intensity, umami and kokumi tastes were significantly higher in the Lys 90% group. These results suggest that a reduction of dietary lysine increased free glutamate content in meat and improved its taste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric synthesis of dragmacidin D ( 1) was completed in 10 steps. Its sole stereocenter was set by using direct asymmetric alkylation enabled by a C2-symmetric tetramine and lithium N-(trimethylsilyl)- tert-butylamide as the enolization reagent. A central Larock indole synthesis was employed in a convergent assembly of the heterocyclic subunits. The stereochemical evidence from this work strongly supports the predicted S configuration at the 6′′′ position, which is consistent with other members of the dragmacidin family of natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The asymmetric synthesis of dragmacidin D ( 1) was completed in 10 steps. Its sole stereocenter was set by using direct asymmetric alkylation enabled by a C2-symmetric tetramine and lithium N-(trimethylsilyl)- tert-butylamide as the enolization reagent. A central Larock indole synthesis was employed in a convergent assembly of the heterocyclic subunits. The stereochemical evidence from this work strongly supports the predicted S configuration at the 6′′′ position, which is consistent with other members of the dragmacidin family of natural products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regulation of taste is important for improving meat quality and glutamate ( Glu) is one of the important taste-active components in meat. Here, the effects of dietary lysine ( Lys) content on taste-active components in meat, especially free Glu, were investigated. Fourteen-day-old broiler chicks ( Gallus gallus) were fed on diets containing 100% or 150% of the recommended Lys content for 10 days. Concentrations of free amino acids in plasma, muscle and liver were measured. The levels of messenger RNAs ( mRNAs) for enzymes related to Glu metabolism were determined in muscle and liver. The concentration of muscle metabolites was also determined. The free Glu content in muscle of chicks fed the Lys150% diet was increased by 44.0% compared with that in chicks fed the Lys100% diet ( P < 0.01). The mRNA level of lysine α-ketoglutarate reductase, which is involved in Lys degradation and Glu production, was significantly increased ( P < 0.05) in the Lys150% group. Metabolome analysis showed that the Lys degradation products, muscular saccharopine, pipecolic acid and α-aminoadipic acid, were increased in the Lys150% group. Our results suggest that free Glu content in muscle is regulated by Lys degradation. These results suggest that a short-term feeding of high- Lys diet could improve the taste of meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims It remains debatable whether early intervention for psychosis is capable of meeting the needs of at-risk subjects. The aims of this study were to describe the actual impact of interventions on subjective difficulties and to explore the factors that may be associated with a poor outcome. Methods Participants were help-seeking outpatients at a university hospital who met the Criteria of Prodromal Syndromes. Changes in the symptoms, subjective experience and current insight were assessed using the Scales of Prodromal Symptoms, the Subjective Well-being under Neuroleptics, and the Scale to Assess Unawareness of Mental Disorder, respectively. Global functioning, social functioning and subjective quality of life were evaluated using the Global Assessment of Functioning Scale, the Social Functioning Scale, and the WHO- Quality of Life 26, respectively. These measures were assessed both at baseline and after 1 year. Results Forty-six patients agreed to participate. Of the 27 patients who completed the reassessment at the follow-up point, 13 patients (48%) showed little improvement in their positive/negative symptoms, subjective well-being or awareness of their symptoms. Additionally, less severe negative symptoms, more severe general symptoms and lower subjective well-being at baseline significantly predicted a deterioration of positive/negative symptoms after 1 year. Conclusion Our findings suggest that the current strategy for reducing psychosis risk based on positive symptoms should be reappraised. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the effects of a low crude protein ( CP) diet and a low CP diet supplemented with synthetic essential amino acids ( EAA) on the meat quality of broiler chickens. Twenty-one-day-old chickens were assigned to one of three diets: control, low CP ( LCP), or low CP supplemented with EAA ( ELCP). The chickens received these diets for 10 days. The shear force value ( SFV) and free glutamate content of the Pectoralis major muscle were measured as indicators of the meat toughness and taste. The collagen and crude fat content of the muscle and the cross-sectional area of myofibers were measured to evaluate the effects of the LCP and ELCP diets on meat toughness. The SFV of the ELCP group was 47% lower than that of the control group ( P < 0.01). However, the LCP diet did not affect the SFV. The collagen and crude fat content were not affected by the dietary treatment. The cross-sectional area was lower in the LCP and ELCP groups ( P < 0.05) than the control group. The free glutamate content of muscle was not affected by the dietary treatment. Thus, a low CP diet supplemented with EAA is an effective means of producing tender meat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper deals with a novel wireless biosignal acquisition system employing ZigBee wireless technology, which consists mainly of two components, an intelligent electrode and a data acquisition host. The former is the main topic of this paper. It is placed on a subject's body to amplify biosignals such as EMG or ECG and streams its data at up to 2 ksps. One of the most remarkable features of the intelligent electrode is that it can change its own parameters, both digital and analog, online. The author describes its design first, then introduces a small, light, and low-cost implementation of the intelligent electrode called 'VAMPIRE-BAT.' He then presents some experimental results to confirm its usability and to estimate its practical performances. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 96(5): 1-10, 2013; Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). DOI 10.1002/ecj.11489 5 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new autonomous implant sensor positioning measurement technique is discussed. The goal of this study is to develop ubiquitous medical systems with autonomous nano-medical sensors and robots. The key to achieving the goal is to establish autonomous positioning measurement for these implant objects without imposing a burden on patients. For this purpose, this study proposes autonomous positioning measurement with human voxel data. The technique combines two algorithms: autonomous distributed measurement of sensors with Sammon's map, which is a nonlinear mapping algorithm, and a voxel human model clustered with the propagation characteristics of human tissue. A simulation experiment shows that the proposed technique makes possible precise positioning measurement in a heterogeneous propagation environment in the human body. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn, 94(6): 1-9, 2011; Published online in Wiley Online Library (). DOI 10.1002/ecj.10336 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major taste active component, glutamate (Glu), improves the taste of meat. In this study, we investigated the effect of a short-term high-protein (HCP) diet on the intramuscular free Glu content to improve the taste of meat. Furthermore, we elucidated how the muscle free Glu content was controlled by the HCP diet. Chicks (14 days old) were fed the control diet or HCP diet for 10 days. Plasma and muscle free amino acid concentrations, and activity and messenger RNA (mRNA) expression of muscle enzymes related to Glu metabolism were determined. Muscle free Glu content was increased ( P < 0.01) by 51%. Activity and mRNA expression of glutaminase (GA), which is one of the major Glu-related enzymes, were significantly decreased ( P < 0.05) in the HCP group because of feedback inhibition. The mRNA expression of lysine α-ketoglutarate reductase (LKR), which is the enzyme involved in lysine (Lys) degradation and Glu production, was significantly increased ( P < 0.001) in the HCP group. These results suggest that short-term dietary HCP feeding is an effective treatment for improving the taste of meat. Furthermore, our results suggest that the free Glu content in muscle is regulated by GA and LKR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: To examine the emergence of attenuated psychotic experiences, self-disturbance or affective symptoms among younger subjects in the general population and to investigate the intergroup differences on each symptom between adolescents and post-adolescents. Methods: A total of 781 participants, 496 university students (mean age: 19.3 ± 1.1 years) and 285 high school students (mean age: 16.0 ± 0.3 years), were administered self-reported questionnaires. Psychotic prodromal symptoms were evaluated using the PRIME Screen-Revised (PS-R), a 12-item self-reported questionnaire. To measure the cognitive, emotional and physical symptoms associated with depression, the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale (ZSDS), a 20-item self-reported questionnaire, was administered. Results: There were no intergroup differences on the factor score of the PS-R, except the self-demarcation factor (post-adolescents > adolescents), whereas there were significant differences in the factor score of the ZSDS, except for the anxiety factor. Among the post-adolescents, the factors of the PS-R showed a moderate correlation to the cognitive factor on the ZSDS; among the adolescents, the PS-R factors showed a greater correlation to the anxiety factor on the ZSDS than other factors. There were no differences in the distribution of each item of the PS-R between the two groups. Conclusions: The disturbance of self results in difficulty to precisely objectify, especially among adolescents, which would induce more primitive reactions such as agitation, irritability or anxiety; probably, the self disturbance would become an explicit symptom from an implicit experience with advancing age of the subject. Although these data are only preliminary, they could explain the pathway of progression prior to the onset of psychosis, from disturbance within the self to exaggerated self-absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Here we describe the interaction of phosphorylated ∼40kDa protein with phosphorylated Akt which is a serine/threonine kinase resulting from increased blood glucose in rat cardiac muscle. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that this protein was glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH). Furthermore, increase in Akt and GAPDH phosporylation and induction of their association were both observed after insulin stimulation in the H9c2 cell line derived from embryonic rat ventricle. Moreover, the activation of GAPDH was upregulated when the GAPDH phosphorylation was increased. Our data suggest that GAPDH phosphorylation and association with Akt by insulin treatment have some bearing on the enhancement of GAPDH activity. Structured summary: MINT-7891324, MINT-7891304, MINT-7891314: GAPDH (uniprotkb:P04797) physically interacts (MI:0915) with Akt (uniprotkb:P47196) by anti bait coimmunoprecipitation (MI:0006) [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Titanium dioxide (TiO2) is thought to be a photocatalytic agent excited by UV light. Our aim was to investigate the photocatalytic antitumor effect of water-dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles on C6 rat glioma cells and to evaluate the treatment responses by the spheroid models. Water-dispersed TiO2 nanoparticles were constructed by the adsorption of chemical modified polyethylene glycol (PEG) on the TiO2 surface (TiO2/PEG). Each monolayer and spheroid of C6 cells was coincubated with various concentrations of TiO2/PEG and subsequently irradiated with UV light. Damage of the cells and spheroids was evaluated sequentially by staining with the fluorescent dyes. The cytotoxic effect was correlated with the concentration of TiO2/PEG and the energy dose of UV irradiation. More than 90% of cells were killed after 13.5 J cm−2 of UV irradiation in the presence of 500 μg mL−1 TiO2/PEG. The irradiated spheroids in the presence of TiO2/PEG showed growth suppression compared with control groups. In TiO2/PEG-treated spheroids, the number of Annexin V-FITC-stained cells gradually increased during the first 6 h, and subsequently propidium iodide-stained cells appeared. The results of this study suggest that newly developed photoexcited TiO2/PEG have antitumoral activity. Photodynamic therapy utilizing this material can be a clue to a novel therapeutic strategy for glioma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Site-directed mutagenesis guided by evolutionary trace analysis revealed that substitution of V179 and W183 within a cluster of evolutionarily important residues on the surface of the fourth transmembrane domain of the β1-adrenergic receptor (β1AR) significantly reduced the propensity of the receptor to self-assemble into homodimers as assessed by bioluminescence resonance energy transfer in living cells. These results suggest that mutation of V179 and W183 result in conformational changes that reduce homodimerization either directly by interfering with the dimerization interface or indirectly by causing local misfolding that result in reduced self-assembly. However, the mutations did not cause a general misfolding of the β1AR as they did not prevent heterodimerization with the β2AR. The homodimerization-compromised mutants were significantly retained in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and could not be properly matured and trafficked to the cell surface. Lipophilic β-adrenergic ligands acted as pharmacological chaperones by restoring both dimerization and plasma membrane trafficking of the ER-retained dimerization-compromised β1AR mutants. These results clearly indicate that homodimerization occurs early in the biosynthetic process in the ER and that pharmacological chaperones can promote both dimerization and cell surface targeting, most likely by stabilizing receptor conformations compatible with the two processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper the authors propose a data hiding method for JPEG images that has a degree of freedom in selecting the hiding position and does not require a reference image or knowledge of the hiding position during extraction. In conventional methods, the position for the transform coefficients which hide the data must be specified beforehand, and that position must be known during extraction. The proposed method does not require specifying the hiding position beforehand and offers some freedom in selecting the hiding position. Therefore, a hiding position that is appropriate can be selected for each image and block to be subjected to JPEG encoding. Given this, the proposed method can reduce image degradation and improve compression efficiency compared to the conventional methods. Moreover, because knowledge of the hiding position is not required during extraction, information management is thus simpler during extraction. The effectiveness of the proposed method is confirmed through simulations. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 90(11): 21–30, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/ecjc.20356 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses on the factors that promotes the growth of weeds in the fields . Some of the contributors on the growth of weeds include the type of soil where the crop is planted, the sowing time, and the application of chemicals in the crops. From the factors mention the most significant influence in the growth of weeds is the sowing time. The seasonal change shows a strong influence with the growth of most weed species. The density of weeds in the fields depends on the sowing date.

We gained an understanding of the vertical distribution and seasonal dynamics ofDigitaria ciliaris(Retz.) Koeler seed banks in untilled and tilled soybean fields using studies on naturally established seed banks and on seeds stored in the field. In untilled fields,D. ciliarisseeds were highly concentrated on or near the soil surface from late autumn to spring, whereas only a few seeds were found on the soil surface in the following summer. One year after tillage, there was a high concentration of the seeds on the soil surface. In the tilled fields, seeds were distributed uniformly throughout the soil profile and were present all year long, with only a few seeds found in the following summer. A study of seeds that were artificially buried or stored on the soil surface verified thatD. ciliarisseeds were extremely short-lived in the field and could not form a large, persistent seed bank, even when the seeds were buried by tillage. Tillage contributes to suppression ofD. ciliarisseedling emergence by reducing the number of seeds that are on or near the soil surface. Furthermore,D. ciliarisseeds showed a greater need for light in order to germinate throughout the year, even when they were stored on the soil surface. Particularly, light was critical for germination during summer. The light requirement for germination should be one reason why viableD. ciliarisseeds on the soil surface are carried over into the next season in untilled fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study clarified the effects of winter barley as a cover crop on the weed vegetation, expressed as a multiplied dominance ratio (MDR), and emergence of summer annual weeds in a no-tillage soybean system. A 3 year field study with treatments consisting of six systems was conducted: no-tillage single cropping, no-tillage cropping following winter barley and tillage single cropping, respectively with and without herbicide application. The MDR of perennial weeds increased annually in the no-tillage fields in spring, but summer annual weeds were abundant in all fields, including the no-tillage fields in summer. Grasses, for exampleDigitaria ciliaris(Retz.) Koeler, were especially abundant in the no-tillage fields. The MDR of summer annual weeds, especially grasses in the barley and soybean fields, were much lower than for the no-tillage single soybean fields. Densities ofD. ciliarisandEchinochloa crus-galli(L.) Beauv. var.crus-galliin the no-tillage single soybean fields were much greater than in the tilled fields, with few exceptions. In contrast, broad-leaved weeds emerged more in tilled fields than in the no-tillage fields. Winter barley suppressed emergence of summer annual weeds, especially during the first 3 years. The MDR for grasses in summer showed a good correlation with the frequency of emergence for grasses every year. These results showed that the increase in the volume of grasses in summer resulted mainly from an increase in the frequency of emergence, and that the suppression of grasses by winter barley resulted mainly from suppression of the emergence frequency. Soybean yields were higher in the barley and soybean fields for the first 2 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of the present study was to clarify the characteristics of weed vegetation in no-tillage upland fields in Japan. Vegetation surveys were conducted in two stages and the obtained data were analyzed based on the multiplied dominance ratio. The first was a two-year survey of a no-tillage field and a tilled field where no-tillage or tillage farming had been carried out for more than 10 years. The no-tillage field surveyed exhibited a different seasonal succession from the tilled field. Summer annuals dominated the tilled field in summer, and winter annuals dominated in spring. Perennials occupied the no-tillage field in spring; summer annuals also dominated in summer. The second survey was of 19 and 22 fields, including some no-tillage fields, in the summer of 2000 and the spring of 2001. The vegetation in both summer and spring was classified into three vegetation types, principally dependent on the no-tillage periods: types I and II consisted mainly of tilled and under 3-year-old no-tillage fields, and type III comprised no-tillage fields three years old or over. Type II vegetation was characterized primarily by the presence of biennials and perennials of Asteraceae, and type III by perennials, such as sweet vernalgrass (Anthoxanthum odoratum ), in addition to the same species as type II. Summer annuals such as southern crabgrass (Digitaria ciliaris ) were abundant in many fields in summer regardless of the vegetation types. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In many applications of the filter bank, often maximum thinning cannot be used. However, in comparison with maximally thinned filter banks, oversampled filter banks have not been studied very extensively. In this paper, the polyphase submatrix is defined. Based on this matrix representation, the perfect reconstruction condition for oversampled filter banks is provided. Based on this representation, the relationship to maximally thinned filter banks, the degrees of freedom in the design of oversampled filter banks, and the design condition for low-delay filter banks are given. Also, the representation of the DFT filter bank is extended. It is shown that a perfect reconstruction FIR DFT filter bank can be designed, which cannot be accomplished in the maximally thinned case. Finally, a design example confirms the effectiveness of the present method. © 1999 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 82(6): 55–65, 1999 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When a filter bank satisfies the conditions for perfect reconstruction, the whole transfer function has the property of a single delay. In the application to subband adaptive filters and other problems, this delay is directly reflected, for example, in the transfer delay of the speech signal. This paper considers an oversampled DFT filter bank, where the number of channels is an integer multiple of the decimation ratio. The delay is investigated, and a design method is presented for a filter bank with minimum delay. As the first step, the minimum delay of the filter bank satisfying the conditions of perfect reconstruction and causality is given by the number of channels minus 1, regardless of the decimation ratio or the number of filter taps. The design method for the filter bank with this minimum delay is formulated. Lastly, a detailed design example is presented and the effectiveness of the proposed method is verified. © 1998 Scripta Technica. Electron Comm Jpn Pt 3, 81(1): 71–78, 1998 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the accompanying paper, the resistance to infections with HSV type 1 (HSV-1) and Candida albicans was improved in thermally injured mice treated with benzoylmesaconine (BEN), an aconitine-hydrolysate isolated from heated Aconiti tuber, or inoculated with splenic CD4+ T cells from BEN-treated mice (BEN T cells). In this paper, therefore, the antiviral mechanism of BEN T cells (or BEN) on the improved resistance of burned mice to the HSV-1 infection was studied. Burn-associated CD8+ CD11b+ TCRγ/δ+ type-2 T cells have been shown to be a key on the increased susceptibility of thermally injured mice to infection with HSV-1 or C. albicans. The susceptibility of T6S-mice, mice inoculated with 1 × 106 cells/mouse of T6S cells (a clone of burn-associated type-2 T cells), to HSV-1 infection was similar to that of thermally injured mice. The adoptive transfer of BEN T cells to T6S-mice restores their impaired resistance to HSV-1 infection. The type-2 cytokine levels in sera of T6S-mice were decreased after inoculation of BEN T cells. BEN T cells inhibited the type-2 cytokine production by T6S cells when they were cocultured in vitro. BEN T cells, characterized as CD4+ CD28+ TCRα/β+ Vicia villosa (VV) lectin-adherent T cells, showed non-specific ability to inhibit the cytokine production by various type-2 T cells. From the results of the cytokine-producing profile, BEN T cells were shown to be a different subset of CD4+ T cells from Th1 and Th2 cells, although these three CD4+ T cells had similar properties phenotypically. BEN T cells were induced in normal mice 1–4 days after the oral treatment of BEN (1 μg/kg or more). These results suggest that, through the induction of antagonistic CD4+ T cells against burn-associated type-2 T cells, BEN may improve the resistance of T6S-mice (or thermally injured mice) to the... [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vascular staplers are routinely used in laparoscopic liver resection, which has become a standard procedure in advanced medical facilities. Although previous reports have outlined the benefits of staple line reinforcement (SLR), its application in Glissonean pedicle transection during hepatic resection remains poorly studied. This study investigated surgical SLR as a tool to enhance staple line strength and improve perioperative hemostasis. Here, 10 patients who underwent laparoscopic liver resection using the Tri‐StapleTM2.0 Reinforced Reload were included. Patient characteristics, surgical details, and outcomes were assessed. The results demonstrated successful outcomes with no complications related to bile leakage or injuries during staple insertion. Overall, our findings suggest that SLR can be safely utilized in Glissonean pedicle transection during laparoscopic liver resections. Further studies are required to comprehensively evaluate its benefits compared with conventional surgical staplers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly developed O‐glycosylated M‐hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAgGi) measurement system can detect hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) associated with infectious particles. We investigated the association of HBsAgGi levels with clinical parameters and a history of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development in a cross‐sectional cohort analysis (Study 1) as well as the quantitative changes in HBsAgGi during nucleos(t)ide analogue (NA) therapy in a longitudinal cohort analysis (Study 2). A total of 124 patients with genotype C chronic HBV infection were analysed in Study 1 to evaluate correlations of HBsAgGi with conventional HBV markers and HCC history. Among those, 36 patients receiving NA therapy were enrolled in Study 2 for quantitative comparisons between pre‐treatment baseline and 48 weeks of NA therapy. In Study 1, serum HBsAgGi was significantly associated with HBsAg (r =.5857, p <.00001) and weakly but significantly correlated with HBV DNA (r =.2936, p =.001). Although HBsAgGi (p =.111) was comparable between HCC history (+) group and HCC history (−) group, the HBsAgGi/HBsAg ratio (p =.011) was significantly higher in HCC history (+) patients. In Study 2, HBsAgGi was significantly decreased after 48 weeks of NA therapy (p <.001). HBsAg findings were similar (p =.005) along with an HBV DNA reduction (p <.001). In the baseline hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) (+) subgroup, HBsAgGi decreased significantly between baseline and 48 weeks of NA (p =.005), while HBsAg was comparable (p =.051). Low HBsAg and high HBsAgGi were associated with a history of HCC development. HBsAgGi decreased significantly by 48‐week NA therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An abstract of the study "Synthesis of 2-Aminoazoles from Thioesters via α-Heterosubstituted Ketones by Copper-Mediated Cross-Coupling" by H. Kobayashi and colleagues is presented.

An abstract of the article "10-step asymmetric total synthesis and stereochemical elucidation of (+)-dragmacidin D," by J.J. Jackson and colleagues is presented.

Background: Hay fever is a common allergic disease, with an estimated worldwide prevalence of 14.4% and a variety of symptoms. This study assessed the minimal clinically important difference (MCID) of nasal symptom score (NSS), non‐nasal symptom score (NNSS), and total symptoms score (TSS) for app‐based hay‐fever monitoring. Methods: MCIDs were calculated based on the data from a previous large‐scale, crowdsourced, cross‐sectional study using AllerSearch, an in‐house smartphone application. MCIDs were determined with anchor‐based and distribution‐based methods. The face scale score of the Japanese Allergic Conjunctival Disease Standard Quality of Life Questionnaire Domain III and the daily stress level due to hay fever were used as anchors for determining MCIDs. The MCID estimates were summarized as MCID ranges. Results: A total of 7590 participants were included in the analysis (mean age: 35.3 years, 57.1% women). The anchor‐based method produced a range of MCID values (median, interquartile range) for NSS (2.0, 1.5–2.1), NNSS (1.0, 0.9–1.2), and TSS (2.9, 2.4–3.3). The distribution‐based method produced two MCIDs (based on half a standard deviation, based on a standard error of measurement) for NSS (2.0, 1.8), NNSS (1.3, 1.2), and TSS (3.0, 2.3). The final suggested MCID ranges for NSS, NNSS, and TSS were 1.8–2.1, 1.2–1.3, and 2.4–3.3, respectively. Conclusions: MCID ranges for app‐based hay‐fever symptom assessment were obtained from the data collected through a smartphone application, AllerSearch. These estimates may be useful for monitoring the subjective symptoms of Japanese patients with hay fever through mobile platforms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Accurate detection of the hepatic fibrosis stage is essential to estimate the outcome of patients with non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Many formulas, biomarkers, and imaging tests are being developed to predict advanced liver fibrosis without performing a liver biopsy. However, these tests do not have high efficiency in detecting early‐stage hepatic fibrosis. Therefore, we aimed to detect the presence of hepatic fibrosis (≥F1) merely by using only standard clinical markers. Methods: A total of 436 patients with NAFLD who underwent liver biopsy were retrospectively enrolled as the discovery cohort (316 patients) and the validation cohort (120 patients). Liver biopsy and laboratory data were matched to extract simple parameters for identifying ≥F1. Results: We developed a novel simplified ≥F1 detecting system, designated as 2‐Step PLT16‐AST44 method, where (1) PLT of 16 × 104/μl or less, or (2) PLT greater than 16 × 104/μl and AST greater than 44 U/L is determined as having ≥F1 fibrosis. The 2‐Step PLT16‐AST44 method had a sensitivity of 68%, a specificity of 90%, a positive predictive value (PPV) of 97%, a negative predictive value (NPV) of 40%, and an accuracy of 72% to detect ≥F1 fibrosis in the discovery cohort. Validation studies further supported these results. Despite its simplicity, the 2‐Step PLT16‐AST44 method's power to detect ≥F1 fibrosis in total NAFLD patients was comparable to hyaluronic acid, type 4 collagen 7S, FIB‐4, and APRI. Conclusions: We propose the 2‐Step PLT16‐AST44 method as a simple and beneficial early‐stage hepatic fibrosis detection system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: We previously reported that pre-ischaemic i.v. miglitol reduces myocardial infarct size through the inhibition of glycogenolysis during ischaemia. Oral administration of miglitol has been reported to produce glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1). We hypothesized that p.o. administration of miglitol, an absorbable antidiabetic drug, reduces myocardial infarct size by stimulating GLP-1 receptors and inhibiting glycogenolysis in the myocardium.Experimental Approach: The effects of p.o. and i.v. administration of miglitol on myocardial infarct size were compared in a rabbit model of ischaemia induced by 30 min of coronary occlusion and 48 h of reperfusion. The levels of phospho(p)-PI3kinase and p-Akt were measured in cardiac tissue by use of Western blot analysis.Results: Both p.o. and i.v. administration of miglitol reduced the infarct size, and this effect was greater after p.o. than after i.v. administration under similar plasma miglitol concentrations. The reduction in infarct size induced by p.o. miglitol but not that induced by i.v. miglitol was partially inhibited by treatment with exendin(9-39), a GLP-1 receptor blocker. Both p.o. and i.v. miglitol improved ejection fraction and ±dP/dt after myocardial infarction. Miglitol administered p.o. but not i.v. up-regulated the myocardial expression of phospho(p)-PI3kinase and p-Akt following myocardial infarction; an effect that was inhibited by exendin(9-39).Conclusions and Implications: Administration of miglitol p.o. reduces myocardial infarct size through stimulation of GLP-1 receptors and activation of PI3kinase-Akt pathway in addition to the inhibition of glycogenolysis. These findings may have clinical implications for the p.o. administration of miglitol for the treatment of patients with diabetes mellitus combined with coronary artery disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) can still occur in hepatitis C virus (HCV) patients who have achieved a sustained virologic response (SVR), which remains an important clinical issue in the direct‐acting antivirals era. The current study investigated the clinical utility of the aMAP score (consisting of age, male, albumin–bilirubin, and platelets) for predicting HCC occurrence in HCV patients achieving an SVR by direct‐acting antivirals. Methods: A total of 1113 HCV patients without HCC history, all of whom achieved an SVR, were enrolled for clinical comparisons. Results: Hepatocellular carcinoma was recorded in 50 patients during a median follow‐up period of 3.7 years. The aMAP score was significantly higher in the HCC occurrence group than in the HCC‐free group (53 vs. 47, p < 0.001). According to risk stratification based on aMAP score, the cumulative incidence of HCC occurrence for the low‐, medium‐, and high‐risk groups was 0.14%, 4.49%, and 9.89%, respectively, at 1 year and 1.56%, 6.87%, and 16.17%, respectively, at 3 years (low vs. medium, low vs. high, and medium vs. high: all p < 0.01). Cox proportional hazard analysis confirmed aMAP ≥ 50 (hazard ratio [HR]: 2.78, p = 0.014), age≥ 70 years (HR: 2.41, p = 0.028), ALT ≥ 17 U/L (HR: 2.14, p < 0.001), and AFP ≥ 10 ng/mL (HR: 2.89, p = 0.005) as independent risk factors of HCC occurrence. Interestingly, all but one patient (99.5%) with aMAP less than 40 was HCC‐free following an SVR. Conclusion: The aMAP score could have clinical utility for predicting HCC occurrence in HCV patients achieving an SVR. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary 1. Diabetes mellitus is significantly associated with the occurrence of congestive heart failure in end-stage renal disease patients undergoing maintenance haemodialysis. In the present study, we asked whether the left ventricular remodelling against sustained pressure and/or volume overload to the left ventricle may be different between diabetic and non-diabetic haemodialysis patients. 2. Left ventricular parameters, including left ventricular mass index (LVMI), interventricular septal wall thickness (IVST) and relative left ventricular wall thickness (rLVWT), were assessed in 486 patients receiving maintenance haemodialysis (145 diabetic and 341 non-diabetic patients) using transthoracic echocardiography. Plasma concentrations of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), measured with an immunoradiometric assay, were used as a humoral parameter indicating left ventricular wall stress. 3. In non-diabetic patients, the plasma BNP concentration correlated with LVMI (r = 0.245; P = 0.0001), IVST (r = 0.250; P = 0.0001) and rLVWT (r = 0.149; P = 0.006). Furthermore, LVMI was correlated with mean blood pressure and pulse pressure and IVST and rLVWT were correlated with pulse pressure. 4. In contrast, none of the measured factors was correlated with LVMI and IVST in diabetic patients. Plasma BNP concentrations were positively correlated with end-systolic and end-diastolic left intraventricular dimensions and were inversely correlated with rLVWT and left ventricular fractional shortening in diabetic patients, but not in non-diabetic patients. 5. In conclusion, a sustained increase in left ventricular wall stress is likely to elicit eccentric left ventricular remodelling in diabetic haemodialysis patients, whereas it causes concentric left ventricular remodelling in non-diabetic haemodialysis patients. This difference in left ventricular remodelling against left ventricular overload may be associated with the high incidence of congestive heart failure in diabetic haemodialysis patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As compared with normal unburned mice, thermally injured mice have been shown to be 50–100 times more susceptible to HSV type 1 (HSV-1) or Candida albicans infection. Benzoylmesaconine (BEN) improved the resistance of thermally injured mice against infection with HSV-1 or C. albicans to the level observed in normal mice. Mortality rates of normal mice exposed to lethal amounts of these pathogens were not affected by the BEN treatment, while significant survival effects were produced in these mice after treatment with acyclovir (against HSV-1) or amphotericin B (against C. albicans). Benzoylmesaconine did not inhibit the growth of these pathogens in vitro and did not directly reduce the viability of the pathogens. However, burned mice inoculated with CD4+ T cells from BEN-treated mice resisted infections from these pathogens. These results suggested that, through the generation of CD4+ T cells, BEN recovered the impaired resistance of thermally injured mice to infection by HSV-1 or C. albicans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute appendicitis is the most common general surgical problem encountered during pregnancy. Laparoscopic appendectomy (LA) is widely accepted as a minimally invasive procedure for acute appendicitis. However, LA during the third trimester is associated with problems, including technical difficulty, risk of preterm delivery, and fetal loss. We successfully managed three cases of LA during the third trimester between 2011 and 2016. None of the cases required conversion to an open procedure, and none of the patients had postoperative complications and/or fetal loss. We reviewed the literature using the PubMED database from 2007 to 2016 to acquire further evidence and identified 6 reports and 17 cases. The conversion rate was 11.8% (2 cases), the complication rate was 6.67% (1 case), and the preterm delivery rate was 20% (3 cases); no fetal loss was observed. Our study and literature review highlights the role of LA as a potentially feasible treatment approach for appendicitis during the third trimester. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT: Aim: Hangekobokuto, a kampo medicine, is considered effective against anxiety neurosis, amnesia, insomnia, and neurotic gastritis. The mechanism of action and verification of effect, however, remain to be confirmed. The aim of this study was therefore to confirm the effect of hangekobokuto for amelioration of aggressiveness and social behavior in a mouse stress model. Methods: Four‐week‐old male ddY mice were socially stressed by isolated rearing for 4 weeks. The control group was reared in a social group. Hangekobokuto was then given orally in drinking water to the isolation‐reared mice at a dose of 0% (purified water), 0.25% and 0.5% for 2 weeks. The socially reared control group was not given any treatment. Aggressiveness and social behavior were evaluated. Blood samples were obtained after the test, and serum corticosterone and interleukin (IL)‐6 were measured. The prefrontal region of the brain and the brainstem region were enucleated, and serotonin, dopamine and IL‐6 were measured. Results: Hangekobokuto dose‐dependently controlled the aggressive behavior induced by isolation stress, and the effect disappeared on 5HT1A receptor antagonist treatment. Blood corticosterone, increased by isolation stress, decreased with hangekobokuto treatment. Serotonin and dopamine in the prefrontal region, decreased by isolation stress, increased with hangekobokuto treatment. IL‐6 in the brainstem, increased by isolation stress, decreased dose dependently on hangekobokuto treatment. Conclusion: Hangekobokuto ameliorates aggressiveness induced by anxiety caused by stress. Furthermore, the mechanism of effect involves the serotonin system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Background: Despite the presence of ganglion cells in the rectum, some patients have symptoms similar to those of Hirschsprung's disease. A consensus has yet to be established regarding the terminology for these diseases. We defined this group of diseases as “allied disorders of Hirschsprung's disease” and compiled these guidelines to facilitate accurate clinician diagnosis and provide appropriate treatment strategies for each disease. Methods: These guidelines were developed using the methodologies in the Medical Information Network Distribution System (MINDS). Of seven allied disorders, isolated hypoganglionosis; megacystis‐microcolon‐intestinal hypoperistalsis syndrome; and chronic idiopathic intestinal pseudo‐obstruction were selected as targets of clinical questions (CQ). In a comprehensive search of the Japanese‐ and English‐language articles in PubMed and Ichu‐Shi Web, 836 pieces of evidence related to the CQ were extracted from 288 articles; these pieces of evidence were summarized in an evidence table. Results: We herein outline the newly established Japanese clinical practice guidelines for allied disorders of Hirschsprung's disease. Given that the target diseases are rare and intractable, most evidence was drawn from case reports and case series. In the CQ, the diagnosis, medication, nutritional support, surgical therapy, and prognosis for each disease are given. We emphasize the importance of full‐thickness intestinal biopsy specimens for the histopathological evaluation of enteric ganglia. Considering the practicality of the guidelines, the recommendations for each CQ were created with protracted discussions among specialists. Conclusions: Clinical practice recommendations for allied disorders of Hirschprung's disease are given for each CQ, along with an assessment of the current evidence. We hope that the information will be helpful in daily practice and future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

G-protein-coupled receptors ( GPCRs) are the largest family of integral membrane receptors with key roles in regulating signaling pathways targeted by therapeutics, but are difficult to study using existing proteomics technologies due to their complex biochemical features. To obtain a global view of GPCR-mediated signaling and to identify novel components of their pathways, we used a modified membrane yeast two-hybrid ( MYTH) approach and identified interacting partners for 48 selected full-length human ligand-unoccupied GPCRs in their native membrane environment. The resulting GPCR interactome connects 686 proteins by 987 unique interactions, including 299 membrane proteins involved in a diverse range of cellular functions. To demonstrate the biological relevance of the GPCR interactome, we validated novel interactions of the GPR37, serotonin 5- HT4d, and adenosine ADORA2A receptors. Our data represent the first large-scale interactome mapping for human GPCRs and provide a valuable resource for the analysis of signaling pathways involving this druggable family of integral membrane proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the IR photoluminescence (PL) behavior of Cu-doped β-FeSi2 nanocrystals (β-NCs) embedded in Si layers. The diffusion rate of Cu atom was controlled by annealing. The most appropriate condition brought the largest intensities of both the intrinsic A band emission at 0.803 eV by 214% and the acceptor related C band emission at ∼0.75 eV by 582% in comparison with those of non-doped β-NCs. Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) revealed increase of Cu atoms in the Si layer with β-NCs with increasing the anneal duration. The C band enhancement surely is originated from increase of a density of state at acceptor levels relating to increase of Cu in β-lattice. Photocarrier injection PL measurements (PCI-PL) reveal that the enhancement of the A band emission may be attributed to a controlled migration process of holes with a repeated trap process due to Cu-doping into the Si phase. This dynamic condition leads to an increase of valence band offset at the β-NCs/Si heterointerfaces where the migration of holes from the β-NCs to Si is prevented, so that a radiative recombination rate can be enhanced. (© 2014 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells are thought to be closely related to tumor progression and recurrence, making them attractive therapeutic targets. Stem cells of various tissues exist within niches maintaining their stemness. Glioblastoma stem cells ( GSCs) are located at tumor capillaries and the perivascular niche, which are considered to have an important role in maintaining GSCs. There were some extracellular matrices ( ECM) on the perivascular connective tissue, including type 1 collagen. We here evaluated whether type 1 collagen has a potential niche for GSCs. Imunohistochemical staining of type 1 collagen and CD133, one of the GSCs markers, on glioblastoma ( GBM) tissues showed CD133-positive cells were located in immediate proximity to type 1 collagen around tumor vessels. We cultured human GBM cell lines, U87MG and GBM cells obtained from fresh surgical tissues, T472 and T555, with serum-containing medium ( SCM) or serum-free medium with some growth factors ( SFM) and in non-coated (Non-coat) or type 1 collagen-coated plates ( Col). The RNA expression levels of CD133 and Nestin as stem cell markers in each condition were examined. The Col condition not only with SFM but SCM made GBM cells more enhanced in RNA expression of CD133, compared to Non-coat/ SCM. Semi-quantitative measurement of CD133-positive cells by immunocytochemistry showed a statistically significant increase of CD133-positive cells in Col/ SFM. In addition, T472 cell line cultured in the Col/ SFM had capabilities of sphere formation and tumorigenesis. Type 1 collagen was found in the perivascular area and showed a possibility to maintain GSCs. These findings suggest that type 1 collagen could be one important niche component for CD133-positive GSCs and maintain GSCs in adherent culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Temozolomide ( TMZ) is an oral alkylating agent which is widely used in the treatment of glioblastoma ( GBM) and is composed of astrocytic and/or oligodendroglial tumors, and the evaluation of O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase ( MGMT) expression is important to predict the response to TMZ therapy. In this study, we conducted immunohistochemical analysis of 117 cases of Japanese GBM including 19 cases of GBM with oligodendroglioma component ( GBMO), using a scoring system for quantitative evaluation of staining intensity and proportion of MGMT, and performed survival analysis of these patients. Immunohistochemically, 55 cases (47%) were positive for MGMT with various intensities and proportions (total score ( TS) ≥ 2), while 62 cases (53%) were negative ( TS = 0). The distribution of MGMT expression pattern was not affected by any clinicopathological parameters such as the histological subtype ( GBM vs. GBMO), age and gender. The survival analysis of these patients revealed that the minimal expression of MGMT ( TS ≥ 2) was a significant unfavorable prognostic factor ( P < 0.001) as well as resectability ( P = 0.004). Moreover, multivariate analysis showed that minimal MGMT expression in GBM was the most potent independent predictor for progression free survival ( P < 0.001) and also overall patient survival ( P < 0.001). This is the first report employing the scoring system for both staining intensity and proportion to evaluate immunohistochemical MGMT expression in GBM. In addition, our results emphases the clinicopathological values of the immunohistochemical approach for MGMT expression in glioma patients as a routine laboratory examination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the CNS, primary tumors with rhabdoid components are classified as atypical teratoid/rhabdoid tumor, rhabdoid meningioma or rhabdoid glioblastoma. The authors present a young adult patient with supratentorial rhabdoid tumor incidentally found after head trauma as a small pre-existing lesion in the parahippocampal gyrus. MRI demonstrated an area of hypointensity on T1-weighted images and hyperintensity on T2-weighted and fluid attenuated inversion recovery images. A serial MR scan revealed no change 3 months after the initial examination but drastic changes at 6 months. As the tumor and accompanying intratumoral hemorrhage enlarged rapidly, resection of the tumor was performed. Histopathology revealed that the main component of the tumor was typical rhabdoid cells with some necrotic areas. There were also pathological features consistent with oligoastrocytoma. The specimen had neither vascular proliferation usually seen in high-grade glioma nor the meningothelial pattern that suggests meningioma. Immunohistochemical findings revealed that cells were strongly positive for vimentin, epithelial membrane antigen and INI-1 antibody throughout the specimen. Further, monosomy 22 was detected by fluorescence in situ hybridization. The tumor was finally thought to be an unclassifiable primitive rhabdoid tumor with oligoastrocytoma that arose in the CNS. The patient died within 5 months of detection of the tumor, regardless of surgical resection, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: 'Successful aging' in individuals with schizophrenia has been attracting attention. We examined two forward-looking factors of successful aging among schizophrenia patients: 'attitude toward aging' and 'preparing behavior for old age'. Methods: Fifty-seven middle-aged and elderly schizophrenia patients with successful aging were identified using the Attitude toward Aging Scale, the Preparing Behavior for Old Age Scale, and assessments of their cognitive function, psychiatric symptoms, social functioning and quality of life. A multiple regression analysis was used to detect determinants of attitude toward aging/preparing behavior for old age at that time ('present': community dwelling). We also analyzed predictors of successful aging using demographic/clinical data assessed 3 years previously ('past': residential care). Results: The multiple regression analysis revealed that quality of life was a significant determinant: a higher quality of life was related to a more positive attitude toward aging and less active preparing behavior. The significant predictors of preparing behavior were quality of life and the length of the hospital stay: a longer hospital stay and a higher quality of life were related to less active preparing behavior. Conclusion: Quality of life and the length of the hospital stay significantly contributed to forward-looking factors of successful aging. Avoiding long hospitalization periods for patients with schizophrenia may lead to more active preparing behavior, but the improvement of quality of life may not be a sufficient condition. As schizophrenia patients have an optimistic attitude and insufficient preparing behavior, support to prepare such individuals for old age is required as part of community-based psychiatric care strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To describe clinical practice and research activities for early psychiatric intervention in Japan, a country with a huge number of psychiatric beds and a history of long-stay, hospital-based psychiatry. Methods: The characteristics, methods and activities of early intervention studies and implementation at four leading institutions in Japan are described. Results: The Tokyo Youth Club (Tokyo), the Department of Neuropsychiatry of Toyama University Hospital (Toyama), the endai t-risk Mental State and irst pisode (SAFE) service (Sendai), and the Il Bosco of Toho University Omori Medical Center (Tokyo) have unique and active psychiatric programmes. Eachcentre has its own clinical research programme and treatment strategies. The Japanese Society for the Prevention of Psychiatric Disorders, founded in 1996, has made a steady contribution to psychiatric care by providing a forum for members to promote best practices for early intervention and by hosting annual meetings to discuss research and treatment. Conclusions: The Japanese psychiatry service is continuing its transition from hospital-based psychiatry to community-based psychiatry. Despite these difficult circumstances, the publication of data on the duration of untreated psychosis in Japan along with evidence that early detection determines outcome has encouraged new attempts to promote early psychiatric intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Dickkopf-1 ( DKK1) gene product is an extracellular Wnt inhibitor. Hypermethylation of the DKK1 promoter results in transcriptional silencing and may play an important role in cancer development. Here, we investigated hypermethylation of the DKK1 promoter in patients with acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), especially core-binding factor (CBF) leukaemia. The methylation status of DKK1 was analysed using methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction in 47 patients with AML. DKK1 methylation was found in 14 (29·8%) patients, and more frequently in those with CBF leukaemia (6 of 12 patients), than in those with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) (0 of 6 patients) ( P = 0·03). In contrast, Wnt inhibitory factor-1 methylation was found in APL (4 of 6 patients) but not in CBF leukaemia (0 of 12 patients) ( P = 0·001). Multivariate analyses suggested that DKK1 methylation was a risk factor for poorer overall survival. Sequential analysis using four paired samples obtained at diagnosis and relapse suggested that DKK1 methylation was involved in the progression of leukaemia. Therefore, DKK1 methylation may be involved in leukaemogenesis, especially in CBF leukaemia, and may be a useful prognostic marker in AML. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin (Ang) II participates in the pathogenesis of heart failure through induction of cardiac hypertrophy. Ang II-induced hypertrophic growth of cardiomyocytes is mediated by nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT), a Ca2+-responsive transcriptional factor. It is believed that phospholipase C (PLC)-mediated production of inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) is responsible for Ca2+ increase that is necessary for NFAT activation. However, we demonstrate that PLC-mediated production of diacylglycerol (DAG) but not IP3 is essential for Ang II-induced NFAT activation in rat cardiac myocytes. NFAT activation and hypertrophic responses by Ang II stimulation required the enhanced frequency of Ca2+ oscillation triggered by membrane depolarization through activation of DAG-sensitive TRPC channels, which leads to activation of L-type Ca2+ channel. Patch clamp recordings from single myocytes revealed that Ang II activated DAG-sensitive TRPC-like currents. Among DAG-activating TRPC channels (TRPC3, TRPC6, and TRPC7), the activities of TRPC3 and TRPC6 channels correlated with Ang II-induced NFAT activation and hypertrophic responses. These data suggest that DAG-induced Ca2+ signaling pathway through TRPC3 and TRPC6 is essential for Ang II-induced NFAT activation and cardiac hypertrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1. In the present study, we investigated the effect of 3-methyl-1-phenyl-2-pyrazolin-5-one (edaravone), a free radical scavenger, on myocardial infarct (MI) size and cardiac function in an in vivo model of MI in rabbits. We further investigated the contribution of hydroxyl radicals, superoxide and nitric oxide (NO) to its effects. 2. Anaesthetized open-chest Japanese white male rabbits were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion and 48 h reperfusion. The control group ( n = 10) was injected with saline 10 min before reperfusion. The edaravone group ( n = 10) was injected with a bolus of 3 mg/kg edaravone 10 min before reperfusion. The edaravone +  NG-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (l-NAME) group ( n = 5) was given 10 mg/kg, i.v.,l-NAME 10 min before the administration of 3 mg/kg edaravone. Thel-NAME group ( n = 5) was given 10 mg/kg, i.v.,l-NAME 20 min before reperfusion. Infarct size was measured using the triphenyl tetrazolium chloride method and is expressed as a percentage of area at risk. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography 14 days after infarction. 3. In another series of experiments, rabbits were subjected to 30 min coronary occlusion and 30 min reperfusion and myocardial interstitial 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHBA) and 2,5-DHBA levels, indicators of hydroxyl radical, were measured using a microdialysis technique. 4. Infarct size in the edaravone group was significantly reduced compared with that in the control group (27.4 ± 6.8 vs 43.4 ± 6.8%, respectively; P < 0.05). The edaravone-induced reduction of infarct size was abolished by pretreatment withl-NAME. Myocardial interstitial levels of 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA increased 20 and 30 min after ischaemia and peaked at 10 min reperfusion in the control group. Edaravone significantly inhibited the increase in 2,3-DHBA and 2,5-DHBA levels seen during reperfusion. Dihydroethidium staining showing in situ detectoion of superoxide was less intense in ischaemic myocardium in the edaravone-treated group compared with the control group. Edaravone improved cardiac function and left ventricular remodelling 14 days after infarction. 5. In conclusion, edaravone significantly reduces MI size and improves cardiac function and LV remodelling by decreasing hydroxyl radicals and superoxide in the myocardium and increasing the production of NO during reperfusion in rabbits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have observed transient enhanced diffusion (TED) in silicon substrates with boron doping superlattices and varying background carbon concentrations after ion implantation with silicon ions followed by low-temperature annealing. Our results clarify the effects of low-level carbon concentrations on this process. In addition, we have found that the effective diffusion coefficient of self-interstitial Si atoms is inversely proportional to the square of the substrate carbon concentration. We also discovered that the carbon atoms segregate out in the ion-implantation damage regions, forming boron–carbon clusters. © 2002 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 85(2): 54–60, 2002 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments on the transient enhanced diffusion (TED) of boron in superlattice silicon wafers, for the first time demonstrated the existence of the anomalous enhanced diffusion of boron at the very early stage of low-temperature annealing at locations situated deeper than the implantation damage zone. It was confirmed that this phenomenon is caused by free self-interstitial silicon atoms present in the implantation tail region. © 2001 Scripta Technica, Electron Comm Jpn Pt 2, 84(10): 59–64, 2001 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present a 70-year-old man who had two episodes of melena during the preceding 8-year period. He had a Dieulafoy-like lesion in a diverticulum in the third portion of the duodenum. While emergency endoscopy revealed neither apparent blood nor clots around the diverticular orifice, there was a non-bleeding vessel in the fundus of the diverticulum. The vessel ceased bleeding after argon plasma coagulation and, since then, the patient has not experienced bleeding. In cases of gastrointestinal bleeding of obscure origin, duodenal diverticulum should be considered as a possible source of bleeding, even when endoscopy discloses no apparent bleeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experience with two cases of psittacosis is described here in which the number of γδ T cell receptor-positive T lymphocytes (γδ T cell) in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid was markedly increased (25.1 and 66.9%) and CD8+ T cells were also increased with reversal of the CD4/CD8 ratio. These values improved to the normal range along with recovery of their radiographical findings. The present findings suggest that γδ T cells may play an important role in protection from lung injury caused by Chlamydia psittaci infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Aim This study compared the efficacy of goreisan with that of probiotics in Japanese adults with acute infectious gastroenteritis. Methods Outpatients aged ≥20 years with acute infectious gastroenteritis were enrolled in this open-label, prospective randomized controlled trial from December 2014 to December 2015. Seventy-five patients were randomly assigned to receive goreisan or probiotics ( Bifidobacterium). The primary outcomes were duration and frequency of diarrhea and vomiting. The secondary outcomes were duration of concomitant symptoms including nausea, abdominal pain, fever, fatigue, and anorexia. Results The duration and frequency of diarrhea and vomiting were not significantly different between the goreisan (n = 24) and probiotic groups (n = 25). The secondary outcomes duration of anorexia (median, 2 days; range, 1-5 days vs 2.5 days, range, 1-5 days, P = 0.01) and of abdominal pain (median, 2 days; range, 1-5 days vs 3 days, range, 1-5 days, P = 0.02) were significantly shorter in the goreisan group than in the probiotic group. Conclusions The duration of concomitant symptoms of anorexia and abdominal pain were significantly shorter in the goreisan group than in the probiotic group. Goreisan may have the potential to improve the general symptoms of gastroenteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]