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A developing supercritical collisionless shock propagating in a homogeneously magnetized plasma of ambient gas origin having higher uniformity than the previous experiments is formed by using high-power laser experiment. The ambient plasma is not contaminated by the plasma produced in the early time after the laser shot. While the observed developing shock does not have stationary downstream structure, it possesses some characteristics of a magnetized supercritical shock, which are supported by a one-dimensional full particle-in-cell simulation taking the effect of finite time of laser-target interaction into account., 7 pages, 6 fitures

[Background] A multidisciplinary approach based on guidelines and pathological diagnosis by specialized pathologists are important for improving the prognosis and QoL of GIST patients. This study examined the adherence to the guidelines and the concordance of the pathological diagnosis of high-risk GISTs. [Patients and methods] Among 541 patients with high-risk GISTs recruited to the prospective registry between Dec. 2012 and Dec. 2015, 534 patients were analyzed after central pathology with KIT and DOG1 IHC and genotyping of KIT and PDGFRA. [Results] Of the 534 patients, 432 (81%) received imatinib adjuvant therapy at a starting dose of 400 or 300 mg/day. Multivariate analysis indicated that age (HR 0.71; 95% CI 0.58–0.88), tumor size (HR for > 10 cm vs 10 vs

Background Blood pressure (BP) variability has reportedly been a risk factor for various clinical events. To clarify the influence of BP visit‐to‐visit variability on adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results Of 7406 outpatients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation from 158 institutions, 7226 (age, 69.7±9.9 years; men, 70.7%), in whom BP was measured 4 times or more (14.6±5.0 times) during the 2‐year follow‐up period or until occurrence of an event, constituted the study group. SD and coefficient of variation of BP values were calculated as BP variability. Thromboembolism, major hemorrhage, and all‐cause death occurred in 110 (1.5%), 121 (1.7%), and 168 (2.3%) patients, respectively. When patients were divided into quartiles of systolic BP‐SD (P =0.015 for thromboembolism; HR, 2.60, 95% CI, 1.36–4.97, P =0.004 for major hemorrhage; and HR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.11–3.07, P =0.018 for all‐cause death) after adjusting for components of the CHA 2 DS 2 ‐VASc score, warfarin and antiplatelet use, atrial fibrillation type, BP measurement times, and others. These findings were consistent when BP‐coefficient of variation was used instead of BP‐SD. Conclusions Systolic BP visit‐to‐visit variability was significantly associated with all adverse events in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Further studies are needed to clarify the causality between BP variability and adverse outcomes in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Registration URL: https://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/ ; Unique Identifier: UMIN000001569.

Chlorogenic acid (CGA) is a quinic acid conjugate of caffeic acid, and a phytochemical found in many fruits and beverages that acts as an antioxidant. The present study investigated the effects of CGA supplementation during in vitro maturation, on in vitro development of porcine oocytes, in order to improve the porcine in vitro production (IVP) system. Oocytes were matured either without (control) or with CGA (10, 50, 100, and 200 µM). Subsequently, the matured oocytes were fertilised, and cultured in vitro for 7 d. The rates of maturation, fertilisation, and blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 µM CGA was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those of the control oocytes. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is one of the reactive oxygen species and induces DNA damage in porcine oocytes. When oocytes were matured with 1 mM H2O2 to assess the protective effect of CGA, 50 µM CGA supplementation improved the maturation rate and the proportion of DNA-fragmented nuclei in oocytes compared with control oocytes matured without CGA. Moreover, when oocytes were matured with either 50 µM CGA (control) or caffeic acid (10, 50, and 100 µM), the rates of maturation, fertilisation, and the blastocyst formation of oocytes matured with 50 µM CGA were similar to those of oocytes matured with 10 and 50 µM caffeic acid. Our results suggest that CGA has comparable effects to caffeic acid, and in vitro maturation with 50 µM CGA is particularly beneficial to in vitro production of porcine embryos and protects oocytes from DNA damage induced by oxidative stress. Supplementation of CGA to the maturation medium has a potential to improve porcine IVP system.

The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of neutron (n) irradiation on hydrogen isotope transport in tungsten (W). W samples were irradiated with neutrons in a fission reactor and then exposed to high flux deuterium (D) plasma at 563 K in a linear plasma device. The fraction of D release increased with increasing exposure time. In addition, the D retention in n-irradiated W increased in proportion to the square root of the plasma exposure time. These observations were explained by increase in the penetration depth of D with filling up displacement damages acting as strong trapping sites.

Background:An all-case post marketing surveillance (PMS) of baricitinib (Bari), that started in Sep 2017, collects safety and effectiveness for the first 24 wks of treatment and continues to collect serious adverse events (SAEs) for 3 yrs.Objectives:To evaluate Bari safety in RA patients (pt) in clinical practice.Methods:We report pt baseline demographics and adverse events (AEs) up to 24 wks for pts whose case report files for 24-wk data were completed as of Jun 2020.Results:Data from 3445 pts were analyzed (females=80%, mean age=64yr, mean RA duration 12yr). Bari dose regimen was as follows: 4mg, 60%, 2mg, 27%, 4mg→2mg, 5%, 2mg→4mg, 5%, and others, 2%. Concomitant use of MTX and glucocorticoid was 65% and 48%, respectively. 74% continued treatment for 24 wks. AE and SAE were recognized in 887 (26%) and 122 pts (4%), respectively. 6 pts died of pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, bacterial pneumonia, cerebral infarction/ILD/aspiration pneumonia, adenocarcinoma, and colorectal cancer. Major AEs were as follows: herpes zoster=3%, liver dysfunction=3%, serious infection=1%, anemia=1%, hyperlipidemia=1%, malignancy=0.3%, interstitial pneumonia=0.2%, MACE=0.1%, and VTE=0.1%.Conclusion:Data do not show new safety concerns and encourage guideline-compliant use of Bari.Disclosure of Interests:Takao Fujii Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Consultant of: Asahikasei Pharma Corp, Grant/research support from: Asahikasei Pharma Corp; AbbVie Japan GK; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Eisai Co. Ltd; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Tatsuya Atsumi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., UCB Japan Co. Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK; AstraZeneca plc.; Boehringer Ingelheim Co. Ltd.; Medical & Biological Laboratories Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma K.K.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Alexion Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.Pfizer Japan Inc.; Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Nami Okamoto Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Asahikasei Pharma Co.; AYUMI Pharmaceutical Co.Eisai Co. Ltd; Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.Sanofi K.K.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Teijin Pharma Ltd.; Torii Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nobunori Takahashi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; UCB Japan Co. Ltd.; Astellas Pharma Inc.; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Grant/research support from: Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd., Naoto Tamura Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Bristol Myers Squibb Co. Ltd.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.; Eisai Co. Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Glaxo Smith Kline K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co., Atsuo Nakajima: None declared, Ayako Nakajima Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK; Actelion Pharmaceuticals Japan Ltd., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Astellas Pharma Inc., Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd.,Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Glaxo Smith Kline K.K., Hisamitsu Pharmaceutical Co. Inc., Kyorin Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd., Pfizer Japan Inc., Teijin Pharma Ltd., Grant/research support from: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Pfizer Japan Inc., Hiroaki Matsuno Speakers bureau: Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Consultant of: Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Astellas Pharma Inc., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K, Naoto Tsujimoto Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Atsushi Nishikawa Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Taeko Ishii Shareholder of: Eli Lilly, Employee of: Eli Lilly Japan K.K., Tsutomu Takeuchi Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Ayumi Pharmaceutical Co., Bristol Myers Squibb Co., Ltd., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd. Daiichi Sankyo Co., Ltd. Eisai Co., Ltd. Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Gilead Sciences, Inc. Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Co.; Novartis Pharma Co.; Pfizer Japan Inc.; Sanofi K.K.; UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Consultant of: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma, Inc.; Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd.; Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Eisai Co., Ltd.; Gilead Sciences, Inc.; Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., Pfizer Japan Inc., Grant/research support from: AbbVie Japan GK, Asahikasei Pharma Corp., Chugai Pharmaceutical Co, Ltd., DNA Chip Research Inc.; Eisai Co., Ltd., Eli Lilly Japan K.K.; Mitsubishi-Tanabe Pharma Corp., UCB Japan Co., Ltd., Masataka Kuwana Speakers bureau: AbbVie Japan GK, Astellas Pharma Inc., Asahi Kasei Pharma Co., Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Janssen Pharmaceutical K.K., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Nippon Shinyaku Co., Ltd.; Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.; Pfizer Japan Inc., Consultant of: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Corbus Pharmaceuticals Holdings, Inc.; Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd.; Mochida Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Grant/research support from: Boehringer-Ingelheim, Chugai Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Eisai Co., Ltd., Medical &Biological Laboratories Co., Ltd; Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Co., Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd., Michiaki Takagi Speakers bureau: Yes, but sponsored lectures without COI in the academic meetings, only.

Repeat-breeder (RB) cows are a major source of economic waste due to their decreased fertility. Embryo transfer (ET) is an alternative tool to improve the fertility of RB cows. The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of recipient parity and the season on pregnancy rates following ET in RB Japanese Black beef cattle. Embryos were transferred nonsurgically to recipients, consisting of 155 heifers (

Aims To determine differences in predictors of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR in Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes mellitus without chronic kidney disease. Methods This single‐centre observational cohort study involved 1802 Japanese people with Type 2 diabetes with normoalbuminuria and estimated GFR ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 (740 women; mean ± sd age 58 ± 12 years). Two separate outcomes were evaluated: onset of albuminuria ( ≥ 30 mg/g creatinine, albuminuria cohort; n = 1655) and decrease in estimated GFR (, What's new? This was a cohort study showing differences in risk factors for the onset of albuminuria and decreased estimated GFR (

Background: This study aimed to determine whether combination S-1 plus cisplatin (CDDP) therapy, the most widely used therapy for Japanese patients with advanced gastric cancer, and the novel oral antiangiogenic agent TSU-68 could contribute to gastric cancer treatment. Methods: Ninety-three patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers were randomised into two groups: TSU-68 plus S-1/CDDP (group A) and S-1/CDDP (group B) groups. Both patient groups received identical S-1 and CDDP dosages. TSU-68 was orally administered for 35 consecutive days. Group B patients received S-1 orally twice daily for three consecutive weeks, followed by intravenous CDDP on day 8. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Results: Median PFS periods were 208 and 213 days in groups A and B, respectively (P=0.427). Median survival periods for groups A and B were 497.0 and 463.5 days, respectively (P=0.219). No statistically significant differences were noted for PFS, survival or the adverse event (AE) incidence rate. All AEs were expected according to previous reports for TSU-68, TS-1, and CDDP. Conclusion: Combination therapy involving TSU-68, S-1, and CDDP was safe and well tolerated in patients with chemotherapy-naïve unresectable or recurrent advanced gastric cancers. However, factors related to therapeutic efficacy should be investigated further.

Background To clarify the influence of hypertension and blood pressure ( BP ) control on thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation, a post hoc analysis of the J‐ RHYTHM Registry was performed. Methods and Results A consecutive series of outpatients with atrial fibrillation was enrolled from 158 institutions. Of 7937 patients, 7406 with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation (70.8% men, 69.8±10.0 years) were followed for 2 years or until an event occurred. Hypertension was defined as a systolic BP ≥140 mm Hg, a diastolic BP ≥90 mm Hg, a history of hypertension, and/or antihypertensive drug use. Hypertension was an independent risk factor for major hemorrhage (hazard ratio 1.52, 95% CI 1.05–2.21, P =0.027) but not for thromboembolism (hazard ratio 1.05, 95% CI 0.73–1.52, P =0.787). When patients were divided into quartiles according to their systolic BP at the time closest to the event or at the end of follow‐up (Q1, CI 1.75–4.74, P CI 1.02–2.53, P =0.041) after adjustment for components of CHA 2 DS 2 ‐ VAS c score, warfarin use, and antiplatelet use. A systolic BP of ≥136 mm Hg was an independent risk factor for thromboembolism and major hemorrhage. Conclusions BP control appears to be more important than a history of hypertension and baseline BP values at preventing thromboembolism and major hemorrhage in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Clinical Trial Registration URL : http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr . Unique identifier: UMIN 000001569.

Background: The pathogenesis of breast cancer in very elderly women is of interest, because estrogen levels are likely to be extremely low during the development of the disease. Estrogens have opposing effects on the pathogenesis of breast cancer and osteoporosis. In an effort to understand the significance of estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in this group, we examined the association between breast cancer and osteoporosis in women at least 85 years old, taking body mass index (BMI) and hormone receptors status into consideration. Methods:Clinical records of consecutive elderly women (≥ 85 y/o) who underwent breast cancer surgery at Tokyo Metropolitan Geriatric Hospital (BC) and control women of the same age group (Cont) were reviewed; osteoporosis and BMI status in both groups were recorded and compared. The status of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) of breast cancers was examined immunohistochemically and compared between BC with and without osteoporosis (BC-OP and BC-nonOP, respectively). Results:Frequency of osteoporosis was significantly lower among BC than Cont. There was no difference in BMI measured after 85 y/o between BC and Cont; however, percentage of women, whose BMI measured when they were in their sixties or seventies was ≥ 20% higher than BMI measured when they were 85 y/o or older, was significantly higher among BC than Cont (31% and 2%, respectively. P = 0.0001). ER positivity of breast cancer did not differ between BC-OP and BC-nonOP, whereas PR positivity was significantly higher among BC-nonOP than BC-OP (P = 0.0359). Discussion: The inverse relationship between the incidence of breast cancer and osteoporosis suggests an important role for estrogens in the pathogenesis of breast cancer in the very elderly women. Our finding that one third of BC had ≥ 20% higher BMI when they were in their sixties or seventies suggests they may also had elevated serum estrogens during these earlier years, because increased BMI has been reported to be associated with increased serum estrogens in postmenopausal women. Expression of PR is regulated by estrogen-ER signaling, and PR positivity is considered to reflect the effectiveness of estrogen-ER pathway. Significant difference of PR positivity between BC-nonOP and BC-OP suggests the more importance of estrogens in BC-nonOP than BC-OP. Conclusion:Estrogens seem to play an important role in the pathogenesis of breast cancers in very elderly women, especially without osteoporosis. With increasing aging population in developed countries, those findings may have implications for breast cancer prevention in this age group. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2011;71(24 Suppl):Abstract nr P5-17-04.

Background and Purpose— The purpose of this study was to evaluate further the efficacy of 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase on vascular and clinical outcomes in patients with middle cerebral artery occlusion in a postmarketing Phase IV trial of prospective cohort study design. Methods— Alteplase was given intravenously at 0.6 mg/kg to patients with ischemic stroke within 3 hours of onset with MR angiography-documented middle cerebral artery occlusion. Vascular outcome was evaluated by MR angiography at 6 and 24 hours after symptom onset based on the modified Mori grade. The primary end points also included a favorable outcome (modified Rankin Scale 0 to 1 at 3 months after onset) and incidence of symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage within 36 hours after treatment. The impact of recanalization on clinical outcome was assessed by stepwise logistic regression analysis. Results— Fifty-eight patients were enrolled. Recanalization was noted in 51.7% on 6-hour MR angiography and 69.0% on 24-hour MR angiography. A favorable clinical outcome was achieved in 46.6%. None had symptomatic intracranial hemorrhage. In logistic regression models, recanalization on either 6-hour or 24-hour MR angiography was an independent predictor for clinical outcome as well as the baseline National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale score. Conclusions— Early recanalization of an occluded middle cerebral artery can be provoked by 0.6 mg/kg intravenous alteplase and may induce a favorable clinical outcome. The rates of recanalization and favorable outcome are comparable to that previously reported with the 0.9-mg/kg dose.

The current capsule target design for the first ignition experiments at the NIF Facility beginning in 2009 will be a copper-doped beryllium capsule, roughly 2 mm in diameter with 160-µm walls. The capsule will have a 75-µm layer of solid deuterium-tritium on the inside surface, and the capsule will be powered by X-rays generated from a gold/uranium cocktail hohlraum. The design specifications are extremely rigorous, particularly with respect to interfaces, which must be very smooth to inhibit Rayleigh-Taylor instability growth. This paper outlines the current design, and focuses on the challenges and advances in capsule fabrication and characterization; hohlraum fabrication, and deuterium-tritium layering and characterization.

The improvement of adhesion characteristics is important in electric commuter train. The electric commuter train has both a slip phenomenon and a slide phenomenon. Slip-and-slide phenomena degrade the comfortable riding performance of electric commuter train. We have already proposed an antislip/ antislide readhesion control system based on disturbance observer and sensorless vector control. The effectiveness of the proposed method has been confirmed by the experiment and the numerical simulation using the tested bogie system of electric commuter train. Then, we apply the proposed method to the actual electric commuter train of series 205-5000 of the East Japan Railway Company. In the experimental results of series 205-5000, this paper demonstrates that the proposed antislip/slide readhesion control system has the desired driving wheel torque response. Moreover, this paper discusses the evaluation method of readhesion control test results.

We have developed a technique for drawing commercially available polyimide tubing to the required fill tube dimensions. The tubes are then precisely cut with an Excimer laser to produce a clean, flat tip. We have also demonstrated that one can use the Excimer laser to drill less than a 5 {micro}m diameter through hole in the {approx}150 wall of a NIF dimension GDP shell, and can then create a 10-15 {micro}m diameter, 20-40 {micro}m deep counterbore centered on the through hole with the same laser. Using a home built assembly station the tube is carefully inserted into the counterbore and glued in place with UV-cure epoxy, using a LED UV source to avoid heating the joint. We expect that the same joining technique can be used for Be shells.

Success in inertial confinement fusion (ICF) requires sophisticated, characterized targets. The increasing fidelity of three-dimensional (3D), radiation hydrodynamic computer codes has made it possible to design targets for ICF which can compensate for limitations in the existing single shot laser and Z pinch ICF drivers. Developments in ICF target fabrication technology allow more esoteric target designs to be fabricated. At present, requirements require new deterministic nano-material fabrication on micro scale.

乳牛における移行期の栄養代謝状態と繁殖効率との関係を明らかにする目的で、1牛群で22ケ月間にわたって移行期乳牛の第一胃内容量(RV)、尿性状および血液生化学検査所見、さらに月齢、産次、分娩後3ヶ月間の乳量やボディコンディションスコア(BCS)などの情報を収集し、初回授精日数および空胎日数との関係を調べた。初回授精日数が延長した乳牛において、分娩前の尿中ケトン体濃度上昇と分娩後3週のRV低下、分娩後2～3ヶ月のBCS低下が、血液生化学検査では分娩前の血清BUN濃度の高値、分娩後のNEFA濃度増加とCaおよびiP濃度の低下が認められた。空胎日数が延長した乳牛において、BCSは分娩前に高値で分娩後3ヶ月に低値を、RVは分娩後3週で低値を、血液生化学検査では分娩前Glu濃度の低値と分娩後NEFA濃度の増加ならびにT-CHO濃度の低下が認められた。したがって、移行期の採食量および栄養代謝状態はその後の繁殖成績と関連があることが示唆された。

Objective: To evaluate the acute effects on haemodynamic variables of biatrial pacing in comparison with high right atrial (HRA) pacing and left lateral atrial pacing. Patients and design: 23 patients were paced from the HRA site, the lateral site of the coronary sinus (CS), and both sites on two fixed atrioventricular delays (100 and 150 ms) during atrioventricular sequential pacing at 80 and 100 beats/min in random order. Main outcome measures: After five minute pacing, the maximum P wave duration on a 12 lead ECG, cardiac output, pulmonary capillary wedge pressure, and the transmitral flow pattern by transthoracic echocardiography were measured. Results: Biatrial pacing delivered the shortest P wave duration (133 (25) ms, 133 (27) ms, and 96 (15) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001), and the most improvement in cardiac output and pulmonary capillary wedge pressure (3.71 (0.93) l/min and 15 (7) mm Hg, 3.79 (0.97) l/min, and 14 (6) mm Hg, and 4.09 (1.01) l/min and 13(6) mm Hg during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.01). Biatrial pacing most significantly decreased the intervals between the atrial pacing spike and the peak and end of the atrial filling wave (186 (16) ms and 250 (22) ms, 172 (19) ms and 242 (24) ms, and 153 (15) ms and 227 (23) ms during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.001). It also significantly increased the mitral flow time velocity integral and peak atrial filling wave velocity (7.5 (3.4) cm and 63.8 (17.6) cm/s, 7.8 (3.0) cm and 62.4 (16.6) cm/s, and 8.3 (3.4) cm and 67.8 (19.3) cm/s during HRA, CS, and biatrial pacing, respectively; p < 0.05). The improvements in haemodynamic variables were especially remarkable in patients who had a longer interatrial conduction delay. Conclusions: Biatrial pacing yielded the most significant improvements in haemodynamic variables. These haemodynamic benefits may play a part in reducing intra-atrial pressure and preventing atrial fibrillation.

SUMMARY MRL/Mp mice bearing the Fas deletion mutant gene, lpr (MRL/lpr), spontaneously develop polyarthritis, sialoadenitis and dacryoadenitis, resembling rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and also corneal involvement such as keratopathy and scleritis, which is a major complication in RA patients. In this study, we found that the expression levels of IL-1β and MMP-1 mRNAs in cornea were high in both MRL/lpr and MRL/Mp-+/+ strains of mice at an age younger than when they develop any inflammatory lesions. This was not true of other inbred strains, even those bearing the lpr gene, and also not of (NZB × NZW) F1 lupus mice. There was no significant difference in the expression of IL-1α and TGFβ in cornea in these strains. Using crosses between MRL/lpr and C3H/HeJ-lpr/lpr (C3H/lpr) mice, at least the expression of IL-1β was found to be under the control of the MRL genetic background, likely with a recessive mode of inheritance. Considering that IL-1β in cornea was detected particularly in the epithelial layer, the high expression of IL-1β in cornea is most likely involved in the genetic predisposition for corneal involvement and possibly also for arthritis in an MRL strain of mice.

All planned National Ignition Facility (NIF) capsule targets except machined beryllium require a glow discharge polymer (GDP) mandrel upon which the ablator is applied. This mandrel, {approx}2 mm in diameter, must at least meet if not exceed the symmetry and surface finish requirements of the final capsule. Such mandrels are currently produced by the three-step depolymerizable mandrel technique. The quality of the final mandrel depends upon precise optimization and execution of each of the three steps. We had shown previously that fabrication of a mandrel which met the symmetry and surface finish requirements was feasible using this technique. In this paper we will discuss recent progress towards converting this process into a high yield, production scale process.

1牛群で2年間に分娩したホルスタイン経産牛のべ160頭に対し、乾乳後期に、毎週1回一定時刻に臨床検査(第一胃の内容量および性状、尿pHおよびケトン体濃度のスコア評価)を行い、それらの所見と周産期疾病との関係を検討した。さらに、血液生化学検査を行い、上記の臨床検査の有用性を判断した。周産期疾病は160頭中64頭に発生し、その内訳はケトーシス(n=27)、第四胃変位(n=17)、産褥期子宮疾患(n=12)ならび乳熱(n=8)であった。周産期疾病の罹患牛では、分娩1週前に分娩2週間前に比べて第一胃の内容量と尿pHのスコアが有意な低値を示した。血液検査所見において、周産期疾病の罹患牛では、健康牛に比べて血清FFA濃度の高値やBUN、T-Cho、Glu、iPとMg濃度の低値傾向が認められ、エネギーバランスの低下が示唆された。乾乳後期における定期的な臨床検査によって、周産期疾病の発生を予測することは可能と思われた。

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of quantifying low temperature radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) lesions using a phased array intracardiac echocardiography (ICE) catheter—with better tissue penetration and in a deflectable device—in the canine model. Intervention: Low temperature radiofrequency (RF) energy (50–60°C at up to 40 W) was delivered to the left ventricle in 11 beagles for 60 seconds, using an 8 French catheter with a deflectable tip and a 4 mm distal electrode. Main outcome measures: Comparison of the width and depth of RFCA lesions measured by ICE with pathological findings. Results: 33 RF energies were delivered in 11 dogs. 31 lesions (94%) were confirmed at necropsy. 27 of 31 ablation lesions (87%) were detected by ICE. The mean (SD) width and depth of the ICE detected lesions were 10.4 (2.6) mm and 5.7 (1.9) mm, respectively. Pathological findings showed that RFCA lesions consisted of inner and outer layers. Macroscopically, the mean (SD) width and depth of the inner layers were 7.6 (2.3) mm and 3.6 (1.2) mm and those for the whole layers were 10.0 (2.8) mm and 5.3 (1.5) mm, respectively. Microscopically, the inner and outer layers corresponded to necrotic and oedematous areas, respectively. The ICE detected lesion size had better correlation with the pathological measurements of the whole layers in width (r = 0.911) and in depth (r = 0.756). Conclusion: The real time evaluation of RFCA lesion size using the phased array ICE is feasible, even with a low temperature RF application. However, ICE slightly overestimates RFCA lesion size compared with pathological necrotic lesion size.

Background The in vivo hematopoietic microenvironment is composed of stromal cells and extracellular matrix in a 3D configuration. We have created a 3D microenvironment in vitro, employing spatial development of stromal cells in a nonwoven fabric porous carrier, Fibra-cel (FC). We compared its performance with that of a 2D microenvironment. Methods Primary murine BM cells were inoculated on the layers of stromal cells prepared in FC (3D) or on a dish (2D) and cultured for 7–21 days. The hematopoietic cells harvested from the cultures were evaluated by colony-forming unit (CFU) assay and transplantation to sub lethally irradiated mice. Results The maximum stromal cell concentration in the 2D culture was higher than that in the 3D culture. However, the hematopoietic cell concentration in the 3D culture was kept at a higher level than that in the 2D culture. The number of CFU-mix increased five times during 3D cultivation, but decreased in the 2D culture. The engraftment percentage of 3D cultured cells was comparable with that of fresh cells, and markedly higher than that of 2D cultured cells. Discussion The 3D culture constructed with FC and stromal cells was clearly superior to 2D culture because hematopoietic progenitor cells were expanded without the addition of cytokines and the content of hematopoietic stem cells was maintained.

We investigated the effects of the mitogen supplements of 3 types, pokeweed mitogen (PWM), phytohemagglutinin (PHA) and concanavalin A (ConA), to a whole blood culture system on the number of metaphase spreads obtained in perinatal bovine chromosome analysis. In addition, the supplementation of -mercaptoethanol (-ME) and FBS was examined in such system. Significant differences (p 30 ng/ml) of the blood samples were examined. There was no significant effect of cortisol concentration (p>0.05) among these 3 cortisol concentration groups. The mean percentages of normal metaphase plates (2n=60) from each calf 1) with -ME, 2) without -ME and 3) with FBS stimulated with PWM were not significantly different (p>0.05). In conclusion, these findings may be useful in cytogenetic screening programs for not only perinatal calves but also for mature cattle. (Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci. 2002. Vol 15, No. 5 : 615-621)

Local electronic structures around hydrogen in a small octahedral cluster are simulated by the DV-Xα molecular orbital method. It is shown that the ionicity of hydrogen in the cluster is a good indicator of the stability of hydrides, as long as the charge transfer from metal to hydrogen atoms is responsible for the hydride stability. For example, the heat of formation of pure metal dihydrides, ΔH, correlates well with the calculated ionicity of hydrogen. A similar correlation is observed in binary vanadium alloys and ternary V–Ti–Ni alloys.

The chemical interactions between atoms in hydrogen storage alloys have been investigated by the DV-Xα molecular orbital method. In view of the nature of the chemical bond between atoms, a completely different interstitial space for the hydrogen occupancy is formed in binary A–B hydrogen storage alloys, where A and B are the hydride forming and non-forming elements, respectively, as compared to the interstitial space in pure A metals. As a result, hydrogen interacts more strongly with the B element than the A element in every hydrogen storage alloy, despite the fact that the A element has a larger affinity for hydrogen than the B element in the binary metal–hydrogen system. In addition, it is shown that the A:B compositional ratio of hydrogen storage alloys is predictable using a simple equation, 2×Bo(A–B)/[Bo(A–A)+Bo(B–B)], where Bo(A–B), Bo(A–A) and Bo(B–B) are the bond orders between atoms given in the parentheses.

The alloying effects on the stability of the γ phase (VH2) and the β phase (VH or V2H) was investigated experimentally in binary V-1mol%M and V-3mol%M alloys, where M represents various alloying elements. It was found that the stability of the γ phase is dependent largely on the alloying elements, and changes systematically following the order of elements in the periodic table. On the other hand, two endothermic peaks are observed in the course of hydrogen desorption from the β phase in the DSC experiments. They are attributable to the onset of the successive transformations of the β phase to the bcc(α) phase containing hydrogen and then of this bcc(α) phase to the hydrogen-free bcc vanadium. Both the peak profile and the peak temperature vary significantly with alloying elements, M, indicating that the hydrogen desorption from the β phase is strongly modified by alloying.

We have developed a compact divertor plasma simulator (CDPS) that can produce steady-state deuterium and/or helium plasmas with densities above ∼ 1018 m−3 for Plasma-Wall Interaction (PWI) studies of neutron-irradiated materials. The maximum particle flux is about 1022 m−2s−1. The CDPS was installed and is being operated in the radiation-controlled area of the International Research Center for Nuclear Materials Science, Institute for Materials Research, Tohoku University. We are able to control sample temperature within uncertainty of 5 °C during plasma exposure by adjusting the cooling air flow rate to the sample holder. The CDPS has a sample-carrier system, which makes it possible to transfer a plasma-irradiated sample from the sample holder to an infrared heater for analysis using thermal desorption spectroscopy (TDS) without exposing it to the air. This avoids the oxidation of the sample and minimizes the time between the end of plasma exposure and TDS analysis. An ITER-like tungsten (W) sample (A.L.M.T. Corp.), which has been irradiated by neutrons to 0.06 dpa in a fission reactor, was exposed to a deuterium plasma in the CDPS. The experimental results clearly show that the total deuterium retention in the neutron-irradiated W sample increases significantly in comparison with a pristine W, as demonstrated by broadening of the TDS spectrum at high temperatures.

A CD shell was preimploded by two counter-propagating green beams from the GEKKO laser system GXII (based at the Institute of Laser Engineering, Osaka University), forming a dense core. The core was predominantly heated by energetic ions driven by the laser for fast-ignition-fusion experiment, an extremely energetic ultrashort pulse laser, that is illuminated perpendicularly to the GXII axis. Consequently, we observed the D(d, n)3 He-reacted neutrons (DD beam-fusion neutrons) at a yield of n sr. The beam-fusion neutrons verified that the ions directly collided with the core plasma. Whereas the hot electrons heated the whole core volume, the energetic ions deposited their energies locally in the core. As evidenced in the spectrum, the process simultaneously excited thermal neutrons with a yield of n sr, raising the local core temperature from 0.8 to 1.8 keV. The shell-implosion dynamics (including the beam fusion and thermal fusion initiated by fast deuterons and carbon ions) can be explained by the one-dimensional hydrocode STAR 1D. Meanwhile, the core heating due to resistive processes driven by hot electrons, and also the generation of fast ions were well-predicted by the two-dimensional collisional particle-in-cell code. Together with hot electrons, the ion contribution to fast ignition is indispensable for realizing high-gain fusion. By virtue of its core heating and ignition, the proposed scheme can potentially achieve high-gain fusion.

Despite the recent development of the technology of in vitroproduction of embryos, superovulation by injection ofexogenous gonadotrophin is still the fundamental methodto produce in vivoderived embryos for embryo transfer incattle. However, the yield and quality of the embryos raisedafter superovulation are variable and unpredictable owingto variations in ovarian response, fertilization rate andembryo development (Boland et al., 1991). As well as cowfactors, such as genetic background, age, breed, reproduc-tive and lactation status, many other factors are assumed tocontribute to this variability (Hasler et al., 1983; Donaldson,1984a,b; Lerner et al., 1986). An important cause of therelatively low efficiency of superovulation are disorders inpreovulatory development (Monniaux et al., 1984; Callesenet al., 1986). The preovulatory-sized follicles that developafter gonadotrophin stimulation have a high incidence ofasynchrony between follicular and oocyte maturation(matured oocytes within unmatured follicles or vice versa)(Hyttel et al., 1986; Callesen et al., 1987; de Loos et al.,1991). The causes of these disorders in preovulatorydevelopment are still unclear. One possibility is that part ofthe follicles in which growth is stimulated by thegonadotrophin consists of rescued atretic follicles thatremain aberrant. Another possibility is related to therelatively short time interval between luteolysis andoccurrence of the LH surge in cows stimulated bygonadotrophin compared with unstimulated cows (Beversand Dieleman, 1987). In addition, several studies haveshown that there is a difference in LH pulse frequencybetween unstimulated and gonadotrophin-stimulated cows(Bevers et al., 1989; Ben Jebara et al., 1994). These eventsmight result in part of the follicles being incompletelymatured to respond properly to the LH surge.The variability in the FSH:LH ratio of gonadotrophin

Summary. A total of 65 equine group A rotaviruses (GAR) isolated from diarrheal foals at 48 farms in Hokkaido, Japan, between 1996 (29 isolates) and 1997 (36 isolates) were characterized for their VP7 and VP4 serotypes by PCR, nucleotide sequencing, and virus neutralization (VN) tests. By PCR VP7 typing, all isolates were classified as G3 or G14, and the predominant serotype in each year was G3 (86%) in 1996 and G14 (53%) in 1997. VN tests with these 20 isolates randomly selected confirmed the specificity of PCR on the bases of complete agreement of the results in these methods (9 G3 and 11 G14), and revealed that all 9 G3 isolates were subtype G3B. There were five differing amino acid residues in three VP7 antigenic regions between subtypes G3A and G3B. Antiserum to a baculovirus recombinant that expressed P[12] VP4 neutralized all isolates and P[12] reference strains. These results suggest that genotype P[12] GAR belong to a single VP4 serotype, and that one VP4 and two VP7 serotypes (G3B and G14) of GAR were predominant in the equine population in Japan.

We generated transgenic mice expressing chimeric receptors, which comprise extracellular domains of the human granulocyte–macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) receptor and transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains of the mouse leukemia inhibitory factor receptor. In suspension cultures of lineage-negative (Lin−), 5-fluorouracil-resistant bone marrow cells of the transgenic mice, a combination of hGM-CSF and stem cell factor (SCF) induced exponential expansions of mixed colony-forming unit. The combination of hGM-CSF and SCF was effective on enriched, Lin−Sca-1+c-kit+progenitors and increased either mixed colony-forming unit or cobblestone area–forming cells. In case of stimulation with hGM-CSF and SCF, interleukin-6 (IL-6) and SCF, or IL-11 and SCF, the most efficient expansion was achieved with hGM-CSF and SCF. When Lin−Sca-1+c-kit+CD34−further enriched progenitors were clone sorted and individually incubated in the presence of SCF, hGM-CSF stimulated a larger number of cells than did IL-6, IL-6 and soluble IL-6 receptor (IL-6R), or IL-11. These data suggest the presence of IL-6Rα-, IL-11Rα-, and gp130-low to -negative primitive hematopoietic progenitors. Such primitive progenitors are equipped with signal transduction molecules and can expand when these chimeric receptors are genetically introduced into the cells and stimulated with hGM-CSF in the presence of SCF.

The electronic structures of hydrogen storage alloys are calculated by the DV-Xα molecular orbital method. The results revealed that hydrogen interacts more strongly with hydride-non-forming elements, B, (e.g. Ni, Mn, Fe) than hydride-forming elements, A, (e.g. La, Zr, Ti, Mg) in every hydrogen storage alloy, despite there being a larger affinity of A elements for hydrogen than B elements in the binary metal-hydrogen system. The presence of such a metal-hydrogen interaction is a characteristic of hydrogen storage alloys. Furthermore, the A/B compositional ratio of hydrogen storage alloys can be understood in terms of a simple parameter, 2Bo(A-B)/[Bo(A-A)+Bo(B-B)], where the Bo(A-B), Bo(A-A) and Bo(B-B) are the bond orders between atoms given in the parentheses.

The safety and immunogenicity of Japanese encephalitis (JE) vaccine (Nakayama strain, monovalent / BIKEN) was studied in 538 U.S. soldiers in 1990. Three doses of vaccine from three consecutively manufactured lots were given on days 0, 7, and either 14 or 30. Serum for antibody determination was drawn at months 0, 2, and 6. Japanese encephalitis plaque reduction neutralization tests were performed by three laboratories on each specimen. Five hundred twenty-eight (98%) participants completed the immunization series. All recipients without antibody before immunization developed neutralizing antibody against JE virus. There were no differences in geometric mean titer among the three test lots at months 2 and 6. Soldiers who received the third dose on day 30 had higher titers at both time points. Antibody to yellow fever had no significant effect on immune response to vaccine. Conclusions drawn from analysis of serologic data from the three labs were nearly identical. Symptoms were generally limited to mild local effects and were reduced in frequency with each subsequent does in the series (21% to 11%; P < 0.0001). Generalized symptoms were rare (e.g., fever = 5%) with no reported cases of anaphylaxis.