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Final year students are normally encountering high pressing in their study. In view of this fact, this research focuses on determining mental states condition of college student in final year based on the psycho-physiological information. The experiments were conducted in two times, i.e., prior- and post- graduation seminar examination. The early results indicated that the student profile of mood states (POMS) in prior final graduation seminar showed higher scores than students in post final graduation seminar. Thus, in this research, relation between biosignal representing by heart rate variability (HRV) and questionnaire responses were evaluated by hidden Markov model (HMM) and neural networks (NN).

Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disorder with a high prevalence (3-5%) in the Caucasian population. Although the number of capillary vessels increases in psoriatic lesions, there have been few reports that have specifically examined the role of angiogenesis in psoriasis. Angiogenic factors, such as vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), may dominate the activity of anti-angiogenic factors and accelerate angiogenesis in psoriatic skin.We investigated to identify small peptide mimetics of PEDF that might show anti-angiogenic potential for the topical treatment for psoriasis.We examined the expression of PEDF in skin by immunohistochemical staining, immunoblotting, and RT-PCR. To identify potential PEDF peptides, we screened peptides derived from the proteolytic fragmentation of PEDF for their anti-proliferative action. Anti-psoriatic functions of these peptides were analyzed using a mouse graft model of psoriasis.The specific low-molecular weight peptides (MW850 Da) penetrated the skin and showed significant anti-angiogenic activity in vitro. Topical application of these peptides in a severe combined immunodeficient mouse model of psoriatic disease led to reduced angiogenesis and epidermal thickness.These data suggest that low-molecular PEDF peptides with anti-angiogenic activity may be a novel therapeutic strategy for psoriasis.

Changes in diet and lifestyle in recent years have led to unhealthy dietary patterns and inadequate physical activity, making it difficult to maintain an appropriate energy balance, which results in an increased prevalence of diet-related chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and certain types of cancer. The importance of the roles of lipids in these diseases is now recognized. Dietary fatty acids modulate inflammatory processes and contribute to the pathophysiological state of diet-related chronic diseases. Although there is insufficient evidence as to the involvement of monounsaturated fatty acids in inflammatory processes and limited evidence indicating a potential proinflammatory role of saturated and trans fatty acids, there is considerably stronger evidence suggesting that increasing the intake of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids brings about favorable antiinflammatory effects. Certain fatty acids may also produce therapeutic effects by modifying the activity of ghrelin, a growth hormone-releasing and appetite-stimulating peptide; such modification may yield reduction of food intake and enable clinical manipulation of energy metabolism.

Endocrine-disrupting chemicals, i.e., endocrine disruptors (EDs), are exogenous compounds that have the potential to interfere with hormonal regulation and the normal endocrine system and consequently cause side effects on human health. Environmental estrogens, i.e., xenoestrogens, are a diverse group of chemicals that bind to estrogen receptors, mimic estrogenic actions, and may have side effects on human health. Bisphenol A (BPA), which is produced by the acid-catalyzed reaction of acetone and phenol and is widely used in the manufacture of polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins, is classified into xenoestrogens. Food allergy is caused by individual intolerance towards commonly tolerated foods, and this event derived from an immunological mechanism. Allergic diseases such as urticaria, asthma and anaphylaxis, are known to be connected with the production of specific immunoglobulin (Ig)E to allergens of environmental sources. In this paper, we discuss the relationship of EDs between xenoestrogenic reaction and immune responses in human and animals.

Non-enzymatic modification of proteins by reducing sugars leads to the formation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), whose process has been reported to progress under physiological aging, oxidative stress or diabetic conditions. There is a growing body of evidence that AGEs and their receptor (RAGE) axis is involved in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Indeed, engagement of RAGE with AGEs is shown to elicit oxidative stress generation and subsequently evoke inflammatory and thrombogenic responses in various types of cells, including endothelial cells, smooth muscle cells, macrophages and renal cells, thus playing an important role in the development and progression of vascular injury in both diabetes and non-diabetes. These observations suggest that the inhibition of AGE formation, down-regulation of RAGE expression or blockade of the RAGE downstream signaling may be a promising therapeutic target for preventing CVD. Recently, peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARgamma) is involved in not only adipocyte differentiation, but also vascular homeostasis. Therefore, in this study, we review effects of PPARgamma agonists on the AGE-RAGE system and their implication in CVD.

Vapor–liquid equilibrium (VLE) of the methanol–biodiesel (BDF)/glycerin binary system and liquid–liquid equilibrium (LLE) of the water–BDF binary system and the methanol–BDF–glycerin and methanol–water–BDF ternary systems were predicted using several UNIFAC models: the latest original UNIFAC model, Kikic’s model, Fornari’s model, Dortmund-UNIFAC model, and LLE-UNIFAC model. The former VLE and latter LLE are used to design methanol recovery processes and separation and purification processes of crude BDF, respectively. Unfortunately, LLE data on the water–BDF binary system was not available. Instead, solubility of water in fatty acid methyl ester (one of the BDF constituents) was measured. By examining the deviation between predicted and experimental results, we determined which of the UNIFAC models was more useful for the design of those processes as follows: either the original UNIFAC model or Dortmund-UNIFAC model should be used for the methanol recovery process. The LLE-UNIFAC model and Dortmund-UNIFAC model were more useful for the recovery and water-washing processes of crude BDF and purification process of water-washed BDF, respectively.

Automated human identification from their walking behavior is a challenge attracting much interest among machine vision researchers. However, the systems which are able to detect pedestrian attributes based on their walking behavior remain to be developed. Here, a soft computing approach to determine walking behavior based on motion imagery is studied as the basis for developing pedestrian safety information systems. Gender and age are classified based on motion pattern derived in experiments. At the front end, image and video processing was performed to separate foreground from background images. The widths of silhouette were analyzed using two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transformation to extract human motion features. Feature sub-sets were then selected to find salient, effective classification features. Finally, Choquet integral agent networks (CHIAN) with a competitive learning algorithm were employed to classify gender and age into its classes. The experimental results demonstrated capability of the proposed system to classify gender and age in highly accurately.

To investigate platelet responsiveness during cold storage of whole blood, we examined platelet aggregation, expression of CD40 ligand (CD40L) on platelets, the plasma levels of soluble form of CD40L (sCD40L) as well as platelet-leukocyte aggregates. Flow cytometry analysis was performed to investigate platelet-leukocyte aggregate formation using antibodies against CD42b and CD45 and platelet activation using antibodies against P-selectin and PAC-1. Blood samples were collected from healthy volunteers, patients with cardiovascular diseases, or both. In the healthy volunteers' blood samples stored at 4 degrees C for 6 h, platelet aggregation in response to 1 micromol/l ADP was enhanced, and released levels of soluble form of P-selectin and thromboxane B2 in response to 1 micromol/l ADP markedly increased. In the samples stored at 4 degrees C for 6 h but not stimulated by any agonists, CD40L expression on the platelets was increased, and plasma levels of sCD40L were also elevated. Under the same condition, the increase in simultaneous expression of CD45 and CD42b was observed. In patients with cardiovascular diseases, the platelet aggregability, coexpression of P-selectin and PAC-1, expression of CD40L on platelets and both CD45-bound and CD42b-bound subsets were all comparable to those of healthy volunteers' samples stored at 4 degrees C for 6 h. Plasma levels of sCD40L in patients were higher than those in healthy volunteers' control. Taken together, storage of whole blood at 4 degrees C for 6 h caused platelet activation comparable to that of patients with cardiovascular diseases, and enhanced platelet activity in such patients may be involved in increased risk for thromboembolic events.

Although remarkable therapeutic advances in the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders have been made with current therapeutic options, cardiovascular disease (CVD) is still a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in the Western world. Therefore, to develop a novel therapeutic strategy is needed for the prevention of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in high-risk patients for atherosclerosis. Recently, we, along with others, have shown that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), a glycoprotein with potent neuronal differentiating activity, exerts anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory properties in vascular wall cells, leukocytes and platelets. In addition, PEDF not only suppresses neointimal hyperplasia after balloon angioplasty, but also blocks occlusive thrombus formation in a rat arterial thrombosis model. These observations suggest that substitution of PEDF may be a novel therapeutic strategy for atherosclerosis. This article summarizes the pathophysiological role of PEDF in atherosclerosis and its potential therapeutic implication in this devastating disorder. We also discuss here the kinetics and regulation of PEDF in cardiometabolic disorders in humans.

(Mg,Ni)O solid solutions were synthesized by calcination of MgO and NiO mixtures (MgO:NiO = 65:35 in mol) at 1500°C for 2 h in air. When the samples were firstly reduced at 1000°C in a gas mixture of 4 vol% hydrogen and nitrogen, a volume expansion was observed. The results of powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM/EDX) analyses suggested that the expansion after reduction was possibly caused by the creation of space between (Mg,Ni)O grains by segregation of nickel particles on (Mg,Ni)O grains. When the reduced samples were re-oxidized at 1000°C in air and then reduced again at 1000°C in a gas mixture of 4 vol% hydrogen and nitrogen, the samples revealed an accelerated expansion, which was much larger than that of the samples reduced once. The morphological characteristics of (Mg,Ni)O grains and segregated nickel particles of the samples those were reduced twice differed to those of the samples reduced once: however, the phases of the all samples were similar, as verified by XRD and SEM analyses. The accelerated expansion after re-oxidation and reduction might be related to changes in the microstructure of the (Mg,Ni)O grains with the nickel particles segregated.

Long term topographic evolutions of a tombolo at Chiringa-shima Island, Ibusuki city were investigated by a fixed point camera-observation. The emerging and submerging processes of the tombolo are discussed by referring both wind climate and hindcasted wave climate. Next, numerical simulations on the emerging process of the tombolo were conducted. The wave and near shore current fields were numerically reproduced. Under the obtained external forces on the sediment transport, the transport rates and the resultant bottom changes were calculated. Considering both results from the field observation and the numerical analyses, the reasonable explanation on the evolution process of the tombolo was shown.

Diabetic micro- and macroangiopathies are leading causes of acquired blindness, end-stage renal failure and accelerated atherosclerosis, which could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. Recent large landmark clinical studies have shown that intensive control of blood glucose or blood pressure (BP) reduces the risk for vascular complications in diabetes. However, the strict control of blood glucose or BP is often difficult to maintain, and current therapeutic options are far from satisfactory. Therefore, to develop novel therapeutic strategies that specifically target vascular complications in diabetes may be actually desired for most patients with diabetes. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is a glycoprotein that belongs to the superfamily of serine protease inhibitors with complex neurotrophic, neuroprotective, anti-angiogenic, anti-oxidative, and anti-inflammatory properties, any of which could potentially be exploited as a therapeutic option for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes. This article summarizes the pathophysiological role of PEDF for vascular complication in diabetes and its potential therapeutic implication in this devastating disorder.

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs)-their receptor (RAGE) axis plays a central role in the pathogenesis of diabetic microangiopathy. Since the pathophysiological crosstalk between the AGEs-RAGE system and angiotensin II has also been associated with diabetic microangiopathy, we examined here whether and how telmisartan, a unique angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker (ARB) with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (PPAR-γ)-modulating activity, could inhibit the AGEs-elicited endothelial cell injury by suppressing RAGE expression in vitro. Telmisartan suppressed RAGE expression at both mRNA and protein levels in human cultured microvascular endothelial cells (ECs), which were prevented by GW9662, an inhibitor of PPAR-γ. Further, telmisartan was found to inhibit up-regulation of mRNA levels for monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor in AGEsexposed ECs. These results suggest that telmisartan inhibits the AGEs-elicited EC injury by down-regulating RAGE expression via PPAR-γ activation. Our present study provides a unique beneficial aspect of telmisartan. Specifically, it could work as an anti-inflammatory agent against AGEs via PPAR-γ activation and may play a protective role against diabetic microangiopathy.

Accelerated atherosclerosis and microvascular complications are the leading causes of coronary heart disease, stroke, blindness, and end-stage renal failure, which could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. Recent clinical studies have substantiated the concept of "hyperglycemic memory" in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in diabetes. Indeed, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial-Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT-EDIC) Research, has revealed that intensive therapy during the DCCT reduces the risk of cardiovascular events by about 50% in type 1 diabetic patients 11 years after the end of the trial. Among various biochemical pathways activated under diabetic conditions, the process of formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their mode of action are most compatible with the theory "hyperglycemic memory." Further, there is a growing body of evidence that AGEs play an important role in CVD in diabetes. These observations suggest that the inhibition of AGEs formation may be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in diabetic vascular complications. Therefore, in this article, we review several agents with inhibitory effects on AGEs formation and their therapeutic implications in CVD in diabetes.

Diabetic vascular complications are leading causes of acquired blindness, end-stage renal failure, a variety of neuropathies, and accelerated atherosclerosis, which together could account for disabilities and high mortality rates in patients with diabetes. Since there is accumulating evidence that the advanced glycation end product (AGE)-RAGE (receptor for AGEs)-oxidative stress axis is involved in diabetic vascular complications, inhibition of the AGE-RAGE system may be a promising target for therapeutic intervention in these devastating disorders.In this review, we discuss several types of agent that may be able to inhibit the AGE-RAGE-oxidative stress system, and their therapeutic implications in vascular complications in diabetes.We have analyzed currently available scientific literature in the field of AGE-RAGE to create a comprehensive review on novel therapeutic agents for vascular complications in diabetes.Inhibition of AGE formation, blockade of the AGE-RAGE interaction, and suppression of RAGE expression or its downstream pathways may be novel therapeutic strategies for the treatment of vascular complications in diabetes.

We have recently found that soluble form of receptor for advanced glycation end products (sRAGE) levels are positively associated with inflammatory biomarkers and the presence of coronary artery disease (CAD) in type 2 diabetic patients. Since advanced glycation end products (AGEs) up-regulate RAGE expression and endogenous sRAGE could be generated from the cleavage of cell surface RAGE, it is conceivable that sRAGE is positively associated with circulating AGEs levels in diabetes. In this study, we examined whether sRAGE were correlated to circulating levels of AGEs and soluble forms of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (sICAM-1) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Eighty-two Japanese type 2 diabetic patients underwent a complete history and physical examination, determination of blood chemistries, sRAGE, AGEs, sVCAM-1 and sICAM-1. Multiple regression analysis revealed that serum levels of AGEs and sVCAM-1 were independently correlated with sRAGE. This study demonstrated that serum levels of sRAGE were positively associated with circulating AGEs and sVCAM-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Our present observations suggest sRAGE level may be elevated in response to circulating AGEs, thus being a novel marker of vascular injury in patients with type 2 diabetes.

In TRIAM-1M, plasma discharge can be sustained for over five hours [H. Zushi, et al., Steady-state tokamak operation, ITB transition and sustainment and ECCD experiments in TRIAM-1M, Nucl. Fusion 45 (2005) S142–S156]. In order to avoid sitting in front of one console for the purpose of monitoring the plasma discharge, it is recommended that the experimental information be accessible from any location at any time. In addition, simple services to access experimental information are required in order to promote the participation of multiple researchers in the TRIAM-1M experiment. Thus, A WEB-based integrated data processing system that provides management for experiment planning, an experimental log, numerical data, and plasma supervision has been installed in the TRIAM-1M. These services are composed primarily of an Apache WEB server, a Tomcat JSP/Servlet container, and a MySQL relational database. This system is constructed using the object-oriented Java language, which is easy to maintain and develop because of the intrinsic characteristics of the Java language. When participating in experiments, researchers are required only to prepare a WEB browser on any platform and are no longer required to memorize complex operations because all services are provided with a uniform user interface through a WEB browser. Furthermore, with the integration of these services, the required information and numerical data can be provided promptly by tracing HTML links that are created dynamically by server applications.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common and potentially devastating microvascular complication in diabetes and is a leading cause of acquired blindness among the people of occupational age. However, current therapeutic options for the treatment of sight-threatening proliferative diabetic retinopathy such as photocoagulation and vitrectomy are limited by considerable side effects and far from satisfactory. Therefore, to develop novel therapeutic strategies that specifically target diabetic retinopathy is actually desired for most of the patients with diabetes. Chronic hyperglycemia is a major initiator of diabetic retinopathy. However, recent clinical study has substantiated the concept of 'hyperglycemic memory' in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy. Indeed, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial-Epidemiology of Diabetes Interventions and Complications (DCCT-EDIC) Research, has revealed that the reduction in the risk of progressive retinopathy resulting from intensive therapy in patients with type 1 diabetes persisted for at least several years after the DCCT trial, despite increasing hyperglycemia. These findings suggest a long-term beneficial influence of early metabolic control on clinical outcomes in type 1 diabetic patients. Among various biochemical pathways implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy, the process of formation and accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their mode of action are most compatible with the theory 'hyperglycemic memory'. Further, there is a growing body of evidence that AGEs-RAGE (receptor for AGEs) interaction-mediated oxidative stress generation plays an important role in diabetic retinopathy. This article summarizes the role of AGEs and oxidative stress in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy and the therapeutic interventions that could prevent this devastating disorder. We also discuss here the pathological crosstalk between the AGEs-RAGE and the renin-angiotensin system in diabetic retinopathy and a potential clinical utility of telmisartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker with peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma-modulating activity.

The peroidicity of motor disassembly for maintenance is currently determined by the durability of the sealed grease they contain. The lifetime of this grease is the shortest of all the motor's bearing parts and materials, and therefore needs to be made longer. For this purpose, therefore, the authors discussed the shape of the grease pocket, and concluded that the efficiency of lubrication depends on the shape of the pocket and the relative position between pockets and the bearing, which should be appropriately modified. In this report, the authors performed laboratory testing with full-scale grease pocket models of refined and conventional shapes to compare the service lives and determine the effects of improvement.

Fully non-inductive lower hybrid current drive (LHCD) plasmas have been achieved in TRIAM-1M and HT-7 superconducting tokamaks, but the current control in toroidal plasma was performed in different way during their steady-state operation (SSO). In HT-7, the plasma current was controlled mainly by the ohmic field, and partially by LHCD through ohmic transformer magnetic flux feedback control. In TRIAM-1M, the plasma current was controlled by lower hybrid wave (LHW) power directly according to a simple simulation model.

On CPD [1] (Compact PWI experimental Device) experiment, information of electronic logbook and sequence status are distributed by Web services to prepare future experimental environment such as steady state operation and remote participation. Hence, all the researchers can acquire information with a Web browser installed on a personal computer if they are connected to the Internet. However, to carry a notebook computer all the time is a burden to researchers. Furthermore, the researchers may not be always connected to the Internet. Mobile phones are superior in portability compared to notebook computers, and are easy to connect with Internet through the wireless network of the telecom carriers. Moreover, since recent mobile phones have full browsing function, their affinities to the Web services are becoming high. On this account, Web services for mobile phones are developed to access experimental information. For sequence monitoring, a mobile application MIDlet that utilizes special functions of mobile phone such as sound and vibration is also developed to draw attentions of researchers to sequence status.

In biodiesel production, transesterification in a homogeneous mixture is possible if a solution of triolein and methanol could be prepared with the use of a cosolvent. The volatile solvent dimethyl ether (DME) can make the immiscible mixture of triolein and methanol miscible; moreover, it can be easily recovered due to its high volatility after reaction. Therefore, the vapor–liquid–liquid equilibrium for the triolein + fatty acid−methanol + DME system was measured by determining the liquid composition, temperature, and pressure of the system. Results showed that DME and palmitic acid effectively promoted the mutual solubilities of triolein and methanol. In addition, the UNIFAC prediction was compared with experimental data, and it was found that the UNIFAC model could represent the complicated phase equilibrium of biodiesel compounds.

Objectives Although remarkable therapeutic advances in the treatment of acute coronary syndromes (ACS) have been made with anti-platelet therapy, the therapeutic options may be limited by considerable side effects. Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has anti-oxidative properties and may play a protective role against atherosclerosis. In this study, we investigated whether PEDF prevented occlusive thrombus formation in rats. Methods and results Occlusive thrombus formation was induced by treating rats with ligation and cuff placement at the left common carotid artery. Intravenous injection of PEDF dose-dependently inhibited thrombus formation and blocked the increase in immunoreactivity of P-selectin, a marker of platelet activation, NADPH oxidase activity and superoxide generation in thrombi. In vitro , PEDF significantly decreased collagen-induced reactive oxygen species generation in platelets and subsequently suppressed the platelet activation and aggregation. Plasma and intraplatelet levels of PEDF in the coronary circulation in patients with ACS were significantly lower than those in age- and gender-matched controls without coronary artery disease. Conclusions These results demonstrated that PEDF administration could inhibit occlusive thrombus formation by blocking the platelet activation and aggregation through its anti-oxidative properties. Our present study suggests that pharmacological up-regulation or substitution of PEDF may offer a promising strategy for the treatment of arterial thrombosis.

On tokamak devices, an induction electric field induced by poloidal field (PF) coils plays a role to produce initial plasma. On a DIII-D tokamak, the required induction electric field for plasma breakdown agrees well with theoretical predictions based on the Townsend avalanche theory. According to the Townsend avalanche theory, the minimum induction electric field for plasma breakdown depends on neutral gas pressure and connection length. For stable plasma breakdown, a sufficiently large induction electric field is required. However, in the case of spherical tokamaks without electric insulation in the toroidal direction, the effect of eddy currents flowing in the toroidal direction should be considered in evaluating a feasible induction electric field because this effect suppresses the generation of an induction electric field. On a QUEST spherical tokamak, the possibility of Townsend avalanche breakdown is studied by evaluating the connection length and achievable induction electric field. The connection length is greater than 100 m in the case where a null point is set to be R=0.56 m with a CS coil current of 2.0 kA and a PF26 coil current of 0.4 kA. Moreover, the induction electric field is about 1.5 V at this point including the effect of eddy currents. With these values, the initial plasma production by the induction electric field is sufficiently possible on QUEST.

Background/Aim: A strong demand exists for the development of sensitive biomarkers in the nephrology field. We propose urinary human L-type fatty acid binding protein (L-FABP) as an earlier biomarker to detect the outcome of chronic renal injury induced by cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibitors using human L-FABP transgenic mice. Methods: After consuming a low-sodium diet for 2 weeks, transgenic mice were administered meloxicam or celecoxib with the low-sodium diet. Mice were sacrificed 2 days and 4 weeks after starting COX inhibitors, and urine was collected 24 and 48 h and 1, 2, 3, and 4 weeks after starting COX inhibitors. Celecoxib-treated mice were divided into responders or nonresponders according to urinary L-FABP levels, and histology, urinary L-FABP and peritubular capillary blood flow were evaluated. Results: Meloxicam-treated mice showed a higher blood pressure than control mice. Urinary L-FABP was significantly increased in COX inhibitor-treated mice. Peritubular capillary blood flow in all meloxicam-treated mice and in some celecoxib-treated mice was significantly decreased. Although blood urea nitrogen was not increased, interstitial fibrosis and macrophage infiltration were revealed, especially in meloxicam-treated mice. Responders showed an increase of fibrotic areas and correlations between urinary L-FABP and peritubular capillary blood flow. Conclusion: Urinary L-FABP is capable of revealing chronic renal injury induced by COX inhibitors.

We have previously shown that advanced glycation end products (AGEs)–their receptor (RAGE) interaction elicits angiogenesis through autocrine production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), thus suggesting the active involvement of the AGEs–RAGE system in proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Since the crosstalk between the AGEs–RAGE and the renin–angiotensin system has also been proposed in the pathogenesis of PDR, we investigated here whether olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, inhibited the AGEs-elicited angiogenesis in vitro by suppressing the NF-κB-mediated RAGE expression. Olmesartan significantly inhibited the AGEs-induced NF-κB promoter activity and RAGE gene expression in cultured microvascular endothelial cells (ECs). Further, olmesartan was found to block the AGEs-induced up-regulation of VEGF mRNA levels and consequent increase in DNA synthesis in ECs. These results demonstrated for the first time that olmesartan inhibited the AGEs signaling to angiogenesis by suppressing RAGE expression in ECs. Our present study suggests that blockade of the renin–angiotensin system by olmesartan may play a protective role against PDR by attenuating the deleterious effects of AGEs via down-regulation of RAGE.

Background Atherosclerosis is an inflammatory disease. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) is an essential chemokine responsible for the recruitment of monocytes to inflammatory lesions in the vasculature, an initial step of atherosclerosis. Since serum levels of MCP-1 are higher in patients with type 2 diabetes, inhibition of MCP-1 may be a novel therapeutic target for prevention of accelerated atherosclerosis in diabetes. However, little is known about the regulation and determinants of serum MCP-1 levels in patients with diabetes. In this study, we examined the determinants of serum MCP-1 levels in type 2 diabetic patients. Methods Eighty-six consecutive outpatients with type 2 diabetes (36 male and 50 female; mean age 68.4 ± 9.6) underwent a complete history and physical examination, determination of blood chemistries, MCP-1, tumour necrosis factor-α, adiponectin, advanced glycation end products (AGEs), and soluble form of receptor for AGEs (sRAGE). We examined the association between MCP-1 levels and those in anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory variables in these subjects. Results Univariate regression analysis showed that serum levels of MCP-1 were positively associated with AGEs (r = 0.386, p < 0.001) and sRAGE (r = 0.315, p < 0.001). After adjusting for age and sex, AGEs (p < 0.001) and sRAGE (p < 0.05) still remained significant. Conclusion The results demonstrate for the first time that circulating levels of AGEs and sRAGE are independent determinants of serum MCP-1 levels in patients with type 2 diabetes. Our present observations suggest the AGEs-RAGE system may be mainly involved in the elevation of MCP-1 in type 2 diabetic patients. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

In the plains of Kanto district, Japan, flocks of the Brown-eared Bulbul Hypsipetes amaurotis often undertake a southern autumn migration. From 1934 to 1942 Mr. Genzaburo Saito made daily observations throughout the annual autumn migrations at Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, and recorded values of several migration parameters. I analyzed his data to clarify the migration status c. 70 years ago and to assess whether the status differed from the present one. Results showed the annual number of migrating individuals to vary from c. 400 to c. 1,700 with a median of c. 900 and c. 14 individuals in a flock. Flights began in late September and finished in early November, with most flocks flying in October. Comparison with the data of Yamaguchi (2004, 2005) revealed the values obtained at Chiba City c. 70 years ago do not differ greatly from those occurring at the present time. Therefore, even though part of the H. amaurotis population has begun to breed in the plain regions in west-southern districts in Japan over the past 70 years, the migration status has remained unchanged. During each migration period, the number of migrating birds showed at least two peaks. The mean time at which peaks occurred differed between days, suggesting that the site at which each flock had started to fly was respectively different. Flocks arrived from the northwest and departed in a southeasterly direction, and the variance of the direction was very small. As this direction is parallel to the coastline at Chiba City, the birds may fly along the coastline towards the southern part of Boso peninsula where Chiba City is located. However, some flocks may visit forests en route, and remain there for a time. Therefore, autumn migrating flocks of H. amaurotis are thought to show a flexible behaviour responding to environmental conditions.

廃食用油からバイオディーゼル燃料を製造する際に，触媒のカリウムを多く含むグリセリンやメタノールの混合廃液が発生する。この廃液は，現在廃棄物として処理されているが，グリセリンやメタノールのような分解性の有機物の有効利用の観点からメタン発酵での再資源化の可能性について実験を実施した。実験の結果，グリセリン混合廃液は，廃液中に含まれるカリウムによる発酵阻害もなく，良好にメタン発酵することが確認された。その際のCODCr分解率は80%以上であった。また，グリセリン廃液におけるガス発生率は分解CODCr1gあたり0.51NL-dryであり，理論上のガス発生率とほぼ一致する結果を得た。一方，メタン発酵を問題なく進めるためには，窒素やリンのような栄養塩や固形物を適切な濃度に保つ必要があるが，グリセリン廃液は固形分を含まないうえに窒素やリンの含有量が少ない。この対策としては，生ごみとの投入が効果的であった。

Superfast transesterification of triolein (a biodiesel feedstock model) was achieved in the presence of liquefied dimethyl ether using the co-solvent effect and low viscosity. Furthermore, a method for higher ester yield, in which methanol was additionally introduced into the reaction system immediately before the beginning of phase separation due to byproduct glycerin to maintain the reaction system in a homogeneous state, was proposed. This method led to superfast and high-yield transesterification with a yield exceeding 96% at 3 min.

Hydraulic experiments were performed to simulate tsunami generation due to landslides, which consist of particles including glass balls, glass beads, natural rocks, acrylic rocks, and block ices, as well as packages of glass balls. The gate can be opened smoothly and quickly by pushing down two levers connected with the gate plate. The period of tsunamis due to glass-bead motion is longer than that due to glass-ball motion. On a mild slope, tsunami profiles depend on the diameter of the sliding glass balls. In shallow water, the slide distance of particles is shorter, the tsunami height becomes lower. The block ices can also generate large tsunamis, although the ice does not go deep under the water.

Background/Aims: We have previously shown that interaction between advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their receptor (RAGE) evokes generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequently vascular inflammation, thus being involved in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Since there is crosstalk between the AGE-RAGE axis and the renin-angiotensin system in the pathogenesis of early diabetic retinopathy, we investigated in this study whether olmesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker, inhibited the AGE-evoked inflammatory reactions in endothelial cells (ECs) by suppressing ROS generation. Methods: ROS generation was evaluated by dihydroethidium staining. Gene and protein expression were analyzed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and ELISA, respectively. Results: Olmesartan significantly inhibited the AGE-evoked ROS generation and reduced the expression levels of monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 in microvascular ECs. Olme-sartan also suppressed intercellular-adhesion molecule 1 expression in, and subsequently blocked T-cell adhesion to, AGE-exposed ECs. Conclusions: The present study demonstrates for the first time that olmesartan inhibits AGE-evoked inflammatory reactions in ECs by suppressing ROS generation. Blockade of the renin-angiotensin system by olmesartan may play a protective role against diabetic retinopathy by attenuating the deleterious effects of AGEs through its antioxidative properties.

We have examined the possibility of synthesis of 12 C-enriched diamond single crystal by a conventional temperature gradient method at high pressure and high temperature using a starting material of a carbon powder source prepared via pyrolysis of 12 C-enriched methane. 12 C-enriched diamond single crystal (about 3 mm in diameter) was successfully grown at 1430 °C, 6.1 GPa using a 12 C-enriched pyrolytic carbon source prepared from 12 C-enriched methane (1 to 5 Torr) at 1800 °C. Thermal conductivity of the 12 C-enriched diamond single crystal was measured by a modified specimen arrangement of a cut-bar steady-state conduction technique. The result showed that thermal conductivity of the 12 C-enriched diamond single crystal (99.97% 12 C) was 29.9 W/cm-K, and it was found to be 32% higher than that of similarly synthesized naturally abundant diamond single crystal (99.0% 12 C), indicating the isotope effect of diamond.

Brain edema is the most life-threatening complication that occurs as a result of a number of insults to the brain. However, its therapeutic options are insufficiently effective. We have recently found that administration of pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) inhibits retinal hyperpermeability in rats by counteracting biological effects of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). In this study, we investigated whether PEDF could inhibit cold injury-induced brain edema in mice. Cold injury was induced by applying a pre-cooled metal probe on the parietal skull. VEGF and its receptor Flk-1 gene and/or protein expressions were up-regulated in the cold-injured brain. Cold injury induced brain edema, which was reduced by intraperitoneal injection of VEGF antibodies (Abs) or apocynin, an inhibitor of NADPH oxidase. PEDF mRNA and protein levels were up-regulated in response to cold injury. PEDF dose-dependently inhibited the brain edema, whose effect was neutralized by simultaneous treatments with anti-PEDF Abs. Although VEGF and Flk-1 gene and/or protein expressions were not suppressed by PEDF, PEDF or anti-VEGF Abs inhibited the cold injury-induced NADPH oxidase activity in the brain. Further, PEDF treatment inhibited activation of Rac-1, an essential component of NADPH oxidase in the cold-injured brain, while it did not affect mRNA levels of gp91phox, p22phox, or Rac-1. These results demonstrate that PEDF could inhibit the cold injury-induced brain edema by blocking the VEGF signaling to hyperpermeability through the suppression of NADPH oxidase via inhibition of Rac-1 activation. Our present study suggests that PEDF may be a novel therapeutic agent for the treatment of brain edema.

The metabolic syndrome is strongly associated with insulin resistance and consists of a constellation of factors such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia that raise the risk for cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus. There is widespread agreement that the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of insulin resistance and cardiovascular disease in diabetes. Indeed, large clinical trials have demonstrated substantial benefit of the blockade of this system for cardiovascular end-organ protection. Thus the blockade of the RAS may be a promising strategy for the treatment of the patients with the metabolic syndrome. Although several types of angiotensin II type 1 (AT(1)) receptor blockers (ARBs) are commercially available for the treatment of patients with hypertension, we have recently found that telmisartan (Micardis) could have the strongest binding affinity to AT(1) receptor. Further, telmisartan is reported to act as a partial agonist of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPAR-gamma). These observations suggest that, due to its unique PPAR-gamma-modulating activity, telmisartan may be one of the most promising sartans for the treatment of cardiometabolic disorders. In this paper, we reviewed the potential utility of telmisartan in insulin resistance and vascular complications in diabetes.

Combined experiments with lower hybrid (LH) waves (LHWs) and electron cyclotron (EC) waves (ECWs) have been performed to study counter (ctr) current drive (CD) (ctr-CD) in LHCD plasma. Although the...

Boron-doped 12C-enriched diamond single crystals (about 3 mm; 99.97% 12C) were successfully synthesized at 6.1 GPa and 1430 °C by the high-pressure and high-temperature method using a starting mixture of boron powder and 12C-enriched pyrolytic carbon powder. The thermal conductivities of these crystals were determined to be 30.6 W/cm·K (3.4 ppm effective acceptor concentration) and 27.1 W/cm·K (34 ppm effective acceptor concentration; highly doped) by a cut-bar steady-state conduction technique. The conductivity of the highly-doped crystals was 9% lower than that of similarly synthesized non-doped 12C-enriched crystals (99.97% 12C), whereas those of the boron-doped 12C-enriched crystals were higher than that of similarly synthesized non-doped naturally abundant crystals (99.0% 12C), indicating the isotope effect in the boron-doped 12C-enriched crystals.

Slippery roads, especially during and after a heavy snow fall, may lead to accidents causing injuries and fatalities to vulnerable person such as the aged. In this context, it is important to keep pedestrian aware of sidewalk condition. This paper aims at proposing detection of several sidewalk conditions under different environment circumstance. At the front end, image and video processing is perrformed to separate background and foreground images. Background image features are extracted using several texture feature generators. In this study, factor analysis methods are employed to examine the pattern of correlations among variables, and to reduce data dimensionality. Finally, Artificial Neural Network is employed to discriminate sidewalk surface condition, i.e., dry, wet, or snow.

Calorimetric measurements using the temperature increment of cooling-water were carried out to estimate the heat load distribution on the plasma facing components (PFCs) in the limiter discharges on TRIAM-1M. Line averaged electron density, ne, and LH power, PLH, dependences of the heat load on PFCs were measured. The heat load on the limiters was proportional to n e 1.5 in the range of ne = 0.2–1.0 × 1019 m−3 and P LH 1 in the range of PLH = 0.005–0.09 MW. For PLH > 0.1 MW, the plasma transition to an enhanced current drive (ECD) mode appeared and the ne dependences on the heat load on the limiter moderated. This indicates that the heat flux to scrape-off layer (SOL) region was reduced due to the improvement of the plasma confinement. The up–down asymmetry of the heat load on the vacuum vessel was enhanced in the ECD mode, which may be caused by the increasing of the direct loss of energetic electrons.

A diagnostic technique to study the global structure of the recycling and impurity (molybdenum) influx from the plasma facing components is proposed and is tested using the three kinds of perturbations (gas puffing, transport oscillation, and localized heat deposition). Balmer line intensities I H α , charge exchange flux ΓCX and neutral molybdenum line IMoI are measured and their correlations are analyzed with response to the perturbation parameters ( I H α at the gas port, density ne, and hot spot temperature Thot). A simple model calculation is done to understand these correlations. It is found that the phase reversal of ΓCX with respect to ne modulation is well reproduced and a critical density exists for the phase reversal of IMoI. The evaporation Mo flux evaluated with measured Thot is also compared with enhanced IMoI for the heat load perturbation and it contribution to the total content of Mo ions is evaluated by ∼30% increment.