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The purpose of this study was to find out whether activities to improve lifestyle contributed to increasing the number of steps taken daily among people who were heavy and mild hypertension (SBP140～160mmHg, DBP90～100mmHg). Our results showed that the number of steps taken daily for men increased significantly from 8358 steps at the beginning to 9840 steps at the end of the program. On the other hand, the number of steps taken daily for women increased from 7797 at the beginning to 8314 at the end of the program, but a significant difference was not recognized. The result suggested that the program was successful in increasing the number of steps taken daily. Being an interim report, this study dealt only with one aspect of our research. We hope to increase the number of our subjects and to include investigations into their blood test, physical fitness test and eating habit.

Toluene decomposition is examined using a corona discharge, a UV lamp, and a TiO 2 catalyst complex system. The toluene decomposition reaction occurs only with OH and O ( 1 D) radicals. High decomposition ratios are obtained: 98% for the toluene/H 2 O/O 2 -corona/UV system and 70% for the toluene/H 2 O/air-comna/UV system. Moreover, if the TiO 2 catalyst is combined with the corona-UV system for 1000 ppm of toluene, this value increases to 78% (0.31 Wh · m -3 · ppm -3 ), which is higher than that obtained in a normal corona discharge system.

The aim of the study was to develop a simple and precise method for identifying glycosylation of the IgA hinge region using surface-enhanced laser desorption/ionization (SELDI)-TOFMS with a lectin-coupled ProteinChip array. Serum IgA was isolated using an anti-IgA antibody column. Following reduction, alkylation, and trypsin digestion, the IgA fragments were applied on the ProteinChip coupled with jacalin, peanut agglutinin (PNA), or Vilsa villosa lectin (VVL). The SELDI-TOFMS peaks corresponding to the fragments containing IgA1 hinge glycopeptides trapped by each lectin were compared. The jacalin-, PNA-, and VVL-immobilized ProteinChips detected 13, 4, and 2 peaks, respectively. One major peak was confirmed as a glycopeptide by MS/MS analysis. These results suggest that a lectin-immobilized ProteinChip assay can be used to simplify the procedures for the analyses of the O-glycans in IgA1 hinge. This method potentially makes it possible to identify a disease-specific glycoform by selecting the appropriate ligand-coupled ProteinChip array.

The microalloying effects of 4d and 5d transition metals, M (M: Nb, Mo, Ta, W) on the photoelectrochemical properties, the flat band potential ( U fb ) and the band gap energy ( E g ), for zirconium oxide films were investigated by photoelectrochemical measurements and band calculation. Button ingots of zirconium–5 mol% M (M: Nb, Mo, Ta, W) were made from high-purity metals (99.9% purity) by arc melting in a purified argon atmosphere. These plate specimens were sealed into silica tubes in vacuum, and then homogenized at 1273 K for 24 h. Subsequently, these specimens were oxidized up to 1173 K. The photocurrent of each specimen was evaluated at room temperature under the irradiation of Xe lamp (500 W) through grating monochrometer and cut-off filter. 0.1 M Na 2 SO 4 solution was used as the electrolyte. The value of the flat band potential was higher and the value of the band gap energy was smaller than that of pure zirconium oxide film in all sample. It was found from the calculation by CASTEP code that the decreases in band gap energy of these oxide films was due to formation of 4d or 5d orbital of transition metals.

Background & Aims: Aceruloplasminemia is a novel hereditary iron overload disease caused by a mutation in the ceruloplasmin gene and characterized by a complete deficiency of serum ceruloplasmin and iron accumulation in the liver and brain. Methods: We herein studied a novel clinical type of aceruloplasminemia in which a low amount of ceruloplasmin was detected in the serum of a patient. The patient presented with an asymptomatic hepatic iron overload, retinal degeneration, and diabetes mellitus. Magnetic resonance imaging of the liver and basal ganglia showed T2-hypointensity signals associated with parenchymal iron accumulation because of an absence of the ferroxidase activity in ceruloplasmin. Results: A gene analysis showed a novel G969S mutation in the ceruloplasmin gene. A biochemical analysis of the patients' serum and a biogenesis study of G969S mutant ceruloplasmin using mammalian cell culture system resulted in the synthesis and secretion of only apoceruloplasmin without any ferroxidase activity. Conclusions: This novel clinical type of aceruloplasminemia should therefore be considered in the differential diagnosis of unexplained hemochromatosis, which is associated with a decrease in the serum ceruloplasmin level.

This paper proposes an application of microwave-sustained miniature plasmas to an ultra small thruster for next-generation microspacecraft and presents some results of numerical investigations of its thrust performance and preliminary experiments of Ar plasma discharges. Numerical results show that the thruster has enough thrust performance for a station-keeping maneuver of microspacecraft below the power of 10 W. Optical emission spectrometry implies a mode change in the plasma discharges inside the quartz tube 1.5 mm in inner diameter using 4-GHz microwaves at powers between 6 W and 10 W.

Inductively coupled hydrogen-added fluorocarbon (CF4∕Ar∕H2 and C4F8∕Ar∕H2) plasmas were used to etch HfO2, which is a promising high-dielectric-constant material for the gate of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. The etch rates of HfO2 and Si were drastically changed depending on the additive-H2 flow rate in C4F8∕Ar∕H2 plasmas. The highly selective etching of HfO2 over Si was done in the condition with an additive-H2 flow rate, where the Si surface was covered with the fluorocarbon polymer. The results of x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy indicated that the carbon content of the selectively etched HfO2 surface was extremely low compared with the preetched surface contaminated by adventitious hydrocarbon in atmosphere. In the gas phase of the C4F8∕Ar∕H2 plasmas, Hf hydrocarbide molecules such as metal-organic compounds and Hf hydrofluoride were detected by a quadrupole mass analyzer. These findings indicate that the fluorine species, carbon, and hydrogen can work to etch HfO2 and that the carbon species also plays an important role in selective etching of HfO2 over Si.

This paper presents a method for estimating the maximum inelastic out-of-plane seismic response of upper-deck steel arch bridges. The method employs the equal-energy assumption to predict the maximum response without the need for dynamic response analysis. Firstly, applicability of the equal-energy assumption to upper-deck steel arch bridges is examined numerically by performing free vibration analysis, pushover analysis, and elastic and inelastic dynamic response analyses. Models with different arch-rise to span ratio and arch rib spacing are generated and the influence of these parameters on the applicability of the assumption is studied. Although the assumption resulted in conservative side estimation, in many cases the results were too conservative to be practical for design practice. On the other hand, some tendencies that make it possible to develop some correction functions to improve the estimation accuracy of the equal-energy assumption were found regardless of any parameters. Finally, by using the proposed correction functions and the response spectra a method that does not require dynamic response analysis for the estimation of maximum inelastic seismic demand is developed and its validity is evidenced by numerical analyses., Engineering Structures, 28(5), pp.635-647; 2006

近世西欧の衣裳、なかでもローブ・ア・ラ・フランセーズを再現することは、服装史ばかりでなく製作技術や被服材料との関連で興味がもたれている。本研究では、まず、時代的背景とミシンの開発との関係を検討した。つぎに、この再現に対してアパレルCADの技術を用いた場合、どのような手順があるか、それぞれでの問題点抽出、および問題点の解決方法を検討した。さらに、製作物をもとに製作経過を検討した。原資料の図面をスキャナで読み込み、アパレルCADで着用対象者用のパターンに変換した。プロット出力したパターンをもとにドレスを製作した。ポンパドール夫人の肖像画などの原資料において、体形やサイズが明示されていないため、種々の困難があったが作品を完成させることができた。

Etching characteristics of high dielectric constant HfO2 films have been studied in high-density BCl3-containing plasmas without rf biasing. Emphasis was placed on plasma conditions and etch chemistries to achieve a high selectivity over Si and SiO2 and to enhance the etch rates. The HfO2 etch rate was ~5 nm/min at a pressure P0=10 mTorr in a BCl3 plasma, giving a selectivity of >10 over Si and SiO2. At lower P0 ≤6 mTorr in BCl3, the deposition of boron–chlorine compounds BxCly was observed on all sample surfaces of HfO2, Si, and SiO2 to inhibit etching. The addition of O2 to BCl3 was found to suppress the deposition and significantly enhance the HfO2 etch rate, which was ~50 nm/min at P0=5 mTorr in a BCl3/30%-O2 plasma; at higher O2 addition ≥40%, the heavy deposition of boron–oxygen compounds BxOy occurred on surfaces to inhibit etching. The mechanisms underlying the phenomena observed are discussed based on plasma and surface diagnostics.

Silent brain infarction (SBI) and white matter lesions (periventricular hyperintensity [PVH] and subcortical white matter lesions [SWML] are detected in both stroke patients and normal elderly persons. We prospectively examined the association between these lesions and the risk of subsequent stroke and mortality in neurologically normal adults. Magnetic resonance imaging scans were performed in 2,684 neurologically normal subjects with no history of stroke (mean age, 58 +/- 7 years old at entry) who underwent our health screening of the brain. After the brain screening, we obtained information about clinical stroke onset and death using a questionnaire sent annually to all subjects. When a subject suffered from medical events, we confirmed the detailed information in a telephone interview and by asking the attending physician. SBI was defined as a focal T2-hyperintensity and T1-hypointensity lesion > 3 mm. PVH and SWML were graded according to their severity. The average follow-up period was 6.3 years. Stroke occurred in 102 subjects (3.8%), and 93 subjects died during follow-up. The incidence of clinical stroke was significantly higher in the subjects with SBI than in those without SBI. Marked PVH and marked SWML independently increased the risk of stroke (for SBI, stroke risk factor-adjusted odds ratio [OR] = 3.66, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.28-5.89; for marked PVH, stroke risk factor-adjusted OR = 2.08, 95% CI = 1.04-4.17; for marked SWML, stroke risk factor-adjusted OR = 2.73, 95% CI = 1.32-5.63). Regarding mortality, SBI and marked PVH increased the risk of death (for SBI, stroke risk factor-adjusted OR = 1.95, 95% CI = 1.16-3.29; for PVH, stroke risk factor-adjusted OR = 4.01, 95% CI = 1.91-8.45). Death attributable to stroke occurred more frequently in those subjects with SBI, marked PVH, and marked SWML. We conclude that SBI, marked PVH, and marked SWML are important risk factors for clinical stroke and that SBI and marked PVH also increase the risk of mortality.

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) arch bridges have been rapidly developing in China since 1990. Research has focused on the static behavior, thermal stress and erection technique, however, and there has been very little research of natural vibrations and dynamic responses of these bridges. Japan's first CFT arch bridge in highway bridges, the Second Saikai Bridge, is now under construction in Nagasaki Prefecture. Furthermore, this bridge has a pedestrian bridge that is suspended under the girder, which is rare. Therefore, the natural vibration properties are examined, and the influence of pedestrian bridge structure on the natural vibration of main bridge is discussed first. Response analysis under a moving vehicle and pedestrian is carried out, and the response characteristics and response level are clarified. The natural vibrations and responses are compared to those of CFT arch bridges that have been constructed in China. Results show the fine performance of both main bridge and pedestrian bridge of the Second Saikai Bridge.

The reactions of dimethyl ether (CH3OCH3, DME) with O(3P) and H atoms have been studied at high temperatures by using a shock tube apparatus coupled with atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy (ARAS). The rate coefficients for the reactions CH3OCH3 + O(3P) CH3OCH2 + OH (1) and CH3OCH3 + H CH3OCH2 + H2 (2) were experimentally determined from the decay of O(3P) and H atoms as: These results show that DME can react with O(3P) atoms more easily than with H atoms. By combining these results with the previous lower temperature data, we obtained the following modified Arrhenius expressions applied over the wide temperature range between 300 and 1500 K: Both reactions of DME are faster than those of ethane, because the dissociation energy of the CH bond in DME is smaller. Furthermore, the rate coefficients for reactions (1) and (2) were calculated with the transition-state theory (TST). Structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of the reactants and the transition states required for the TST calculation were obtained from the MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculation. The energy barrier, E‡0, was adjusted until the TST rate coefficient most closely matched the observed one. The fitting results of E(1) = 23 kJ mol−1 and E(2) = 34 kJ mol−1 were in agreement with the G2 energy barriers, within the expected uncertainty, demonstrating that the experimentally determined rate coefficients were theoretically valid. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. 39: 97–108, 2007

The technology of concrete filled tube (CFT) arch bridges has developed rapidly in China since 1990. More than one hundred CFT arch bridges have been built or are now under construction. However, since the weight of a CFT arch rib is greater than that of a steel rib and the arch action is not effective in the out-of-plane direction, the seismic safety of CFT bridges should be evaluated. This paper examines nonlinear seismic responses of the Second Saikai Bridge, which is the first highway bridge in Japan to be a CFT arch bridge. This bridge has a main span length of 240 m. The natural vibration characteristics of this bridge are discussed using a three-dimensional FE model. A nonlinear seismic analysis is performed using the strong ground motions observed in the Hyogo-ken Nanbu Earthquake of Japan. The nonlinear seismic characteristics and seismic safety of this bridge are examined in detail by subjecting the bridge to earthquakes in the out-of-plane direction, longitudinal direction and combined out-of-plane and longitudinal directions. It is found that the analysis should consider the combined out-of-plane and longitudinal excitations.

Etching characteristics of high- k dielectric materials (HfO 2 ) and metal electrode materials (Pt, TaN) have been studied in high-density chlorine-containing plasmas at pressures around 10 mTorr. The etching of HfO 2 was performed in BCl 3 without rf biasing, giving an etch rate of about 5 nm/min with a high selectivity of >10 over Si and SiO 2 . The etching of Pt and TaN was performed in Ar/O 2 with high rf biasing and in Ar/Cl 2 with low rf biasing, respectively, giving a Pt etch rate of about several tens nm/min and a TaN etch rate of about 200 nm/min with a high selectivity of >8 over HfO 2 and SiO 2 . The etched profiles were outwardly tapered for Pt, owing to the redeposition of etch or sputter products on feature sidewalls, while the TaN profiles were almost anisotropic, probably owing to the ion-enhanced etching that occurred.

Background: In the last few decades, numerous chemical compounds have been produced as a result of industrial development. At the same time, the number of atopic dermatitis (AD) patients has been increasing. It has been reported that tributyltin (TBT) compounds have effects not only on the reproductive system but also on the immune system. Objective: To investigate whether TBT has an effect on AD, we fed a diet containing TBT to DS-Nh mice, which spontaneously developed dermatitis under conventional conditions. Methods: DS-Nh mice fed TBT or a control diet were examined for skin changes, number of Staphylococcus aureus on the skin and serum IgE levels. To determine Th1/Th2 cytokine production by lymphocytes, lymphocytes of DS-Nh mice fed TBT and of controls were cultured with staphylococcal enterotoxin B and cytokine levels in the supernatants were measured by ELISA. We observed not only spontaneous dermatitis but also dermatitis induced by sensitization with 2,4,6-trinitrochlorobenzene (TNCB). Results and Conclusion: The AD-like lesions induced by TNCB sensitization were more severe in the mice fed TBT than in those fed the control diet. A greater increase in S. aureus on the skin was observed in the mice fed TBT than in the mice fed the control diet. A decrease in IFN-γ production and an increase in IL-5 and IL-13 production were observed in the mice fed the TBT diet and treated with TNCB. These findings suggest that the increase in S. aureus and the enhancement of Th2 response induced by TBT exacerbate the AD-like lesions in mice treated with TNCB.

Autologous fat transplantation is a popular and useful technique in plastic and reconstructive surgery. The efficiency and survival of such grafts is predictable in many cases, but there are still issues to be resolved, such as how to improve graft volume retention. To address the issue of volume retention, we studied the effect of revascularization from the recipient on the size and function of adipocytes in fat grafts. Treatment of mice with TNP-470, an angiogenesis inhibitor, reduced blood flow from the recipient into the graft after subcutaneous transplantation of epididymal fat. The weight of transplanted tissues and the size of adipocytes in the grafts were significantly lower in mice treated with TNP-470 (TNP mice) than in control mice. Expression of genes for enzymes related to lipid accumulation was decreased in the grafts of TNP mice compared with control mice. Moreover, the expression of adipocyte-derived angiogenic peptides, VEGF and leptin, was significantly lower in the grafts of TNP mice than in grafts from control animals. The expression of VEGF and leptin by cultured human adipocytes was increased in the presence of conditioned medium from cultured vascular endothelial cells. These results show that the inhibition of the revascularization of fat grafts after transplantation reduces graft volume retention and cellular function. Early and adequate revascularization may be important for both the supply of nutrients and vasoactive interactions between vascular endothelial cells and adipocytes in graft.

Inductively coupled fluorocarbon (CF[4]∕Ar and C[4]F[8]∕Ar) plasmas were used to etchHfO[2], which is a promising high-dielectric-constant material for the gate of complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor devices. The etch rates of HfO[2] in CF[4]∕Ar plasmas exceeded those in C[4]F[8]∕Ar plasmas. The tendency for etch rates to become higher in fluorine-rich (high F∕CF∕C ratio) conditions indicates that HfO[2] can be chemically etched by fluorine-containing species. In C[4]F[8]∕Ar plasmas with a high Ar dilution ratio, the etch rate of HfO[2] increased with increasing bias power. The etch rate of Si, however, decreasd with bias power, suggesting that the deposition of carbon-containing species increased with increasing the power and inhibited the etching of Si. The HfO[2]∕Si selectivity monotonically increased with increasing power, then became more than 5 at the highest tested bias power. The carbon-containing species to inhibit etching of Si play an important role in enhancing the HfO[2]∕Si selectivity in C[4]F[8]∕Ar plasmas.

To evaluate the efficacy of cytapheresis for the treatment of rapidly progressive glomerulonephritis (RPGN) caused by myeloperoxidase antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA)-associated vasculitis, the renal prognosis and the mortality rate at 1 year after treatment were compared between a Cytapheresis Group and a Steroid Pulse Group. The Cytapheresis Group included 10 patients who were treated with cytapheresis and oral corticosteroids. Five had granulocytapheresis with the Adacolumn (Japan Immuno Research Laboratories Co. Ltd, Takasaki, Japan) and the remaining five had leukocytapheresis with the leukocyte removal filter, Cellsorba (Asahi Medical Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan). The Steroid Pulse Group was comprised of 12 patients who were treated with methylprednisolone pulse therapy and oral corticosteroids. In the Cytapheresis Group, renal function recovered in 70% of the patients and the mortality rate was 10%. In the Steroid Pulse Group, renal function recovered in 66.7% and the mortality rate was 33.3%, with infection as the cause of death. Total doses of corticosteroids converted to prednisolone dose during a 1 month period, ranged from 280 mg to 1226 mg in the Cytapheresis Group. On the other hand, these dosages ranged from 2375 mg to 8380 mg in the Steroid Pulse Group. These results indicated that the mortality rate by infection could be reduced by adding cytapheresis therapy. Concerning the mechanism of cytapheresis, anti-inflammatory factors such as soluble tumor necrosis factor receptor, and interleukin-10 reduced after cytapheresis. These changes might be responsible for the efficacy of cytapheresis. In conclusion, cytapheresis is thought to be one of the effective treatments for RPGN caused by MPO-ANCA-associated vasculitis, reducing the levels of anti-inflammatory factors.

The effects of antibody-mediated rejection on long-term graft survival have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study is to clarify the influence on long-term survival of deposition of the complement split product C4d in allografts using polyclonal anti-C4d antibody. Inclusion criteria were recipients who underwent graft biopsy during acute deterioration of graft function within the first 2 yr after transplantation. Patients whose graft did not survive more than 1 yr and who received graft from an human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-identical sibling or an ABO-incompatible donor were excluded. Among the 92 recipients investigated, 22 (23.9%) had peritubular capillary C4d deposition, 15 (16.3%) had glomerular capillary C4d deposition and seven (7.6%) had both peritubular and glomerular capillary C4d deposition. Twenty of these 22 patients revealed acute cellular rejection, including borderline changes. There was no significant relationship between pathological severity of acute rejection and presence or absence of peritubular capillary C4d deposition. Graft survival was inferior in patients with peritubular capillary C4d deposition to that in patients without C4d deposition (p = 0.0419). Graft survival in patients with glomerular C4d deposition did not differ from that in patients without C4d deposition. In conclusion, C4d deposition in peritubular capillaries has a substantial impact on long-term graft survival.

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARs) regulate the vascular cell functions as well as systemic lipid and glucose metabolism. Here, we studied the effect of TAK-559, a newly developed potent activator both for PPARalpha and gamma, on the vascular cell recruitment. TNF-alpha- or interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta)-induced THP-1 cell attachment to cultured endothelial cells was significantly reduced in the presence of 10 microM TAK-559 (P0.05). The secretion of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) from endothelial cells is reduced by 36% in the presence of 10 microM TAK-559, accompanied with the decreased mRNA expression in the cells. The proliferation and migration of cultured smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were significantly decreased in the presence of TAK-559 (P0.05). TAK-559-treated hypercholesterolemic rabbits showed the significant reduction of intimal thickning after balloon catheterization by 51% compared with control (P0.05), although the plasma lipid and glucose level was not changed between them. The numbers of macrophage and SMCs were decreased to 34% and 49% in the hyperplastic intima of arteries from TAK-559-treated rabbits compared to those from control, respectively. These results suggest that the PPARalpha and gamma activator inhibits the recruitment of macrophages and SMCs in intima, possibly leading to the reduction of intimal hyperplasia in hypercholesterolemia.

全国制覇を成し遂げた経験もあり, 常に全国上位を占める岩手県立N高等学校ホッケー部の男女選手にPCIテストを実施調査した結果, 以下のような知見を得た. 1) 総体時において, 男子チームは「一般的活気」, 「技術効力感」, 「闘志」がやや高く, ポジティブな状態にあり, 女子チームは「競技失敗不安」, 「疲労感」が高く, ややネガティブな状態にあった. 2) 総体時のベンチ入り選手と控え選手の比較で, 男子の場合, ベンチ入り選手がポジティブな状態にあった. 女子では顕著な差は認められなかった. 3) 総体時のポジション別比較で, 男子選手及び女子選手ともに, ポジション間で有意差は認められなかった. 4) 新人戦時, 男女チーム間での有意差は認められず, 「競技失敗不安」に共通してやや高い傾向がみられた. また, 男子の場合, 新人戦チームは「疲労感」で総体チームを有意に上回った (p

冬季間において, 職業の違いや男女差によって歩行数に差がみられるかについて検討することを目的に, S町の中年男性および中年女性の事務的職業従事者と農業従事者を対象に歩行数調査を実施して比較した. その結果から, 職種間の歩行数の比較では有意差は認められないものの男女ともに農業従事者が事務的職業従事者を上回っていた. また, 男女間の歩行数の比較では事務的職業従事者と農業従事者ともに女性が男性を上回り, 事務的職業従事者の男女間には有意差が認められた. しかし, 全体的には運動量を増やす必要性がうかがわれる結果であった. このようなことから, 冬季間における適切な運動量 (歩行数) を確保するための継続可能な運動プログラムの作成とその実践が重要であることが示唆された. 稿を終えるにあたり, 調査に多大のご協力をいただいた被験者各位と岩手県紫波町長寿健康課, 並びに貴重な助言をいただいた岩手医科大学の中野好講師に対して感謝申し上げます. なお, 本研究の一部要旨は日本体力医学会東北地方会第14回大会 (弘前大学) において発表した., The purpose of this study was to find out whether the difference in occupation or in gender affect people's number of steps taken daily in the wintertime. We made a comparison between middle-aged office workers and middle-aged agricultural workers in terms of their number of steps taken daily in S town. Results obtained were as follows : 1) Although both male and female agricultural workers surpassed the office workers in terms of the number of steps taken daily, the difference was not statistically significant. 2) Female workers in both of the occupational groups exceeded the male workers in the number of steps taken and the difference was statistically significant in the case of the office workers. It was suggested that the creation of a program for maintaining a proper daily amount of exercise and its practice are important in the wintertime.

携帯電話のメール機能は、学生の日常生活に欠かせないものとなっている。携帯電話メールが友人等とのコミュニケーションに活用されることから、携帯電話での文字入力スキルが自然に養われる。そこで本研究では、コミュニケーションを通して情報機器の操作能力が獲得されていることに注目し、情報基礎教育のカリキュラムに学習者同士のコミュニケーションが生かされるような協調学習の要素を取り入れた。期待する効果は、学習者のスムーズな情報スキルの獲得である。分析の結果、学習者の持つ情報スキルに応じて、タイピングスピードが向上することがわかった。更に、学習者同士のコミュニケーションを生かした学習方法は、従来の個別学習では、学習意欲が停滞していた学習者に対しても、スキルの獲得を促す効果が得られることがわかった。, 論説

LR11, a member of the LDL receptor family, is highly expressed in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) of the hyperplastic intima, and induces enhanced migration of SMCs in vitro via its upregulation of urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR) expression. In this study, we have delineated the mechanism by which LR11 elevates the expression levels of uPAR in SMCs. Secretion of soluble LR11 is induced in SMCs during the rapidly proliferating phase, and the secreted LR11 induces the migration activities of SMCs. Both the cell-anchored and secreted forms of LR11 have the capacity to bind to and form complexes with uPAR. LR11-overexpressing cells show significantly enhanced uPAR binding, but decreased uPAR internalization. LR11 colocalizes with uPAR on the cell surface and inhibits the LDL receptor–related protein (LRP)-mediated binding and internalization of uPAR. Thus, LR11 mediates the uPAR localization to the plasma membrane. LR11 is highly expressed in the atheromatous plaque areas of apoE knockout mice, particularly in the intimal SMCs at the border between intima and media. The neutralization of LR11 function with anti-LR11 antibody reduced cuff-induced intimal thickness in mice. The novel mechanism of regulation of uPAR localization in SMCs accompanied with enhanced migration activity possibly constitutes an important factor in the process of atherosclerosis and arterial remodeling.

The reactions of 2H-heptafluoropropane (CF 3 CHFCF 3 , HFC-227ea) with O( 3 P) and H atoms have been studied at high temperatures by using a shock tube technique coupled with atomic resonance absorption spectroscopy. Electronically ground-state oxygen and hydrogen atoms were produced by the laser photolysis of sulfur dioxide and the thermal decomposition of ethyl iodide, respectively. The rate coefficients for the reactions CF 3 -CHFCF 3 + O( 3 P) → i-C 3 F 7 + OH (la) and CF 3 CHFCF 3 + H → i-C 3 F 7 + H 2 (2a) were experimentally determined from the decay of O( 3 P) and H atoms as k 1 a = 10 - 1 0 . 2 7 ′ 0 . 6 7 exp[-(56 ′ 13) kJ mol - 1 /RT] cm 3 molecule - 1 s - 1 (880-1180 K) and k 2 a = 10 - 9 . 1 5 ′ 0 . 6 6 exp[-(63 ′ 14) kJ mol - 1 /RT] cm 3 molecule - 1 s - 1 (1000-1180 K). These results showed that reaction 2a was faster than reaction 1a by a factor of 7-8 over the present experimental temperature range. Both rate coefficients were much smaller than the previous kinetic data for the reactions of propane with O( 3 P) and H atoms, because of an electron-attracting effect of fluorine atoms. To compare the reactivities between isomers, the rate coefficients for the reactions of 1H-heptafluoropropane, CHF 2 CF 2 CF 3 + O( 3 P) → n-C 3 F 7 + OH (3a) and CHF 2 CF 2 CF 3 + H → n-C 3 F 7 + H 2 (4a), were also determined by using the same technique as k 3 a = 10 - 1 0 . 1 3 ′ 0 . 5 2 exp[-(55 ′ 10) kJ mol - 1 /RT] cm 3 molecule - 1 s - 1 (880-1180 K) and k 4 a = 10 - 9 . 4 4 ′ 0 . 3 2 exp[-(57 ′ 7) kJ mol - 1 /RT] cm 3 molecule - 1 s - 1 (1000-1180 K). Furthermore, the rate coefficients for reactions la and 2a were calculated with the transition-state theory (TST). Structural parameters and vibrational frequencies of the reactants and the transition states required for the TST calculation were obtained from the MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio molecular orbital (MO) calculation. The energy barrier, E 0 , was adjusted until the TST rate coefficient most closely matched the observed one. The fitting results of E 0 (1a) = 51 kJ mol - 1 and E 0 (2a) = 41 kJ mol - 1 were in agreement with the G2(MP2) energy barriers, within the expected uncertainty.

We present a case report of a 27-year-old man with MELAS, who presented with general convulsions and left flaccid hemiparesis. Anticonvulsant drugs failed to achieve complete control of his convulsions. A good response to oral administration of succinate has been maintained for more than 30 months, with no recurrence of any stroke-like episode. Succinate therapy may have potential for treatment of uncontrolled convulsive MELAS patients.

Familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is characterized by elevated levels of serum total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or both. The increased incidence of coronary artery diseases (CAD) in the patients with FCHL is believed to be caused by circulating atherogenic lipoproteins associated with the complex phenotype. Recent establishment of sensitive detection system for malondialdehyde-modified (MDA)-LDL, which is one of oxidized lipoproteins, showed its increased circulating level in the patients with CAD. In order to know the atherogenic lipoproteins resulted from the dyslipidemia observed in FCHL, we measured the serum MDA-LDL level in the patients. The circulating MDA-LDL level and the ratio of MDA-LDL and LDL-C in FCHL were significantly higher (P

59歳, 女性。右母趾爪部原発の悪性黒色腫。2000年7月12日, 右母趾切断術・右鼠径部sentinel node biopsyを施行。術後, DAV-IFNβを3クール施行。術後診断pT3N0M0stageII。IFNβ局注でフォローするも術後11ヵ月後より右鼠径部リンパ節腫脹と5-S-CD高値出現。リンパ節生検にてリンパ節転移と診断。全身検索で遠隔転移なし。2001年8月15日, 鼠径リンパ節郭清後, 温熱灌流療法を施行。患肢を42℃弱の一定温度で保ち, 患肢大腿動静脈問で体外循環装置を用いた閉鎖回路を造設, 温熱灌流を用いて患肢全体に灌流した後, 筋肉温が40℃に達した時点で, CDBCA450mgとIFNβ900万単位を動脈側から30分かけ点滴。さらに30分灌流した後, 30分のクーリングを行い終了した。術中副作用もなく, 術後経過は良好である。

Primary hyperlipidemia is caused by various molecular defects in lipid metabolism. The Research Committee on Primary Hyperlipidemia organized by the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Japan (present: the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare) has investigated reported mutations in Japanese patients with primary hyperlipidemia and related disorders (including hypolipidemia), and has created a database based on the questionnaire sent to the members of council board of the Japan Atherosclerosis Society. Mutations in the following genes were investigated: low density lipoprotein receptor, lecithin: cholesteryl acyltransferase, lipoprotein lipase (LPL), hepatic lipase, apolipoproteins A-I, A-II, A-IV, B, C-II, C-III and E, microsomal triglyceride transfer protein, and cholesterol ester transfer protein (CETP). Until 1998, 922 patients with primary hyperlipidemia and related disorders has been registered with the Research Committee, and 190 mutations in 15 genes had been reported, showing a marked variation in Japanese patients with primary hyperlipidemia and related disorders. So-called “common mutations” have been described in Japanese patients with familial hypercholesterolemia, LPL deficiency and CETP deficiency. The genetic defect of familial combined hyperlipidemia (FCHL) is still unknown although FCHL is speculated to be the most prevalent genetic hyperlipidemia, and further investigations should be performed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of FCHL

目的:我々は島根難病研究所脳ドックを1988年に開設し,1992年からMR血管撮影(MRA)検査を開始,同時に追跡調査を開始した.2002年の追跡調査結果を基に頭蓋内血管狭窄病変の自然歴について検討した.方法:対象は脳ドックを受診した脳卒中既往のない健常成人で頭蓋内MRAを実施した2,164名(男1,189名,女975名).MRIにより無症候性脳梗塞(SBI),脳室周囲高信号域(PVH)(0-4度)の有無を検討.危険因子として高血圧,糖尿病,高脂血症等について検討した.結果:脳ドック受診健常者において,軽度なもの主体に頭蓋内血管の狭窄病変が4.7%にみられた.加齢,高血圧が危険因子であった.多変量解析で狭窄病変は無症候性脳梗塞,白質病変と有意な関連を示し,脳梗塞発症と有意な相関を示した.結語:無症候性頭蓋内血管狭窄病変は脳卒中発症の有意な危険因子であり,危険因子の厳重な管理と予防的治療が必要なことが示唆された.

Visceral fat accumulation is accompanied by several metabolic disorders. Here, we investigate the improvement of visceral fat accumulation in the early phase of diet. Hyperlipidemic obese patients received a low-calorie diet (1000 kcal/day) for 14 days. Visceral and subcutaneous fat accumulation was analyzed using ultrasonography. After 14 days of the diet, the average visceral fat of obese patients obviously decreased (P < 0.05), as well as the visceral fat-related secreted proteins, whereas subcutaneous fat did not decrease in these patients. These results show that visceral fat is reduced significantly in the early phase of diet therapy in humans. Therefore, to clarify its mechanism, we analyzed the expression of lipid metabolism-related genes in visceral and subcutaneous fat using obese rats. The Long-Evans Tokushima Otsuka (LETO) rats, as an obese model, were divided into two groups: fasting and non-fasting. The gene expressions in visceral and subcutaneous fat were measured by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The expression of beta(3)-adrenergic receptor (AR), hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma, and uncoupling protein (UCP)-2 genes increased by 3.2-, 2.3-, 2.2-, and 2-fold in visceral fat (P < 0.01), but remained almost unchanged in subcutaneous fat. Taken together, the responsiveness of lipid metabolism-related genes to fasting is more sensitive in visceral fat than in subcutaneous fat in rats, suggesting that the different responsiveness to calorie restriction in fat tissues is due to the different induction of metabolism-related gene expression.

In conventional non-linear seismic analyses of cable-stayed bridges, the non-linear characteristics of the girders, stay cables and towers are considered. The non-linearity caused by cable loosening should also be considered because a large axial force fluctuation is generated in the cables of a prestressed concrete (PC) cable-stayed bridge that is subjected to strong seismic motion. In this paper, the possibility of the cable loosening in a PC cable-stayed bridge is discussed by using a cable model that can express the cable loosening. Furthermore, the effect of the cable loosening on the responses of the cables, girder and towers is evaluated using the mean value for three seismic waves. Numerical analytic results imply that the cable loosening appears in the bottom cables of the multi-cable system and the dynamic response of the bridge is slightly increased.

Analysis and results for in-plane non-linear antisymmetric responses of a cable, supported at the same level, through bifurcation under in-plane symmetric sinusoidally time-varying load are presented. The non-linear equation of the in-plane motion of the cable is solved by a Galerkin method and the harmonic balance method. From the computed results the frequency range, where the antisymmetric response occurs, varies with the sag-to-span ratio of the cable and is broad in the particular sag-to-span ratios. The second unstable region is important compared with the principal unstable region. Strong coupling between symmetric and antisymmetric modes is observed in the unstable regions for the particular sag-to-span ratios.

Large-area and high-density radio frequency (RF) plasmas at 13.56 MHz have been produced by inductive coupling of internal-type low-inductance antenna units. The present study has been carried out to develop the basic discharge techniques which can be applied to production of meter-scale large-area and/or large-volume plasma sources with high density for a variety of plasma processes. The plasma source could be operated stably to attain plasma density as high as 1×1012 cm−3 at argon pressures of approximately 1 Pa. It has been demonstrated that high plasma density can be obtained efficiently using the low-inductance internal antenna configuration with effectively suppressed electrostatic coupling. Discharge experiments in a meter-scale chamber demonstrated uniform plasma production with densities as high as 6×1011 cm−3 at an argon pressure of 1.3 Pa and a RF power of 4 kW.

Seven polyoxotungstates substituted with vanadium or titanium atoms were examined for their activity against Flaviviridae (Dengue fever virus, DFV), Orthomyxoviridae (influenza virus type A, fluV-A), Paramyxoviridae (respiratory syncytial virus, RSV, parainfluenza virus type 2, PfluV-2 and canine distemper virus, CDV) and Lentiviridae (human immunodeficiency virus type 1, HIV-1) families. Among the seven polyoxotungstates examined, PM-43 [K(5)[SiVW(11)O(40)]], PM-47 [K(7)[BVW(11)O(40)]], and PM-1001 [K(10)Na(VO)(3)(SbW(9)O(33))(2)]26H(2)O contained vanadium. PM-1002 had the same core structure of (VO)(3)(SbW(9)O(33))(2) as PM-1001; however, three V atoms of PM-1001 consisted of two V(IV) and one V(V) and those of PM-1002 consisted of three V(IV). On the other hand, PM-518 [[Et(2)NH(2)](7)[PTi(2)W(10)O(40)]], PM-520 [Pri(2)NH(2)](5)[PTiW(11)O(40)] and PM-523 [PriNH(3)](6)H[PTi(2)W(10)O(38)(O(2))(2)]H(2)O all contained titanium. All compounds showed broad spectrum antiviral activity against all viruses examined except for PMs-43, -518 and -523 which did not exhibit inhibitory activity at >/=50 microM against PfluV-2, CDV and DFV, respectively. All compounds were inhibitory against HIV replication at an EC(50) of less than 2.0 microM. Among them, PMs-1001 and -1002 showed the most potent inhibition. The compounds were not toxic for MDCK, HEp-2 and Vero cells at a concentration of 200 microM. For the exponentially growing MT-4 cells, the vanadium containing polyoxometalates (PMs-43, 47, 1001, 1002) showed toxicity at concentrations between 41 and 47 microM. On the other hand, titanium containing polyoxometalates (PMs-518, -520, -523) were not toxic at 100 microM. The mechanism of anti-HIV action of PM-1001 was analyzed: it affected the binding of HIV to the cell membrane and syncytium formation between HIV-infected and uninfected cells.

A cable cannot resist the axial compressive force that may be induced during large amplitude vibrations. In this paper, the effect of cable loosening on non-linear vibrations of flat-sag cables is discussed by using the finite difference method that can express cable loosening. In the present method, flexural rigidity and damping of the cable are considered in the equations of motion of a cable in order to handle the numerical instability. The effect of cable loosening is evaluated explicitly in the present paper. Furthermore, non-linear vibration properties are evaluated for various parameters under periodic and step vertical loading. The effect of cable loosening on response under vertical periodic time-varying load is small and it is possible for the sag-to-span ratio to roughly equal the ratio for modal transition. The loosening under the vertical step loading in the direction opposite to the gravity appears at almost the same sag-to-span ratio.

This paper examines local parametric vibrations in the stay cables of a cable-stayed bridge. The natural frequencies of the global modes are obtained by using a three-dimensional FE model. The global motions generated by (1) sinusoidal excitations using exciter, (2) a traffic loading, and (3) an earthquake are analyzed by using the modal analysis method or the direct integration method. The local vibration of stay cable is calculated by using a model in which inclined cable is subjected to time-varying displacement at one support during global motions. This paper describes the properties of the local vibrations in stay cables under these dynamic loadings by using an existing cable-stayed bridge.

Although the aetiology of Behçet's disease is still poorly understood, viral infection has long been postulated as one of the factors. To investigate the relationship between herpes viruses and Behçet's disease, we used polymerase chain reaction to detect herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and 2 (HSV-2), and human herpes virus 6 (HHV-6) and 7 (HHV-7) DNA in samples of lesional tissues from patients with Behçet's disease and other related inflammatory disorders. Four cases were positive for HSV-1; 1 of 11 Behçet's disease cases, 2 of 3 Sweet's disease cases and 1 of 3 erythema nodosum cases. Two cases were positive for both HSV-1 and HSV-2; one Behçet's disease and one erythema nodosum. All cases were negative for HHV-6 and HHV-7. These findings indicate that there might be some relationship between Behçet's disease and the presence of HSV-1 and/or HSV-2 DNA and that HHV-6 and HHV-7 do not seem to be involved in the pathogenesis of Behçet's disease. However, HSV-1 and HSV-2 DNAs were also detected in non-Behçet's disease lesions, suggesting that HSV-1/2 is not correlated to the direct pathogenesis of Behçet's disease.

Prostaglandin D 2 is known to be the major prostanoid produced by allergen-activated mast cells, but its role in the formation of allergic diseases is not well established because of complexity of its receptor system and lack of appropriate inhibitors. We have recently identified a new-type prostaglandin D2 receptor, named CRTH2. Studies with normal subjects have shown that CRTH2 appears to be selectively expressed by T helper 2 cells but not T helper 1 cells among circulating CD4 + lymphocytes. The exact correlation between CRTH2 and T helper 2 cells in various disease settings and the impact of CRTH2-mediated prostaglandin D 2 activities on various T helper 2 responses in vivo still remain to be elucidated, however. In this study, we investigated the correlation between CRTH2 and T helper 2 cells among circulating CD4 + lymphocytes in normal adults and patients with atopic dermatitis, a T-helper-2-involving disease. The results showed that virtually all CRTH2 + CD4 + lymphocytes had a pure T helper 2 phenotype and formed not all but a large proportion of circulating T helper 2 cells for both normal and atopic dermatitis subjects. In chemotaxis assays, peripheral blood CRTH2 + CD4 + lymphocytes were significantly attracted by prostaglandin D2 as well as by a typical T-helper-2-attracting chemokine, thymus and activation regulated chemokine, whereas they showed little chemotactic migration toward typical T-helper-1-attracting chemokines, macrophage inflammatory protein 1β and interferon-γ-inducible protein 10. Furthermore, in atopic dermatitis patients, a preferential increase of CRTH2 + cells was noted within the disease-related cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen-positive, but not the cutaneous lymphocyte-associated antigen-negative, CD4 + lymphocyte compartment. Our results suggest the involvement of the prostaglandin D 2 /CRTH2 system in both normal and pathogenic T helper 2 responses.