Search

Insects such as Tenebrio molitor have been considered an alternative source of nutrition for animals and have also been adopted as human food throughout history, especially in Asia and Africa. Lipids are the second most abundant component followed by proteins. However, studies focusing on comprehensive lipid composition analsysis of these widely reared species are limited. The untargeted lipidomic analysis of yellow mealworm larvae (T. molitor) led to the identification of several lipid molecular species from lipid classes such as: free fatty acids, sphingolipids, phospholipids, and triacylglycerols. The results revealed that polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) (45%) are the most abundant fatty acids, followed by monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs) (42%) and saturated fatty acids (13%). Fatty acids such as FA 18:1 and FA 18:2 are the most abundant fatty acids and are substantially enriched in other complex lipids in the form of esters. Moreover, functional lipids such as sphingomyelins, ceramides, cardiolipins, phosphatidylinositols, and phosphatidylethanolamines were characterised for the first time, with a large number of MUFAs and PUFAs as their main acyl chains. Overall, our data showed the occurrence of multiple structurally diverse lipids in T. molitor, suggesting that mealworms are not only enriched with proteins but also have several functional lipids, which are highly beneficial to human and animal health. Thus, the larvae of T. molitor could serve as a promising candidate for the development of functional food and feed products.

Although population characteristics and antimicrobial prescribing practices suggest that the hospitalized population in Japan is at high risk of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), the epidemiology of CDI in Japan is poorly understood.This prospective cohort study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of CDI at 12 hospitals in Japan.Patients with clinically significant diarrhoea (CSD) were enrolled. Stool specimens were tested for C. difficile by toxin A and/or B enzyme immunoassay (EIA) in the hospital laboratories, and a toxigenic culture and nucleic acid amplification tests were performed at a central laboratory. The risk factors of CDI and the impact of CDI on mortality were investigated.In total, 566 patients with CSD were included in the analyses. A total of 152 patients received the diagnosis of CDI by Toxin A/B EIA, toxigenic culture, or nucleic acid amplification test. Factors associated with CDI included low albumin (adjusted odds ratio (aOR): 1.56; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03-2.34) and length of hospital stay before stool collection18 days (aOR: 1.73; 95% CI: 1.09-2.75). CDI was associated with an increased mortality on univariate analysis (OR: 1.6, 95% CI: 1.0-2.6) but was not associated with an increased risk of mortality on multivariable analysis.Risk factors for CDI in Japan were similar to those identified in the USA and Europe. However, CDI was not associated with an increased risk of mortality in this population of patients with CSD.

Trigonella foenum-graecum L. (fenugreek) has been described earlier and its use in ancient medicinal practice is well known. The hypoglycemic effects of fenugreek have been studied in many animal models and diabetic patients. The purpose of this study was to examine the preventive efficiency of dietary fenugreek on diet-induced metabolic diseases in rats. The diets used in this study were a standard diet, a high-fat high-sucrose (HFS) diet, and a HFS diet containing 0.5 g/kg b. w./day fenugreek based on the modified version of the AIN-93G purified diet, for 12 weeks, respectively. The rats fed the HFS diet containing fenugreek showed significantly lower fasting insulin levels and HOMA-IR than the rats fed the HFS diet. Therefore, fenugreek improved insulin sensitivity in rats. The triglyceride and total cholesterol levels in the plasma were significantly lower in the fenugreek-administered group. Moreover, distinct reductions of triglyceride, total cholesterol, free fatty acid, and phospholipid levels in the liver were found in the rats fed the HFS diet containing fenugreek. These results suggest that fenugreek enhanced insulin sensitivity at least partly by improving lipid metabolism disorders in the plasma and the liver in the rats induced by the HFS diet.

The endangered black-footed albatross Phoebastria nigripes exhibits strong nest fidelity and natal philopatry. These biological features can strongly affect population dynamics and population genetic structure. Therefore, for its long-term conservation, it is important to estimate genetic diversity and population genetic structure. We performed genetic analyses, using 11 polymorphic microsatellite markers of 77 black-footed albatrosses from six breeding colonies on the Bonin Islands, an important breeding area in the western North Pacific. In the population-based analysis, AMOVA results showed that almost all genetic variations existed among individuals in each subpopulation. Most FST and RST values among the subpopulations were 0.000 and the migration rates were 3.0–5.3%. In the individual-based analysis, the results of structure analysis suggested that all the individuals were clustered into the same genetic group. In the principal coordinates analysis based on kinship among individuals, most of the individuals were distributed as a single group. Although albatross species are strongly philopatric, the present results indicate a lack of population genetic differentiation among six subpopulations and the presence of sufficient gene flow to maintain the genetic homogeneity. In the principal coordinates analysis, a few individuals were genetically different from most of the other individuals, indicating a probability of immigration. The black-footed albatrosses on the Bonin Islands are in a good condition to maintain genetic diversity and can be treated as a single genetic management unit.

Polycrystalline samples of RE 0.6Ca0.4Ba1.6Sr0.4Cu3O6 (RE = Nd, Gd, Dy, Y, Yb, Lu) without oxygen in the Cu(1)O chain have been prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method. No superconductivity appears for larger RE = Nd, Gd, Dy, while superconductivity with T c ~50 K appears for smaller RE = Y, Yb, Lu. This is presumably because holes produced by the Ca-substitution for RE are more supplied to the conductive Cu(2)O2 plane than to Cu(1) as the lattice becomes small. The maximum T c = 53 K for RE = Lu is considerably lower than 90 K for REBa2Cu3O7. This may be due to the low hole-concentration in the Cu(2)O2 plane.

Background: Currently, one or two dosimeters are used to monitor radiation exposure in most cardiac laboratories. In addition, several different formulas are used to convert exposure data into an effective dose (ED). Purpose: To clarify the effect of monitoring methods and formula selection on the estimated ED for physicians during percutaneous coronary interventions (PCIs). Material and Methods: The ED of physicians during cardiac catheterization was determined using an optically stimulated luminescence dosimeter (Luxel badge). Two Luxel badges were worn: one beneath a personal lead apron (0.35-mm lead equivalent) at the chest and one outside of the apron at the neck. Results: The difference in the average ED of seven physicians was approximately fivefold (range 1.13–5.43 mSv/year) using the six different formulas in the clinical evaluation. The estimated physician ED differed markedly according to both the monitoring method and formula selected. Conclusion: ED estimation is dependent on both the monitoring method and the formula used. Therefore, it is important that comparisons among laboratories are based on the same monitoring method and same formula for calculating the ED.

有茎性大腸ポリープのポリペクトミーにともなう後出血のリスクは, 栄養動脈径に相関することが予想される. 研究の目的は, 有茎性大腸ポリープの形状変数と栄養動脈径の相関を調べ, 出血のリスクファクターを決定することである. 大腸癌手術標本に見られた有茎性ポリープ47病変 (腺腫40例, 腺腫内癌4例, 過形成ポリープ3例) を用いた. ポリープ頭部の横径5.9±2.8mm, 縦径4.8±1.9mmであった. ポリープ茎部の長さ5.8±3.2mm, 直径は2.0±0.5mmであった. 茎部における動脈の最大径は95.7±33.0μmであった. 動脈数は1.4±0.5本であった. 動脈の直径は茎部直径と正相関 (r=0.36, p 0.05). 有茎性大腸ポリープは, 茎が太くなると栄養血管も太くなることが予測され, ポリペクトミー後の出血のリスクファクターの要因のひとつと考えられた.

Many-body correlations govern a variety of important quantum phenomena such as the emergence of superconductivity and magnetism. Understanding quantum many-body systems is thus one of the central goals of modern sciences. Here we demonstrate an experimental approach towards this goal by utilizing an ultracold Rydberg gas generated with a broadband picosecond laser pulse. We follow the ultrafast evolution of its electronic coherence by time-domain Ramsey interferometry with attosecond precision. The observed electronic coherence shows an ultrafast oscillation with a period of 1 femtosecond, whose phase shift on the attosecond timescale is consistent with many-body correlations among Rydberg atoms beyond mean-field approximations. This coherent and ultrafast many-body dynamics is actively controlled by tuning the orbital size and population of the Rydberg state, as well as the mean atomic distance. Our approach will offer a versatile platform to observe and manipulate non-equilibrium dynamics of quantum many-body systems on the ultrafast timescale., Studying long-range interactions in the controlled environment of trapped ultracold gases can help our understanding of fundamental many-body physics. Here the authors excite a gas of Rydberg atoms with a ps laser pulse, demonstrating behaviour consistent with many-body correlations beyond mean-field.

Lotus-type porous copper is a porous medium made of copper that contains many straight pores. To effectively employ lotus-type porous copper as a heat sink, it is necessary to clarify the pore effect on the thermal conductivity of lotus copper. This article describes an experimental and analytical investigation on the effective thermal conductivities of lotus copper parallel and perpendicular to the pores. The lotus copper displayed anisotropy of the effective thermal conductivity. The effective thermal conductivity keff⊥ perpendicular to the pores was lower than that of the parallel ones keff∥ and was 40% that of lotus copper material ks with porosity e of 0.4. Experimental data for keff∥ showed good agreement with analytical results derived from the assumption that heat flow through the cross-sectional area parallel to the pore axis is proportional to (1−e). Experimental data for keff⊥ showed good agreement with the analytical results derived from the assumption of orthorhombic symmetry and with the num...

We have studied angular correlations between resonant Auger electrons and successive second-step Auger electrons emitted in a cascade decay after photoexcitation of resonances 3d −1 5/2 5p in Kr and 4d −1 5/2 6p in Xe. Two spectrometers were used for the angle-resolved detection of the two electrons in coincidence. Angular correlations for several pairs of strong lines have been measured in both atoms. The experimental results are compared with multiconfiguration Dirac–Fock calculations which include electron correlations in the initial, intermediate and final states of the cascade. In general, good agreement between experiment and theory is obtained.

Soybean isoflavones exhibit selective effects on bone metabolism in postmenopausal women as well as in ovariectomized animals. Recently, the role of estrogen in bone metabolism in men has also received attention, because a man with a mutated estrogen receptor-alpha (ER(alpha)) gene will exhibit osteoporotic phenotypes. To examine the possible role of genistein, a soybean isoflavone, in bone marrow hemopoiesis and bone metabolism in men, male mice were orchidectomized (orx) and treated with genistein (0.4-0.8 mg/day) or 17beta-estradiol (E(2); 0.03 microg/day) subcutaneously for 3 weeks. In orx mice, seminal vesicle weight decreased markedly, and it was not affected by the administration of genistein or E(2). The number of bone marrow cells was markedly increased after orx, and the majority was B-220 weakly positive pre-B cells. Increased B-lymphopoiesis was restored completely by E(2) or genistein administration. In orx mice, bone mineral density of the femur decreased markedly, and this bone loss was prevented to a significant extent by treatment with genistein as well as E(2). Histomorphometry showed that the trabecular bone volume in the femoral distal metaphysis decreased markedly after orx, and genistein and E(2) prevented this bone loss. These results suggest that soybean isoflavones prevent bone loss due to androgen deficiency in males.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the detection of fetal structural abnormalities by the 11-14 week scan. 2853 pregnant women were submitted to a routine ultrasound scan between the 11th and 14th week and the fetal skull, brain, spine, abdominal wall, limbs, stomach and bladder were examined. Following the scans the patients were examined in the second or third trimester of pregnancy. An isolated increased nuchal translucency was not considered an abnormality. However, these patients had an early echocardiography assessment. Fetal structural abnormalities were classified as major or minor and of early or late onset. A total of 130 (4.6%) defects were identified and 29 (22.3%) of these were diagnosed at the 11-14 week scan, including nine cardiac defects associated with increased nuchal translucency. The antenatal ultrasound detection rate was 71.5%, and 31.2% were detected in the first-trimester assessment. 78.8% of the major defects were diagnosed by the prenatal scan and 37.8% by the 11-14 week scan. Fetal structural abnormalities at the 11-14 week scan were detected in approximately 22.3% of the cases, therefore, a second-trimester anomaly scan is important in routine antenatal care to increase the prenatal detection of fetal defects.

Intense femtosecond pulses of infrared light are frequently used to manipulate molecules. It is now shown that such control even extends to making different molecular eigenstates interfere with each other — an effect that could potentially pave the way to using molecules for quantum information processing.

We have developed the “attosecond phase modulator” (APM) for the manipulation of optical phases with an accuracy of attoseconds. The interference of two 300 fs laser pulses at 252 nm has been taken by using this APM; the time delay between those two pulses is tuned with an accuracy of attoseconds by APM to induce constructive and destructive interferences. The interferogram measured by scanning the time delay shows a high-frequency oscillation with a period of 840 as. Quantum mechanical calculations have been performed to demonstrate that APM is useful in manipulating the relative phase of two nuclear wave packets created in a single molecule and controlling their interference with an accuracy of attoseconds. Applications of such an ultraprecise phase-manipulation technique are discussed to propose a possible new field of science and technology which we call the “attosecond wave-packet engineering”.

Resonant Auger transitions from the 3d-15p photoexcited states in Kr to the 4s-14p-15p and 4s-25p levels and subsequent Auger decay to the 4p4 and 4s4p5 states of Kr2+ are studied by means of angle-resolved electron spectroscopy. The angular anisotropy parameters β are determined for most of the prominent lines in the spectrum of emitted electrons. It is found that the first-step spectator transitions are strongly anisotropic, while the second-step participator transitions are almost isotropic. Extensive multiconfiguration Dirac-Fock calculations are performed which include correlations in all of the states involved. Noticeable improvements are achieved in comparison with early calculations. The energy position of the main spectral lines and their intensities are described satisfactorily. It turns out that the interference effects due to coherent excitation of resonances influence the anisotropy of the Auger emission significantly. The calculated β parameters agree very well with the experiment.

The Auger emission following the resonant excitation of the ${\mathrm{BCl}}_{3}$ molecule has been investigated using monochromatized synchrotron radiation. The B $1s$ excitation to the unoccupied Anti-bonding ${4e}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ orbital enhances the shoulder structure in the low kinetic energy side of the photoemission from the ${2e}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ valence bonding orbital. Based on a series of quantum mechanical calculations, this shoulder structure is interpreted as the dynamical Auger emission which reflects the B-Cl stretching nuclear motion and appears as a result of the purely multistate vibronic coupling effect among the Jahn-Teller split B ${1s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{4e}^{\ensuremath{'}}{E}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ states and the closely lying B ${1s}^{\ensuremath{-}1}{3a}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}{A}_{1}^{\ensuremath{'}}$ state.

Angle-resolved energetic-ion yield spectra have been observed in the O 1s excitation region of H2O and D2O with the incident photon-energy resolution better than 14 000 . Vibrational structures appear in most of the Rydberg members and are ascribed to the bending vibrations. The assignments of the electronic states are established on the basis of the angular distribution data for the energetic ions.

We have performed the fs pump–probe experiment on the B→a nonadiabatic transition in the Hg–CO vdW complex. It is found that the transition occurs near the point where Hg and CO come nearest to each other on the B-state surface with a probability of 0.07 for their single encounter. This experiment serves as the first observation of the wave packet dynamics associated with an intermolecular energy flow in the vdW interaction.

We describe two Japanese female patients with pigmented extramammary Paget’s disease (EMPD); one patient had a dark brown plaque and the other had a reddish patch with a pigmented area, both affecting the vulval region. Histochemical and immunohistochemical examinations confirmed EMPD with melanocyte colonization; plump tumour cells with a large nucleus and pale cytoplasm that were positive for CAM 5.2 and CEA proliferated singly or in nests in the epidermis, and scattered among the tumour cells were many dendritic cells with a large amount of melanin that were positive for HMB-45 and S-100 protein. Fontana–Masson (FM) stain showed many positive cells with well-developed dendritic processes within and around tumour nests. Histochemical and immunohistochemical studies of non-pigmented EMPD cases on the same region showed that HMB-45 positive cells were sparse or not detected at all, and that also FM staining-positive cells were decreased or not detected, and their dendritic processes were poorly formed. The present study suggests that there might be heterogeneity in EMPD in terms of relationships between Paget’s cells and melanocytes.

We have determined the ratio of the s and d Auger-decay amplitudes and their phase difference for the resonant Auger transition 2p 3 24s ! 3s213p214s 2P from the measurement of the angular correlation between the resonant Auger emission and the subsequent second-step Auger emission, as well as the angular distribution measurements for these two electron emissions. The analysis of the experimental data is based on the nonrelativistic LSJ coupling approximation.

We have measured the c–X laser excitation spectra of the Hg–N2 and CO collisional quasimolecules for the formation of Hg (6 3 P 2 ) and Hg (6 3 P 1 ) in the far wings of the Hg 6 1 S 0 – 6 3 P 2 dipole-forbidden line. These are the first observations of the c–X bands in Hg–molecule systems. It is found that Hg (6 3 P 1 ) is efficiently produced via a nonadiabatic transition from the c state. This is in striking contrast with the Hg–rare gas cases where no nonadiabatic processes have been observed.

Angle-resolved measurements of the autoionization electrons from the decay of the 5dnp resonances in the wavelength region just above the first ionization limit of barium are presented. We have used a UV laser to provide high resolution and almost 100% plane-polarized light. Angular distribution parameters measured at the peak positions for some of the resonances are compared with the values expected for pure jK and jj couplings and with theoretical values obtained by R-matrix calculations. Experimental angle-resolved autoionization profiles are also compared with theoretical calculations.

La{sub 1{minus}x}Sr{sub x}MnO{sub y} with 0.0 {le} x {le} 0.6, which reveals very interesting physical properties such as ferromagnetism and metallic resistivity, can easily be synthesized by the conventional solid state reaction. In the case of the composition of x > 0.6, they cannot be synthesized by the normal synthesis but by the two-stage solid state reaction, which at first makes the oxygen-deficient state at high temperature and then inserts oxygen by O{sub 2} annealing at low temperature. Nevertheless all of obtained compound is single phase cubic perovskite structure, ferromagnetism and metallic property observed in the composition range 0.175 {le} x {le} 0.6 are not revealed, cause of drastic change between 0.50 < x < 0.60.

We have investigated the P 2p photoabsorption of a D 3h symmetry molecule PF 5 using angle-resolved ion yield spectroscopy and analyzed it with the help of first-principles calculations within the framework of the DV-Xα method. Nearly isotropic ionic fragmentation is observed irrespective of the symmetries of the excited states and interpreted using a model in which two axial P–F bonds and three equatorial P–F bonds are assumed to have roughly the same rupture probabilities via P 2p Auger decay.

Structure of ferromagnetic BiMnO{sub 3} synthesized at high pressure has been determined by electron diffraction and neutron powder diffraction. This structure is related to a heavily distorted perovskite structure, having monoclinic symmetry, space group C2, with a = 9.5323(6) {angstrom}, b = 5.6064(3) {angstrom}, C = 9.8535(7) {angstrom}, and {beta} = 110.667(5){degree}. The distortion is caused by a polarized Bi 6s{sup 2} lone pair. Every trivalent manganese cation reveals the Jahn-Teller distortion and ordering of a vacant d{sub x{sup 2}{minus}y{sup 2}} orbital is suggested to play an important role for the ferromagnetism.