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Pulmonary sarcoidosis may occasionally present with large bullae, but the clinical implications of this finding remain unclear. We herein report the complete clinical course of a case of pulmonary bullous sarcoidosis. Chest computed tomography initially showed subpleural and peribronchovascular lung opacities, and bullae spontaneously developed in adjacent less-affected regions, probably via a retraction mechanism. Bullae progression was refractory to corticosteroid treatment and associated with deterioration of respiratory symptoms. The later phase involved repeated bacterial and fungal infections of the bullous lungs, eventually causing respiratory failure and mortality. Postmortem examinations revealed aggressive pulmonary Mycobacterium avium infection and diffuse alveolar damage.

For a system with inputs and outputs, a nonparametric regression has been proposed to clarify the relationship between inputs and outputs from a large amount of data. To improve estimation accuracy for the Nadaraya-Watson regression which is one of the nonparametric regressions, the regression with k-nearest neighbor crossover kernel, in which the kernel function by using neighborhood for each sample point in a sample set is made, is an effective method. However, there is a problem that the calculation time for estimation of this regression is very long, because it is needed to use all kernel functions made for all sample points. In this paper, we propose an estimation method with a fast approximation by using a few selected kernel functions instead of all kernel functions. These kernel functions are those made for only sample points included in neighborhood with the point that we want to estimate for. By this estimation method with a fast approximation, we show that the calculation time for estimation is short, and the estimation accuracy for the proposed method does not degrade, compared to that for a conventional estimation method without approximation. Moreover, we show theoretical aspects of the proposed approximation method for the regression with k-nearest neighbor crossover kernel.

The new experimental results and analysis of the microwave spectra of HCOO13CH3 in the second methyl torsional excited state are reported. Pseudo-principal axis method (pseudo-PAM) was successfully applied to the normal methyl formate in the second torsional excited state and again applied to this isotopologue. We succeeded to assign 536 A-species transitions up to J = 33 and Ka = 15 and 417 E-species transitions up to J = 32 and Ka = 14. Thirty parameters were used to do the least-squares-analysis by using the pseudo-PAM Hamiltonian consisting of rotational, centrifugal distortion, and internal-rotational constants.

A tetracyanoquaterthienoquinoid (TCT4Q)-based field effect transistor is characterized by the ambipolar transfer characteristics and the facile shift of the threshold voltage induced by the bias stress. The trapping and detrapping kinetics of charge carriers was investigated in detail by the temperature dependence of the decay of source-drain current (ISD). We found a repeatable formation of a molecular floating gate is derived from a ‘charge carrier-and-gate’ cycle comprising four stages, trapping of mobile carriers, formation of a floating gate, induction of oppositely charged mobile carriers, and recombination between mobile and trapped carriers to restore the initial state.

Boronium complexes bearing a 9-borabicyclononane framework with a bipyridine-type ligand display photoinduced solid-state coloring behavior. While the identity of the substituents on the boron atom is critical to gain photoresponsive capability, modifying the nitrogen-containing ligand structure and its substituents provides a wide variation in the photoinduced solid color.

The diacetylene-group connected chromatic system of [octaethylporphyrin]-[spacer]-[Lewis base] triads (OEP-SPC-LB) was conclusively studied, in which a trigger-like interaction of the terminal LB with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) dramatically affects the inherent electronic properties of OEP. The 1H NMR, IR, and electronic absorption spectral properties of these OEP derivatives were examined, and were contemplated in view of a cooperative effect of SPC and LB on their OEP nucleus. Based on the results from this study, the structural elements for molecular design will be proposed in order to improve their reversible spectral changes between neutral and acidic media in terms of sensitivity, stability, and visibility to TFA.

Three isomeric difuran analogs of phenanthrene, including benzo[1,2-b;6,5-b′]difuran (3O), benzo[1,2-b;4,3-b′]difuran (4O) and benzo[1,2-b;3,4-b′]difuran (5O) have prepared and their properties investigated systematically. Compared with benzo[1,2-b;4,5-b′]difuran (1O) and benzo[1,2-b;5,4-b′]difuran (2O), there were pronounced differences in the fluorescence quantum yields of 3O–5O. Consideration of the absorption and fluorescence spectra, cyclic voltammograms and B3LYP/6-31G(d,p) calculations revealed that 4O had the highest electron-donating/accepting characteristics of all of the compounds prepared in this study. The lower electron-donating/accepting properties of 5O were attributed to the shorter chain length of it π-conjugated system. The unexpectedly high electron-donating and low electron-accepting properties of 3O were attributed to changes in the radical cationic and anionic states, respectively. The energy levels of the highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals of the thiophene and selenophene analogs of 3O–5O have also been calculated, and their relative energies explained in a similar manner.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess university students’ physical activity by the pedometer and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).Methods: Ten healthy university students (6 men, 4 women) wore a pedometer (Lifecorder GS; Suzuken Co., Nagoya) for 7 days. Then the subjects replied questions about their physical activity using IPAQ.Results: The mean±SD number of daily steps was 5,528±2,200 on school days and 7,279±3,540 on weekends. Among students with a part time job, there were more daily steps on weekends than on school days (P < 0.05). Daily energy expenditure estimated by IPAQ and by pedometer were significantly correlated (r = 0.885). The daily energy expenditure assessed by pedometer, however, was significantly higher than by IPAQ (pedometer: 1986±308 kcal, IPAQ: 1679±578 kcal, P < 0.05).Conclusion: This study confirms that university student physical activity is affected by a part time job.

[Purpose] To compare the appearance time of the ventilatory threshold point and the electromyographic threshold in the activity of the vastus lateralis, rectus femoris, biceps femoris long head and gastrocnemius lateral head muscles during ramp cycling exercise in elderly males. [Subjects and Methods] Eleven community dwelling elderly males participated in this study. Subjects performed exercise testing with an expiratory gas analyzer and surface electromyography to evaluate the tested muscle activities during ramp exercise. [Results] The electromyographic threshold for rectus femoris was not valid because the slope after electromyographic threshold was not significant as compared to that before electromyographic threshold. The slope of the regression line for vastus lateralis was significantly decreased after electromyographic threshold while biceps femoris and gastrocnemius were increased. The electromyographic threshold appearance times for vastus lateralis and gastrocnemius were significantly earlier than ventilatory threshold point. There were no difference in electromyographic threshold appearance times among three muscles. [Conclusion] These results suggest that the increase in the slope of the regression line after electromyographic threshold for vastus lateralis was decreased, possibly indicating to postpone muscular fatigue resulting from the activation of biceps femoris and gastrocnemius as biarticular antagonists. This recruitment pattern might be an elderly-specific strategy.

The purpose of this study was to measure the reproducibility and availability of visual functions by the software, 'Perception Trainer'. Thirty five university students, aged 20.9±2.7 years, (mean±SD), performed the 4 visual function tests using a personal computer. Visual Reaction Time (VRT), Dynamic Visual Acuity (DVA), Selection Response (SR), and Perception Judgment (PJ), each test was 10 questions. The subjects required to replay a question within 10 seconds. In the reproducibility test of visual function, the averages of VRT, DVA, SR, and PJ were not different between 1st and 2nd tests. The median scores of VRT, DVA, SR, and PJ were 7, 6, 8, and 6, respectively. The data from DVA and PJ were a normal distribution. On the other hand, the data from VRT and SR were not a normal distribution. The results of this study confirmed the reproducibility of the 4 visual functions. The availability could not be completely confirmed.

The extended π-electronic conjugation system of the (octaethylporphyrin)-(dihexylbithiophene)-(Lewis base) triads [OEP-DHBTh-LB] exhibits the proton-mediated reversible changes in both 1H NMR and UV–vis spectra via two-step processes, reflecting the structural features of DHBTh and LB constituents. The spectral changes of OEP-DHBTh-LB with trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) were quantitatively examined by means of 1H NMR spectral measurement and comparatively analyzed in terms of stereo-electronically controlled effects of DHBTh and LB constituents on its reversibly transformable chromatic system. Successively, based on the minimum amount of TFA necessary for completion of spectral changes at respective steps, the sensitivity and stability of OEP-DHBTh-LB to TFA were evaluated, from the viewpoint of the interactive behavior of the lone pair electrons on N atom in LB with the extended OEP constituent. The present study provides a useful guideline of the molecular design for further sophisticated OEP-based chromatic system with proton-sensing functionality.

Heat treatment of Li2S–P2S5 glasses to transform the glass to a glass ceramic enhances the ionic conductivity by precipitating a Li7P3S11 metastable crystalline phase with high ionic conductivity. Although the precipitated phase is identical, the conductivity achieved varies depending on the heat treatment conditions. Solid-state 31P MAS NMR spectroscopy to investigate the structure of the glass ceramic in this study revealed a strong correlation between the ionic conductivity and the degree of crystallisation, in which the conductivity of the glass ceramic increased with increasing proportion of metastable Li7P3S11 phase.

Based on the fact that anthracene (Anth) possesses much higher similarity in electron-releasing ability to porphyrin nucleus than the other polyacenes, the dimeric octaethylporphyrin (OEP) derivatives 4 and 5 (OEP–Anth–OEP) were synthesized and their structure–property relationships were examined, as compared with related OEP dimers 1 – 3 . Among them, the derivative 4 showed enormously high electronic communication between two terminal OEP rings, potentially providing a suitable unit of the electronic structure for molecular design of the OEP devices operating with less energy and with higher sensitivity to outside stimuli.

Tris(4-amino-2,6-dimethylphenyl)borane (1), a triarylborane bearing an unsubstituted amino group on all of its aryl substituents, and related triarylboranes were synthesized via Ullmann condensation. The facile dehydration reactions of 1 with benzaldehyde and nitrosobenzene gave tris[4-(benzylidenamino)-2,6-dimethylphenyl]borane and tris[2,6-dimethyl-4-(phenylazo)phenyl]borane, respectively. These triarylboranes bear an extended π-conjugated system bridged by a nitrogen-containing π-linker on each of their aryl groups. UV–vis absorption spectra and theoretical calculations revealed that the π-conjugated system of the triarylborane was effectively extended by utilizing the reactivity of the amino groups.

The purpose of this study was to investigate a difference of daily physical activity by the type of transportation to attend university. Thirty six university students (21 males, 15 females) participated in this study. The subjects were classified in four groups (bicycle, motor bicycle, bus and car) by the type of the transportation. Daily physical activity was measured by a pedometer (Lifecorder GS) for 14 days. The pedometer was worn on the right waist. The number of daily steps in the weekday was not found the significant difference in four groups (bicycle : 7,485.3±1,990.2 steps, motor bicycle : 8,033.3±2,940.3 steps, bus : 8,258.3±4,000.9 steps, car : 6,190.5±1,865.1 steps, mean±SD). Energy expenditure estimated by a pedometer was also found not differ significantly by group. The number of daily steps was 7,471±2,859 steps on weekdays and 7,475±3,599 steps during the weekend. We concluded that the difference of daily physical activity by transportation was not found.

An extended π-electronic conjugation system of the 1,1′-bis[ p -( N,N- dimethylaminophenyl)butadiynyl]ferrocene derivative 1 has been synthesized, with our integrated cross-coupling reaction between the corresponding TMS-protected acetylenes in one-pot. Quantitative 1 H NMR and UV–vis spectral studies of 1 have been performed, providing a methodology for molecular functions transformable by a proton-mediated reversible conformation control.

The association between Helicobacter pylori infection and tooth loss has been studied in Western countries; however, this relationship remains controversial. Although the prevalence of H. pylori infection is higher and atrophic gastritis is usually observed in patients with H. pylori infection in Japan unlike that in Western population, no study has examined the association between H. pylori infection and tooth loss. We examined 959 healthy adults who participated in a mass survey. We counted the number of residual teeth and measured both H. pylori stool antigen and serum anti-H. pylori antibodies. Serum pepsinogen levels were measured to determine the presence of atrophic gastritis. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed after adjustments for age, body mass index (BMI), smoking and alcohol habits, and educational background. In men, H. pylori infection was a significantly reduced risk factor for loss of all the teeth even after adjustments for other factors (OR, 0.32; 95% CI, 0.12-0.81; P < 0.05). However, such an association was not found in women (0.91; 0.49-1.69). The calculated OR for the presence of atrophic gastritis among individuals with tooth loss was not significant in both men and women. H. pylori infection was associated with a decreased risk of tooth loss in healthy Japanese men.

An ambipolar field-effect transistor (FET) based on tetracyanoquarterthienoquinoid (TCT4Q) was constructed. When a set of source, drain, and gate voltages were applied to a thin film of TCT4Q at temperatures lower than 150 K, both positive and negative carriers were trapped and frozen even after removal of the gate voltage. The frozen carriers worked as a floating gate with the gradient by creating a PN(NP) junction through the injection of oppositely charged “mobile” carriers. The device exhibited a distinct rectifying effect when an alternating current (50 < f

An extended π-electronic conjugation system of 1,1′-bis(diacetylene-group) connected ferrocene–thiophene derivative has been synthesized, with our integrated reaction between the corresponding TMS-protected acetylenes in one-pot. Its electronic properties have been examined, suggesting a cooperatively functional behavior of the diacetylene-group connected constituents.

Statistical studies using the Cambridge Structural Database have revealed that there are several elongated phenoxide C-O bonds. They are characterized by the formation of 3-fold (or occasionally 2-fold) hydrogen bonds to the phenoxide oxygen atoms, and their mean bond length extends up to 1.320 Å, which is quite different from the theoretically predicted carbon-oxygen bond length of C(6)H(5)O(-) (1.26 Å). Elongated phenoxide C-O bonds associated with the formation of 3-fold hydrogen bonds were also observed in the X-ray structures of proton-transfer complexes (2X-O(-))(TEAH(+))s derived from 5'-X-substituted 5,5''-dimethyl-1,1':3',1''-terphenyl-2,2',2''-triols (2X-OHs, where X = NO(2), CN, COOCH(3), Cl, F, H, and CH(3)) and triethylamine (TEA). By comparing the X-ray structures, C-O bond elongation was found to be only slightly affected by an electron-withdrawing substituent at the para position (X). This along with strong bathochromic shifts of N-H(···O(-)) and O-H(···O(-)) stretching vibrations in the IR spectra indicates that the elongated C-O bonds in (2X-O(-))(TEAH(+))s essentially have single-bond character. This is further confirmed by molecular orbital calculations on a model complex, showing that the negatively charged phenoxide oxygen atom is no longer conjugated to the central benzene ring, and the NICS values of the three benzene rings are virtually identical. However, C-O bond elongation in (2X-O(-))(TEAH(+))s was considerably influenced by a change in the hydrogen-bond geometry. This also suggests that hydrogen bonds significantly affect phenoxide C-O bond elongation.

本研究の目的は、5種類の歩数計の精度を自由な生活環境下で検証することである。7名の被験者(年齢20.4+/-0.5才)は、2種類の歩数計を5日間装着した。一つは基準となる歩数計で、もう一つの歩数計は腰部装着型3種類(EC-200; Yamasa tokei, Welsupport; Nipro Co., HJA-350IT; Omron Co.)、腕時計型(HK-800; Yamasa tokei)、ポケットイン型(HJ-710; Omron Co.)のいずれかをランダムに、それぞれ1日間装着した。1日の歩数は6,123+/-2,027歩、1,974〜10,815歩であった。基準となる歩数計と比較した際、HJA-350ITとHJ-710に有意差が認められた。ポケットイン型の歩数計はポケットの中で動くため、我々はHJ-710の精度は低いと予測していた。しかし、HJA-350ITの歩数が有意に低値を示したことは説明できない。最後に、日常身体活動の調査に歩数計を利用する際には、精度の高い歩数計を使用する必要があると思われた。, The purpose of this study was to investigate accuracy of step count of the 5 pedometers under free-living conditions. Seven young subjects wore two pedometers for 5 days, excluding bath and sleep time. One of the two pedometers, the Lifecorder (LC, Suzuken Co.) was worn on the right side of the waist for 5 days as a criterion. Each subject wore one of the five pedometers randomly for one day each. The 3 waist-type pedometers (EC-200; Yamasa tokei, Welsupport; Nipro Co., HJA-350IT; Omron Co.) were worn on the left side of the waist. A wrist-type pedometer (HK-800; Yamasa tokei) was worn on the right wrist. A pocket-in-type pedometer (HJ-710; Omron Co.) was kept in the left pocket of the subject's trousers. The daily steps of the LC were 6,123+/-2,027 counts (range: 1,974-15,815). Comparing with LC, a significant difference in the daily steps were found using the HJ-710 (p

In contrast to the facile synthon ethynylferrocene for diacetylene ferrocene (Fc) derivatives, 1,1′-diethynylferrocene for the corresponding 1,1′-bis(diacetylene-group)-connected Fc derivatives is ...

1,1′-Diethynylferrocene was readily generated for practical use from the trimethylsilyl-protected precursor under modified Eglinton conditions. An oxidative coupling reaction of this reactive species with phenylacetylene successively took place to afford the corresponding 1,1′-bis(diacetylene) connected ferrocene derivative.

Purpose : The distribution of muscle pain after skiing has not been reported. We planned a short term tour of skiing in Gokase Highland ski area in Miyazaki and investigated the distribution of muscle pain after skiing. Methods : Twenty three subjects (10 male, 13 female) participated in the 2 days skiing. Nine subjects were beginners, 14 subjects had experiences of skiing. After the ski tour, the muscle pain was recorded using a sheet. Results and Discussion : The appearance of muscle pain in an upper arm in the beginner group was higher than the other group. The appearance of muscle pain in a thigh was lower in the beginner group. In general, we know that the muscle pain occurs in the front of thigh after skiing. Snowplow tur "Pflughbogen", often used in a beginner, may occur the muscle pain in a thigh. In this study, the subjects who had experiences of skiing might ski by Snowplow turn.

Background:The purpose of the present investigation was to examine the relationship between age and the intensity of the daily physical activity in men and women, aged 18 to 69 years.Methods:A total 507 volunteers continuously wore a pedometer with a uni-ax-ial accelerometer (Lifecorder, Kenz, Japan) for 7 days, to determine the number of steps (steps/day) as well as the time spent in physical activity (minutes/day) at light (below 3 METs), moderate (3 to 6 METs), and vigorous (above 6 METs) intensities, respectively. All procedures carried out in the present investigation were conducted from 1999 to 2000 in Japan.Results:The time spent in moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity significantly decreased with aging (P < 0.01). In contrast, the middle- to older-aged individuals spent a longer time in light intensity physical activity in comparison with the younger individuals (P < 0.05). Furthermore, these age-associated differences of physical activity were also significant, even though the number of steps did not differ significantly.Conclusions:These results indicate that the intensity of daily physical activity decreases with increasing age regardless of the amount of daily physical activity.

Quinone dimers connected with acetylene (QAQ) and diacetylene linkages (QAAQ) have been synthesized and their structure and electronic properties studied. X-ray analysis, DFT calculations, and UV–vis measurements showed that, unlike directly connected quinone dimers (QQ), they had planar and thus efficiently extended π conjugation systems. The respective reduction potentials of QAQ and QAAQ were considerably raised, and QAQ thereby behaved as a mild oxidizing agent.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of sports drinks on respiratory quotient (RQ) during moderate exercise, Six young male subjects (aged 20 yr) participated in this study, after the informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Subjects performed a maximal test and four exercises at 50% of maximal oxygen uptake (VO[2]max) using a bicycle ergometer. During exercise tests VO[2], carbon dioxide excretion and RQ were measured by the respiratory gas analyzer. Subjects randomly drunk water or three sports drinks (Pocarisweat, VAAM, Gatorade) (200 ml) before 10 min at the beginning of each exercise, then exercised at 50% VO[2]max for 20min. At rest VO[2] and RQ were 3.6±0.4 ml/kg/min and 0.90±0.09, respectively. VO[2] increased 1.6±3.8 ml/kg/min at 20 min exercise (p

［目的］本研究の目的は，変性による第4腰椎の椎体動揺性（前方並進）が間欠性跛行（NIC）に及ぼす影響について検討することであった。［対象］椎体動揺性（前方並進）を呈する変性腰椎すべり症（DLS）を罹患する女性患者28例（65.9±7.9歳）であった。［方法］NICは，神経症状によってそれ以上歩行が継続できない距離（WC）を測定し，それに反映させた。動揺率は矢状面上レントゲン写真を用い，中間位，体幹後屈位，前屈位の3肢位における第5腰椎に対する第4腰椎の前方並進動揺率を測定した。また，機能評価として，指床間距離（FFD），変法ファンクショナルリーチテスト（FR）を，さらにWC測定前に30秒間の静止立位を施行した後，自覚的疼痛強度（VAS）を追加して計測した。［結果］椎体動揺率はWCと有意な関連性を認めなかった。また，FFD，FR，およびVASについても動揺率と関係性はなかったが，FR（ r = .34, p

［目的］本研究の目的は，変性による第4腰椎の前方すべり程度と間欠性跛行（NIC）の関連性を明らかにすることであった。［対象］変性による第4腰椎単独の前方すべりを罹患する女性患者36例（66.9 ±7.7歳）であった。［方法］矢状面上レントゲン写真を用い，中間位，体幹後屈位，前屈位の3肢位における第4腰椎の第5腰椎に対する前方すべり率を測定した。NICは，神経症状によってそれ以上歩行が継続できない距離（WC）を測定し，それに反映させた。また，WC測定前に30秒間の静止立位を施行した後，自覚的疼痛強度（VAS）を測定した。［結果］重回帰分析の結果，WCと唯一，関連を認めたのはVAS（r2=0.268, p

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether there is an association between satisfaction level for daily life and daily physical activity. Twenty five subjects (9 men, 16 women, aged 30 to 69 years) participated in this study, after the informed consent was obtained from all subjects. Daily physical activity was measured by the pedometer (Lifecorder Ex., Suzuken, Japan). The pedometer has an acceleration sensor, and estimates the sum of daily steps and the intensity of physical activities. The pedometer was worn for 14 days. All subjects answered about satisfaction level for daily life using the WHO-QOL26 question sheet. The sum of daily steps was 6, 695±2, 028 steps/day (range : 3, 102-9, 976). and the averaged QOL score was 3.4±0.3 (range : 2.9-4.2). The sex difference was not found in the sum of daily steps and the averaged QOL score each other. There was not a significant correlation between the sum of daily steps and the averaged QOL score. These results cannot suggest that daily physical activity relates to the satisfaction level for daily life. The person, the daily steps more than approximately 3, 000 steps/day, may not be the low satisfaction level for daily life.

Orientational isomers of the octaethylporphyrin–dihexylbithiophene (OEP–DHBTh) derivatives connected with a diacetylene linkage were synthesized, with various electron-withdrawing substituents X at...

The dinucleic octaethylporphyrin (OEP) derivatives described as OEP-(p-Phen)n-OEP (n=1–4) were synthesized, in each of which the porphyrin ring is spaced with p-phenylene group. Their electronic properties were studied, as compared with those of the corresponding dihexylbithiophene (DHBTh) derivatives with head-to-head (HH) and tail-to-tail (TT) orientations. It proves that OEP-(p-Phen)n-OEP possesses an in-between feature of OEP-(HH-DHBTh)n-OEP and OEP-(TT-DHBTh)n-OEP in electronic properties.