Search

The effects of exercise on mechanical hyperalgesia, joint contracture, and muscle injury resulting from immobilization are not completely understood. This study aimed to investigate the effects of cyclic stretching on these parameters in a rat model of chronic post-cast pain (CPCP). Seventeen 8-week-old Wistar rats were randomly assigned to (1) control group, (2) immobilization (CPCP) group, or (3) immobilization and stretching exercise (CPCP+STR) group. In the CPCP and CPCP+STR groups, both hindlimbs of each rat were immobilized in full plantar flexion with a plaster cast for a 4-week period. In the CPCP+STR group, cyclic stretching exercise was performed 6 days/week for 2 weeks, beginning immediately after cast removal prior to reloading. Although mechanical hyperalgesia in the plantar skin and calf muscle, ankle joint contracture, and gastrocnemius muscle injury were observed in both immobilized groups, these changes were significantly less severe in the CPCP+STR group than in the CPCP group. These results clearly demonstrate the beneficial effect of cyclic stretching exercises on widespread mechanical hyperalgesia, joint contracture, and muscle injury in a rat model of CPCP.

Background The diagnostic performance of 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using high-sensitivity cardiac troponin I (hsTnI) for non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) has not been evaluated in an Asian population. Purpose We aimed to prospectively validate the 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using hsTnI in a Japanese population. Method We enrolled 754 Japanese patients (mean age of 70 years, 395 men) presenting to our emergency department with symptoms suggestive of NSTEMI. The hsTnI concentration was measured using the Siemens ADVIA Centaur hsTnI assay at presentation and after 1 hour. Patients were divided into three groups according to the algorithm: hsTnI below 3 ng/L (only applicable if chest pain onset >3 hours) or below 6 ng/L and delta 1 hour below 3 ng/L were the “rule-out” group; hsTnI at least 120 ng/L or delta 1 hour at least 12 ng/L were in the “rule-in” group; the remaining patients were classified as the “observe” group. Based on the Fourth Universal Definition of Myocardial Infarction, the final diagnosis was adjudicated by 2 independent cardiologists using all available information, including coronary angiography, coronary computed tomography, and follow-up data. Safety of rule-out was quantified by the negative predictive value (NPV) for NSTEMI, accuracy of rule-in by the positive predictive value (PPV), and overall efficacy by the proportion of patients triaged towards rule-out or rule-in within 1 hour. Results Prevalence of NSTEMI was 6.5%. The safety of rule-out (NPV 100%), accuracy of rule-in (PPV 26%), and overall efficacy (54%) were shown in Figure. Conclusion The 0-hour/1-hour algorithm using hsTnI is very safe and effective in triaging Japanese patients with suspected NSTEMI. Funding Acknowledgement Type of funding source: None

Transcriptomic imputation approaches combine eQTL reference panels with large-scale genotype data in order to test associations between disease and gene expression. These genic associations could elucidate signals in complex genome-wide association study (GWAS) loci and may disentangle the role of different tissues in disease development. We used the largest eQTL reference panel for the dorso-lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to create a set of gene expression predictors and demonstrate their utility. We applied DLPFC and 12 GTEx-brain predictors to 40,299 schizophrenia cases and 65,264 matched controls for a large transcriptomic imputation study of schizophrenia. We identified 413 genic associations across 13 brain regions. Stepwise conditioning identified 67 non-MHC genes, of which 14 did not fall within previous GWAS loci. We identified 36 significantly enriched pathways, including hexosaminidase-A deficiency, and multiple porphyric disorder pathways. We investigated developmental expression patterns among the 67 non-MHC genes and identified specific groups of pre- and postnatal expression.

Scale formation in geothermal and petroleum plants could seriously damage the efficiency in the production of fluid resources. An elaborate modeling of the phenomena taking the local scale deposition of complex shape into account is extremely effective in the prediction of and the countermeasures to the scale deposition. In this research, we aimed to improve the scale simulation method including a full set of forces acting on silica particles and to stabilize of hydrodynamic calculation. Based on the theory of colloidal particle motion applied in previous researches, we newly considered the Brownian motion, the size distribution of silica particles and the scale deposition rate as a function of hydrodynamic parameters. As for the description of the behavior of fine particles in macroscopic flow in the Eulerian specification of the flow field, we used the Lattice Boltzmann Method. We simulated the scale growth until reaching the flow path to become blocked up to compare the shape of the scale blocks with those observed in geothermal wells. We clarified the significance of scale simulation with physical factors and the versality of the method for general scale growth in fluid conduit.

We report a new, environmentally and economically friendly photocatalytic process with unprecedentedly high activity for partial cyclohexane oxidation. Mesoporous silicas containing isolated tetrahedrally coordinated Ti and Fe oxide nanoparticles immobilized on the pore surface were synthesized by reacting SBA-15 with Ti(IV) acetylacetonate and Fe(III) acetylacetonate successively. A variety of characterizations suggested that the grafted tetrahedrally coordinated Ti species were coupled with Fe oxide nanoparticles via Ti–O–Fe bonds. The SBA-15 photocatalysts showed a high yield (up to sub-mmol) and nearly 100% selectivity for the production of cyclohexanol and cyclohexanone with molecular O2 under solar light. The unprecedentedly high activity could be explained by the lengthened lifetime of the active Ti species by electron delocalization over Ti–O–Fe bonds and the visible light (λ > 420 nm)-induced activity endowed by Fe oxide nanoparticles coupled to the Ti species.

Summary The Musadake geothermal field area is located at the eastern Hokkaido, Japan. Geothermal explorations such as geological and geophysical surveys had been carried out in this area and successive drilling was conducted. Recently the JOGMEC conducted helicopter-borne geophysical surveys such as AGG and HELITEM in the area. Subsequently to these surveys, a high-resolution aeromagnetic survey has been conducted using a stinger mounted helicopter-borne system to better understand the detailed subsurface structure. The survey was aimed mainly at locating intrusions associated with geothermal resources and their boundaries in which geothermal fluid can be transported. The resultant high-resolution aeromagnetic map and 3D magnetic imaging results imply the relationship between the magnetic structure and geothermal signature as well as the existence of an unknown intrusion along the structural boundary.

The buildup of silica scale inside geothermal pipes and wells has serious impacts on the power generation efficiency in geothermal systems. There have been a large number of studies on controlling silica scale. However, silica deposition estimated by simple chemical kinetics cannot give a rational explanation of the complicated features empirically observed in laboratory and field experiments. The aim of this research is to investigate physical effects on silica particles and calculate scale precipitation rate quantitatively with a method of numerical simulation. We regarded silica scale as colloidal particles and analyzed the particle behavior by solving the motion equation of a particle. In this process, we computed the time required for the particle diffusion to the vicinity of wall surface by considering various physical reactions including hydrodynamic process, Brownian motion, particle-wall interaction, particle size, etc. In addition, we calculated the probability of particle re-entrainment from wall surface, which can be applied to CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics). Our simulation results showed good agreement with an experimental data. Concerning the quantitative prediction of silica deposition, we emphasize the importance of physical effects on silica scaling.

Copy number variants (CNVs) have been strongly implicated in the genetic etiology of schizophrenia (SCZ). However, genome-wide investigation of the contribution of CNV to risk has been hampered by limited sample sizes. We sought to address this obstacle by applying a centralized analysis pipeline to a SCZ cohort of 21,094 cases and 20,227 controls. A global enrichment of CNV burden was observed in cases (odds ratio (OR) = 1.11, P = 5.7 x 10(-15)), which persisted after excluding loci implicated in previous studies (OR = 1.07, P = 1.7 x 10(-6)). CNV burden was enriched for genes associated with synaptic function (OR = 1.68, P = 2.8 x 10(-11)) and neurobehavioral phenotypes in mouse (OR = 1.18, P = 7.3 x 10(-5)). Genome-wide significant evidence was obtained for eight loci, including 1q21.1, 2p16.3 (NRXN1), 3q29, 7q11.2, 15q13.3, distal 16p11.2, proximal 16p11.2 and 22q11.2. Suggestive support was found for eight additional candidate susceptibility and protective loci, which consisted predominantly of CNVs mediated by nonallelic homologous recombination.

Chronic periodontitis is a silent infectious disease prevalent worldwide and affects lifestyle-related diseases. Therefore, efficient screening of patients is essential for general health. This study was performed to evaluate prospectively the diagnostic utility of a blood IgG antibody titer test against periodontal pathogens. Oral examination was performed, and IgG titers against periodontal pathogens were measured by ELISA in 1,387 individuals. The cut-off value of the IgG titer was determined in receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, and changes in periodontal clinical parameters and IgG titers by periodontal treatment were evaluated. The relationships between IgG titers and severity of periodontitis were analyzed. The best cut-off value of IgG titer against Porphyromonas gingivalis for screening periodontitis was 1.682. Both clinical parameters and IgG titers decreased significantly under periodontal treatment. IgG titers of periodontitis patients were significantly higher than those of healthy controls, especially in those with sites of probing pocket depth over 4 mm. Multiplied cut-off values were useful to select patients with severe periodontitis. A blood IgG antibody titer test for Porphyromonas gingivalis is useful to screen hitherto chronic periodontitis patients (ClinicalTrials.gov number NCT01658475).

The inherent anisotropy of soft sedimentary rock is a very important factor that influences the mechanical behavior of the rock. The confining-stress dependency of the shear stress ratio at the critical state, briefly referred to as the confining-stress dependency, is another important factor that should be taken into consideration when discussing the mechanical behavior of the rock. In this paper, based on an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive model for soft sedimentary rock ( Zhang et al., 2005 ), a new model capable of describing both the inherent anisotropy and the confining-stress dependency of soft sedimentary rock is proposed in the framework of generalized stress space, called the tij concept ( Nakai and Mihara, 1984 ), and the subloading yield surface ( Hashiguchi and Ueno, 1977 , Hashiguchi, 1989 ). In order to describe the confining-stress dependency, an evolution equation for the shear stress ratio at the critical state M⁎ is introduced. A transformed stress, proposed by Boehler and Sawczuk (1977) and first introduced into a constitutive model by Oka et al. (2002) , is also adopted into the model. In order to examine the performance of the newly proposed model, triaxial compression tests for soft sedimentary rock under different loading conditions were simulated and the results have been compared with the corresponding test results obtained from the authors and other researches available in the literature. It is found that the model can describe both the inherent anisotropy and the confining-stress dependency of soft sedimentary rock using a set of parameters with a fixed value for a given material.

Two methods to select columns for assigning factors to work on supersaturated designs are proposed. The focus of interest is the degree of non-orthogonality between the selected columns. One method is the exhaustive enumeration of selections of p columns from all k columns to find the exact optimality, while the other is intended to find an approximate solution by applying techniques used in the corresponding analysis, aiming for ease of use as well as a reduction in the large computing time required for large k with the first method. Numerical illustrations for several typical design matrices reveal that the resulting “approximately” optimal assignments of factors to their columns are exactly optimal for any p . Ordering the columns in E( s 2 )-optimal designs results in promising new findings including a large number of E( s 2 )-optimal designs.

Summary What is known and Objective: Montelukast, a cysteinyl leukotriene receptor 1 antagonist, is safe and efficacious in patients with asthma. The mechanisms underlying the significant interpatient variability in response to montelukast are not clear but are believed to be, in part, because of genetic variability. Methods: To examine the associations between polymorphisms in candidate genes in the leukotriene pathway and outcomes in patients with asthma on montelukast for 4–8 weeks, we evaluated the changes in peak expiratory flow (PEF), forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1·0) and patients’ subjective symptom before and after montelukast treatment. DNA was collected from 252 Japanese participants. Results and Discussion: Two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the ALOX5 (rs2115819) and LTA4H (rs2660845) genes were successfully typed. There was no difference between members of the general population (n = 200) and patients (n = 52) in each genotype frequency. Significant associations were found between SNP genotypes in the LTA4H gene and changes in PEF and FEV1·0. The PEF and FEV1·0 responses to montelukast in the A/A genotypes (n = 4) for the LTA4H SNP were significantly higher than those in the G allele carriers (A/G+G/G) (n = 17). What is new and Conclusion: Despite the small sample size, our results suggest that genetic variation in leukotriene pathway candidate genes contributes to variability in clinical responses to montelukast in Japanese patients with asthma.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system. Tumefactive MS (TMS) is a subtype of MS characterized by solitary or multiple mass lesions with open-ring enhancement on brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Three TMS cases, diagnosed histopathologically by brain biopsy, that were difficult to distinguish from brain tumors or brain abscesses on MRI are presented. On T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) the lesions were high intensity in the center and periphery, with open-ring contrast enhancement at the periphery; iso- to low intensity areas (“T2 low rim”) were seen in the surrounding region. Histopathological examination revealed the characteristic features of TMS: severe central demyelination and focal necrosis, peripheral neovascularization and perivascular inflammatory cell infiltration, and perifocal edema. On immunochemistry, both the endothelial cells of the neovasculature and the surrounding macrophages in the periphery expressed vascular endothelial growth factor and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, which mediate inflammation and angioneogenesis and increase vascular permeability. These findings correspond to the T2 low rim co-localizing with the site of gadolinium enhancement on MRI. Thus, the present study clearly demonstrates the correlation between the radiological features and the pathophysiological aspects of TMS, which may contribute to more precise diagnosis of TMS.

We experimentally observed the time dependence of the spin populations of spin-2 87Rb Bose–Einstein condensates confined in an optical trap. The condensed atoms were initially populated in the stretched states |F=2,mF=+2〉 and |F=2,mF=−2〉 with several varieties of population imbalances. No spin-exchange collisions were observed in a weak magnetic field of 45 mG. The atom loss rate depended on the observed relative population of spin-states. We calculated the loss rate due to two-body inelastic collisions with the population imbalance using an experimentally estimated rate of 17.0(±1.9)×10−14 cm3 s−1 under the population balance. The calculations were in good agreement with the measurements. Our results show that the dependence of inelastic collisions on spin channels plays an important role in the time-evolution of spin populations.

Progression of the disability of multiple sclerosis (MS) is thought to be related to axonal damage that is seen even in normal appearing white matter (NAWM) of patients' brains. Interferon beta (IFNβ) treatment for MS reduces the frequency of clinical exacerbations and the appearance of new inflammatory demyelinating lesions on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, the effect of IFNβ treatment on axonal damage in MS is not known. The present study aimed to assess the effect of IFNβ on axonal function by comparing the data from localised single voxel proton MR spectroscopy (MRS) performed on eight MS patients given IFNβ-1b treatment and 11 untreated patients. Brain MRI and MRS were performed before the initiation of IFNβ-1b treatment and 24 months after treatment initiation. Levels of N-acetylaspartate (NAA), choline-containing compounds (Cho) and creatine (Cr) were calculated as the areas under their peaks shown on MRS and the ratios of NAA/Cr and Cho/Cr were calculated. In the patients treated with IFNβ-1b there was a significant increase in the ratio of NAA/Cr in NAWM (p=0.028) at 24 months after the initiation of treatment. In contrast, there was no significant change in the NAA/Cr ratio in the untreated patients. These results suggest that IFNβ-1b treatment might recover axonal function in NAWM of MS patients.

Background Colonoscopic and clinical differences between primary ileocolonic mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphoma and mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) have not been defined. Methods We reviewed colonoscopic and clinical features in eight patients with primary MALT lymphoma and eight patients with MCL in the terminal ileum and/or colorectum. All cases were examined for CD5 and/or cyclin D1 expression. Results Endoscopic features of MALT lymphoma were characterized as protrusions that were covered with normal-appearing mucosa with or without ulceration. The gross appearances of MALT lymphomas were categorized as solitary (4 patients), multiple (3 patients), and multiple lymphomatous polyposis (MLP) (1 patient). The gross features of MCL at endoscopy were categorized as multiple protrusions (2 patients), and MLP (6 patients). The clinical stages of patients with MCL were more advanced than in patients with MALT lymphoma. Conclusions Solitary or multiple protrusions at an early clinical stage is the most common presentation pattern of patients with MALT lymphoma, but an MLP appearance at an early stage is also possible. On the other hand, MLP appearance with an advanced clinical stage is the main presentation pattern in patients with MCL, although multiple protrusions with an early clinical stage is also possible. Histological and immunohistochemical investigation including that of cyclin D1 and CD5 expression is essential to make the final diagnosis.

This paper reports a new mountain tunneling method which yielded good results in Baikoh Tunnel construction. Since tunnels in urban areas, in many cases, are driven through soft ground with groundwater and in locations close to various utilities and structures, maintaining the structural stability of not only the tunnels but also such nearby existing structures is of utmost importance. In order to solve these problem, two methods have been developed: an auxiliary method to restrict displacements which consists of the special jet grouting for foot piles and the long steel pipe forepiling, and a boring method for groundwater drainage which does not cause adverse effects on tunnel construction. Using these methods in combination, the new mountain tunneling method is a useful means for constructing tunnels with shallow overburden in soft ground in urban areas. This method is called the new urban tunneling method. This method is cost-effective compared with other tunneling methods, especially for short urban tunnels with shallow overburden. Therefore, this method will be used in many future tunnel projects in urban areas subjects to various restrictions.

To determine whether increased background activities in early-stage Parkinson disease (PD) contribute to a higher amplitude of P3 of event-related potentials, we characterized the alpha wave of background activity in Parkinson disease. Included in the study were 18 early-stage Parkinson disease patients without dementia and 17 age-matched patient controls without neurological disease. Visual inspection revealed increased amplitude, slower frequency, increased amount, and less occipital dominancy of alpha wave in Parkinson disease patients compared with controls. Amplitude spectra calculated with fast Fourier transform revealed slower occipital lead peak frequency in Parkinson disease patients. EEG findings in Parkinson disease without dementia demonstrated statistically significant differences from controls. Increased background activities possibly contribute to a higher amplitude of P3.

Proportions of maturing fish and reproductive output [egg size relative fecundity, spermatocrit and gonado-somatic index (I G )] were studied in repeat-spawning (+4 year old) male and female Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus. subjected to periods of fasting. Groups of individually tagged Arctic charr were fasted for c. 3, 6, 7 and 9 months, from November 1998. In the period February to November 1999, size (fork length and mass), specific growth rate (G), condition factor (K) and plasma concentrations of growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-I), oestradiol-17β (E 2 : females) and I 1-ketotestosterone (11KT; males), were monitored monthly. Maturing fish in each group started to gain mass soon after food was made available, and both sexes reached the highest K and G c. 2 months after the onset of feeding. The fasting regimes resulted in different growth patterns during spring and summer when energy stores are normally replenished in Arctic charr, and K prior to the breeding season was significantly higher in the groups fasted for 3 and 6 months compared to the groups fasted for 7 and 9 months. There were significant positive correlations between K during the period prior to the breeding season and reproductive output in terms of the I G . spermatocrit and relative fecundity. There was, however, no clear relationship between the length of starvation and the proportion of maturing fish. Likewise, no clear relationships were found between reproductive development and plasma levels of GH and IGF-I, although both showed marked seasonal changes, being 'down-regulated' during winter months and 'up-regulated' throughout summer months.

Nicotine is responsible for smoking dependence and is mainly metabolised by CYP2A6. Several types of genetic polymorphism of CYP2A6 have been reported, but their relation to smoking habit and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) phenotypes has not been fully clarified.203 current or ex-smokers (lifelong cigarette consumption (CC)/=10 pack years) with subclinical and established COPD phenotypes were clinically evaluated and pulmonary function tests and a chest CT scan were performed (smoker group). The non-smoker group consisted of 123 healthy volunteers. CYP2A6 genotypes were determined in both groups.The percentage of subjects with a CYP2A6del allele (genotype D) was lower in heavy smokers (20.5%, n=88, CC/=60 pack years) than in light smokers (37.4%, n=115, CC 10-59 pack years, chi(2)=6.8, p=0.01) or non-smokers (36.1%, n=122, chi(2)=6.0, p=0.01); lower in ex-smokers (20.7%, n=111) than in current smokers (41.3%, n=92, chi(2)=10.1, p0.01); and lower in smokers with a high LAA (low attenuation area) score on the chest CT scan (18.4%, n=76, LAA/=8.0) than in those with a low LAA score (37.0%, n=127, LAA8.0, chi(2)=7.8, p0.01).Subjects with the CYP2A6del allele tend not to be heavy habitual smokers but can be light habitual smokers. The CYP2A6del polymorphism may inhibit smokers from giving up smoking, but appears to function as a protective factor against the development of pulmonary emphysema independent of smoking habit.

Luminescence properties of In x Ga 1-x N/GaN multiple quantum wells (MQWs) with various In compositions have been studied by means of photoluminescence excitation (PLE) spectroscopy. The clear peak due to the absorption of In x Ga 1-x N quantum wells was observed in the PLE spectrum of the MQW sample with x < 0.01 at 4 K, and the Stokes shift was estimated to be 63 meV. It was found from temperature-dependent PLE measurements that the Stokes shift was independent of temperature up to 300 K. This result suggests that the large Stokes shift cannot be explained only by the effect of carrier localization due to compositional fluctuation.

We present observations of the 3P1-3P0 fine structure transition of atomic carbon [CI], the J=3-2 transition of CO, as well as of the J=1-0 transitions of 13CO and C18O toward DR15, an HII region associated with two mid-infrared dark clouds (IRDCs). The 13CO and C18O J=1-0 emissions closely follow the dark patches seen in optical wavelength, showing two self-gravitating molecular cores with masses of 2000 Msun and 900 Msun, respectively, at the positions of the catalogued IRDCs. Our data show a rough spatial correlation between [CI] and 13CO J=1-0. Bright [CI] emission occurs in relatively cold gas behind the molecular cores, neither in highly excited gas traced by CO J=3-2 emission nor in HII region/molecular cloud interface. These results are inconsistent with those predicted by standard photodissociation region (PDR) models, suggesting an origin for interstellar atomic carbon unrelated to photodissociation processes., Comment: 11 pages Latex, 6 figures, Accepted for publication in The Astrophysical Journal