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Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the blood concentration of levetiracetam (LEV), as a second-line drug, in patients with status epilepticus (SE) in an emergency clinical setting. Methods: We prospectively evaluated 20 consecutive patients with SE admitted to our department between July 2017 and July 2019. LEV (2500 mg) was administered via bolus infusion after diazepam infusion, followed by 500 mg every 12 h for 48 h and then 500 mg orally. The primary outcomes were LEV blood concentration 15 min, 12 h, 48 h, and 96 h after administration and the proportion of patients showing trough LEV concentration within the therapeutic range. The secondary outcomes were the discontinuation of apparent convulsive seizure, epileptic wave on electroencephalogram, tracheal intubation, adverse events related to blood parameters, and abnormal findings in vital signs examination. Results: Median blood LEV (2500 mg) concentration at 15 min after administration was 81.6 μg/mL. The median trough concentration after 12, 48, and 96 h was 28.8, 10.5, and 9.1 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, 95% of patients had trough concentration above the lower limit of the therapeutic blood concentration (>12 μg/mL) after 12 h. Regarding secondary outcomes, endotracheal intubation, seizure suppression, and abnormal electroencephalogram findings were observed in approximately 40%, 90%–95%, and 41% of patients, respectively. No abnormal findings were noted in blood tests and vital sign examination, although the AST/ALT levels increased in 10% of the patients. Conclusion: After bolus administration of 2500 mg, the blood LEV concentration reached the therapeutic window in patients with early-stage SE.

Liver transplantation is one of the treatments for haemophilic patients having severe liver cirrhosis who are infected with the hepatitis C virus. Patients with haemophilia can develop arthroplasty requiring surgical intervention, and the surgical outcomes of patients undergoing such procedures after liver transplant has not been reported. Treatment for arthropathy is important for improving the quality of life for patients who survive after liver transplantation. We report the first case of ankle arthroscopic arthrodesis in a patient with haemophilia B after undergoing living donor liver transplantation. We carefully monitored the patient's factor IX (FIX) plasma levels during his perioperative period, and we successfully performed his arthroscopic ankle arthrodesis without administration of any additional FIX concentrates. Our case has demonstrated the feasibility of joint surgery after liver transplantation without administration of additional clotting factors while monitoring FIX activity.

We conducted geomagnetically conjugate observations of 630-nm airglow for a midnight brightness wave (MBW) at Kototabang, Indonesia [geomagnetic latitude (MLAT): 10.0°S], and Chiang Mai, Thailand (MLAT: 8.9°N), which are geomagnetically conjugate points at low latitudes. An airglow enhancement that was considered to be an MBW was observed in OI (630-nm) airglow images at Kototabang around local midnight from 2240 to 2430 LT on February 7, 2011. This MBW propagated south-southwestward, which is geomagnetically poleward, at a velocity of 290 m/s. However, a similar wave was not observed in the 630-nm airglow images at Chiang Mai. This is the first evidence of an MBW that does not have geomagnetic conjugacy, which also implies generation of MBW only in one side of the hemisphere from the equator. We simultaneously observed thermospheric neutral winds observed by a co-located Fabry–Perot interferometer at Kototabang. The observed meridional winds turned from northward (geomagnetically equatorward) to southward (geomagnetically poleward) just before the wave was observed. This indicates that the observed MBW was generated by the poleward winds which push ionospheric plasma down along geomagnetic field lines, thereby increasing the 630-nm airglow intensity. The bottomside ionospheric heights observed by ionosondes rapidly decreased at Kototabang and slightly increased at Chiang Mai. We suggest that the polarization electric field inside the observed MBW is projected to the northern hemisphere, causing the small height increase observed at Chiang Mai. This implies that electromagnetic coupling between hemispheres can occur even though the original disturbance is caused purely by the neutral wind. Graphical abstract A schematic picture of the possible ionospheric variations during the MBW event on February 7, 2011. u is the thermospheric neutral winds at Kototabang, J is an ionospheric current, $$E_{\mathrm{P}}$$ E P is a polarization electric field, $$B_{\mathrm{Z}}$$ B Z and B are the vertical and total components of the geomagnetic field, respectively, $$v_{\mathrm{Z}}$$ v Z is an upward $${\mathbf{E}}\times {\mathbf{B}}$$ E × B drift, and $$\Sigma _{\mathrm{in}}$$ Σ in and $$\Sigma _{\mathrm{out}}$$ Σ out are height-integrated Pedersen conductivities inside and outside MBW, respectively. We suggest that the polarization electric field inside the observed midnight brightness wave in the southern hemisphere is projected to the northern hemisphere, causing the observed ionospheric height increase in the northern hemisphere.

A practical preparation of 4-(substituted benzyl)-3-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1H-pyrazole derivative 2 is described. O-Glycosylation of 4-(substituted benzyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one derivative 3 was facilitated by introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents, such as an acetyl group, at the N1-position of the pyrazole ring. 1-Acetyl-4-(substituted benzyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one 10 reacted with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide 5 in the presence of potassium carbonate in acetonitrile to provide the 1-acetyl-4-(substituted benzyl)-3-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1H-pyrazole derivative 11 in high yield. When 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide (5b) was used as a glycosyl donor, the resulting O-glycosylated product 11 was N1-deacetylated in the presence of potassium bicarbonate in methanol without unfavorable deprotection of the glycosyl moiety to provide 2 in excellent yield. The synthetic intermediate 2b of Remogliflozin etabonate (1b) was synthesized using this strategy.

Influenza A viruses cause seasonal epidemics and occasional pandemics. The emergence of viruses resistant to neuraminidase (NA) inhibitors and M2 ion channel inhibitors underlines the need for alternate anti-influenza drugs with novel mechanisms of action. Here, we report the discovery of a host factor as a potential target of anti-influenza drugs. By using cell-based virus replication screening of a chemical library and several additional assays, we identified clonidine as a new anti-influenza agent in vitro. We found that clonidine, which is an agonist of the alpha2-adrenergic receptor (α2-AR), has an inhibitory effect on the replication of various influenza virus strains. α2-AR is a Gi-type G protein-coupled receptor that reduces intracellular cyclic AMP (cAMP) levels. In-depth analysis showed that stimulation of α2-ARs leads to impairment of influenza virus replication and that α2-AR agonists inhibit the virus assembly step, likely via a cAMP-mediated pathway. Although clonidine administration did not reduce lung virus titers or prevent body weight loss, it did suppress lung edema and improve survival in a murine lethal infection model. Clonidine may thus protect against lung damage caused by influenza virus infection. Our results identify α2-AR-mediated signaling as a key pathway to exploit in the development of anti-influenza agents.

This is the first paper that reports simultaneous observations of zonal drift of plasma bubbles and the thermospheric neutral winds at geomagnetically conjugate points in both hemispheres. The plasma bubbles were observed in the 630 nm nighttime airglow images taken by using highly sensitive all-sky airglow imagers at Kototabang, Indonesia (geomagnetic latitude (MLAT): 10.0°S), and Chiang Mai, Thailand (MLAT: 8.9°N), which are nearly geomagnetically conjugate stations, for 7 h from 13 to 20 UT (from 20 to 03 LT) on 5 April 2011. The bubbles continuously propagated eastward with velocities of 100–125 m/s. The 630 nm images at Chiang Mai and those mapped to the conjugate point of Kototabang fit very well, which indicates that the observed plasma bubbles were geomagnetically connected. The eastward thermospheric neutral winds measured by two Fabry-Perot interferometers were 70–130 m/s at Kototabang and 50–90 m/s at Chiang Mai. We compared the observed plasma bubble drift velocity with the velocity calculated from the observed neutral winds and the model conductivity, to investigate the F region dynamo contribution to the bubble drift velocity. The estimated drift velocities were 60–90% of the observed velocities of the plasma bubbles, suggesting that most of the plasma bubble velocity can be explained by the F region dynamo effect.

Intra-abdominal free air is found frequently in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis (PD). Some studies have investigated an association between intra-abdominal free air and peritonitis in PD patients. However, most used chest X-rays, which are of limited sensitivity, and the association was not made clear. We conducted a retrospective study of the association between peritonitis and intra-abdominal free air using computed tomography.The presence and volume of free air, and its relationship with other variables, were assessed on review of routine examinations in 108 patients. Correlations between the presence of free air and age, duration of PD, continuous ambulatory versus automated PD, presence or absence of a person who assisted in bag changes, exit-site infection, tunnel infection and peritonitis were assessed.Free air was detected in 29 patients (27.1%). The prevalence of peritonitis was higher in the free air (+) group than in the free air (-) group: 1/40.2 patient-months for free air (+) versus 1/96.9 patient-months for free air (-). The risk ratio of free air for peritonitis was 2.41 (95% confidence interval: 2.28-2.55) and was similar when corrected for age, gender, albumin, diabetes mellitus and body mass index.Free air is an independent risk factor for peritonitis in PD patients. This suggests that bag change procedures should be re-evaluated, and patients re-educated, when necessary.

[1] We detected clear concentric waves and short-period oscillations in the ionosphere after an Enhanced Fujita scale (EF)5 tornado hit Moore, Oklahoma, U.S., on 20 May 2013 using dense wide-coverage ionospheric total electron content (TEC) observations in North America. These concentric waves were nondispersive, with a horizontal wavelength of ~120 km and a period of ~13 min. They were observed for more than 7 h throughout North America. TEC oscillations with a period of ~4 min were also observed to the south of Moore for more than 8 h. A comparison between the TEC observations and infrared cloud image from the GOES satellite indicates that the concentric waves and short-period oscillations are caused by supercell-induced atmospheric gravity waves and acoustic resonances, respectively. This observational result provides the first clear evidence of a severe meteorological event causing atmospheric waves propagating upward in the upper atmosphere and reaching the ionosphere.

A practical preparation of 4-(substituted benzyl)-3-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1H-pyrazole derivative 2 is described. O-Glycosylation of 4-(substituted benzyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one derivative 3 was facilitated by introduction of electron-withdrawing substituents, such as an acetyl group, at the N1-position of the pyrazole ring. 1-Acetyl-4-(substituted benzyl)-1,2-dihydro-3H-pyrazol-3-one 10 reacted with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide 5 in the presence of potassium carbonate in acetonitrile to provide the 1-acetyl-4-(substituted benzyl)-3-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acyl-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy)-1H-pyrazole derivative 11 in high yield. When 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-pivaloyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl bromide (5b) was used as a glycosyl donor, the resulting O-glycosylated product 11 was N1-deacetylated in the presence of potassium bicarbonate in methanol without unfavorable deprotection of the glycosyl moiety to provide 2 in excellent yield. The synthetic intermediate 2b of Remogliflozin etabonate (1b) was synthesized using this strategy.

The quantized vortex state appearing in the recently discovered new states in hcp 4He since their discovery is discussed. Special attention is given to evidence for the vortex state as the vortex fluid (VF) state and its transition into the supersolid (SS) state. Its features are described. The historical expla- nations for the SS state in quantum solids such as solid 4He were based on the idea of Bose Einstein Condensation (BEC) of the imperfections such as va- cancies, interstitials and other possible excitations in the quantum solids which are expected because of the large zero-point motions. The SS state was proposed as a new state of matter in which real space ordering of the lattice structure of the solid coexists with the momentum space ordering of superfluidity. A new type of superconductors, since the discovery of the cuprate high Tc superconductors, HTSCs, has been shown to share a feature with the vortex state, involving the VF and vortex solid states. The high Tcs of these materials are being discussed in connection to the large fluctuations associated with some other phase transitions like the antiferromagnetic transition in addition to that of the low dimensionality. The supersolidity in the hcp solid 4He, in contrast to the new superconductors which have multiple degrees of freedom of the Cooper pairs with spin as well as angular momentum freedom, has a unique feature of possessing possibly only the momentum fluctuations and vortex ring excitations associated with the possible low dimensional fluctuations of the subsystem(s). The high onset temperature of the VF state can be understood by considering thermally excited low D quantized vortices and it may be necessary to seek low dimensional sub-systems in hcp He which are hosts for vortices., 20 pages, 12 figures, review

Using an endotoxaemia model in conscious guinea pigs, we previously reported that polymyxin B immobilized fiber-direct hemoperfusion (PMX-DHP) or administration of sivelestat are effective treatments for sepsis. In the present study, we investigated whether simultaneous treatment with PMX-DHP and sivelestat sodium was more effective than either treatment alone for sepsis. Measurements examined included intestinal paralysis, blood pressure, serum HMGB1 level and survival rate. Colonic motion was monitored continuously by telemetry using a transducer attached to the taenia caecum, while blood pressure was monitored with a carotid artery catheter. The guinea pigs were divided into 4 groups and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was administered to all animals. The control group received only LPS. The remaining three groups received PMX treatment for 2 hours, sivelestat sodium administration for 2 hours or simultaneous PMX and sivelestat treatment for 2 hours. In the control group, decreased colonic muscle tension and arterial pressure, and increased serum HMGB1 levels were observed and all animals died within 30 hours. In the PMX-DHP treated group, the decreases in colonic tension and arterial pressure were less severe than for the control group and the survival rate was higher than the control group, but serum HMGB1 levels were not significantly different. In the sivelestat group, decreases in colonic tension and arterial pressure were not significantly different with the control group, but serum HMGB1 levels were lower than in the control group. Simultaneous treatment with both PMX-DHP and sivelestat sodium did not exhibit synergistic effects for the treatment of LPS- induced endotoxaemia and mortality. PMX-DHP was effective at treating sepsis induced by administration of a high dose of LPS in guinea pigs, but simultaneous administration of sivelestat sodium did not augment the efficacy of PMX-DHP treatment.

An immature permanent mandibular central incisor with periapical involvement in a 7-year-old boy was treated to promote revascularization. The tooth suffered from acute apical periodontitis after periodontal treatment by a general practitioner. An access cavity was prepared in the tooth and the cavity was left open until the next visit to achieve drainage through the canal. The root canal was not mechanically cleaned during the treatment period, but was irrigated with hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite. Calcium hydroxide compound was used for disinfection. At the fifth visit vital tissue appeared in the canal near the apical region, and calcium hydroxide compound was placed in contact with the soft tissue in the root canal. The access cavity was sealed with glass-ionomer cement followed by an adhesive composite resin filling. Radiographic examination 30 months after the initial treatment confirmed closure of the apex and thickening of the root wall. The case was observed for up to 13 years and root development was confirmed.

We report how one can detect quantized vortices in superfluids contained in cylindrical vessels in well-designed torsional oscillator (TO) experiments under DC rotation. We show the case of an artificial 3D superfluid (Fukuda et al. in Phys. Rev. B 71:212502, 2005) which is made of Kosterlits-Thouless 2D He film condensed on a porous glass substrate with a 3D connected surface of well-controlled pore size. We understand the TO experimental results with an extra energy dissipation peak under DC rotation by considering the circular quantized superflow around each of the vortex lines and interaction with thermally excited 2D vortices as discussed in Fukuda et al. (Phys. Rev. B 71:212502, 2005) and in Nemirovskii and Sonin (Phys. Rev. B 76: 224507, 2007). We discuss here the case of hcp solid 4He (see for ex. Balibar and Caupin in J. Phys., Condens. Matter 20:173201-1-19, 2008) and show the evidence of observation of the vortex lines penetration below a supersolid transition temperature (Kubota et al. in J. Low Temp. Phys. 158:572, 2010), Tc, where macroscopic phase coherence is realized. It is found at exactly the same temperature Tc, below which the hysteresis occurrs (Shimizu et ail. in arXiv:0903.1326, 2009). For hcp solid 4He we have reported the vortex fluid (VF) state onset temperature (Penzev et al. in Phys. Rev. Lett. 101:065301, 2008) To=∼500 mK, by detailed drive velocity, Vac dependence study using TO technique. The TO response of the hcp 4He is characterized by the energy dissipation peaked at Tp near 100 mK similar to the behavior in a KT transition. The real supersolid (SS) state occurs at Tc below Tp and much lower than To. Our observation of the evidence of vortex lines penetration just below Tc together with the VF state properties gives support for the idea that hcp 4He shares some features with the “new type of superconductors”, where the vortex state, involving the VF as well as various vortex solid states, has been commonly discussed (Fisher et al. in Phys. Rev. B 43(1):130, 1991; Leggett in Quantum Liquids, Oxford University Press, London, 2006).

Hydrogen atoms dissolve in Pd at densities up to one H atom per Pd, which provides higher atomic H density than in solid H2. They are known to have large diffusion coefficient due to quantum tunneling. Torsional oscillator (TO) technique is employed to investigate the phases of H in Pd, which is known to show phase boundaries at the lowest T among metal-hydrogen (MH) systems. Specific heat measurements have been performed for PdH x with x up to high H concentration specimens as well as studies of the resistivity study to establish the unique x−T phase diagram. We have, in addition, been performing TO experiments, in order to study the effect of atomic H intrusion and the dynamics in the PdH(D) x system. The TO is a well-established, powerful instrument method to investigate superfluidity and quantum vortices of liquid He, especially in thin films, as well as dislocation dynamics in solids. In our TO experiments on PdH x specimens have shown a resonance frequency shift for PdH x , with 0.16≤x≤0.75 at the lowest T’s, which can be largely explained by the lattice deformation by H intrusion. This x dependent contribution has a smaller, additional change depending on x and T above ∼50 K. We will show the details of experimental data and discuss the correspondence to the phonon modes change and further possibility of studying occurrence of quantum phenomena for the hydrogen system.

We describe a highly stable, rotating cryostat designed for torsional oscil- lator experiments under DC rotation, where vortex lines penetration has been studied for 3D superfluids made of monolayer He films as well as for the supersolid state in hcp solid 4 He. Especially, torsional oscillator experiments on hcp solid 4 He are known to be quite sensitive to small vibrations or linear velocities on the order of 10 µm/s or less. Thus, vibrations of the apparatus may destroy the measurements if they are not smaller than or equal to those of the building or the ground itself. The torsional oscillator performance described here often gives better data under steady rotation at moderate speeds than under stationary conditions. The article describes briefly a design idea shared by the two rotating cryostats at ISSP, the University of Tokyo, and discusses the torsional oscillator (TO) experiments under DC rotation. This is truly a high speed rotating cryostat with maximum rotational speed of at least 6 revolutions per second for TO experiments. It gives also much higher stability at reasonably low rotational speed because of the well-planned structure of the dou- ble frame construction with a lot of mass for the upper drive frame for rotation and the almost mechanically isolated, except for the drive mode motion, rotating cryo- stat with much higher stability of the inner frame for the cryostat mount. Phenomena of quantized vortex lines penetration through a macroscopic superfluid give unique information about the superfluidity itself. A method for detection of vortex lines pen- etration events using TO technology is also briefly reviewed.

We have reported the onset of the vortex fluid (VF) state in hcp solid 4He below an onset temperature To (Penzev et al. in Phys. Rev. Lett. 101:065301, 2008). We have also shown the transition from the VF state into the supersolid (SS) state, which is characterized by a supersolid density and macroscopic coherence, below a transition (Kubota et al. in J. Low Temp. Phys. 158:572, 2010; Shimizu et al. in arXiv:0903.1326, 2009; Yagi et al. in J. Low Temp. Phys., QFS2010, 2011) at Tc, as well as a critical velocity for the destruction of the SS state. Here we describe further confirming evidence of the phase transition into the SS state, namely, we report here some other observations than the hysteretic behavior. We find some other features which indicate a clear change of the properties in the hcp 4He below the same Tc as hysteretic behavior, reported in Kubota et al. (J. Low Temp. Phys. 158:572, 2010), Shimizu et al. (arXiv:0903.1326, 2009), Yagi et al. (J. Low. Temp. Phys., QFS2010, 2011). It was discovered by detailed study of the torsional oscillator (TO) drive velocity Vac dependence of the nonlinear rotational susceptibility (NLRS) of the VF state. We discuss the features of the VF to SS transition. The large ratio between To and Tc may indicate large fluctuations of the system and it may give a basis for the vortex state (Fisher et al. in Phys. Rev. B 43(1):130, 1991) appearance in the hcp 4He, as seen in the new type of superconductors. We discuss a question related to the observation of the VF phase with specific dynamic features (Nemirovskii et al. in arXiv:0907.0330, 2009), coexisting with the SS phase and a possible new kind of phase transition coexisting with the SS phase and a possible new kind of phase transition for the VF to SS transition.

Unique types of textures and vortices of superfluid 3He in restricted geometries have been discussed. We investigated cw-NMR in rotating 3He A-phase in parallel plate geometries with gaps of 12.5 μm at 3.05 MPa. We observed a very sharp spectrum at rest which had shifted negatively as f=f L−0.93f A(T), where f A(T) is the full transverse dipole shift in A-phase. The large negative shift of 0.93f A(T) indicates that l ⊥ d. When we rotated the sample with rotation speed Ω faster than the critical Ω Fr, a new satellite signal appeared nearly at f L. The satellite signal intensity increased with increasing Ω, reached a maximum at Ω c and slowly decreased up to the maximum Ω of 2π rad/s. When Ω decreased from the maximum speed, the satellite signal rapidly decreased and disappeared at 5.5 rad/s down to zero rad/s. We measured the temperature dependence of the satellite signal intensity, Ω Fr and Ω c. We propose a model for the satellite signal, which is attributed to spin wave in Fréedericksz transition region induced by the counter flow. We also compare the satellite signal with Kee and Maki’s bound pair of HQV.

We examined the effect of Emdogain® Gel (EMD) on the regeneration of periodontal tissue and demonstrated immunohistochemical changes of nerve fiber and mechanoreceptors in the repairing of periodontal ligament (PDL) of a rat replantation model. Maxillary right incisor of male Wistar rats was extracted. After removing pulp tissue from root apex side, the intracanal was filled with warmed gutta-percha by retrograde root canal filling. In the experimental group (EMD group) was used EMD at 0.05ml to root surface before replantation. Untreated group (UT group) was replanted immediately. The samples were extracted on day 3 and at 1, 2 and 4 weeks after surgery. The samples were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (H.E), immunostained with protein gene product 9.5 (PGP 9.5) and Na+, K+ -ATPase β1fusion protein (Na+, K+ -ATPase). In EMD group was recognized continuing recovery of PDL more quickly than UT group at 1 week. In the EMD group, islet-shaped bones were hypertrophied in the PDL at 1 week. And Na+, K+ -ATPase positive reaction which demonstrated recovery of the mechanoreceptors activation was recognized to the Ruffini endings at 1 week. In EMD group was recognized more hypertrophy of alveolar bone at the periradicular than UT group at 2 weeks. In both groups, the constriction of PDL space and the sectional root absorption were recognized at 4 weeks. In conclusion, the continuity of the PDL fiber and the activity of the ruffini endings showed early recovery by applying EMD to the tooth replantation of rat. Bone development was started early even with the PDL and the periradicular alveolar bone. However, the application of EMD couldn't prevent the constriction of PDL space and the root absorption.

外傷性横隔膜ヘルニア嵌頓はまれな疾患で，本邦で23例の文献報告がある．症例は31歳，男性．嘔吐後に激しい心窩部痛が出現し当院救急外来を受診した．5年前交通事故による多発外傷の既往があった．腹膜刺激症状は無く，H2-ブロッカー・絶飲食で治療したが症状が持続し，胃内視鏡・胃透視で胃の形態学的異常および造影剤の流出不良を認め，手術を施行した．腹腔鏡で左横隔膜を通じて胃の胸腔内への脱出を認め，外傷性横隔膜ヘルニアの診断を得た．開腹に切り替え，ヘルニア門を開大し胃を腹腔内に引き戻した後，ヘルニア門を縫合閉鎖した．本症例は事故後度々食後の上腹部痛を自覚していた．左横隔膜損傷部に癒着あるいは軽度脱出していた胃が，嘔吐による腹腔内圧の上昇で，急激に大部分が胸腔内に脱出したと考えられた．

2-arachidonoyl glycerol (2-AG), an endogenous cannabinoid, has been drawing much attention as an early stage mediator at the onset of sepsis. In the present study, we investigated weather rimonabant, one of the CB1 antagonists, alleviated the medical conditions during endotoxemia and measured the level of prostaglandin E metabolite (PGEM). A cylindrical electric transmitter was connected to the transducer via a cable embedded beneath the animal's dorsal skin and sutured in place. Signals from the transmitter were detected by a receiver placed directly beneath the cage via telemetry. We monitored arterial pressure via catheter in the carotid artery and administrated drugs via catheter in jugular vein. We separated animals into three groups. The control group received lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) and vehicle i.v. Experimental animals received LPS and rimonabant (1, 3 mg/kg/h) i.v. Ten minutes after the injection of the vehicle or rimonabant, LPS (0.3 mg/kg, i.v.) was administered. The prostaglandin E metabolites (PGEM) levels were measured by EIASA. In the control group, LPS induced intestinal paralysis and the decline in blood pressure peaked 1-3h after administration of LPS. In rimonabant-treated group, rimonabant inhibited LPS-induced intestinal paralysis and hypotension. Levels of PGEM in guinea pig was increased by LPS-administrate, rimonabant inhibits PGEM increase. The results suggest that rimonabant was effective against LPS-induced endotoxemia in guinea pigs.

The peculiar features noted in (Penzev et al. in Phys. Rev. Lett. 101: 065301, 2008) we conjecture are evidence of a vortex fluid state in solid He. We suggest to analyze this state by means of the dynamics of quantized vortices, as used for the tangle of vortices in superfluid turbulence. We introduce parameters of the vortex tangle dynamics, e.g., relaxation time for the drift of lines in parallel to the torsional oscillation axis. We briefly discuss the transition from the supposed vortex fluid state into the supposed supersolid state (Shimizu et al. in Phys. Rev. Lett., arXiv:0903.1326).

Susceptibility and specific heat measurements have been carried out down to 23 mK on polycrystalline [Cu3(titmb)2(OCOCH3)6]⋅H2O {titmb = 1,3,5-tris(imidazol-1-ylmethyl)-2,4,6 trimethylbenzene} with S=1/2 antiferromagnet on Kagome lattice. The results show an unexpected ferromagnetic long range ordering at 56 mK. The entropy change from 10 K to 23 mK is much larger than the entropy corresponding to electron spin S=1/2 of Cu2+. The large excess entropy reduction strongly suggests a novel magnetic ordering of the coupled Cu electron and nuclear spin (I=3/2) system. We propose that a frustrated ground state changes to the complex ferromagnetic ground state with help of the enhanced indirect nuclear spin interaction through the hyperfine interaction.

1. TAK-242 is a novel compound that suppresses nitric oxide and cytokine production by selectively inhibiting intracellular signals from toll-like receptor (TLR)-4. In the present study, we investigated the effectiveness of TAK-242 against sepsis using an endotoxaemia model in conscious and unrestricted guinea-pigs. Measures examined included muscle tension paralysis of the intestine, blood pressure, high morbidity group box (HMGB)-1 levels and survival rate. 2. Tension of the longitudinal muscle of the colon was monitored continuously by telemetry. Arterial blood pressure was monitored via a carotid artery catheter. TAK-242 was administered intravenously through a jugular vein catheter. Guinea-pigs were divided into a control group, given vehicle (placebo emulsion), and the experimental group, administered 3 or 10 mg/kg TAK-242, 1 h before administration of 10 mg/kg lipopolysaccharide (LPS). 3. In the control group, the tension of the longitudinal muscle of the colon decreased in a time-dependent manner and blood pressure was reduced, with maximal effects observed 1-3 h after administration of LPS. In the TAK-242-treated group, LPS-induced relaxation of the intestine and hypotension were significantly inhibited. In the control group, HMGB-1 levels were increased after LPS administration and this reaction was significantly blocked in the TAK-242-treated group. Importantly, survival rate was increased after TAK-242 treatment. 4. In conlusion, the results of the present study show that TAK-242 inhibited the symptoms associated with endotoxaemia in a guinea-pig model of sepsis and that it may, therefore, be an effective treatment for sepsis.

この研究の目的は,120本のウシ永久下顎前歯唇面を削り露出させたエナメル質および象牙質に対するセルフアドヒーシブレジンの接着強さを評価することにある。2種類のセルフアドヒーシブレジンセメント(MaxcemおよびSmartcem)並びに2種類セルフエッチングプライマーレジンセメント(LinkmaxおよびResicem)を製造業者指示に従って使用した。さらにMaxcemおよびSmartcemでは15秒間40%リン酸前処理を行ったものを酸処理群とした。レジンセメントはモールドを用いエナメル質および象牙質に接着させた。試料は24時間37℃水中に保管後,クロスヘッドスピード0.5mm/minにて引張り接着強さを測定した。得られた値はOne-way ANOVAとTukey-Kramer testを用いて行った。MaxcemおよびSmartcemはエナメル質および象牙質のいずれでもLinkmaxおよびResicemよりも接着強さが低かった(p, The purpose of this study was to evaluate the tensile bond strength of resin cements to enamel or dentin, one-hundred-and-twenty freshly extracted bovine incisor teeth were ground to expose the enamel and dentin surfaces. Two kinds of self-adhesive resin cements (Maxcem^: Kerr and Smartcem^; Dentply-Sankin) and two kinds of self-etching primer resin cements (Linkmax^: GC and Resicem^: Shofu) were used in accordance with each manufacturer's instructions. In the Maxcem and Smartcem groups, a subset of samples were treated by etching with 40% phosphoric acid for 15 seconds and applied to both the enamel and dentin prior to luting, and were designated as the etched Maxcem and etched Smartcem groups. All resin cements were bonded in a stainless steel mold onto enamel or dentin. After bonding, the specimens were stored in water at 37℃ for 24 hours, and the tensile bond strength was measured at a crosshead speed of 0.5mm/minute. The data were analyzed statistically by one-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey-Kramer test. Maxcem and Smartcem had lower bond strength to both enamel and dentin than Linkmax and Resicem (p

Superfluid 3 He A-like and B-like phases in 98% aerogel have been studied under rotation up to 2π rad/s by using cw-NMR and Homogeneous Pressing Domain (HPD) NMR at 29 mT and 3.0 MPa. We studied the dissipation of the HPD in aerogel and found that the HPD-mode was destroyed by onset of the thermal runaway for sufficient large sample under a large field gradient. From the field dependence of the onset of thermal runaway, we estimated dissipation of the HPD in aerogel and compared with that of the bulk B-phase. When angular velocity of rotation goes beyond Ω c , vortices are introduced and pinned. We estimate roughly the excess dissipation due to vortices and compare it with that of vortices in bulk B-phase.

Darbepoetin alfa (KRN321) is a novel molecule that stimulates erythropoiesis by the same mechanism as endogenous erythropoietin. Due to its longer half-life and greater biological activity than recombinant human erythropoietin (rHuEPO), KRN321 maintains an effective hemoglobin (Hb) level at extended dose intervals compared with rHuEPO. This multicenter, open-label, single-arm study of 72 patients with end stage renal failure on peritoneal dialysis (PD) evaluated the efficacy and safety of KRN321 administered intravenously with the dosing intervals extended to monthly. PD patients that were either rHuEPO-naive or rHuEPO-receiving were enrolled. In rHuEPO-naive patients, the initial dose of KRN321 was 40 μg weekly by intravenous administration. For rHuEPO-receiving patients, an initial regimen of fortnightly intravenous administration was given and the initial dose was based on the dose of rHuEPO used before switching to KRN321. After starting the study medication, the Hb concentration was maintained between 10.0 g/dL and 13.0 g/dL. In those patients whose Hb concentrations showed a stable time-course, the dosing intervals of KRN321 were extended. The results suggest that it may be feasible to reduce the frequency of treatment to a monthly schedule, with an associated adjustment of dose, in most patients. Adverse events were observed in 67 of the 72 patients (93.1%, 267 events). Most of all the adverse events were reported in patients with chronic renal failure receiving conventional rHuEPO. No safety problems specific to KRN321 were noted. These results suggest that KRN321 could reduce of frequency of hospital visits for PD patients receiving erythropoietic therapy for renal anemia.

The hydrogen outgassing of a Pd-H specimen is greatly accelerated by the presence of oxygen. Details of the outgassing process of Pd-Hsystems are investigated by gravimetric method as a function of lapse time and of various atmospheric conditions. The acceleration of theoutgassing by oxygen was restricted when the palladium specimen is exposed with a preferred surface orientation (111). The face dependenceand acceleration mechanism have been discussed on the basis of surface science. [doi:10.2320/matertrans.MER2008248](Received August 1, 2008; Accepted October 7, 2008; Published November 12, 2008)Keywords: palladium, hydrogen, outgas, oxygen, adsorption, dissociation

瘻孔を有した根尖性歯周炎に罹患した上顎左側側切歯歯内歯の歯内療法治療症例について報告する。歯内治療は,根管系の複雑性により技術的に難しい問題を抱える。報告症例は,歯内歯に従来の歯内療法を行い,5年経過を観察し,症状もなくエックス線的にも治癒が認められ経過良好である。, A case of type III dens invaginatus in maxillary lateral incisor with sinus tract and periradicular lesion is reported. Dens invaginatus present technical difficulties with respect to their management because of variation of the forms. This case was treated by conventional root canal treatment. At follow up examination after 5 years the tooth was asymptomatic and the radiograph showed repair of the periradicular lesion.

The orientation of the order parameter in the A-like and B-like phases of superfluid 3He immersed in uniaxially compressed aerogel is reported. With the use of NMR methods, it is found that the orbital momentum of the A-and B-like phases is oriented along the deformation. In the A-like phase, a relatively narrow NMR line with an anomalously large negative frequency shift is observed. The Leggett frequency in the A-like phase, which shows the same energy gap suppression as in the B-like phase, is measured.