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This study aimed to examine the relationship between muscle mass, intramuscular adipose tissue, and body mass index (BMI) in older inpatients.Cross-sectional study.Hospital-based study.This study included 413 inpatients aged ≥ 65 years (186 men and 227 women).Muscle mass and intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps were assessed by measuring the muscle thickness and echo intensity on ultrasound images. To examine the relationship between quadriceps thickness and echo intensity and BMI in total participants and each sex, the Kendall rank correlation coefficient was used. Multiple regression analysis was performed to examine whether BMI was independently and significantly related to the quadriceps thickness and echo intensity, even after adjusting for other variables for total participants and each sex. The independent variables in multiple regression analyses were BMI, age, disease, days from onset disease.The results of the correlation analyses showed that BMI was significantly related to the quadriceps thickness (total participants, τ = 0.431; men, τ = 0.491; women, τ = 0.388) and echo intensity (total participants, τ = -0.239; men, τ = -0.318; women, τ = -0.188). In the multiple regression analysis, BMI was independently and significantly associated with the quadriceps thickness (total participants, β = 0.535; men, β = 0.548; women, β = 0.519) and echo intensity (total participants, β = -0.287; men, β = -0.398; women, β = -0.210).This study indicated that older inpatients with a higher BMI have greater muscle mass and less intramuscular adipose tissue of the quadriceps. These results suggested that a higher BMI in older inpatients is related to higher quadriceps muscle quality.

Current status of elemental research on a laser fusion reactor with a liquid wall in Japan is summarized. Cascade scheme was found to be useful to obtain a continuous protective liquid LiPb layer. Formation of micro particles in a plume ablated by alpha particle heating is discussed based on experimental results obtained by backside irradiation of a lead membrane. Our numerical simulation results for formation of aerosols matched experimental results obtained with electric discharge through a thin lead membrane. Protection of beam port is described. A magnetic field generated with a pulse current successfully shields the tip of beam port from alpha particles. Tracking of cone target with diverging beam showed 0.2 μm resolution at 10m separation.

A Zn atom is employed as the light source for optical resonance pumping to a high lying energy level of the Cu atom, thereby depopulating both the Cu lower laser level and enhancing the upper laser level via cascading decays that is carried out simultaneously. The width of the lasing pulse broadened by 220% and the peak value increased by 180%. The cascading decay route was clarified by observing the fluorescence lines, λ=675.1, 793.5, and 809.0 nm, thereby specifying five levels of excitation loop.

Aims: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) activate multiple signaling pathways involved in cardiac hypertrophy. Since HO-1 exerts potent antioxidant effects, we hypothesized that this enzyme inhibits ROS-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. Methods: HL-1 cardiomyocytes were transduced with an adenovirus constitutively expressing HO-1 (AdHO-1) to increase basal HO-1 expression and then exposed to 200 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Hypertrophy was measured using 3H-leucine incorporation, planar morphometry and cell-size by forward-scatter flow-cytometry. The pro-oxidant effect of H2O2 was assessed by redox sensitive fluorophores. Inducing intracellular redox imbalance resulted in cardiomyocyte hypertrophy through transactivation of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Results: Pre-emptive HO-1 overexpression attenuated the redox imbalance and reduced hypertrophic indices. This is the first time that HO-1 has directly been shown to inhibit oxidant-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy by a NF-κB–dependent mechanism. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that HO-1 inhibits pro-oxidant induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and suggest that HO-1 may yield therapeutic potential in treatment of

We have reported the present status in the development of a position measurement unit (PMU) for a flying inertial fusion energy (IFE) target. The PMU, which uses Arago spot phenomena, is designed to have a measurement accuracy smaller than 1 μm. By employing divergent, pulsed orthogonal laser beam illumination, we can measure the time and the target position at the pulsed illumination. The two-dimensional Arago spot image is compressed into one-dimensional image by a cylindrical lens for real-time processing. The PMU are set along the injection path of the flying target. The local positions of the target in each PMU are transferred to the controller and analysed to calculate the target trajectory. Two methods are presented to calculate the arrival time and the arrival position of the target at the reactor centre.

Possibility of p-n control of the divalent hexaborides is demonstrated using YbB6. Theoretical calculations suggested that boron deficiency and metal atom deficiency in the divalent hexaborides lead to n-type and p-type conduction, respectively. In the alkaline-earth hexaborides, such as CaB6, n-type Seebeck coefficient was observed but p-type one was not obtained. In the present study, YbB6 was chosen because of its wide homogeneity range in composition, which is preferable to control the boron/metal ratio. Polycrystalline YbBx (x=5.7, 5.9, 6.1, 6.3) were sintered, and their Seebeck coefficients were measured. As predicted, n-type Seebeck coefficient was observed in YbB5.7 and YbB5.9, and p-type one was observed in YbB6.1 and YbB6.3 at room temperature.

A new successive-approximation analog-to-digital (A/D) converter is described. New interpolated C-R DAC, new R-ladder-steering decoder and constant-current comparator have been applied in the A/D converter. By adopting these techniques, high-resolution (12 bit accuracy) and high-speed conversion (1 MHz) with low power consumption (1 mW) has been realized. This chip has been fabricated by double metal and double polysilicon 0.8 /spl mu/m CMOS process, and the die size is 2.4/spl times/1.7 mm/sup 2/. >

This paper introduces a simple and approximate method of calculating the intersections on the cross section of the torus crossed by a torus magnetic field line which is added by a weak perturbed field. The method is based on consideration of the interpolation of the values of transition tables of the position of starting points and arrival points of magnetic field lines. A simplified geometry model is used to clarify the idea of the method. The calculation program is parallelized to implement on a HITACHI SR-2201 parallel computer to reduce the calculation time. Some numerical results are presented.

Pre-operative and postoperative oblique sagittal gradient-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging was used to evaluate micro-vascular decompression of the facial nerves in 26 patients with hemifacial spasm. The pre-operative MR images were divided into two groups as follows: 22 images in Group I, clear imaging of a high-intensity line and/or spot at the root exit zone (REZ) of the facial nerve; and 4 in Group II, and unreliable image around the REZ. Surgery found that the causative vessel was the vertebral artery (VA) in 9 cases and the anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) or the posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) in 13 cases in Group I, and the AICA or the PICA in the 4 cases in Group II. Postoperative MR imaging showed clear decompression as the high-intensity line and/or spot completely separated from the REZ by a low- and/or iso- intensity area in 9 cases of VA compression repositioned to the petrous dura matter, in 11 cases of PICA or AICA compression treated by shredded Teflon pledgets in Group I and in 3 cases in Group II. Postoperative MR imaging showed an incomplete separation of any high-intensity line and/or spot in the REZ in 2 cases of PICA or AICA compression in Group I and in one in Group II. The outcome was excellent in 22 of 23 cases with clear decompression, and in 1 of 3 cases of unclear decompression. Hemifacial spasm persisted in 3 cases. Oblique sagittal gradient-echo MR imaging is a useful method for postoperative follow-up which can demonstrate changes around the REZ of the facial nerve if hemifacial spasm recurs.

To discriminate between the various compressing vessels of the facial nerves in patients with hemifacial spasm, pre-operative oblique sagittal gradient-echo MR imaging was performed. Forty-two patients underwent pre-operative MR imaging and microvascular decompression. The MR images were divided according to findings into three groups as follows: Group A, a thick and/or long high-intensity line along the root exit zone (REZ) of the facial nerve; Group B, a thin and/or short high-intensity line along the REZ; and Group C, an unreliable image around the REZ. Fifteen images were classified as Group A, 19 as Group B, and 8 as Group C. In Group A, vertebral artery (VA) compression was confirmed intra-operatively in 12 cases and posterior inferior cerebellar artery (PICA) or anterior inferior cerebellar artery (AICA) compression in 3. In Group B, PICA or AICA compression was confirmed intra-operatively in all cases. In Group C, PICA or AICA compression was confirmed intra-operatively in 7 cases and no compression in one. In all cases of VA compression of the facial nerve, the oblique sagittal gradient-echo images demonstrated a thick and/or long high intensity line along the REZ. Oblique sagittal gradient-echo MR imaging is a useful pre-operative planning aid, which can predict the possibility of VA compression prior to microvascular decompression for hemifacial spasm.

We have constructed two kinds of external cavity semiconductor laser. The first one is a diffraction feedback system consisting of a collimating lens, a diffraction grating and a mirror controlled by a PZT element. The second one is a dispersion feedback system in which the diffraction grating is replaced with a prism. Changing the angle of the external mirror by controlling the voltage to be supplied to the PZT, we have succeeded to tune the longitudinal mode of semiconductor laser continuously in the range of about 1 GHz.

For the enhancement of population inversion in Cu‐halide laser, the potential energy of metastable state is effectively converted to the quantum transition energy. As a candidate for this aim, Cu‐Eu system is proposed. With Cu‐Eu system, Cu main lasing and Eu auxiliary lasing are expected simultaneously.

Prophylactic intra-arterial infusion of anticancer drug on post hepatic resection for hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinoma were performed 8 cases. In our cases consisted of 8 patients of mean age of 54.3 years (male 3 cases and female 5 cases, synchronous metastasis 4 cases and metachronous 4 cases). All patients were received intra-arterial bolus injection of MMC (4-8 mg/body) at day 1 and continuous infusion of 5-FU (250-750 mg/body) for 7 days on admission. After discharged, patients were received bolus injection of 5-FU (250-750 mg/body) for once a week. Side effect of this treatment was not appeared and all of them obtained very good QOL. There were no recurrence sign of residual liver and this procedure was very useful method for post hepatic resection for hepatic metastasis of colorectal cancer.

To observe the clinical course after reperfusion and recovery from myocardial stunning of the left ventricular anterior wall, we prospectively reviewed and analyzed cardiac enzymes, ECG changes, echocardiograms, and cineangiograms in 8 patients with the acute ischemic syndrome who fulfilled the following criteria: 1) no history of previous myocardial infarction, 2) repeated and/or prolonged episodes of chest pain, 3) critical stenosis of the left anterior descending artery with wall motion abnormalities, 4) successful emergency percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, and 5) normal wall motion on repeat cineangiography 4 to 8 weeks later. Creatine kinase (CK) and/or its cardiac isoenzyme (CK-MB) were minimally elevated in all cases. Wall motion was normalized with the reduction of end-systolic volume (end-diastolic volume: from 139 +/- 25 to 140 +/- 37 ml, ns, end-systolic volume: from 68 +/- 16 to 39 +/- 13 ml, p0.001, ejection fraction: from 51 +/- 6 to 71 +/- 6%, p0.001). Serial echocardiograms showed normalization of wall motion within 4 to 28 days. T wave inversion in the left precordial leads developed 30 min to 5 hours after the cessation of chest pain or successful reperfusion, and prominent negative T waves (1.6 +/- 0.6 mV) with QT prolongation (0.56 +/- 0.08 sec) in V3 or V4 reached their peak values within one to 5 days. ECG abnormalities resolved after 21 to 95 days. These ECG findings may indicate reperfusion injury and the presence of myocardial stunning in the anterior wall of the left ventricle.

In order to minimize the deviation of the position of spherical superconducting inertial fusion energy (IFE) target from the laser shot point, a target trajectory adjusting system using a magnetic lens was analysed. The system consists of magnets or coils placed symmetrically along the line between the target injection point and the laser shot point. An approximation to the magnetic charge, which forms the magnetic lens, is obtained for general configuration. The magnitude of the magnetic charge limits allowable target displacement at the magnetic lens. Sensitivity analysis of the target deviation is reported to design an active adjusting system which compensates for the perturbation of the parameters of an individually injected target.

A position measurement method using the Arago spot and a divergent beam is discussed for the in-chamber measurements of an inertial fusion energy (IFE) target. By employing a divergent beam, the actual displacement of the target is measured by the magnified displacement of the Arago spot, and the shadow of the target is also magnified, whereas the diameter of the Arago spot is not enlarged significantly. This fact enables us to measure the small displacement of the target with high measurement accuracy over a large measurement range. The Arago spot can be identified by the maximum intensity in the diffraction pattern due to the magnified target shadow. A measurement accuracy of 0.2 μm is achieved with a measurement range of 2 to 10 m for a 5-mm-diameter target.

Electrophysiological studies using spectral analysis techniques were undertaken in rabbits to determine whether or not hippocampal rhythmical slow activity (RSA, theta wave activity) was affected by the 5-hydroxy-tryptamine1A (5-HT1A) agonists 8-hydroxy-2-(di-n-propyl-amino) tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) and 3a alpha, 4 beta, 7 beta, 7a alpha-hexahydro-2-(4-(4-(2-pyrimidinyl)-1-piperazinyl)-butyl)-4, 7-methano-1H-isoindole-1,3(2H)-dione dihydrogen citrate (SM-3997, a newly synthesized anxiolytic drug). Intravenous administration of 8-OH-DPAT and SM-3997 induced a desynchronized pattern with low-amplitude slow wave activity in the hippocampal EEG and inhibited RSA generation following stimulation of the midbrain reticular formation. RSA was also inhibited by 5-HT1A related anxiolytics such as buspirone, gepirone, and ipsapirone. The effects of 8-OH-DPAT and SM-3997 on the hippocampal RSA were blocked by pindolol, which has 5-HT1A antagonistic activity. Direct microinjection of these 5-HT1A selective agonists into the hippocampus inhibited generation of the hippocampal RSA. These findings indicated that 8-OH-DPAT and SM-3997 inhibited the hippocampal RSA by acting on hippocampal 5-HT1A receptors.

"(1)木曽川本流における水質の汚濁図を作製し,生活にかかる環境基準と照合した.その結果,一部を除き基準は満たされていた.(2)木曽川において,BODと一般細菌の分布を調べた.その結果,この川は上流から下流までBODや細菌数の変化が少なく,支流の影響は比較的少ない河川といえる.(3)水中における有機物質等の分解を知る方法として,過去に行なった山崎川や庄内川におけるDOの経口変化を木曽川についても調べた.また,それに併せて一般細菌数,窒素およびリンの変化も調べてみた.そして,それらをE. Leclercの酸素消費曲線の体型分けと照合した.その結果,山崎川や庄内川は汚濁度は比較的高いが自浄作用があるタイプであり,今同調査した木曽川は,比較的清流なタイプに該当することが認められた."

Design studies of a laser fusion reactor SENRI-I are presented, including the related analyses and experiments. The unique feature of SENRI-I is the utilization of the static magnetic field to control and guide the liquid Li flow. Neutronics calculations (1D–3D) show that the sufficient T breeding ratio is obtained and the streaming neutrons are reduced by a devised design of laser port. Analysis of damage of the wall covered by an inner Li flow shows that the long lifetime is assured.

The experimental basis and instrumentation for the Gekko XII laser fusion program developed at the Institute of Laser Engineering (ILE), Osaka University are presented. Many diagnostics are in use to evaluate the key parameters of target implosion in an extremely dense, short period region. In this paper, we describe the present status and future planning of these diagnostics, such as x‐ray, radioactive, and reaction particle measurement, because of their importance for fuel ρR determination.

Radiochemical measurements have been developed for the diagnostics of laser‐driven implosion plasmas. The excellent calibration for neutron‐yield measurement has been done using β‐γ coincidence technique. The multiactivable tracer method has been examined for measuring the pusher areal density by means of a high‐purity germanium detector. The first experimental success of the secondary nuclear fusion reaction method is also demonstrated for the direct measurement of the fuel ρR.

The first demonstration of a fuel density‐radius product measurement using secondary nuclear fusion reactions is presented. This technique involves using neutrons and protons generated by DT {T(d,n)α} and D3He {3He(d,p)α} fusion reactions, respectively, in a pure deuterium fuel.

Clinical, biological, histopathological and laboratory data are reported on a 13-year-old male with atlanto-axial, atlanto-occipital hypermobilities, cervical canal stenosis, hypoplastic atlas and hypoplastic first rib in the Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. He developed frequent attacks of sudden tetraplegia or tetraparesis and numbness below C2 due to trivial neck injuries. Examination revealed marked hypermobilities of all joints the cutis elastica (Fig. 1), spastic tetraparesis and fasciculation of the tongue. Occipito-atlantal hypermobility measured by Wiesel and Rhothmans' method revealed 5 mm horizontal translation (Fig. 2). Anterior and lateral dislocations of atlanto-axial joints were marked due to laxicity of the joint. Posterior decompression of C1, laminotomy of C2,3, occipito-C2 fixation with autogenous iliac "board (3 X 6 cm, rectangular board) graft" yielded favorable results with 15 months follow-up. To our knowledge, this is the first patient reported with this unusual combinations.

Ablative implosions of glass microballoon targets driven by twelve 0.53-\ensuremath{\mu}m laser beams have been studied by use of secondary DT and D $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ fusion reactions in an initially pure deuterium fuel. The tritons and $^{3}\mathrm{He}$ nuclei are products of primary DD fusion reactions. Comparisons with results of a hydrodynamic simulation indicate that collisional energy loss for these primary fusion products is strongly enhanced by fuel-pusher mixing taking place during the implosion.