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Stellar images have been obtained under natural seeing at visible and near-infrared wavelengths simultaneously through the Subaru Telescope at Mauna Kea. The image quality is evaluated by the full-width at the half-maximum (FWHM) of the stellar images. The observed ratio of FWHM in the V-band to the K-band is 1.54 ± 0.17 on average. The ratio shows tendency to decrease toward bad seeing as expected from the outer scale influence, though the number of the samples is still limited. The ratio is important for simulations to evaluate the performance of a ground-layer adaptive optics system at near-infrared wavelengths based on optical seeing statistics. The observed optical seeing is also compared with outside seeing to estimate the dome seeing of the Subaru Telescope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multistep one-pot polycondensation reactions synthesized amphiphilic diblock polyphosphoesters containing lactic acid units in the polymer backbone. At the first step was synthesized poly[poly(ethylene glycol) H-phosphonate–b-poly(ethylene glycol)lactate H-phosphonate] was converted through one pot oxidation into poly[alkylpoly(ethylene glycol) phosphate-b-alkylpoly(ethylene glycol)lactate phosphate]s. They were characterized by 1H, 13C {H},31P NMR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The effects of the polymer composition on micelle formation and stability, and micelle size were studied via dynamic light scattering (DLS). The hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of these polymers can be controlled by changing the chain lengths of hydrophobic alcohols. Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency tests using Sudan III and doxorubicin revealed that hydrophobic substances can be incorporated inside the hydrophobic core of polymer micelles. The micelle size was 72–108 nm when encapsulating Sudan III and 89–116 nm when encapsulating doxorubicin. Loading capacity and encapsulation efficiency depend on the length of alkyl side chains. Changing the alkyl side chain from 8 to 16 carbon atoms increased micelle-encapsulated Sudan III and doxorubicin by 1.6- and 1.1-fold, respectively. The results obtained indicate that these diblock copolymers have the potential as drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim The degree of contamination with radioactive cesium (134 Cs and 137 Cs) in the human placenta after the accident at Fukushima nuclear power plant ( FNP), which occurred on 11 March 2011, has not been assessed. Material and Methods 134 Cs and 137 Cs contents were determined in 10 placentas from 10 women who gave birth to term singleton infants during the period between October 2011 and August 2012 using high-purity germanium detectors for gamma ray spectrometry. Five women resided within 50 km of FNP (neighbor group) and gave birth by the end of February 2012, while the other five women resided within 210-290 km of FNP (distant group) and gave birth in July and August 2012. Results All except one of the 10 placentas contained detectable levels of 134 Cs and 137 Cs, ranging 0.042-0.742 Bq/kg for 134 Cs and 0.078-0.922 Bq/kg for 137 Cs. One placenta from a woman living in Tokyo contained 0.109 Bq/kg 137 Cs and no detectable level of 134 Cs (<0.054 Bq/kg). 137 Cs content was more than 0.2 Bq/kg in four and one placentas in the neighbor and distant groups, respectively. Conclusion Degree of contamination of the placenta with radioactive Cs was lower even in women who resided within 50 km of FNP compared to Japanese and Canadian placentas in the mid-1960s after repeated nuclear tests and in northern Italian placentas from 1986-1987 after the Chernobyl power plant accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A half-width microstrip leaky-wave antenna on a circular substrate is proposed and investigated. A microstrip on a circular substrate has a broader bandwidth for free-space leaky-wave radiation than a planar microstrip. A half-width microstrip has similar radiation characteristics to a full-width microstrip, but it does not require complex feeding structures. Full-wave analysis based on the extended spectral domain approach (ESDA) is applied to analyze the propagation characteristics of the circular half-width microstrip. The ESDA accounts for field singularities near a conductor edge of finite thickness and it does not require a virtual boundary to obtain the finite extent of the analytical space. Consequently, the ESDA is more suitable for analyzing leaky-wave structures than other conventional analysis methods. Numerical calculations are performed to determine the characteristics of the leaky-wave radiation from half-width microstrips on circular and semicircular substrates. The leaky radiation elements can be efficiently designed based on these numerical results. Two practical antennas with leaky radiation elements and feeders are designed and implemented. The measured bandwidths of the free-space leaky-wave radiation indicate that these cylindrical antennas have better performances than planar ones and they are in reasonable agreement with theoretical results. The measured radiation patterns with frequency-scanning characteristics also agree well with the simulation results. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Word frequency is assumed to correlate with word familiarity, but the strength of this correlation has not been thoroughly investigated. In this paper, we report on our analysis of the correlation between a word familiarity rating list obtained through a psycholinguistic experiment and the log-frequency obtained from various corpora of different kinds and sizes (up to the terabyte scale) for English and Japanese. Major findings are threefold: First, for a given corpus, familiarity is necessary for a word to achieve high frequency, but familiar words are not necessarily frequent. Second, correlation increases with the corpus data size. Third, a corpus of spoken language correlates better than one of written language. These findings suggest that cognitive familiarity ratings are correlated to frequency, but more highly to that of spoken rather than written language. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hemibiotrophic ascomycete Colletotrichum higginsianum is the casual agent of anthracnose disease of cruciferous plants. High efficiency transformation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer has been established for this fungus. However, targeted gene mutagenesis through homologous recombination rarely occurs in C. higginsianum. We have identified and disrupted the C. higginsianum homologue of the human Ku70 gene, ChKU70, which encodes a protein that plays a role in non-homologous end-joining for repair of DNA breaks. chku70 mutants showed a dramatic increase in the frequency of integration of introduced exogenous DNA fragments by homologous recombination without any detectable phenotypic defects. This result demonstrates that the chku70 mutant is an efficient recipient for targeted gene mutagenesis in C. higginsianum. We have also developed a novel approach [named direct repeat recombination-mediated gene targeting (DRGT)] for targeted gene disruption through Agrobacterium tumefaciens-mediated gene transfer. DRGT utilizes homologous recombination between repeated sequences on the T-DNA flanking a partial fragment of the target gene. Our results suggest that DRGT in the chku70 mutant background could be a useful tool for rapid isolation of targeted gene disruptants in C. higginsianum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The isotope 210Po was suspected of being involved in the death of a former Russian intelligence agent in 2006 in the UK. Although human exposure to this natural radionuclide in foods is estimated to be high, few studies are available. UNSCEAR Report 2000 does not contain data on 210Po concentrations of foodstuffs in Japan. We analyzed samples of the everyday Japanese diet cooked with foodstuffs purchased at supermarkets in 7 major domestic cities in 2007-2008.210Po was quantified by alpha spectrometry and natural radionuclides such as 40K by gamma spectrometry. The daily intake and committed effective dose of 210Po, 40K, and other natural radionuclides for Japanese adults were calculated. Daily intake was 0.34-1.84 (mean ± σ: 0.66 ± 0.53) and 68.5-94.2 (81.5 ± 8.5) Bq/d and the committed effective dose was 0.15-0.81 (0.29 ± 0.24) and 0.16-0.21 (0.18 ± 0.02) mSv for 210Po and 40K, respectively, comprising a high percentage of the total exposure. The total of the mean committed effective dose for the two nuclides (0.47 mSv) was higher than the annual effective dose from ingestion of foods reported by UNSCEAR 2000 (0.29 mSv). The mean committed effective dose of 40K in the 7 major Japanese cities was comparable to the global average (0.17 mSv). The dietary exposure of Japanese adults can be characterized by a higher 210Po contribution than in other countries. Of the total daily dietary 210Po exposure (13 food categories excluding water) for adults in Yokohama, about 70% was from fish/shellfish and 20% from vegetables/mushrooms/seaweeds, reflecting preferences of Japanese to eat a considerable amount of fish/shellfish containing high 210Po concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background : Growth hormone (GH) plays an important role in the pubertal development of males and females, and influences the male reproductive function after puberty. The purpose of this study was to investigate the cause of GH deficiency in infertile men with spermatogenetic maturation arrest using the clonidine loading test (GH stimulation test). Based on the results of the loading test, we tried to confirm whether clonidine might be usable as a male infertility remedy. Methods : We studied 75 infertile men (55 oligozoospermic and 20 azoospermic men) and 25 normal fertile volunteers. We used the oral clonidine (0.15 mg/m2) loading test to evaluate the GH secretory reserve. Histological diagnoses were performed using testicular biopsy and testicular sperm extraction specimens. Results : The most important finding was that the clonidine loading test caused a good response in 41 out of 55 (74.6%) patients with oligozoospermia. We treated these 41 good-response patients with oral clonidine, and the sperm count improved in 34 (82.9%) cases, increasing to 12–79 million/mL. Spontaneous pregnancy was subsequently achieved by 10 (24.4%) couples. Conclusions : These findings also suggest that GH is necessary for spermatogenesis, at least for the process of spermatozoa maturation. Oral clonidine therapy improved the sperm count in patients who showed an excessive response to the clonidine loading test. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: 1,2,3-Benzenetricarboxylate (BTA) and n-butylmalonate (BM), specific inhibitors of the mitochondrial tricarboxylate and dicarboxylate carrier, respectively, have been used to study the contribution of citrate export from mitochondria to the accumulation of fat in 3T3-L1 cells. Continuous treatment of the cells with BTA or BM for 5 days after the induction of differentiation caused a significant reduction in fat accumulation in the cells in an inhibitor concentration-dependent manner. These inhibitory effects of BTA and BM were not due to their side effects on DNA replication, since similar inhibition of fat accumulation was not observed with ordinary inhibitors of DNA replication. A similar reduction in fat accumulation was also observed when the cells were treated with BTA or BM for only 2 days just after induction of differentiation. However, interestingly, treatment of the cells with an inhibitor starting 2 days after the induction did not result in reduced fat accumulation. Furthermore, Northern analysis clearly indicated that transcript levels of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) and adipose-type fatty acid binding protein (A-FABP) were well correlated with the levels of fat accumulation. These results clearly indicate the essential role of citrate export from the mitochondrial matrix to the cytosol at the early differentiation stage of 3T3-L1 cells for their effective differentiation into fat cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The observed dissociation constant k [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

pH-sensitive amphiphilic diblock polyphosphoesters containing lactic acid units were synthesized by multistep one-pot polycondensation reactions. They comprise acid-labile P(O)-O-C and C(O)-O-C bonds, the cleavage of which depends on the pH of the medium. The structure of these copolymers was characterized by 1H, 13C {H}, 31P NMR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The newly synthesized polymers self-assembled into the micellar structure in an aqueous solution. The effects of the molecular weight of the copolymer and the length of the hydrophobic chain on micelle formation and stabilityand micelle size were studied via dynamic light scattering (DLS). Drug loading and encapsulation efficiency tests using doxorubicin revealed that hydrophobic drugs can be delivered by copolymers. It was established that the molecular weight of the copolymer, length of the hydrophobic chain and content of lactate units affects the size of the micelles, drug loading, and efficiency of encapsulation. A copolymer with 10.7% lactate content has drug loading (3.2 ± 0.3) and efficiency of encapsulation (57.4 ± 3.2), compared to the same copolymer with 41.8% lactate content (1.63%) and (45.8%), respectively. It was demonstrated that the poly[alkylpoly(ethylene glycol) phosphate-b-alkylpoly(ethylene glycol)lactate phosphate] DOX system has a pH-sensitive response capability in the result in which DOX was selectively accumulated into the tumor, where pH is acidic. The results obtained indicate that amphiphilic diblock polyphosphoesters have potential as drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transmission magnetic circular dichroism (MCD) spectroscopy has been widely used to reveal the spin-dependent band structure of ferromagnetic semiconductors. In these previous studies, some band pictures have been proposed from the spectral shapes observed in transmission MCD; however, extrinsic signals originating from optical interference have not been appropriately considered. In this study, we calculate the MCD spectra taking into account the optical interference of the layered structure of samples and show that the spectral shape of MCD is strongly influenced by optical interference. To correctly understand the transmission MCD, we also calculate the intrinsic MCD spectra of GaMnAs that are not influenced by the optical interference. The spectral shape of the intrinsic MCD can be explained by the characteristic band structure of GaMnAs, that is, the spin-polarized valence band and the impurity band existing above the valence band top. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the systematic study of the resonant tunneling spectroscopy on a series of ferromagnetic-semiconductor Ga1-xMnxAs with the Mn content x from ∼0.01 to 3.2%. The Fermi level of Ga1-xMnxAs exists in the band gap in the whole x region. The Fermi level is closest to the valence band (VB) at x = 1.0% corresponding to the onset of ferromagnetism near the metal-insulator transition (MIT), but it moves away from the VB as x increases or decreases from 1.0%. This anomalous behavior of the Fermi level indicates that the ferromagnetism and MIT emerge in the Mn-derived impurity band. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present the 1.9-4.2 μm spectra of the five bright (L ⩽ 11.2) young stars associated with silhouette disks with a moderate to high inclination angle of 39°-80° in the M42 and M43 regions. The water ice absorption is seen toward d121-1925 and d216-0939, while the spectra of d182-316, d183-405, and d218-354 show no water ice feature around 3.1 μm within the detection limits. By comparing the water ice features toward nearby stars, we find that the water ice absorption toward d121-1925 and d216-0939 most likely originates from the foreground material and the surrounding disk, respectively. The angle of the disk inclination is found to be mainly responsible for the difference of the optical depth of the water ice among the five young stars. Our results suggest that there is a critical inclination angle between 65° and 75° for the circumstellar disk where the water ice absorption becomes strong. The average density at the disk surface of d216-0939 was found to be 6.38 × 10–18 g cm–3. The water ice absorption band in the d216-0939 disk is remarkable in that the maximum optical depth of the water ice band is at a longer wavelength than detected before. It indicates that the primary carrier of the feature is purely crystallized water ice at the surface of the d216-0939 disk with characteristic size of ∼0.8 μm, which suggests grain growth. This is the first direct detection of purely crystallized water ice in a silhouette disk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using a novel strategy, amphiphilic polyphosphoesters based on poly(oxyethylene H-phosphonate)s (POEHP) with different poly(ethylene glycol) segment lengths and aliphatic alcohols with various alkyl chain lengths were synthesized using polycondensation reactions. They were characterized by 1H NMR, 13C {H} NMR 31P NMR, IR, and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The effects of the polymer structure on micelle formation and stability, micelle size, and critical micelle temperature were studied via dynamic light scattering (DLS). The hydrophilic/hydrophobic balance of these polymers can be controlled by changing the chain lengths of hydrophilic PEG and hydrophobic alcohols. A solubilizing test, using Sudan III, revealed that hydrophobic substances can be incorporated inside the hydrophobic core of polymer associates. Loading capacity depends on the length of alkyl side chains. The results obtained indicate that these structurally flexible polymers have the potential as drug carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spatially resolved L -band spectro-polarimetric observations were carried out toward a protoplanetary disk around the Herbig Fe star HD 142527 using the polarimetry mode of the InfraRed Camera and Spectrometer on the 8.2 m Subaru Telescope. The 2.9–4.1 μm polarimetric spectra of the bright central source and the scattered light at a distance of |${0{^{\prime \prime}_{.}}78}$| from the center toward the PA ∼ 290° were obtained using the AO188 adaptive optics system. The polarization spectra of the central region show no significant evidence of the polarization which is expected with the (non-aligned) hot dust emission near the central star, while the disk scattered light spectra shows linear polarization of |$\sim\!\! 10\%$|⁠ , which is consistent with the nature of scattered light. In addition, the polarization PA of ∼20° is also geometrically consistent with the scattered light from the central region. We also derived the flux density spectra of each region and confirmed the 3 μm water-ice absorption feature in the scattered light spectra, which is consistent with the findings in Honda et al. (2009 , ApJ, 690, L110). By comparing the model predictions by Tazaki et al. (2021b , ApJ, 921, 173), we estimated the grain properties of the extracted disk region. Assuming the power-law size distribution of silicate and ice, the maximum grain size a max of 3 μm and fractional ice abundance relative to Pollack et al. (1994 , ApJ, 421, 615) (f ice) of ∼0.1 is inferred, which is consistent with the finding by Tazaki et al. (2021b , ApJ, 921, 173). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Indomethacin-loaded poly(lactide- co-glycolide) (PLGA) nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100 nm were prepared by using a combination of an antisolvent diffusion method with preferential solvation (bare nanoparticles). Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-coated indomethacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100 nm were also prepared by emulsification and the solvent evaporation method (PVA-coated nanoparticles). Bare nanoparticles do not have a hydrophilic stabilizer on the surface; therefore, they have high hydrophobicity and negative charges. Electrophoretic mobility of bare nanoparticles at 5 mM NaCl solution was about 68 times higher than that of PVA-coated nanoparticles. Permeability of bare nanoparticles through rat skin was significantly higher than that of PVA-coated nanoparticles when iontophoresis was applied ex vivo. Indomethacin amount inside the skin after the permeation study by using bare nanoparticles was much higher than that by using PVA-coated nanoparticles. Indomethacin transition to circulation and accumulation in muscle by the transdermal delivery of indomethacin-loaded PLGA nanoparticles were significantly enhanced by using the combination of bare nanoparticles and iontophoresis in vivo. As for transdermal route of nanoparticles, both bare and PVA-coated nanoparticles were revealed to penetrate through the transfollicular pathway, and the migration of nanoparticles to follicles was enhanced by the application of iontophoresis. PLGA nanoparticles prepared by the antisolvent diffusion with preferential solvation are beneficial for iontophoretic transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Pulmonary administration of dry drug powder is a considered promising strategy in the treatment of various lung diseases such as tuberculosis and is more effective than systemic medication. However, in the pre-clinical study phase, there is a lack of devices for effective delivery of dry powders to the lungs of small rodents. In this study, an administration device which utilizes Venturi effect to deliver dry powders to the lungs homogeneously was developed. Methods: A Venturi-effect administration device which synchronizes with breathes by use of a ventilator and aerosolizes the dry powders was created. Pulmonary distribution of inhalable dry powders prepared by spray-drying poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid and an antituberculosis agent rifampicin and anti-tuberculosis effect of the powders on mycobacteria infected rats by administration with the Venturi-effect administration device and a conventional insufflation device were evaluated. Results: Homogeneous distribution of the dry powders in the lung was achieved by the Venturi-effect administration device due to efficient and recurring aerosolization of loaded dry powders while synchronizing with breathes. Amount of rifampicin delivered to the lungs by the Venturi-effect administration device was three times higher than that by a conventional insufflation device, demonstrating three times greater antimycobacterial activity. Conclusions: The Venturi-effect administration device aerosolized inhalable antituberculosis dry powders efficiently, achieved uniform pulmonary distribution, and aided the dry powders to exert antituberculosis activity on lung-residing mycobacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Globally, evidence from short‐term studies is insufficient for the guidelines to uniformly recommend a particular antipsychotic(s) for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia. Therefore, long‐term comprehensive evaluation of antipsychotics is required from a social rehabilitation perspective, especially for drugs that have not yet been studied. The Japan Useful Medication Program for Schizophrenia (JUMPs) is a large‐scale, long‐term naturalistic study to present pivotal 52‐week data on the continuity of second‐generation antipsychotics (SGA: aripiprazole, blonanserin, and paliperidone). Methods: JUMPs was an open‐label, three‐arm, randomized, parallel‐group, 52‐week study. Enrolled patients had schizophrenia, were ≥20 years old, and required antipsychotic treatment or switched from previous therapy. The primary endpoint was treatment discontinuation rate over 52 weeks. Secondary outcomes included remission rate, social functioning, and quality‐of‐life scores [Personal and Social Performance Scale (PSP) and EuroQol‐5 dimensions], and safety. Results: In total, 251 patients received aripiprazole (n = 82), blonanserin (n = 85), or paliperidone (n = 84). The discontinuation rate (P = 0.9771) and remission rates (P > 0.05) over 52 weeks did not differ significantly between the three treatment groups. The discontinuation rates were 68.3%, 68.2%, and 65.5% in the aripiprazole, blonanserin, and paliperidone groups, respectively. Significant improvements (all P < 0.05) from baseline in PSP scores were observed at start of monotherapy, week 26, and week 52 in the overall cohort and blonanserin group and at week 26 in the aripiprazole group. The adverse event profile favored blonanserin. Conclusion: All three SGAs evaluated in this study showed similar treatment discontinuation rates in patients with chronic schizophrenia in Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method of oxidation of poly(alkylene H-phosphonate)sispresented here. Trichloroisocyanuric acid is used for the first timeas a chlorination agent of poly(alkylene H-phosphonate)s. Poly(oxyethylenechlorophosphate) was obtained in quantitative yield at room temperaturein 1 h from poly(oxyethylene H-phosphonate) and trichloroisocyanuricacid. Poly(alkylene chlorophosphate)s have been used as an efficientpolymer carriers of low molecular biologically active substances bearinghydroxyl or amino groups. Using different molar ratio between trichloroisocyanuricacid and poly(alkylene H-phosphonate) can control the degree of oxidation,and novel co-polyphosphoesters with new propertiescan be obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article presents a novel approach for readability assessment through sorting. A comparator that judges the relative readability between two texts is generated through machine learning, and a given set of texts is sorted by this comparator. Our proposal is advantageous because it solves the problem of a lack of training data, because the construction of the comparator only requires training data annotated with two reading levels. The proposed method is compared with regression methods and a state-of-the art classification method. Moreover, we present our application, called Terrace, which retrieves texts with readability similar to that of a given input text. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the abdominal-transhiatal approach for resection of adenocarcinoma of the cardia or subcardia, and in laparoscopy-assisted total gastrectomy (LATG), the use of a circular stapling device has potential problems with the placement of the purse-string suture and insertion of the anvil of the instrument. We describe a new double-stapling technique for esophagojejunostomy and esophagogastrostomy, using a peroral intraluminal approach with a digital stapling system, a flexible shaft remote-control stapler — the Surg-ASSIST and Power Circular Stapler 21 mm (PCS). The overtube of the flexible shaft of the PCS is prepared with a nylon tie and secured to a nasogastric (NG) tube. The flexible shaft is manually advanced down the esophagus with guidance by pulling the NG tube from the abdominal cavity side. The trocar of the flexible shaft is removed from the stump of the abdominal esophagus and connected to the anvil and they are approximated; the stapler device is then fired to form a double-stapled esophagojejunostomy and esophagogastrostomy. Our peroral intraluminal approach does not require a suturing technique, and it can make anastomosis after resection for carcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and after LATG safe and simple. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near-infrared spectra of Jupiter's small inner satellites Amaltheaand Thebe are similar to those of D-type asteroids in the 0.8- to2.5-micrometer wave-length range. A deep absorption feature is detectedat 3 micrometers in the spectra of the trailing side of Amalthea, whichis similar to that of the non-ice components of Callisto and can beattributed to hydrous minerals. These surface materials cannot beexplained if the satellite formed at its present orbit by accreting froma circumjovian nebula. Amalthea and Thebe may be the remnants ofJupiter's inflowing building blocks that formed in the outer part oroutside of the circumjovian nebula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: The present study aimed to examine whether heart rate variability (HRV) indices in depressed patients measured at return to work after sick leave are related to the outcome of reinstatement. Methods: This study included 30 workers who took a leave of absence due to major depressive disorder. HRV was measured twice, once when participants left work and another when they returned to work. One month after returning to work, 19 participants continued their original work (successful return group), while 11 failed to perform their original work (unsuccessful return group). HRV indices including high‐ and low‐frequency components (HF and LF) were calculated in three conditions within a session lasting for about 5 minutes, initial rest (Rest), mental task (Task), and rest after task (After), and were compared between the two participant groups. Psychological states were evaluated using Self‐rating Depression Scale and State‐Trait Anxiety Inventory. Results: No significant differences were observed in the HRV indices on leaving work between groups. On returning to work, the "unsuccessful return group" exhibited lower HF Rest score, higher HF Task/Rest ratio, and higher LF/HF Rest score than the "successful return group." Psychological scores improved in both groups. Conclusion: These results indicate that autonomic dysregulations revealed by HRV measurement at return to work after a leave of absence in MDD patients were related to the outcome of reinstatement and can serve as useful information for the assessment of the risk of unsuccessful return. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphical abstract Highlights • Silk fibroin nanoparticles with a diameter of 40 nm were prepared. • The nanoparticles were stable at 4, 32, and 37 °C for a week. • The nanoparticles penetrated the stratum corneum. • The nanoparticles were delivered to deep hair follicles, the epidermis, and the dermis. Abstract Transdermal administration of drugs improves their bioavailability and is capable of systemic and local treatment. To improve the skin permeability of drugs, nano-sized systems have attracted attention as drug carriers for transdermal drug delivery system. We considered that silk fibroin composed of a crystalline region with many hydrophobic amino acids and an amorphous region with many hydrophilic amino acids was useful as a carrier for transdermal administration of a drug because of the balance between hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity. In this study, silk fibroin nanoparticles with mean volume diameters of 42.3 nm were successfully prepared, and storage stability was confirmed by storing the nanoparticle suspension at 4, 32, and 37 °C for a week. At any storage temperature, the mean volume diameter and standard deviation were stable. The polydispersity indexes were 0.19–0.23, and no specific trends were observed. Then, to investigate the transdermal delivery route of the silk fibroin nanoparticles, skin permeability in vivo was evaluated using mice. Six hours after administration, fluorescent substances were observed in the dermis in addition to the stratum corneum, hair follicles and the epidermis around them. This result indicated that fibroin nanoparticles with the mean volume diameter of 40-nm penetrated the stratum corneum and was delivered deep into the skin. Therefore, it was suggested that small nanoparticles prepared using silk fibroin are useful for drug delivery to the dermis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyethyleneimines (PEIs) are used for transfection of cells with nucleic acids. Meanwhile, the interaction of PEI with mitochondria causes cytochrome c release prior to apoptosis; the mechanisms how PEI causes this permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes and the release of cytochrome c remain unclear. To clarify these mechanisms, we examined the effects of branched-type PEI and linear-type PEI, each of which was 25 kDa in size, on mitochondria. The permeabilization potency of mitochondrial membranes by branched PEI was stronger than that by linear PEI. The permeabilization by PEIs were insensitive to permeability-transition inhibitors, indicating that PEI-induced permeabilization was not attributed to permeability transition. Meanwhile, PEIs caused permeabilization of artificial lipid vesicles; again, the permeabilization potency of branched PEI was stronger than that of linear PEI. Such a difference in this potency was close to that in the case of isolated mitochondria, signifying that the PEI-induced permeabilization of mitochondrial membranes could be attributed to PEI's interaction with the phospholipid phase. Furthermore, this PEI-induced permeabilization of the lipid vesicles was observed only in the case of lipid vesicles including negatively charged phospholipids. These results indicate that PEIs interacted with negatively charged phospholipids in the mitochondrial membranes to directly lead to their permeabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As crystalline indomethacin is heated and subsequently cooled, it transforms into glassy indomethacin. While the original crystals are off-white in color, the glass becomes blackish-brown via a yellow intermediate stage. TLC of the components of the glass revealed three bands. The yellow component, which is generated either under hypoxic conditions or in the dark, was elucidated by NMR spectroscopy to be a decarboxylated fragment produced by thermal degradation. The colorless component is proposed to be formed by the opening of the indole ring of indomethacin; the structure of this degradation product was identified by EI-MS to be the same as the oxidative-cleavage product formed upon UV-irradiation, as previously reported. Another band was a blackish-brown pigment whose mobility placed it close to the TLC baseline. This oxidative-cleavage product and the blackish-brown pigment are not generated under hypoxic conditions. However, the extent of indomethacin decarboxylation under hypoxic conditions was found to be dependent on the heating temperature and time. Consequently, we prepared amorphous indomethacin through control of the heating temperature and time; heating at 160 °C for 30 min or less under hypoxic conditions is optimum for obtaining pure amorphous indomethacin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

First, an elementary osmotic pump (EOP) with a simple structure was prepared using polyethylene oxide (PEO) and NaCl as an excipient, and the influence of the molecular weight (Mw) of PEO on drug release was investigated. In the dissolution test of EOP, it was observed that the gelated core tablet was pushed out through the orifice. The dissolution profile of EOP was sigmoidal, and despite the short time, a zero-order release region was observed. The gel swelling rate in the zero-order region was independent of the Mw of PEO. It was also found that higher the Mw of PEO, the larger the saturated swelling amount. Next, a push-pull pump (PPP) with almost identical formulation to that of EOP was prepared, and its drug release characteristics were investigated. PPPs were prepared by varying the combination of Mws of PEO in both layers, and their dissolution profiles were compared. It was found that PPP using a low-Mw PEO for the drug layer and PEO with a high-Mw in the push layer showed the longest dissolution profile of the linear region. The obtained findings suggested that the properties of PEO and its hydrogel play a crucial role in the drug release of PPP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial phosphate carrier (PiC) of mammals, but not the yeast one, is synthesized with a presequence. The deletion of this presequence of the mammalian PiC was reported to facilitate the import of the carrier into yeast mitochondria, but the question as to whether or not mammalian PiC could be functionally expressed in yeast mitochondria was not addressed. In the present study, we first examined whether the defective growth on a glycerol plate of yeast cells lacking the yeast PiC gene could be reversed by the introduction of expression vectors of rat PiCs. The introduction of expression vectors encoding full-length rat PiC (rPiC) or rPiC lacking the presequence (ΔNrPiC) was ineffective in restoring growth on the glycerol plates. When we examined the expression levels of individual rPiCs in yeast mitochondria, ΔNrPiC was expressed at a level similar to that of yeast PiC, but that of rPiC was very low. These results indicated that ΔNrPiC expressed in yeast mitochondria is inert. Next, we sought to isolate “revertants” viable on the glycerol plate by expressing randomly mutated ΔNrPiC, and obtained two clones. These clones carried either of two mutations, F267S or F282S; and these mutations restored the transport function of ΔNrPiC in yeast mitochondria. These two Phe residues were conserved in human carrier (hPiC), and the transport function of ΔNhPiC expressed in yeast mitochondria was also markedly improved by their substitutions. Thus, substitution of F267S or F282S was concluded to be important for functional expression of mammalian PiCs in yeast mitochondria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mitochondrial calcium uniporter (MCU) complex is a highly-selective calcium channel, and this complex is believed to consist of a pore-forming subunit, MCU, and its regulatory subunits. As yeast cells lack orthologues of the mammalian proteins, the yeast expression system for the mammalian calcium uniporter subunits is useful for investigating their functions. We here established a yeast expression system for the native-form mouse MCU and 4 other subunits. This expression system enabled us to precisely reconstitute the properties of the mammalian MCU complex in yeast mitochondria. Using this expression system, we analyzed the essential MCU regulator (EMRE), which is a key subunit for Ca 2 + uptake but whose functions and structure remain unclear. The topology of EMRE was revealed: its N- and C-termini projected into the matrix and the inter membrane space, respectively. The expression of EMRE alone was insufficient for Ca 2 + uptake; and co-expression of MCU with EMRE was necessary. EMRE was independent of the protein levels of other subunits, indicating that EMRE was not a protein-stabilizing factor. Deletion of acidic amino acids conserved in EMRE did not significantly affect Ca 2 + uptake; thus, EMRE did not have basic properties of ion channels such as ion-selectivity filtration and ion concentration. Meanwhile, EMRE closely interacted with the MCU on both sides of the inner membrane, and this interaction was essential for Ca 2 + uptake. This close interaction suggested that EMRE might be a structural factor for opening of the MCU-forming pore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is an intractable pulmonary disease, which causes widespread and irreversible alveoli collapse. Nevertheless, there is no effective drug therapy that regenerates lung tissue or prevents the progression of COPD and clinical management of patients remains mostly supportive. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether Am80 is useful as a novel pulmonary emphysema therapeutic drug. In this study, we treated the human alveolar epithelial stem cells with Am80 to clarify the differentiation-inducing mechanism and administrated Am80 transpulmonarily into elastase-induced COPD model mice to evaluate the effect of Am80 on pulmonary emphysema. First, we accordingly investigated whether Am80 had a differentiation-inducing effect on human alveolar epithelial stem cells, Am80 induced differentiation of human alveolar epithelial stem cells to alveolar type I and II cells dose dependently, and the proportion of differentiated into type I and type II alveolar epithelial cells as a result of treatment with 10 μM of Am80 for 7 days was approximately 20%. Second, we attempted to identify the major factor involved in the differentiation-inducing effect of human alveolar epithelial stem cells induced by Am80 using microarray analysis. In a microarray analysis, WNT1 , lectin , SLIT , chordin , ck12 , ck11 , and neurexin3 showed the largest variation in the Am80-treated group compared with the controls. In quantitative polymerase-chain-reaction assay, Am80 resulted in significant reduction in the WNT1 expression ratio whereas increase in the neurexin3 expression ratio. We evaluated the repairs effect for collapsed alveoli by Am80 of pulmonary administration. In untreated and Am80-treated mice the average CT value at 2 days was, respectively, − 506 and − 439 and there was a significant difference. Likewise, the assessment of the distance between alveolar walls, Lm, confirmed that there was a significant difference between control (68.0 ± 3.8 μm) and Am80-treated group (46.8 ± 1.8 μm). These indicated that treatment with Am80 caused a reversal of lung tissue damage in elastase-induced COPD model mouse. Those results suggested that Am80 were effective as novel COPD therapeutic compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mastoparan peptide is known as an inducer of the mitochondrial permeability transition. Although mastoparan was suggested to interact with a proteinaceous target in mitochondria to induce this transition, the action sites of mastoparan have not yet been investigated. To clarify whether specific interactions of mastoparan with receptors or enzymes are associated with the induction of this permeability transition, we examined the effects of d-isomeric peptides, which were synthesized using d-amino acids assembled in endogenous (inverso mastoparan) and reverse (retro-inverso mastoparan) orientations. When we added inverso mastoparan to isolated mitochondria, the peptide caused the permeability transition in a partially cyclosporin A-sensitive manner at lower doses and in a cyclosporin A-insensitive manner at higher ones. The manners of action and the potencies of inverso mastoparan were close to those of parent mastoparan, indicating that the targets of mastoparan for induction of the permeability transition were neither receptors, nor enzymes in the mitochondria. Retro-inverso mastoparan also had the same effect on the mitochondria as mastoparan, although the potencies of the effect were weaker. Not only on mitochondria, but also on phospholipid vesicles, mastoparan and inverso mastoparan showed massive permeabilization effects at the same potencies, although retro-inverso mastoparan showed weaker ones. These results indicate that mastoparan interacted with the phospholipid phase of the mitochondrial membrane (and not with specific proteins) to induce the permeabilization in cyclosporin A-sensitive and -insensitive manners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nondestructive analysis of tablet is of great importance from the aspect of productivity and safety. In terahertz ( THz) region, however, the analysis of core of coated tablet has not been progressed. In this study, we have measured a flat-surface push-pull osmotic pump tablet, having no orifice, having bilayer core and a coating film layer. The bilayer core was made from the drug layer and the push layer, and acetaminophen was contained in the drug layer as a model drug. To study its structure and components, we have obtained reflection spectra from the drug layer side and the push layer side measurements using THz time-domain reflection spectroscopy ( THz- TDRS). From these results, detection of the peak of acetaminophen in the spectrum from the drug layer side measurements was confirmed. We have made ridges approximated toward the peak using a general method of linear regression analysis in both spectra. Two-sample t-test was applied to their gradients, and significant difference between the drug layer and the push layer was shown. These results suggested that THz- TDRS is applicable to the analysis of structure and component of a coated tablet. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 103:256-261, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Proteome of mitochondrial proteins passed through hydroxyapatite columns was examined. [•] All the proteins had high hydrophobicity over their entire protein sequences. [•] The hydrophobic proteins fused to soluble proteins showed affinity for hydroxyapatite. [•] We discussed the molecular basis of the interactions between proteins and hydroxyapatite. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Ductal drug therapy is a novel therapeutic approach for primary breast cancers, particularly those involving ductal carcinoma in situ lesions. Total or partial mastectomy with or without radiotherapy is the standard local therapy for primary breast cancer. Here, we propose a novel drug administration method for ductal drug therapy based on a drug delivery system (DDS) for primary breast cancer. This DDS was designed to deliver miproxifen phosphate (TAT-59), an antiestrogen drug, to ductal lesions via the milk duct, where carcinomas originate, more efficiently than systemic administration, using an iontophoretic technique applied to the nipple (IP administration). Autoradiography imaging confirmed that TAT-59 was directly delivered to the milk duct using IP administration. The plasma concentrations of TAT-59 and its active metabolite DP-TAT-59 were quite low with IP administration. The area under the curve value of DP-TAT-59 in the mammary tissue was approximately 3 times higher with IP administration than with oral administration, at a 6-fold lower dose, indicating higher availability of the drug delivered via DDS than via systemic administration. The low plasma concentrations would limit adverse effects to minor ones. These characteristics show that this DDS is suitable for the delivery of active DP-TAT-59 to ductal lesions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Indomethacin (IM) easily forms an amorphous complex with lidocaine (LC) by heat treatment. To know the mechanism involved in the formation of this complex, we studied temperature-dependent phase changes in mixtures of IM and lidocaine hydrochloride (LH), in which the cationic form of LC forms a salt with Cl−, in various molar ratios by using DSC and NMR. Although heating of the mixture of IM and LC (IM+LC), formed a eutectic mixture, that of IM and LH (IM+LH) did not, and IM in the IM+LH mixture was dissolved into fused LH. Cooling of the fused IM+LH showed the glass transition in all of the samples containing various amounts of IM, suggesting that fused IM+LH took a homogenous amorphous state (IM/LH) below its glass transition temperature, in contrast to the fused IM+LC, which formed the rubber state and/or glass state depending on the molar content of IM. The results of the NMR study showed that IM in IM/LH caused the electronic structure of LH to change in such a way as to become similar to that of LC, but this effect was limited. Hence, mode of interaction of LH with IM is different from that of LC with IM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Although treatment of pulmonary tuberculosis with respirable microspheres (MS) with an incorporated antituberculosis drug is expected to be highly effective, this treatment seems to achieve a much lesser effect than expected in the case of killing Mycobacterium tuberculosis residing in the lungs. To elucidate the reason for this weaker effect, we examined the distribution and accumulation of respirable MS consisting of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) in rat lungs. For this, we delivered the PLGA MS containing fluorescent coumarin 6 or an antituberculosis agent, rifampicin (RFP), by insufflation via the trachea and then determined the pulmonary distribution by counting the number of the MS in lung cryosections observed under a microscope. In addition, the uptake of MS by alveolar macrophage (AMϕ) was determined by immunostaining for Mϕ cell marker CD68 and RFP content in the cells. Approximately half of the fluorescent PLGA MS reached the alveoli without entrapment by trachea and primary bronchi and were then ingested by the AMϕ cells up to 24h after insufflation. RFP in a form of PLGA MS was markedly transported into AMϕ at an amount 10 times greater than that for the free RFP powder. However, a large proportion of RFP was eliminated from the lungs by 6h after insufflation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We studied temperature-dependent phase changes in the mixture of indomethacin (IM) and lidocaine (LC) in various molar ratios by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). DSC studies were carried out between −40°C and 180°C heating/cooling/heating cycle at a rate of 10°C/min under a nitrogen gas flow. Although LC in the liquid state was crystallized, fused IM showed a glass transition signal upon cooling. Hence, cooling of fused IM caused it to assume the amorphous state below its glass transition temperature. Heating of the mixture of IM and LC resulted in formation of a eutectic mixture between them, and cooling of the fused mixture caused formation of the amorphous state at any molar ratio examined. It is noteworthy that the amorphous solid of the fused complex of IM and LC was in the rubber state and glass state in the mixtures containing IM between 20% and 40%, whereas there was only the glass state in the samples containing 50% IM and higher. In addition, crystallization of LC took place by cooling the fused sample containing 10% IM. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Crystalline state of pharmaceutical materials is of great importance in the preparation of pharmaceutics because their physicochemical properties affect bioavailability, quality of products, therapeutic level, and manufacturing process. In this study, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres by measuring terahertz (THz) spectroscopy. The commercially available trehalose dihydrate takes in general a crystalline state, but trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method are in an amorphous state. We have prepared amorphous anhydrous trehalose by using melt-quenched method from crystalline trehalose dihydrate. We have measured the absorbance of trehalose dihydrate containing amorphous anhydrous trehalose (0%, 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%) using THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS) to prepare calibration curves. Using the calibration curves, we have estimated the crystallinity of trehalose dihydrate microspheres prepared by using spray-drying method. Our results suggest that THz-TDS is well suited to distinguish crystallinity differences in pharmaceutical compounds. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. and the American Pharmacists Association J Pharm Sci 101:3465-3472, 2012 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Estradiol is a therapeutic agent for treatment of perimenopausal symptoms and osteoporosis. Conventional oral or intravenous administration of estradiol has many problems, such as, metabolization in gastrointestinal tract and liver, pain by using an injection needle, rapid increase of drug levels in blood and fast clearance with unwanted side effects including thrombosis, endometriosis and uterus carcinoma. The use of nanocarriers for transdermal delivery has been studied because of their ability to deliver therapeutic agents for long time with a controlled ratio, escaping from the first pass effect by liver. In this study, permeability of estradiol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles through rat skin was studied. Higher amount of estradiol was delivered through skin when estradiol was loaded in nanoparticles than estradiol was free molecules. Also, iontophoresis was applied to enhance the permeability of nanoparticles. When iontophoresis was applied, permeability of estradiol-loaded PLGA nanoparticles was much higher than that obtained by simple diffusion of them through skin, since they have negative surface charges. They were found to penetrate through follicles mainly. Also, enhanced permeability effect of estradiol by using nanoparticle system and iontophoresis were observed in vivo. The combination of charged nanoparticle system with iontophoresis is useful for effective transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Environmental pollution with radioiodine (iodine-131, 131I) occurred after an accident at the Fukushima nuclear power plant (FNP) on March 11, 2011, in Japan. Whether environmental pollution with 131I can contaminate human breast milk has not been documented. Methods: The 131I content was determined in 126 breast milk samples from 119 volunteer lactating women residing within 250 km of the FNP, between April 24 and May 31, 2011. The degree of environmental pollution was determined based on the data released by the Japanese government. Results: An 131I content of 210 Bq/kg in the tap water in Tokyo, which is located 230 km south of the FNP, on March 22 and of 3500 Bq/kg in spinach sampled in a city located 140 km southwest of the FNP on March 19 decreased over time to <21 Bq/kg on March 27 and 12 Bq/kg on April 26, respectively. Seven of the 23 women who were tested in April secreted a detectable level of 131I in their breast milk. The concentrations of 131I in the breast milk of the seven women were 2.3 Bq/kg (on April 24), and 2.2, 2.3, 2.3, 3.0, 3.5 and 8.0 (on April 25); the concentrations of 131I in the tap water available for these seven women at the same time were estimated to be <1.3 Bq/kg. None of the remaining 96 women tested in May exhibited a detectable concentration of 131I in their breast milk samples. Conclusions: The contamination of breast milk with 131I can occur even when only mild environmental 131I pollution is present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Nanoparticles effectively deliver therapeutic agent by penetrating into the rat skin in vivo. Indomethacin (IM) and coumarin-6 were loaded in PLGA nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100nm. Indomethacin (IM) and coumarin-6 were chosen as a model drug and as a fluorescent marker, respectively. The surfaces of the nanoparticles were negatively charged. Permeability of IM-loaded PLGA nanoparticles through rat skin was studied in vivo. Higher amount of IM was delivered through skin when IM was loaded in nanoparticles than IM was free molecules. Also, iontophoresis was applied to enhance the permeability of nanoparticles. When iontophoresis was applied at 0.05mA/cm2, permeability of IM was much higher than that obtained by simple diffusion of nanoparticles through skin. The combination of charged nanoparticle system with iontophoresis is useful for effective transdermal systemic delivery of therapeutic agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Nanoparticles effectively deliver therapeutic agent by penetrating into the skin. Indomethacin (IM) and coumarin-6 were loaded in PLGA nanoparticles with an average diameter of 100nm. IM and coumarin-6 were chosen as a model drug and as a fluorescent marker, respectively. The surfaces of the nanoparticles were negatively charged. Permeability of IM-loaded PLGA nanoparticles through rat skin was studied. Higher amount of IM was delivered through skin when IM was loaded in nanoparticles than IM was free molecules. Also, iontophoresis was applied to enhance the permeability of nanoparticles. When iontophoresis with 3V/cm was applied, permeability of IM was much higher than that obtained by simple diffusion of nanoparticles through skin. The combination of charged nanoparticle system with iontophoresis is useful for effective transdermal delivery of therapeutic agents. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Our previous results on the phagocytic activity of alveolar macrophages (Mϕs) toward poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid microspheres (PLGA MS) loaded with the anti-tuberculosis agent rifampicin (R-PLGA MS) suggest that the phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS enhances the phagocytic activity of Mϕ cells . To confirm this possibility, we examined the effect of phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS and polystyrene latex (PSL) MS on the phagocytic uptake of fluorescent PSL (F-PSL) MS by cells of the rat alveolar macrophage cell line NR8383 at 37°C. Phagocytic activity was examined in terms of the population of Mϕ cells that had phagocytosed MS (N total) and the total number of MS phagocytosed (n total) by counting the phagocytic Mϕ cells and the MS ingested in optical microscopic fields. Phagocytosis of R-PLGA MS enhanced about 1.5 times the values of N total and n total of the phagocytosis of F-PSL MS under the conditions where the phagocytosis of F-PSL MS did not attain the saturated level. In contrast, the phagocytosis of PSL MS did not enhance the phagocytic activity of Mϕ cells toward F-PSL MS. In conclusion, R-PLGA MS are favorable for drug delivery of anti-tuberculosis agents into alveolar Mϕs due to their ability to up-regulate the phagocytosis of MS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The quasar SDSS J133401.39+331534.3 at z = 2.426 is found to be a two-image gravitationally lensed quasar with an image separation of 07833. The object is first identified as a lensed quasar candidate in the Sloan Digital Sky Survey Quasar Lens Search, and then confirmed as a lensed system from follow-up observations at the Subaru and University of Hawaii 2.2 m telescopes. We estimate the redshift of the lensing galaxy to be 0.557 based on absorption lines in the quasar spectra as well as the color of the galaxy. In particular, we observe the system with the Subaru Telescope AO188 adaptive optics with a laser guide star, in order to derive accurate astrometry, which well demonstrates the usefulness of the laser guide star adaptive optics imaging for studying strong lens systems. Our mass modeling with improved astrometry implies that a nearby bright galaxy ~4" apart from the lensing galaxy is likely to affect the lens potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) mission was an impact exploration searching for a volatile deposit in a permanently shadowed region (PSR) by excavating near-surface material. We conducted infrared spectral and imaging observations of the LCROSS impacts from 15min before the first collision through 2min after the second collision using the Subaru Telescope in order to measure ejecta dust and water. Such a ground-based observation is important because the viewing geometry and wavelength coverage are very different from the LCROSS spacecraft. We used the Echelle spectrograph with spectral resolution λ/Δλ ∼10,000 to observe the non-resonant H2O rotational emission lines near 2.9μm and the slit viewer with a K′ filter for imaging observation of ejecta plumes. Pre-impact calculations using a homogeneous projectile predicted that 2000kg of ejecta and 10kg of H2O were excavated and thrown into the analyzed area immediately above the slit within the field of view (FOV) of the K′ imager and the FOV of spectrometer slit, respectively. However, no unambiguous emission line of H2O or dust was detected. The estimated upper limits of the amount of dust and H2O from the main Centaur impact were 800kg and 40kg for the 3σ of noise in the analyzed area within the imager FOV and in the slit FOV, respectively. If we take 1σ as detection limit, the upper limits are 300kg and 14kg, respectively. Although the upper limit for water mass is comparable to a prediction by a standard theoretical prediction, that for dust mass is significantly smaller than that predicted by a standard impact theory. This discrepancy in ejecta dust mass between a theoretical prediction and our observation result suggests that the cratering process induced by the LCROSS impacts may have been substantially different from the standard cratering theory, possibly because of its hollow projectile structure. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Understanding of the association of phagocytosis of polymers with signaling of innate immunity of macrophages is the major purpose of this study. Polymer conjugates have been utilized for clinical therapy of cancer and infections, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, as effective vectors of drug-delivery systems. They are incorporated through phagocytosis into macrophages and activate innate immunity signaling, which plays a crucial role in its therapeutic and side effects. Macrophage phagocytosis of polystyrene latex microspheres was examined and assayed by treatment of macrophages with the cholesterol depletor methyl-β-cyclodextrin (MβCD) or the sphingolipid depletor n-octyl-β-d-glucopyranoside (OGP). Expressions of various mRNAs during phagocytosis were quantified by real-time PCR. Phagocytosis of polystyrene latex microspheres by various macrophages, such as murine monocyte-derived macrophage J774, rat alveolar macrophage NR8383, and murine Kupffer cell KC13-2, was suppressed by treatment with MβCD or OGP in a concentration-dependent manner. The expression of mRNAs of TNFα, IL-1β, IL-6 and CXCL10 genes induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was not suppressed by treatment with MβCD in J774 cells. Moreover, genes that were induced by LPS were up-regulated even in the absence of LPS by the phagocytosis of polymer conjugates, but such up-regulations were not suppressed by the treatment with MβCD. It was shown that lipid rafts play a significant role in incorporation of polymer conjugates through phagocytosis of macrophages, but their association with signal transduction in innate immunity is very limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Liver- and heart/muscle-type isozymes of human carnitine palmitoyltransferase I (L- and M-CPTI, respectively) show a certain similarity in their amino acid sequences, and mutation studies on the conserved amino acids between these two isozymes often show essentially the same effects on their enzymatic properties. Earlier mutation studies on C305 in human M-CPTI and its counterpart residue, C304, in human L-CPTI showed distinct effects of the mutations, especially in the aspect of enzyme stability; however, simple comparison of these effects on the conserved Cys residue between L- and M-CPTI was difficult, because these studies were carried out using different expression systems and distinct amino acids as replacements. In the present study, we carried out mutation studies on the C305 in human M-CPTI using COS cells for the expression system. Our results showed that C305 was replaceable with aspartic acid but that substitution with other amino acids caused both loss of function and reduced expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Inhalation delivery of poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) microspheres (MS) loaded with the anti-tuberculosis agent rifampicin (RFP–PLGA MS) to alveolar macrophage (Mϕ) cells could be an effective drug delivery system for the treatment of tuberculosis. To examine this possibility, we studied (1) the bactericidal effect of RFP–PLGA MS on Mycobacterium bovis Bacillus Calmette–Guérin (BCG)-infected rat alveolar Mϕ NR8383 cells, and (2) changes in the biochemical events induced in these cells by the uptake of RFP–PLGA MS. The amount of intracellular RFP imported into the Mϕs by RFP–PLGA MS containing 0.25 and 2.50μg RFP/mL was more than twice and ten times, respectively, than that attained with 5.00μg/mL of RFP solution; and the MS exerted more potent bactericidal effect on BCG inside Mϕ cells than 5.00μg RFP/mL solution after incubation for 7days. RFP–PLGA MS little affected the viability of Mϕ cells, whereas the polystyrene latex (PSL) MS used as a reference decreased it significantly. RFP–PLGA MS did not stimulate the production of tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), nitric oxide, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) by the Mϕ cells, whereas PSL MS stimulated all of these mediators except IL-10. We conclude that RFP–PLGA MS are bio-safe microspheres due to their “silent” nature when taken into Mϕ cells and that they are promising for the treatment of tuberculosis by pulmonary inhalation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]