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Objectives The aim of this AFIRE (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease) trial subgroup analysis was to examine rivaroxaban monotherapy benefits and their relation to the time between stenting and enrollment among patients after coronary stenting. Background Of 2,215 patients with atrial fibrillation and stable coronary artery disease in the AFIRE trial, rivaroxaban monotherapy was noninferior to rivaroxaban plus antiplatelet therapy (combination therapy) in terms of efficacy and superior for safety endpoints. However, thrombotic risk after antiplatelet therapy cessation remained a concern among 1,444 patients who had undergone coronary stenting >1 year before enrollment. Methods The benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy in coronary stenting subgroups were assessed for efficacy (a composite of stroke, systemic embolism, myocardial infarction, unstable angina requiring revascularization, or death of any cause), safety (major bleeding defined according to International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis criteria), ischemic endpoints, net adverse clinical event, and time between stenting and enrollment. Results Efficacy and safety endpoints for monotherapy were superior to combination therapy, with HRs of 0.70 for efficacy (95% CI: 0.50-0.98; P = 0.036) and 0.55 for safety (95% CI: 0.33-0.92; P = 0.019). For ischemic endpoints, the HR was 0.82 (95% CI: 0.58-1.15; P = 0.240). The HR became smaller with longer time between stenting and enrollment (efficacy, P for interaction = 0.158; safety, P = 0.097). Conclusions In patients with atrial fibrillation after coronary stenting, the benefits of rivaroxaban monotherapy for efficacy and safety endpoints were consistent with those in the whole AFIRE trial population. The benefits became apparent with longer time between stenting and enrollment. (Atrial Fibrillation and Ischemic Events With Rivaroxaban in Patients With Stable Coronary Artery Disease Study [AFIRE]; UMIN000016612 , NCT02642419 )

Background:Myocardial infarction (MI) triggers myelopoiesis, resulting in heightened production of neutrophils. However, the mechanisms that sustain their production and recruitment to the injured heart are unclear.Methods:Using a mouse model of the permanent ligation of the left anterior descending artery and flow cytometry, we first characterized the temporal and spatial effects of MI on different myeloid cell types. We next performed global transcriptome analysis of different cardiac cell types within the infarct to identify the drivers of the acute inflammatory response and the underlying signaling pathways. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological strategies, we identified the sequelae of events that led to MI-induced myelopoiesis. Cardiac function was assessed by echocardiography. The association of early indexes of neutrophilia with major adverse cardiovascular events was studied in a cohort of patients with acute MI.Results:Induction of MI results in rapid recruitment of neutrophils to the infarct, where they release specific alarmins, S100A8 and S100A9. These alarmins bind to the Toll-like receptor 4 and prime the nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome in naïve neutrophils and promote interleukin-1β secretion. The released interleukin-1β interacts with its receptor (interleukin 1 receptor type 1) on hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the bone marrow and stimulates granulopoiesis in a cell-autonomous manner. Genetic or pharmacological strategies aimed at disruption of S100A8/A9 and their downstream signaling cascade suppress MI-induced granulopoiesis and improve cardiac function. Furthermore, in patients with acute coronary syndrome, higher neutrophil count on admission and after revascularization correlates positively with major adverse cardiovascular disease outcomes.Conclusions:Our study provides novel evidence for the primary role of neutrophil-derived alarmins (S100A8/A9) in dictating the nature of the ensuing inflammatory response after myocardial injury. Therapeutic strategies aimed at disruption of S100A8/A9 signaling or their downstream mediators (eg, nod-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 inflammasome, interleukin-1β) in neutrophils suppress granulopoiesis and may improve cardiac function in patients with acute coronary syndrome.

The body’s inflammatory response involves a series of processes that are necessary for the immune system to mitigate threats from invading pathogens. Leukocyte migration is a crucial process in both homeostatic and inflammatory states. The mechanisms involved in immune cell recruitment to the site of inflammation are numerous and require several cascades and cues of activation. Immune cells have multiple origins and can be recruited from primary and secondary lymphoid, as well as reservoir organs within the body to generate an immune response to certain stimuli. However, no matter the origin, an important aspect of any inflammatory response is the web of networks that facilitates immune cell trafficking. The vasculature is an important organ for this trafficking, especially during an inflammatory response, mainly because it allows cells to migrate towards the source of insult/injury and serves as a reservoir for leukocytes and granulocytes under steady state conditions. One of the most active and vital leukocytes in the immune system’s arsenal are neutrophils. Neutrophils exist under two forms in the vasculature: a marginated pool that is attached to the vessel walls, and a demarginated pool that freely circulates within the blood stream. In this review, we seek to present the current consensus on the mechanisms involved in leukocyte margination and demargination, with a focus on the role of neutrophil migration patterns during physio-pathological conditions, in particular diabetes and cardiovascular disease.

We have carried out $\nu_{\mu}$ charged-current interaction measurement on iron using an emulsion detector exposed to the T2K neutrino beam in the J-PARC neutrino facility. The data samples correspond to 4.0$\times$10$^{19}$ protons on target, and the neutrino mean energy is 1.49$\,$GeV. The emulsion detector is suitable for precision measurements of charged particles produced in neutrino-iron interactions with a low momentum threshold thanks to thin-layered structure and sub-$\mu$m spatial resolution. The charged particles are successfully detected, and their multiplicities are measured using the emulsion detector. The cross section was measured to be $\sigma^{\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{CC}} = (1.28 \pm 0.11({\mathrm{stat.}})^{+0.12}_{-0.11}({\mathrm{syst.}})) \times 10^{-38} \, {\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/{\mathrm{nucleon}}$. The cross section in a limited kinematic phase space of induced muons, $\theta_{\mu} < 45^{\circ}$ and $p_{\mu} > 400 \, {\rm MeV}/c$, on iron was $\sigma^{\mathrm{Fe}}_{\mathrm{CC \hspace{1mm} phase \hspace{0.5mm} space}} = (0.84 \pm 0.07({\mathrm{stat.}})^{+0.07}_{-0.06}({\mathrm{syst.}})) \times 10^{-38} \, {\mathrm{cm}}^{2}/{\mathrm{nucleon}}$. The cross-section results are consistent with previous values obtained via different techniques using the same beamline, and they are well reproduced by current neutrino interaction models. These results demonstrate the capability of the detector towards the detailed measurements of the neutrino-nucleus interactions around the 1$\,$GeV energy region., Comment: 27 pages, 17 figures

This paper reports the track multiplicity and kinematics of muons, charged pions, and protons from charged-current inclusive $\bar{\nu}_{\mu}$ and $\nu_{\mu}$ interactions on a water target, measured using a nuclear emulsion detector in the NINJA experiment. A 3-kg water target was exposed to the T2K antineutrino-enhanced beam with a mean energy of 1.3 GeV. Owing to the high-granularity of the nuclear emulsion, protons with momenta down to 200 MeV/$c$ from the neutrino-water interactions were detected. We find good agreement between the observed data and model predictions for all kinematic distributions other than the number of charged pions. These results demonstrate the capability of measurements with nuclear emulsion to improve neutrino interaction models.

In 2016, the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute funded the National Patient Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet) Bariatric Study (PBS). Understanding the experience of postoperative patients was a key component of this study. Nine focus groups were conducted in Southern California, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Ohio and in a national advocacy conference for patients with obesity. Participants were identified and recruited in both clinical and community settings. Focus group transcripts were analyzed using an iterative inductive-deductive approach to identify global overarching themes. There were 76 focus group participants. Participants were mostly women (81.4%), had primarily undergone gastric sleeve (47.0%), were non-Hispanic white (51.4%), had some college education (44.3%), and made $100,000 annual income or less (65.7%). Qualitative findings included negative reactions patients received from friends, family, and co-workers once they disclosed that they had bariatric surgery to lose weight; and barriers to follow-up care included insurance coverage, emotional and situational challenges, and physical pain limiting mobility. These findings confirm the other qualitative findings in this area. The approach to bariatric surgery should be expanded to provide long-term comprehensive care that includes in-depth postoperative lifetime monitoring of emotional and physical health.

Objectives Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), an inflammatory joint disorder, independently increases the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). IL‐1β contributes to both RA and CVD. We hypothesised that inhibiting IL‐1 signalling with the IL‐1R antagonist, anakinra, would dampen inflammation and promote resolution of atherosclerosis in arthritic mice. Methods Low‐density lipoprotein receptor (Ldlr)‐deficient mice were fed a Western‐type diet for 14 weeks to develop atherosclerotic plaques. Mice were then switched to a chow diet, promoting lesion regression, and randomised to a control group or into groups where arthritis was induced by passive transfer of K/BxN arthritogenic serum. The arthritic mice were further randomised to vehicle or anakinra. Results Arthritis impaired atherosclerotic lesion regression when cholesterol was lowered. This was associated with a higher burden of plaque macrophages, likely due to monocytosis, driven by myelopoiesis in the bone marrow and spleen. Interestingly, delayed intervention with anakinra had no effect on arthritis in these mice. However, a significant improvement in atherosclerotic plaque remodelling to a more stable phenotype was observed. This was associated with fewer circulating monocytes, caused by a reduction in splenic extramedullary myelopoiesis. Conclusion We show that inhibiting IL‐1 signalling in arthritic mice with pre‐existing atherosclerosis promotes lesion remodelling to a more stable phenotype, that is less likely to rupture and cause ischemic events such as myocardial infarction. This suggests that IL‐1R antagonism may suppress CVD complications in patients with RA. Furthermore, inhibiting IL‐1β signalling in other patients with inflammatory diseases that also predispose to CVD may also benefit from anti‐IL‐1 therapy., In this study, we found that blocking the interleukin 1 (IL‐1) receptor with anakinra, an IL‐1 receptor antagonist, promoted remodelling of atherosclerotic lesions to a more stable phenotype in mice with inflammatory arthritis. This was associated with reduced myelopoiesis in the spleen and subsequently fewer circulating monocytes that are known to enter atherosclerotic plaques. Our data suggest that in conjunction with standard lipid‐lowering therapy, targeting IL‐1 signalling in cardiovascular comorbidities where IL‐1 is known to play a role may reduce the risk of a cardiovascular event.

The goals of this study were to determine if secretory sphingomyelinase (S-SMase) activity is elevated in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) compared to control subjects and to examine the relationships of S-SMase activity with functional status, quality of life, and RA disease activity measurements. We collected data on 33 patients who were diagnosed with RA and 17 non-RA controls who were comparable in terms of age, sex, and race. Demographic, clinical data and self-reported measures of fatigue, pain, and physical function were obtained directly from patients and controls. RA patients also completed quantitative joint assessment using a 28-joint count and functional status and quality of life assessment using the Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ). Archived serum samples were used to analyze retrospectively serum S-SMase activity in patients and controls. The mean serum S-SMase activity was 1.4-fold higher in patients with RA (RA 2.8 ± 1.0 nmol/ml/h vs. controls 2.0 ± 0.8 nmol/ml/h; p = 0.014). Spearman's rho correlations between S-SMase activity and oxidant activity, markers of inflammation and endothelial activation with the exception of P-selectin (rho = 0.40, p = 0.034), measures of disease activity, functional status, and quality of life were not statistically significant in patients with RA. We confirmed that S-SMase activity is higher among RA patients compared to controls, as in other acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. Future studies can build on the present findings to understand more fully the biologic role(s) of S-SMase activity in RA.

This review focuses on the effects of chronic systemic inflammation on skeletal muscle and its downstream effect on physical function in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The importance of skeletal muscle in the regulation of whole-body glucose and lipid metabolism, and the benefits and barriers to physical activity and exercise training are highlighted. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps that may be important for the development of both pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions (e.g. proper exercise regimens) to protect individuals with RA from physical impairment.

Aim Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is associated with an approximately two-fold elevated risk of cardiovascular (CV)-related mortality. Patients with RA present with systemic inflammation including raised circulating myeloid cells, but fail to display traditional CV risk-factors, particularly dyslipidaemia. We aimed to explore if increased circulating myeloid cells is associated with impaired atherosclerotic lesion regression or altered progression in RA. Methods and results Using flow cytometry, we noted prominent monocytosis, neutrophilia, and thrombocytosis in two mouse models of RA. This was due to enhanced proliferation of the haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells (HSPCs) in the bone marrow and the spleen. HSPCs expansion was associated with an increase in the cholesterol content, due to a down-regulation of cholesterol efflux genes, Apoe, Abca1, and Abcg1. The HSPCs also had enhanced expression of key myeloid promoting growth factor receptors. Systemic inflammation was found to cause defective cellular cholesterol metabolism. Increased myeloid cells in mice with RA were associated with a significant impairment in lesion regression, even though cholesterol levels were equivalent to non-arthritic mice. Lesions from arthritic mice exhibited a less stable phenotype as demonstrated by increased immune cell infiltration, lipid accumulation, and decreased collagen formation. In a progression model, we noted monocytosis, enhanced monocytes recruitment to lesions, and increased plaque macrophages. This was reversed with administration of reconstituted high-density lipoprotein (rHDL). Furthermore, RA patients have expanded CD16+ monocyte subsets and a down-regulation of ABCA1 and ABCG1. Conclusion Rheumatoid arthritis impairs atherosclerotic regression and alters progression, which is associated with an expansion of myeloid cells and disturbed cellular cholesterol handling, independent of plasma cholesterol levels. Infusion of rHDL prevented enhanced myelopoiesis and monocyte entry into lesions. Targeting cellular cholesterol defects in people with RA, even if plasma cholesterol is within the normal range, may limit vascular disease.

Objective To investigate the association of low-density (lipid-rich) muscle measured by computed tomography (CT) with skeletal muscle function and health-related quality of life in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs). Methods Seventeen patients and 10 healthy controls underwent CT of the midthigh to quantify high- (30–100 HU) and low-density (0–29 HU) skeletal muscle areas. Anthropometric measures, body composition, physical activity level, health-related quality of life, skeletal muscle strength, endurance, and fatigue were assessed. Patients were compared against controls. The relationship of anthropometric, body composition, and disease variables with measures of muscle function were examined using Spearman's test on the patient group. Linear regression was used to assess the age- and disease-adjusted relationship of muscle quality to physical function and muscle strength. Results Patients had higher body fat percentage (P = 0.042), trunk fat mass (P = 0.042), android:gynoid fat (P = 0.033), and midthigh low-density muscle/total muscle area (P < 0.001) compared to controls. Midthigh low-density muscle/total muscle area was negatively correlated with self-reported physical function, strength, and endurance (the Short Form 36 [SF-36] health survey physical functioning [P = 0.004], manual muscle testing [P = 0.020], knee maximal voluntary isometric contraction/thigh mineral-free lean mass [P < 0.001], and the endurance step test [P < 0.001]), suggesting that muscle quality impacts function in IIM. Using multiple linear regression adjusted for age, global disease damage, and total fat mass, poor muscle quality as measured by midthigh low-density muscle/total muscle area was negatively associated with SF-36 physical functioning (P = 0.009). Conclusion Midthigh low-density muscle/total muscle area is a good predictor of muscle strength, endurance, and health-related quality of life as it pertains to physical functioning in patients with IIMs.

The characteristics and the effects of oxygen on the decomposition of sodium acetate have been investigated by pulsed discharge in water droplet spray in O2 and N2 used as carrier gases in the reactor. Two experimental conditions of gas mixing ratios of O2/N2 = 10/90 and O2/N2 = 50/50 were performed to evaluate the effect of oxygen. In both conditions, acetate was decomposed by pulsed discharge in water droplet spray, and formate and the other products were detected as intermediate products. Formate was gradually decomposed with increased treatment time. Acetate decomposition rates after 10 h treatment in the gas mixing ratios of O2/N2 = 10/90 and O2/N2 = 50/50 were 39% and 80%, respectively, and TOC decomposition rates were 48% and 78%, respectively. It was found that it is possible to decompose sodium acetate. These results indicate that organic compounds which have a carbon-carbon single bond can be completely decomposed by this technology. Decomposition efficiencies in the gas mixing ratios of O2/N2 = 10/90 and O2/N2 = 50/50 were 43 μg/kJ and 97 μg/kJ, respectively. Decomposition efficiency in the gas mixing ratio of O2/N2 = 50/50 is about 2.2 times higher than that of the gas mixing ratio of O2/N2 = 10/90 . These obtained results show that oxygen plays important roles in enhancing the decomposition of organic compounds.

The effects of reduced dimensions and the interfaces on antiferromagnetic quantum criticality are studied in epitaxial Kondo superlattices, with alternating n layers of heavy-fermion antiferromagnet CeRhIn_{5} and seven layers of normal metal YbRhIn_{5}. As n is reduced, the Kondo coherence temperature is suppressed due to the reduction of effective Kondo screening. The Néel temperature is gradually suppressed as n decreases and the quasiparticle mass is strongly enhanced, implying dimensional control toward a quantum critical point. Magnetotransport measurements reveal that a quantum critical point is reached for the n=3 superlattice by applying small magnetic fields. Remarkably, the anisotropy of the quantum critical field is opposite to the expectations from the magnetic susceptibility in bulk CeRhIn_{5}, suggesting that the Rashba spin-orbit interaction arising from the inversion symmetry breaking at the interface plays a key role for tuning the quantum criticality in the two-dimensional Kondo lattice.

Linear polarization of the Hα line was detected in kernels of a gradual flare, which was accompanied by a filament eruption. The maximum degree of polarization of this flare exceeds 1%, and the orientation of the polarization is approximately perpendicular to the flare ribbons. These results can be explained with the assumption that the observed polarization is impact polarization produced by accelerated protons. Downward motion of the Hα emitting layer of the flare kernels, which is generally accepted as the reaction to the chromospheric evaporation, was also observed. Both the polarization and the downward motion show the tendency to exhibit a significant signal during the rise phase of kernel brightenings. This fact suggests that not only the downward motion but also the polarization is closely related to the heating agent of the chromosphere. The hard X-rays observed by the Reuven Ramaty High-Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager (RHESSI) show a thermal component, but there is no detectable power-law component due to accelerated electrons. Therefore, protons are presumed to be not only the cause of the polarization but also a possible candidate of the principal heating agent in this flare, which lacks high-energy electrons.

Although exercise training improves hippocampus-related cognition, the optimum exercise intensity is still disputed. Based on the lactate threshold (LT, approximately 20 m/min on treadmill) of rats, we have shown that 2 weeks of training with stress-free mild exercise (ME,LT), but not intense exercise (IE,LT), comprising exercise stress, promotes adult hippocampal neurogenesis (Okamoto et al., PNAS, 2012), a potential substrate for memory improvement. These results led us to postulate that long-term ME, but not IE, training leads to improved hippocampal function as assessed with a Morris water maze (MWM) task. To test this hypothesis, we investigated the changes in physiological stress levels and MWM task performance in rats assigned to 6 weeks of sedentary control (CONT), ME-training or IE-training conditions. Results showed that, compared to the other conditions, only IE causes general adaptive syndrome (GAS), including adrenal hypertrophy, thymic atrophy and hypercorticosteronemia. In the MWM, ME led to enhanced memory, but not learning, compared with CONT, while IE produced no change in either capacity, probably due to GAS. These findings support the hypothesis that 6 weeks of continuous ME training leads to enhanced hippocampus-related memory, which may have implications for both healthy adults and subjects with low physical capacity.

We report on the 1997 December 14 prominence eruption event that was accompanied by eruptive signatures in X-rays, EUV and white light: coronal dimming, X-ray arcade formation, X-ray brightenings, EUV eruption, and a white light CME. The data used were obtained by the Nobeyama Radioheliograph, Yohkoh Soft X-ray Telescope (SXT) and SOHO/LASCO and EIT. We identified various substructures of the eruption and their inter-relationships. We found that the pre-disruption swelling of the equatorial streamer was caused by the outward displacement of the coronal material around the prominence location. The dynamical behaviors of the CME and the accompanying eruptive prominence seem to be very different.

Interaction between an emerging loop and an overlying loop is a typical cause of flares. We call such a basic combination of loops a ‘double-loop configuration’. We reveal the topology of the two loops using microwave and soft X-ray observations of the flares, along with their magnetograms. Two of the footpoints of the loops, one from the emerging loop and the other from the overlying loop, are included in a single magnetic polarity patch. Therefore, the two loops form a ‘three-legged’ structure, and the magnetic field has a ‘bipolar + remote unipolar’ structure. High-energy electrons are accelerated at the interaction region of the two loops. Thermal plasma flows like jets and surges are also originated in the interaction region.

A 1200-bp cDNA encoding Xenopus laevis deoxyribonuclease I (X. laevis DNase I) was constructed from the total RNA of a X. laevis pancreas using a rapid amplification of cDNA ends method. When the cDNA was transiently transfected into COS-7 cells, the recombinant polypeptide exhibited similar enzymological properties to those of the native pancreatic DNase I. The recombinant enzyme was considerably more labile than most other vertebrate DNase I enzymes. The X. laevis DNase I polypeptide was larger than any other known vertebrate DNase I, containing a unique Cys-rich stretch of 68 or 70 amino acid residues at the carboxyl terminus, and it had less well conserved binding sites for the Ca2+, G-actin and DNA, and two DNase I signature motifs. These alterations might account for its heat instability.

We compare the substructures of the 1997 February 07 coronal mass ejection (CME) observed near the Sun with a corresponding event in the interplanetary medium to determine the origin of magnetic clouds (MCs). We find that the eruptive prominence core of the CME observed near the Sun may not directly become a magnetic cloud as suggested by some authors and that it might instead become the ”pressure pulse” following the magnetic cloud. We substantiate our conclusions using time of arrival, size and composition estimates of the CME-MC substructures obtained from ground based, SOHO and WIND observations.

During the September 1996 campaign of multi-wavelength observations with the SOHO (SUMER, CDS, EIT, MDI, LASCO) and Yohkoh (SXT) spacecraft, the HAO Mauna Loa Solar Observatory Chromospheric Helium Imaging Photometer and the Nobeyama radioheliograph, a filament disparition brusque (DB) associated with a Coronal Mass Ejection (CME) was observed. The timeline of this complex event, which lasted for tens of hours, shows that the CME had started before the DB of a filament, while the main “bubble” of the CME was probably launched hours after the DB from the so-called “zipper” region. All these suggest that a general reorganization of large-scale fields was taking place on the Sun, and both the DB and the CME were symptoms of this.

Prominence eruption is one of the most important solar phenomenon because of the possibility of using it as proxy of geoeffective solar disturbances. In a series of investigations using Nobeyama radio observations in conjunction with Yohkoh data we have found that there is more to a prominence eruption than the simple picture portrayed by Hα observations. The extent of coronal volume associated with the eruption is much larger than the prominence. We illustrate this with several examples and discuss the implication of the results for understanding the interplanetary manifestation of coronal mass ejections.

We report on the observations of an X-ray coronal mass ejection (CME) with its three part structure: frontal loop, coronal cavity, and the eruptive prominence core. The prominence core was observed in microwaves, and the frontal loop was observed in X-rays. A coronal volume much larger than that occupied by the prominence seems to be affected by the eruption. Formation of an arcade structure was also observed beneath the erupting prominence. X-ray enhancement at the arcade persisted for several hours similar to long decay events. At the apex of the arcade there was a bright knot, which we interpret as the reconnection region from which the filament gets detached. We determined the trajectories of the frontal loop and the prominence core and found them to have very different characteristics. The CME showed an extremely small acceleration, while the prominence had a linear motion in the beginning followed by an exponential rise. However, during the several hours of simultaneous observation, the prominence did not catch up with the frontal loop. We determined the evolution of the CME mass, which increased by a factor of 4 during our observations. We discuss the implications of the observations in the general context of coronal mass ejections.

Our method using low /spl Delta/ waveguides decreases the insertion loss of intersecting optical waveguides with grooves. Theoretical analysis by the beam propagation method or the plane wave expansion method shows the benefit of decreasing the insertion loss. Experimental measurements on a trial matrix (21/spl times/21) showed that the transmission loss greatly decreased with decreasing /spl Delta/. The reflection loss was less sensitive to the positional deviation of the groove than that of conventional /spl Delta/ waveguides. The experimental results were used to calculate the total insertion loss. It decreased from 5.72 to 3.28 dB, when /spl Delta/ decreased from 0.31 to 0.15% for a matrix scale of 50/spl times/50. >

Glucocorticoids are the cornerstone of therapy in patients with idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM), despite adverse effects and suboptimal therapy success rates. Glucocorticoids are used in patients with IIM to suppress inflammatory and immune responses implicated in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Nevertheless, potential inhibitory effects of glucocorticoids on skeletal muscle mass, myogenesis and immune responses that promote skeletal muscle regeneration after muscle injury warrant attention. Glucocorticoids lead to skeletal muscle catabolism by modulating major pathways involved in regulating muscle mass. Glucocorticoids also inhibit muscle regeneration by decreasing myogenic cell proliferation and differentiation. Finally, glucocorticoids might have inhibitory effects on immune cells that have been shown to be an important component of the muscle regenerative response. Better understanding of the signalling pathways involved in restorative versus adverse effects of glucocorticoids in IIM could yield additional insight into the aetiopathogenesis of persistent muscle weakness in patients with IIM after glucocorticoid treatment, and help in the development of novel, targeted treatment options with fewer adverse effects.

A new 17-GHz radio interferometer dedicated for solar observations was constructed in two years at Nobeyama, Nagano. It consists of eighty-four 80-cm-diameter antennas arranged in a tee-shaped array extending 490 m in east-west and 220 m in north-south directions. Since late June of 1992, radio full-disk images of the Sun have been observed for 8 h every day. The spatial resolution is 10" and the temporal resolution is 1 s and also 50 ms for selected events. Every 10 s correlator data are synthesized into images in real time and displayed on a monitor screen. The array configuration is optimized to observe the whole Sun with high spatial and temporal resolution and a high dynamic range of images. Image quality of better than 20 dB is realized by incorporation of technical advances in hardware and software, such as (1) low-loss phase-stable optical-fiber cables for local reference signal and IF signals, (2) newly developed phase-stable local oscillators, (3) custom CMOS gate-array LSTs of 1-b quadraphase correlators for 4/spl times/4 combinations, and (4) new image processing techniques to suppress large sidelobe effects due to the solar disk and extended sources. >

The three-dimensional structure of the magnetic field in the source region of CMEs is the key to understand how the stored magnetic energy eventually causes an eruption. A CME accompanied by a filament eruption on 2000 February 26-27 is particularly a good event to study the three-dimensional magnetic field structure. This event was very well observed with the EIT and LASCO of SOHO and the SXT of Yohkoh, and shows the following clues of the magnetic field structure which caused the CME. (1) The filament had a helical structure before the eruption and it was kept throughout the eruption. (2) The coronal loop structure shows that this event was an eruption of a part of the quadrapolar magnetic field structure consisting of two active regions. In this proceeding, we present a brief overview of the event.

A surface-micromachined capacitive pressure sensor fabricated with a standard CMOS back-end of line processes was integrated above a CMOS LSI with a sensor front end circuit, and the output signal was obtained via the integrated circuit. The sensor was fabricated using only low-temperature processes and conventional materials and equipment. The sensor measures capacitance and electrical output of the C-V converter integrated on the same substrate with no degradation in signal quality. The sensor was placed above the IC region and sub-half-micron CMOS processes were applied to the IC, so the effective chip size is smaller than 2 mm2. Basic reliability of the sensor was examined. A passivation layer thicker than 150 nm is necessary for suppressing sensitivity change below 1% for the pressure cooker test (120 deg, 100% relative humidity for 100 hr). Our process enables MEMS integrated on any generation CMOS-LSI, enhancing functionality of the sensor chip and minimizing chip size.

The method using low /spl Delta/ waveguides decreases the insertion loss of intersecting optical waveguides with grooves. Theoretical analysis by the beam propagation method or the plane wave expansion method shows the benefit of decreasing the insertion loss. Experimental measurements on a trial matrix (21/spl times/21) showed that the transmission loss greatly decreased with decreasing /spl Delta/. The reflection loss was less sensitive to the positional deviation of the groove than that of conventional /spl Delta/ waveguides. The experimental results were used to calculate the total insertion loss. It decreased from 5.72 dB to 3.28 dB when /spl Delta/ decreased from 0.3% to 0.15% for a matrix scale of 50/spl times/50. >

Direct digital X-ray technology was applied to dental identification of victims in two murder cases using the Compuray system. In both cases the digital radiography proved to be simple to use, quick and effective, allowing superimposition, enlargement and transportability to a mortuary. These are the first reported uses of the technology in Japan and further development promises the transmitability of data and images electronically to remote locations, further enhancing its usefulness. Comparing the skull with the dental ante-mortem X-ray films and records of a specific person who was reported "missing", we found many identical points between the two, especially in regard to the X-ray findings with the Compuray. In both cases we obtained a large number of X-ray images in a remarkably short time and this was very useful for identification by means of the teeth.

Deoxyribonuclease I (DNase I) was purified from Xenopus laevis pancreas to apparent electrophoretic homogeneity using a series of column chromatographies. The purified enzyme showed a molecular mass of about 36 kDa and maximum activity at pH 7.0-8.0, required divalent cations, Ca2+ and Mg2+, for its activity, and was inhibited by EDTA, EGTA and an antibody specific to the enzyme, but not by G-actin. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the enzyme up to the 37th residue shared 38-44% homology with that of mammalian DNases I derived from bovine, ovine, porcine, rat, mouse, rabbit and human. A systematic survey of DNase I activity distribution in 20 different kinds of frog tissues showed that the pancreas and rectum produced higher amounts than other tissues. This is the first report concerning the purification and chemical and immunological characterization of frog pancreatic DNase I.

In this study, the measurement both of peripheral gonadotropins (FSH and LH) and of sex steroids in male and female wild anuran, Rana esculenta, was performed during the annual reproductive cycle; moreover, the role of gonadotropins in the vitellogenic process and in ovarian steroidogenesis was investigated through in vitro experiments. LH plasma changes in males showed high values during autumn-winter months and during the mating period, when high androgen levels were found. Conversely, for the first time in male vertebrates, a clear correspondence between plasma FSH and estradiol-17beta (E2) was shown. In females, FSH peak values were found at the beginning of the mating period in parallel with those of plasma vitellogenin (VTG) and E2; in contrast, high LH levels went together with ovarian weight (gonadosomatic index), which is considered a good marker for the plasma sequestration of VTG by growing oocytes. The in vivo results are corroborated by in vitro studies showing the direct effects of both FSH and LH in inducing hepatic VTG synthesis and release in the culture media. Lastly, although it is not yet known whether or not FSH and LH have separate functions in amphibians, it was clearly shown that they induce ovarian steroid production. These results are discussed in terms of the high seasonality previously demonstrated in this wild frog.

Background IIM are systemic autoimmune diseases characterized by chronic inflammation in skeletal muscle leading to proximal muscle weakness. In rheumatoid arthritis, muscle weakness has been linked to specific changes in muscle architecture that are measureable using ultrasound (US). 1 However, data regarding the contribution of muscle architecture to muscle weakness in IIM is lacking. US is a non-invasive, relatively inexpensive and validated method of assessing skeletal muscle architectural parameters [i.e. anatomic cross sectional area (ACSA), fascicle length (Lf), pennation angle (θ) and muscle thickness]. 2,3 US determination of L f and θ allows calculation of the physiological cross sectional area of muscle, which is a better predictor of intrinsic muscle force compared to ACSA or volume. 4 Objectives To test the utility of US in determining skeletal muscle architecture in patients with IIM. To investigate associations between rectus femoris muscle ACSA (RF ACSA ), muscle peak torque generation, and other clinical outcomes in patients with IIM. Methods Clinical data were obtained from chart reviews of IIM cases seen in the Rheumatology clinic at the University of Kentucky from May/2006 until Jan/2013. Participant body composition (DXA), mid-thigh bilateral RF ACSA and right vastus lateralis fascicle length(VL Lf ) were measured with the knee extended and muscle relaxed. Right knee extensor and elbow flexor muscle-specific peak torques were measured using a Biodex dynamometer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Spearman rank correlation coefficient. Results 12 patients with IIM and overlap myositis (OM) were included: 2 polymyositis (PM), 4 dermatomyositis (DM), 5 sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) and 1 OM. In 1 PM and 3 sIBM patients, muscle architecture was so disrupted that VL Lf could not be measured. Right and left mean RF ACSA were correlated ( p =0.02). Mean RF ACSA was inversely correlated with total body and thigh fat ( p p ACSA did not correlate well with knee extensor MVIC. VL Lf was measured in 3 DM patients (mean=7.92cm, SD=2.03) and 1 PM patient (6.79cm), which is in the described range. 2 Conclusions RF ACSA was associated with body composition. It is possible that in IIM, quadriceps muscle is weaker than predicted by RF ACSA or lean body mass. In severe cases of IIM, in particular sIBM, substantial disruption of muscle architecture could be detected by US. References Matschke V, Murphy P, Lemmey AB, Maddison P, Thom JM. Skeletal muscle properties in rheumatoid arthritis patients. Medicine and science in sports and exercise 2010;42:2149-55. Chleboun GS, France AR, Crill MT, Braddock HK, Howell JN. In vivo measurement of fascicle length and pennation angle of the human biceps femoris muscle. Cells, tissues, organs 2001;169:401-9. Herbert RD, Gandevia SC. Changes in pennation with joint angle and muscle torque: in vivo measurements in human brachialis muscle. J Physiol 1995;484 ( Pt 2):523-32. Narici MV, Landoni L, Minetti AE. Assessment of human knee extensor muscles stress from in vivo physiological cross-sectional area and strength measurements. Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol 1992;65:438-44. Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Arthritis Foundation, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at the University of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Clinical Scholars Program and Research Data Capture (REDCap). Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Background Many patients with IIMs exibit chronic muscle weakness and functional disability despite treatment. In polymyositis/ dermatomyositis (PM/DM), male sex, higher prednisone dosage and older age have been associated with muscle weakness and functional disability.[1,2] Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) itself is associated with major end-stage disability.[3] The ACR functional status (ACRFS) criteria have been used as a core measure of the consequences of impairment in IIM.[4] However, its association with known or suspected risk factors of disability warrants further investigation. Objectives To determine predictors of current/ worst ever ACRFS with known or suspected risk factors of disability and muscle weakness in patients with IIM. Methods Data were obtained from chart reviews of IIM and overlap myositis (OM) cases seen in the Rheumatology and Neurology Clinics at the University of Kentucky from May/06 until July/12. Current and worst ever ACRFS, demographic and clinical characteristics were abstracted from medical records. One-way ANOVA and Fisher’s exact/ Chi-square tests were used to compare groups on continuous/ categorical variables, respectively. Ordinal logistic regression was applied to estimate the effects of IIM type, age, sex and disease duration from diagnosis on current and worst ever ACRFS. Results 90 patients with IIM and OM were included: 38 PM, 29 DM, 12 IBM and 11 OM. When patient ages were divided into tertiles, sIBM patients were significantly older (p= 0.03). Females predominated in the PM, DM and OM groups. In sIBM, females were slightly outnumbered. Mean duration of disease from diagnosis was highest in sIBM (73 mo) compared to PM (39 mo), DM (18 mo) and OM (35 mo) (p=0.01). sIBM was more likely to be associated with presence of some degree of disability at the last time of assessment (91%), compared to all other groups combined (73%) (p=0.001). In the multivariable analysis, poorer current ACRFS and worst ever ACRFS were independently associated with higher age, and higher age and longer disease duration, respectively, controlling for all other variables. Conclusions The demographic and clinical characteristics of our cohort are consistent with previous reports. As expected, sIBM was associated with increased odds of disability. In the multivariate analysis, higher age and disease duration were identified as independent risk factors for disability. References Bronner IM, Van Der Meulen MF, De Visser M et al. Long-term outcome in polymyositis and dermatomyositis. Annals of the rheumatic diseases 65(11), 1456-1461 (2006). Clarke AE, Bloch DA, Medsger TA, Jr., Oddis CV. A longitudinal study of functional disability in a national cohort of patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis. Arthritis and rheumatism 38(9), 1218-1224 (1995). Cox FM, Titulaer MJ, Sont JK, Wintzen AR, Verschuuren JJ, Badrising UA. A 12-year follow-up in sporadic inclusion body myositis: an end stage with major disabilities. Brain : a journal of neurology 134(Pt 11), 3167-3175 (2011). Stucki G, Stoll T, Bruhlmann P, Michel BA. Construct validation of the ACR 1991 revised criteria for global functional status in rheumatoid arthritis. Clinical and experimental rheumatology 13(3), 349-352 (1995). Acknowledgements This study was supported by the Arthritis Foundation, the Center for Clinical and Translational Science (CCTS) at the University of Kentucky, the University of Kentucky College of Medicine Clinical Scholars Program and Research Data Capture (REDCap). Disclosure of Interest None Declared

We report on the detection of a large-scale radio structure and plasma flow associated with a bright point flare observed on 1993 July 11. The bright point (BP) flare was simultaneously imaged by the Nobeyama radioheliograph at 17 GHz and the Soft X-Ray Telescope on board the Yohkoh mission. The microwave emission consists of a large-scale structure and a compact moving source. The large-scale component seems to be the radio counterpart of large-scale loop structures sometimes observed in association with BP flares in X-rays. The compact source moved from the location of the X-ray BP flare with a speed of about 60 km s-1, which suggests a plasma flow. Spatial comparison between X-ray and radio data shows that the BP flare had different manifestations in the two wavelength domains. The emission peaks in the two wavelength domains did not coincide, which suggests cool plasma flow along the large-scale radio structure. We were able to determine the temperature and emission measure of the BP flare plasma from the X-ray data, and thus we computed the expected radio flux from the X-ray-emitting plasma. We found that the computed radio flux was much smaller than the total observed radio flux.

In this report, we present results of our analyses of M2.4 -class impulsive flare at 0514 UT on Sep. 6, 1992, based upon microwave, X-ray and optical observations.

Acrylamide (ACR) monomer produces neuropathy of the dying-back type and 4-methylcatechol (4-MC) is a potent stimulator of endogenous nerve growth factor synthesis. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of 4-MC in promoting recovery from experimental ACR neuropathy in rats. Twenty-two Sprague-Dawley rats were made neuropathic by ACR injections. They showed hindlimb paralysis, increment of landing foot spread distance and a statistically significant reduction in motor nerve conduction velocity. After the ACR neuropathy had been established, 12 of the rats were administered 4-MC for 2 weeks, and the other 10 were injected with phosphate-buffered saline alone. 4-MC-administered ACR neuropathy rats showed improvement, i.e., a decrease in landing foot spread distance, increase in motor nerve conduction velocity and increase in nerve growth factor content in the sciatic nerves in comparison with the corresponding values for ACR neuropathy rats given phosphate-buffered saline alone. A decreased number of large myelinated fiber with a reciprocal increase in small myelinated fiber number also was seen in the ACR neuropathy rats; however, this change was ameliorated in part by the administration of 4-MC. Therefore, these findings suggest that 4-MC can accelerate the recovery process clinically, electrophysiologically, biochemically and neuropathologically.

This paper deals with the experimental approach to a new concept of cryogenic wind tunnel of short duration. In the last two decades various closed-cycle and continuous operation (CCCO) cryogenic wind tunnels have been developed and they have shown many advantages for high Reynolds number experiments. These cryogenic wind tunnels, however, suffer from problems of purging and cooldown required before their operations and warming up too. And it is also rather difficult to perform mixing jet experiments by different gases. Therefore, the development of intermittent cryogenic wind tunnels seems to be necessary in the same way that many short duration wind tunnels have been developed for atmospheric temperatures. In this paper we report a flashing blowdown cryogenic wind tunnel developed at the Muroran Institute of Technology [MH(Maeno-Hanaoka)-Cryo.Flash.W.Tunnel]. This cryogenic wind tunnel utilize the rapid flashing phenomenon of pressurized liquid nitrogen under rapid depressurization by a quick opening valve. The operating principal and details of the insturmentation for the pressure and temperature measurement are given. Test results and flow visualization results are presented. The usefulness of this small-scale pilot wind tunnel for large scale apparatus is discussed.

Remote brightenings, defined as small brightenings distant from the main flare sites during flares, have been observed by many authors. The coronal configuration underlying the phenomenon is understood to be multiple loops (Nakajima et al., 1985; Machado et al., 1988; and Benz, 1993). However, there remain important questions. Is the remote brightening only a by-product of a single loop flare? Does an interaction between loops in the multiple loop structure causes a flare?

We have found remarkably different manifestations of a bright point flare in X‐ray and radio (microwave) wavelengths, unlike previous observations. In X‐rays, the BP flare was relatively simple while in radio, the bright point flare had a large scale component and a transient moving component. The large scale structure may be the radio counterpart of large scale structures sometimes seen during X‐ray BP flares. The transient component was also compact and moved away from the location of the X‐ray BP flare with a speed of ∼60 km s−1. The compact source also showed fast time structure which suggests nonthermal emission mechanism for the transient sources.