Search

Objective To evaluate the association between iron metabolism indicators and disease severity in hospitalized patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Design Two-center observational study Setting A university hospital and a core hospital in Yokohama, Japan Patients Adults with COVID-19 whose serum iron levels were measured within the first 5 days of hospitalization were included. Patients who refused mechanical ventilation were excluded from the study. Measurements and Main Results One hundred thirty-six patients were included in this study. We analyzed the association between COVID-19 severity and serum iron, total iron binding capacity (TIBC), and transferrin saturation (TSAT) levels. Disease severity was defined as the worst respiratory status during hospitalization. Serum iron levels were significantly lower in patients with mild respiratory failure (RF) (n=55, median serum iron level: 24 [interquartile range: 19–42] mg/dL) than in the non-RF group (n=44, 40 [24–80] mg/dL) and the severe RF group (n=37, 60 [23.5–87] mg/dL); however, there were no significant differences in iron levels between the non-RF and severe RF groups (non-RF vs. mild RF: p=0.019, non-RF vs. severe RF: p>0.999, and mild RF vs. severe RF: p=0.009). That is, there was a U-shaped association between serum iron levels and disease severity. TIBC levels decreased significantly with increasing severity; consequently, TSAT was significantly higher in patients with severe RF than in other patients. Multivariate analysis including only patients with RF adjusted for age and sex demonstrated that higher serum iron or TSAT levels were independently associated with development of severe RF. Conclusions A U-shaped association between serum iron level and RF severity in hospitalized COVID-19 patients was observed. Higher serum iron levels in COVID-19 patients with RF are associated with the development of severe RF, indicating that inadequate response to lower serum iron might be an exacerbating factor for COVID-19.

Adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) is the most common pediatric spinal deformity. Early detection of deformity and timely intervention, such as brace treatment, can help inhibit progressive changes. A three-dimensional (3D) depth-sensor imaging system with a convolutional neural network was previously developed to predict the Cobb angle. The purpose of the present study was to (1) evaluate the performance of the deep learning algorithm (DLA) in predicting the Cobb angle and (2) assess the predictive ability depending on the presence or absence of clothing in a prospective analysis. We included 100 subjects with suspected AIS. The correlation coefficient between the actual and predicted Cobb angles was 0.87, and the mean absolute error and root mean square error were 4.7° and 6.0°, respectively, for Adam’s forward bending without underwear. There were no significant differences in the correlation coefficients between the groups with and without underwear in the forward-bending posture. The performance of the DLA with a 3D depth sensor was validated using an independent external validation dataset. Because the psychological burden of children and adolescents on naked body imaging is an unignorable problem, scoliosis examination with underwear is a valuable alternative in clinics or schools.

Veterinary vaccines are subjected to a safety testing using laboratory animals via intraperitoneal injection per batch. From April 2010 to March 2011, 7 guinea pigs in 4 batch tests exhibited unrecoverable weight loss and/or were found dead. Six guinea pigs had developed intussusception, whereas another one had developed an intestinal obstruction consequent to adhesion. A histopathology revealed that these lesions were associated with inflammatory foci. Other animals than the 7 guinea pig also developed similar inflammatory foci but did not develop bowel disorders. In the retesting of these batches, animals did not exhibited clinical signs, though inflammatory foci were detected. The clinical signs, detected in the primary test, might be due to bowel disorders secondary to an inflammatory response, rather than toxicity.

Plant pathogenic bacteria possess sophisticated mechanisms to detect the presence of host plants by sensing host-derived compounds. Ralstonia solanacearum, the causative agent of bacterial wilt on solanaceous plants, employs quorum sensing to control the production of the secondary metabolite ralfuranones/ralstonins, which have been suggested to be involved in virulence. Here, we report that d-galactose and d-glucose, plant sugars, activate the production of ralfuranones/ralstonins in R. solanacearum. As a result, two new derivatives, ralfuranone M (1) and ralstonin C (2), were found in the culture extracts, and their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic and chemical methods. Ralstonin C (2) is a cyclic lipopeptide containing a unique fatty acid, (2S,3S,Z)-3-amino-2-hydroxyicos-13-enoic acid, whereas ralfuranone M (1) has a common aryl-furanone structure with other ralfuranones. d-Galactose and d-glucose activated the expression of the biosynthetic ralfuranone/ralstonin genes and in part became the biosynthetic source of ralfuranones/ralstonins. Ralfuranones and ralstonins were detected from the xylem fluid of the infected tomato plants, and their production-deficient mutants exhibited reduced virulence on tomato and tobacco plants. Taken together, these results suggest that activation of ralfuranone/ralstonin production by host sugars functions in R. solanacearum virulence.

Although an aberrant reduction in pancreatic β-cell mass contributes to the pathogenesis of diabetes, the mechanism underlying the regulation of β-cell mass is poorly understood. Here, we show that diacylglycerol kinase δ (DGKδ) is a key enzyme in the regulation of β-cell mass. DGKδ expression was detected in the nucleus of β-cells. We developed β-cell-specific DGKδ knockout (βDGKδ KO) mice, which showed lower blood glucose, higher plasma insulin levels, and better glucose tolerance compared to control mice. Moreover, an increased number of small islets and Ki-67-positive islet cells, as well as elevated cyclin B1 expression in the islets, were detected in the pancreas of βDGKδ KO mice. DGKδ knockdown in the β-cell line MIN6 induced significant increases in bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation and cyclin B1 expression. Finally, we confirmed that streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia and β-cell loss were alleviated in βDGKδ KO mice. Thus, suppressing the expression or enzymatic activity of DGKδ that functions as a suppressor of β-cell proliferation could be a novel therapeutic approach to increase β-cell mass for the treatment of diabetes.

Cooperation with IENs (Internationally Educated Nurses) is increasingly important given the aging society and low birth rate in Japan. This study focuses on lived experiences of Indonesian nurses in Japan. Objectives of this study were to clarify their experiences and views in terms of the scope of nursing and cultural adaptation, and to examine whether cultural barriers are among the reasons nurses return to their home country. The study was based upon in-depth interviews with Indonesian nurses who had worked in Japan. Fourteen Indonesian nurses participated in the study. Indonesian nurses viewed Japanese work culture as hardworking, requiring excessive punctuality, having too many rules, and maintaining hierarchy between junior and senior nurses.Collaboration with doctors, integrated elderly care, and touching emerged as differences in the nursing practice. Indonesian nurses hesitated to touch patients as they did in Indonesia due to cultural differences. Religious practice among Muslims and family priority were reasons to return to Indonesia. To utilize IEN’s skills, not only must the migrants learn Japanese culture and values, but it will be necessary for Japanese employers and staff to understand the values of the IENs.

Paraurethral leiomyomas are extremely rare, and few cases have been reported in the literature. Because of the rarity of the disease and its anatomical complexity, diagnosis and management is challenging for clinicians. Here, we herein report the case of a 50-year-old woman who complained of a protruding mass at the urethral opening. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a sharply defined tumor measuring 43 × 36 × 26 mm in diameter, located in the anterior vaginal wall, compressing the urethra. Based on the perioperative diagnosis of leiomyoma, the paraurethral tumor was excised via the vaginal approach. The patient was discharged 4 days postoperatively without any complications. Pathological features confirmed the diagnosis of leiomyoma. This case implies that, although there is the possibility of complications due to the surgical procedure, tumor removal is a reasonable choice for management to exclude malignancy and relieve symptoms.

Plant pathogenic bacteria possess sophisticated mechanisms to detect the presence of host plants by sensing host-derived compounds.

We are going to develop an ultra-small nutrients analyzer, a compact 3D-monitor (shape, color, etc.), and an ultra-light environment sensor (light intensity, temperature, humidity, CO2, etc.), which can be installed near plants. Accordingly, plant growth estimation technologies based on micro-fluidic circuit model simulating plant vascular system are being developed. The model will be frequently corrected by using updated data given by those sensors. Furthermore, by making use of the estimation technologies, we try to find out suitable cultivation condition for producing plants having aimed characters. In this paper, in order to develop plant growth estimation technologies, we propose a method to analyze the growth of lettuce leaves and roots by image analysis based on visible and thermography thermal imagers captured by cameras in real time and non-destructive leaf and root growth in lettuce hydroponic culture.

application/pdf, Infectious bursal disease (IBD) is characterized by immunosuppression due to the depletion of lymphocytes in the atrophied bursa of Fabricius (BF). We have sometimes encountered contradictory findings: chickens infected with the vaccine IBD virus (IBDV) strain have sometimes exhibited a highly atrophied BF, but not immunosuppression. In this study, chickens administered vaccine or wild-type strains of IBDV were later vaccinated with the B1 strain of the Newcastle disease virus (NDV). Bursal changes were examined histologically with a focus on the bursal follicle. The immunoreactivity to NDV was also evaluated with the hemagglutination inhibition test. In gross examination, we observed a few chickens with a severely atrophied BF in vaccine strain-administered groups (vaccine groups), and the level of severity was the same as that in the wild-type strain-administered group (wild-type group). However, these chickens retained humoral antibody responses to NDV and were revealed to possess a higher number of bursal follicles than those of the wild-type group. These results indicated that macroscopic evaluation dose not accurately reflect the immunoreactivity and degree of bursal damage in IBDV-administered chickens. We also found non-immunosuppressed chickens in the wild-type group. These non-immunosuppressed chickens retained a significantly higher number of normal follicles and total follicles according to our statistical analysis. Furthermore, a high correlation coefficient between the NDV-HI titer and the number of normal follicles was found in the wild-type group. These results implied that the retained number of normal follicles is important for the immunoreactivity of chickens infected with IBDV.

Accelerated cortisol production is observed in patients with severe infections, trauma, burns, illness, and surgery. The cortisol levels observed in relative adrenal insufficiency are insufficient for controlling the inflammatory response. Sudden discontinuation of glucocorticoid therapy is one of the causes of relative adrenal insufficiency. A 63-year-old-man who had undergone cord blood transplantation for T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and had shown complete remission for 2 years was admitted to our hospital because of high fever, general fatigue, lowering blood pressure, and tachycardia. Physical, laboratory, and imaging examinations revealed T-ALL relapse and pneumonia. Although administration of antibacterial drugs and vasopressors relieved his symptoms and temporarily resolved his fever, he showed prolonged fatigue and mild fever; thus, we could not stop administering vasopressors. He had been using the following three types of topical steroids for chronic eczema for several years: betamethasone butyrate propionate, prednisolone valerate acetate, and hydrocortisone acetate. Thereafter, he had himself discontinued topical steroids because of general fatigue. We suspected his symptoms were caused by relative adrenal insufficiency due to sudden discontinuation of topical steroids; thus, we administered 100 mg of hydrocortisone intravenously. His fever resolved remarkably, and he resumed application of topical steroids and started oral steroid supplementation. His temperature was maintained in the normal range. He successfully achieved complete remission with salvage chemotherapy followed by a second transplantation; with the use of low-dose oral steroids, he did not develop relative adrenal insufficiency. Adrenal insufficiency is known to be caused by sudden discontinuation of oral steroids. Furthermore, we should pay attention to sudden discontinuation of topical steroids, which could cause relative adrenal insufficiency.

Treatment with atypical antipsychotic drugs is known to increase the risk of glucose intolerance and diabetes. However, the mechanism of this effect is unclear. Since central adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) plays an important role in regulating nutrient homeostasis, the present study was performed to examine the involvement of central AMPK in the glucose intolerance induced by olanzapine, an atypical antipsychotic drug, in mice. Acute intraperitoneal treatment with olanzapine dose-dependently increased blood glucose levels in the glucose tolerance test. Intracerebroventricular administration of olanzapine also increased blood glucose levels in the glucose tolerance test. The glucose intolerance induced by both intraperitoneal and intracerebroventricular treatment with olanzapine was significantly attenuated by intracerebroventricular pretreatment with the AMPK inhibitor compound C. Intracerebroventricular treatment with the AMPK activator AICAR increased blood glucose levels in the glucose tolerance test, and this increase was inhibited by compound C. Moreover, the hypothalamic level of phosphorylated AMPK after glucose injection was significantly increased by intracerebroventricular pretreatment with olanzapine. Olanzapine did not affect plasma glucagon and insulin levels. Our results indicate that acute treatment with olanzapine causes glucose intolerance through the activation of hypothalamic AMPK. The present study suggests that the inhibition of central AMPK activity may have a therapeutic effect on the metabolic disturbance induced by atypical antipsychotic drugs.

A small heat shock protein, AgsA, possesses chaperone activity that can reduce the amount of heat-aggregated protein in vivo, and suppress the aggregation of chemical- and heat-denatured proteins in vitro. Therefore, we examined the ability of AgsA to stabilize the activity of several enzymes by using this chaperone activity. We observed that AgsA can stabilize the enzymatic activities of Renilla (Renilla reniformis) luciferase, firefly (Photinus pyralis) luciferase, and β-galactosidase, and showed comparable or greater stabilization of these enzymes than bovine serum albumin (BSA), a well-known stabilizer of enzyme activities. In particular, AgsA revealed better stabilization of Renilla luciferase and β-galactosidase than BSA under disulfide bond-reducing conditions with dithiothreitol. In addition, AgsA also increased the enzymatic performance of β-galactosidase and various restriction enzymes to a comparable or greater extent than BSA. These data indicate that AgsA may be useful as a general stabilizer of enzyme activities.

Polynuclear homoleptic pyrazolate-bridged group 11 metal(I) complexes with three different alkyl substituted pyrazolate anions, 3,5-diisopropylpyrazolate (3,5-iPr2pz− = L1−), 3-tert-butyl-5-isopropylpyrazolate (3-tBu-5-iPrpz− = L3−), and 3,5-di-tert-butylpyrazolate (3,5-tBu2pz− = L4−), i.e. [Cu(μ-3,5-iPr2pz)]3 (CuL1), [Ag(μ-3,5-iPr2pz)]3 (AgL1), [Au(μ-3,5-iPr2pz)]3 (AuL1), [Cu(μ-3-tBu-5-iPrpz)]4 (CuL3), [Ag(μ-3-tBu-5-iPrpz)]3 (AgL3), [Au(μ-3-tBu-5-iPrpz)]4 (AuL3), [Cu(μ-3,5-tBu2pz)]4 (CuL4), [Ag(μ-3,5-tBu2pz)]4 (AgL4), and [Cu(μ-3,5-tBu2pz)]4 (AuL4), were systematically synthesized in order to investigate the influence of pyrazole bulkiness on their structures and physicochemical properties. The structural characterization indicates that the geometries are greatly influenced by the steric hindrance exerted by the substituent groups of the pyrazolyl rings and the differences of the central metal (I) ionic radius (Cu+

Conspicuous metallic blue of Morpho butterflies is well known and attract interest because it is a brilliant luster of natural beings. The blue is produced by their proteins, which are almost transparent without pigment. The origin of the coloration with high reflectivity (>~60%) is then attributed to an interference effect based on a periodic structure. However, the interference contradicts the blue that is maintained in too wide angular range (>±40° from the normal). This mystery has recently been explained with a specific multilayer, which is a fine combination of regular and random structures at nanometer scale. We proved this hypothesis successfully by emulating the 3D structures by deposition of multilayer film on a nano-patterned substrate. Such artificial structural color can be applied to various industries, because it makes colors qualitatively impossible by pigment, and resistant to fading due to chemical change over longtime. Also we developed a high throughput nano-patterning process by use of nano-imprinting method, and succeeded in controlling the optical properties both in angular and wavelength distribution.

Aim: To investigate the predictors of pressure ulcer and physical restraint prevalence in Japanese acute care units and their relationship to the nursing hours, skill mix, and Nursing Need Scores (NNS). Methods: In this descriptive study, quantitative methods were employed to determine if pressure ulcers and physical restraint prevalence, as outcomes of nursing care, were related to the nursing hours, skill mix, and intensity of nursing-care needs. The sample included 87 acute care units in 42 hospitals in Tokyo and its surrounding prefectures in Japan. The NNS was used as the instrument to measure the intensity of nursing-care needs. The data were analyzed with descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple regression analyses. Results: Pressure ulcer prevalence was positively correlated with the NNS-A and NNS-B. Physical restraint use was positively correlated with the NNS-B and negatively correlated with the NNS-A. However, the total nursing hours per patient day was positively related with both pressure ulcer and physical restraint prevalence. Conclusions: The nursing hours and NNS are predictors of pressure ulcer development and physical restraint use. The results also suggest that we should revise our process of nursing care. Many functions that might be shared with other personnel are performed by nurses, which results in longer total nursing hours but shorter direct nursing hours, used in order to observe and care for patients. Japan's aging population will result in higher NNS, requiring more direct nursing hours and other personnel to participate in our process of nursing care.

This study was designed to evaluate changes in the hypothalamic somatostatin-growth hormone axis (SRIF-GH axis) in a stress-induced rat model of depression. We exposed male Wistar rats to intermittent walking stress for two weeks, and then measured their spontaneous running activities for 12 days. We divided the rats into the depression-model group and the partial recovery group according to their spontaneous running activities after the termination of exposure to stress. We examined the secretion of GH from the anterior pituitary by injecting human GH-releasing hormone (hGHRH) with intracardiac cannulae or by applying hGHRH or SRIF to isolated anterior pituitaries using a perifusion system. We also determined SRIF content in the stalk-median eminence (SME) and the plasma concentration of GH. In the depression-model group, intracardiac administration of hGHRH caused the enhanced release of GH into plasma, while application of hGHRH or SRIF to the anterior pituitary in vitro had similar effects on GH release in the control and partial recovery groups. Furthermore, the SRIF content was decreased in the SME and the GH concentration was increased in plasma. The partial recovery group gave similar values to the control group. The enhanced response of GH to hGHRH in the depression-model group might have been caused by the reduced content of SRIF in the SME in view of the unchanged response of GH to the infusion of hGHRH or SRIF in the perifusion system.

Starting from copper(II) hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate precursors and substituted hydrazines, we were able to synthesize mononuclear and binuclear copper(I)–diazene complexes for the first time. The mechanism of these reactions corresponds to a simple hydrazine oxidation by the copper(II) centers. Binuclear diazene complexes contain the central Cu(I)–NR NR–Cu(I) unit, which we have structurally and spectroscopically characterized. Interestingly, usage of a sterically demanding hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand that prevents the dimer formation, leads to decomposition of the diazene complex and the isolation of a copper(I)–hydrazine complex. The same is observed when a tris(pyrazolyl)methane ligand is applied. Finally, using 1,1-diphenylhydrazine or the corresponding monophenyl derivative, we were able to obtain mononuclear Cu(I)–diazene complexes. In this case, the phenyl substituent(s) prevent the dimerization, but also stabilize the diazene ligand. Mononuclear and binuclear Cu(I)–diazene complexes are characterized by their intense reddish to purple color, which is caused by an intense Cu-d to diazene-π∗ transition in the visible region. Resonance Raman spectra of the diazene complexes show the Cu–N and N–N stretching vibrations in the 500 cm−1 and 1350–1400 cm−1 energy regions, respectively, in agreement with the diazene description of the complexes. The copper(I)–diazene bond in these complexes is dominated by π backbonding.

Morpho-butterfly's brilliant blue is produced from the scale. It contains no blue pigment, but has high reflectivity of the blue coloration, thus the origin of the coloration should be due to the microscopic structure. However, it appears not multi-coloration but blue from excessively wide angle, which contradicts the interference obviously. Recently, the mystery has been explained with a principle given by a peculiar nano-structure. We experimentally proved the principle by fabricating the optical film by controlling the parameters in nanoscale. The artificial film reproduced the basic characteristics of the Morpho-blue, however in detail, showed some differences from the Morpho-butterfly. In order to make it closer to the Morpho-butterfly than the prototype, we attempted to optimize the film by controlling parameters through the consideration of optical simulations and micro-structural observations. By comparing a series of films systematically, the relationship between the parameters and the properties was analyzed, and the optimized parameters were successfully determined.

The edge response behavior of multi-detector row computed tomography (MDCT) in high-spatial- frequency sampling may diminish due to fluctuations, so a method for improving the edge response was developed and tested. MDCT enables thin-slice and high-speed scanning compared with conventional single-detector row CT (SDCT). However, MDCT uses increased volume scanning with a simultaneous increase in the radiation dose to patients. Recently, we proposed a fluctuation reduction method using high-spatial-frequency data sampling; however, the edge response in the processed image decreased. In this research, we investigate the edge response behavior in the high-spatial-frequency sampling, and propose a method for improving the edge response. To verify this method, a large water phantom that consists of five resinous rods and a small phantom with a similitude rate of 0.5, which is topologically similar to the former large phantom were scanned, and projection data sampling using high-spatial-frequency was simulated. Thereafter, reconstructed images were obtained by averaging the high-spatial-frequency sampling data, edge gradients of profiles were calculated, and the increased rate of the gradient values were evaluated. This method increased the image noise slightly and provided higher gradient values with the same image matrix size as the conventional scans could be obtained without special image processing. In this phantom study, in order to simulate the high-spatial-frequency sampling, a large phantom was scanned and the fluctuation of transmitted X-rays was increased, thereby increasing the noise. A phantom study of projection data sampling by high-spatial-frequency sampling was simulated in the x- and y-direction by scanning two phantoms, and the improvement in the edge response by this method produced 25–97% improvement using double-spatial-frequency sampling. If low-noise or high-sensitivity detector is developed, this method may be more effective.

The brilliant blue luster of Morpho butterflies is produced by their scale that does not contain a blue pigment. The origin of the coloration can be attributed to an optical effect on a specific nano-structure, which can explain both of the high reflectivity and the mystery that the blue appears from wide angle despite an interference effect. We have successfully reproduced the Morpho-blue by fabricating nano-structure by extracting the principles of the coloration. The reproduced Morpho-type materials are expected to serve to various industrial applications. However, the process to fabricate the nano-structure spends too much time and cost using conventional lithography. To solve this problem, nano-imprint lithography was applied to fabricate the nano-structure. As a result, Morpho-color was replicated successfully in low cost and short time. Its optical properties were estimated by optical measurements, and found to show the basic characteristics of the original Morpho-blue.

Purpose Adolescents obtain information about sex from the media and friends and so on. This study explores the influence and needs of sex-related information from mass media and other resources. Methods Thirteen Focus Group Interviews were conducted with 88 high school and university students (46 female/42 male) from August 2001 to February 2002. Results Friends or seniors are the most important source of information, and adolescents felt much peer pressure by such information while they learned STD prevention and contraception. The participants were aware of the inconsistencies and biases of information they get through the media. They thought women’s magazines seriously treated sex as a health issue concerning women, and provided useful information. Conclusions Influences the media has on the knowledge and awareness of young people are significant. It is crucial to fill the gap between the intention of the transmitter of information and the needs of the audience so that the media can be better utilized for sexual health promotion.

Multidetector-row computed tomography (MDCT) has dramatically increased the speed of scanning, and allows high-resolution imaging compared with conventional single detector-row CT (SDCT). However, the use MDCT makes use of an increase in volume scanning, and causes a simultaneous increase in radiation dose to the patient. Thus, the radiation dose from the X-ray CT has become a problem in recent years. In this study, nonlinear wavelet-based edge preservation de-noising using trimmed-thresholding was applied to reconstructed low-dose chest MDCT images, and optimal wavelet processing including wavelet functions and thresholding methods was examined. Moreover, the usefulness of the de-noising for reducing radiation dose was examined. As a result of optimized edge preservation de-noising, noise reduction was achieved with little deterioration in image quality, and the wavelet function used at that time was Coiflet's with shorter support. As a result, almost the same quality of reconstructed image of the chest phantom was obtained for conventional scanning and low-dose scanning with the wavelet de-noising method using trimmed- thresholding. That is, the radiation dose from MDCT could be reduced using this wavelet-based de-noising method.

SUMMARY. This report describes a case of total anomalous pulmonary venous connection (TAPVC) in a 5-wk-old male white leghorn chicken that presented with growth retardation. This chicken was a specific-pathogen-free chicken bred in an isolator. At 5 wk of age, the chicken was euthanatized and autopsied. Macroscopically, the right ventricle and right atrium were significantly enlarged whereas the left atrium was small and blind-ending with no connection to the pulmonary veins. The pulmonary veins were connected directly to the right atrium. The above abnormality was accompanied by an ostium secundum-type atrial septal defect. No other malformations were observed. TAPVC is a very rare congenital cardiac abnormality that has not been reported in avian species to date.

Admantyl substituted hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligand, which is the most hindered in all the hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate ligands, is newly synthesized. Two chlorocopper(II) complexes with [HB(3-Ad-5-Pr i pz) 3 ] − and [HB(3-Bu t -5-Pr i pz) 3 ] − were characterized by X-ray diffraction and some spectroscopic techniques.

The polycondensation of [3-(methacryloxy)propyl]trimethoxysilane was performed in bulk, using 98 wt % formic acid (molar ratio HCOOH/Si = 3 or 6), at 50 or 70 °C, for periods of time of up to 1 month. The resulting silsesquioxanes (SSOs) were characterized by 1H NMR, FTIR, SEC, UV−MALDI−TOF MS (linear, reflector, and post-source decay modes), and ESI−TOF MS. The residual concentrations of Si−OCH3 groups, and generated CH3OH and HCOOCH3, were quantitatively monitored by 1H NMR during the initial stage of the synthesis. After 2 days of reaction at 50 °C, or about 6 h at 70 °C, the resulting SSO mainly contained residual Si−OH groups with only traces of Si−OCH3 groups, as was also confirmed by FTIR and UV−MALDI−TOF MS in the reflector mode. After this time, the polycondensation continued slowly during storage at room temperature, basically through Si−OH + Si−OH reactions. The average fraction of intramolecular cycles increased continuously during the polycondensation. An average value, fav = 0.81, was found ...

The NaOH-catalyzed hydrolytic condensation of the reaction product between N-(β-aminoethyl)-γ-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane and phenyl glycidyl ether (PGE) was followed by matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI-TOF MS) and electrospray ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF MS). After 24 h at 50 °C, main condensation products were a mixture of perfect and imperfect polyhedra: T8, T9(OH), and T10, with traces of T7(OH) and T11(OH). Every one of these products was composed of a series of peaks in the mass spectra, accounting for the incomplete reaction of PGE with the aminosilane (e.g., T8 showed the presence of the species containing 24 PGE units arising from the complete reaction of the initial silane, as well as species containing 23, 22, and 21 PGE units). A thermal treatment to 150 °C led to the appearance of extra peaks corresponding to intramolecular dehydration products. Peaks corresponding to the loss of one water molecule from T9(OH) and T7(OH) were present and could be ascribed to the reaction between SiOH and a secondary OH group. Dehydration products from T8 and T10 were observed, as well as species arising from the loss of two water molecules from T9(OH) and T7(OH). A plausible explanation for the presence of these peaks is the rupture of a Si−O−Si bond in the presence of NaOH, followed by condensation of the resulting fragments with secondary OH groups. Fil: Fasce, Diana Patricia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Williams, Roberto Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Erra Balsells, Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Ishikawa, Yoko. Ehime University; Japón Fil: Nonami, Hiroshi. Ehime University; Japón

High-molar-mass silsesquioxanes (SSQO) based on (3-glycidoxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (GPMS) and (3-methacryloxypropyl)trimethoxysilane (MPMS) were synthesized. The hydrolytic condensation of GPMS was performed using HCOOH (0.1 N) as catalyst, keeping the molar ratio H2O/Si = 3. A first step was performed in tetrahydrofuran (THF) at 50°C, followed by a second step in diglycidyl ether of bisphenol A (DGEBA), where temperature was increased in steps up to 140°C. The hydrolytic condensation of MPMS was performed in bulk with HCOOH 98%, at T = 50 or 70°C, using molar ratios of HCOOH/Si = 3 or 6. Homogeneous solutions were obtained for both silanes. The reaction was followed by size exclusion chromatography (SEC), and final products were characterized by matrix-assisted ultraviolet laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UV-MALDI-TOF MS), FTIR, and 1H and 29Si NMR. Molar-mass distributions showed the presence of clusters corresponding to products formed in different generations. With the aid of UV-MALDI-TOF MS, the different species present in every cluster could be identified for one of the silsequioxanes derived from MPMS. During the initial stage of the hydrolytic condensation, species with 7-12 Si atoms were produced. They mainly consisted of incompletely condensed polyhedra (species with 1-3 OH per molecule) and ladder-type structures (species with 4 OH per molecule). Species with more OH groups were condensed with a higher probability, giving place to a second generation of products. This process accounts for the presence of a cluster of species with 14-24 Si atoms and the enrichment of the first cluster in the more condensed structures (T7(OH), T8(OH)2, and T9(OH)). Third and fourth generations of condensation products were also present. Structures of different species may be depicted as combinations of incompletely condensed polyhedra with ladder fragments. Fil: Eisenberg, Patricia. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Erra Balsells, Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Centro de Investigaciones en Hidratos de Carbono; Argentina Fil: Ishikawa, Yoko. National Agriculture and Food Research Organization; Japón Fil: Lucas, Juan C.. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Industrial; Argentina Fil: Mauri, Adriana Noemi. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Gobernación. Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo en Criotecnología de Alimentos; Argentina Fil: Nonami, Hiroshi. National Agriculture and Food Research Organization; Japón Fil: Riccardi, Carmen Cristina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina Fil: Williams, Roberto Juan Jose. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ingeniería. Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales; Argentina

The compatibility of combining sustained release fine granules of nifedipine (SRN) with 32 kinds of drugs was studied. The mixtures of SRN and drugs in heat-sealed packages (polyethylene-laminated glassine paper) were kept at either 20°C and 75% relative humidity (R. H.) or 30°C and 92% R. H. for 30 days, respectively. Any changes in the color or weight of the samples were recovered. Dissolution tests of nifedipine from the mixtures of SRN and drugs were studied in J.P. disintegration media No.1 and No.2. The dissolution of nifedipine was slightly enhanced in mixtures containing sodium bicarbonate in the disintegration medium No.1. However, no significant incompatibility was observed in the weight change, and no significant change was seen in the dissolution of nifedipine.

It is widely accepted that immunoglobulin (Ig)E triggers immediate hypersensitivity responses by activating a cognate high-affinity receptor, FcepsilonRI, leading to mast cell degranulation with release of vasoactive and proinflammatory mediators. This apparent specificity, however, is complicated by the ability of IgE to bind with low affinity to Fc receptors for IgG, FcgammaRII and III. We have addressed the in vivo significance of this interaction by studying IgE-mediated passive systemic anaphylaxis in FcgammaR-deficient mice. Mice deficient in the inhibitory receptor for IgG, FcgammaRIIB, display enhanced IgE-mediated anaphylactic responses, whereas mice deficient in an IgG activation receptor, FcgammaRIII, display a corresponding attenuation of IgE-mediated responses. Thus, in addition to modulating IgG-triggered hypersensitivity responses, FcgammaRII and III on mast cells are potent regulators of IgE-mediated responses and reveal the existence of a regulatory pathway for IgE triggering of effector cells through IgG Fc receptors that could contribute to the etiology of the atopic response.

Aims To investigate the mechanism of the metabolic disturbance induced by the atypical antipsychotic olanzapine, we examined whether adenosine 5′-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in the hypothalamus and hepatic glucose production are involved in the effect of olanzapine. Methods Male 6-week-old ICR mice were used. Blood glucose levels were determined by the glucose oxidase method. The mRNA levels of gluconeogenic or glycolytic enzymes were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). AMPK expression was measured by Western blotting. Results Systemic injection of olanzapine increased blood glucose levels in both unfasted and fasted mice. However, the increase in fasted mice was less than that in unfasted mice. Central administration of olanzapine also increased the blood glucose levels in unfasted mice, but not in fasted mice. In a pyruvate tolerance test, olanzapine significantly increased blood glucose levels. In addition, olanzapine increased the mRNA levels of glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase), a gluconeogenic enzyme, in the liver. Furthermore, olanzapine increased phosphorylated AMPK in the hypothalamus of unfasted mice, and olanzapine-induced hyperglycaemia was inhibited by the AMPK inhibitor compound C. Central administration of the AMPK activator AICAR significantly increased G6Pase mRNA levels in the liver and blood glucose levels. Moreover, both olanzapine- and AICAR-induced hyperglycaemia were attenuated by the β-adrenergic receptor antagonist propranolol, suggesting that olanzapine and AICAR induce hepatic glucose production through the sympathetic nervous system. Conclusions Our results indicate that olanzapine activates AMPK in the hypothalamus, which increases hepatic glucose production via the sympathetic nervous system.

The catalyst systems composed of hydrotris(pyrazolyl)borate (Tp) manganese and coactivators showed good activity for ethylene polymerization and ethylene−α-olefin copolymerization. The activity of [MnCl(Tp)]/Al(i-Bu)3/[Ph3C][B(C6F5)4] for ethylene/1-butene copolymerizations goes up to 1.6 × 107 g mol(cat)-1 h-1, giving ethylene−1-butene copolymer with a narrow molecular weight distribution (Mw/Mn = 1.8) and a high melting point (120 °C). This system is also active toward propylene and gives isotactic polypropylene with a triad mm fraction of 0.905.

The synthesis of a novel tris(3,5-diisopropyl-1-pyrazolyl)methane ligand, HC(3,5-iPr2pz)3, is described; the structures of chlorocopper(II) and nitratocopper(II) complexes with its ligand have been determined by X-ray crystallography and compared with those of the related copper(II) complexes with HB(3,5-iPr2pz)3−.

We measured the physical characteristics of 2-million(2M)and 3-million(3M)color liquid crystal displays(LCD)whose aperture ratio was increased and compared them with conventional models. The results showed the influence of the increased aperture ratio on the physical characteristics of the LCDs. We evaluated resolution by means of modulation transfer function(MTF)and evaluated granularity by means of noise power spectrum(NPS). Each of the measurements was done with a high-resolution single-lens reflex-type digital camera. A decrease of MTF depending on sub-pixel structures was recognized. A decrease in the cross sub-pixel direction was recognized in the 2M model, and a decrease in the sub-pixel direction was recognized in the 3M model. As for NPS, a reduction was recognized in the sub-pixel and the cross sub-pixel direction in both models. As a result, an improvement in granularity was recognized. The improvement in granularity was large with the color LCDs whose aperture ratio was increased. The increase of an aperture ratio influenced both MTF and NPS, and the results depended on the shape and size of the sub-pixel cells.

We examined the involvement of tetrodotoxin (TTX)-resistant sodium channels in the peripheral mechanisms of the cough reflex in mice. We also examined the possibility of using ambroxol as an effective antitussive agent, and found that it produced antitussive effects through the inhibition of TTX-resistant sodium channels. The inhalation of fenvalerate, at concentrations of 0.3, 1 and 3μg/ml, for 5min produced coughs in a concentration-dependent manner. Pretreatment with tetrodotoxin, at a dose of 1μg/kg, s.c., slightly but significantly reduced the number of fenvalerate (3μg/ml)-induced coughs. However, the number of fenvalerate-induced coughs in tetorodotoxin-treated mice was still significantly greater than those in vehicle (0.4% DMSO) alone inhaled mice. On the other hand, pretreatment with tetrodotoxin, at a dose of 1μg/kg, s.c., almost completely reduced the number of citric acid (0.25M)-induced coughs to the level in vehicle (saline) alone inhaled mice. Pretreatment with ambroxol, at doses of 10, 30, 100 and 300mg/kg, p.o., dose-dependently and significantly reduced the number of fenvalerate (3μg/ml)-induced coughs. The present findings indicate that TTX-resistant sodium channels may play an important role in the enhancement of C-fiber-mediated cough pathways. Furthermore, ambroxol may prove to be a useful cough suppressant.