Effect of Hemicellulose on the Wet Tensile Strength of Paper.

paper, , is frequently used as the first back lining paper of hanging scrolls in order to support the main paper with a painting or a work of calligraphy on it. To dye it an appropriate color, paper is often treated with an alkali mordant solution. However, current paper products have received such comments from conservators that wet tensile strength is weak and hard to handle.

Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis and associated interstitial lung disease: A subgroup analysis of a global, randomised, controlled Phase 3 trial.

Objectives: The aim of this article is to investigate the efficacy and safety of tocilizumab in Japanese patients with systemic sclerosis.

Methods: Post hoc subgroup analysis of a global, randomised, controlled trial in patients treated with weekly tocilizumab 162 mg or placebo subcutaneously in a 48-week double-blind period (tocilizumab and placebo groups) followed by tocilizumab for 48 weeks in an open-label extension (continuous-tocilizumab and placebo-tocilizumab groups).

Results: Among 20 patients, 12 were randomised to tocilizumab (all had interstitial lung disease) and eight were randomised to placebo (six had interstitial lung disease).

Monthly oral ibandronate 100 mg is as effective as monthly intravenous ibandronate 1 mg in patients with various pathologies in the MOVEST study.

The non-inferiority of oral ibandronate 100 mg to intravenous (i.v.) ibandronate 1 mg in increasing lumbar spine (LS) bone mineral density (BMD) after 12 months of treatment was demonstrated in the randomized, phase III MOVEST study.

Covalent linkages between cellulose and lignin in cell walls of coniferous and nonconiferous woods.

Covalent linkages between wall polysaccharides and lignin, especially linkage between cellulose and lignin were discussed by carboxymethylation technique of whole cell walls of coniferous and nonconiferous woods. Hydroxyl groups of plant cell walls polysaccharides were highly substituted, but not those of lignin by carboxymethyl groups under the used conditions, and separated into water-soluble and insoluble fractions by water extraction. Carboxymethylated wall polysaccharides linked covalently with lignin were distributed into the water-insoluble fractions.

In subtotally nephrectomized rats 22-oxacalcitriol suppresses parathyroid hormone with less risk of cardiovascular calcification or deterioration of residual renal function than 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3.

Background: Although it effectively suppresses parathyroid hormone (PTH) secretion, vitamin D [1,25(OH)(2)D(3)] therapy often causes tissue calcification over the long term. In patients on chronic dialysis, cardiovascular calcification is clearly linked to an unfavourable prognosis. In pre-dialysis patients, renal calcification of the kidney leads to the deterioration of renal function.

Periodic disorder along ramie cellulose microfibrils.

Small angle neutron scattering studies have been carried out on cellulose fibers from ramie and Populus maximowicii (cotton wood). Labile hydrogen atoms were replaced by deuterium atoms, in water-accessible disordered regions of the fibers, to increase the neutron scattering contrast between the disordered and crystalline regions. A meridional Bragg reflection, corresponding to a longitudinal periodicity of 150 nm, was observed when scattering collected from hydrogenated and deuterated dry ramie fibers was subtracted.

Sevelamer hydrochloride prevents ectopic calcification and renal osteodystrophy in chronic renal failure rats.

Background: Hyperphosphatemia is associated with severe complications, including ectopic calcification of soft tissues, secondary hyperparathyroidism, and renal osteodystrophy (ROD). Sevelamer hydrochloride is a nonabsorbed calcium- and metal-free phosphate binder that lowers serum phosphorus levels in hemodialysis patients. This study examined the efficacy of sevelamer in preventing ectopic calcification of soft tissues and ROD in adenine-induced renal failure rats.

22-Oxacalcitriol prevents progressive glomerulosclerosis without adversely affecting calcium and phosphorus metabolism in subtotally nephrectomized rats.

Background: 22-Oxacalcitriol (OCT), an analogue of vitamin D, has been shown to inhibit cell proliferation in cultured mesangial cells. OCT also prevented albuminuria and glomerular injury in an acute model of anti-Thy1 glomerulonephritis. However, potential side effects, including calcaemic actions and tubular dysfunction, of chronic OCT treatment remain unclear.

A comparison between 1,25-dihydroxy-22-oxavitamin D(3) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) regarding suppression of parathyroid hormone secretion and calcaemic action.

Background: Since Slatopolsky et al. (J Clin Invest 1984; 74: 2136-2143) reported the effect of active vitamin D, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D(3) (1,25(OH)(2)D(3)), on secondary hyperparathyroidism (2HPT) which accompanies chronic renal failure, there have been several studies of the therapeutic effects of 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) in this disease. Although parathyroid hormone (PTH) is suppressed by treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3), long-term treatment with 1,25(OH)(2)D(3) tends to induce hypercalcaemia.