Dynamic displacement measurement beyond half-wavelength in phase-modulated optical interferometer.

We demonstrate an interference signal-processing method that extends the measurement range of dynamic displacement beyond half the wavelength of light without deteriorating the measurement accuracy in a phase-modulated optical interferometer. The measurement range extension is realized by the algorithm focusing on peak direction of the interference signal waveform. Deterioration of measurement accuracy is avoided by the data processing that removes noisy data sets.

Effect of blue-blocking glasses in major depressive disorder with sleep onset insomnia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Blue wavelengths form the portion of the visible electromagnetic spectrum that most potently regulates circadian rhythm. We hypothesized that wearing blue-blocking (BB) glasses in the evening may influence circadian rhythm disturbances in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD), resulting in improved sleep and mood. We used a randomized placebo-controlled double-blinded design.

Ameliorating effects of traditional Chinese medicine on lipopolysaccharide -induced microcirculatory disturbances and organ injury.

Gram-negative bacteria are one of the major pathogens associated with severe sepsis and septic shock. LPS is a component of the outer membrane of gram-negative bacteria, which causes a systemic, uncontrolled inflammatory response in infected subjects. In microcirculation it manifests multiple insults, including leukocyte and platelet adhesion, ROS and protease overproduction, mast cell degranulation, endothelium hyperpermeabilty, hemorrhage, and microthrombi formation, ultimately results in multiorgan dysfunction, DIC, refractory shock and even death.

Efficacy and tolerability of clozapine in Japanese patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia: results from a 12-week, flexible dose study using raters masked to antipsychotic choice.

Japan approved clozapine for treatment-resistant schizophrenia in June 2009. The aim of this study was to evaluate clozapine's efficacy and tolerability in Japanese patients. A twelve-week, single-arm clinical trial of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia inpatients, was conducted under real-world conditions using raters masked for type of antipsychotic.

Relationship between nicotine dependence and the endophenotype-related trait of cognitive function but not acoustic startle reponses in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Objectives: We investigated whether nicotine dependence affects these endophenotypes in Japanese schizophrenia patients and whether alpha4 and beta2 subunits of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptor genes (alpha4 subunit of the nAChR gene (CHRNA4)/beta2 subunit of the nAChR gene (CHRNB2)) were associated with nicotine dependence in patients (n = 100) and healthy controls (n = 107).

Methods: First, in patients, we evaluated cognitive function, using the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia, and acoustic startle responses. Second, we evaluated the severity of nicotine dependence, using the Tobacco Dependence Screener, the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, and the Brinkman index in current smokers in both groups.

The relationship between acoustic startle response measures and cognitive functions in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Recently, schizophrenia endophenotypes have been actively investigated to better understand the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. Past studies have shown that cognitive functions, including working memory and executive function, correlate with acoustic startle responses, such as prepulse inhibition (PPI), in patients with schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between cognitive functions and acoustic startle response in Japanese patients with schizophrenia.

Effect of aripiprazole, risperidone, and olanzapine on the acoustic startle response in Japanese chronic schizophrenia.

Background: Studies have also shown that differences in the kind of the antipsychotics influenced disruption of the sensorimotor gating system, including prepulse inhibition (PPI), acoustic startle reflex (ASR), and habituation (HAB). We investigated the influence on startle response in chronic schizophrenia in 20 patients with schizophrenia taking risperidone, 21 patients with schizophrenia taking olanzapine, and 20 patients with schizophrenia taking aripiprazole.

Method: The patients who participated in this study were on maintenance therapy with only one antipsychotic drug for 4 months.

Investigation of clinical factors influencing cognitive function in Japanese schizophrenia.

Several investigators have reported cognitive dysfunction in chronic schizophrenia that was associated with insight and social skills. Such cognitive dysfunction seriously hinders an immediate return to normal life. Recently, Kaneda et al.

Prepulse inhibition of the startle response with chronic schizophrenia: a replication study.

Prepulse inhibition (PPI) deficit, the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) and habituation (HAB) impairment are considered to be endophenotypes for schizophrenia. The recent two studies have reported that a PPI deficit was detected in Japanese schizophrenic patients. We replicated that study using larger samples (115 schizophrenic patients and 111 normal controls) than the original study and a method same as original study.

Mechanism of augmented duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion after elevation of luminal CO(2).

The proximal duodenum is exposed to extreme elevations of P(CO(2)) because of the continuous mixture of secreted HCO(3)(-) with gastric acid. These elevations (up to 80 kPa) are likely to place the mucosal cells under severe acid stress. Furthermore, we hypothesized that, unlike most other cells, the principal source of CO(2) for duodenal epithelial cells is from the lumen.

Low-dose PGE2 mimics the duodenal secretory response to luminal acid in mice.

Luminal exposure to concentrated acid, the most accepted physiological stimulus for duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS), cannot be used with in vitro preparations due to potential tissue damage. We thus examined whether exposure to PGE(2), a well-characterized physiological duodenal secretagogue, could mimic the effects of acid perfusion. DBS was measured in C57/BL mice by pH-stat/back-titration and measurement of total dissolved CO(2) concentration ([CO(2)](t)).

NHE3 inhibition activates duodenal bicarbonate secretion in the rat.

We examined the effect of inhibition of Na+/H+ exchange (NHE) on duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS) in rats to further understand DBS regulation. DBS was measured by using the pH-stat method and by using CO2-sensitive electrodes. 5-(N,N-dimethyl)-amiloride (50 microM; DMA), a concentration that selectively inhibits the NHE isoforms NHE1 and NHE2, but not NHE3, did not affect DBS.

Role of protein kinases on acid-induced duodenal bicarbonate secretion in rats.

We examined the effect of several protein kinase inhibitors, such as staurosporine for protein kinase C (PKC), H-89 for protein kinase A (PKA) and genistein for tyrosine kinase (TK) on acid-induced duodenal bicarbonate secretion (DBS) in rats. HCO(-)(3) secretion was measured using the pH-stat method. Mucosal acidification was performed by perfusing the duodenal loop for 10 min with pH 2.

Stimulation by nizatidine, a histamine H(2)-receptor antagonist, of duodenal HCO(3)(-)secretion in rats:relation to anti-cholinesterase activity.

AIM:To examine whether nizatidine stimulates duodenal HCO(3)(-) secretion in rats by inhibiting AChE activity.METHODS:Under pentobarbital anesthesia, a proximal duodenal loop was perfused with saline, and the HCO(3)(-) secretion was measured at pH 7.0 using a pH-stat method and by adding 10mM HCl.