The relationship between spinal and appendicular bone mass modified by physical, historical, and lifestyle factors.

Spinal, radial, and calcaneal bone mineral density (BMD) measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and calcaneal bone mass measured by quantitative ultrasound densitometry (QUS) were compared in 83 healthy Japanese female volunteers. A significant and strong correlation was found within the same methods (r = 0.619 for lumbar spine and radius by DXA, r = 0.

Multivariate analysis of factors influencing physical work capacity in wheelchair-dependent paraplegics with spinal cord injury.

The purpose of this study was to determine the main factors that influence physical work capacity (PWC) in wheelchair-dependent paraplegics with spinal cord injury (SCI) using multivariate analysis. Thirty-two male paraplegics with SCI (PSCI) performed a submaximal arm exercise test on an arm-cranking ergometer to determine their PWC (oxygen uptake: ml x kg(-1) x min(-1)) at a heart rate of 150 beats x min(-1) (PWC150). Hayashi's Quantification first type was applied to analyze the effects on PWC150 of six factors: age, smoking, level of physical activity, occupation, level of SCI and period since SCI.

The antidepressant hypericin inhibits progression of experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: Hypericin, a polycyclic dione used as an antidepressant, has been shown to inhibit the protein kinase C (PKC) pathway. Many of the pathologic responses found in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) are dependent upon PKC. Therefore, we studied the effect of hypericin on the treatment of experimental PVR.

The effect of tranilast on experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

Background: Tranilast has been clinically used for various allergic diseases. Recently, it has also been found to inhibit excessive scarring in wound healing processes. In this study, we examined the effects of tranilast on the treatment for experimental proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR).

The comparative benefits of glaucoma filtering surgery with an electric-pulse targeted drug delivery system demonstrated in an animal model.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of glaucoma filtering surgery performed with the adjunctive use of bleomycin administered in conjunction with electric pulses (EP).

Design: Experimental study in rabbits. CONTROLS AND METHODS: Trabeculectomies were performed on pigmented rabbits (2 to 2.

Structural requirements of para-alkylphenols to bind to estrogen receptor.

Octyl- and nonylphenols in the environment have been proposed to function as estrogens. To gain insight into their structural essentials in binding to the estrogen receptor, a series of phenols with saturated alkyl groups at the para position, HO-C6H4-CnH2n+1 (n = 0-12), were examined for their ability to displace [3H]17beta-estradiol in the recombinant human estrogen receptor, which was expressed in Sf9 cells using the vaculovirus expression system. All tested para-alkylphenols were found to bind fully to the estrogen receptors in a dose-dependent manner.

Relationship between physical characteristics and physiological responses during maximal arm cranking in paraplegics.

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the main physical factor(s) affecting cardiorespiratory responses during maximal arm cranking exercise in patients with paraplegia. Peak oxygen uptake (peak Vo2), peak pulmonary ventilation (peak VE) and peak heart rate (peak HR) were measured during maximal arm cranking exercise in 28 Japanese male patients. A cluster analysis was applied to the data for peak Vo2, peak HR and peak VE, and then the subjects were classified into four groups (A, B, C and D).

Continuous ambulatory radionuclide monitoring of left ventricular function: effect of body position during ergometer exercise.

Unlabelled: We assessed the reliability of a continuous ambulatory radionuclide monitoring system (the VEST system, Capintec, Inc., Ramsey, NJ) for measurement of left ventricular performance during exercise in the upright and supine positions.

Methods: Sixteen healthy male volunteers (aged 32-46 yr; mean age 37 +/- 4 yr) were studied.

DNA sequence of Bacillus subtilis (natto) NR-1 gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase gene, ggt.

The ggt encoding gamma-glutamyltranspeptidase (GGT) from Bacillus subtilis (natto) was cloned and sequenced. The DNA sequence contains a single open reading frame of 1761 bp that might be translated to a protein of 587 amino acid residues, and indicates that B. subtilis (natto) GGT is synthesized as prepro-GGT and processed later into large and small subunits.

Prenatal diagnosis of congenital unilateral hydrocephalus.

A case is presented in which fetal unilateral hydrocephalus that had not been definitively diagnosed by ultrasonography was confirmed by means of magnetic resonance imaging. Computed tomography performed in the neonatal period after intraventricular injection of contrast medium showed stenosis of the foramen of Monro.

Efficient Production of γ-Polyglutamic Acid by Bacillus subtilis (natto) in Jar Fermenters.

The large scale fermentation of γ-polyglutamic acid (γ-PGA) by Bacillus subtilis (natto) was done using a 30-liter jar fermenter. A stable cultivation without foaming could be done with addition of 3% NaCl to the medium. The γ-PGA productivity became higher with increasing speed of agitation and amounts of glutamic acid added to the broth.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of ApaLI restriction-modification system from Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753.

The ApaLI restriction-modification system from Acetobacter pasteurianus IFO 13753 recognizes the nucleotide sequence GTGCAC. The gene coding for the ApaLI methylase (M.ApaLI) was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR, and the nucleotide sequence of the gene was analyzed.

Gradenigo's syndrome: CT and MRI findings.

We report the case of an 8-year-old girl with Gradenigo's syndrome. Involvement of the petrous portion of the left temporal bone was demonstrated by CT and an inflammatory lesion of the left petrous apex was clearly shown by MRI, which is useful in diagnosis and management of apical petrositis.

Phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Saccharomyces Meyen ex Reess deduced from partial base sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs (saccharomycetaceae).

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships among the yeast species classified in the genus Saccharomyces, partial base sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs were determined for ten selected strains. The regions determined correspond to positions 1451 through 1618 of the 18S rRNA and positions 493 through 622 and 1611 through 1835 of the 26S rRNA in S. cerevisiae.

Phylogenetic relationships of species of the genus Kluyveromyces van der Walt (saccharomycetaceae) deduced from the partial sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs.

In order to clarify the phylogenetic relationships of the species classified in the genus Kluyveromyces (Saccharomycetaceae), three partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs of eighteen strains were determined. The regions determined of the strains corresponded to positions 1451 through 1618 (168 bases) of 18S rRNA and to positions 1611 through 1835 (225 bases) and 493 through 622 (130 bases) of a strain (IFO 2376) of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The analyses of the partial base sequences suggested that the genus Kluyveromyces is phylogenetically heterogeneous, ranging from the strains that are quite close to the strain of S.

[In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of a new quinolone derivative, FD501].

FD501 is a newly synthesized quinolone derivative with aminoazepine group at the C-7 position. The in vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of FD501 were investigated comparing with those of norfloxacin, ofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin. The in vitro antibacterial activities of FD501 against Gram-positive bacteria including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, were equal to or higher than those of other quinolones.

Cloning and nucleotide sequence of the AgeI methylase gene from Agrobacterium gelatinovorum IAM 12617, a marine bacterium.

The AgeI restriction-modification system from a marine bacterium, Agrobacterium gelatinovorum IAM 12617, recognizes the nucleotide sequence ACCGGT. The gene coding for the AgeI methylase (M.AgeI) was cloned into Escherichia coli DH5 alpha MCR, and the nucleotides of the gene were sequenced.

Peak oxygen uptake and respiratory function in persons with spinal cord injury.

This study investigated the association between peak oxygen uptake (peak VO2) during arm cranking exercise and respiratory function in paraplegics. Fourteen male paraplegics were recruited for the present study. The subjects were grouped according to the level of injury into the HL (Th3-Th8) and LL (Th11-L3) group.

[Hydrostatic weighing, skinfold thickness, body mass index relationships in high school girls].

A study was conducted to evaluate body composition by hydrostatic weighing, skinfold thickness, and body mass index (BMI) in 102 senior high school girls, aged 15 to 18 in Nagasaki City. Body density measured by the underwater weighing method, was used to determine the fat weight (Fat) and lean body mass (LBM. or fat free weight: FFW) utilizing the formulas by Brozek et al.

In vitro antibacterial activity of FA103, a new quinolone derivative of C-7 position with 7-perhydrodiazepinone.

A number of new quinolone antibacterial agents such as ofloxacin, norfloxacin, ciprofloxacin and sparfloxacin have been developed and introduced to the market. They possess a broad spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. Ciprofloxacin has the highest activity against Gram-positive is higher than other quinolones.

[Body density assessment utilizing skinfold thickness and age in Japanese men].

A study was conducted to investigate the validity of skinfold-based prediction equations for body density (g/ml) by Nagamine and Suzuki (1964), and to formulate more convenient and more useful equations for predicting body density from skinfold and age in men. Subjects of the study were 257 healthy men aged 19-60 years in or near Nagasaki City. The regression equation for the dependent variable, body density, was determined by hydrostatic weighing.

Changes in body shape of young individuals from the aspect of adult physique model by factor analysis.

The purpose of this study was to clarify characteristics of age-related changes in body shape in adolescence, in 11- to 19-year-old boys and girls, by using previously reported physique models of adult men and women as the scale. The scale consisted of four factors obtained by factor analysis using 30 items as variables, such as the values measured for the physique, skinfold thickness and body composition. The four factors were Factor 1: body fat, Factor 2: mass, Factor 3: leg length to height ratio, and Factor 4: length, and were interpreted in the men and women in a similar manner.

Chemical modification and inactivation of phospholipases A2 by a manoalide analogue.

Chemical modification and inactivation of bovine pancreatic, porcine pancreatic, Naja naja atra and Pseudechis australis phospholipases A2 (PLA2s), belonging to Group I, and of Trimeresurus flavoviridis, Vipera russelli russelli and Agkistrodon halys blomhoffii PLA2s, belonging to Group II, were investigated by the use of a manoalide (MLD)-analogue, 1-(2,5-dihydro-hydroxy-5-oxo-3-furanyl)-8,12-dimethyl-4-formyl-3,7, 11-tridecatrienol. At appropriate time intervals, residual PLA2 activities towards monodispersed, anionic mixed micellar and non-ionic mixed micellar substrates were measured. We tested the protective effect of micellar n-dodecylphosphocholine (n-C12PC) on enzyme inactivation.

Kinetics of HbA1c, glycated albumin, and fructosamine and analysis of their weight functions against preceding plasma glucose level.

Objective: To examine the kinetics of HbA1c, glycated albumin (GA), and fructosamine (FA) levels in response to plasma glucose change and their relationship with the preceding plasma glucose level.

Research Design And Methods: The time courses of HbA1c, GA, and FA after acute glycemic normalization were observed in nine patients with newly diagnosed non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and compared with theoretical ones. Their weight functions against preceding plasma glucose level were analyzed assuming a stepwise plasma glucose change and compared with the theoretical prediction.