Visualization of multiple localizations of GLUT4 by fluorescent probes of PYP-tag with designed unnatural warhead.

Within a cell, multiple copies of the same protein coexist in different pathways and behave differently. Being able to individually analyze the constant actions of proteins in a cell is crucial to know the pathways through which they pass and which physiological functions they are deeply involved in. However, until now, it has been difficult to distinguish protein copies with distinct translocation properties by fluorescence labeling with different colors in living cells.

Carbon-dot doped, transfer-free, low-temperature, high mobility graphene using microwave plasma CVD.

Microwave plasma chemical vapor deposition is a well-known method for low-temperature, large-area direct graphene growth on any insulating substrate without any catalysts. However, the quality has not been significantly better than other graphene synthesis methods such as thermal chemical vapor deposition, thermal decomposition of SiC, . Moreover, the higher carrier mobility in directly grown graphene is much desired for industrial applications.

A 12-session relapse prevention program vs psychoeducation in the treatment of Japanese alcoholic patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Aim: Alcoholism is the most prevalent substance use disorder in Japan; the estimated number of patients and high-risk drinkers is in the millions. Although studies in the West have shown that cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective treatment strategies for alcoholic patients, there is a dearth of efficacy studies of CBT-based intervention for those patients in the non-Western setting. The aim of this study is to investigate the efficacy of a 12-session CBT-based relapse prevention program for Japanese alcoholic patients.

Laser-assisted graphene growth directly on silicon.

Controlled graphene growth on a substrate without the use of catalysts is of great importance for industrial applications. Here, we report thickness-controlled graphene growth directly on a silicon substrate placed in a low-density microwave plasma environment using a laser. Graphene is relatively easy to grow in high-density plasma; however, low-density plasma lacks the sufficient energy and environment required for graphene synthesis.

Direct Synthesis of Large-Area Graphene on Insulating Substrates at Low Temperature using Microwave Plasma CVD.

With a combination of outstanding properties and a wide spectrum of applications, graphene has emerged as a significant nanomaterial. However, to realize its full potential for practical applications, a number of obstacles have to be overcome, such as low-temperature, transfer-free growth on desired substrates. In most of the reports, direct graphene growth is confined to either a small area or high sheet resistance.

Simultaneous improvement in electrical conductivity and Seebeck coefficient of PEDOT:PSS by N pressure-induced nitric acid treatment.

As a thermoelectric (TE) material suited to applications for recycling waste-heat into electricity through the Seebeck effect, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonic acid) (PEDOT:PSS) is of great interest. Our research demonstrates a comprehensive study of different post-treatment methods with nitric acid (HNO) to enhance the thermoelectric properties of PEDOT:PSS. The optimum conditions are obtained when PEDOT:PSS is treated with HNO for 10 min at room temperature followed by passing nitrogen gas (N) with a pressure of 0.

A randomized controlled study of the effect of ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence.

Aim: This prospective, randomized, controlled, rater-blinded study investigated the effect of G protein-activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channel inhibitor ifenprodil on alcohol use in patients with alcohol dependence.

Methods: The participants were 68 outpatients with alcohol dependence who were assigned to an ifenprodil group (administered 60 mg ifenprodil per day for 3 months) or control group (administered 600 mg ascorbic acid and calcium pantothenate per day for 3 months). The participants completed a questionnaire that included the frequency of alcohol drinking and presence of heavy drinking before the study period (time 1) and 3 months after the start of the study period (time 2).

Synthetic-Molecule/Protein Hybrid Probe with Fluorogenic Switch for Live-Cell Imaging of DNA Methylation.

Hybrid probes consisting of synthetic molecules and proteins are powerful tools for detecting biological molecules and signals in living cells. To date, most targets of the hybrid probes have been limited to pH and small analytes. Although biomacromolecules are essential to the physiological function of cells, the hybrid-probe-based approach has been scarcely employed for live-cell detection of biomacromolecules.

[Effectiveness of brief intervention for substance use disorder in Japan--a pilot study].

Background: Relatively few hospitals can treat substance use disorder in Japan and the options for treatment are limited. Previous studies in the West have shown the effectiveness of brief intervention for substance use disorder. However, such treatment has not been sufficiently implemented in Japan.

[Study on job support programs for drug addicts in japan: results of a nationwide survey on drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARC)].

In Japan, many drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARC) provide various types of recovery programs for drug addiction. The purpose of this study was to clarify the attitudes of DARC staff and users regarding job support programs. A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted in 2009.

Synthesis of carbon fibers with branched nanographene sheets for electrochemical double layer capacitor application.

We demonstrate a one step technique to synthesis the carbon fibers (CNFs) with branched nanographene sheets by the pulsed discharge (PD) plasma chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process. Highly crystalline branched nanographene sheets were directly grown from the surface of the carbon fibers to obtain a three dimensional (3D) nanostructure. The growth process can be explained from the catalyst support growth of the CNFs, and subsequently nucleation and growth of the nanographene sheets from the crystalline surface of the CNF.

[A study on clinical features of patients with benzodiazepines use disorder (BZsUD), and characteristics of psychiatric treatments which may cause BZsUD].

Background And Aims: The aims of present study are to clarify the clinical features of patients with benzodiazepine use disorder (BZsUD), and to examine the characteristics of psychiatric treatments which may cause BZsUD.

Methods: We conducted a medical chart and interview survey to 87 outpatients with benzodiazepine use disorder, who had consecutively visited the four hospitals, specialized in addiction problems, located in metropolitan area, during a month of December, 2011.

Results: Consequently, 88.

A photoinduced charge transfer composite of graphene oxide and ferrocene.

We demonstrate the formation of a photoinduced charge transfer composite with graphene oxide (GO) and ferrocene (Fc) molecules. Derived insulating GO was partially reduced to improve the conductivity and modified with the Fc molecules. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), elemental mapping, X-ray photoelectron and UV-visible spectroscopy studies confirm that the Fc molecules were well grafted to the surface of a GO sheet.

[A change of patients with methamphetamine-related disorders admitted to Tokyo Metropolitan Matsuzawa Hospital--the comparison between the second and third epidemics of methamphetamine abuse in Japan].

Objectives: Methamphetamine (MAP) is one of the most commonly abused drugs in Japan. Japan has experienced three major epidemics of MAP abuse. The characteristics of abusers have changed between the second and third epidemics; however, few epidemical studies have investigated these changes.

Family dysfunction differentially affects alcohol and methamphetamine dependence: a view from the Addiction Severity Index in Japan.

We investigated the differential influence of family dysfunction on alcohol and methamphetamine dependence in Japan using the Addiction Severity Index (ASI), a useful instrument that multilaterally measures the severity of substance dependence. The participants in this study were 321 male patients with alcohol dependence and 68 male patients with methamphetamine dependence. We conducted semi-structured interviews with each patient using the ASI, which is designed to assess problem severity in seven functional domains: Medical, Employment/Support, Alcohol use, Drug use, Legal, Family/Social relationships, and Psychiatric.

Roscovitine in combination with calcium ionophore induces oocyte activation through reduction of M-phase promoting factor activity in mice.

The aim of the present study was to determine oocyte activation and change in M-phase promoting factor (MPF) activity induced by treatment with calcium ionophore and roscovitine in comparison with those induced by treatment with roscovitine alone and treatment with calcium ionophore and puromycin in mice. Freshly ovulated oocytes obtained from 6-8-week-old mice were divided into five groups (no activation treatment; 5 μM calcium ionophore A23187; 50 μM roscovitine; 5 μM calcium ionophore and 10 μg/ml puromycin; and 5 μM calcium ionophore and 50 μM roscovitine) and were incubated for 6 h. Oocyte activation, assessed by morphological changes, and changes in MPF activity in the five groups at 0, 2, 4 and 6 h of incubation were examined.

[Two methods of support for methamphetamine concurrent disorder--comparison of "schizophrenia support" model and "dependence support" model].

The coexistence of methamphetamine use disorder (MUD) and psychotic disorder (PSD) is common in clinical settings. These cases are defined as methamphetamine concurrent disorder (MCD). It is often hard to decide which type of support is suitable for a MCD case; the one used for schizophrenics ("schizophrenia-support" model) or for drug addicts ("dependence-support" model).

Poly(3-octylthiophene)/fullerene heterojunction solar cell incorporating carbon nanotubes.

Here, we report incorporation of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) in Poly(3-octylthiophene)/fullerene heterojunction solar cells. Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) were functionalized by oxygen plasma treatment. Photoelectron spectroscopy study of oxygen plasma treated MWNTs shows surface modification with hydroxyl and carboxyl groups.

Prediction of Japanese children at risk for complications of childhood obesity: gender differences for intervention approaches.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health problems in Japan, especially in Tokushima compared with other prefectures. This study was designed to clarify the life habits which predispose to development of obesity and can be modified through an appropriate intervention program to combat childhood obesity and its lifestyle-related diseases. A total of 216 school children from Itano Town, a municipality of Tokushima Prefecture, Japan, who are attending the fourth grade (9-10 years) of elementary schools, participated in the study from 2004 to 2007.

[Correlation between childhood traumatic stress and present drug abuse: results of a nationwide survey of drug addiction rehabilitation facilities in Japan].

Child abuse is known to correlate with drug abuse and interferes with recovery from substance-related disorders. To determine the prevalence and severity of child abuse among drug addicts, we conducted a nationwide cross-sectional survey of residents and outpatients at drug addiction rehabilitation centers (DARC) in Japan. A total of 445 participants gave informed consent and completed a self-reporting questionnaire.

Application of the Relapse Risk Scale to alcohol-dependent individuals in Japan: comparison with stimulant abusers.

Objective: To develop and validate the Alcohol Relapse Risk Scale (ARRS) for Japanese alcohol-dependent individuals and to compare the features of relapse risk for alcohol-dependent individuals with those for stimulant abusers.

Methods: The ARRS is a multidimensional self-rating scale consisting of 32 items based on the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS). Two hundred eighteen inpatients and outpatients with a history of alcohol dependence (181 males and 36 females) were recruited, provided informed consent, and were administered the ARRS.

Determination of Optical Constants of Solgel-Derived Inhomogeneous TiO(2) Thin Films by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Transmission Spectroscopy.

Amorphous and nanocrystalline TiO(2) thin films coated on a vitreous silica substrate by a solgel dip coating method are investigated for optical properties by spectroscopic ellipsometry (SE) together with transmission spectroscopy. A method of analysis of SE data to determine the degree of inhomogeneity of TiO(2) films has also been presented. Instead of the refractive index, the volume fraction of void has been assumed to vary along the thickness of the films and an excellent agreement between the experimental and calculated data of SE below the fundamental band gap has been obtained.

Development and validation of the Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale for drug abusers in Japan.

Objective: To develop and validate a multidimensional measure of relapse risk for stimulants in Japanese drug abusers.

Methods: A Stimulant Relapse Risk Scale (SRRS) was developed based on the Marijuana Craving Questionnaire and a discussion among three psychiatrists. We created 48 items after confirming the items including a variety of relapse risk, such as craving (expectancy, compulsivity, etc.