Quantitative analysis of mammalian chromosome by scanning transmission soft X-ray microscopy.

Soft X-ray spectromicroscopy was applied to study the quantitative distribution of DNA and protein in a mammalian chromosome at the spatial resolution of 100 nm. The quantities of DNA and protein were evaluated using 1s-π* transition in the NEXAFS spectra at the nitrogen K absorption edge. DNA was not uniformly distributed in the chromosome and DNA/protein ratio was less than 0.

Protective Effect of Dietary Ghrelin-Containing Salmon Stomach Extract on Mortality and Cardiotoxicity in Doxorubicin-Induced Mouse Model of Heart Failure.

Ghrelin exhibits a cardioprotective effect. We examined whether orally administered ghrelin-containing salmon stomach extract (sSE) instead of chemically synthesized ghrelin protects against doxorubicin (DOX)-induced cardiotoxicity in mice. Mice were divided into four groups: (i) the control, (ii) DOX groups were fed a control diet (AIN-93G), (iii) the sSE, and (iv) DOX + sSE groups were fed a 10% sSE diet (AIN-93G + 10% sSE).

Antioxidant Effects of Herbal Tea Leaves from Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius) on Multiple Free Radical and Reducing Power Assays, Especially on Different Superoxide Anion Radical Generation Systems.

Unlabelled: Yacon (Smallanthus sonchifolius), a native Andean plant, has been cultivated as a crop and locally used as a traditional folk medicine for the people suffering from diabetes and digestive/renal disorders. However, the medicinal properties of this plant and its processed foods have not been completely established. This study investigates the potent antioxidative effects of herbal tea leaves from yacon in different free radical models and a ferric reducing model.

Simultaneous illumination method: application in a two-channel emission fluorometer with multi-wavelength excitation.

We developed a new illumination method called the simultaneous illumination method. This method does not require synchronization between light sources and sensor signals, which drastically simplifies the instrumentation. As a proof-of-concept, we applied this method to an oceanographic fluorometer.

Year-long upregulation of connexin43 in rabbit hearts by heavy ion irradiation.

A previous study from our laboratory has shown that a single targeted heavy ion irradiation (THIR; 15 Gy) to rabbit hearts increases connexin43 (Cx43) expression for 2 wk in association with an improvement of conduction, a decrease of the spatial inhomogeneity of repolarization, and a reduction of vulnerability to ventricular arrhythmias after myocardial infarction. This study investigated the time- and dose-dependent effects of THIR (5-15 Gy) on Cx43 expression in normal rabbit hearts (n = 45). Five rabbits without THIR were used as controls.

Phenotypic differences in PFIC2 and BRIC2 correlate with protein stability of mutant Bsep and impaired taurocholate secretion in MDCK II cells.

Progressive familial cholestasis (PFIC) 2 and benign recurrent intrahepatic cholestasis (BRIC) 2 are caused by mutations in the bile salt export pump (BSEP, ABCB11) gene; however, their prognosis differs. PFIC2 progresses to cirrhosis and requires liver transplantation, whereas BRIC2 is clinically benign. To identify the molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the phenotypic differences, eight PFIC2 and two BRIC2 mutations were introduced in rat Bsep, which was transfected in MDCK II cells.

Development of the human interface equipment based on surface EMG employing channel selection method.

In this paper, we describe the human-interface equipment using surface electromyogram (SEMG) based on optimal measurement channels for each subject. In case the SEMG is used as a control signal, individual differences of SEMG are important issue to obtain high accuracy recognition of motions. To solve this problem, we propose a channel selection method of the suitable measurement channels for the recognition of motions.

Investigation on virtual palpation system using ultrasonic elasticity imaging.

In the field of medical ultrasound, ultrasonic elasticity imaging has been developed and used in practical diagnosis. However, unfortunately, elasticity information is now displayed on ordinary 2D screen (for example, CRT). Since elasticity information is haptic information, not visible information, the information is expected to be displayed in "the sense of haptic".

Development of the navigation system for the visually impaired by using white cane.

A white cane is a typical support instrument for the visually impaired. They use a white cane for the detection of obstacles while walking. So, the area where they have a mental map, they can walk using white cane without help of others.

Influence of moving sight by turning over frequency.

In late years, f-MRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) are used for analysis of a visual function. In case of the study for a visual function, the checker flag pattern consists of white square and black square is usually used for sight stimulation. In sight stimulation using this pattern, a color of square (black and white) changes alternately at constant frequency.

A classification method of hand movements using multi channel electrode.

In this study, we describe the classification method of hand movements using 96 channels matrix-type(16times6) of multi channel surface electrode. Today, there are many systems that use the EMG as a control signal. As for those ordinary systems, it has some problem like most of them require the definition of measuring position.

Ultrasonic diffraction tomography by pulse-plane wave: experimental result by frequency synthesis method.

Diffraction tomography is a technique for imaging with acoustic fields in which parameter, such as reflective index, sound velocity, etc., can be mapped from scatter wave resulting from insonifying the object with a plane wave at a single temporal frequency. By solving the direct scattering problem, the scattered field can be presented in term of scattering parameters.

Development of a simple diagnostic method for the glaucoma using ocular Fundus pictures.

There are approximately 2 million people who have glaucoma. And about 90% of glaucoma patients have chronic type disease, and most of them do not notice of their disease. Finally they will lost their eyesight by this disease.

[Analysis of medical care costs for gastroenterological inpatients with alcohol-related disease].

Current estimates suggest that approximately 2.3-2.5 million people in Japan are alcoholics.

[Usefulness of urine analysis in clinical nephrology].

In chronic glomerular nephritis (CGN), it is important to estimate the renal function and 24 hr urinary protein excretion to estimate the effectiveness of the treatment. In this study, we evaluated the usefulness of a microscopic urine test in making pathological diagnosis. As a result, we found that IgA nephritis has a significantly higher urinary RBC count among the CGN group, and found focal glomerular sclerosis and membranoproliferatine GN patients have significantly higher urinary RBC count among nephrotic patients.

[HLA and hepatitis C virus positive cardiomyopathy].

The relationship between HCV (hepatitis C virus) and the susceptibility of cardiomyopathy has been indicated, but the detailed mechanism for close association is still unknown. It is well known that the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) may regulate the development of chronic hepatitis in HCV positive patients. We have analyzed the distribution of HLA class II alleles in Japanese patients with HCV antibody positive dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), and HLA-DPB1*0901 was significantly increased in HCV Ab positive DCM, and the HLA-DRB1*0901-DQB1*0303 haplotype was in HCV Ab positive HCM.

A case report: tumorectomy for brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Described here is a rare case of an operation for brain metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. We admitted a 45-year-old male patient complaining chiefly of a visual field disturbance and headaches. He had undergone a hepatectomy due to HCC one year prior to hospitalization.

F-wave study in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathies.

The aim of this study is to examine the sensitivity and characteristics of F-wave abnormalities detected by using various parameters in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathies and to evaluate the relationship with needle EMG or clinical findings. The study was performed on 100 patients with lumbosacral disc herniation. Out of 100 subjects 95 had lumbosacral radiculopathies (single lesion of L5 in 37, S1 in 47, double lesions of L5 and S1 in 11), which were confirmed by operation (some were confirmed by myelogram).

Synergistic effect of epinephrine and shearing on platelet activation.

Platelet activation mediated through the interaction between von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib is known to occur under high shear rate. We have demonstrated that low concentration of epinephrine could reduce the threshold level of shear rate necessary to cause platelet activation with purified system devoid of the effect of plasma proteins other than vWF. Both the extent of platelet aggregation and [Ca2+]i were continuously measured with optically modified cone-and-plate viscometer.

The role of human leukocyte antigen and tumor necrosis factor D as a prognostic, preventive and therapeutic factor in gastric cancer.

In order to clarify the immunogenetical background, host factors in oncology, human leukocyte antigen (HLA) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) beta alleles as prognostic, preventive and therapeutic indicators were investigated in 712 patients with a histologic diagnosis of adenocarcinoma of the stomach treated with gastrectomy. HLA and TNF beta alleles were tested serologically and by DNA-PCR typing. The absence of HLA Cw1 antigen may represent resistant and prognostic factors.

Follow-up study on F-wave in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Comparison between before and after surgery.

The aim of this study is to explore the clinical value of follow-up examinations of F-wave in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy. Postoperative changes in the initial abnormalities and their relationship with improvement in clinical findings were examined. Results from conventional motor nerve conduction study at knee-ankle segment are also discussed.

A MOS circuit for a nonmonotonic neural network with excellent retrieval capabilities.

An MOS circuit is proposed for implementing a nonmonotonic transfer characteristic of a neural network. The present research is motivated by the recent results of theoretical studies showing excellent equilibrium properties of networks with the nonmonotonic neural units. These properties include enhancement of storage capacity and complete elimination of noise in associative memory recall.