n-3 versus n-6 polyunsaturated fatty acids in critical illness

The aim of this study was to evaluate bone mineral density changes in patients with juvenile chronic arthritis (JCA) and to determine the most likely causes of osteoporosis in these patients. Eighteen (11 male, 7 female) patients suffering from JCA and 14 healthy controls (10 male, four female) were included in this study. The mean age of the patients and control groups were 11.0 +/- 3.2 and 10.9 +/- 2.9 years respectively. Disease activity was determined by clinical and laboratory evaluation and 'Articular Disease Severity Score' (ADSS). Bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and lumbar spine was measured by dual photon absorptiometry. BMD of the patients at the lumbar spine was significantly lower than the control group (p < 0.05). This difference was more marked in patients treated with steroids. Femoral neck BMD was also lower in the patient group but this difference was not statistically significant. There was a negative correlation between ADSS and BMD at the spine. In conclusion, trabecular bone loss is characteristic for osteoporosis in JCA. Our results indicate that steroid treatment and disease severity are important factors in the development of osteoporosis in JCA.     

The PTEN, BAX, and IGFIIR genes are mutated in endometrial atypical hyperplasia

To pursue the pathogenesis of endometrial carcinogenesis, we investigated microsatellite instability, mutations in the PTEN, TGF beta RII, IGFIIR, and BAX genes, and LOHs on 10q in 18 putative endometrial premalignant lesions (11 endometrial atypical hyperplasias (ATHs), 2 complex hyperplasias, and 5 simple hyperplasias) as well as 8 endometrial cancers (ECs). In the ATH cases, MSIs as well as LOHs at 10q were observed at frequencies similar to those in ECs. Mutations in PTEN, BAX, and IGFIIR were observed only in ATHs and ECs. These results suggest that (1) PTEN, BAX, and IGFIIR are already mutated in ATHs, and (2) ATH is one of the precursor lesions which could lead to EC.     

Regional differences in cardiac effects of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide-27 in the isolated dog heart

Recent observations indicate that several neuropeptides may be involved in the regulation of cardiac function, but the effects of these peptides on the atrium are not always the same as those on the ventricle. To compare the effect of pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide (PACAP)-27 on the atrium with that on the ventricle, we investigated the effects of PACAP-27 on the sinus rate and atrial and ventricular contractility in isolated, blood-perfused dog heart preparations. PACAP-27 (0.01-0.3 nmol) caused transient positive followed by negative chronotropic and inotropic responses in a dose-dependent manner in the isolated right atrium, whereas it caused only a dose-dependent positive inotropic response in the left ventricle. After atropine treatment, PACAP-27 caused only positive cardiac responses in isolated atria. The order of the increase in response to PACAP-27 was atrial contractile force > sinus rate > or = ventricular contractile force. Tetrodotoxin blocked the negative chronotropic and inotropic responses to PACAP-27 in isolated atria. Propranolol did not affect the positive response. PACAP-(6-27), a type I PACAP receptor antagonist, attenuated the positive responses similarly in the atropine-treated right atrium and the left ventricle. Thus, we demonstrated that (1) PACAP-27 caused negative cardiac effects in the atrium and sinoatrial node by activation of intracardiac parasympathetic nerves, but had no negative effect on the ventricle; (2) PACAP-27 had positive effects in the atrium, sinoatrial node and ventricle mediated by type I PACAP receptors, but PACAP-27 was more effective in the atrium and sinoatrial node than in the ventricle of the dog heart.     

New functionalities in abundant element oxides: ubiquitous element strategy

While most ceramics are composed of ubiquitous elements (the ten most abundant elements within the Earth''s crust), many advanced materials are based on rare elements. A ‘rare-element crisis’ is approaching owing to the imbalance between the limited supply of rare elements and the increasing demand. Therefore, we propose a ‘ubiquitous element strategy’ for materials research, which aims to apply abundant elements in a variety of innovative applications. Creation of innovative oxide materials and devices based on conventional ceramics is one specific challenge. This review describes the concept of ubiquitous element strategy and gives some highlights of our recent research on the synthesis of electronic, thermionic and structural materials using ubiquitous elements.     

Feasibility study on using imaging plates to estimate thermal neutron fluence in neutron-gamma mixed fields

In current radiotherapy, neutrons are produced in a photonuclear reaction when incident photon energy is higher than the threshold. In the present study, a method of discriminating the neutron component was investigated using an imaging plate (IP) in the neutron-gamma-ray mixed field. Two types of IP were used: a conventional IP for beta- and gamma rays, and an IP doped with Gd for detecting neutrons. IPs were irradiated in the mixed field, and the photo-stimulated luminescence (PSL) intensity of the thermal neutron component was discriminated using an expression proposed herein. The PSL intensity of the thermal neutron component was proportional to thermal neutron fluence. When additional irradiation of photons was added to constant neutron irradiation, the PSL intensity of the thermal neutron component was not affected. The uncertainty of PSL intensities was approximately 11.4 %. This method provides a simple and effective means of discriminating the neutron component in a mixed field.     

A study on dose control for Tokaimura criticality accident termination

Verification of the dose control method for Tokaimura criticality accident was performed. Personal dose estimation for accident termination was performed based on measurements of dose rate taken before the work commenced, but the personal dose to workers as a result of the termination work was found to be approximately 50 times higher than the previous estimation. For this report, the doses are reevaluated based on the results of close range measurements from 40 to 100 m, and the results were found to agree with the actual personal doses within the uncertainty of its determination 60-80 %. Therefore, the work can likely be done safely by taking into account factors such as annual dose limits and the guideline dose constraints for works in high-level neutron radiation fields.     

Mutual diffusion occurring at the interface between La₀.₆Sr₀.₄Co₀.₈Fe₀.₂O₃ cathode and Gd-doped ceria electrolyte during IT-SOFC cell preparation

The microstructure and local chemistry of the interface between the screen-printed La(0.6)Sr(0.4)Co(0.8)Fe(0.2)O(3) (LSCF) thin film cathode and Gd-doped ceria (GDC) electrolyte substrate have been investigated. Elemental distribution analyses, by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy operated in scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) mode, illustrate that all constituent elements in GDC and LSCF mutually diffuse across the LSCF/GDC interface, with equal diffusion length. This leads to the formation of mutual diffusion zones at the LSCF/GDC interfaces, with the resultant mixture of diffusing ions being associated with specific valence state changes, as verified by STEM electron energy loss spectroscopy analyses. Moreover, this mutual diffusion can result in microstructural changes, where superstructure formation is accompanied by enhancement of oxygen vacancy ordering at this region. Such mutual diffusion and associated microstructure evolution is considered to be detrimental to fuel cell efficiency and should be suppressed by lowering cell fabrication temperatures.     

Size effect on fracture toughness of freestanding copper nano-films

We conducted fracture toughness experiments on freestanding copper films with thicknesses ranging from about 800 to 100 nm deposited by electron beam evaporation to elucidate the size effect on fracture toughness in the nano- or submicron-scale. It was found that initially, the crack propagated stably under loading, and then the crack propagation rate rapidly increased, resulting in unstable fracture. The fracture toughness K_C was estimated on the basis of the R-curve concept to be 7.81 ± 1.22 MPa m^1/2 for the 800-nm-thick film, 6.63 ± 1.05 MPa m^1/2 for the 500-nm-thick film and 2.34 ± 0.54 MPa m^1/2 for the 100-nm-thick film. Thus, a clear size effect was observed. The fracture surface suggested that the crack underwent large plastic deformation in the thicker 800-nm and 500-nm films, whereas it propagated with highly localized plastic deformation in the thinner 100-nm film. This size effect in fracture toughness might be related to a transition in deformation and fracture morphology near the crack tip.     

Geometrical separation method for lipoproteins using bioformulated-fiber matrix electrophoresis: size of high-density lipoprotein does not reflect its density

The increasing number of patients with metabolic syndrome is a critical global problem. In this study, we describe a novel geometrical electrophoretic separation method using a bioformulated-fiber matrix to analyze high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particles. HDL particles are generally considered to be a beneficial component of the cholesterol fraction. Conventional electrophoresis is widely used but is not necessarily suitable for analyzing HDL particles. Furthermore, a higher HDL density is generally believed to correlate with a smaller particle size. Here, we use a novel geometrical separation technique incorporating recently developed nanotechnology (Nata de Coco) to contradict this belief. A dyslipidemia patient given a 1-month treatment of fenofibrate showed an inverse relationship between HDL density and size. Direct microscopic observation and morphological observation of fractionated HDL particles confirmed a lack of relationship between particle density and size. This new technique may improve diagnostic accuracy and medical treatment for lipid related diseases.     

Reformation of hazardous wastes into useful supporting materials for fast reactor fuels

Novel concepts for effective utilization of molybdenum (Mo) from nuclear waste and magnesium silicates from hazardous asbestos wastes are proposed. A fast reactor cycle scheme that incorporates each material is described in the present paper. Results of basic studies on several fundamental technologies for the present cycle are given. Basic separation features of Mo by using the LIX63 microcapsule and tertiary pyridine resin were investigated. A simple chemical synthesis route for Mo precursor powder from Mo-containing HNO₃ solution was demonstrated. Effects of impurities in recovered Mo on sintering behavior of Mo-pellets were experimentally investigated.