[An Adolescent Case of ASD Presenting with Persistent Catatonia and Epileptic EEG Discharge]

A 26-year-old man developed a catatonic state after his grandmother's death and the Great East Japan Earthquake. He was admitted to hospital because of the prolonged severe stupor. Electroencephalography (EEG) revealed focal (F3 electrode) and generalized epileptic abnormalities. He was administered antiepileptic agents and benzodiazepines, but his stupor did not improve in spite of a reduced frequency of epileptic EEG abnormalities. His clinical his- tory did not suggest any psychotic disorders. Thereafter, extensive physical examinations were performed, but an organic cause of the stupor was not determined. For about two years, he was unable to intake food without tubal feeding, have a conversation, or move spontaneously. One day, a generalized tonic-clonic seizure (GTC) occurred spontaneously for the first time in his life, and then his stupor markedly improved. Thereafter, he could eat food spontaneously, have a fluent conversation, and move actively. After his condition had improved, we asked his parents about his developmental history, clinical history, and present state. According to clini- cal interviews including the use of PARS (Pervasive Developmental Disorders Autism Society Japan Rating Scale), DISCO (Diagnostic Interview for Social and Communication Disorders), and WAIS-III (Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-third edition), he was diagnosed with autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) and mild intellectual disability. It was considered that his stupor had occurred secondary to ASD. Wing et al. reported that catatonia occurred in about 17% of ASD adolescents and young adults as a later complication. It is possible that this case, without any psychotic disorders and with ASD that has been undiagnosed until young adult, progress to such a severe and prolonged catatonic state. We report this case to show that severe catatonia is possible in adolescents and young adults during the carry-over period in ASD patients.

Measurements of Elliptic and Triangular Flow in High-Multiplicity 3He+Au Collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We present the first measurement of elliptic (v(2)) and triangular (v(3)) flow in high-multiplicity (3)He+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200  GeV. Two-particle correlations, where the particles have a large separation in pseudorapidity, are compared in (3)He+Au and in p+p collisions and indicate that collective effects dominate the second and third Fourier components for the correlations observed in the (3)He+Au system. The collective behavior is quantified in terms of elliptic v(2) and triangular v(3) anisotropy coefficients measured with respect to their corresponding event planes. The v(2) values are comparable to those previously measured in d+Au collisions at the same nucleon-nucleon center-of-mass energy. Comparisons with various theoretical predictions are made, including to models where the hot spots created by the impact of the three (3)He nucleons on the Au nucleus expand hydrodynamically to generate the triangular flow. The agreement of these models with data may indicate the formation of low-viscosity quark-gluon plasma even in these small collision systems.

Comparison between Monte Carlo simulation and measurement with a 3D polymer gel dosimeter for dose distributions in biological samples

In this research, we used a 135 MeV/nucleon carbon-ion beam to irradiate a biological sample composed of fresh chicken meat and bones, which was placed in front of a PAGAT gel dosimeter, and compared the measured and simulated transverse-relaxation-rate (R2) distributions in the gel dosimeter. We experimentally measured the three-dimensional R2 distribution, which records the dose induced by particles penetrating the sample, by using magnetic resonance imaging. The obtained R2 distribution reflected the heterogeneity of the biological sample. We also conducted Monte Carlo simulations using the PHITS code by reconstructing the elemental composition of the biological sample from its computed tomography images while taking into account the dependence of the gel response on the linear energy transfer. The simulation reproduced the experimental distal edge structure of the R2 distribution with an accuracy under about 2 mm, which is approximately the same as the voxel size currently used in treatment planning.

Angiographic Lesion Complexity Score and In-Hospital Outcomes after Percutaneous Coronary Intervention

OBJECTIVE

We devised a percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) scoring system based on angiographic lesion complexity and assessed its association with in-hospital complications.

BACKGROUND

Although PCI is finding increasing application in patients with coronary artery disease, lesion complexity can lead to in-hospital complications.

METHODS

Data from 3692 PCI patients were scored based on lesion complexity, defined by bifurcation, chronic total occlusion, type C, and left main lesion, along with acute thrombus in the presence of ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (1 point assigned for each variable).

RESULTS

The patients' mean age was 67.5 +/- 10.8 years; 79.8% were male. About half of the patients (50.3%) presented with an acute coronary syndrome, and 2218 (60.1%) underwent PCI for at least one complex lesion. The patients in the higher-risk score groups were older (p < 0.001) and had present or previous heart failure (p = 0.02 and p = 0.01, respectively). Higher-risk score groups had significantly higher in-hospital event rates for death, heart failure, and cardiogenic shock (from 0 to 4 risk score; 1.7%, 4.5%, 6.3%, 7.1%, 40%, p < 0.001); bleeding with a hemoglobin decrease of >3.0 g/dL (3.1%, 11.0%, 13.1%, 10.3%, 28.6%, p < 0.001); and postoperative myocardial infarction (1.5%, 3.1%, 3.8%, 3.8%, 10%, p = 0.004), respectively. The association with adverse outcomes persisted after adjustment for known clinical predictors (odds ratio 1.72, p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The complexity score was cumulatively associated with in-hospital mortality and complication rate and could be used for event prediction in PCI patients.

Subchronic pharmacological and chronic genetic NMDA receptor hypofunction differentially regulate the Akt signaling pathway and Arc expression in juvenile and adult mice

NMDA receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction is a compelling hypothesis for the pathophysiology of schizophrenia, because in part, NMDAR antagonists cause symptoms in healthy adult subjects that resemble schizophrenia. Therefore, NMDAR antagonists have been used as a method to induce NMDAR hypofunction in animals as a pharmacological model of schizophrenia. Serine racemase-null mutant (SR-/-) mice display constitutive NMDAR hypofunction due to the lack of d-serine. SR-/- mice have deficits in tropomyosin-related kinase receptor (TrkB)/Akt signaling and activity regulated cytoskeletal protein (Arc) expression, which mirror what is observed in schizophrenia. Thus, we analyzed these signaling pathways in MK801 sub-chronically (0.15mg/kg; 5days) treated adult wild-type mice. We found that in contrast to SR-/- mice, the activated states of downstream signaling molecules, but not TrkB, increased in MK801 treated mice. Furthermore, there is an age-dependent change in the behavioral reaction of people to NMDAR antagonists. We therefore administered the same dosing regimen of MK801 to juvenile mice and compared them to juvenile SR-/- mice. Our findings demonstrate that pharmacological NMDAR antagonism has different effects on TrkB/Akt signaling than genetically-induced NMDAR hypofunction. Given the phenotypic disparity between the MK801 model and schizophrenia, our results suggest that SR-/- mice more accurately reflect NMDAR hypofunction in schizophrenia.

Structure resembling effect of clay surface on photochemical properties of meso-phenyl or pyridyl-substituted monocationic antimony(v) porphyrin derivatives

The more hydrophobic antimony(v) porphyrin showed greater absorption transition probability increase and fluorescence quantum yield enhancement on the clay surface. These unique effects were discussed using the potential energy curves of porphyrin.

Effects of physical and morphometric factors on nutrient removal properties in agricultural ponds

Effects of physical and morphometric factors on nutrient removal properties were studied in small agricultural ponds with different depths, volumes, and residence times in western Japan. Average residence time was estimated to be >15 days, and it tended to decrease from summer to winter because of the increase in water withdrawal for agricultural activity. Water temperature was clearly different between the surface and bottom layers; this indicates that thermal stratification occurred in summer. Chlorophyll-a was significantly high (>20 μg/L) in the surface layer (<0.5 m) and influenced by the thermal stratification. Removal ratios of dissolved total nitrogen (DTN) and dissolved total phosphorus in the ponds were estimated to be 53-98% and 39-98% in August and 10-92% and 36-57% in December, respectively. Residence time of the ponds was longer in August than in December, and DTN removal, in particular, was more significant in ponds with longer residence time. Our results suggest residence time is an important factor for nitrogen removal in small agricultural ponds as well as large lakes.

Relative incidences and outcomes of Clostridium difficile infection following transplantation of unrelated cord blood, unrelated bone marrow, and related peripheral blood in adult patients: a single institute study

BACKGROUND

Clostridium difficile is a major cause of nosocomial diarrhea. The incidence and prognosis of C. difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) has not yet been assessed in adult patients after unrelated cord blood transplantation (uCBT).

METHODS

The medical records of 135 adult unrelated cord blood transplant recipients were reviewed retrospectively to investigate the clinical features of CDAD after uCBT. These data were compared to medical records of 39 unrelated bone marrow transplant recipients and 27 related peripheral blood stem cell transplant recipients as controls.

RESULTS

A total of 17 recipients developed CDAD, with onset occurring at a median of 22 days (range, 0-56 days) after transplantation. Among the unrelated cord blood transplant recipients, 11 (9%) developed CDAD. These results were comparable with those of CDAD after unrelated bone marrow transplantation (uBMT) (2/39, 6%) and related peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (rPBSCT) (4/27, 16%) (P=0.37). Fifteen of the infected recipients were successfully treated with oral metronidazole, vancomycin, or cessation of antibiotics. The remaining 2 recipients who developed CDAD after uCBT died of other causes. The development of CDAD did not negatively affect overall survival after uCBT.

CONCLUSIONS

These data indicate that the incidence and prognosis of CDAD after uCBT are comparable with those after uBMT and rPBSCT.

D-serine and serine racemase are localized to neurons in the adult mouse and human forebrain

D-Serine, a co-agonist at the NMDA receptor (NMDAR), is synthesized from L-serine by the enzyme serine racemase (SR), which is heavily expressed in the forebrain. Although SR was originally reported to be localized exclusively to astrocytes, recent conditional knock out results demonstrate that little SR is expressed in forebrain astrocytes. As a consequence, the cellular location of its product, D-serine, in the brain is also uncertain. Immunocytochemistry now indicates that SR is expressed primarily in forebrain glutamatergic neurons with the remainder in GABAergic interneurons. We utilized SR deficient (SR-/-) mice, which have <15 % of normal D-serine levels, to validate and optimize a D-serine immunohistochemical method. Nearly all of the D-serine in neocortex and hippocampus (HP) is found in neurons, with virtually no D-serine co-localizing with two astrocyte markers. Interestingly, only a subset of the D-serine positive neurons contained SR in the neocortex and HP. Greater than half of the D-serine positive neurons were GABAergic interneurons, with a majority of these neurons containing parvalbumin and/or somatostatin. Only ~25-40 % of interneurons expressed SR in the neocortex and HP. Finally, we demonstrate in human post-mortem neocortex that SR is found in both excitatory and inhibitory neurons, but not in S100β-containing astrocytes. In sum, these findings conclusively demonstrate that the majority of D-serine is both synthesized and stored in neurons. It will be important to determine the functional significance for the separation of synthesis and storage of D-serine in neurons, as well as the presence of this NMDAR co-agonist in GABAergic interneurons.

[Models of community care for people with severe mental illness: an evaluation of assertive community treatment]

Today's psychiatric treatment system in Japan is hospital-based. It is supported by mental hospitals established after 1960. However, the psychiatric treatment system has already changed to community-based treatment in other developed countries. So, we need to change to the community-based system for those who are suffering from severe mental illness such as schizophrenia to realize deinstitutionalization. Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) is one of the effective community support programs to improve this situation. It is important to develop a program like "ACT" for clinical and cost effectiveness.

Comparative analysis of mRNA expression of surface antigens between histiocytic and nonhistiocytic sarcoma in dogs

Background

Definitive diagnosis of histiocytic sarcoma (HS) in dogs is relatively difficult by conventional histopathological examination because objective features of HS are not well defined.

Hypothesis

Quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of selected cellular surface antigens (SAs) specific to HS in dogs can facilitate objective and rapid diagnosis.

Animals

Dogs with HS (n = 30) and dogs without HS (n = 36), including those with other forms of lymphoma (n = 4), inflammatory diseases (n = 6), and other malignant neoplasias (n = 26).

Methods

Retrospective clinical observational study. Specimens were collected by excisional biopsy, needle core biopsy, or fine needle aspiration. To determine HS detection efficacy, mRNA expression levels of selected SAs specific to HS in dogs, including MHC class IIα, CD11b, CD11c, and CD86, were quantitatively analyzed using real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Results

Each SA mRNA expression level was significantly higher in HS dogs than in non‐HS dogs (P = .0082). Cutoff values for discriminating between HS and non‐HS dogs based on these expression levels were calculated on the basis of receiver‐operating characteristic analysis. Accuracy of the cutoff values, including MHC class IIα, CD11b, CD11c, and CD86, was 87.9, 86.4, 86.4, and 84.8%, respectively.

Conclusions and Clinical Importance

Our results suggest that quantitative analysis of mRNA expression of the selected SAs could be an adjunctive diagnostic technique with high diagnostic accuracy for HS in dogs. Substantial investigation is required for exclusion of diseases with similar cell types of origin to lymphoma.

Medium modification of jet fragmentation in Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV measured in direct photon-hadron correlations

The jet fragmentation function is measured with direct photon-hadron correlations in p+p and Au+Au collisions at √[s(NN)]=200 GeV. The p(T) of the photon is an excellent approximation to the initial p(T) of the jet and the ratio z(T)=p(T)(h)/p(T)(γ) is used as a proxy for the jet fragmentation function. A statistical subtraction is used to extract the direct photon-hadron yields in Au+Au collisions while a photon isolation cut is applied in p+p. I(AA), the ratio of hadron yield opposite the photon in Au+Au to that in p+p, indicates modification of the jet fragmentation function. Suppression, most likely due to energy loss in the medium, is seen at high z(T). The associated hadron yield at low z(T) is enhanced at large angles. Such a trend is expected from redistribution of the lost energy into increased production of low-momentum particles.

Disparity in the application of guideline-based medical therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention: analysis from the Japanese prospective multicenter registry

BACKGROUND

Despite the known benefits of evidence-based medical care in patients with coronary artery disease, disparities exist in the application of guideline-based medical therapy (GBMT) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), particularly in patients who have undergone revascularization procedures. Underestimation of risk, overestimation of side effects, and preference of the treating physician to prioritize invasive procedures may all affect the prescription pattern.

OBJECTIVE

We sought to describe how GBMT is prescribed after PCI in Japan.

METHODS

From September 2008 to 2010, 1,612 patients underwent PCI with stenting at 14 Japanese hospitals participating in the Japanese Cardiovascular Database Registry. GBMT was defined as treatment including dual antiplatelet therapy, beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (beta-blockers) and/or calcium channel blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin II receptor blockers, and statins.

RESULTS

Overall, 749 patients (46.5%) were discharged on GBMT. Notably, the prescription rate of GBMT became lower with age (e.g. from 50.3% [age 50-59 years] to 35.9% [age over 80 years]). In addition, patients presenting with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) tended to receive GBMT more frequently (ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [STEMI] 33.8 vs. 18.3%; p<0.001; non-ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction [NSTEMI] 8.5 vs. 5.9%; p=0.042), whereas patients presenting with cardiogenic shock (CS) had lower prescription rates of GBMT (2.1 vs. 4.1%; p=0.032). Overall age (odds ratio [OR] 0.647; p=0.020), as well as the acute and emergent presentation (OR 3.229; p<0.001 for STEMI; OR 2.122; p<0.001 for NSTEMI; OR 0.35; p=0.002 for CS) were also associated with prescription of GBMT.

CONCLUSION

Only about half of the post-PCI patients were discharged on ideal GBMT. Elderly patients and those presenting with non-ACS status or hemodynamic compromise tended not to receive GBMT, and required more attention for optimization of their care.

[ACT and the trends of psychiatric community care]

Bleuler has said that we have to provide community care for people with schizophrenia. In Japan, the process of modernization already ended by the miraculously swift growth of the economy in the postwar era. So it will be difficult to maintain facilities such as psychiatric hospital because the maintenance costs are too high. The core of mental health system should be community care in the future. The deinstitutionalization is essential to realize community care. Assertive community treatment (ACT) is the effective support system for people with severe mental illness (SMI). A characteristic of ACT is multidisciplinary team consisting of specialists in welfare and in medical service (ex. nurse, psychiatric social worker, occupational therapist, doctor, etc.) providing care for people with SMI. The following are detailed explanations of ACT.

Measurement of direct photons in Au+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV

We report the measurement of direct photons at midrapidity in Au+Au collisions at √(s(NN))=200 GeV. The direct photon signal was extracted for the transverse momentum range of 4 GeV/c<p(T)<22 GeV/c, using a statistical method to subtract decay photons from the inclusive photon sample. The direct photon nuclear modification factor R(AA) was calculated as a function of p(T) for different Au+Au collision centralities using the measured p+p direct photon spectrum and compared to theoretical predictions. R(AA) was found to be consistent with unity for all centralities over the entire measured p(T) range. Theoretical models that account for modifications of initial direct photon production due to modified parton distribution functions in Au and the different isospin composition of the nuclei predict a modest change of R(AA) from unity. They are consistent with the data. Models with compensating effects of the quark-gluon plasma on high-energy photons, such as suppression of jet-fragmentation photons and induced-photon bremsstrahlung from partons traversing the medium, are also consistent with this measurement.

[First death case of serotonin syndrome in Japan induced by fluvoxamine and tandospirone]

We experienced the first death case of the serotonin syndrome in Japan caused by fluvoxamine and tandospirone. A 15-year-old man was transported to our hospital for shock, muscle hypertonia and hyperthermia after cardiopulmonary arrest. His serum concentrations of fluvoxamine and tandospirone were 3,554 ng/mL and 698 ng/mL respectively after 24 hours from oral intake. He was dead in spite of intensive treatments. The progress of the serotonin syndrome is usually rapid. So, it should be monitored appropriately a patient with serotonin syndrome. If he has hyperthermia, immediate paralysis should be induced. We should aware of the serotonin syndrome a case of overdose on a serotonergic agent.

Study of spectral behaviour and optical properties of cis/trans-bis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)diphenyl porphyrin adsorbed on layered silicates

The spectral properties of two dicationic porphyrins, cis- and trans-bis(N-methylpyridinium-4-yl)diphenyl porphyrins, upon adsorption on clay mineral templates were investigated. A series of reduced charge Nanocor montmorillonites was used as host templates. The main impact was given on the influence of the layer charge on the absorption and fluorescence spectra. Adsorption of the porphyrins led to significant changes in their spectra but preserved the photoactivity of the dyes. The changes can be attributed to two phenomena: structural changes (flattening) of the porphyrin molecules and molecular aggregation. Latter one was more influenced by the molecular structure of the dyes and influenced the properties of mainly trans-isomer. The formation of the assemblies was significantly influenced by the layer charge of montmorillonite template. This study presents the example how one is able to influence the spectral properties and possibly also the functionality of adsorbed photoactive molecules via a strategy of appropriate combination of a photoactive component with specific inorganic templates.

Capacitance-Voltage Characteristics of p-Si/SiGeC Mos Capacitors

The first measurements of Si/SiGeC valence band offsets have been performed using heterostructure p-type MOS capacitors. Single crystalline epitaxial layers of SiGeC and Si were grown by the rapid thermal CVD technique, limited reaction processing, using ethylene as the carbon source. Films with carbon contents of up to ∼1.2% were studied. X-ray diffraction analysis shows the strain compensating effect of carbon in SiGeC. Substitutionality of carbon in SiGe was also confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements. MOS capacitors were fabricated by thermal oxidation (750°C) of the epitaxial Si cap on top of the SiGeC layer. Quasi-static and high frequency capacitance-voltage measurements show wellbehaved characteristics for the samples with carbon contents up to approximately 1%. Onedimensional Poisson simulations of the C-V curves were used to extract the valence band offset between Si and SiGeC. For a fixed germanium fraction, the offset decreases with increasing carbon content. However, for a given lattice mismatch, the offset for Si/Si1−x−yGexCy is larger than the measured value for Si/Si1−zGez.

[Consideration to implementation of ACT in Japan]

Recently in Japan, to build a new community mental health support system, Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) has been trying to implement. In this paper, four problems were discussed. 1) Problems of applying DACTS to Japan. 2) The historical problems of mental health and welfare of Japan. 3) Problems of modern mental health care and welfare systems in Japan. 4) How does the forensic psychiatry in Japan influences the philosophy of ACT. As a result, considerable contemplation and preparation is needed to implement the ACT. Following point was proposed to achieve ideal mental health system. We must carry out deinstitutionalization policy (ex. reduction of mental hospital beds, review the budget allocations for mental health system, etc.) before ACT would be implemented.

Molecular diagnosis of Myxobolus spirosulcatus associated with encephalomyelitis of cultured yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata Temminck & Schlegel

Mass mortality of cultured yellowtail, Seriola quinqueradiata, has recently been reported from fish farms in western Japan. Previous studies revealed that diseased fish were characterized by encephalomyelitis and presporogonic stages of a myxosporean-like parasite in the spinal cord. However, the parasite has remained unidentified because of the lack of mature stages being present. Thus, in the present study, analysis of the small subunit ribosomal DNA (18S rDNA) of the parasite as well as in situ hybridization (ISH) studies using histological sections of the infected tissue was conducted. The 18S rDNA of the myxosporean had higher sequence similarities with those of bile-duct-infecting myxosporeans rather than those infecting nervous tissues and was identified as Myxobolus spirosulcatus. The ISH using specific probes demonstrated that the DNA amplified was derived from the multinuclear organisms found in histological sections. A highly sensitive and specific PCR-based assay for M. spirosulcatus was developed, which revealed a high prevalence of infection in cultured yellowtail that exhibited the clinical signs of encephalomyelitis.

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for characterization of focal splenic lesions in dogs

BACKGROUND

Contrast-enhanced ultrasonography with perflubutane microbubbles improves the diagnostic accuracy to differentiate benign and malignant focal liver lesions in dogs.

HYPOTHESIS

Perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography is useful for differentiation of benign from malignant focal splenic lesions in dogs.

ANIMALS

Twenty-nine clinical dogs with single or multiple focal splenic lesions detected by conventional ultrasonography.

METHODS

Prospective clinical observational study. Perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography was performed in 29 dogs with focal splenic lesions. Qualitative assessment of the enhancement pattern was performed in the early vascular, late vascular, and parenchymal phases.

RESULTS

In the early vascular phase, a hypoechoic pattern was significantly associated with malignancy (P=.02) with sensitivity of 38% (95% confidence interval [CI], 25-38%) and specificity of 100% (95% CI, 84-100%). In the late vascular phase, a hypoechoic pattern was significantly associated with malignancy (P=.001) with sensitivity of 81% (95% CI, 66-90%) and specificity of 85% (95% CI, 65-95%). There was no significant difference between malignant and benign lesions during the parenchymal phase.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE

Hypoechoic splenic nodules in the early and late vascular phases with perflubutane microbubbles-enhanced ultrasonography are strongly suggestive of malignancy in dogs.

Suppressive effects of 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid administration on bone resorption

SUMMARY

The main component of the metabolic by-products of fermentation by Propionibacterium freudenreichii ET-3 is 1,4-dihydroxy-2-naphthoic acid (DHNA), which has a naphthoquinone skeleton, as in vitamin K2. This study showed that DHNA improved bone mass reduction with osteoporosis model mice caused by FK506.

INTRODUCTION

Growth of the intestinal bacterium Lactobacillus bifidus is specifically facilitated by DHNA. The present study used osteoporosis model mice to investigate the effects of DHNA on bone remodeling.

METHODS

FK506, an immunosuppressant, was used to prepare osteoporosis model mice. Thirty mice were divided into three groups: FK group, FK+DHNA group, and control group. In the FK group, FK506 was administered to induce bone mass reduction. In the FK-DHNA group, FK506 and DHNA were administered concurrently to observe improvements in bone mass reduction. To ascertain systemic and local effects of DHNA, we investigated systemic pathological changes in colon, kidney function and cytokine dynamics, and morphological and organic changes in bone and osteoclast dynamics as assessed by culture experiments.

RESULTS

Compared to the FK group without DHNA, colon damage and kidney dysfunction were milder for FK+DHNA group, and production of inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1beta, IL-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha) was more suppressed. Furthermore, compared to the group without DHNA, histological analyses and radiography showed that bone resorption was suppressed for the DHNA group. Culture experiments using osteoclasts from murine bone marrow showed osteoclast suppression for the DHNA group compared to the group without DHNA.

CONCLUSION

These results show that DHNA has some effects for improving bone mass reduction caused by FK506.

Enhanced production of direct photons in Au + Au collisions at square root(S(NN)) = 200 GeV and implications for the initial temperature

The production of e+ e- pairs for m(e+ e-)<0.3 GeV/c2 and 1<p(T)<5 GeV/c is measured in p+p and Au+Au collisions at square root(S(NN))=200 GeV. An enhanced yield above hadronic sources is observed. Treating the excess as photon internal conversions, the invariant yield of direct photons is deduced. In central Au+Au collisions, the excess of the direct photon yield over p+p is exponential in transverse momentum, with an inverse slope T=221+/-19(stat)+/-19(syst) MeV. Hydrodynamical models with initial temperatures ranging from T(init) approximately 300-600 MeV at times of approximately 0.6-0.15 fm/c after the collision are in qualitative agreement with the data. Lattice QCD predicts a phase transition to quark gluon plasma at approximately 170 MeV.

Strong nanocomposites with Ca, PO(4), and F release for caries inhibition

This article reviews recent studies on: (1) the synthesis of novel calcium phosphate and calcium fluoride nanoparticles and their incorporation into dental resins to develop nanocomposites; (2) the effects of key microstructural parameters on Ca, PO(4), and F ion release from nanocomposites, including the effects of nanofiller volume fraction, particle size, and silanization; and (3) mechanical properties of nanocomposites, including water-aging effects, flexural strength, fracture toughness, and three-body wear. This article demonstrates that a major advantage of using the new nanoparticles is that high levels of Ca, PO(4), and F release can be achieved at low filler levels in the resin, because of the high surface areas of the nanoparticles. This leaves room in the resin for substantial reinforcement fillers. The combination of releasing nanofillers with stable and strong reinforcing fillers is promising to yield a nanocomposite with both stress-bearing and caries-inhibiting capabilities, a combination not yet available in current materials.

Charged Kaon interferometric probes of space-time evolution in Au+Au collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV

Bose-Einstein correlations of charged kaons are used to probe Au+Au collisions at sqrt[S(NN)]=200 GeV and are compared to charged pion probes, which have a larger hadronic scattering cross section. Three-dimensional Gaussian source radii are extracted, along with a one-dimensional kaon emission source function. The centrality dependences of the three Gaussian radii are well described by a single linear function of N(part)1/3 with a zero intercept. Imaging analysis shows a deviation from a Gaussian tail at r greater than or approximately equal to 10 fm, although the bulk emission at lower radius is well described by a Gaussian. The presence of a non-Gaussian tail in the kaon source reaffirms that the particle emission region in a heavy-ion collision is extended, and that similar measurements with pions are not solely due to the decay of long-lived resonances.

Calcium Fluoride Precipitation and Deposition From 12 mmol/L Fluoride Solutions With Different Calcium Addition Rates

The effects of different Ca-addition rates on calcium fluoride (CaF2) precipitation and deposition were investigated in 12 mmol/L sodium fluoride solutions to which 0.1 mol/L calcium chloride solution was continuously added at average rates of (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 or 20) mmol L(-1) min(-1). The changes in ionic fluoride and calcium concentrations, as well as turbidity, were continuously recorded by F and Ca electrodes, and a fiber optic based spectrophotometer, respectively. The F(-) concentration decreased and turbidity increased with time indicating precipitation of CaF2. For the systems with Ca-addition rates of (5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15, and 20) mmol L(-1) min(-1), the 1 min CaF2 depositions in the model substrate (cellulose filter paper, pores 0.2 µm) expressed as mean ± SD of deposited F per substrate surface area were (3.78 ± 0.31, 11.45 ± 0.89, 9.31 ± 0.68, 8.20 ± 0.56, 6.63 ± 0.43, and 2.09 ± 0.28) µg/cm(2), respectively (n = 10 for each group). The 1-min F depositions did not show positive correlation to Ca-addition rates. The lowest 1-min F deposition was obtained in the systems with the highest Ca-addition rate of 20 mmol L(-1) min(-1) for which CaF2 precipitation rate reached the maximum value of 0.31 mmol L(-1) s(-1) almost immediately after beginning of reaction (6 s). The largest 1-min F depositions were obtained from the systems with Ca addition rates of (7.5 to 12.5) mmol L(-1) min(-1) in which CaF2 precipitation rates continuously increased reaching the maximum values of (0.13 to 0.20) mmol L(-1) s(-1) after (18 to 29) s, respectively. The 1-min F depositions were greatly enhanced in comparison with the control F solutions that did not have continuous Ca-addition. This indicates that continuous Ca addition that controls the rate of CaF2 formation could be a critical factor for larger F depositions from F solutions. The efficacy of conventional F mouthrinses could be improved with addition of a substance that continuously releases Ca.

Measurement of bottom versus charm as a function of transverse momentum with electron-hadron correlations in p + p collisions at square root of s = 200 GeV

The momentum distribution of electrons from semileptonic decays of charm and bottom quarks for midrapidity |y|<0.35 in p+p collisions at square root of s=200 GeV is measured by the PHENIX experiment at the Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider over the transverse momentum range 2<pT<7 GeV/c. The ratio of the yield of electrons from bottom to that from charm is presented. The ratio is determined using partial D/D-->e(+/-)K(-/+)X (K unidentified) reconstruction. It is found that the yield of electrons from bottom becomes significant above 4 GeV/c in pT. A fixed-order-plus-next-to-leading-log perturbative quantum chromodynamics calculation agrees with the data within the theoretical and experimental uncertainties. The extracted total bottom production cross section at this energy is sigma(bb)=3.2(-1.1)(+1.2)(stat)(-1.3)(+1.4)(syst)mub.