Note on the Piezoelectric Constant of PbZrO(3)-PbTiO(3)(PZT)

One of the best known solid solution of perovskites is the PbTiO(3)-PbZrO(3) system which is usually abbreviated as PZT. In the phase diagram of this system, there is a drastic phase change from tetragonal to rhombohedral at the molar ratio around 50:50. The PZT crystals are widely used as a practical piezoelectric material because of its very strong piezoelectric effect near this morphotropic phase boundary. We try to explain this anomaly in piezoelectric constant by a phenomenological theory

Expression of human thromboxane synthase using a baculovirus system

AbstractHuman thromboxane (TX) synthase (EC 5.3.99.5) was produced by the baculovirus expression system using cDNA encoding human TX synthase [(1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 78, 1479-1484]. A recombinant baculovirus TXS7 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 insect cells. The expressed protein was recognized by monoclonal antibody, Kon 7 raised against human TX synthase [(1990) Blood 76, 80-85]. The recombinant TX synthase catalyzed the conversion of prostaglandin (PG) H2 to TXA2 and 12-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT). Both conversions of PGH2 to TXA2 and HHT by the expressed TX synthase were completely inhibited by a specific TX synthase inhibitor, OKY-046 (5 μM)

Expression of human thromboxane synthase using a baculovirus system

AbstractHuman thromboxane (TX) synthase (EC 5.3.99.5) was produced by the baculovirus expression system using cDNA encoding human TX synthase [(1991) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Commun. 78, 1479-1484]. A recombinant baculovirus TXS7 was expressed in Spodoptera frugiperda Sf9 insect cells. The expressed protein was recognized by monoclonal antibody, Kon 7 raised against human TX synthase [(1990) Blood 76, 80-85]. The recombinant TX synthase catalyzed the conversion of prostaglandin (PG) H2 to TXA2 and 12-hydroxy-heptadecatrienoic acid (HHT). Both conversions of PGH2 to TXA2 and HHT by the expressed TX synthase were completely inhibited by a specific TX synthase inhibitor, OKY-046 (5 μM)

マウス胸腺の脂肪細胞分化過程の速度論による解析

The differential process of adipocytes was investigated in the thymus and spleen of BALB/c mice by the real time PCR method. The transcriptions of PPARγ (PP) ,adiponectin (Ad) and resistin (Re) were considered as indications of differential stages of adipocytes and the transcription ratios, log Ad/PP and log Re/PP , were measured. These logarithmic ratios increased rapidly, at the border between fetal stage and neonatal, from negative value to positive in the thymus and to nearly 0 in the spleen. Subsequently, they were remained virtually constant throughout the experimental period. Kinetics was applied to the differential model of adipocytes in which the quantity of each transcription was assumed to be proportional to the cell number, and the changes of log Ad/PP and log Re/PP with age were interpreted successfullyBALB/cマウスの胸腺および脾臓での脂肪細胞の分化過程を,PPARγ(PP)に対するアディポネクチン(Ad),およびレジスチン(Re)の転写量を指標として,リアルタイムPCR法により検討した。加齢に伴い成熟脂肪細胞が増加してくる胸腺においては,アディポネクチンおよびレジスチンの転写量は,胎生期にはPPARγ の転写量より少なかったが,出生を境に急激に増大し,PPARγ の転写量の数十倍となり,その後ほぼ一定となった。成熟した脂肪細胞が認められない脾臓では,アディポネクチンおよびレジスチンの転写量は,出生を境に増大し,PPARyの転写量とほぼ等しくなった。各遺伝子の転写量は細胞数に比例すると仮定し,脂肪細胞系列の幹細胞を考えることにより,これらの結果を,速度論により説明することができた

Dietary Studies of Growing Periods in Japan (Part 2) : Fat Soluble Components Intake within a Day in Elementary School Children

成人病予防の視点から,より効果的な栄養教育のあり方を検討する一端として,学童期後半の食生活指導に資するために,1日の脂溶性成分摂取量の各食事への配分の実態把握を試みた。新潟県内の小学校5年生50名(平均年齢11.0±0.2歳)を対象に,次の結果を得た。(1)日内配分比は,コレステロールのみ(37.7%)が朝食で,飽和脂肪酸(44.0%)と一価不飽和脂肪酸・n-6系脂肪酸(共に35.4%)が昼食で,多価不飽和脂肪酸特にイコサペンタエン酸(52.4%)とn-3系脂肪酸(46.2%)が夕食で,各々最高値を示した。(2)間食を除く3食のうち,朝食の配分比(23.2±6.8%)が最も低く,その変動係数(52.3±46.5%)は最も高かった。対照的に夕食の配分比(36.6±9.0)は最も高く,その変動係数(35.2±10.0%)は最も低かった。(3)成人病予防の視点から,夕食の優位性がP/S比(1.38±0.52),S:M:Pの比(1:1.5:1.2),n-6/n-3比(3.6±1.8)などの脂質栄養指標の面から,概観できた

Note on the Piezoelectric Constant of PbZrO(3)-PbTiO(3)(PZT)

One of the best known solid solution of perovskites is the PbTiO(3)-PbZrO(3) system which is usually abbreviated as PZT. In the phase diagram of this system, there is a drastic phase change from tetragonal to rhombohedral at the molar ratio around 50:50. The PZT crystals are widely used as a practical piezoelectric material because of its very strong piezoelectric effect near this morphotropic phase boundary. We try to explain this anomaly in piezoelectric constant by a phenomenological theory

The Role of a Psychiatrist (Rehabilitation Physician) in the Palliative Care Team

Objective: Although palliative care consultation teams (PCTs) have become an integral part of all regional cancer care hospitals, cancer rehabilitation is still in the developing stage in Japan. At our hospital, a physiatrist, or a rehabilitation physician, joined the PCT as a member, and we have been achieving good results. The purpose of this study is to clarify the role of a physiatrist as a member of the PCT by investigating the current status of the PCT at our hospital.Method: We retrospectively analyzed the records of 144 patients receiving rehabilitation out of 345 patients who had started receiving PCT services from April 2012 to March 2013 at Keio University Hospital.Results: Among the 144 patients, 67 patients (46.5%) had already received rehabilitation before starting PCT services, and the remaining 77 patients (53.5%) started receiving rehabilitation based on the recommendation by the physiatrist. In the later group, Dietz Cancer Stage Classifications were: preventative, 6.5%; restorative, 40.0%; supportive, 45.5%; and palliative, 9.1%. ECOG-PS were: PS0, 0.0%; PS1, 23.4%; PS2, 29.9%; PS3, 28.6%; and PS4, 18.2%. The main purposes of rehabilitation were: 1) fracture prevention and pain relief of limbs with bone lesions, 2) social support (e.g. measures for the reduction of nursing requirement, assistance in finding social aids, counseling for family members), 3) psychological support, 4) treatment of lymphedema, 5) management of breathlessness, 6) and approaches to swallowing deficits.Conclusions: Half of the cancer patients started rehabilitation after the intervention by the PCT. Many patients receiving PCT services also needed rehabilitation services and the physiatrist had an important role of evaluating the rehabilitation needs. Physiatrists can act as important members of PCTs to maximize QOL while addressing the physical, psychological, social and spiritual needs of both patients and their families

Adiponectin regulates vascular endothelial growth factor-C expression in macrophages via Syk-ERK pathway.

Adiponectin is exclusively expressed in adipose tissues and exhibits protective effects against cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. It enhances AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling in the liver and skeletal muscles, however, its signaling pathways in macrophages remain to be elucidated. Here, we show that adiponectin upregulated the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-C, and induced phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in macrophages. Inhibition of Syk abrogated adiponectin-induced VEGF-C expression and ERK phosphorylation. Furthermore, inhibition of ERK blocked the induction of VEGF-C gene. Inhibition of Syk, but not that of ERK, abrogated adiponectin-induced expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, and interleukin (IL)-6. These results indicate that adiponectin regulates VEGF-C expression via Syk-ERK pathway in macrophages