Spicule Dynamics over Plage Region

We studied spicular jets over a plage area and derived their dynamic characteristics using Hinode Solar Optical Telescope (SOT) high-resolution images. The target plage region was near the west limb of the solar disk. This location permitted us to study the dynamics of spicular jets without the overlapping effect of spicular structures along the line of sight. In this work, to increase the ease with which we can identify spicules on the disk, we applied the image processing method `MadMax' developed by Koutchmy et al. (1989). It enhances fine, slender structures (like jets), over a diffuse background. We identified 169 spicules over the target plage. This sample permits us to derive statistically reliable results regarding spicular dynamics. The properties of plage spicules can be summarized as follows: (1) In a plage area, we clearly identified spicular jet features. (2) They were shorter in length than the quiet region limb spicules, and followed ballistic motion under constant deceleration. (3) The majority (80%) of the plage spicules showed the cycle of rise and retreat, while 10% of them faded out without a complete retreat phase. (4) The deceleration of the spicule was proportional to the velocity of ejection (i.e. the initial velocity).Comment: 12 pages, 9 figures, accepted for publication in PAS

Development of a method for environmentally friendly chemical peptide synthesis in water using water-dispersible amino acid nanoparticles

Due to the vast importance of peptides in biological processes, there is an escalating need for synthetic peptides to be used in a wide variety of applications. However, the consumption of organic solvent is extremely large in chemical peptide syntheses because of the multiple condensation steps in organic solvents. That is, the current synthesis method is not environmentally friendly. From the viewpoint of green sustainable chemistry, we focused on developing an organic solvent-free synthetic method using water, an environmentally friendly solvent. Here we described in-water synthesis technology using water-dispersible protected amino acids

Early treatment with tolvaptan improves diuretic response in acute heart failure with renal dysfunction

Background: Poor response to diuretics is associated with worse prognosis in patients with acute heart failure (AHF). We hypothesized that treatment with tolvaptan improves diuretic response in patients with AHF. Methods: We performed a secondary analysis of the AQUAMARINE open-label randomized study in which a total of 217 AHF patients with renal impairment (eGFR <60 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) were randomized to either tolvaptan or conventional treatment. We evaluated diuretic response to 40 mg furosemide or its equivalent based on two different parameters: change in body weight and net fluid loss within 48 h. Results: The mean time from patient presentation to randomization was 2.9 h. Patients with a better diuretic response showed greater relief of dyspnea and less worsening of renal function. Tolvaptan patients showed a significantly better diuretic response measured by diuretic response based both body weight [-1.16 (IQR -3.00 to -0.57) kg/40 mg vs. -0.51 (IQR -1.13 to -0.20) kg/40 mg; P <0.001] and net fluid loss [ 2125.0 (IQR 1370.0-3856.3) mL/40 mg vs. 1296.3 (IQR 725.2-1726.5) mL/40 mg; P <0.001]. Higher diastolic blood pressure and use of tolvaptan were independent predictors of a better diuretic response. Conclusions: Better diuretic response was associated with greater dyspnea relief and less WRF. Early treatment with tolvaptan significantly improved diuretic response in AHF patients with renal dysfunction

Biochanin A enhances ROR gamma activity through STAT3-mediated recruitment of NCOA1

Interleukin (IL)-17-producing T cells play important roles in autoimmunity, chronic inflammation and host protection against extracellular bacteria and fungi. The retinoic acid receptor-related orphan receptors (ROR) alpha and beta are key regulators of the IL-17-producing phenotype. We previously showed that the isoflavone biochanin A enhanced ROR-mediated transcriptional activity. Here, we investigated the possible mechanisms underlying this ROR activation. Biochanin A-treated murine thymoma EL4 and primary splenocytes demonstrated enhanced induction of IL-17. Biochanin A also induced tyrosine-phosphorylation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) in these cells. Stable knockdown of either ROR gamma or STAT3 in EL4 cells canceled biochanin A-induced upregulation of IL-17 expression. Importantly, biochanin A enhanced complex formation between ROR gamma and STAT3 or nuclear-receptor coactivator 1 (NCOA1). Furthermore, the biochanin A-induced ROR gamma-NCOA1 complex was disrupted by a dominant negative mutant of STAT3 or by the STAT3 specific inhibitor Stattic. These results suggest that biochanin A activates ROR gamma-dependent IL-17 transcription through the enhancement of STAT3 phosphorylation and STAT3-mediated recruitment of NCOA1 to ROR gamma. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Prevalence of Carnitine Deficiency and Decreased Carnitine Levels in Patients on Peritoneal Dialysis

Background: Carnitine deficiency is common in patients on dialysis. Serum free carnitine concentration is significantly lower in patients on hemodialysis (HD) than in healthy individuals. However, there are few reports on serum free carnitine concentration in patients on peritoneal dialysis (PD). Methods: We examined serum concentrations of total, free, and acylcarnitine and the acylcarnitine/free carnitine ratio in 34 PD and 34 age-, sex-, and dialysis duration-matched HD patients. We investigated the prevalence of carnitine deficiency and clinical factors associated with carnitine deficiency in the PD group. Results: Prevalence of carnitine deficiency was 8.8% in the PD group and 17.7% in the HD group (p = 0.283). High risk of carnitine deficiency was found in 73.5% of the PD group and 76.4% of the HD group (p = 0.604). Carnitine insufficiency was found in 82.3% of the PD group and 88.2% of HD group (p = 0.733). Multivariate analysis revealed that duration of dialysis and age were independent predictors of serum free carnitine level in the PD group. Conclusions: The prevalence of carnitine deficiency, high risk of carnitine deficiency, and carnitine insufficiency in PD patients was 8.8%, 73.5%, and 82.3%, respectively. These rates were comparable to those in patients on HD