Preparation of Ionic Liquids Containing Siloxane Frameworks

This chapter deals with our recent researches on the preparation and properties of thermally stable ionic liquids (ILs) containing siloxane frameworks. ILs containing randomly structured oligosilsesquioxanes with quaternary ammonium side-chain groups (Am-Random-SQ-IL) and with imidazolium side-chain groups (Im-Random-SQ-IL) were successfully prepared by the hydrolytic condensation of the corresponding trifunctional alkoxysilanes in aqueous bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (HNTf2) solution. It is also reported that ILs containing cage-like oligosilsesquioxanes (POSSs) with imidazolium side-chain groups (Im-Cage-SQ-IL) and with random distribution of quaternary ammonium and imidazolium side-chain groups (Amim-Cage-SQ-IL)were obtained, when the similar hydrolytic condensations were performed in a water/methanol (1 : 19 v/v) mixed solution of HNTf2. In addition, we investigated the preparation of ILs containing cyclic oligosiloxanes with various imidazolium side-chain groups (MeIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, MeIm-CyS-IL-OTf, HIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, EtIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, PrIm-CyS-IL-NTf2, and BuIm-CyS-IL-NTf2) by the hydrolytic condensation of the corresponding difunctional alkoxysilanes in the solutions of superacids, such as HNTf2 and trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (HOTf)

A New Find of a Prboscidean Fossil from Nagano Prefecture, Central Japan

Article信州大学理学部紀要 6(1): 37-44(1971)departmental bulletin pape

Difference in treatment outcome of British and Japanese surgical class III patients associated with mandibular setback

The purpose of this clinical research was to examine the racial differences in skeletal morphology of skeletal Class III abnormalities and in the ortho-surgical treatment outcome of Class III malocclusion associated with mandibular setback sagittal osteotomy between Japanese and British Caucasian female adult Class III patients. The sample consisted of 35 Class III Japanese female surgical subjects in MDU Hospital and 30 Class III British subjects (23 female and 7 male). The operative procedure was solely a backward sliding sagittal split osteotomy with a wire fixation. True skeletal open bite cases associated with high mandibular plane angle were excluded. The original skeletal differences in Japanese and British Caucasian Class III subjects showed a significant difference in the length of the anterior cranial base (S-N) (p<0.001). The Japanese Class III subjects showed a significant difference in the parameters of U 1-UR and L 1-LR to palatal plane and Go-Me to palatal plane (p<0.001), and in the axis of maxillary incisor to S-N (p<0.01) and S-N-L 1 (p<0.05). At post-retention (1 year after op.), Go-Me to ANS-PNS and the length of Go to the palatal plane and Ar-Go (ramus height) related to the vertical position of point Go showed a larger difference (from p<0.05, 0.01 to 0.001). The Japanese surgical cases showed a more vertical problem with the increased mandibular plane angle compared to the British Caucasians

Two human papillomavirus DNAs molecularly cloned from a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis: restriction maps.

Two distinct human papillomavirus (HPV) DNAs (MY-1 and MY-2) were molecularly cloned from the benign skin lesions of a patient with epidermodysplasia verruciformis. The restriction map of MY-1 was the same as that of HPV 3a. The map of MY-2 appeared to be different from those of any HPVs reported in the literature. MY-2 did not cross-hybridize with MY-1 or the DNAs of HPV types 1, 2 and 4 under stringent conditions.</p

Roles of TRPM4 in immune responses in keratinocytes and identification of a novel TRPM4-activating agent

The skin is a protective interface between the internal organs and environment and functions not only as a physical barrier but also as an immune organ. However, the immune system in the skin is not fully understood. A member of the thermo-sensitive transient receptor potential (TRP) channel family, TRPM4, which acts as a regulatory receptor in immune cells, was recently reported to be expressed in human skin and keratinocytes. However, the function of TRPM4 in immune responses in keratinocytes has not been investigated. In this study, we found that treatment with BTP2, a known TRPM4 agonist, reduced cytokine production induced by tumor necrosis factor (TNF) α in normal human epidermal keratinocytes and in immortalized human epidermal keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). This cytokine-reducing effect was not observed in TRPM4-deficient HaCaT cells, indicating that TRPM4 contributed to the control of cytokine production in keratinocytes. Furthermore, we identified aluminum potassium sulfate, as a new TRPM4 activating agent. Aluminum potassium sulfate reduced Ca2+ influx by store-operated Ca2+ entry in human TRPM4-expressing HEK293T cells. We further confirmed that aluminum potassium sulfate evoked TRPM4-mediated currents, showing direct evidence for TRPM4 activation. Moreover, treatment with aluminum potassium sulfate reduced cytokine expression induced by TNFα in HaCaT cells. Taken together, our data suggested that TRPM4 may serve as a new target for the treatment of skin inflammatory reactions by suppressing the cytokine production in keratinocytes, and aluminum potassium sulfate is a useful ingredient to prevent undesirable skin inflammation through TRPM4 activation

Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on Surgical Outcomes in Patients with Cervical Myelopathy: A Prospective, Multicenter Study

[Study Design] Multicenter, prospective study. [Purpose] To investigate the effects of diabetes mellitus (DM) on surgical outcomes in patients with cervical myelopathy. [Overview of Literature] To date, few studies have investigated the influence of postoperative blood glucose or glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels on surgical outcomes. [Methods] The participants were patients who underwent surgery for the treatment of cervical spondylotic myelopathy and ossification of the posterior longitudinal ligament. The 61 cases were evaluated preoperatively and 1 year postoperatively using the Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) scores and the JOA Cervical Myelopathy Evaluation Questionnaire (JOACMEQ). The study variables included fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels measured preoperatively and at 1 week, 4 weeks, and 1 year postoperatively; the F-wave conduction velocity, latency, rate of occurrence, and M-wave latency in the ulnar and tibial nerves were measured preoperatively and at 1 year postoperatively. The patients were divided into a group without diabetes (N group, 42 patients) and a group with diabetes (DM group, 19 patients). We then assessed the associations between the surgical outcomes and each of the study variables. [Results] JOA scores significantly improved in both groups; however, no significant between-group differences were found. There was no significant improvement in the JOACMEQ scores, which assessed cervical function, upper and lower limb function, and bladder function in both groups. We then subdivided the DM group into those with a good control of HbA1c after 1 year (DMG group, 12 patients) and those with HbA1c deterioration after 1 year (DMB group, seven patients), prior to comparing the surgical outcomes. The JOACMEQ scores for upper and lower limb function significantly improved in the DMG group (p<0.01). Compared with the DMB group, there were no significant increases in upper or lower limb function scores in the DMG group. [Conclusions] Poor glycemic control might prevent postoperative functional recovery of the spinal cord

Protocol for a prospective multicentre registry cohort study on suicide attempters given the assertive case management intervention after admission to an emergency department in Japan: post-ACTION-J Study (PACS)

Introduction Suicide attempt is the most important risk factor for later suicide. A randomised-controlled, multicentre trial of postsuicide attempt case management for the prevention of further suicide attempts in Japan, named ACTION-J, has established effective interventions for prevention of suicide reattempts. The ACTION-J assertive case management intervention programme was adopted by the Japanese Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare in 2016, when medical fees were revised. This nationwide programme is provided to patients who attempt suicide and who are admitted to emergency departments in Japan.The aim of the present study is to examine the current implementation status of the ACTION-J programme. The present study also aims to clarify which patients’ and hospitals’ factors affect the implementation of the programme.Methods and analysis This is a prospective, multicentre, patient registry cohort study. Participants will be suicide attempters admitted to the emergency departments of medical facilities with both psychiatry and emergency departments. The assertive case management programme will be delivered to participants by a case manager for up to 24 weeks, based on psychiatric diagnoses, social risks and patient needs. The core feature of the programme is to encourage patients to participate in psychiatric treatment.The primary outcome will be the proportion of patients still participating in the case management intervention at 24 weeks after registration. The secondary outcomes will include measures of the fidelity of the case management intervention. The fidelity will be evaluated using a fidelity assessment manual developed by the study group.Ethics and dissemination This observational study has been approved by the ethics board of Sapporo Medical University. Enrolment began in October 2016 and will continue until December 2018. Dissemination plans include presentations at scientific conferences and scientific publications

Clinical studies on bronchial asthma induced by chironomid midges -comparison between positive and negative cases to house dust-

近年ユスリカが気管支喘息の原因抗原となり得ることが報告されている。しかし，その臨床的特徴はいまだ明らかにされていない。このユスリカ抗原の特徴を検討する目的で，気管支喘息症例163例をHD（ハウスダスト）に感作されたRAST　score2＋以上の陽性例82例とscore1＋以下の陰性例81例とに分けて比較検討を行なった。その結果皮膚反応，ヒスタミン遊離，CTT抗原を用いた特異的IgE抗体いずれの検討においても，HDに感作された症例が，よりユスリカ抗原にも感作されやすいことが明らかになった。In recent years it has been reported that chironomid migdes might be one of the causative allergens in bronchial asthma. In order to clarify the clinical characteristics of bronchial asthma induced by chironomid midges (Tokunagayusurika akamusi), 163 patients with bronchial asthma were studied. The subjects were divided into two groups ; cases with negative (0～1 + ) and positive (2 + or more) RAST score to house dust. 1. Skin reaction to midges was positive in 54 cases (33.1%) out of 163 patients with bronchial asthma. Thirty-six cases (43.9%) out of 82 asthmatics with positive RAST score to house dust showed positive skin reaction to midges, but in 81 cases with negative RAST score, only 18 cases (22.2%) showed positive skin reaction. 2. Fourteen cases out of 85 asthmatics showed a significant amount of histamine release (more than 15%).　A significant amount of histamine release was observed in 12 cases (23.5%) out of 51 cases with positive RAST score, but in only two cases (5.9%) out of 24 cases with negative RAST score. 3. Specific IgE antibodies to CTT (Chiromonus thummi thummi) was positive in 12 cases (18.2%) out of 66 asthmatics. In 41 asthmatics with positive RAST score to house dust, 12 cases (29.3%) showed positive RAST score to CTT, though in 25 cases with negative RAST score to house dust no cases showed positive RAST score to CTT. In conclusion, cases with house dust allergy were more easily sensitized by chironomid migdes than those cases without house dust allergy