Zinc, Copper, and Manganese Concentrations in Cerebrospinal Fluid of Patients with Viral Meningitis

We investigated whether information on concentrations of the trace metals in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with viral meningitis could be of value in diagnosis or prognosis. Samples from ten patients and 11 control subjects were analysed for zinc, copper, and manganese by atomic absorption spectrophotometry method. Protein concentrations in cerebrospinal fluid were also determined. The mean pretreatment values of zinc and copper were significantly lower (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively) than those of control subjects and returned to the control value after treatment. The mean pretreatment value of manganese was significantly lower (p<0.001) than the control value and became still lower (p<0.01) after treatment. The estimation of the trace metals in cerebrospinal fluid of patients with viral meningitis is very helpful to determine the diagnosis and prognosis

ラットのブレオマイシン肺炎における気管支肺胞洗浄液細胞成分の分析および肺胞マクロファージ由来のインターロイキン-1活性の測定

取得学位 : 博士（医学）, 学位授与番号 : 医博甲第916号, 学位授与年月日：平成1年9月30日,学位授与年：198

Numerical Simulation of Shaking Table Test by Nonlinear Response Analysis Method

In this paper we described the results or numerical simulation or shaking table test on two dimensional soil-structure interation system to verify an application or newly developed nonlinear response analysis method. This code was a so-called U-W analysis method based on the deformation theory or saturated porous material proposed by Biot and constitutive relations to simulate the nonlinear characteristics or soils were induced by the elasto-plastic theory. Input material constants or soil were decided by referring the data or popular soil element test. Because the properties or soil were heavily dependent on confining pressure, then static and dynamic soil tests were carried out under an equal low pressure to the shaking table test. The results or numerical simulation by using the material constants obtained from soil element tests were in good agreement with those or shaking table test and the applicability or our analysis method to dynamic problems was verified with the considerable confirmation

The oligosaccharides in a recombinant hepatitis B virus surface antigen (HBsAg) carrying the pre-S2 region derived from yeast

AbstractThe N- and O-linked oligosaccharides in a yeast-derived HBsAg M protein (pre-S2 + S) were analyzed. Two major structures of the N-linked oligosaccharides bound to residue Asn4 were determined to be high-mannose type oligosaccharides. Man7GlcNAc2 and Man8GlcNAc2, by two-dimensional sugar mapping of the corresponding pyridylamino oligosaccharides. Peptide mapping of the M protein, sequence analysis of the glycopeptides after β-elimination under reducing conditions and sugar-composition analysis revealed that the O-linked oligosaccharides were composed solely or mannose and bound to residue Ser5, Thr6, Thr7, Ser27, Ser28, Ser29 and Thr31 in the pre-S2 region

Magnetic and structural studies on two-dimensional antiferromagnets (MCl)LaNb₂O₇ (M = Mn, Co, Cr)

We report magnetic and structural studies on the two-dimensional antiferromagnets (MCl)LaNb₂O₇ (M = Mn, Cr, Co), prepared by topochemical reactions of a layered perovskite RbLaNb2O7. Electron diffraction of these oxyhalides revealed a superstructure with a √2a × √2a cell for M = Mn and Co, and a √2a × √2a cell for M = Cr, indicating that the MCl networks are distorted from an ideal square lattice. Neutron diffraction experiments showed that M = Mn and Co exhibit a(π 0 π) antiferromagnetic order as observed for the S = 1/2 counterparts. (CoCl)LaNb₂O₇ with a strong spin anisotropy shows an antiferro to weak-ferromagnetic transition at low field, followed by novel two-step metamagnetic transitions likely associated with a 1/2 plateau for 27-54 T. Possible spin structures under magnetic field are discussed in terms of an Ising-type model. By contrast, (CrCl)LaNb₂O₇ exhibits a (π π π) order, which is the first observation among related oxyhalides, and a spin-flop transition at 12 T due to a weak spin anisotropy. These results suggest that a slight difference in the MCl structure and spin anisotropy provides a crucial influence on the magnetic properties

Deficiency of triad junction and contraction in mutant skeletal muscle lacking junctophilin type 1

In skeletal muscle excitation–contraction (E–C) coupling, the depolarization signal is converted from the intracellular Ca2+ store into Ca2+ release by functional coupling between the cell surface voltage sensor and the Ca2+ release channel on the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The signal conversion occurs in the junctional membrane complex known as the triad junction, where the invaginated plasma membrane called the transverse-tubule (T-tubule) is pinched from both sides by SR membranes. Previous studies have suggested that junctophilins (JPs) contribute to the formation of the junctional membrane complexes by spanning the intracellular store membrane and interacting with the plasma membrane (PM) in excitable cells. Of the three JP subtypes, both type 1 (JP-1) and type 2 (JP-2) are abundantly expressed in skeletal muscle. To examine the physiological role of JP-1 in skeletal muscle, we generated mutant mice lacking JP-1. The JP-1 knockout mice showed no milk suckling and died shortly after birth. Ultrastructural analysis demonstrated that triad junctions were reduced in number, and that the SR was often structurally abnormal in the skeletal muscles of the mutant mice. The mutant muscle developed less contractile force (evoked by low-frequency electrical stimuli) and showed abnormal sensitivities to extracellular Ca2+. Our results indicate that JP-1 contributes to the construction of triad junctions and that it is essential for the efficiency of signal conversion during E–C coupling in skeletal muscle

Accuracy assessment methods of tissue marker clip placement after 11-gauge vacuum-assisted stereotactic breast biopsy: comparison of measurements using direct and conventional methods

BACKGROUND:　 The objective of the study was to compare direct measurement with a conventional method for evaluation of clip placement in stereotactic vacuum-assisted breast biopsy (ST-VAB) and to evaluate the accuracy of clip placement using the direct method.　 METHODS:　 Accuracy of clip placement was assessed by measuring the distance from a residual calcification of a targeted calcification clustered to a clip on a mammogram after ST-VAB. Distances in the craniocaudal (CC) and mediolateral oblique (MLO) views were measured in 28 subjects with mammograms recorded twice or more after ST-VAB. The difference in the distance between the first and second measurements was defined as the reproducibility and was compared with that from a conventional method using a mask system with overlap of transparent film on the mammogram. The 3D clip-to-calcification distance was measured using the direct method in 71 subjects.　 RESULTS:　 The reproducibility of the direct method was higher than that of the conventional method in CC and MLO views (P = 0.002, P < 0.001). The median 3D clip-to-calcification distance was 2.8 mm, with an interquartile range of 2.0-4.8 mm and a range of 1.1-36.3 mm.　 CONCLUSION:　 The direct method used in this study was more accurate than the conventional method, and gave a median 3D distance of 2.8 mm between the calcification and clip

Abnormal social behavior, hyperactivity, impaired remote spatial memory, and increased D1-mediated dopaminergic signaling in neuronal nitric oxide synthase knockout mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is involved in the regulation of a diverse population of intracellular messenger systems in the brain. In humans, abnormal NOS/nitric oxide metabolism is suggested to contribute to the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of some neuropsychiatric disorders, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Mice with targeted disruption of the nNOS gene exhibit abnormal behaviors. Here, we subjected nNOS knockout (KO) mice to a battery of behavioral tests to further investigate the role of nNOS in neuropsychiatric functions. We also examined the role of nNOS in dopamine/DARPP-32 signaling in striatal slices from nNOS KO mice and the effects of the administration of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist on behavior in nNOS KO mice.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>nNOS KO mice showed hyperlocomotor activity in a novel environment, increased social interaction in their home cage, decreased depression-related behavior, and impaired spatial memory retention. In striatal slices from nNOS KO mice, the effects of a dopamine D1 receptor agonist, SKF81297, on the phosphorylation of DARPP-32 and AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 at protein kinase A sites were enhanced. Consistent with the biochemical results, intraperitoneal injection of a low dose of SKF81297 significantly decreased prepulse inhibition in nNOS KO mice, but not in wild-type mice.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These findings indicate that nNOS KO upregulates dopamine D1 receptor signaling, and induces abnormal social behavior, hyperactivity and impaired remote spatial memory. nNOS KO mice may serve as a unique animal model of psychiatric disorders.</p

Improved lung function and patient-reported outcomes with co-suspension delivery technology glycopyrrolate/formoterol fumarate metered dose inhaler in COPD:a randomized Phase III study conducted in Asia, Europe, and the USA

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NMR and mutational identification of the collagen-binding site of the chaperone Hsp47.

Heat shock protein 47 (Hsp47) acts as a client-specific chaperone for collagen and plays a vital role in collagen maturation and the consequent embryonic development. In addition, this protein can be a potential target for the treatment of fibrosis. Despite its physiological and pathological importance, little is currently known about the collagen-binding mode of Hsp47 from a structural aspect. Here, we describe an NMR study that was conducted to identify the collagen-binding site of Hsp47. We used chicken Hsp47, which has higher solubility than its human counterpart, and applied a selective (15)N-labeling method targeting its tryptophan and histidine residues. Spectral assignments were made based on site-directed mutagenesis of the individual residues. By inspecting the spectral changes that were observed upon interaction with a trimeric collagen peptide and the mutational data, we successfully mapped the collagen-binding site in the B/C β-barrel domain and a nearby loop in a 3D-homology model based upon a serpin fold. This conclusion was confirmed by mutational analysis. Our findings provide a molecular basis for the design of compounds that target the interaction between Hsp47 and procollagen as therapeutics for fibrotic diseases