Simultaneous two cross-sectional measurements of NH3 concentration in bent pipe flow using CT-tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy

Urea Selective Catalytic Reduction (urea SCR) system is widely used for diesel engine to reduce the emission of NOx by NH3 which is provided by a hydrolysis of urea water. Concentration distribution of NH3 in an exhaust pipe is an important factor for improvement of the SCR efficiency and prevention of NH3 slip and urea deposit. Therefore, it is necessary to measure two-dimensional (2D) concentration of NH3 in detail. The purpose of this study is to develop the real-time two cross-sectional measurements technology of NH3 concentration using the computed tomography-tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (CT-TDLAS). Theoretical NH3 concentration distribution which was reconstructed by CT agreed to CFD results and quadruple pipe’s results showed good resolution by 14th order reconstruction. Therefore, this method has enough resolution and accuracy for measuring the concentration distribution of NH3. And this method was employed in a bent pipe model demonstrated a urea SCR system. The experimental results of two cross-sectional 2D concentration of NH3 show differences of the concentration distribution of NH3 each cross-section and flow pattern like swirl flow. It was found that CT-TDLAS was an effective method to measure concentration distribution of NH3 and observe characteristics of flow. In addition, observing flow pattern enable to validate CFD results, and it helps to improve efficiency of after treatment system

フォンヴィレブランド因子に存在する血型A抗原は、ADAMTS13による切断に対してB・H抗原よりも抵抗性を示す

BACKGROUND: ADAMTS13 specifically cleaves the peptide bond between Y1605 and M1606 within the VWF-A2 domain. OBJECTIVE: The VWF contains ABO(H) blood group antigens, which may influence the susceptibility of VWF to ADAMTS13. METHODS: Using a unique monoclonal antibody recognizing the Y1605 residue, we have developed a sandwich ELISA to analyze the generation of a VWF-DP by ADAMTS13 quantitatively. RESULTS: Production of VWF-DP after exposure to four different degrees of high shear stress was validated in comparison to the reduction in high-molecular-weight multimers using VWF multimer analysis. In analysis of plasma from 259 healthy individuals, plasma levels of VWF antigen (VWF:Ag) were significantly lower in blood group O than in the other groups and were significantly correlated with plasma VWF-DP levels. The ratio between VWF-DP and VWF:Ag was significantly higher in blood group O than in blood groups A and AB. The ratio in blood group B was also significantly higher than those in A and AB, but did not differ from blood group O. Finally, to examine whether ABO(H) blood group antigens contributed to VWF cleavage, 82 plasma samples were exposed to high shear stress using a cone-plate shear stress inducer. The difference in the VWF-DP/VWF:Ag ratio before and after high shear stress in blood group O was significantly greater than those in groups A and AB. CONCLUSION: These results indicate that blood group antigen A on VWF was more protective against ADAMTS13 cleavage than antigens B and H.博士（医学）・乙第1440号・令和元年9月27日© 2019 International Society on Thrombosis and HaemostasisThis is the pre-peer reviewed version of the following article: [https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jth.14444], which has been published in final form at [https://doi.org/10.1111/jth.14444]. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions

Snake venom proteases a¡ecting hemostasis and thrombosis

Abstract The structure and function of snake venom proteases are briefly reviewed by putting the focus on their effects on hemostasis and thrombosis and comparing with their mammalian counterparts. Up to date, more than 150 different proteases have been isolated and about one third of them structurally characterized. Those proteases are classified into serine proteases and metalloproteinases. A number of the serine proteases show fibrin(ogen)olytic (thrombin-like) activities, which are not susceptible to hirudin or heparin and perhaps to most endogenous serine protease inhibitors, and form abnormal fibrin clots. Some of them have kininogenase (kallikrein-like) activity releasing hypotensive bradykinin. A few venom serine proteases specifically activate coagulation factor V, protein C, plasminogen or platelets. The venom metalloproteinases, belonging to the metzincin family, generally show fibrin(ogen)olytic and extracellular matrix-degrading (hemorrhagic) activities. A few venom metalloproteinases show a unique substrate specificity toward coagulation factor X, platelet membrane receptors or von Willebrand factor. A number of the metalloproteinases have chimeric structures composed of several domains such as proteinase, disintegrin-like, Cys-rich and lectin-like domains. The disintegrin-like domain seems to facilitate the action of those metalloproteinases by interacting with platelet receptors. A more detailed analysis of snake venom proteases should find their usefulness for the medical and pharmacological applications in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis.

Ectopic varices in a right diaphragm that ruptured into the pleural cavity.

The term ectopic varices is used to describe dilated portosystemic collateral veins in unusual locations other than the gastroesophageal region. We recently experienced a rare case of ectopic varices that developed in the right diaphragm and ruptured into the pleural cavity. A 68-year-old female with hepatocellular carcinoma complicated with liver cirrhosis was admitted due to an acute onset of dyspnea and right bloody pleural effusion. Because of the patient's advanced hepatocellular carcinoma and poor condition, conservative therapies such as hemostats and blood transfusion were selected. Even though the bleeding to the pleural cavity stopped spontaneously, the patient died due to a progression of liver failure. Autopsy revealed a huge collateral vein in the right diaphragm. The etiology, prevalence, relationship with portal hypertension, and treatment of ectopic varices are discussed herein

Ratio of von Willebrand factor propeptide to ADAMTS13 is associated with severity of sepsis.

Von Willebrand factor (VWF)-cleaving protease (ADAMTS13) cleaves ultralarge VWF (ULVWF) secreted from endothelium and by which is regulating its physiologic function. An imbalance between ULVWF secretion and ADAMTS13 level occurs in sepsis and may cause multiple organ dysfunction. We evaluated the association between the VWF-propeptide (VWF-pp)/ADAMTS13 ratio and disease severity in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock. In 27 patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and platelet count less than 120,000/μL, we measured plasma VWF, VWF-pp, and ADAMTS13 levels on hospital days 1, 3, 5, and 7. The VWF-pp/ADAMTS13 ratio was increased greater than 12-fold in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock on day 1 and remained markedly high on days 3, 5, and 7 compared with normal control subjects. The VWF-pp/ADAMTS13 ratio significantly correlated with Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score on days 1 and 5; Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score on days 1, 3, and 5; maximum Sepsis-related Organ Failure Assessment score and tumor necrosis factor α level on days 1, 3, 5, and 7; and creatinine level on days 1, 5, and 7. Patients with greater than stage 1 acute kidney injury had significantly higher VWF-pp/ADAMTS13 ratio than patients without acute kidney injury. In summary, the VWF-pp/ADAMTS13 ratio was associated with disease severity in patients with severe sepsis or septic shock and may help identify patients at risk for multiple organ dysfunction by detecting severe imbalance between ULVWF secretion and ADAMTS13 level.博士（医学）・乙第1318号・平成25年7月22

Fermi level tuning of Ag-doped Bi2Se3 topological insulator

The temperature dependence of the resistivity (rho) of Ag-doped Bi2Se3 (AgxBi2-xSe3) shows insulating behavior above 35 K, but below 35 K, rho suddenly decreases with decreasing temperature, in contrast to the metallic behavior for non-doped Bi2Se3 at 1.5-300 K. This significant change in transport properties from metallic behavior clearly shows that the Ag doping of Bi2Se3 can effectively tune the Fermi level downward. The Hall effect measurement shows that carrier is still electron in AgxBi2-xSe3 and the electron density changes with temperature to reasonably explain the transport properties. Furthermore, the positive gating of AgxBi2-xSe3 provides metallic behavior that is similar to that of non-doped Bi2Se3, indicating a successful upward tuning of the Fermi level

Computer-aided rational design of the phosphotransferase system for enhanced glucose uptake in Escherichia coli

The phosphotransferase system (PTS) is the sugar transportation machinery that is widely distributed in prokaryotes and is critical for enhanced production of useful metabolites. To increase the glucose uptake rate, we propose a rational strategy for designing the molecular architecture of the Escherichia coli glucose PTS by using a computer-aided design (CAD) system and verified the simulated results with biological experiments. CAD supports construction of a biochemical map, mathematical modeling, simulation, and system analysis. Assuming that the PTS aims at controlling the glucose uptake rate, the PTS was decomposed into hierarchical modules, functional and flux modules, and the effect of changes in gene expression on the glucose uptake rate was simulated to make a rational strategy of how the gene regulatory network is engineered. Such design and analysis predicted that the mlc knockout mutant with ptsI gene overexpression would greatly increase the specific glucose uptake rate. By using biological experiments, we validated the prediction and the presented strategy, thereby enhancing the specific glucose uptake rate

Rasmussen encephalitis associated with SCN1A mutation

Mutations in the SCN 1 A gene, encoding the neuronal voltage-gated sodium channel alpha1 subunit, cause SMEI, GEFS+, and related epileptic syndromes. We herein report the R1575C-SCN 1 A mutation identified in a patient with Rasmussen encephalitis. R1575C were constructed in a recombinant human SCN 1 A and then heterologously expressed in HEK293 cells along with the human beta1 and beta2 sodium channel accessory subunits. Whole-cell patch-clamp recording was used to define biophysical properties. The R1575C channels exhibited increased channel availability and an increased persistent sodium current in comparison to the wild-type. These defects of electrophysiological properties can result in neuronal hyperexitability. The seizure susceptibility allele may influence the pathogenesis of Rasmussen encephalitis in this case

RETRACTED: The Chromatin-Remodeling Complex WINAC Targets a Nuclear Receptor to Promoters and Is Impaired in Williams Syndrome

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (http://www.elsevier.com/locate/withdrawalpolicy).This article has been retracted at the request of the Authors.Our paper reported that a chromatin-remodeling complex, WINAC, recruited the unliganded vitamin D receptor to promoters in cooperation with the transcription factor implicated in Williams syndrome, WSTF. The findings provided insights into the coordination between chromatin remodelers and sequence-specific transcription factors and pointed to a role of chromatin remodeling defects in Williams syndrome. We recently identified errors affecting several figure panels where original data were processed inappropriately such that the figure panels do not accurately report the original data. We believe that the most responsible course of action is to retract the paper. We sincerely apologize to the scientific community for any inconvenience that this might cause. The first author, H.K., declined to sign the retraction notice