Electronic energy relaxation and transition frequency jumps of single molecules at 30 mK

Transition frequency jumps for single terrylene molecules in a polyethylene matrix caused by resonant laser irradiation are investigated at 30 mK. These jumps are not accompanied by substantial sample heating. A model for the effect is: proposed, based on the interaction of tunneling two-level systems (TLSs) surrounding the single molecule with high-energy nonthermal phonons emitted by the molecule during electronic energy relaxation. The radius of the effective interaction volume is estimated to be r(m) approximate to 12.5 nm, and the interaction cross section for nonequilibrium phonon -TLS scattering is estimated as similar to 10(-22) cm(-2)

Fungal Origins of the Bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane Ring System of Prenylated Indole Alkaloids

Over eight different families of natural products, consisting of nearly seventy secondary metabolites, which contain the bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane ring system, have been isolated from various Aspergillus, Penicillium, and Malbranchea species. Since 1968, these secondary metabolites have been the focus of numerous biogenetic, synthetic, taxonomic, and biological studies, and, as such, have made a lasting impact across multiple scientific disciplines. This review covers the isolation, biosynthesis, and biological activity of these unique secondary metabolites containing the bridging bicyclo[2.2.2]diazaoctane ring system. Furthermore, the diverse fungal origin of these natural products is closely examined and, in many cases, updated to reflect the currently accepted fungal taxonomy

Comparison of once daily versus twice daily olmesartan in patients with chronic kidney disease

Yukinao Sakai,1 Anna Suzuki,1 Koji Mugishima,1 Yuichiro Sumi,1 Yusuke Otsuka,1 Tomoyuki Otsuka,1 Dai Ohno,1 Tsuneo Murasawa,1 Shuichi Tsuruoka21Department of Nephrology, Nippon Medical School Musashikosugi Hospital, Kawasaki, Japan; 2Division of Nephrology, Department of Internal Medicine, Graduate School of Medicine, Nippon Medical School, Tokyo, JapanBackground: The effects of olmesartan (OLM) on blood pressure and kidney function in Japanese patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were compared between 20 mg twice daily (BID) and 40 mg once daily (QD) treatments.Methods: The subjects were Japanese CKD patients with concurrent hypertension who had been treated with OLM 20 mg BID for at least 3 months on an outpatient basis (n=39). After a change in the treatment regimen to 40 mg OLM QD (after breakfast), blood pressure (BP) (n=39), morning home BP (n=13), estimated glomerular filtration rate (n=39), and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (n=17) were monitored for 2 months.Results: No significant change in office (mean &plusmn; standard deviation [SD] [mmHg], 143.9 &plusmn; 18.8/75.7 &plusmn; 12.0 to 141.6 &plusmn; 16.1/74.7 &plusmn; 11.7, not significant [ns]) or early morning home (mean &plusmn; SD [mmHg], 133.8 &plusmn; 15.9/71.2 &plusmn; 11.5 to 133.8 &plusmn; 13.9/74.5 &plusmn; 10.5, ns) BP was observed 2 months after the change in dose. The estimated glomerular filtration rate increased significantly (mean &plusmn; SD, 49.0 &plusmn; 28.0 to 51.8 &plusmn; 27.0, P<0.05), whereas urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio did not change significantly (mean &plusmn; SD, 0.551 &plusmn; 0.445 to 0.364 &plusmn; 0.5194, ns).Conclusion: High-dose OLM administered BID and QD had similar effects on outpatient and early morning home BP in CKD patients, suggesting that the BID regimen can be safely changed to a QD regimen. For CKD patients with hypertension requiring continuous long-term treatment, the possibility that the QD regimen might bring a greater therapeutic effect was suggested. However, recognizing the best blood pressure control level for a CKD patient is still a matter of debate, and should ideally be personalized.Keywords: high-dose angiotensin receptor blocker, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, compliance, olmesarta