Interactions of Discrete States with Nonzero Ghost Number \\ in c=1c=1 2D2D Gravity

We study the interactions of the discrete states with nonzero ghost number in $c=1$ two-dimensional ($2D$) quantum gravity. By using the vertex operator representations, it is shown that their interactions are given by the structure constants of the group of the area preserving diffeomorphism similar to those of vanishing ghost number. The effective action for these states is also worked out. The result suggests the whole system has a BRST-like symmetry.Comment: 10 pages, OS-GE 25-9

誤嚥性肺炎予防に関する基礎研究 －核医学法による胃排出時間と体位の検討－

　老年者や脳卒中回復期にある患者にとって，誤嚥は死に至る肺炎の原因のひとつとして重要な課題である．とくに胃内容物は化学物質とともに感染物質を含んでおり，その誤嚥は重大な肺炎を引き起こす．胃食道逆流は，下部食道括約部の弛緩及び収縮不全が原因で，誤嚥性肺炎に導く重要な要素である．胃食道逆流の外的要因として摂食時，後の体位との関連も指摘され胃内容物の排出時間が重要と考えられている．そこで本研究ではこれらの患者の誤嚥性肺炎を予防するために，流動食の胃内容物の早期排出に着目し，食後の体位のなかで特に臨床的に多く観察される半座位について，胃排出時間と体位との関連を明らかにすることを目的に，健常者を対象に核医学検査を用いて基礎的検討を行った．核医学検査法は，半減期の短いアイソトープを食物と混合して経口投与し，ガンマカメラを用いて経時的に腹部を撮影することにより，胃からの放射能の減少部を定量的に評価して胃排出時間を測定する検査方法である．健康成人女性3人，平均年齢36.8歳を対象に，レトルト食品の白粥，250gにアイソトープ（99ｍTｃ-0 04,185KBq）を混入した検査食を用いて，それぞれ座位，半座位，仰臥位となり，60 分間観察した．結果，体位別の胃排出時間は，食物摂取後15 分頃までは体位による排出量に違いはなく，20 分後から違いが生じ，仰臥位・座位が60分程度で80%以上が排出されるのに対して，半在位では60分間で約60%の排出と，仰臥位と座位よりも停滞時間が長かったが，コンスタントに胃内容物が排出されていた．従って，誤嚥の予防はもちろんであるが，消化吸収の観点からも半座位が効果的な体位ではないかと考えられた．今回の検査では被験者数が少なく，検査食により胃排出時間は異なることや排泄など生活習慣の影響も予測されることから，今後多数例の検討を行う必要がある．For elderly persons or post-apoplectic patients during convalescence, aspiration as one of the causes of fatal pneumonia is important problem. The gastric contents in particular include infective materials as well as chemical substances, therefore aspiration of them induces serious pneumonia. Gastroesophageal reflux due to failure of the lower esophageal sphincter relaxation and contraction is an important element to lead to aspiration pneumonia. Also the association with the posture during and after eating is noted as an external factor of gastroesophageal reflux. We focused on early evacuation of gastric contents (fluid food) to prevent these patients from aspiration pneumonia. To reveal the relation between gastric emptying time and posture, we fundamentally examined postprandial posture, in particular semi-sitting position often observed clinically, in healthy subjects by nuclear medicine examination. In this examination, food mixed with isotope with short half-time was administered orally to the subjects. After that we evaluated the gastric radioactivity decrement quantitatively and measure gastric emptying time by acquiring the images of the abdomen using gamma camera over time, which allowed us to follow-up in vivo normal post-prandial kinetics. Although the institution capable of performing radioisotope method is limited, we used it because it was the most effective method to evaluate gastrointestinal motility precisely. The gastric emptying time for food (100% rice gruel) varied depending on the posture. The results of time in the supine and sitting position were shorter than that in the semi-sitting position and the food was evacuated constantly in the semi-sitting position. The study suggested that it was needed to maintain a posture for more than one hour. Since the gastric emptying time is also affected by the test food type, it is necessary that we should apply various quality and form foods in many cases to raise reliability

Achievement of hearing preservation in the presence of an electrode covering the residual hearing region

Conclusions: With full insertion with a long electrode, hearing preservation can be achieved even in the presence of a long electrode covering the residual hearing region. Objectives: Advances in developing new atraumatic concepts of electrode design as well as surgical technique have enabled hearing preservation after cochlear implantation surgery, and EAS (electric acoustic stimulation) accompanied with hearing preservation is a new trend for patients with residual hearing at the lower frequencies. However, full insertion with a long/medium electrode and hearing preservation is still a challenging field that calls for discussion. Method: In this study, round window insertion, an atraumatic electrode, and dexamethasone administration were used and atraumaticity (hearing preservation and conservation of vestibular function) was evaluated with full insertion of the electrode. Results: Postoperative evaluation after full insertion of the electrodes showed that hearing at low frequencies was well preserved in all five cases. Combined postoperative imaging with the referential tonotopic map confirmed achievement of full insertion and indicated the corresponding frequencies and the depth of the electrode. Achievement of atraumaticity of round window insertion in the present cases was confirmed from the viewpoint of the minimal drilling time as well as the preserved vestibular function.ArticleACTA OTO-LARYNGOLOGICA. 131(4):405-412 (2011)journal articl

Multipoint analysis of reduced 125I-meta-iodobenzylguanidine uptake and norepinephrine turnover in the hearts of mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydroxypyridine-induced parkinsonism

Introduction125I-Meta-iodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) cardiac uptake is reduced in mice with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydroxypyridine (MPTP)-induced parkinsonism, although the cause of disturbance of norepinephrine (NE) turnover is unclear.MethodsC57BL6 mice (15 weeks old) were divided into six groups (n=14 each) according to the timing of MPTP injection (40 mg/kg) before 125I-MIBG: Group A, control (no MPTP injection); Group B, 1 day; Group C, 4 days; Group D, 7 days; Group E, 21 days; Group F, 7, 14 and 21 days. 125I-MIBG (0.185 MBq) was injected and the cardiac percentage injected dose per gram of tissue (%ID/g), dopamine (DA) and NE concentrations were measured. The cardiac maximal binding potential (Bmax) of NE transporter (NET) was also calculated in 20 mice per group.ResultsThe %ID/g of B, C, D, E and F mice were significantly lower than in A; those of C, D and E were significantly higher than in B; and that of F was significantly lower than in E. The DA concentrations were similar among all groups. The NE concentrations of B, C and F mice were significantly lower than in A, while those of C, D, E and F were significantly higher than in B, and that of F was significantly lower than in E. The Bmax of NET in B was significantly lower than in A.ConclusionsThus, MPTP causes rapid reductions in cardiac 125I-MIBG uptake and Bmax of NET, followed by partial recovery of 125I-MIBG uptake. Changes in cardiac 125I-MIBG uptake and NE turnover were closely related in postganglionic cardiac sympathetic nerve terminals in mice with MPTP-induced parkinsonism

Detection of Stress Hormone in the Milk for Animal Welfare Using QCM Method

We developed a rapid and sequential analysis system to determine stress marker in the milk. One of the famous stress markers, cortisol, was detected using our method. Quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) method with a twin sensor was used in this study. One channel detected stress marker corresponding to antigen-antibody interaction and the other channel was used as a reference to remove environmental influences. Although nonspecific adsorption was monitored on each channel, frequency difference between them was within a few Hz on the injection of sample solution. One determination cycle including regeneration step could be performed within 10 minutes. The system could detect the cortisol level from 0.1 pg/mL to 100 pg/mL. These results show that our system has a potential to check the daily feeding condition for cows in terms of animal welfare

Different Patterns of Vascular Response Between Patients With or Without Diabetes Mellitus After Drug-Eluting Stent Implantation Optical Coherence Tomographic Analysis

ObjectivesWe performed this study to investigate with optical coherence tomography (OCT) the vascular response after sirolimus-eluting stent (SES) implantation between patients with and those without diabetes mellitus (DM).BackgroundThe difference in vascular response after SES implantation between patients with and those without DM has not been fully evaluated with OCT.MethodsOptical coherence tomography was performed to examine 74 nonrestenotic SES implanted in 63 patients (32 with DM and 31 without DM) at 9 months after SES implantation. For struts showing neointimal coverage, the neointimal thickness on the luminal side of each strut section was measured, and neointimal characteristics were classified into high, low, and layered signal pattern.ResultsBaseline patient characteristics and lesion and procedural characteristics data were similar between the 2 groups. In total, 11,422 struts were analyzed. High signal neointima was observed in 90.2 ± 13.9%, low signal neointima in 7.3 ± 10.0%, and layered neointima in 2.7 ± 5.8%/stents. There was higher incidence of low signal neointima (10.5 ± 10.3% vs. 4.5 ± 5.6%, p = 0.003), neointimal thickness was larger (median: 106.8 μm, interquartile range: 79.3 to 130.4 μm vs. median: 83.5 μm, interquartile range: 62.3 to 89.3 μm; p < 0.0001), and neointimal coverage of stent struts was higher (92.1 ± 6.2% vs. 87.2 ± 11.9%; p = 0.03) in DM patients.ConclusionsHigh signal neointimal pattern was predominantly observed, and low or layered signal pattern was observed in some cases. In DM patients, low signal neointima was observed with high frequency. Neointimal coverage and neointimal thickness was also higher in DM patients as compared with non-DM patients

Changes of Coronary Blood Flow in Vasospastic Angina under Cold Stimulation by Transthoracic Doppler Echocardiography

This study was done to evaluate changes of microvascular function under cold stimulation by measuring coronary flow velocities (CFVs) in vasospastic angina (VA) patients using transthoracic Doppler echocardiography (TTDE). 14 patients with VA and 15 healthy controls were included. CFVs were measured at the distal left anterior descending coronary artery by TTDE at baseline and under cold stimulation. Hyperemia was induced by intravenous adenosine infusion (140 µg/kg/min). At baseline, CFVs and coronary flow reserve (CFR) were not different between controls and VA patients. Under cold stimulation, the degree of increment of CFV with adenosine was lower in VA patients than in controls. Comparing baseline with cold stimulation, coronary flow reserve (CFR) increased (3.1±0.7 to 3.8±1.0, p=0.06) in controls. In contrast, in VA patients, CFR was decreased (2.8±0.9 to 2.6±0.7, p=0.05) and coronary vascular resistance index markedly increased (0.35 to 0.43, p=0.01). Throughout the study, no patient experienced chest pain or ECG changes. In VA patients, CFR was preserved at baseline, but coronary blood flow increase in response to cold stimulation was blunted and CFR was decreased. These findings suggest that endothelial dependent vasodilation is impaired at the coronary microvascular and the epicardial artery level in VA under cold stimulation

901-2 Randomized, Double-Blind Multicenter Trial of a Novel Modified t-PA, E6010 by i.v. Bolus Injection in Treatment of Acute Myocardial Infarction (AMI) – Comparison with Native t-PA

E6010 is a novel modified t-PA, in which cysteine 84 in the epidermal growth factor domain has been replaced by serine. This is the first modified t-PA to be effective by i.v. bolus injection, and it has a prolonged half-life (Tα1/2 &gt; 20 min) compared to native t-PA.A randomized, double-blind multicenter trial of i.v. bolus injection of E601 0, 27,500 EU/kg, compared with native t-PA (cell culture), 14,400,000 IU has been performed in the treatment of AMI of ≤ 6 hr duration and total occlusion of the infarct-related arteries. Angiograms were used to evaluate the patency of infarct-related arteries at 15, 30, 45, and 60 minutes after the administration.Result% Recanalization Rate (TIMI grade 2 or 3)15min.30min.45min60min.E6010n = 9736.561.973.779.4native t-PAn = 10213.732.449.564.7The time to reperfusion with E601 0 was shorter than that with native t-PA. Coronary recanalization at 30 and 60 minutes after administration was obtained in 61.9% and 79.4% of the case with E6010 and in 32.4% and 64.7% of the case with native t-PA, and the difference between both were statistically significant. No fatal bleeding complications were observed in E601 0.4 patients (3.8%) in E6010 and 3 patients (2.8%) in native t-PA died during 48 days post treatment hospitalization.Discussion and ConclusionNative t-PA is required to be administered over period of 1 hr with 10% of the total dose administered as an i.v. bolus and the remainder infused i.v. over 1 hr. Our present results indicate that E601 0 can be easily administered by i.v. bolus injection taking 2–3 minutes and it exerts a valuable thrombolytic effects, namely a high rate and early recanalization of infarct-related arterie