Asymptotic expansion of the expected Minkowski functional for isotropic central limit random fields

The Minkowski functionals, including the Euler characteristic statistics, are standard tools for morphological analysis in cosmology. Motivated by cosmological research, we examine the Minkowski functional of the excursion set for an isotropic central limit random field, the $k$-point correlation functions ($k$th order cumulants) of which have the same structure as that assumed in cosmic research. We derive the asymptotic expansions of the expected Euler characteristic density incorporating skewness and kurtosis, which is a building block of the Minkowski functional. The resulting formula reveals the types of non-Gaussianity that cannot be captured by the Minkowski functionals. As an example, we consider an isotropic chi-square random field, and confirm that the asymptotic expansion precisely approximates the true Euler characteristic density.Comment: 28 pages, 3 figures, 1 tabl

Usefulness of body surface mapping to differentiate patients with Brugada syndrome from patients with asymptomatic Brugada syndrome.

We attempted to determine the usefulness of body surface mapping (BSM) for differentiating patients with Brugada syndrome (BS) from patients with asymptomatic Brugada syndrome (ABS). Electrocardiograms (ECG) and BSM were recorded in 7 patients with BS and 35 patients with ABS. Following the administration of Ic antiarrhythmic drugs, BSM was recorded in 5 patients with BS and 16 patients with ABS. The maximum amplitudes at J0, J20, J40 and J60 were compared between the 2 groups, as were 3-dimensional maps. The maximum amplitudes at J0, J20 and J60 under control conditions were larger in patients with BS than in patients with ABS (P < 0.05). A three-dimensional map of the ST segments under control conditions in patients with BS showed a higher peak of ST elevation in the median precordium compared to that for patients with ABS. Increases in ST elevation at J20, J40 and J60 following drug administration were greater in patients with BS than in patients with ABS (P < 0.05). Evaluation of the change in amplitude of the ST segment at E5 caused by Ic drug administration was also useful for differentiating between the 2 groups. In conclusion, BSM was useful for differentiating patients with BS from those with ABS.</p

Epoprostenol Therapy for Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is characterized by elevation of pulmonary artery pressure caused by pulmonary vasoconstriction and vascular remodeling, which leads to right heart failure and death. Epoprostenol (prostaglandin I2) has a potent short-acting vasodilator property, and intravenous continuous epoprostenol is therefore used for treatment of PAH. Here we review evidence for the usefulness of intravenous continuous epoprostenol therapy in patients with PAH. Epoprostenol therapy is effective in idiopathic PAH patients and in patients with PAH associated with connective tissue disease, portal hypertension or congenital heart diseases, but it is not effective in patients with pulmonary veno-occlusive disease or pulmonary capillary hemangiomatosis. High-dose epoprostenol therapy markedly improved hemodynamics in some patients with PAH, possibly due to reverse remodeling of pulmonary arteries. This therapy has several side effects and complications such as headache, hypotension and catheter-related infections. Intravenous continuous epoprostenol is an effective treatment, but there are still some problems to be resolved

Pourines. XLV. : Syntheses and Cytokinin Activities of the Cis Isomers of (1\u27R)-1\u27-Methylzeatin and Its 9-β-D-Ribofuranoside

(1\u27R)-1\u27-Methyl-cis-zeatin (2b) and its 9-β-D-ribofuranoside (4b) have been synthesized for the first time from D-alanine (5) in 7 steps. The new cis-zeatin derivatives 2b and 4b, together with known cis-zeatin (2a), were tested for cytokinin activity in the tobacco callus and the lettuce seed germination bioassays. In both bioassays, the cytokinin activity was found to follow the order 2a>2b>4b, indicating that 2b and 4b were less active than the corresponding trans isomers 1b and 3b (natural cytokinins from Pseudomonas syringae pv savastanoi), respectively

Acute myocardial infarction caused by an anomalous left main coronary artery in a 16-year-old boy

SummaryA variety of structural cardiovascular abnormalities have been implicated in deaths of athletes, particularly congenital coronary arteries of anomalous origin, which are rare but major causes of myocardial ischemia and sudden death in young people. We present here the case of a rare congenital coronary artery anomaly in a 16-year-old boy who suffered from acute myocardial infarction due to occlusion of the left main trunk coronary artery, providing specific intravascular ultrasound findings for this anomaly

Cisplatin, rather than oxaliplatin, increases paracellular permeability of LLC-PK1 cells via activating protein kinase C

The clinical use of cisplatin is limited by its adverse events, particularly serious nephrotoxicity. It was clarified that cisplatin is transported by a kidney-specific organic cation transporter (OCT2). OCT2 also mediates the uptake of oxaliplatin into renal proximal tubular cells; however, this agent does not lead nephrotoxicity. In the present study, we carried out comparative experiments with cisplatin and oxaliplatin using porcine kidney LLC-PK1 cell monolayers. In the fluorescein-labeled isothiocyanate-dextran flux assay, the basolateral application of cisplatin, but not oxaliplatin, resulted in an increase in the paracellular permeability of cell monolayers. Even though the cellular accumulation of platinum at 50 μM oxaliplatin could reach the same level at 30 μM cisplatin, oxaliplatin did not induce hyper-permeability in cell monolayers. Cisplatin, but not oxaliplatin, significantly activated PKC. In addition, the combination of PKC inhibitors recovered the increase in paracellular permeability. In conclusion, pharmacodynamic mechanisms via PKC could explain the difference in nephrotoxicity between cisplatin and oxaliplatin

In Vitro Rooting and Multiple Buds Formation from Asparagus Lateral Buds with Ancymidol

アスパラガス側芽培養での発根促進と多芽体形成のための培地条件を検討した.供試材料として‘メリーワシントン500W’の播種後15-20日令植物の側芽を用いた.側芽を5μM ancymidolと5% ショ糖添加MS培地で2月間培養したところ,生存個体の90% が発根した.一方,3.9～39μM ancymido1と3% ショ糖添加MS培地で2月間培養後に多芽体が形成した11.7μM ancymidolでは生存個体の70% と最も高率に形成し,それからは12.7本の苗条が伸長したが,そのうちの一部分は水浸状であった.正常な植物体は,0.5～10μM ancymidolと5% ショ糖を添加したMS培地で2月間培養することにより得られ,特に5～10μMancymidol添加により植え付け外植体の約70%が正常個体となった.また,5～50μM ancymidolと5% ショ糖を添加したMS培地で2月間培養すると多芽体の形成が見られ,それらをMS培地に移植することにより苗条の伸長が見られた