Photochromic Intercalation Compounds

Photochromism of intercalation compounds has been investigated so far. Starting from fundamental studies on the photochromic reactions of the dyes in the presence of layered materials, the precise design of the nanostructures of intercalation compounds toward controlled photochemical reactions and the creation of novel photoresponsive supramolecular systems based on layered solids have been a topic of interests. Various layered materials with different surface chemistries have been used as hosts for the controlled orientation, and aggregation of the intercalated dyes and the states of the intercalated guests affected photoresponses. Molecular design of the photochromic dyes has also been conducted in order to organize them on layered solids with the desired manner. On the other hand, layered solids with such functions as semiconducting and magnetic have been examined to host photochromic dyes for the photoresponsive changes in the materials' properties.ArticlePHOTOFUNCTIONAL LAYERED MATERIALS. 166: 177-211 (2015)journal articl

Pasireotide for the Medical Management of Feline Hypersomatotropism

BACKGROUND: Feline hypersomatotropism (HST) is a cause of diabetes mellitus in cats. Pasireotide is a novel multireceptor ligand somatostatin analog that improves biochemical control of humans with HST. HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: Pasireotide improves biochemical control of HST and diabetes mellitus in cats. ANIMALS: Hypersomatotropism was diagnosed in diabetic cats with serum insulin‐like growth factor‐1 (IGF‐1) concentration >1,000 ng/mL by radioimmunoassay and pituitary enlargement. METHODS: Insulin‐like growth factor 1 was measured and glycemic control assessed using a 12‐hour blood glucose curve on days 1 and 5. On days 2, 3, and 4, cats received 0.03 mg/kg pasireotide SC q12h. IGF‐1, insulin dose, and estimated insulin sensitivity (product of the area under the blood glucose curve [BGC] and insulin dose) were compared pre‐ and post treatment. Paired t‐tests or Wilcoxon signed rank tests were employed for comparison where appropriate; a linear mixed model was created to compare BGC results. RESULTS: Insulin‐like growth factor 1 decreased in all 12 cats that completed the study (median [range] day 1: 2,000 ng/mL [1,051–2,000] and day 5: 1,105 ng/mL [380–1,727], P = .002, Wilcoxon signed rank test). Insulin dose was lower on day 5 than on day 1 (mean reduction 1.3 [0–2.7] units/kg/injection, P = .003, paired t‐test). The product of insulin dose and area under the BGC was lower on day 5 than day 1 (difference of means: 1,912; SD, 1523; u × mg/dL × hours, P = .001; paired t‐test). No clinically relevant adverse effects were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Short‐acting pasireotide rapidly decreased IGF‐1 in cats with HST and insulin‐dependent diabetes. The decrease in IGF‐1 was associated with increased insulin sensitivity

Infected aortic aneurysm and inflammatory aortic aneurysm—In search of an optimal differential diagnosis

SummaryInfected aortic aneurysm and inflammatory aortic aneurysm each account for a minor fraction of the total incidence of aortic aneurysm and are associated with periaortic inflammation. Despite the similarity, infected aortic aneurysm generally shows a more rapid change in clinical condition, leading to a fatal outcome; in addition, delayed diagnosis and misuse of corticosteroid or immunosuppressing drugs may lead to uncontrolled growth of microorganisms. Therefore, it is mandatory that detection of aortic aneurysm is followed by accurate differential diagnosis. In general, infected aortic aneurysm appears usually as a saccular form aneurysm with nodularity, irregular configuration; however, the differential diagnosis may not be easy sometimes for the following reasons: (1) symptoms, such as abdominal and/or back pain and fever, and blood test abnormalities, such as elevated C-reactive protein and enhanced erythrocyte sedimentation rate, are common in infected aortic aneurysm, but they are not found infrequently in inflammatory aortic aneurysm; (2) some inflammatory aortic aneurysms are immunoglobulin (Ig) G4-related, but not all of them; (3) the prevalence of IgG4 positivity in infected aortic aneurysm has not been well investigated; (4) enhanced uptake of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) by 18F-FDG-positron emission tomography may not distinguish between inflammation mediated by autoimmunity and that mediated by microorganism infection. Here we discuss the characteristics of these two forms of aortic aneurysm and the points of which we have to be aware before reaching a final diagnosis

Sonochemistry : The Establishment and the Strategic Applications of the Idea of Physical Control of Chemical Reactivity

科学研究費補助金研究成果報告書研究種目: 基盤研究(C)研究期間: 1999～2001課題番号: 116401531研究代表者: 安藤 喬志（滋賀医科大学・医学部・教授）研究分担者: 木村 隆英（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助教授）研究分担者: 宗宮 創（滋賀医科大学・医学部・助手）研究分担者: 藤田 光恵（滋賀医科大学・医学部・教務職員

Environmental effects of ambient temperature and relative humidity on insulin pharmacodynamics in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the effects of ambient temperature and relative humidity on insulin pharmacodynamics in adults with type 1 diabetes.Research DesignA 3‐way, cross‐over, randomised study was performed in adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (n=10). The pharmacodynamics profile of a single dose of short‐acting insulin (insulin lispro) was investigated under three environmental conditions: i) temperature: 15°C and humidity: 10%, ii) temperature: 30°C and humidity: 10%, and iii) temperature: 30°C and humidity: 60%, controlled in an environmental chamber. Euglycaemic glucose clamp technique ensured a constant blood glucose of 100 mg/dl (5.5 mmol/l). The following pharmacodynamic endpoints were calculated: maximum glucose infusion rate (GIRmax), time to GIRmax (tGIRmax), total area under the curve (AUC) for GIR from 0‐6 hours (AUCGIR.0–6h), and partial AUCs (AUCGIR.0‐1h, AUCGIR.0‐2h and AUCGIR.2‐6h).ResultsHigher temperature (30oC) under 10% fixed humidity resulted in a greater GIRmax (p=0.04), a later tGIR.max (p=0.049) compared to lower temperature (15oC). Humidity did not affect any pharmacodynamic parameter. When the combined effects of temperature and humidity were explored, tGIR.max (p=0.008) occurred earlier with a lower late insulin pharmacodynamic effect (AUCGIR.2‐6h, p=0.017) at temperature 15oC and humidity 10% compared to temperature 30oC and humidity 60%.ConclusionsHigh ambient temperature resulted in greater insulin peak effect compared to low ambient temperature, with the contribution of high relative humidity only apparent at high ambient temperature. This suggests that patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus entering higher environmental temperatures with or without high humidity could experience more hypoglycaemic events

HbA1c levels in schoolchildren with type 1 diabetes are seasonally variable and dependent on weather conditions

Aims/hypothesis: We evaluated seasonal HbA$_{1c}$ changes in children with type 1 diabetes and its relation with measures of weather conditions. Methods: HbA$_{1c}$ changes over more than 3 years were evaluated in type 1 diabetic patients who were younger than 18 years and had diabetes duration of more than 12 months, and correlated with measures of weather conditions (ambient temperature, hours of sunshine and solar irradiance). After comparison of autocorrelation patterns, patterns of metabolic control and meteorological data were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation. Results: A total of 3,935 HbA$_{1c}$ measurements in 589 school (≥7 years) and 88 preschool (<7 years) children were analysed. Mean (±SD) HbA$_{1c}$ level for the whole study period was 7.65±1.12%. The lowest HbA$_{1c}$ levels were observed in late summer and the highest in winter months, with differences consistently exceeding 0.44%. Autocorrelation analysis of HbA$_{1c}$ levels in schoolchildren showed a sine-wave pattern with a cycle length of roughly 12 months, which mirrored changes in ambient temperature. Strong negative correlations of HbA$_{1c}$ with ambient temperature (R=−0.56; p=0.0002), hours of sunshine (R=−0.52; p=0.0007) and solar irradiance (R=−0.52; p=0.0006) were present in schoolchildren, but not in preschoolers (p≥0.29 for each correlation). Conclusions/interpretation: Seasonal changes of HbA$_{1c}$ levels in schoolchildren with type 1 diabetes are a significant phenomenon and should be considered in patient education and diabetes management. They may potentially affect the results of clinical trials using HbA$_{1c}$ levels as their primary outcome, as well as HbA$_{1c}$-based diagnosis of diabetes

Antioxidant and oxidative stress: a mutual interplay in age-related diseases

Aging is the progressive loss of organ and tissue function over time. Growing older is positively linked to cognitive and biological degeneration such as physical frailty, psychological impairment, and cognitive decline. Oxidative stress is considered as an imbalance between pro- and antioxidant species, which results in molecular and cellular damage. Oxidative stress plays a crucial role in the development of age-related diseases. Emerging research evidence has suggested that antioxidant can control the autoxidation by interrupting the propagation of free radicals or by inhibiting the formation of free radicals and subsequently reduce oxidative stress, improve immune function, and increase healthy longevity. Indeed, oxidation damage is highly dependent on the inherited or acquired defects in enzymes involved in the redox-mediated signaling pathways. Therefore, the role of molecules with antioxidant activity that promote healthy aging and counteract oxidative stress is worth to discuss further. Of particular interest in this article, we highlighted the molecular mechanisms of antioxidants involved in the prevention of age-related diseases. Taken together, a better understanding of the role of antioxidants involved in redox modulation of inflammation would provide a useful approach for potential interventions, and subsequently promoting healthy longevity