Absorption of fatty acid-iron from the intestine I. Absorp­tion of iron after a single oral administration of fatty acid-iron

It has been indicated that, when fatty acid iron is administered orally, the iron compound is split into iron and fatty acid and absorbed by different mechanisms.</p

Absorption of fatty acid-iron from the intestine II. Absorp­tion of iron after repeated oral administrations of fatty acid-iron and intravenous injection of collol-dal fatty acid-iron

1. In an attempt to see how fatty acid iron will be absorbed from the intestine, a single administration of fatty acid iron was given and when histological observations were done with lapse of time, it was found that the iron compound was first split into iron and fatty acid and each of them was then absorbed by the intestines by a different mechanism as described in the first report. The present experiment further confirmed these findings. 2. Following the first experiment, another attempt was made to determine how iron was absorbed in the animals given successive oral administration under various conditions or a single intravenous injection of colloidal fatty acid iron, and it was demonstrated that under a certain condition the presence of fat in the feed accelerates the iron absorption from the intestine but its mechanism remains unclarified.</p

Molecular Mechanism for the Regulation of Rho-Kinase by Dimerization and Its Inhibition by Fasudil

SummaryRho-kinase is a key regulator of cytoskeletal events and a promising drug target in the treatment of vascular diseases and neurological disorders. Unlike other protein kinases, Rho-kinase requires both N- and C-terminal extension segments outside the kinase domain for activity, although the details of this requirement have been elusive. The crystal structure of an active Rho-kinase fragment containing the kinase domain and both the extensions revealed a head-to-head homodimer through the N-terminal extension forming a helix bundle that structurally integrates the C-terminal extension. This structural organization enables binding of the C-terminal hydrophobic motif to the N-terminal lobe, which defines the correct disposition of helix αC that is important for the catalytic activity. The bound inhibitor fasudil significantly alters the conformation and, consequently, the mode of interaction with the catalytic cleft that contains local structural changes. Thus, both kinase and drug conformational pliability and stability confer selectivity

The Effect of Minimum and Maximum Air Temperatures in the Summer on Heat Stroke in Japan: A Time-Stratified Case-Crossover Study

An increase in the global surface temperature and changes in urban morphologies are associated with increased heat stress especially in urban areas. This can be one of the contributing factors underlying an increase in heat strokes. We examined the impact of summer minimum air temperatures, which often represent nighttime temperatures, as well as a maximum temperature on a heat stroke. We collected data from the records of daily ambulance transports for heat strokes and meteorological data for July and August of 2017–2019 in the Tottori Prefecture, Japan. A time-stratified case-crossover design was used to determine the association of maximum/minimum air temperatures and the incidence of heat strokes. We used a logistic regression to identify factors associated with the severity of heat strokes. A total of 1108 cases were identified with 373 (33.7%) calls originating in the home (of these, 59.8% were the age of ≥ 75). A total of 65.8% of cases under the age of 18 were related to exercise. Days with a minimum temperature ≥ 25 °C had an odds ratio (95% confidence interval) of 3.77 (2.19, 6.51) for the incidence of an exercise-related heat stroke (reference: days with a minimum temperature < 23 °C). The odds ratio for a heat stroke occurring at home or for calls for an ambulance to the home was 6.75 (4.47, 10.20). The severity of the heat stroke was associated with older age but not with air temperature. Minimum and maximum air temperatures may be associated with the incidence of heat strokes and in particular the former with non-exertional heat strokes

Effect of Heat Treatment on the Microstructure of Amorphous Si-N-C Fine Powders

Crystallization processes of four kinds of amorphous Si-N-C fine powders were studied by X-ray diffraction, IR spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, analytical electron microscopy and chemical analysis. The samples examined had varying contents of Si, N and C (Si : 53-58 mass%, N : 24-36 mass%, C : 5-20 mass%), and were prepared by pyrolysis of hexamethyldisilazane ((Me_3Si)_2NH, Me=CH_3). These samples were heat-treated in an argon atmosphere at a temperature between 1713-1803K for periods of up to 21.6ks. All of the fine powders examined were nearly spherical and were 100-500nm in size before heat treatment. The first sign of crystallization of the powders was observed after 21.6ks heat treatment at 1713K. X-ray diffraction showed that the crystallized phase consisted mainly of β-SiC and α-Si_3N_4 . The formation of β-SiC occurred during the early stage of heat treatment. The formation of α-Si_3N_4 then followed. After heat treatment for 21.6ks at 1743K, more than 80% of crystallinity was observed in all of the samples examined. The quantity of α-Si_3N_4 and β-SiC in the samples was related to the carbon content in the powders. The crystallized β-SiC was between 20-100nm in size. On the other hand, the size of α-Si_3N_4 was consistently larger than that of β-SiC and depended on the nitrogen content in the powders

Plasma Oxytocin Concentrations During and After Gestation in Japanese Pregnant Women Affected by Anxiety Disorder and Endometriosis

[Background] Oxytocin has a key role in mother-infant bonding, maternal care, social interaction, and stress-related psychiatric disorders. However, the factors determining oxytocin concentrations during and after pregnancy such as medical history related to nursing or parental behavior are unknown. To elucidate these, we analyzed the relationships between oxytocin concentrations during and after pregnancy, and medical history assessed in the Japan Environment and Children’s Study (JECS). [Methods] We then selected the pregnant women with a medical history of anxiety disorder and endometriosis as cases and pregnant women without medical history as controls adjusting the cohort for age and parity for a nested case-control study, after which 162 women remained for analysis. We evaluated 162 pregnant women from JECS using answers provided in a questionnaire and by measuring plasma oxytocin concentration by ELISA during the first (T1) and second (T2) trimesters of pregnancy, and after childbirth (T3). [Results] Oxytocin concentration increased in a time dependent manner, consistent with previous reports. There were weak negative correlations between oxytocin concentration at T1 and the mother’s age and height, but no correlation with other factors. The mean oxytocin concentrations of pregnant women with a history of an anxiety disorder (n = 7) and endometriosis (n = 13) were significantly lower than those of pregnant women with no such history at T2 and T3. [Conclusion] These results suggest that oxytocin concentrations during and after pregnancy were affected by a past history of anxiety disorder and endometriosis. This is the first study of the relationship between oxytocin concentration and endometriosis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms, further study is needed

The Effects of Drought Severity and Its Aftereffects on Mortality in Bangladesh

[Background] Drought has been a considerable problem for many years in northern Bangladesh. However, the health impacts of drought in this region are not well understood. [Methods] This study analyzed the impact of drought duration and severity on select causes of mortality in northern Bangladesh. Rainfall data from three meteorological stations (Rangpur, Dinajpur and Nilphamari) in northern Bangladesh were used to assess drought and non-drought periods, and the Standardized Precipitation Index was used to categorize mild, moderate, severe, and extreme drought. Mortality data from 2007 to 2017 for the three areas were collected from the Sample Vital Registration System, which is a survey of 1 million people. The generalized linear model with Poisson regression link was used to identify associations between mortality and the drought severity and 1-month preceding SPI. [Results] Only severe and extreme drought in the short-term drought periods affected mortality. Long-term drought was not associated with natural cause mortality in Rangpur and Nilphamari. In Dinajpur, mild and moderate drought was associated with circulatory- and respiratory-related mortality. [Conclusion] The impact of drought on mortality varied by region. This study improves our understanding of how droughts affect specific causes of mortality and will help policy makers to take appropriate measures against drought impacts on selected cause of mortality. Future research will be critical to reduce drought-related risks of health

Impact of Maximum Air Temperature on Ambulance Transports Owing to Heat Stroke During Spring and Summer in Tottori Prefecture, Japan: A Time-stratified Case-crossover Analysis

[Background] The frequency and intensity of hot weather have increased. In Japan, there have been many studies of the relationship between ambulance transports owing to heat stroke (ATHS) and high air temperature in the summer season. However, there have been very few reports focusing on ATHS in spring. Therefore, we investigated the effect of the maximum air temperature on ATHS not only in summer but also in spring, to help with development of effective measures to prevent heat stroke. [Methods] We obtained daily ATHS and meteorological data from April to September in 2017 in Tottori Prefecture. We used a time-stratified case-crossover method for data analysis. [Results] A total 382 cases of ATHS were identified from April to September in 2017 in Tottori. The number of cases was highest in July, followed by August and May. Maximum air temperature was significantly linked to ATHS. The risk of ATHS was increased 1.13 times when maximum air temperature rose by 1°C. In summer, the risk on extremely hot days (maximum air temperature ? 35°C) increased by 5.55 times or more compared with that on days below 30 °C (< 30°C). The risk was approximately four times greater on hot days (? 30°C and < 35°C) than that on relatively cooler days (< 30°C) during the spring months of April through May. [Conclusion] Maximum air temperature was significantly linked to ATHS. It is necessary to pay particular attention to heat stroke prevention not only on extremely hot days in summer but also on hot days in the spring