Gelatin of Myosin Filament Under High Hydrostatic Pressure

Gelation of myosin filaments under high hydrostatic pressure was investigated. At room temperature myosin filaments in 0.1 M KCl and 20 mM phosphate, pH 6.0, formed gels at 280 MPa and a protein concentration above 2 mg/ml or at 210 MPa and 3 mg/ml. However, no pressure-induced gelation was observed at 140 MPa. The gel strengths of pressure-induced gels were almost proportional to the protein concentration and they were comparable to those of heat-induced gels. The association of myosin filaments and the structural disturbance seemed to coincide with the formation of the gel. The microstructure of the pressure-induced myosin gel consisted of a fine network and was similar to that of heat-induced myosin filament gels at low ionic strength. Myosin light chains 1 and 3 were easily dissociated from the pressure-induced gels

GEOMETRIC ASPECTS OF THE ADDITION ALGORITHM ON THE PICARD GROUP OF A Cab CURVE

In the previous paper [3], we proposed to use the Picard group of the plane model, which is so-called Cab model admitting singularities, of a curve of any genus for realizing a faster addition algorithm on the Jacobian group of the curve. In the paper, we present the explicit addition algorithm on the Picard group of a Cab curve from the geometric view point, which will give a generalization of Cantor’s algorithm on the Jacobian group of a hyperelliptic curves and a supplement of the argument given in [4]

Variational path integral molecular dynamics and hybrid Monte Carlo algorithms

In the present study, variational path integral molecular dynamics and associated hybrid Monte Carlo (HMC) methods have been developed on the basis of a fourth order approximation of a density operator. To reveal various parameter dependence of physical quantities, we analytically solve one dimensional harmonic oscillators by the variational path integral; as a byproduct, we obtain the analytical expression of the discretized density matrix using the fourth order approximation for the oscillators. Then, we apply our methods to realistic systems like a water molecule and a para-hydrogen cluster. In the HMC, we adopt two level description to avoid the time consuming Hessian evaluation. For the systems examined in this paper, the HMC method is found to be about three times more efficient than the molecular dynamics method if appropriate HMC parameters are adopted; the advantage of the HMC method is suggested to be more evident for systems described by many body interaction. © 2016 Author(s).after 12 months embarg

Relationship between Copper(II)-Lactate Complexes and Cu₂O Electrodeposited Using Highly Concentrated Alkaline Solutions

The direct or indirect effects of two different copper(II)-lactate complex species, Cu(H‐₁L)L⁻ and Cu(H‐₁L)₂²⁻, on the orientation and electrical properties of Cu₂O electrodeposits were examined, where L⁻ = CH₃CH(OH)COO⁻ and H‐₁L²⁻ = CH₃CH(O⁻)COO⁻. To investigate the relationships between the copper(II)-lactate complex species and several properties of Cu₂O, a set of Cu₂O layers was electrodeposited from thermodynamically well-stabilized electrolytes of different pHs with unified overpotentials. The Cu₂O layers obtained at pH 9.5. In addition, marked differences were observed in the resistivity and carrier density of Cu₂O layers bordering pH 9.5, indicating the presence of a strong relationship between copper(II)-lactate complexes and these crystallographic or electrical properties. In terms of the cathodic reactivity of copper(II)-lactate complexes and changes in local pH in the vicinity of the cathode upon electrodeposition, we suggest that the two copper(II)-lactate complexes directly affected the electrical properties of Cu₂O and indirectly affected its crystallographic orientation

A Fatal Aortoesophageal Fistula Caused by Critical Combination of Double Aortic Arch and Nasogastric Tube Insertion for Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome

Double aortic arch (DAA) is a rare vascular congenital abnormality. Since a vascular ring surrounds bronchus and esophagus, any oral or nasal intubation can physically cause fatal aortoesophageal fistula (AEF). We report herein the first case of association of DAA and superior mesenteric artery (SMA) syndrome and the second case of AEF caused by nasogastric intubation in an adult with DAA. A 19-year-old woman visited our hospital for nausea and vomiting. She was diagnosed with SMA syndrome by computed tomography (CT). Nasogastric intubation relieved her symptoms in 4 days. Extramural compression with top ulceration was found in esophagogastroduodenoscopy on the 5th hospital day. She suddenly showed massive hematemesis on the 12th hospital day. AEF was found by CT. Soon, she died despite of intensive care. Retrospective interview disclosed the fact that DAA was pointed out in her childhood. We conclude that intubation must be avoided in DAA and a detailed clinical interview about DAA is mandatory to avoid AEF

Mizoribine provides effective treatment of sequential histological change of arteritis and reduction of inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in an animal model of Kawasaki disease

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIg) treatment results in an effective response from patients with acute-phase Kawasaki disease (KD), but 16.5% of them remain nonresponsive to IVIg. To address this therapeutic challenge, we tried a new therapeutic drug, mizoribine (MZR), in a mouse model of KD, which we have established using injections of <it>Candida albicans </it>water-soluble fractions (CAWS).</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>CAWS (4 mg/mouse) were injected intraperitoneally into C57BL/6N mice for 5 consecutive days. MZR or IgG was administered for 5 days. After 4 weeks, the mice were sacrificed and autopsied, the hearts were fixed in 10% neutral formalin, and plasma was taken to measure cytokines and chemokines using the Bio-Plex system.</p> <p>The incidence of panvasculitis in the coronary arteries and aortic root was 100% in the control group. The incidence of panvasculitis in the MZR group decreased to 50%. Moreover, the scope and severity of the inflammation of those sites were significantly reduced in the MZR group as well as the IgG group. On the other hand, increased cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1α, TNF-α, KC, MIP-1α, GM-CSF, and IL-13, in the nontreatment group were significantly suppressed by treatment with MZR, but the MCP-1 level increased. In addition, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-13, and MIP-1α were suppressed by treatment in the IgG group.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The incidence of panvasculitis in the coronary arteries and aortic root was 100% in the control group. The incidence of panvasculitis in the MZR group decreased to 50%. Moreover, the scope and severity of the inflammation of those sites were significantly reduced in the MZR group as well as the IgG group. On the other hand, increased cytokines and chemokines, such as IL-1α TNF-α, KC, MIP-1α, GM-CSF, and IL-13, in the nontreatment group were significantly suppressed by treatment with MZR, but the MCP-1 level increased. In addition, IL-1α, TNF-α, IL-10, IL-13, and MIP-1α were suppressed by treatment in the IgG group.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>MZR treatment suppressed not only the incidence, range, and degree of vasculitis, but also inflammatory cytokines and chemokines in the plasma of the KD vasculitis model mice, suggesting that MZR may be useful for treatment of KD.</p