New group of stable icosahedral quasicrystals: structural properties and formation conditions

Structural studies on the icosahedral quasicrystals in Zn-Mg-Sc, Cu-Ga-Mg-Sc, and Zn-Mg-Ti alloys as well as their corresponding 1/1 cubic approximants, have revealed that these quasicrystals belong to a new structural group similar to Cd-based quasicrystals. This group is characterized by a triple-shell icosahedral cluster different from both Mackay- and Bergman-types. The presence of the atomic cluster has been deduced from the structure model of the approximant crystal, Zn17Sc3, in which the clusters are embedded in a periodic network of so-called "glue atoms". Density measurement suggested the presence of at least 2.7 Zn atoms in the first shell of the cluster in this approximant. The substitutional relationship in these three quasicrystals indicates the important role of Hume-Rothery rule for the formation of this type of quasicrystal. The occurrence of a P-type icosahedral quasicrystal in Zn-Mg-Yb alloy is also reported.Comment: 11 pages, 1 table, 6 figure

Comparison of prevalence of metabolic syndrome in hospital and community-based Japanese patients with schizophrenia

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Lifestyle factors, such as an unbalanced diet and lack of physical activity, may affect the prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in schizophrenic patients. The aim of this study was to compare the MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients among schizophrenic population in Japan.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>We recruited inpatients (n = 759) and outpatients (n = 427) with a <it>Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders</it>, fourth edition (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder from 7 psychiatric hospitals using a cross-sectional design. MetS prevalence was assessed using three different definitions, including the adapted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (ATP III-A).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The overall MetS prevalences based on the ATP III-A definition were 15.8% in inpatients and 48.1% in outpatients. In a logistic regression model with age and body mass index as covariates, being a schizophrenic outpatient, compared to being a schizophrenic inpatient, was a significant independent factor (odds ratio = 3.66 for males, 2.48 for females) in the development of MetS under the ATP III-A definition. The difference in MetS prevalence between inpatients and outpatients was observed for all age groups in males and for females over 40 years of age.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Outpatients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder in Japan had a high prevalence of MetS compared to inpatients. MetS in schizophrenic outpatients should be carefully monitored to minimize the risks. A change of lifestyle might improve MetS in schizophrenic patients.</p

超吸水性ポリマー球状塞栓物質の高張食塩水を用いた膨潤抑制法の開発

PURPOSE: To analyze size changes of superabsorbent polymer (SAP) microspheres with the reduced expansion technique, and to evaluate pharmacological advantages of transarterial chemoembolization using cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion technique. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In an in vitro study, diluted contrast materials containing different concentrations of sodium ions were examined to expand SAP microspheres and determined the reduced expansion technique. Size distributions of cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres were analyzed. In an in vivo study, TACE was performed using cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion and control techniques in 18 VX2 rabbits. RESULTS: The degree of expansion was reduced to the greatest extent by using a mixture of non-ionic contrast material and 10% NaCl at a 4:1 ratio. The mean diameter of the reduced expansion of cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres was 188.4 μm, while that of the control expansion was 404.9 μm. The plasma platinum concentrations of the reduced expansion group at 5 min after TACE were significantly higher than those of the control expansion group (2.19 ± 0.77 vs. 0.75 ± 0.08 μg/mL, P = .01). The tumor platinum concentrations of the reduced expansion group at 1 h were significantly higher than those of the control expansion group (10.76 ± 2.57 vs. 1.57 ± 0.14 μg/g, P = .044). CONCLUSION: The expanding level of SAP microspheres can be reduced by using hypertonic saline. Cisplatin-loaded SAP microspheres with the reduced expansion technique have the advantages of achieving higher cisplatin tissue concentration in TACE for liver tumors.博士（医学）・甲第709号・令和元年6月26日© Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature and the Cardiovascular and Interventional Radiological Society of Europe (CIRSE) 2018This is a post-peer-review, pre-copyedit version of an article published in Cardiovascular and interventional radiology. The final authenticated version is available online at: http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00270-018-1990-4

Effect of age and disease on bone mass in Japanese patients with schizophrenia

BACKGROUND: There have been a limited number of studies comparing bone mass between patients with schizophrenia and the general population. The aim of this study was to compare the bone mass of schizophrenia patients with that of healthy subjects in Japan. METHODS: We recruited patients (n = 362), aged 48.8 ± 15.4 (mean ± SD) years who were diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV). Bone mass was measured using quantitative ultrasound densitometry of the calcaneus. The osteosono-assessment index (OSI) was calculated as a function of the speed of sound and the transmission index. For comparative analysis, OSI data from 832 adults who participated in the Iwaki Health Promotion Project 2009 was used as representative of the general community. RESULTS: Mean OSI values among male schizophrenic patients were lower than those in the general population in the case of individuals aged 40 and older. In females, mean OSI values among schizophrenic patients were lower than those in the general community in those aged 60 and older. In an analysis using the general linear model, a significant interaction was observed between subject groups and age in males. CONCLUSIONS: Older schizophrenic patients exhibit lower bone mass than that observed in the general population. Our data also demonstrate gender and group differences among schizophrenic patients and controls with regard to changes in bone mass associated with aging. These results indicate that intervention programs designed to delay or prevent decreased bone mass in schizophrenic patients might be tailored according to gender

IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 Are Associated with Hyperferritinemia in Rapidly Progressive Interstitial Lung Disease with Polymyositis/Dermatomyositis

Objective. Hyperferritinemia is frequently accompanied by rapidly progressive (RP) interstitial lung disease (ILD) with polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM). To clarify the mechanism of RP-ILD with hyperferritinemia, we investigated the associations between serum ferritin levels and various cytokines in patients with PM/DM. Methods. This retrospective study included 38 patients admitted to our hospital with PM/DM. Levels of serum ferritin and cytokines (IL-1 , IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, IL-13, IL-17, IL-18, TNF-, IFN-, IFN-, and IP-10) were measured. Disease activity was evaluated using the tool proposed by the International Myositis Assessment and Clinical Studies Group. We analyzed the associations between disease activity and levels of serum ferritin and cytokines. Results. The levels of serum ferritin, IL-8, IL-10, IL-18, and TNF-, were significantly correlated with disease activity. In a multivariate analysis, IL-6 ( = 3.6, = 0.0010), IL-8 ( = 4.8, &lt; 0.0001), and IL-10 ( = 5.7, &lt; 0.0001) significantly contributed to serum ferritin levels. The levels of serum ferritin, IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10, were higher in the RP-ILD subset than in the non-ILD subset or the chronic ILD subset. Conclusion. IL-6, IL-8, and IL-10 are significant contributors to hyperferritinemia in PM/DM. The regulation of these cytokines might offer a possible treatment strategy for RP-ILD with PM/DM

急性心筋梗塞にて突然死したFibromuscular Dysplasiaの1例

We have recently encountered a patient presenting an sudden cardiac death secondary to acute myocardial infarction as a complication of fibromuscular dysplasia (FMD) involving the coronary artery. A 30 years old woman, who had a 6 year history of hyperthyroidism, was carried to our hospital because of sudden cardiac arrest. With no vital signs at arrival, advanced life support make her heart beat and gave a stable hemodynamic condition, which allowed us to make a diagnosis of acute broad anterior myocardial infarction with electrocardiography, echocardiography and serum CK-MB isoenzyme. Her brain activity did not recovered. She died on day 6 of hospitalization. Postmortem examination confirmed a broad anterior wall infarction of a histologic age of several days. Histologic examination also revealed intimal fibrous thickening with an increase of smooth muscle cells and elastic fibers in the right coronary and the anterior descending branch of the left coronary arteries, as well as the vertebral, bronchial, intra-renal and superior mesenteric arteries. Whereas no complete obstruction in the coronary artery was found at autopsy, it seems likely that the intracoronary luminal narrowing induced by fibromuscular hyperplasia might have precipitated a myocardial ischemic insult which caused the sudden cardiac death. Although FMD of the coronary artery has been rare in literature, it is necessary to consider FMD in the differential diagnosis of identifiable causes of sudden death, particularly in the young generation

ER Stress Protein CHOP Mediates Insulin Resistance by Modulating Adipose Tissue Macrophage Polarity

Obesity represents chronic inflammatory states promoted by pro-inflammatory M1-macrophage infiltration into white adipose tissue (WAT), thereby inducing insulin resistance. Herein, we demonstrate the importance of an ER stress protein, CHOP, in determining adipose tissue macrophage (ATM) polarity and systemic insulin sensitivity. A high-fat diet (HFD) enhances ER stress with CHOP upregulation in adipocytes. CHOP deficiency prevents HFD-induced insulin resistance and glucose intolerance with ATM M2 predomination and Th2 cytokine upregulation in WAT. Whereas ER stress suppresses Th2 cytokine expression in cultured adipocytes, CHOP knockdown inhibits this downregulation. In contrast, macrophage responsiveness to Th1/Th2 cytokines is unchanged regardless of whether CHOP is expressed. Furthermore, bone marrow transplantation experiments showed recipient CHOP to be the major determinant of ATM polarity. Thus, CHOP in adipocytes plays important roles in ATM M1 polarization by altering WAT micro-environmental conditions, including Th2 cytokine downregulation. This molecular mechanism may link adipose ER stress with systemic insulin resistance