Random dynamics from a time series of physiological rhythms

A random dynamics with two stochastic terms is modeled based on a time series of physiological experimental data to study synchrony between human heartbeats and pedaling rhythms modulated by music. We observe reproduced time series, rotation numbers, and invariant densities in the model to explain transitory stagnation motion of synchrony in the experiments.\u

Random dynamical systems modeling for brain wave synchrony

A random dynamical systems model is studied\ud to understand coupled dynamics of auditory area and\ud motor area modulated by external force. We measure transfer\ud entropy of coupled oscillators with the presence of noise\ud to explain results of human brain wave experiments

Peptide aptamer-modified single-walled carbon nanotube-based transistors for high-performance biosensors

Biosensors employing single-walled carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (SWCNT FETs) offer ultimate sensitivity. However, besides the sensitivity, a high selectivity is critically important to distinguish the true signal from interference signals in a non-controlled environment. This work presents the first demonstration of the successful integration of a novel peptide aptamer with a liquid-gated SWCNT FET to achieve highly sensitive and specific detection of Cathepsin E (CatE), a useful prognostic biomarker for cancer diagnosis. Novel peptide aptamers that specifically recognize CatE are engineered by systemic in vitro evolution. The SWCNTs were firstly grown using the thermal chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method and then were employed as a channel to fabricate a SWCNT FET device. Next, the SWCNTs were functionalized by noncovalent immobilization of the peptide aptamer using 1-pyrenebutanoic acid succinimidyl ester (PBASE) linker. The resulting FET sensors exhibited a high selectivity (no response to bovine serum albumin and cathepsin K) and label-free detection of CatE at unprecedentedly low concentrations in both phosphate-buffered saline (2.3 pM) and human serum (0.23 nM). Our results highlight the use of peptide aptamer-modified SWCNT FET sensors as a promising platform for near-patient testing and point-of-care testing applications

Glomerular-specific protein kinase C-β-induced insulin receptor substrate-1 dysfunction and insulin resistance in rat models of diabetes and obesity

Insulin resistance has been associated with the progression of chronic kidney disease in both diabetes and obesity. In order to determine the cellular mechanisms contributing to this, we characterized insulin signaling in renal tubules and glomeruli during diabetic and insulin-resistant states using streptozotocin-diabetic and Zucker fatty-insulin-resistant rats. Compared with nondiabetic and Zucker lean rats, the insulin-induced phosphorylation of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1), Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3α were selectively inhibited in the glomeruli but not in the renal tubules of both respective models. Protein, but not mRNA levels of IRS1, was decreased only in the glomeruli of streptozotocin-diabetic rats likely due to increased ubiquitination. Treatment with the protein kinase C-β inhibitor, ruboxistaurin, enhanced insulin actions and elevated IRS1 expression. In glomerular endothelial cells, high glucose inhibited the phosphorylation of Akt, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, and glycogen synthase kinase 3α; decreased IRS1 protein expression and increased its association with ubiquitin. Overexpression of IRS1 or the addition of ruboxistaurin reversed the inhibitory effects of high glucose. Thus, loss of insulin's effect on endothelial nitric oxide synthase and glycogen synthase kinase 3α activation may contribute to the glomerulopathy observed in diabetes and obesity

Nonsense mutations at Arg-1947 in two cases of familial neurofibromatosis type 1 in Japanese

We report two familial cases of NF1 presenting as C to T transitions changing an Arg-1947 codon to a stop codon. In one of the two families, cosegregation of the mutation with NF1 was demonstrated, indicating this mutation causes the disease in this family. As the same mutation at Arg-1947 has been reported previously in three cases of unrelated Caucasians (two are sporadic; the origin of the other is not reported), the codon at Arg-1947 (CGA) in the NF1 gene is considered to be a hotspot common among different ethnic groups and also among familial and sporadic cases.Peer Reviewedhttp://deepblue.lib.umich.edu/bitstream/2027.42/47635/1/439_2004_Article_BF00218920.pd

High Serum Advanced Glycation End Products Are Associated with Decreased Insulin Secretion in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes: A Brief Report

Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are important in the pathophysiology of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). They directly cause insulin secretory defects in animal and cell culture models and may promote insulin resistance in nondiabetic subjects. We have developed a highly sensitive liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for measuring AGEs in human serum. Here, we use this method to investigate the relationship between AGEs and insulin secretion and resistance in patients with T2DM. Methods. Our study involved 15 participants with T2DM not on medication and 20 nondiabetic healthy participants. We measured the AGE carboxyethyllysine (CEL), carboxymethyllysine (CML), and methyl-glyoxal-hydro-imidazolone (MG-H1). Plasma glucose and insulin were measured in these participants during a meal tolerance test, and the glucose disposal rate was measured during a euglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamp. Results. CML and CEL levels were significantly higher in T2DM than non-DM participants. CML showed a significant negative correlation with insulin secretion, HOMA-%B, and a significant positive correlation with the insulin sensitivity index in T2DM participants. There was no correlation between any of the AGEs measured and glucose disposal rate. Conclusions. These results suggest that AGE might play a role in the development or prediction of insulin secretory defects in type 2 diabetes

An Evaluation of Surgical Problems for Carcinoma of Esophagus in view of Autopsy Findings

By comparison of the findings in operation and those in autopsy, 9 cases of death within 30 days after esophagectomy and dissection of the lymph node for thoracic esophageal cancer were examined mainly on the influence of dissection of the lymph node. In autopsy, remained metastatic lymph node was observed in 4 of them (44,4%). Remained metastatic thoracic lymph node was to the tracheobronchial lymph node group. Metastatic abdominal lymph node was observed in many cases at the operation, but in autopsy remained cancer in this area was not observed. It is proved that remained metastatic lymph node in the abdomen at autopsy is in paraaortic lymph node in high rate. It was examined by the experiment with the dogs that frequency of pulmonary complication will be higher if extended radical mediastinal lymph node dissection is performed. In the experiment, decrease of lung surfactant, rise in pulmonary wedge pressure, trouble in perfusion of pulmonary lymph flow in the experiment by dye solution, and interstitial edema and alveolar edema in the lung in histological examination were observed. As described above, since direct operative death after esophagectomy is related to respiratory complications, treatments for this complications may be able to be improved, if the cause is made clear and pathological treatments are carried out. In order to improve surgical treatments for metastasis to the lymph node of esophageal cancer, these points should be given attention to

Clinical Evaluation with Referrence to Operative Specificity on Tracheal and Bronchial Reconstruction

The clinical specificity were evaluated in those 11 cases who underwent tracheal recon - structive surgery and in those 25 cases who underwent bronchial reconstructive surgery respectively. Its prognosis after tracheal reconstruction at the level of intrathoracic region was extremely poor. The operative specificity with regard to tracheal surgery consist of being a poor genera- condition preoperativelly and of having an urgent demand of removal of tracheal stenotic lesion to alleviate respiratory distress . The prognosis after tracheal surgery was commonly poor and was similar to that after emergency operation as a general accep - tance for the reason of unfavorable general condtion . The present study was to define clinical problems in which the salvage after tracheal surgery was entirely difficult. The improvement of the prognosis following tracheal surgery should be found in maximum endeavor for prevention of postoperative complication related to operative death intimately. However, terminal tracheostomy employed for lesions of cervical trachea was one o