Local suppression of ferroelectricity at PbTiO3 surface steps: a density functional theory study.

Ab initio (first-principles) density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed within the local density approximations (LDA) to investigate the ferroelectricity at PbTiO(3) surface steps consisting of (001) and (100) surfaces with a spontaneous polarization along [100]. For both the PbO- and TiO(2)-terminated surface steps, the [100] polarization is suppressed and the [001] polarization appears at their upper terraces, which results in a rotation of polarizations at the surface steps. The polarization rotation is induced by the local variation of the covalent Pb-O bond due to the charge redistribution at the surface steps. Furthermore, we investigate the interaction of the surface steps. Although surface steps with the same polarization configuration exhibit little interaction, steps of different types interact with each other strongly, suppressing the ferroelectricity, especially on the upper terrace.

First-principles study on ferroelectricity at PbTiO3 surface steps.

We performed ab initio density functional theory calculations to investigate ferroelectricity at PbTiO(3) surface steps consisting of (100) and (001) surfaces with the polar axis in the [010] direction. Ferroelectricity was enhanced at PbO-terminated surface steps due to enhanced covalent Pb-O bonding because of the low coordination number of Pb atoms at the step edge. In contrast, ferroelectric distortions were suppressed at TiO(2)-terminations, because of electron transfer from Pb-O sites to Ti-O sites. Spontaneous polarization at the surface step increased when tensile strain was applied in the [010] direction and decreased when compressive strain was applied. At a critical compressive strain, the polarization direction changed and a polydomain structure was formed that consisted of 90° and 180° domain walls aligned with the surface step edge. This polydomain structure compensates surface charges that would generate a depolarizing field, thereby stabilizing ferroelectric distortions at the surface step. The polydomain structure also explains the formation mechanism of the experimentally observed 180° domain wall pinned at the surface step edge.

Clinical evaluation of the Q-tip test in normal pregnant women.

The crisis frequency of stress incontinence (SI) is known to be high among pregnant women. This preliminary study was performed to determine whether the diagnostic standard of the Q-tip test used in the diagnosis of SI in nonpregnant women is applicable to pregnant women. The Q-tip tests were performed regularly during pregnancy and after parturition on primipara (n = 71) and multipara (n = 55) who were not in SI crisis at any time during the pregnancy. The values measured in multipara were significantly higher than in primipara (p = 0.0001), and the tendency to be higher was more prominent at 2-5 months and 10 months of pregnancy. These findings show that different normal values of the Q-tip test are necessary for primipara and multipara.

Application of random amplified polymorphic DNA analysis for detection of Salmonella spp. in foods.

The random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) band patterns from 23 Salmonella spp. produced by use of an oligonucleotide primer (called du primer) designed on the basis of the N-terminal sequence of dulcitol 1-phosphate dehydrogenase (5'-GTGGTGACCCAGGATGGCCAGGTG-3') were different from those from 16 non-Salmonella spp. The bands at 460 and 700 bp were produced in all Salmonella strains tested. These RAPD fragments obtained from Salmonella typhimurium strongly hybridized with the corresponding RAPD bands from the other strains of Salmonella, but not with those from non-Salmonella spp. in Southern blot analysis. The RAPD bands were detected by ethidium bromide staining even when genomic DNA prepared from as few as 2.8 x 10(3) cells was used. The minimum detectable cell number in the initial inoculum of S. typhimurium was 4 x 10(-1) CFU/25 g of raw beef after the preenrichment in Enterobacteriaceae enrichment mannitol (EEM) broth for 6 h and the selective enrichment in dulcitol-magnesium chloride-pyridinesulfonic acid-brilliant green-novobiocin (DMPBN) medium for 18 h at 42 degrees C. Seven raw foods inoculated with S. typhimurium at numbers from 4 x 10(-1) to 2.6 x 10(2) CFU/25 g of food were positive in both the RAPD analysis and the conventional culture method.

Diagnosis of infections in newborns using a new particle-mediated immunoassay for serum C-reactive protein.

C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were measured using a new particle-mediated immunoassay. Tests for precision and linearity of this method gave satisfactory results. The minimum sensitivity of the assay was 1 ng/ml. Interference by bilirubin (<220mg/l) and haemoglobin (<20g/l) was not observed. Using this method, CRP was assayed as a means of monitoring for infection in newborns up to 72 h after delivery. The pattern of time course elevation curves was similar for both groups (10 healthy subjects and 26 patients), but the serum CRP (ng/ml) of infected newborns rose significantly higher than in healthy subjects at 24 h after birth. The rate of increase of CRP (CRP; ng/ml/h) may be a more useful parameter to detect infection, since a significant change in CRP was apparent only 12 h after birth. The reported method was reliable and the parameters obtained were considered clinically useful for early detection of infection.

Effects of obesity on pregnant women: maternal hemodynamic change.

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effects of obesity on hemodynamic change in pregnant women. From 1322 primiparous women and 1027 multiparous women who delivered singleton babies with no life-threatening anomalies, 110 primiparous obese women, 1050 primiparous normal-weight women, 139 multiparous obese women, and 816 multiparous normal-weight women were selected according to body mass index at the first visit prior to the 10th gestational week. Women exhibiting chronic hypertension, over diabetes mellitus, and extreme skinniness were excluded. All of the women had been under the same management at Osaka City University Hospital. Their medical records were analyzed retrospectively. The study determined the arterial blood pressure of obese women to be significantly higher than that of normal-weight women throughout pregnancy in both primipara and multipara. The incidence of pregnancy-induced hypertension in obese women was significantly higher in primipara (22.7% versus 8.2%) and multipara (15.8% versus 5.0%). The incidence of intrapartum hypertension was also higher in the obese group. Hematocrit count at 3 gestational months (37.7 +/- 3.1 in primipara, and 37.6 +/- 2.7 in multipara) and 8 gestational months (34.4 +/- 2.7 in primipara, and 33.7 +/- 2.7 in multipara) were significantly higher than those in normal-weight women. Exercise tests using impedance cardiographs showed poor cardiac function in 5 of 17 obese women. These findings led us to conclude that obesity during pregnancy is clearly accompanied by hypertension, hemoconcentration, and poor cardiac function.

First trimester biological markers for the prediction of pregnancy-induced hypertension.

The purpose of this study is to predict pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) by standard methods at the first antenatal visit prior to the 12th gestational week (GW). This is a retrospective study of 1189 primipara and 957 multipara who delivered singleton babies having no major malformations after the 32nd GW. Multiple regression analysis for the development of PIH was performed using the mean arterial blood pressure (MBP), body mass index (BMI), hematocrit count at the first visit prior to the 12th GW, a family history of hypertension number of pregnancies, number of deliveries, past history of hypertension and evidence of threatened abortion as explanatory variables in primipara and multipara, respectively. We obtained a significant regression equation in both primipara and multipara. Multiple correlation coefficient for primipara was 0.40223 (p < 0.01) and for multipara was 0.50764 (p < 0.01). When MBP was over 80 mm Hg, BMI was over 23.6, a family history of hypertension was present, or a past history of hypertension was present, these variables were significantly correlated with the development of PIH both in primipara and multipara. By combining these variables, we obtained 32.7% positive predictive value, 93.5% negative predictive value, 31.7% sensitivity, and 93.7% specificity in primipara and 24.6%, 96.7%, 52.6%, and 89.8% in multipara, respectively. As the incidence of PIH was 8.7% in primipara and 5.9% in multipara, we could predict 3.7 and 4.1 times higher than the true incidence. PIH can therefore be predicted by the simple combination of MBP, BMI, a family history of hypertension, and a past history of hypertension prior to the 12th GW. It can also be predicted by the multiple-regression equation with the use of nine explanatory variables.

[A sensitivity of CRP determination of cord blood and neonatal serum for neonatal infection].

CRP was determined for 110 cord bloods and peripheral blood of 36 newborns collected within 72 hours after delivery for the early diagnosis of newborn infection. The determination of CRP was done by a counting immunoassay method using PAMIA-30(Sysmex, Kobe, Japan). Sample volume needed was small and the time for determination was short. Within-run and between-run precisions were satisfactory, with CV values being approximately 6%. The CRP of healthy newborns was lower than that of cord blood, and the mean value was 33.4 +/- 4.2 ng/ml and the value was not significantly different from that obtained from the newborn babies with turbid amnionic fluid or early rupture of a sac. The CRP gradually increased after delivery had a peak at 24 to 48 hours after delivery. This tendency was observed both in healthy and infected newborns. The data were divided into 6 groups depending on the time collected after delivery (6, 12, 24, 48, and 72 hours). The CRP of blood from infected newborns tended to have higher CRP than that of healthy newborns in each group. Increased amount of CRP (ng/ml/hrs) was calculated as ((CRP of peripheral blood at time x)--(CRP of cord blood))/x, and this value was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in infected newborns than in healthy newborns 12hrs and more after delivery. Thus, CRP might be useful for monitoring the newborn infection.

Prevention of pregnancy-induced hypertension by calcium dietary supplement: a preliminary report.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to clarify whether the taking of a calcium dietary supplement is able to prevent the development of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in Japanese people. STUDY DESIGN: Forty-five nulliparous women (Ca-group) with various high-risk factors for PIH started to take a calcium supplement (1 g/day in the form of calcium salts) from the 12th gestational week (GW). Obstetrical outcome of Ca-group was compared to that of the nullipara (n = 453) who did not take a calcium supplement during pregnancy (Non-Ca Group) and that of the nullipara (n = 413) who did not develop PIH among Non-Ca group (normotensive group). RESULTS: The incidence of PIH in the Ca-group was 2.2%, compared to 8.8% of Non-Ca group. The decrease in blood pressure after taking calcium during the first half of the pregnancy was much greater in Ca-group than in the normotensive group. The urinary excretion of sodium and calcium and serum free calcium at the 28th GW were much lower in a woman with PIH, despite of the taking of a calcium supplement, than in the normotensive calcium group. Also, the parathyroid hormone level at the 28th GW was higher in the calcium-taking woman with PIH than in the normotensive calcium group. CONCLUSION: Our preliminary study suggests that among the possible effects of taking a calcium supplement are a decrease in blood pressure and the prevention of PIH in Japanese people, and that calcium metabolism might be related to the development of PIH. However, more study is needed before it will be possible to reach a final conclusion.

Prediction of pregnancy-induced hypertension by isometric exercise.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate an isometric exercise (Hand-Grip test) as a method to predict pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). One hundred and twenty-five pregnant women were given the Hand-Grip (HG) test before the 15th gestational week. The Hand-Grip test was rated positive when the systolic blood pressure increased 15 mmHg or more during isometric exercise or decreased 14 mmHg or more immediately after isometric exercise. As a result, the Hand-Grip test had the highest sensitivity (81.8%) and specificity (68.4%) for predicting PIH, compared to other risk factors. The positive predictive value was 20% (second highest among risk factors, the actual incidence of hypertension was 8.8%), and the negative predictive value was 97.5% (highest). In conclusion, by use of a very simple Hand-Grip test early in gestation, we are able to predict PIH with the highest sensitivity.

Structure of the human CCG1 gene: relationship between the exons/introns and functional domain/modules of the protein.

The human CCG1 gene, encoding CCG1/TAFII250/p250, was isolated by complementing tsBN462, a mutant BHK21 cell line that shows cell-cycle arrest at high temperature. Using the cDNA as a probe, the locations of exon-intron junctions were determined in the genomic DNA. Thirty-eight exons ranging from 68 to 219 bp in size were found. All the exon-intron junctions followed the GT-AG rule. Using a newly developed method, we performed a module analysis of the CCG1 protein. The functional domain previously predicted in CCG1 was further confirmed to be encoded in a single predicted module that is the minimal functional unit in the protein. The boundaries of the predicted modules show a close correlation to the intron/exon junction of CCG1. The entire gene, at least 110 kb long, has been recovered in a YAC, which provides a route to the further study of module function.

Evolutionary clustering and functional similarity of RNA-binding proteins.

RNA-binding proteins (RNPs) involved in splicing, processing and translation regulation contain one to four RNA-binding domains. We constructed a phylogenetic tree for the RNA-binding domains, including those of poly(A)-binding protein (PABP), splicing factors, chloroplast RNPs, hnRNPs, snRNP U1-70K, nucleolin and Drosophila sex determinants. Proteins with similar functions were found to have closely related RNA-binding domains and common domain organizations. In light of these observation, one can assume the function of an RNA-binding protein, based on the evolutionary relationship between its RNA-binding domain(s) and domain organization, as compared with other RNPs.

Repeat of a helix-turn-helix module in DNA-binding proteins.

Helix-turn-helix motif is one of the common motifs observed in DNA-binding proteins. The motif interacts with DNA double helix and recognizes specific base sequences. It is assumed that the helix-turn-helix motif appears only once in seven prokaryotic transcriptional repressors of which 3-D structures have been determined by X-ray crystallographic studies. These prokaryotic repressors consist of several alpha-helices connected with turns. We report here that these repressors are decomposable into helix-turn-helix modules and their connectors. A module is defined as a compact structural unit with consecutive amino acid residues in a globular protein. Each of the helix-turn-helix motifs in the seven proteins corresponds approximately to a single helix-turn-helix module consisting of approximately 13 amino acids. Identification of modules of seven prokaryotic repressors and comparisons of their tertiary structures led to the conclusion that three of these DNA-binding proteins contain more than one helix-turn-helix module with a structure similar to the helix-turn-helix motif. The difference in module organization of these DNA-binding proteins paves the way for further classification of the DNA-binding proteins with the helix-turn-helix motif. The structural repertoire of these transcriptional regulators was increased through different utilizations in the number of helix-turn-helix and other modules. The difference in DNA base recognition ability in these helix-turn-helix modules is ascribed to a difference in size of a side chain at the fifth residue from Gly, on the turn.

A molecular variant of angiotensinogen associated with preeclampsia.

Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) is a heterogeneous disorder which complicates 5-7% of all pregnancies and remains a leading cause of maternal, fetal and neonatal morbidity and mortality. Severe preeclampsia is the most distinctive and life-threatening form; a multi-system disorder more common in first pregnancies, it is characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria. In a series of Caucasian women with pregnancy-induced hypertension, we have observed a significant association of preeclampsia with a molecular variant of angiotensinogen, T235, found previously to be associated with essential hypertension. This finding is corroborated in a sample ascertained in Japan. Together, these observations support a new pathophysiological interpretation of preeclampsia and of its relation to some forms of essential hypertension.

Vertical transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) detected by HCV-RNA analysis.

The rate of transmission of hepatitis C virus (HCV) from patients with chronic hepatitis C to their children was studied. Of the 64 children with a parent with chronic hepatitis C, two (3%) had abnormal alanine aminotransferase (ALT) activities, six (9%) had anti-HCV detected by c100 ELISA, seven (11%) had anti-HCV detected by ELISA-II, and 21 (33%) had HCV-RNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Anti-HCV detected by ELISA-II disappeared within six months in all six infants. Of the five children whose mothers were given a blood transfusion after the child's first birthday, none had anti-HCV or HCV-RNA. In the five families whose elder or eldest offspring had HCV-RNA, all of the younger offspring had HCV-RNA. The vertical transmission rate of HCV was low if judged by the presence of anti-HCV or abnormal ALT values, but the rate was high (33%) if judged by the presence of HCV-RNA.

[Influence of low calcium diet on the vascular response to angiotensin II in pregnant and non-pregnant rabbit vascular endothelium].

This study was conducted in order to evaluate the influence of low calcium intake on the vascular response to angiotensin II (A-II) in pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits. Both were fed on a regular and a low calcium diet, respectively, for a period of at least 25 days. By using the common iliac arterial rings of each of the rabbits, and further classifying the respective arterial rings into those with intact endothelium and those with denuded endothelium, the response to A-II in the rings was compared. A greater degree of refractoriness to A-II was observed in the intact endothelial rings than in the denuded rings regardless of the difference in calcium intake, in both pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits. The refractoriness was however, particularly remarkable in the pregnant arterial rings. Therefore refractoriness to A-II in arterial rings on a low calcium diet is higher than that in the rings on a regular calcium diet regardless of the presence of endothelial cells, in both pregnant and non-pregnant rabbits. It is clear that reduction in the calcium intake results in an increase in the response to A-II, which is caused by increased reactivity of the vascular smooth muscle layer.

[Changes in blood pressure in two types (absolute and relative) of pregnancy induced hypertension (hypertensive type of toxemia)].

The criteria for pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH: hypertensive type of toxemia) have been determined by the Japanese Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Mild PIH is classified into two types. One is "Absolute PIH (A-PIH)" diagnosed by (1) systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and less than 160 mmHg or (2) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 90 mmHg and less than 110 mmHg. The other one is "relative-PIH (R-PIH)" diagnosed by (3) an increase in SBP greater than or equal to 30 mmHg compared to the usual SBP or (4) an increase in DBP greater than or equal to 15 mmHg compared to the usual DBP (In this paper, blood pressure prior to the 12th gestational week is considered as "usual" blood pressure). However, there has been no report in which two types of PIH are assessed. Our hypothesis is that the pathophysiology of the two types of PIH is different. We have already reported the clinical background of two types of PIH. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathophysiological difference by evaluating the blood pressure change during pregnancy. We evaluated 963 nullipara and 747 multipara whose pregnancies were recorded from the 1st trimester (multiple pregnancy and pre-term delivery before the 32nd gestational week were excluded). Among the nullipara, 765 women (79.4%) were diagnosed as having normal blood pressure (N-group), 7.1% as A-PIH, and 13.0% as R-PIH. Among the multipara, the N-group consisted of 632 women (84.6%), the A-PIH: 4.6% and R-PIH: 10.3%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Fetal growth in two types (absolute and relative) of pregnancy induced hypertension (hypertensive type of toxemia)].

The criteria for pregnancy induced hypertension ("PIH" which is a hypertensive type of toxemia) have been determined by the Japanese Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Mild PIH is classified into two types. One is "Absolute PIH (A-PIH)" diagnosed by (1) systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than or equal to 140 mmHg and less than 160 mmHg or (2) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than or equal to 90 mmHg and less than 110 mmHg. The other one is "relative-PIH (R-PIH)" diagnosed by (3) an increase in SBP greater than or equal to 30 mmHg compared to usual SBP or (4) an increase in DBP greater than or equal to 15 mmHg compared to usual DBP (In this paper, blood pressure prior to the 12th gestational week is considered as "usual" blood pressure). We have already investigated the pathophysiological difference through the background and the change in blood pressure throughout pregnancy and puerperium in these two types of PIH. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathophysiological difference by evaluating the influence of hypertension on fetal growth. We evaluated 963 nullipara and 747 multipara whose pregnancies were recorded from the 1st trimester (multiple pregnancy and pre-term delivery before the 32nd gestational week were excluded). Among nullipara, 765 women (79.4%) were diagnosed as having normal blood pressure (N-group), 7.1% as A-PIH, and 13.0% as R-PIH. Among multipara, the N-group consisted of 632 women (84.6%), A-PIH: 4.6% and R-PIH: 10.3%. There is no difference among the three groups in gestational days but the body weight, the chest circumference, and the abdominal girth at birth of A-PIH show a significant difference from those of the R-PIH and N-groups in both nullipara and multipara.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Clinical backgrounds in two kinds (absolute and relative) of mild pregnancy induced hypertension].

The criteria for pregnancy induced hypertension (PIH) have been determined by the Japanese Obstetrics and Gynecology Society. Mild PIH is classified into two types. One is "Absolute-PIH (A-PIH)" diagnosed by 1) systolic blood pressure (SBP) greater than = 140mmHg and less than 160mmHg or 2) diastolic blood pressure (DBP) greater than = 90mmHg and less than 110mmg. Another one is "Relative-PIH (R-PIH)" diagnosed by 3) an increase in SBP greater than = 30mmHg compared to normal SBP or 4) an increase in DBP greater than = 15mmHg compared to normal DBP. However, there has been no report in which two types of PIH are assessed. Our hypothesis is that the pathophysiology of two types of PIH is different. The purpose of this study is to clarify the pathophysiological difference by evaluating the clinical backgrounds. We evaluated 963 nullipara and 747 multipara whose pregnancies were recorded from the 1st trimester (multiple pregnancy and pre-term delivery before 32 gestational weeks were excluded). Among 765 nullipara women, 79.4% were diagnosed as having normal blood pressure (N-group), 7.1% as A-PIH, and 13.0% as R-PIH. In the multipara N-group, the figures were 632 women (84.6%), A-PIH, 4.6% and R-PIH, 10.3%. Clinical backgrounds showed that the incidence of hypertensive family history, high hematocrit (greater than = 39.0) before the 12th gestational week or obesity (Kaup index greater than = 24 before pregnancy) was significantly higher in A-PIH than in the N-group of nullipara and higher in the A-PIH than in the R-PIH and N-groups of multipara.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)