Systematic evaluation of magnetic sensitivities of anisotropic magnetoresistive sensors at liquid helium temperature for superconducting cavities.

Trapped magnetic flux in bulk superconductors reduces the quality factor Q in superconducting radio-frequency (SRF) cavities. However, the mechanisms underlying flux trapping and radio-frequency loss are not well understood. Detailed observation of the magnetic distributions is important for understanding such phenomena. Magnetic field mapping is useful for observing the magnetic field distribution around SRF cavities. Measuring the change in the magnetic field around the cavity elucidates the flux trapping behavior. Anisotropic magnetoresistive (AMR) sensors are inexpensive and small devices that can detect magnetic flux density. The magnetic sensitivities of AMR sensors need to be evaluated at liquid helium temperature for the magnetic field mapping of SRF cavities. In this study, a test stand was constructed to calibrate the magnetic sensitivities of AMR sensors in liquid helium, and 110 AMR sensors were tested using this stand. The magnetic sensitivities were evaluated systematically. A solenoid coil was used to control the uniform external magnetic field and to measure the magnetic sensitivity at low temperatures. All AMR sensors exhibited suitable sensitivities to the magnetic field around the SRF cavity. The variation in these sensitivities in all AMR sensors was ∼1%. The AMR sensors were found to have sufficient sensitivity for mapping the magnetic field around the exterior surface of the SRF cavity.

A DNA aptamer to c-Met inhibits cancer cell migration.

The HGF/c-Met pathway is known to play a key role in cancer metastasis. CLN0003_SL1, a 50-mer DNA aptamer that binds to the c-Met protein, was found to inhibit HGF-induced c-Met activation. This aptamer could suppress cancer cell motility in vitro.

Intraoperative awake tracheal intubation using the Airway Scope™ in caesarean section.

The Airway Scope™, a novel videolaryngoscope used for tracheal intubation, is minimally invasive and can be used in conscious patients. The parturient with a potentially difficult airway should sometimes be intubated while awake, without anaesthesia or neuromuscular block. Two pregnant women who experienced massive postpartum haemorrhage during caesarean section underwent unscheduled intraoperative tracheal intubation using the Airway Scope. They were conscious and were intubated with minimal local anaesthesia so as to prevent cardiovascular compromise. We believe the Airway Scope is useful for anaesthetic procedures in the parturient who has haemodynamic instability.

Antisense oligonucleotide targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor (FGFR)-1 stimulates cellular activity of hair follicles in an in vitro organ culture system.

BACKGROUND: The hair cycle is regulated by various molecules, among which FGF-5 has been shown to promote the transition from anagen to catagen. The FGFR-1, a trans-membrane receptor of FGF-5 with tyrosine kinase activity, is localized in the follicular papilla of hair follicles. OBJECTIVES: In order to apply the antisense oligonucleotides targeting FGFR-1 as a treatment for baldness, we examined the effect of the oligonucleotides on hair follicle growth in a serum-free organ culture system. METHODS: Vibrissal hair follicles from C3H/He mice were cultured in the presence of a reagent at 31 degrees C in 95% O(2)-5% CO(2) for 72 h. A 20-mer antisense nucleotide and its randomly arranged counterpart were prepared by predicting the effective target site of FGFR-1 mRNA. Cellular activity in the hair bulb was estimated by measuring the fluorescence intensity (FI) of the medium after incubation with AlamarBlue dye. RESULTS: The addition of 30 microM of the phosphorothioate form of antisense oligonucleotide (A1561TS) to the media increased the FI by 30%, whereas the control produced no detectable change. This effect was reproducible dose-dependent with maximal stimulation at 30 microM. Incorporation of the oligonucleotide into the follicular papilla was histologically confirmed by incubation with FITC-labeled phosphorothioate oligonucleotides, and the intact morphological structure of the hair bulb was maintained intact after a 72-h incubation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest the clinical utility of antisense nucleotide targeting FGFR-1 as a treatment for baldness.

CYP2A6 polymorphisms are associated with nicotine dependence and influence withdrawal symptoms in smoking cessation.

CYP2A6 is the main enzyme that catalyzes nicotine into cotinine. Interindividual differences in nicotine metabolism result at least partially from polymorphic variation of CYP2A6 gene. In this study, we evaluated the influence of CYP2A6 polymorphisms on clinical phenotypes of smoking, such as smoking habit and withdrawal symptoms. Japanese smokers (n = 107) were genotyped for CYP2A6*1, *4 and *9. Consistent with the previous reports, CYP2A6 genotypes have a tendency to correlate with the number of cigarettes per day and with daily intake of nicotine. Interestingly, CYP2A6 high-activity group (CYP2A6*1/*1, *1/*9, *1/*4, *9/*9) smoked the first cigarette of the day earlier than low-activity group (CYP2A6*4/*9, *4/*4), indicating more remarkable nicotine dependence. Furthermore, nicotine withdrawal symptoms were more serious in smoking cessation in CYP2A6 high-activity group. Collectively, CYP2A6 genotypes are related with nicotine dependence, influencing smoking habits and withdrawal symptoms in quitting smoking. It is proposed that individualized smoking cessation program could be designed based on CYP2A6 genotypes.

[Low dose intrathecal morphine and postoperative pain relief in elderly patients].

Patient (ASA PS I-III, mean age 68 +/- 14 yr) who had undergone lower extremity surgery under spinal anesthesia were studied to determine the effect of intrathecal administration of morphine 0.1 mg on intra- and postoperative pain relief and its side effects. They were randomly divided into control (C) and intrathecal morphine (M) groups (n = 25, respectively) and received 10 mg tetracaine in 4 ml of a quarter saline with 7.5 micrograms epinephrine. Incidence of intraoperative tourniquet pain was significantly lower in M group (36.8%) than in C group (64.3%). Postoperative pain was examined in terms of the duration until the first supplemental analgesic within 24 hr. The mean duration was 7.0 +/- 4.3 hr in the control group, but 11 patients in the M group needed it within 24 hr (18.1 +/- 6.8 hr, excluding 6 patients who did not receive analgesic). Although incidences of postoperative nausea, vomiting, and itching were higher in M group than in C group, none required antiemetic or naloxone. Both groups showed no difference in postoperative respiratory depression measured by apnea monitor (Eden Trace II, Mallinkrodt Japan, Tokyo). The results suggest that a low dose of intrathecal morphine is effective on postoperative 24 hr pain relief in elderly patients and that its side effects are negligible.

[Fluid management after off-pump CABG in a patient receiving preoperative continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis].

Perioperative management of off-pump CABG in a patient receiving continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) was reported. Prior to the procedure, we considered that postoperative management could be performed by CAPD alone in the case of off-pump CABG. However, due to an unexpected increase in the circulating blood volume and dilution of blood after surgery, congestive cardiac failure developed and active dehydration was required for 3 days after the operation using CHDF and HD. Despite this treatment, the central venous pressure and the cardiothoracic ratio in the chest X-ray were elevated, and a state of volume overload continued. However, cardiac contractility was not disturbed as shown by echocardiography. A possible cause of this condition was that body fluid had accumulated in the third space such as the peritoneum and intestine due to long-term use of CAPD before surgery, and the fluid was mobilized after surgery.

[Iatrogenic extrapleural hematoma].

We encountered a rare case of complications at the time of central venous catheterization due to extrapleural hematoma. A 71-year-old woman was scheduled to undergo subtotal gastrectomy. After introduction of general anesthesia, a CVP catheter was inserted from the right jugular vein, but it was removed intraoperatively, because of poor dropping of the infusion fluid. A few minutes later, the blood pressure started to decrease. We considered that this symptom was derived from the surgical procedure, and rapid blood transfusion associated with administration of a vasopressor was performed. Postoperative chest X ray revealed poorly delineated right lung field, and hemothorax was suspected. However thoracic drainage resulted in an extremely small amount of blood-like fluid. The abnormal defect in the right pulmonary field was found to be an extrapleural hematoma by thoracic CT on the first postoperative day. The hematoma was reduced by subsequent management in 7 days, and the patient was discharged from the ICU without any further complications.

Structure and affinity of DNA binding peptides.

Artificial peptides designed to form alpha-helical, beta-turn, antiparallel beta-sheet and beta-hairpin structures which are among the motifs most frequently found in natural DNA/RNA binding proteins were synthesized and their characteristic features were examined in the presence or absence of double or triple stranded DNA by means of UV melting experiments, CD spectra, SPR measurements. It was revealed that amphiphilic character arising from the specific secondary structures and positive charge in the hydrophobic face of peptides played an important role in the interaction with DNA, and that hybrid duplex and triplex were intensively stabilized by the cationic amphiphilic peptides. It was also found that these peptides could protect dsDNA against DNase 1 digestion. These results indicate that structurally designed amphiphilic peptides synthesized in the present study can be powerful tools for antisense and antigene strategies.

Cesium-ion selective electrodes based on calix[4]arene dibenzocrown ethers.

Four calix[4]arene dibenzocrown ether compounds have been prepared and evaluated as Cs(+)-selective ligands in solvent polymeric membrane electrodes. The ionophores include 25,27-bis(1-propyloxy)calix[4]arene dibenzocrown-6 1, 25,27-bis(1-alkyloxy)calix[4]arene dibenzocrown-7s 2 and 3, and 25,27-bis(1-propyloxy)calix[4]arene dibenzocrown-8 4. For an ion-selective electrode (ISE) based on 1, the linear response concentration range is 1x10(-1) to 1x10(-6) M of Cs(+). Potentiometric selectivities of ISEs based on 1-4 for Cs(+) over other alkali metal cations, alkaline earth metal cations, and NH(4)(+) have been assessed. For 1-ISE, a remarkably high Cs(+)/Na(+) selectivity was observed, the selectivity coefficient (K(Cs,Na)(Pot)) being ca. 10(-5). As the size of crown ether ring is enlarged from crown-6 (1) to crown-7 (2 and 3) to crown-8 (4), the Cs(+) selectivity over other alkali metal cations, such as Na(+) and K(+), is reduced successively. Effects of membrane composition and pH in the aqueous solution upon the electrode properties are also discussed.

Immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor in skin diseases.

The basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is an angiogenic factor and also a mitogen for epidermal keratinocytes. In order to investigate the role of bFGF in human skin we examined the distribution of bFGF immunoreactivity in normal and diseased human skin. Antigen expression was demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence staining of cryostat sections with a polyclonal anti-bFGF antibody. In normal human skin, bFGF-like immunoreactivities were observed in the basal cells, while in the case of psoriasis, positive immunoreactivities were observed in the basal cells and several supra-basal layers at rete ridges. Seborrheic keratosis and basal cell epithelioma showed diffuse immunoreactivities in the basaloid cells of the tumor. Concurrently, benign nevus cell nevus, capillary hemangioma, squamous cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma displayed negative immunoreactivities. These results suggest that bFGF is important for basal or basaloid cell proliferation.

Effects of alkyl alcohols and related chemicals on rat liver structure and function. III. Physiochemical properties of ethanol-, propanol- and butanol- treated rat liver mitochondrial membranes.

The physicochemical properties of mitochondria in liver tissue obtained from rats given 32% ethanol, 32% propanol or 6.9% butanol in drinking water for up to 3 months were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence polarization measurements. The results obtained were as follows: 1) Phospholipids extracted from mitochondria showed increases in the relative amounts of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine, and a decrease in the relative amount of phosphatidylethanolamine. An increase in the unsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratio of phospholipids was also observed. 2) Elevation of the thermotropic lipid phase transition temperature with a decrease in the enthalpy value (delta H) was revealed by differential scanning calorimetry. 3) The elevation of the lipid phase transition temperature was detected also by fluorescence polarization measurements using 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) as a probe. Elevation of mitochondrial membrane fluidity was found in some of the experimental animals, but most showed no changes in comparison with the control. A possible role of membrane fusion in the mechanism of formation of ethanol-, propanol- and butanol-induced hepatic megamitochondria is discussed on the basis of these results.

Immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor in wound healing sites of mouse skin.

The immunohistochemical localization of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was examined during wound healing in mouse skin. Frozen sections taken from the rounded skin defects were reacted with polyclonal anti-human recombinant bFGF IgG followed by incubation with FITC-conjugated IgG. The basal layer keratinocytes and hair bulbs at the wound edge were strongly stained with this antibody. In the reepithelized area, several layers of keratinocytes from the basal layer were positively stained regardless of the time after wounding. These findings suggest that germinative keratinocytes which express bFGF function as leading cells in the covering of the wound defect. However, dermal granulation tissue, including capillary endothelial cells, fibroblasts and macrophages unexpectedly did not demonstrate any immunoreactivity throughout the process of wound healing. Simultaneous histochemical investigation using cultivated mouse keratinocytes and bovine aortic endothelial cells showed primarily cytoplasmic fluorescence. The discrepancy in the staining patterns of endothelial cells in vivo and in vitro suggests that immunoreactive bFGF is either not expressed in vivo, or is processed or masked.

Human ductus arteriosus. A histological study on the relation between ductal maturation and gestational age.

The present study deals mainly with the ductus arteriosus of preterm infants of gestational age less than 29 weeks, birth weight less than 1200 g, and postnatal age less than 72 hours. Excised ductus were histologically examined postmortem and compared to those of infants of more advanced gestational age. Intimal cushion and duplication and/or interruption of the internal elastic lamina of the ductus arteriosus were employed as the indicators of the maturation of the ductus arteriosus. The ductus arteriosus of infants with gestational age more than 29 weeks showed histologically more mature features than those of 28 weeks or less. It is considered that there is a relation between gestational age and histologic maturation of the ductus arteriosus.