Characterization of Phase Separated Planar Lipid Bilayer Membrane by Fluorescence Ratio Imaging and Scanning Probe Microscope.

The lipid membrane forms nanodomains (rafts) and shows heterogeneous properties. These nanodomains relate to significant roles in various cell functions, and thus the analysis of the nanodomains in phase-separated lipid membranes is important to clarify the function and role of the nanodomains. However, the lipid membrane possesses small-sized nanodomains and shows a small height difference between the nanodomains and their surroundings at certain lipid compositions. In addition, nanodomain analysis sometimes requires highly sensitive and expensive apparatus, such as a two-photon microscope. These have prevented the analysis by the conventional fluorescence microscope and by the topography of the scanning probe microscope (SPM), even though these are promising methods in macroscale and microscale analysis, respectively. Therefore, this study aimed to overcome these problems in nanodomain analysis. We successfully demonstrated that solvatochromic dye, LipiORDER, could analyze the phase state of the lipid membrane at the macroscale with low magnification lenses. Furthermore, we could prove that the phase mode of SPM was effective in the visualization of specific nanodomains by properties difference as well as topographic images of SPM. Hence, this combination method successfully gave much information on the phase state at the micro/macro scale, and thus this would be applied to the analysis of heterogeneous lipid membranes.

[Age-, period-, and birth-cohort-specific effects on the male proportion in Japanese newborns and projections for male proportion for 20 periods (2008-2027)].

OBJECTIVES: To determine the age-, period-, and cohort-specific effects on the male proportion in Japanese newborns, we performed an age-period-cohort (APC) analysis in this study. In addition, projections for the male proportion were analyzed. METHODS: We obtained data on live births of newborns for Japanese women in 1947-2007 from the National Vital Statistics. Cohort tables containing data on the male proportion were analyzed using a Bayesian APC model. Projections of the male proportion (2008-2027) were calculated. RESULTS: The age effect decreased when the mothers were 40-44 years old; however, the effect was relatively limited as compared with the period and cohort effects. The period effect increased from 1947 to 1969 and decreased thereafter. Analysis of the cohort effect on male proportion trends revealed a decreasing slope for birth cohorts born between 1905 and 1945 and a subsequent increase after 1958. The projections for male proportion indicated that the male proportion in 2027 would be similar to that in the 1970s. CONCLUSIONS: The age of the mother hardly affected the male proportion. The period effect started decreasing from the latter half of the 1960s. This may be attributable to the high economic growth since 1965 that promoted industrial development that led to environmental pollution, which in turn may have lead to the deterioration of the intrauterine environment. Cohort effects changed from 1958 and exhibited trends toward increase in male proportion; this may be due to improvements in obstetric care. Our results suggest that the male proportion in Japanese newborns will increase in the future.

Heterotopic ossification in a patient with paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity following multiple trauma complicated with vitamin D deficiency: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Paroxysmal sympathetic hyperactivity (PSH) may occur in patients with traumatic brain injury. Heterotopic ossification (HO) has frequently been observed in patients with PSH and has been found to impair patients' recoveries. However, the pathophysiology of HO in patients with PSH remains unelucidated. Vitamin D deficiency is a common abnormality among critically ill patients and may be associated not only with musculoskeletal complications, but also with high morbidity and mortality. The association between vitamin D deficiency and HO in patients with PSH has not yet been evaluated. CASE PRESENTATION: A 21-year-old man was in a motorcycle accident. The initial diagnosis was diffused axonal injury, thoracic aortic injury, bilateral lung contusion with hemopneumothorax, liver injury, vertebral injury of T5, along with fractures of the right humerus, left patella, bilateral scapula, and a stable pelvic fracture, with an Injury Severity Score of 50. Two weeks after admission, he was diagnosed with PSH. One month after the injury, decreased joint mobility and progressive pain were evident. Computed tomography (CT) showed HO in his humerus, ulna, radius, scapula, ilium, pubis, ischium, knee joint, patella, and tibia, as well as renal calculus. To evaluate metabolic bone abnormalities, we measured levels of 25-OH vitamin D, parathyroid hormone, calcitonin, procollagen type I N-terminal propeptide (a marker of bone formation), and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (a marker of bone resorption). This revealed a vitamin D deficiency. Bisphosphonate agents and vitamin D were administered for 1 month. Thereafter, his symptoms, radiographic findings, and laboratory abnormalities improved, and he was transferred to another facility. CONCLUSIONS: HO in patients with PSH, following severe head injury, may be associated with vitamin D deficiency. Medication for vitamin-D-related metabolism abnormalities may represent a novel intervention for HO with PSH.