Search for η

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2 nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Prevalence and associated factors of depressive state among pulmonary tuberculosis patients in Manila, The Philippines.

SETTING: Both depression and tuberculosis (TB) are global public health problems that have a substantial impact on human health. However, depressive state among TB patients has not been well investigated in the Philippines. OBJECTIVE: To assess depressive state among pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB) patients and to identify factors associated with depressive state in Manila, the Philippines. DESIGN: A cross-sectional survey of PTB patients was conducted at 10 public health centres and two non-government organisation clinics providing directly observed treatment in District I, Tondo, Manila. Face-to-face interviews with 561 PTB patients using a structured questionnaire were conducted. RESULTS: Depressive state was observed in 16.8% of the participants. Logistic regression analysis indicated that body mass index < 18.5 kg/m(2), marital status of cohabitation compared with married, four or more symptoms, four or more adverse drug reactions, grade 3 or higher on the Medical Research Council dyspnoea scale and low perceived confidant social support were significantly associated with depressive state. CONCLUSION: Depressive state among PTB patients in economically depressed areas is common, and screening for depression in the primary care setting can identify patients who need support and treatment, especially for malnourished patients and those with poor social support.

Search for the Θ+ pentaquark via the π(-)p→K(-)X reaction at 1.92 GeV/c.

The Θ(+) pentaquark baryon was searched for via the π(-)p→K(-)X reaction with a missing mass resolution of 1.4 MeV/c(2) (FWHM) at the Japan Proton Accelerator Research Complex (J-PARC). π(-) meson beams were incident on the liquid hydrogen target with a beam momentum of 1.92 GeV/c. No peak structure corresponding to the Θ(+) mass was observed. The upper limit of the production cross section averaged over the scattering angle of 2° to 15° in the laboratory frame is obtained to be 0.26 µb/sr in the mass region of 1.51-1.55 GeV/c(2). The upper limit of the Θ(+) decay width is obtained to be 0.72 and 3.1 MeV for J(Θ)(P)=1/2(+) and J(Θ)(P)=1/2(-), respectively, using the effective Lagrangian approach.

Large perinephric abscess in a patient on maintenance hemodialysis diagnosed by positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT).

Perinephric abscesses in patients on maintenance hemodialysis (HD) have seldom been reported. The case of a maintenance HD patient with a left perinephric abscess is reported. Although the lesion could not be visualized using other imaging examinations, using FDG and positron emission tomography combined with computed tomography (PET-CT), the patient was diagnosed as having a left perinephric abscess and nephrolithiasis. At the patient's request, the perinephric abscess was treated conservatively with antibiotic therapy alone, and it eventually remitted. This is the first case report of a perinephric abscess diagnosed by FDG PET-CT in a patient on maintenance HD. FDG PET-CT appears to be useful for identifying perinephric abscesses in HD patients, resulting in early diagnosis and appropriate therapy for this severe infection.

Development of an online GIS for a possible applications in hazard risk management and environmental monitoring

Data aggregation and dissemination are vital for risk management and environmental monitoring. Providing access to a GIS via Internet can efficiently fulfill the aforesaid tasks. The present paper describes the salient features of an online GIS that was developed and implemented on a lowcost personal computer. The software components used in the online system are available entirely in public domain. The system is based on a Client/Server model and consists of three main components namely data gathering module, data analysis module and the data visualization module. Various functions of these modules can be remotely accessed using Web browser software that has become to be widely available. Applicability of the system is demonstrated using groundwater data as an example. The system's ability to generate data, analyze and visualize spatial information remotely over a network is a major step towards encouraging public-participation and providing spatial information to both hazard risk managers and the general public. It is hoped that with the increasing availability of spatial information, online GIS will enhance our ability to mitigate hazard risk and promote environmental awareness

Rapid determination of vitamins A and E in serum with surfactant as a diluent by column-switching high-performance liquid chromatography.

The rapid and simple determination of fatty vitamins (vitamins A and E) in serum by high-performance liquid chromatography with a column-switching technique was investigated. The dilution of serum with an aqueous solution containing surfactant and organic solvent and the use of an aqueous solution with organic solvent as a sample pretreatment were an effective means of improving the sample recovery. To prevent sample decomposition during storage, the addition of an antioxidant reagent into the diluent was required. Under the optimal conditions, the relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) values against the standard samples were 1.12% (16.7 I.U./dl), 0.25% (333 I.U./dl) for vitamin A, and 1.02% (0.43 microgram/ml), 0.45% (8.5 micrograms/ml) for vitamin E, respectively. The relative coefficients (r2) between the sample amounts in serum and the peak areas were 1.0000 in the range from 16.7 to 667 I.U./dl (for vitamin A) and 0.9998 from 0.434 to 17.46 micrograms/ml (for vitamin E). The recoveries of vitamins from spiked serums were ca. 100% (vitamin A) and ca. 86% (vitamin E), respectively. By the combination of an on-line deproteination column and diluting solution, the simple and rapid determination of fatty vitamins could be routinely achieved in 18-min intervals.

Urinary excretion of aluminium: effects of aging and diurnal variation.

Aluminium (Al) is neurotoxic and a relationship between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Al in drinking water has been suggested in epidemiological studies. In 5 patients with AD, and healthy subjects of whom 5 were aged, 6 were middle-aged and 6 were young adults, Al excretion into the urine was measured using inductively coupled plasma emission spectro-analysis. In healthy subjects, there appeared to be a relationship between age and daily Al excretion, with the highest level in the aged group, followed by the middle-aged and young adult groups. A significant positive correlation between the amount of urine and the Al excretion in the healthy subjects was also observed. Daily A1 excretion in urine in the group of patients with AD tended to be higher than that of the age matched healthy group, but further studies are needed to account for effects of drugs containing Al compounds. The Al excretion in all the groups showed some variation with the time of day, but no definite diurnal variation common to all the subjects was noted. Because of this, the use of spot urine analysis for studying A1 excretion does not seem to be reliable.

[Pharmacological studies of a non-steroidal analgesic and antipyretic drug of LFP83].

Pharmacological properties of LFP83, a non-steroidal analgesic and antipyretic drug, were studied in mice, rats and rabbits. LFP83 is a prodrug of flurbiprofen (FP) which is its active major metabolite in vivo. In experimental models of acetic acid writhing, the Randall and Selitto method, arthritic pain, yeast fever, LPS fever, carrageenin edema and adjuvant arthritis, LFP83 (i.v.) showed remarkable analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory activities; and it was more potent than ketoprofen (i.m.) and aspirin DL-lysine (i.v.). The analgesic activity of LFP83 was equal to or more potent than that of pentazocine, and its duration was longer than those of aspirin DL-lysine and pentazocine. In addition, the analgesic potency of LFP83 was approximately the same or more potent than that of FP (p.o.), and the onset of this analgesic effect began earlier. On the other hand, the ulcerogenic activity of LFP83 on rat gastric mucosa was less than that of FP (p.o.) in both single and consecutive (7 days) administrations. The safety index (UD50/ED50) of LFP83 was three to ten-fold higher than that of FP (p.o.). As mentioned above, LFP83 is a potent analgesic, antipyretic and antiinflammatory drug; and in comparison to oral FP, it has a more potent and immediate effect, weak gastric irritation and high safety index.

Effects of prolonged oral cimetidine, ranitidine, and famotidine therapy on antipyrine elimination.

The effects of three histamine H2-receptor antagonists on the antipyrine metabolizing capacity of the liver were studied in 32 patients with gastrointestinal disorders and in three healthy volunteers. The drugs studied were 800 mg and 400 mg of cimetidine, 300 mg of ranitidine, and 40 mg of famotidine daily. Only cimetidine at 800 mg/day inhibited hepatic antipyrine metabolism, and the inhibitory effects disappeared rapidly with no accumulation.

[Inhibitory effect of 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl)propionic acid (Flurbiprofen) on prostaglandin synthesis].

Inhibitory effects of 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid (Flurbiprofen, FP-70) on prostaglandin (PG) synthesis and PG activity were investigated both in vivo and in vitro. FP-70 at 0.64 micronM showed 50% inhibitory effect on PG synthesis from arachidonic acid in cell-free homogenate of guinea pig lung. PGE2 and PGF2alpha in the sample of lung homogenate incubated with arachidonic acid were separated by thin-layer chromatography in solvent AI system. FP-70 inhibited strongly both synthesis of PGE2 and PGF2alpha at 3 micron, but inhibited more extensively the synthesis of PGE2 than that of PGF2alpha at 0.3 micronM. FP-70 at 1 mg/kg, p.o. inhibited mostly arachidonic acid potentiation of carrageenin-induced edema in the rat paw, but did not inhibit PGE2 potentiation of carrageenin-induced edema. FP-70 also did not inhibit the contraction of rat stomach strip induced by PGE2. From the above and previously5) reported results, FP-70 proved to inhibit PG synthesis but not PG activity. It is suggested that the potent anti-inflammatory action of FP-70 is the result of inhibition of PG synthesis.

[Mechanism of anti-inflammatory action of 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid (flurbiprofen)].

Anti-inflammatory mechanism of 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid (Flurbiprofen, FP-70) was studied by various analysis in comparison with other drugs. It was found in the test of rat edema induced by various phlogists that carrageenin and yeast-induced edemas were markedly inhibited by FP-70, whereas dextran, formalin, serotonin and bradykinin-induced edemas were scarcely inhibited by FP-70. The action of FP-70 was similar to that of soy bean trypsin inhibitor. However, FP-70 showed no effects on kinin synthetase and kininase. FP-70 showed a marked inhibition on prostaglandin synthesis. The inhibitory effect of FP-70 was 10.1, 96.5 and 2280.6 times as large as indomethacin, ibuprofen and acetylsalicylic acid, respectively. FP-70 did not inhibit the permeability of dye induced by prostaglandin E2 in the rat skin. FP-70 inhibited the acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase activities of isolated lysosome of rat liver and also suppressed the release of acid phosphatase from the lysosome. These effects were similar to those of indomethacin. On the other hand, FP-70 suppressed markedly the heat-induced hemolysis of dog erythrocytes. The effect was similar to that of indomethacin and was 10 times stronger than those of ibuprofen, ibufenac and phenylbutazone. Activation of rat liver mitochondrial ATPase by FP-70 at a concentration of 10 muM was 74.7%, while indomethacin showed 37.8% activation at the same concentration. FP-70 as well as ibuprofen and phenylbutazone uncoupled the oxidative phosphorylation in rat liver mitochondria. From the above and previously reported results, it is suggested that the potent anti-inflammatory action of FP-70 is the result of the following effects; inhibition on the protein and leucocyte migration, inhibition on the prostaglandin synthesis, stabilization of the cell membrane and activation of ATPase.

[Anti-inflammatory action of 2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid (flubiprofen].

2-(2-fluoro-4-biphenylyl) propionic acid (flurbipofen, FP-70), a newly synthesized anti-inflammatory agent, was examined for its effects and then compared with the actions of other standard drugs. Inhibition of capillary permeability in mice: the activity of FP-70 was 7.8 times as potent as ibuprofen (IP), 61 times that of acetylsalicylic acid (AS), 5.7 times that of indomethacin (IM) and 25 times that of phenylbutazone (PB). Inhibition of carrageenin-induced edema in rat paw: the activity of FP-70 was 52 times as potent as IP, 250 times that of potent as AS, 14 times that of potent as IM and 110 times that of potent as PB. Inhibition of heat-induced coagulation of BSA: the activity of FP-70 showed the marked effects much the same as IP. In adrenalectomized rat, FP-70 was also effective. Inhibition of the ultra-violet erythema in guinea-pigs, the activity of FP-70 was 26 times as potent as IP, 790 times that of AS, 25 times that of IM and 68 times that of PB. Regarding the inhibition of CMC induced pouch in rats, the potency of FP-70 was to the same degree as that of predonisolone. In adjuvant induced arthritis in rats, FP-70 reduced and cured inflammatory syndromes and activity was the same or more effective than that of IM. From these results, FP-70 appears to be a most potent nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agent.