Synthesis and crystal structures of a novel layered silicate SSA-1 and its microporous derivatives by topotactic transformation.

The synthesis of a novel layered silicate SSA-1 (SSA: silicate synthesized with a quaternary amine) was achieved in the SiO2-H2O-TEAOH (TEAOH: tetraethylammonium hydroxide - as an organic structural directing agent) system. The crystal structure of SSA-1 involved two silicate layers composed of bre [10T]-type CBU (Composite Building Unit) and TEAOH in interlayers. The topotactic transformation of SSA-1 by calcination was examined, resulting in a porous material (PML-1: porous material transformed from a layered silicate) with a 108 m2 g-1 BET surface area and 0.035 cm3 g-1 pore volume. PML-1 is a siliceous microporous material with silanols in the framework and possesses unique properties, such as hydrophilicity, in spite of all its silica composition. The most reasonable crystal structure of PML-1 was successfully determined on the basis of the crystal structure of SSA-1 by a combination of manual modelling, PXRD pattern simulation, DFT optimization and Rietveld analysis. Additionally, an interlayer expanded siliceous zeolite SSA-1 (IEZ-SSA-1) was also successfully prepared by silylation using trichloro(methyl)silane under acidic conditions. IEZ-SSA-1 showed hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity properties by changing the functional group of the pillar part in the interlayer. Additionally, IEZ-SSA-1 showed a large gas adsorption property (537 m2 g-1 and 0.21 cm3 g-1).

A 200-m All-out Front-crawl Swim Modifies Competitive Swimmers' Shoulder Joint Position Sense.

We tested the hypothesis that an all-out-effort 200-m front-crawl swim trial affects competitive swimmers' shoulder joint position sense. On Day 1, we measured shoulder joint position sense before and after the swim trial, and on Day 2 before and after 2 min of seated rest. On both days, shoulder joint position sense was measured in the seated position using electromagnetic movement sensors in a position-matching paradigm. An investigator abducted participants' left (reference) shoulder joint in the frontal plane to test angles of 90°, 135°, and 180°. Participants then actively abducted the right (indicator) shoulder joint to match the position of the left, reference arm. After the 200-m all-out front-crawl swim trial, the indicator relative to the reference angle differed by 4.4° toward adduction at the 180° (vertical) testing position (P<0.05). Variation in absolute matching error was 3.2° or 2.2 times greater after swim compared with the no-swim control trial. An all-out 200-m front-crawl swim trial can selectively increase competitive swimmers' shoulder joint position sense error and increase variation in matching error in horizontal arm position.

Early growth and development of reciprocal hybrids of the starry flounder Platichthys stellatus and stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus.

Larval growth and development of hybrid flounder were observed and compared with those of their parent species. The reciprocal hybrids of female starry flounder Platichthys stellatus and male stone flounder Kareius bicoloratus (hybrid Sb) and of female K. bicoloratus and male P. stellatus (hybrid Bs) both survived and grew to juveniles. Development was divided into nine stages (A-I). Many of the hybrids' traits were identical and intermediate to those of their parents. The position of the eye, however, was primarily sinistral in both hybrids (80% in Sb and 76% in Bs), a trait possessed by P. stellatus (80%) in the western Pacific Ocean. The daily growth rates of the larvae were similar. In the parent species, development was more rapid in P. stellatus than in K. bicoloratus whereas rate of development was intermediate in both Sb and Bs hybrids. The size at settlement [standard length (LS ) at stage H (mean ± s.d.)] was 9·82 ± 1·47 mm for the hybrid Sb and 9·99 ± 0·90 mm for the hybrid Bs, while the minimum age at metamorphosis (initial age at stage H) was 29 days after hatching (DAH) in both hybrids. In comparison, LS at settlement in parent species was 6·43 ± 0·25 mm for P. stellatus and 12·87 ± 1·29 mm for K. bicoloratus. Minimum age at metamorphosis for the parents was 23 DAH at stage G in P. stellatus and 34 DAH at stage H in K. bicoloratus. Thus, the timing of settlement of hybrids was different from that of their parent species. These traits may occur with high frequency in a natural habitat.

Hyperadiponectinemia protects against premature death in metabolic syndrome model mice by inhibiting AKT signaling and chronic inflammation.

We previously reported that transgenic (Tg) expression of adiponectin significantly prolonged the lifespan of normal mice. The aim of this study was to elucidate the mechanism involved in the longevity effects of adiponectin using KK/Ta mice, a murine model of metabolic syndrome. We established a Tg line of KK/Ta (Tg-KK/Ta) mice expressing human adiponectin in the liver, and assessed their lifespan. The cause of death was determined by macroscopic and microscopic examinations immediately after death. The expressions of SIRT1, C-reactive protein (CRP), inflammatory cytokines, AMPK, and AKT were measured by quantitative real-time PCR, ELISAs, and/or western blotting. KK/Ta mice had lower serum adiponectin levels and shorter lifespan (57.6±13.9 vs 106.5±18.3 weeks, P<0.0001) than C57BL/6N mice. Tg adiponectin expression significantly extended the lifespan of KK/Ta mice (73.6±16.6 weeks, P<0.001) without affecting body weight, daily food consumption, or plasma glucose levels. Neoplasms were observed in only three of 22 KK/Ta mice that died spontaneously because of tumors. Atherosclerotic lesions were not detected in any mice. SIRT1 levels were not significantly different between KK/Ta and Tg-KK/Ta mice. Gene expressions of Crp, Tnfα, Il6, and Nfκb were increased in KK/Ta mice, but they were significantly attenuated in Tg-KK/Ta mice. Phosphorylated AMPK levels were increased and phosphorylated AKT levels were decreased in Tg-KK/Ta mice. The anti-inflammatory effects of adiponectin, achieved by inhibiting the AKT signaling pathway, may explain how adiponectin slows the accelerated aging process associated with the metabolic syndrome.

N-Alkylations of chitosan promoted with sodium hydrogen carbonate under aqueous conditions.

Chitosan was reacted with four alkyl halides, monobromoacetic acid, benzyl bromide, 2-bromoethanol, and monochloroacetic acid, in the presence of NaHCO(3) in water. Chemical structures, degrees of substitution, and degrees of polymerization of reaction products were studied by FT-IR, NMR, SEC-MALLS, and elementary analyses. All alkyl groups were introduced selectively into the C2-amine groups of chitosan, and the yields of the N-alkyl chitosans were >90% by this method. N-Carboxymethyl chitosan (N-CMCh) and N-benzyl chitosan (N-BnCh) with high degrees of substitution (DS) up to 200% and 164% of the C2-amine groups, respectively, were obtained; N,N-dicarboxymethyl and N,N-dibenzyl chitosans were obtained in high yields. Degrees of polymerization (DP) of N-CMCh decreased during the reaction. The greater the amount of monobromoacetic acid added, the lower the DP of N-CMCh.

Reductive N-alkylation of chitosan with acetone and levulinic acid in aqueous media.

Reductive N-alkylation with acetone and levulinic acid in the presence of sodium cyanoborohydride was applied to chitosan to prepare N-isopropyl and 5-methyl-pyrrolidinone chitosans, respectively. These chitosan derivatives were obtained quantitatively, and the highest degrees of substitution (DS) were achieved for chitosan solutions at the initial pH 4.5-5.0. When the molar ratio of the primary amino groups of chitosan, NaBH(3)CN and either acetone or levulinic acid was 1:10:3, reaction ratios at the primary amino groups reached about 100% and 41% for N-isopropyl and 5-methyl-pyrrolidinone chitosans, respectively, after the reaction at room temperature for 72h. No depolymerization occurred on chitosan molecules under the reductive N-alkylation conditions used.

Rapid fluctuation in infection levels of Neoheterobothrium hirame (Monogenea) in Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus in the Joban area, Japan.

Neoheterobothrium hirame a haematophagous monogenean parasite on Japanese flounder Paralichthys olivaceus occurred at high prevalences (> 70%) from 1999 to 2002 but thereafter declined and remained low (< 20%) from 2003 to 2005 in the Joban area, Japan. In 2006, N. hirame became abundant again reaching a prevalence of 63%. Generalized linear models explained these rapid fluctuations in infection in relation to inshore water temperature, which affected the reproductive success of the parasite, and also the encounter rate between host and parasite through changes in their respective population densities. Severely anaemic fish were few, 2.4% even in 1999-2002 and 2006, suggesting that the effect of N. hirame infection on the P. olivaceus population was small in this area.

Optical properties in conjugated polymers.

Optical properties in conjugated polymers such as poly(p-phenylenevinylene) and poly(9,9-dialkyl-fluorene) have been studied using time-dependent density functional theory. In the calculations of the optical properties, real-space and real-time techniques are employed. We follow the linear responses of the systems under externally applied perturbations in the real time. To estimate the polymer spectra, we have calculated the responses of oligomers of different lengths and obtained the extrapolated values. The estimated polymer spectra agree with the experiments reasonably well.

Spin-flop transition and the anisotropic magnetoresistance of Pr(1.3-x)La(0.7)CexCuO4: unexpectedly strong spin-charge coupling in the electron-doped cuprates.

We use transport and neutron-scattering measurements to show that a magnetic-field-induced transition from noncollinear to collinear spin arrangement in adjacent CuO2 planes of lightly electron-doped Pr(1.3-x)La(0.7)CexCuO4 (x=0.01) crystals affects significantly both the in-plane and out-of-plane resistivity. In the high-field collinear state, the magnetoresistance (MR) does not saturate but exhibits an intriguing fourfold-symmetric angular dependence, oscillating from being positive at B//[100] to being negative at B//[110]. The observed MR of more than 30% at low temperatures induced by a modest modification of the spin structure indicates an unexpectedly strong spin-charge coupling in electron-doped cuprates.

Evolution of the Hall coefficient and the peculiar electronic structure of the cuprate superconductors.

Although the Hall coefficient R(H) is an informative transport property of metals and semiconductors, its meaning in the cuprate superconductors has been ambiguous because of its unusual characteristics. Here we show that a systematic study of R(H) in La2-xSrxCuO4 single crystals over a wide doping range establishes a qualitative understanding of its peculiar evolution, which turns out to reflect a two-component nature of the electronic structure caused by an unusual development of the Fermi surface recently uncovered by photoemission experiments.

Thermal conductivity of Pr1.3-xLa0.7CexCuO4 single crystals and signatures of stripes in an electron-doped cuprate.

It was recently demonstrated that the anisotropic phonon heat transport behavior is a good probe of the stripe formation in La(2-x)Sr(x)CuO(4) (LSCO) [Phys. Rev. B 67, 104503 (2003)]]. Using this probe, we examined an electron-doped cuprate Pr(1.3-x)La(0.7)Ce(x)CuO(4) (PLCCO) and found that essentially the same features as those in LSCO are observed. Moreover, the in-plane resistivity rho(ab) of lightly doped PLCCO shows metallic behavior (drho(ab)/dT>0) in the Néel ordered state with a mobility comparable to that in LSCO. It is discussed that these peculiar properties in common with LSCO signify the existence of stripes in electron-doped cuprates.

Electronic phase diagram of high-Tc cuprate superconductors from a mapping of the in-plane resistivity curvature.

We propose that resistivity curvature mapping (RCM) based on the in-plane resistivity data is a useful way to objectively draw electronic phase diagrams of high-Tc cuprates, where various crossovers are important. In particular, the pseudogap crossover line can be conveniently determined by RCM. We show experimental phase diagrams obtained by RCM for Bi2Sr2-zLazCuO6+delta, La2-xSrxCuO4, and YBa2Cu3Oy, and demonstrate the universal nature of the pseudogap crossover. Intriguingly, the electronic crossover near optimum doping depicted by RCM appears to occur rather abruptly, suggesting that the quantum-critical regime, if it exists, must be very narrow.

An evaluation of screening for lung cancer in Niigata Prefecture, Japan: a population-based case-control study.

Although an annual screening programme for lung cancer has been carried out widely in Japan since 1987, there is insufficient evidence to confirm its efficacy in terms of reducing mortality. In order to evaluate the efficacy of the lung cancer screening which has been widely carried out in Japan since 1987, a case-control study was conducted in Niigata Prefecture, Japan. In the study area, chest X-ray examinations for all participants and sputum cytology for high-risk participants were offered annually. Case subjects, who had died from lung cancer (174), and control subjects matched by sex, year of birth, residence and smoking status (801), who had been alive at the time of diagnosis of the corresponding case, were selected from the National Health Insurance holders. Screening histories of the subjects were compared between cases and matched controls for the identical calendar period before the time of diagnosis of the cases. The odds ratio of death from lung cancer for those screened within 12 months vs those not screened was 0.401 (95% CI: 0.272-0.591) with adjustment by smoking index. Our results suggest that annual lung cancer screening might reduce mortality from lung cancer by approximately 60%.

Randomised comparison of ondansetron plus dexamethasone with dexamethasone alone for the control of delayed cisplatin-induced emesis.

The role of 5-hydroxytryptamine(3) (HT(3)) antagonists in the treatment of delayed emesis is still controversial. To evaluate whether 5-HT(3) antagonists can add to the efficacy of corticosteroids in controlling delayed emesis, we performed a randomised, prospective, open study comparing ondansetron plus dexamethasone with dexamethasone alone in cisplatin-treated patients. 149 cisplatin-naïve patients with lung cancer received at least 60 mg/m(2) of cisplatin and were treated with dexamethasone 32 mg intravenously (i.v.) and granisetron 3 mg i.v. on day 1. Patients were randomly assigned to receive either dexamethasone 16 mg i.v. alone (arm A) or dexamethasone plus ondansetron 8 mg daily (arm B) on days 2-4. None of the efficacy variables related to control of delayed emesis differed significantly between the two arms. In conclusion, there does not appear to be sufficient evidence to support the prolonged use of 5-HT(3) receptor antagonists after 24 h of cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.

Electropharmacologic effects of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker, on the remodeled atrium subjected to chronic rapid pacing.

Clinical experience suggests that sodium channel blockers are effective in converting atrial fibrillation of recent onset but not chronic atrial fibrillation. We investigated changes in the electrophysiologic effects of pilsicainide, a pure sodium channel blocker, on the canine atrium during chronic rapid pacing (400/min). Three pairs of bipolar electrodes were sutured to the right atrial appendage in six dogs. Five days later, rapid atrial pacing was started after baseline measurements of the effective refractory period (ERP), the intra-atrial conduction velocity, the atrial wavelength, and the inducibility of atrial fibrillation. These studies were repeated at 2, 7, and 14 days of pacing, both before and after pilsicainide administration. Before pacing, pilsicainide increased ERP more than it decreased conduction velocity, causing an increase of wavelength, particularly at faster rates. However, this use-dependent prolongation of ERP disappeared after 2 days of pacing. Thus, pilsicainide failed to prolong ERP during chronic pacing, allowing progressive shortening of wavelength in the remodeled atrium. The effect of sodium channel blockers on atrial refractoriness may decline as rapid atrial excitation persists, limiting the usefulness of these agents for the treatment of chronic atrial fibrillation.

Recovery of electrophysiological parameters after conversion of atrial fibrillation.

We investigated the recovery of electrophysiological parameters from electrical remodeling after conversion of chronic lone atrial fibrillation in humans. Clinical studies have shown that the longer atrial fibrillation lasts, the more difficult it becomes to maintain the sinus rhythm after cardioversion. To explore the effects of the duration of atrial fibrillation on changes of electrophysiological parameters after conversion, we determined the atrial effective refractory period and P wave duration during right atrial pacing at 1 and 24 h after electrical cardioversion in 15 patients with chronic lone atrial fibrillation (median duration, 6 months). By 24 h after cardioversion, the effective refractory period at a pacing cycle length of 600 ms increased from 225+/-19 to 254+/-27 ms. However, the P wave duration did not decrease significantly 24 h after conversion. As the duration of atrial fibrillation became longer, the prolongation of effective refractory period was more delayed (P<0. 001, r=0.82), and the shortening of P wave duration was significantly smaller within 24 h after cardioversion (P<0. 001, r=0.67). After cardioversion of chronic lone atrial fibrillation, the recovery of shortened atrial refractoriness and prolonged intraatrial conduction time is dependent on the duration of preexisting atrial fibrillation.

[A case of pheochromocytoma with von Recklinghausen's and review of 67 Japanese cases].

A 19-year-old woman with von Recklinghausen's disease was referred to our hospital because of right adrenal pheochromocytoma. The tumor was detected incidentally with the abdominal ultrasonography when she complained epigastralgia to the home doctor who treated her hypertension. Plasma and urinary catecholamines level were elevated. The tumor was removed by laparoscopy assisted adrenalectomy without pneumoperitoneum. The resected specimen was 35 x 60 x 75 mm in size and weighed 70 g. Pathological diagnosis was adrenomedullary pheochromocytoma. Postoperative course was uneventful. She has been well with no signs of recurrence after 7.5 years. We reviewed 67 Japanese patients previously reported as von Recklinghusen's disease with pheochromocytoma. Of the 60 patients whose details were described, 16.7% had metastases and pathological malignancy from pheochromocytoma.

A study of the combination of gemcitabine hydrochloride (LY188011) and cisplatin in non-small-cell lung cancer: 3-week schedule.

BACKGROUND: It has been reported that the combination of gemcitabine (LY188011; GEM) and cisplatin (CDDP) in a 4-week schedule showed a high response rate for patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but GEM could not be administered on day 15 because of increased myelosuppression in many patients. The present study was performed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of GEM and CDDP in a 3-week schedule. METHODS: Patients with unresectable NSCLC without prior chemotherapy were enrolled. We administered 1000 mg/m2 of GEM on days 1 and 8, and 80 mg/m2 of CDDP on day 1. The feasibility of the combination therapy was confirmed in 8 patients, and then 20 more patients were enrolled, to evaluate the efficacy and safety of this combination therapy for all 28 patients. RESULTS: The response rate was 42.9% (12/28) and the median survival time was 12.6 months. Neutropenia, leukopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia or lymphocytopenia of grade 3 or higher were observed as hematological toxicity, and anorexia, nausea, fatigue, or vomiting of grade 3 were the nonhematological toxicities, but most of these toxicities were of grade 2 or less. For GEM and CDDP, 89% and 91% of the scheduled doses, respectively, were administered. CONCLUSION: This is the first study of the combination of GEM and CDDP with a 3-week schedule in Japan, and the results showed a low level of myelosuppression, high dose intensity, and high response rate, similar to the results reported in other countries. Accordingly, the combination of GEM and CDDP with a 3-week schedule may be a promising regimen for the treatment of NSCLC in Japan.

Surgical results for centrally-located early stage lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: With the increasing use of mass screening programs for lung cancer, and especially the use of sputum cytology, the incidence of roentgenographically occult lung cancer has been increasing. These occult cancers comprise mainly histologically centrally-located early stage lung cancers. This study examined the clinicopathologic characteristics and surgical results of centrally-located early stage lung cancer. RESULTS: From 1980 to 1998, there were 98 patients and 99 lesions of centrally-located early stage lung cancer resected. A total of 64 patients were detected by mass screening. Histologic examination revealed that 96 lesions were squamous cell carcinoma, and in these patients, there were 10 lesions of carcinoma in situ. The 5-year survival rate was 81.4% in all patients, and 88.9% in carcinoma in situ patients. In the postoperative follow-up period, a second lung cancer occurred in 13 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The surgical results for centrally-located early lung cancer were good. However, sometimes these cancers are accompanied by a second centrally-located primary lung cancer, so it is necessary to follow-up with sputum cytology to allow early detection of additional centrally-located lung cancer.

[Evaluation of population-based lung cancer screening in Niigata and analysis of interval cases based on comparison lung cancer registry with screening records].

Survival analysis has been used as one way to examine the efficacy of cancer screening. However, this type of study is susceptible to many sources of bias, especially to a length bias. In the city of Sukumo in Japan, a survival analysis considering screening history for the purpose of eliminating the length bias was conducted. The efficacy of lung cancer screening was assessed by comparing those who participated in the screening in the year preceding diagnosis, with those who did not. The 5-year survival rate was 44% in the former and 16% in the latter. We tried to evaluate population-based lung-cancer screening in Niigata using the method as that of Sukumo by comparing lung-cancer registry data with screening records, those who died of lung cancer from 1991 to 1994 in the study area and had the opportunity to be screened were categorized according to the screening history for the year preceding diagnosis. The 5-year survival rate was 41% in those who were screened and 19% in those not screened. In addition, the median survival time of the former was 37 months, significantly longer than the 12 months of the latter. Replication of study results in different populations may suggest the efficacy of lung-cancer screening on an annual basis. We also analyzed the clinical background of 47 interval cases in the search for a future direction for the improvement of the screening method.