Collective excitations in a melt of fast phase change material GeCu2Te3.

Inelastic x-ray scattering measurements have been carried out to investigate atomic dynamics in a melt of fast phase change material GeCu2Te3. The dynamic structure factor was analysed using the model function with three damped harmonic oscillator components. By investigating the correlation between the excitation energy and the linewidth, and that between the excitation energy and the intensity on contour maps of a relative approximate probability distribution function proportional toexp(-χ2/N), we could judge the reliability of each inelastic excitation in the dynamic structure factor. The results indicate that there are two inelastic excitation modes besides the longitudinal acoustic one in the liquid. The lower energy excitation could be assigned to the transverse acoustic one whereas the higher energy one disperses like fast sound. The latter result may imply that the liquid ternary alloy exhibits a microscopic phase separation tendency.

Salivary Alpha-Amylase Activity and Mild Cognitive Impairment among Japanese Older Adults: The Toon Health Study.

BACKGROUND: There is growing interest in examining objective markers for early identification and behavioral intervention to prevent dementia and mild cognitive impairment in clinical and community settings. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between salivary alpha-amylase as an objective measure of psychological stress response and mild cognitive impairment for the implication of psychological stress in the development of mild cognitive impairment. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: This cross-sectional study involved 865 participants aged ≥ 65 years. A saliva sample was collected in the morning, and the levels of salivary alpha-amylase were assayed. Mild cognitive impairment was evaluated using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment; a score < 26 was indicative of mild cognitive impairment. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to examine the association of salivary alpha-amylase and mild cognitive impairment after adjusting for age, sex, current drinking status, current smoking status, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, physical activity, education, social support, social network, and heart rate variability. RESULTS: Salivary alpha-amylase was associated with mild cognitive impairment (the multivariable-adjusted odds ratio [95% confidence interval] for the 1-standard deviation increment of log-transformed salivary alpha-amylase was 1.24 [1.07-1.44]). This significant association persisted after adjusting for various confounding factors. CONCLUSION: Elevation of salivary alpha-amylase was associated with mild cognitive impairment among Japanese community-dwelling older adults. This suggests that salivary alpha-amylase is a useful objective marker of psychological stress responses associated with mild cognitive impairment.

Excessive daytime sleepiness and alcohol consumption among commercial drivers.

BACKGROUND: Commercial drivers suffering from excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) have been identified as a major cause of road traffic accidents. Alcohol usage directly affects sleep, adversely affecting next-day alertness and performance. AIMS: To examine the relationship between alcohol consumption and EDS among commercial truck drivers in Japan and the implications of this on public health. METHODS: All participants in this cross-sectional study were commercial motor vehicle drivers from Tokyo and Niigata Prefecture. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire with details of their age, body mass index, alcohol consumption, Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) score and tobacco usage. Participants' oxygen desaturation index was determined by a pulse oximetry device that participants took home. RESULTS: A total of 1422 males registered with the Japan Trucking Association and aged 20-69 years participated. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio (OR) of EDS among participants aged <43 years was 0.81 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.47-1.40) for light drinkers, 0.93 (95% CI 0.51-1.70) for moderate drinkers and 0.61 (95% CI 0.21-1.79) for heavy drinkers, compared to non-drinkers. The multivariate-adjusted OR among participants aged ≥43 years was 1.42 (95% CI 0.59-3.45) for light drinkers, 1.53 (95% CI 0.63-3.75) for moderate drinkers and 3.37 (95% CI 1.14-9.96) for heavy drinkers (P for interaction = 0.05). CONCLUSION: We found that the association between ESS and alcohol intake was more evident among those aged ≥43 years, who reported higher levels of EDS with increased alcohol consumption.

Association of salivary lactate dehydrogenase level with systemic inflammation in a Japanese population.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Salivary lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was reported to be a useful parameter for the screening of periodontal disease. We performed a cross-sectional study to verify the usefulness of salivary LDH as a biomarker of periodontitis and to investigate the association of severity of periodontitis with systemic inflammation by measuring salivary LDH and serum high sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in a community-based middle-aged and elderly population in Japan. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We recruited 644 men and 1171 women, aged 30-79 years, who participated in the Toon Health Study during 2011-15. Periodontal condition was assessed by full-mouth examination including mean value of probing depth, percentage of probing depth of ≥4 mm and ≥6 mm, and bleeding on probing. Saliva and blood serum samples were collected for measurement of salivary LDH level and hs-CRP, respectively. A linear trend across quartiles of salivary LDH was calculated using linear regression. Interaction of salivary LDH and overweight status (body mass index of ≥25 kg/m2 ) was tested using the cross-product term of log-transformed continuous salivary LDH and overweight status. RESULTS: Analysis of covariance adjusted for potential confounders revealed strong associations between salivary LDH level and the indicators of periodontal condition (P < .01) in both men and women. Sex- and age-adjusted mean values of hs-CRP according to salivary LDH quartiles were 0.40, 0.45, 0.45 and 0.50 mg/L (P for trend <.01). Although the association was attenuated after further adjustment for body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, alcohol intake, smoking status and physical activity. When stratified by overweight status, the association remained significant in overweight individuals (P = .03). The multivariable adjusted odds ratio of hs-CRP level of ≥1 mg/L for the highest vs lowest quartile of salivary LDH was 1.93 (95% CI, 1.01-3.69) in overweight individuals, but not significant in non-overweight individuals. CONCLUSION: Salivary LDH appears to be a promising biomarker for the mass screening of periodontitis in local community health settings. High salivary LDH levels, particularly in overweight individuals might contribute to prevention of cardiovascular disease, through measuring systemic inflammatory burdens as well as traditional cardiovascular risk factors.

Effects of fermented soymilk with Lactobacillus casei Shirota on skin condition and the gut microbiota: a randomised clinical pilot trial.

Several clinical studies have shown that isoflavones and Lactobacillus casei Shirota (LcS) have beneficial effects on skin condition and the gut microbiota, respectively. Thus, we investigated the effects of consecutive intake of fermented soymilk (FSM) with LcS on skin condition and the gut microbiota, as well as isoflavone bioavailability, in a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial as a pilot study. Sixty healthy premenopausal Japanese women received FSM containing a moderate level of isoflavone aglycones and a probiotic LcS, or soymilk (SM) containing neither of them, twice a day for 8 weeks. Skin condition was assessed by a subjective questionnaire for face and morphological analysis of the stratum corneum on the inner forearm. Faecal microbiota and urinary isoflavone were analysed by 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing and high-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry, respectively. Both the FSM and SM groups had improved skin condition as assessed from scores of overall satisfaction, dryness, moisture, elasticity, coarseness, pigmentation and/or stratum corneum morphology, as well as significantly increased levels of urinary isoflavones during the intake period compared with the pre-intake period, although there were no significant differences between the two groups. There was a significant positive correlation between urinary isoflavone levels and skin questionnaire scores. In contrast, the relative abundance levels of Lactobacillaceae significantly increased and those of Bifidobacteriaceae tended to increase during the intake period compared with the pre-intake period. For the after-intake period they only decreased significantly in the FSM group. The levels of Enterobacteriaceae and Porphyromonadaceae significantly decreased during the intake period in the FSM group. These findings suggest that daily intake of FSM, as well as SM, provides health benefits that improve skin condition via increased levels of isoflavone absorption in the body, and that only FSM beneficially modifies the gut microbiota in premenopausal healthy women.

Scalloped tongue is associated with nocturnal intermittent hypoxia among community-dwelling Japanese: the Toon Health Study.

Scalloped tongue is considered as a possible clinical finding of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA). There are few evidence of the association between scalloped tongue and OSA. To examine the association between scalloped tongue and nocturnal intermittent hypoxia (NIH), a surrogate marker of OSA, among a general Japanese population. Study participants were 398 men and 732 women aged 30-79 years who participated in the Toon Health Study from 2011 to 2014. Scalloped tongue was classified into three categories: none, mild and moderate-to-severe. Moderate-to-severe NIH was defined as the 3% oxygen desaturation index of ≥15 events/h during sleep for one night with pulse oximetry. The multivariable-adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for moderate-to-severe NIH were calculated according to scalloped tongue categories using a logistic regression model. There were 69 (6·1%) moderate-to-severe NIH cases in this population. The multivariable-adjusted ORs (95% CIs) of moderate-to-severe NIH were 1·59 (0·85-2·95) for mild and 2·39 (1·10-5·17) for the moderate-to-severe scalloped tongue group compared with the group without scalloped tongues. When stratified by overweight status (BMI <25 or ≥25 kg m-2 ), the respective ORs (95% CIs) were 2·83 (1·06-7·55) and 4·74 (1·28-17·49) among overweight individuals, and 0·94 (0·40-2·70) and 1·52 (0·57-4·05) among non-overweight individuals. Scalloped tongue was associated with higher prevalence of moderate-to-severe NIH among the general Japanese population and this association was more evident in overweight individuals.

Diabetic peripheral neuropathy and prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients aged <65 years with type 2 diabetes mellitus: The Dogo Study.

Only limited epidemiological evidence exists regarding the relationship between diabetic neuropathy and erectile dysfunction (ED) among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. To investigate the relationship between diabetic neuropathy and ED among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a multicenter cross-sectional study was conducted in 287 male Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, age (19-65 years). Diabetic neuropathy was diagnosed if the patients showed two or more of the following three characteristics: neuropathic symptoms, decreased or disappeared Achilles tendon reflex and/or abnormal vibration perception. ED, moderate to severe ED, and severe ED were defined as present when a subject had a Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12 and <8, respectively. The prevalence values of diabetic neuropathy and severe ED were 47.0 and 39.0%, respectively. Diabetic neuropathy was independently positively associated with severe ED, but not ED and moderate ED: the adjusted odds ratio was 1.90 (95% confidence interval: 1.08-3.38). No relationships were found between diabetic retinopathy or diabetic nephropathy and ED. Diabetic neuropathy is positively associated with severe erectile dysfunction among Japanese type 2 diabetes mellitus patients aged <65 years.

Depressive symptoms and prevalence of erectile dysfunction in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: the Dogo Study.

In several studies of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, a positive association between depressive symptoms and erectile dysfunction (ED) has been reported. No evidence exists, however, regarding the association between depressive symptoms and ED among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Thus, we examined this issue among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Study subjects were 469 male Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 19 years or over. ED, moderate to severe ED and severe ED were defined as present when a subject had a Sexual Health Inventory for Men score <22, <12 and <8, respectively. Depressive symptoms were defined as present when a subject had a Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS) score >49. Adjustment was made for age, body mass index, waist, duration of type 2 diabetes, current smoking, current drinking, hypertension, dyslipidemia, coronary artery disease, stroke, glycated hemoglobin and diabetic neuropathy. The prevalence values of depressive symptoms, moderate to severe ED and severe ED were 15.1%, 64.2% and 51.0%, respectively. Depressive symptoms were independently positively associated with moderate to severe ED and severe ED (adjusted odds ratios were 2.23 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.17-4.43) and 1.86 (95% CI: 1.04-3.41), respectively). In Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, depressive symptoms may be associated with ED.

Comparison of Phosphate Binding Capacities of PA21, A Novel Phosphate Binder, with those of other Phosphate Binders in vitro and in vivo.

PURPOSE: The phosphate binding capacity of PA21, a novel phosphate binder, was compared with those of other phosphate binders in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: 1) For in vitro studies, PA21, sevelamer hydrochloride, lanthanum carbonate hydrate, calcium carbonate, and ferric citrate hydrate were incubated with a phosphate solution at 37°C for 2 h. Phosphate binding capacity was assessed at simulated gastrointestinal tract pH levels of 2, 5, and 8 for estimation of clinical effects, and the quantity of phosphate adsorbed by each phosphate binder was determined. 2) For in vivo studies, rats were orally administered various phosphate binders after the oral administration of phosphate solution (100 mg/kg) adjusted to pH 2, 5, or 8, and the effects of PA21 and other phosphate binders on the serum phosphorus level of the rats were investigated. RESULTS: 1) The in vitro studies revealed that PA21 and sevelamer hydrochloride adsorbed phosphate better at all tested pH levels than lanthanum carbonate hydrate, calcium carbonate, and ferric citrate hydrate, and PA21 showed the most potent phosphate binding capacity among the tested compounds. 2) The in vivo studies showed that PA21 dose-dependently inhibited the increase in the serum phosphorus level after the administration of phosphate solution and no difference in the extent of inhibition by PA21 was observed at the different pH levels (in contrast to other phosphate binders). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that PA21 has a phosphate binding capacity over the entire pH range of the GI tract.

Intramuscular dissociation of echogenicity in the triceps surae characterizes sporadic inclusion body myositis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Differential diagnosis of sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) and polymyositis (PM)/dermatomyositis (DM) is difficult and can affect proper disease management. Detection of heterogeneous muscular involvement in s-IBM by muscle sonography could be a unique diagnostic feature. METHODS: Sonography of the lower leg and forearm was performed in patients with s-IBM, PM/DM and control subjects (n = 11 each). Echo intensities (EIs) of the adjacent muscles [medial head of the gastrocnemius versus soleus and the flexor digitorum profundus (FDP) versus flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU)] were scored by three blinded raters. The mean EIs of these muscles were compared using computer-assisted histogram analysis. RESULTS: Both evaluation methods showed high echoic signals in the gastrocnemius of patients with s-IBM. EIs were significantly different between the gastrocnemius and soleus in patients with s-IBM, but not in those with DM/PM and the controls. In the forearm, although the EI of the FDP was higher in the s-IBM group than in the other groups, the EI differences between the FDP and FCU did not differ significantly between disease groups. The difference in area under the curves to differentiate between s-IBM and DM/PM was greatest between the gastrocnemius-soleus EIs (0.843; P = 0.006). CONCLUSIONS: High echoic signals in the medial gastrocnemius compared with those of the soleus are suggestive of s-IBM over PM/DM.

Efficacy of Mitiglinide Combined with Dapagliflozin in Streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced Type 2 Diabetic Rats and in Zucker Fatty Rats.

The efficacy of the combination of the rapid-acting insulin secretagogue mitiglinide and the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 (SGLT2) inhibitor dapagliflozin was explored in streptozotocin-nicotinamide-induced type 2 diabetic (STZ-NA) rats and in Zucker fatty (ZF) rats. The STZ-NA rats were prepared at 8 weeks of age. At 9 weeks of age, the combination study was conducted by oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). At 13 weeks of age, ZF rats were dosed orally with dapagliflozin once daily up to the 22(nd) day. At days 15 and 22, the combination study was conducted by OGTT. In 2 different animal models, plasma glucose levels were strongly suppressed by the combination of mitiglinide and dapagliflozin as compared with either drug alone. The urinary glucose excretion was drastically elevated in the dapagliflozin group, but the combination with mitiglinide suppressed it about 50%. In STZ-NA rats, the plasma insulin secretion by the combination of both drugs was about at the same level as in the mitiglinide group. In ZF rats, the plasma insulin secretion by the combination of both drugs was less than mitiglinide group. Thus, in 2 different animal models, the combination of mitiglinide and dapagliflozin showed stronger antihyperglycemic action accompanied by less insulin secretion than mitiglinide alone, and reduced the urinary glucose excretion as compared with dapagliflozin used alone. These results indicate that the combination of mitiglinide and dapagliflozin can be a promising combination for the treatment of diabetic patients.

Prostaglandin F2α FP receptor inhibitor reduces demyelination and motor dysfunction in a cuprizone-induced multiple sclerosis mouse model.

Previously, we have demonstrated that prostamide/PGF synthase, which catalyzes the reduction of prostaglandin (PG) H2 to PGF2α, is constitutively expressed in myelin sheaths and cultured oligodendrocytes, suggesting that PGF2α has functional significance in myelin-forming oligodendrocytes. To investigate the effects of PGF2α/FP receptor signaling on demyelination, we administrated FP receptor agonist and antagonist to cuprizone-exposed mice, a model of multiple sclerosis. Mice were fed a diet containing 0.2% cuprizone for 5 weeks, which induces severe demyelination, glial activation, proinflammatory cytokine expression, and motor dysfunction. Administration of the FP receptor antagonist AL-8810 attenuated cuprizone-induced demyelination, glial activation, and TNFα expression in the corpus callosum, and also improved the motor function. These data suggest that during cuprizone-induced demyelination, PGF2α/FP receptor signaling contributes to glial activation, neuroinflammation, and demyelination, resulting in motor dysfunction. Thus, FP receptor inhibition may be a useful symptomatic treatment in multiple sclerosis.

Preliminary development and evaluation of the support system for care of mechanically ventilated patients.

BACKGROUND: We wanted to demonstrate the feasibility of a novel computer-assisted ventilator alarm system, the support system for care of mechanically ventilated patients (SCMVP), to detect gas leaks and provide graphical information on the site of the leak in a manikin model. METHODS: We tested six leakage scenarios. Four scenarios were applied to both the respiratory circuits with the SCMVP and without the SCMVP (conventional system), and two scenarios were each specific to one of the systems. Fifteen registered nurses were asked to manage three scenarios each (two mutual and one system-specific scenario). Time to identify the site of the leak was measured and compared between the two systems. RESULTS: The SCMVP showed significantly shorter time for troubleshooting in one of the four mutual scenarios and shorter accumulated time for troubleshooting in the four mutual scenarios [18.0 (range, 14.5-19.5) and 48.5 (9.0-180.0) s, respectively] compared with the conventional system [76.0 (47.0-133.8) and 82.5 (16.0-180.0) s, respectively]. In the mutual scenarios, SCMVP resulted in significantly more frequent incidences of successful troubleshooting within 30 s and less frequent incidences of troubleshooting requiring >180 s [43.3% (13/30) and 6.7% (2/30), respectively] compared with the conventional system [13.3% (4/30) and 30% (9/30), respectively]. CONCLUSIONS: The SCMVP can facilitate rapid and successful recognition of the site of leak in a respiratory circuit in a simulation environment.

Phase I/II trial of definitive carbon ion radiotherapy for prostate cancer: evaluation of shortening of treatment period to 3 weeks.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of a new shortened 3-week treatment schedule of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for prostate cancer. METHODS: Beginning in May 2010, patients with T1b-T3bN0M0, histologically proven prostate adenocarcinoma were enrolled in the phase II trial of CIRT. Patients received 51.6 GyE in 12 fractions over 3 weeks (protocol 1002). The primary end point was defined as the incidence of late adverse events that were evaluated based on the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Biochemical failure was determined using the Phoenix definition (nadir +2.0 ng ml(-1)). RESULTS: Forty-six patients were enrolled, and all patients were included in the analysis. The number of low-, intermediate-, and high-risk patients was 12 (26%), 9 (20%), and 25 (54%), respectively. The median follow-up period of surviving patients was 32.3 months. Two patients had intercurrent death without recurrence, and the remaining 44 patients were alive at the time of this analysis. In the analysis of late toxicities, grade 1 (G1) rectal haemorrhage was observed in 3 (7%) patients. The incidence of G1 haematuria was observed in 6 (13%) patients, and G1 urinary frequency was observed in 17 (37%) patients. No ⩾G2 late toxicities were observed. In the analysis of acute toxicities, 2 (4%) patients showed G2 urinary frequency, and no other G2 acute toxicities were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The new shortened CIRT schedule over 3 weeks was considered as feasible. The analysis of long-term outcome is warranted.

Surgical treatment of gastric cancer in Japan, trend from standardization to individualization.

Japan has a huge number of patients with gastric cancer and has developed various surgical treatments for this disease.This paper intends to introduce our strategies against gastric cancer. The Japanese Gastric Cancer Association was established in 1962. Its major purposes are promotion of basic and clinical researches and popularization of the latest knowledge and technologies. For the purposes, the association organized the annual scientific meeting and the nationwide registry by member hospitals, and published the Japanese Classification of Gastric Cancer (1) and the Treatment Guide Line (2). The nationwide registry reported that proportion of Stage-I cancer was 22.5% in 1963-66,which increased to 59.3% in 2008 (3,4,5). 11,261 patients with gastric resection were registered by 187 hospitals in 2008. 63 patients were died within 30 postoperative days and the direct death rate was 0.55%. 5 year survival rate (5YSR) was 37.5% for resected cases in 1963-66, which was improved to 70.1% in 2008. 5YSR was improved from 55.1% to 74.1% for Stage-II, and from 39.1% to 48.8% for Stage-III in the period. According to remarkable increase of early stage cancer, principle of surgical treatments was shifted from "€œextended and standardized surgery for radicality" €to "€œreasonable and individual surgery considering safety and quality of life"€. This trend produced a large variation in surgical treatments; namely 1) minimally invasive surgeries,2) function preserving surgeries, 3) optimal extent of lymph node dissection, and 4) aggressive but safe surgeries.Intention of this paper is to explain these procedures, the intentions, the indications, and the treatment results.

Gene delivery to periodontal tissue using Bubble liposomes and ultrasound.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Periodontitis is the most common inflammatory disease caused by oral biofilm infection. For efficient periodontal treatment, it is important to enhance the outcome of existing regenerative therapies. The physical action of an ultrasound may be able to deliver a therapeutic gene or drugs into the local area of the periodontium being treated for periodontal regeneration. Previously, we developed "Bubble liposomes" as a useful carrier for gene or drug delivery, and reported that delivery efficiency was increased with high-frequency ultrasound in vitro and in vivo. Hence, the aim of the present study was to examine the possibility of delivering genes into gingival tissues using Bubble liposomes and ultrasound. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We attempted to deliver naked plasmid DNA encoding luciferase or enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) into the lower labial gingiva of Wistar rats using Bubble liposomes, with or without ultrasound exposure. Ultrasound parameters were optimized for intensity (0-4.0 W/cm(2) ) and exposure time (0-120 s) to establish the most efficient conditions for exposure. The efficacy and duration of gene expression in the gingiva were investigated using a luciferase assay and fluorescence microscopy. RESULTS: The strongest relative luciferase activity was observed when rats were treated under the following ultrasound conditions: 2.0 W/cm(2) intensity and 30 s of exposure time. Relative luciferase activity, 1 d after gene delivery, was significantly higher in gingiva treated using Bubble liposomes and ultrasound than in gingiva of the other treatment groups. Histological analysis also showed that distinct EGFP-expressing cells were observed in transfected gingiva when rats were treated under optimized conditions. CONCLUSION: From these results, the combination of Bubble liposomes and ultrasound provides an efficient technique for delivering plasmid DNA into the gingiva. This technique can be applied for the delivery of a variety of therapeutic molecules into target tissue, and may serve as a useful treatment strategy for periodontitis.

Thrombus-targeted perfluorocarbon-containing liposomal bubbles for enhancement of ultrasonic thrombolysis: in vitro and in vivo study.

BACKGROUND: External low-frequency ultrasound (USD) in combination with microbubbles has been reported to recanalize thrombotically occluded arteries in animal models. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the enhancing effect of thrombus-targeted bubble liposomes (BLs) developed for fresh thrombus imaging during ultrasonic thrombolysis. METHODS: In vitro: after the administration of thrombus-targeted BLs or non-targeted BLs, the clot was exposed to low-frequency (27 kHz) USD for 5 min. In vivo: Rabbit iliofemoral arteries were thrombotically occluded, and an intravenous injection of either targeted BLs (n = 22) or non-targeted BLs (n = 22) was delivered. External low-frequency USD (low intensity, 1.4 W cm(-2) , to 12 arteries, and high intensity, 4.0 W cm(-2) , to 10 arteries, for both the targeted BL group and the non-targeted BL group) was applied to the thrombotically occluded arteries for 60 min. In another 10 rabbits, recombinant tissue-type plasminogen activator (rt-PA) was intravenously administered. RESULTS: In vitro: the weight reduction rate of the clot with targeted BLs was significantly higher than that of the clot with non-targeted BLs. In vivo: TIMI grade 3 flow was present in a significantly higher number of rabbits with USD and targeted BLs than rabbits with USD and non-targeted BLs, or with rt-PA monotherapy. High-intensity USD exposure with targeted BLs achieved arterial recanalization in 90% of arteries, and the time to reperfusion was shorter than with rt-PA treatment (targeted BLs, 16.7 ± 5.0 min; rt-PA, 41.3 ± 14.4 min). CONCLUSIONS: Thrombus-targeted BLs developed for USD thrombus imaging enhance ultrasonic disruption of thrombus both in vitro and in vivo.

Dietary patterns and risk of cardiovascular deaths among middle-aged Japanese: JACC Study.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Little evidence showed the association between dietary patterns and cardiovascular disease among Japanese. The objective of this study was to examine whether dietary patterns are associated with cardiovascular disease among middle-aged Japanese. METHODS AND RESULTS: At baseline (1988-1990), 26,598 men and 37,439 women aged 40-79 years enrolled in the Japan Collaborative Cohort (JACC) Study. During the follow-up through 2003, 578 men and 499 women died from stroke, and 272 men and 207 women died from coronary heart disease. We identified three major dietary patterns, 'vegetable', 'animal food' and 'dairy product', by factor analysis for both sexes. The multivariable hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals of mortality from total cardiovascular disease in the highest versus lowest quintiles of the vegetable pattern were 0.93 (0.78-1.13), p for trend=0.73 for men and 0.82 (0.67-1.00), p for trend=0.04 for women. The respective HRs of mortality from stroke in the highest versus lowest quintiles of the dairy product pattern were 0.65 (0.49-0.86), p for trend=0.01 for men and 0.70 (0.51-0.97), p for trend=0.02 for women, and those of total cardiovascular disease were 0.89 (0.74-1.08), p for trend=0.23 for men and 0.76 (0.61-0.94), p for trend=0.01 for women. The animal food pattern was not associated with mortality from stroke, coronary heart disease or total cardiovascular disease for either sex. CONCLUSION: We found that 'vegetable' and 'dairy product' patterns were associated with lower morality from cardiovascular disease, while the 'animal food' pattern was not associated with mortality from cardiovascular disease among Japanese.