Global numerical simulation of fluid-structure-acoustic interaction in a single-reed instrument.

A numerical simulation of a single-reed instrument with a pressure chamber is conducted to examine the interaction among the flow, reed oscillation, and acoustic propagation. The flow and acoustic fields are predicted using the three-dimensional compressible Navier-Stokes equations, whereas the one-dimensional dynamic beam equation is solved for reed oscillation. The deforming geometry in the aeroacoustic field is expressed by the volume penalization method as an immersed boundary technique. The results showed that the waveforms of the tip opening and far-field acoustic spectra agreed well with those measured experimentally. The three-dimensional flow configuration near the tip opening was visualized, and the measurement of the instantaneous volume flow rate at the tip opening revealed that 30%-40% of the total flow rate passed through the side opening. The spectral tendencies of the time derivatives of the flow rate for different tip openings were consistent with that of the far-field sound, indicating that the slope of the flow rate waveform significantly affects the generated sound's harmonics.

Distribution of aquaporin genes and selection of individual reference genes for quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis in multiple tissues of the mouse.

Aquaporins (AQPs) are a family of water-transporting proteins that are selectively expressed in epithelial, endothelial, and many other cell types of various tissues, where they play important physiological functions. However, the accurate distribution of AQP gene expression has not yet been examined in various tissues of the mouse. We first evaluated the tissue distribution of AQP gene expression using tongue, nasal epithelium, bronchus, trachea, lung, esophagus, stomach, ileum, transverse colon, liver, pancreas, whole blood, thigh muscle, spinal cord, brain, thoracic aorta, heart, kidney, thymus, spleen, skin, eye, and testis of the mouse. Furthermore, for a quantitative analysis, we selected appropriate reference genes for normalized qRT-PCR data in various tissues. The stability of the reference genes was assessed using NormFinder. The stably expressed genes identified in the present study were 18s rRNA. When 18s rRNA was used, as the best reference gene in the present study, the genes for AQPs 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, and 12 were notably expressed in the eye, lung, testis, eye, spinal cord, trachea, kidney, testis, testis, testis, testis, and pancreas. These results, regarding the distribution of AQPs, suggest that AQPs may be involved in various physiological and pathophysiological processes.

5-Fluorouracil induces diarrhea with changes in the expression of inflammatory cytokines and aquaporins in mouse intestines.

Although the mechanisms of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU)-induced diarrhea remain unclear, accumulating evidence has indicated that changes in the mucosal immune system and aquaporins (AQPs) may play a role in its pathogenesis. Therefore, we investigated the possible changes in the gene expression of inflammatory cytokines and AQPs in the intestines of mice with 5-FU-induced diarrhea. In the present study, the expressions of mRNAs that encode inflammatory cytokines, TNF-α, IL-1ß, IL-6, Il-17A and IL-22, were significantly increased throughout the entire colon of mice that exhibited diarrhea following 5-FU administration. In contrast, the gene expression of IFNγ was upregulated only in the distal colon. These increases were significantly reduced by the administration of etanercept. However, 5-FU-induced diarrhea was not recovered by etanercept. On the other hand, the genes for AQPs 4 and 8 were markedly present in the colon, and these expressions in the intestines were significantly decreased by treatment with 5-FU. These decreases were not reversed by etanercept. These findings suggest TNF-α neutralization had no effect on the acutely 5-FU-induced diarrhea and impaired AQPs but reduced dramatically several inflammatory cytokines.

[Ampulla cardiomyopathy induced by meningitis: two case reports].

Two patients presented with ampulla cardiomyopathy induced by meningitis. A 71-year-old man with meningitis was admitted to our neurosurgery division. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, because of sudden blood pressure fall and ST elevation in the precordial leads. Left ventriculography and coronary angiography revealed apical ballooning without coronary stenosis. A 73-year-old woman with meningitis was admitted to another hospital. She felt chest pain. Electrocardiography showed ST elevation in the precordial leads. She was transferred to our division. Echocardiography revealed apical ballooning and hyperkinesis of the base. Creatine kinase level showed no elevation on admission or 8 hr later. Ampulla cardiomyopathy with cerebrovascular disease is common, but rare with meningitis, which needs intensive care because of the risk of respiratory arrest.

Effect of intravenous propranolol on left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis (ampulla cardiomyopathy): three cases.

The precise etiological basis of transient left ventricular apical ballooning without coronary artery stenosis (ampulla or so-called 'takotsubo' cardiomyopathy) remains unknown, so the present study examined the acute effects of intravenous propranolol (2-4 mg) in 3 female patients (age range, 61-76 years) with the condition. Although one patient who did not have any intraventricular pressure gradients showed no improvement in the electrocardiographic and left ventricular wall motion abnormalities, the other 2 patients, who had significant intraventricular pressure gradients, did show improvement. Dynamic intraventricular obstruction might play a role in maintaining apical ballooning, at least, in patients exhibiting an intraventricular pressure gradient.