Establishment of uterine cell lines from p53-deficient mice

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship of E-cadherin (E-CD) expression to cellular DNA content and biological behavior of gastric cancer. METHODS: E-CD expression and cellular DNA content were quantitatively measured by flow cytometry and immunofluorescence methods in 80 cases of formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded gastric cancer. Systematic pathological examinations and follow up were performed for all cases. RESULTS: E-CD expression was significantly reduced in all cases of gastric cancer, fluorescence Index (FI) of E-CD expression was 0.67 +/- 0.11 in gastric cancer, 1.0 +/- 0.07 in normal gastric mucosa (P < 0.001). The reduction of E-CD expression was also found in 2 cases of early gastric cancer. Tumors with a decrease in E-CD expression occurred significantly more frequently in undifferentiated, diffuse growth pattern Borrmann 4 type, positive lymph node (LN) metastasis and infiltrated serosa type gastric cancer, of which survival time was within 5 years (P < 0.001). E-CD expression was also reduced in gastric cancer with the number of LN metastasis above 5, metastasis to more than group 2. E-CD expression was lower in uneuploid cancer than that in diploid cancer (P < 0.01). The value of DI and PI with negative E-CD expression was significantly higher than that of positive E-CD expression (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Down-regulation of E-CD expression correlates with bad biological behavior and poor prognosis of gastric cancer. The reduction of E-CD expression may take place during early time of gastric cancer. Quantitative analysis of E-CD expression may have some value in evaluating the intensity of LN metastasis of gastric cancer.     

Effects of thoracic vs. lumbar epidural anaesthesia on systemic haemodynamics and coronary circulation in sevoflurane anaesthetized dogs

BACKGROUND: Although many investigators reported changes in coronary circulation during thoracic epidural anaesthesia (TEA), no previous studies have attempted to compare it with lumbar epidural anaesthesia (LEA) concerning coronary circulation. Our aim was to compare effects of TEA on systemic haemodynamics and coronary circulation with those of LEA in anaesthetized dogs. METHODS: In dogs receiving 1.5% sevoflurane, 2% lidocaine (0.1 ml kg-1) was injected into the epidural space via an epidural catheter inserted at either the T7-T8 (TEA group, n = 8) or L5-L6 (LEA group, n = 8) interspace, and the same dose was repeated again 30 min later. RESULTS: Heart rate and maximum left ventricular dP/dt decreased in the TEA group but were unchanged in the LEA group. Decreases in mean arterial pressure were found for both groups, and they were more substantial in the TEA than in the LEA group. Decreases in left ventricular minute work index were found for both groups, and they tended to be more substantial in the TEA than in the LEA group. Coronary perfusion pressure and blood flow decreased in both groups. Calculated coronary vascular resistance increased in the TEA group but was unchanged in the LEA group. CONCLUSION: The most significant difference between TEA and LEA concerning coronary circulation was characterized by an increase in coronary vascular resistance in the TEA group, which was not present in the LEA group. The increase in coronary vascular resistance caused by TEA may be explained by a coronary vasoconstriction caused by a lower myocardial oxygen demand.     

Bathymetric distribution of chironomid larvae (Diptera: Chironomidae) in Lake Saiko,Japan

The distribution of benthic macroinvertebrate on 8 March 2009 was studied in Lake Saiko (73.2 m maximum depth). The average density of the benthic community for the entire lake was 19 583 individuals m^?2, being comprised of oligochaetes and chironomid larvae, with densities of 18 163 (92.8%) and 1274 (6.5%), respectively. The average wet weights of oligochaetes and chironomid larvae were 15.96 and 1.67 g m^?2, respectively. The oligochaetes inhabited the entire lake bottom, with their densities being higher in the transitional region (20–40 m) and deeper region (>40 m) than in the shallower region. However, the densities of chironomid larvae were low in the deeper region (>40 m), with only a few chironomid larvae being found in the centre of the lake (>60 m). The most abundant species (Micropsectra chuzeprima) exhibited the widest distribution (from 10.1 to 65.5 m depth), followed by Polypedilum nubeculosum. The results of this study also were compared to previous data on oligochaetes and chironomid larvae reported by Kitagawa (1973) . The density of these animals increased throughout the whole lake in 2009. However, the chironomid species compositions did not changed. The larval distribution pattern of chironomid changed since Kitagawa’s study, being distributed from 11 to 68 m in 1973. In contrast, almost all chironomid larvae were found in the transitional (e.g. M. chuzeprima) and shallower (e.g. Procladius choreus and P. nubeculosum) regions in 2009, with only a few individuals being observed in the deeper regions (>60 m). In contrast, the oligochaete density increased in the deeper regions. Large environmental changes must have affected the oligochaetes and chironomids densities, especially in the deeper regions with low dissolved oxygen concentrations. Consequently, the distribution pattern of oligochaetes and chironomids in the lake has changed. These study findings suggest the lake is experiencing increasing eutrophication.     

A novel numerical forcing for homogeneous stratified turbulence in full energy equilibrium

A new numerical method to simulate stationary, homogeneous, and stratified turbulence was developed with an arbitrary energy dissipation rate. Conventional numerical simulations for homogeneous stratified turbulence were accomplished by given mean shears and generated turbulence field either developed or decayed with time. In order to keep stationary turbulence, a linear forcing method for anisotropic turbulence was developed to apply stratified turbulence, where shear was calculated dynamically to satisfy the condition of energy equilibrium. The present method was implemented to direct numerical simulations to realize the generation of small-scale eddy fields, in which the Reynolds number based on the Taylor microscale was about 50. It was confirmed that simulated flow field successfully maintained energy equilibrium with keeping the given dissipation rate. The gradient and flux Richardson numbers determined by the balance of turbulence intensity and stratification were also found to be constant with time. As an application, diffusion of massless dye was numerically simulated in the reproduced turbulent field. The calculated vertical diffusivity was found to be well comparable with that of active heat estimated by a conventional model.     

Thermal design and its on-orbit performance of the AKARI cryostat

The AKARI satellite (formerly known as ASTRO-F) is Japan’s first infrared astronomical satellite. AKARI is equipped with the infrared camera (IRC) and the far-infrared surveyor (FIS), which are cooled below 7 K. The AKARI’s 68.5 cm telescope, which is made of SiC, is also cooled below 7 K. A unique feature of the AKARI cryostat is that it uses both cryogen and mechanical coolers. Using mechanical coolers, the helium lifetime can be greater than one year with 170 L of liquid helium. AKARI was launched on February 21, 2006 (UT), from the Uchinoura Space Center (USC). It has been performing successfully in orbit.     

Synthesis of higher surface area mayenite by hydrothermal method

Mayenite (Ca₁₂Al₁₄O₃₃) is an important material, being used as a transparent conductive oxide (TCO), catalysts for VOCs cleaning and ionic conductor. Unfortunately, the material has a very low BET surface area, generally below 10 m²/g and requires higher calcination temperature for the formation of mayenite phase. In this study, a new synthesis method, namely hydrothermal method, was employed for the synthesis of mayenite with higher BET surface area of about 70 m²/g, and also the calcination temperature decreased from over 1000 to just 400 °C. It was found that mayenite from different method shows different shapes.     

N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing GM1 is a new molecule for serum antibody in Guillain-Barré syndrome

To clarify the pathogenesis of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after parenteral injections of bovine brain gangliosides, we searched for new molecules in bovine brain gangliosides recognized by sera from GBS patients. Gangliosides fractionated in a Q-Sepharose column were used as the antigens, and the binding of serum IgG or IgM was examined by thin-layer chromatography/immunostaining. Fourteen of 175 serum samples from the patients reacted with the monosialoganglioside fraction 2. In the neutral solvent system, a band in this fraction migrated with N-acetylneuraminic acid-containing GM1 [GM1(NeuAc)], whereas in the alkaline solvent system it migrated slower. This suggested that the band was N-glycolylneuraminic acid-containing GM1 [GM1(NeuGc)]. In both solvent systems, its mobility was almost the same as that of authentic GM1(NeuGc) from mouse liver. Secondary ion mass spectrometry showed that the ganglioside's structure was consistent with that of GM1(NeuGc). IgG anti-GM1(NeuGc) antibodies in sera from the GBS patients were significantly absorbed by GM1(NeuAc), indicative that the anti-GM1(NeuGc) antibodies cross-react with GM1(NeuAc). N-Glycolylneuraminic acid-containing gangliosides are so highly immunogenic in humans that the injection of GM1(NeuGc) could induce the production of IgG anti-GM1(NeuGc) antibody, which cross-reacts with GM1(NeuAc).     

A novel metabolic communication between neurons and astrocytes: non-essential amino acid L-serine released from astrocytes is essential for developing hippocampal neurons

BACKGROUND: Daily administration of rectal formulations of mesalazine is effective in preventing relapse of ulcerative proctitis. Maintenance of remission with lower doses would be an advantage. AIM: The efficacy of mesalazine suppositories (Pentasa) 1 g three times a week v placebo to maintain remission in patients with cryptogenetic proctitis was studied. METHODS: Ninety five patients with cryptogenetic proctitis were randomised within two weeks of remission to receive for one year or until relapse three suppositories per week of either Pentasa (n = 48) or placebo (n = 47). In the case of a relapse, the patients received one suppository/day. RESULTS: It was found that 25 of 48 subjects v 18 of 47 remained in remission in the mesalazine and placebo groups respectively. The relapse rate was lower in the mesalazine group for the following time intervals: 0-90 days (19% v 38%, p = 0.035), 0-180 days (29% v 54%, p = 0.017), 0-270 days (38% v 60%, p = 0.031), and 0-365 days (48% v 62%, p = 0.18). Treatment of relapse with one suppository/day induced remission in 11 of 18 and 2 of 26 patients in the mesalazine and placebo groups respectively (p = 0.001). Overall, 61% v 28% patients remained in the protocol and were in remission at one year (p = 0.001). Tolerance was good. CONCLUSION: Mesalazine suppositories 1 g three times a week are effective for preventing relapses of cryptogenetic proctitis. Increasing the dose to 1 g/day is effective in a high proportion of subjects who relapsed.     

A low leakage SRAM macro with replica cell biasing scheme

For mobile applications of SRAMs, there is a need to reduce standby current leakages while keeping memory cell data. For this purpose, we propose a replica cell biasing scheme which controls the cell bias voltage by self-tuning using replica cells. This scheme minimizes the cell leakage regardless of the process fluctuations and the environmental conditions. In addition, leakage reduction in row decoder circuits is also desirable, because standby current leakages in peripheral circuits are dominated by row decoders. We also propose a row decoder circuit which can reduce both the off-leakage and the gate-leakage in the row decoders. We fabricated a 90-nm 512-Kb low-leakage SRAM macro to verify the proposed leakage reduction techniques. With these techniques, 88% reduction of the standby leakage in the sleep mode and 40% reduction of the leakage compared with the conventional diode clamp scheme are realized.