A Web Server for Designing Molecular Switches Composed of Two Interacting RNAs

The programmability of RNA–RNA interactions through intermolecular base-pairing has been successfully exploited to design a variety of RNA devices that artificially regulate gene expression. An in silico design for interacting structured RNA sequences that satisfies multiple design criteria becomes a complex multi-objective problem. Although multi-objective optimization is a powerful technique that explores a vast solution space without empirical weights between design objectives, to date, no web service for multi-objective design of RNA switches that utilizes RNA–RNA interaction has been proposed. We developed a web server, which is based on a multi-objective design algorithm called MODENA, to design two interacting RNAs that form a complex in silico. By predicting the secondary structures with RactIP during the design process, we can design RNAs that form a joint secondary structure with an external pseudoknot. The energy barrier upon the complex formation is modeled by an interaction seed that is optimized in the design algorithm. We benchmarked the RNA switch design approaches (MODENA+RactIP and MODENA+RNAcofold) for the target structures based on natural RNA-RNA interactions. As a result, MODENA+RactIP showed high design performance for the benchmark datasets.     

A feasible core design of lead bismuth eutectic cooled CANDLE fast reactor

Among the innovative reactor concepts, CANDLE has several advantages over conventional reactor designs. However, when CANDLE is extended to long life, the clad integrity at high neutron fluence, the build-up of fission product gases, and the pressure drop for long cores pose technological challenges which have to be overcome. In this paper, we propose practically viable design procedures, such as recladding the entire fuel pins and replacement of different amounts of fuel at different radial positions, to ensure clad integrity and flat power distribution, respectively. We demonstrate the efficacy of such design procedures by calculations that are performed on a LBE CANDLE reactor. Our calculations show that for a reactor operation period of 3700 days the various reactor parameters are within the limits proposed by Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA).     

Characterization of alternative plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) sheets for blood containers

This study aimed to optimize the ratio of dioctyl 4‐cyclohexene‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DOTH) and di‐isononyl‐cyclohexane‐1,2‐dicarboxylate (DINCH^®) for use as plasticizers in poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) sheets. We also evaluated the biological safety of DOTH for its potential to be part of a safe PVC‐based blood container. The suppression of hemolysis in mannitol‐adenine‐phosphate / red cell concentrates (MAP/RCC) with DOTH/(DINCH^®‐PVC) sheets and the elution of plasticizers from the sheets increased with higher DOTH compositions. The properties of the PVC sheet containing DOTH and DINCH^® in the ratio of 25:33 parts against PVC 100 parts as a weight were almost identical to the PVC sheet made of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate. From a subchronic toxicity test, DOTH did not show any adverse effects on all organs, including the testes, epididymis, liver, and kidneys. The no‐observed‐adverse‐effect level was 300 mg/kg body weight/day in a rat. These results suggest that DOTH/DINCH^® (25:33) is a promising candidate for the replacement of di(2‐ethylhexyl) phthalate in blood containers. J. VINYL ADDIT. TECHNOL., 22:520–528, 2016. © 2015 Society of Plastics Engineers     

Synthesis of Ti-based bulk quasicrystal by shock compression

We attempted to produce a Ti₄₅Zr₃₈Ni₁₇ bulk icosahedral (i) quasicrystal by a shock compression technique, in which a single-stage powder gun discharges a flyer plate that consolidates the target powders. The results were also compared with those by a conventional hot-pressing. The powder mixtures for the shock compression were blended by two kinds of methods; that is, gently mixing in a vial, and mechanically alloying by a planetary ball mill. A large bulk i-phase sample, with a Ti₂Ni crystal phase, was synthesized from mechanically alloyed powders after shock compression at a higher flyer velocity, although the conventional hot-pressing at 3 MPa synthesized only the Ti₂Ni phase. For the gently mixed powders, no reaction occured even after shock compression. High-pressure and high-temperature produced during shock compression, and milling process were key factors to obtain the i-phase. The Vickers hardness and the wetting contact angle with pure water under an atmospheric pressure for the bulk sample containing the i-phase were about 7 GPa and about 70°, respectively.     

Development of fabrication process for Ag/polydiacetylene (core/shell) hybridized nanocrystals

Core/shell hybridized nanocrystals composed of Ag nanoparticle core and polydiacetylene shell were fabricated successfully by means of “co-reprecipitation/microwave irradiation method”. The hybridized nanocrystals were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. UV–vis spectral measurements revealed that polydiacetylene shell was the red phase while π-conjugated backbone is distorted. Detailed mechanism of formation of the red phase was discussed.     

High-temperature formation phases and crystal structure of hot-pressed thermoelectric compounds with chalcopyrite-type structure

In this study, we introduced the temperaturedependent formation phases and crystallographic parameters of hot-pressed silver gallium telluride AgGaTe_2 and copper gallium telluride CuGaTe_2 with chalcopyrite structure from 300 to 800 K. These two compounds are potential thermoelectric materials in the intermediate temperature range; however, the temperature-dependent formation phases and crystallographic parameters of hotpressed samples have not yet been analyzed in detail. The crystal structure analysis based on synchrotron X-ray diffraction(SXRD) measurements clarifies that impurity phases such as Te and Ag_2 Te in the AgGaTe_2 matrix and Te and CuTe in the CuGaTe_2 matrix appear at some temperature regions above 300 K. The existence of such impurity phases could be correlated with the increases of the electrical resistivity and Seebeck coefficient of the samples after multiple measurement cycles of the temperature-dependent transport properties from 300 to 800 K.The tetragonal lattice parameters a and c, tetragonal lattice volume, thermal expansion coefficients, tetragonal distortion, anion displacement parameter, and isotropic displacement parameter of the hot-pressed AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2 were also analyzed. These crystallographic parameters are expected to substantially affect the thermoelectric properties of AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2. Our results provide prospect of the long-term high-temperature stability and clues of the detailed analysis on the transport properties of hot-pressed AgGaTe_2 and CuGaTe_2, which should aid their development for thermoelectric applications.     

Characterization of carbonaceous films deposited on metal substrates by liquid-phase electrodeposition in methanol

In this study, we report the characterization of carbonaceous films deposited on metal substrates by liquid-phase electrodeposition in methanol. The characterization of carbonaceous films by electrodeposition was examined by means of Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS), secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), atom probe (AP) and high resolution-elastic recoil detection analysis (HR-ERDA). From these results, it was found that the films deposited on the metal substrates were composed of the sp² and sp³ carbon contents, of which the ratio was about 7:3. Furthermore, the films by electrodeposition contained much hydrogen. The hydrogen contents in the surface were about 60 at.% and those in the subsurface were a few 10 at.%.     

Dose finding study of cefepime for chronic respiratory infections]

In order to determine the optimal dose of cefepime (CFPM) for respiratory tract infections, a dose finding study was conducted in patients with chronic respiratory tract infections, and the clinical properties of the drugs were compared with those of ceftazidime (CAZ). Each drug was administered by intravenous drip infusion at the dose of 2 g/day of CFPM, 4 g/day of CFPM or 2 g/day of CAZ for 14 days. 1. The overall efficacy rates evaluated by the committee were 82.6% (19/23) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 85.0% (17/20) for the 4 g/day group and 79.3% (23/29) for the CAZ 2 g/day group, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups. 2. The overall efficacy rates evaluated by the attending physicians were 91.3% (21/23) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 78.9% (15/19) for the CFPM 4 g/day group and 75.9% (22/29) for the CAZ 2 g/day group, with no significant difference among the three groups. 3. Bacteriological eradication rates were 88.2% (15/17) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 68.8% (11/16) for the CFPM 4 g/day group and 63.2% (12/19) for the CAZ 2 g/day group, with no statistically significant difference among the three groups. 4. The incidences of adverse reactions were 3.8% (1/26) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 9.1% (2/22) for the CFPM 4 g/day group and 3.4% (1/29) for the CAZ 2 g/day group, with no significant difference among the three groups. The incidences of abnormal laboratory findings were 37.5% (9/24) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 15.0% (3/20) for the CFPM 4 g/day group and 3.4% (1/29) for the CAZ 2 g/day group. There was a significant difference among the three groups. 5. Utility rates assessed by the committee were 81.8% (18/22) for the CFPM 2 g/day group, 76.2% (16/21) for the CFPM 4 g/day group and 75.9% (22/29) for the CAZ 2 g/day group. Utility rates assessed by attending physicians were 90.9% (20/22), 78.9% (15/19) and 72.4% (21/29), respectively. There was no significant difference among the three groups. From the above results, it is concluded that the optimal dosage of CFPM is 2 g/day for chronic respiratory tract infections.     

Vitamin D deficiency and osteopenia in the hemiplegic limbs of stroke patients

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Little is known about bone changes in hemiplegic stroke patients. We evaluated the vitamin D status and bone changes on the hemiplegic and intact sides of stroke patients. METHODS: Sera were collected from 87 hemiplegic stroke patients (42 outpatients and 45 inpatients) and from 28 control subjects. The sera were assayed for 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD). Bone density was measured bilaterally from radiographs of the hands. Diet and sunlight exposure were assessed for all subjects. RESULTS: Serum 25-OHD concentrations were lower in patients (9.1 +/- 4.9 ng/mL for outpatients, 5.9 +/- 4.1 ng/mL for inpatients) than in control subjects (21.6 +/- 3.1 ng/mL). The difference in serum 25-OHD between the two patient groups also was statistically significant. The patients' microdensitometric scores for osteopenia were higher on the hemiplegic side than on the non-hemiplegic side. The microdensitometric scores and their side-to-side differences in patients correlated negatively with the serum 25-OHD concentration and positively with the degree of paralysis. Dietary intake of vitamin D was below the recommended level in 72% of the patients, and 89% of the patients were considered sunlight-deprived. CONCLUSIONS: Bone mass was reduced significantly on the hemiplegic side in the stroke patients, which might increase the risk of hip fracture. Vitamin D deficiency and disuse are the probable causes of osteopenia in this population. The hypovitaminosis D might be corrected readily by routine use of vitamin D supplements.     

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and reduced bone mass in Parkinson's disease

Despite excessive hip fractures in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD), little is known about bone changes in these patients. We measured bone mineral density (BMD; Z scores) in PD patients and analyzed its relation to serum biochemical indices and sunlight exposure. We measured BMD in 71 patients in the second metacarpals and divided the patients into two groups according to functional independence; group 1, Hoehn and Yahr stages 1 and 2; and group 2, stages 3 to 5. In four of 20 patients in group 1 (20%), the Z score was less than -1.0, indicating osteopenia. In 51 patients in group 2, 31 (61%) had a Z score less than -1.0. The group 1 patients showed a normal mean serum level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD; 21.7 ng/ml), while most group 2 patients were in a deficiency range (group mean 8.9 ng/ml). Many group 2 patients were sunlight deprived. Both groups had elevated serum ionized calcium levels correlating positively with Hoehn and Yahr stage and markedly depressed serum 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25-[OH]2D) concentrations, indicating that immobilization-induced hypercalcemia had inhibited 1,25-[OH]2D production. Z scores correlated positively with 25-OHD levels and negatively with parathyroid hormone concentration and Hoehn and Yahr stage. Vitamin D deficiency due to sunlight deprivation and hypercalcemia induces compensatory hyperparathyroidism, which contributes to reduced BMD in PD patients, particularly those who are functionally dependent. Low BMD increases risk of hip fractures in patients with PD but may be improved by vitamin D supplementation.