The relation between platelet aggregation and constitutional and lifestyle variables in two Japanese communities

To investigate the contribution of the platelet aggregation in the development of cardiovascular diseases, we examined the relation of constitutional and lifestyle variables with platelet aggregation for a total of 306 males aged 50 to 70 in Ikawa town, Akita prefecture (n = 163) and Noichi town, Kochi prefecture (n = 143). The examination of platelet aggregation was completed within 3 hours of obtaining blood samples. We used ADP (Adenosine 5'-diphosphate) as an agonist and obtained PATI (the platelet aggregatory threshold index) by nephelometry. Platelet count, mean platelet volume, white blood cell count, serum fatty acid compositions were also examined and dietary intake of fish, seafood and soy bean foods were inquired using one-week dietary records. PATI indicated a logarithmic normal distribution in both Ikawa and Noichi. The mean of logarithmic transformed PATI (log PATI) was higher in Ikawa than in Noichi. Thus platelet aggregation was lower in Ikawa than in Noichi. According to multiple regression analysis, age, platelet count in platelet rich plasma, mean platelet volume in platelet rich plasma, and white blood cell count were inversely associated with log PATI. Serum arachidonic acid composition tended to be inversely related with log PATI. Serum n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid composition was positively related with log PATI, and log gamma-GTP tended to be positively associated with log PATI. Soy protein intake and cigarette smoking showed no consistent associations with log PATI. This cross-sectional study suggests that serum n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid, and gamma-GTP, as an index of alcohol intake, reduce platelet aggregation while age, white blood cell count, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and serum arachidonic acid raise platelet aggregation.     

Contribution of IL-1 beta to the enhancement of Campylobacter rectus lipopolysaccharide-stimulated PGE2 production in old gingival fibroblasts in vitro

Campylobacter rectus is associated with adult periodontitis. We previously reported that C. rectus lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in old cells of human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) is higher than that in young cells. The present study examined whether an enhancement of C. rectus LPS-stimulated interleukin (IL)-1 beta production in old HGFs contributed to the increased production of PGE2. LPS was prepared from C. rectus ATCC33238. HGFs were established from healthy gingiva in three patients, aged 10-12 years. Cellular aging in culture was determined with increasing doubling. The cultured cells were treated with LPS (0.01-10 micrograms/ml), and the amount of IL-1 beta in the medium was measured after a 24 h incubation. The LPS-stimulated IL-1 beta production in each old cell (corresponding to 57-67% of complete life-span) was increased (1.6-2.6 times) compared to that in the young cells (corresponding to 17-20% of the life-span). The IL-1 beta mRNA synthesis in the presence of LPS in the old cells was higher than that in the young cells. The enhancement of LPS-stimulated PGE2 production was inhibited by anti-IL-1 beta antibody and by IL-1 receptor antagonist. These findings suggest that the greater ability of old cells to produce PGE2 in response to C. rectus LPS is due to their greater level of IL-1 beta.     

Series resonant ZCS‐PFM DC‐DC power converter with high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for high‐power magnetron drive

This paper presents a single lossless inductive snubber‐assisted ZCS‐PFM series resonant DC‐DC power converter with a high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer link for industrial‐use high‐power magnetron drive. The current flowing through the active power switches rises gradually at a turned‐on transient state with the aid of a single lossless snubber inductor, and ZCS turn‐on commutation based on overlapping current can be achieved via the wide range pulse frequency modulation control scheme. The high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer primary side resonant current always becomes continuous operation mode, by electromagnetic loose coupling design of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer and the magnetizing inductance of the high‐frequency high‐voltage transformer. As a result, this high‐voltage power converter circuit for the magnetron can achieve a complete zero current soft switching under the condition of broad width gate voltage signals. Furthermore, this high‐voltage DC‐DC power converter circuit can regulate the output power from zero to full over audible frequency range via the two resonant frequency circuit design. Its operating performances are evaluated and discussed on the basis of the power loss analysis simulation and the experimental results from a practical point of view. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 153(3): 79–87, 2005; Published online in Wiley InterScience ( www.interscience.wiley.com ). DOI 10.1002/eej.20126     

A sub-2.0 V BiCMOS logic circuit with a BiCMOS charge pump

A BiCMOS logic circuit with very small input capacitance has been developed, which operates at low supply voltages. A High-beta BiCMOS (Hβ-BiCMOS) gate circuit which fully utilizes the bipolar transistor features achieves 10 times the speed of a CMOS gate circuit with the same input capacitance and operating at 3.3 V supply voltage. In order to lower the minimum supply voltage of Hβ-BiCMOS, a BiCMOS circuit configuration using a charge pump to pull up the output high level of the BiCMOS gate circuit is proposed. By introducing a BiCMOS charge pump, Hβ-BiCMOS achieves very high speed operation at sub-2.0 V supply voltage. It has also been demonstrated that only a very small number of charge pump circuits are required to drive a large number of Hβ-BiCMOS gate circuits     

An integrated photodetector-amplifier using a-Si p-i-n photodiodesand poly-Si thin-film transistors

The authors propose a photodetector-amplifier circuit consisting of a bridge photodetector circuit and a CMOS differential amplifier, both monolithically integrated on a transparent substrate. A test circuit was fabricated using a-Si p-i-n photodiodes and poly-Si thin-film transistors on a quartz substrate. A clear effect of the differential amplifier was demonstrated in the test circuit. It is shown that the circuit performance can be controlled by changing the bias current of the differential amplifier. With a relatively low bias current on the order of 10^-11 A, the circuit works digitally with output voltages either close to 0 V or V_DD. The power consumption of the circuit is approximately 60 μW, which is low enough for use in two-dimensional arrays     

Regulation of Neutrophil Functions by Hv1/VSOP Voltage-Gated Proton Channels

The voltage-gated proton channel, Hv1, also termed VSOP, was discovered in 2006. It has long been suggested that proton transport through voltage-gated proton channels regulate reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in phagocytes by counteracting the charge imbalance caused by the activation of NADPH oxidase. Discovery of Hv1/VSOP not only confirmed this process in phagocytes, but also led to the elucidation of novel functions in phagocytes. The compensation of charge by Hv1/VSOP sustains ROS production and is also crucial for promoting Ca²⁺ influx at the plasma membrane. In addition, proton extrusion into neutrophil phagosomes by Hv1/VSOP is necessary to maintain neutral phagosomal pH for the effective killing of bacteria. Contrary to the function of Hv1/VSOP as a positive regulator for ROS generation, it has been revealed that Hv1/VSOP also acts to inhibit ROS production in neutrophils. Hv1/VSOP inhibits hypochlorous acid production by regulating degranulation, leading to reduced inflammation upon fungal infection, and suppresses the activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) signaling by inhibiting ROS production. Thus, Hv1/VSOP is a two-way player regulating ROS production. Here, we review the functions of Hv1/VSOP in neutrophils and discuss future perspectives.     

Measurement of longitudinal distribution of solids holdup in a three-phase fluidized bed by ultrasonic technique

A method of measurement of solids holdup in a three-phase reactor by analyzing the shape and the phase lag or lead of an ultrasonic wave has been proposed. The solids holdup in a solids-dilute three-phase fluidized bed could be measured without being affected by the presence of gas bubbles. The experimental values of solids axial dispersivity measured by the ultrasonic technique are in reasonable agreement with an empirical correlation of previous data obtained by other methods. The possibility of the application of the ultrasonic technique to the measurement of solids holdup in a three-phase fluidized bed has been suggested.     

Effect of Nd2O3 Concentration on the Defect Structure of CeO2–Nd2O3 Solid Solution

An extensive X-ray study of CeO₂–Nd₂O₃ solid solutions was performed, and the densities of solid solutions containing various concentrations of NdO_1.5 were measured using several techniques. Solid solutions containing 0–80 mol% NdO_1.5 were synthesized by coprecipitation from Ce(NO₃)₃ and Nd(NO₃)₃ aqueous solutions, and the coprecipitated samples were sintered at 1400°C. A fluorite structure was observed for CeO₂–NdO_1.5 solid solutions with 0–40 mol% NdO_1.5, which changed to a rare earth C-type structure at 45–75 mol% NdO_1.5. The change in the lattice parameters of CeO₂–NdO_1.5 solid solutions, when plotted with respect to the NdO_1.5 concentration, showed that the lattice parameters followed Vegard's law in both the fluorite and rare earth C-type regions. The maximum solubility limit for NdO_1.5 in CeO₂ solid solution was approximately 75 mol%. The relationship between the density and the Nd concentration indicated that the defect structure followed the anion vacancy model over the entire range (0–70 mol% NdO_1.5) of solid solution.     

Polyunsaturated fatty glyceride syntheses by microbial lipases

The degree of glyceride syntheses by lipase TOYO (Chromobacterium viscosum) and lipase OF (Candida cylindracea) using individual free fatty acids C_18∶1, C_18∶2, C_18∶3, C_18∶4, C_20∶4, C_20∶5 and C_22∶6 were compared. Lipase TOYO incorporated each of the fatty acids into glycerol at levels of greater than 89%. Lipase OF incorporated most of the fatty acids at levels above 70% (docosahexaenoic acid incorporation was 63%). It was concluded that these two lipases are feasible for producing glycerides from unsaturated fatty acids.