Dynamic skin deformation simulation using musculoskeletal model and soft tissue dynamics

Computational Visual Media - Deformation of skin and muscle is essential for bringing an animated character to life. This deformation is difficult to animate in a realistic fashion using...     

Fine structure of the human ceruloplasmin gene

We characterized the genomic region corresponding to the human ceruloplasmin cDNA previously reported. Using PCR-direct sequencing methods, we determined precise intron/exon boundaries and intron-exon composition of the gene in the region. The gene region spanned about 50 kb and was composed of 19 exons and 18 introns. The lengths of exons and introns range from 107 to over 267 bp and from 0.44 to 10.0 kb, respectively. The translation initiation codon and the termination codon were located in exons 1 and 19, respectively. The nucleotide sequences of the introns were also determined in the region around the intron/exon boundaries for 24-220 bp. All the sequences around the intron/exon boundaries were consistent with the 5' and 3' consensus sequences for splice junctions of transcribed genes. Putative lariat sequences were identified between -17 and -42 nucleotides from the 3' splice junction for all 18 introns.     

Simple preparation of TiO2 particles dispersed activated carbons and their photo-sterilization activity

We report a simple preparation method for TiO₂ particles dispersed activated carbons and their photo-sterilization activity for E. coli and B. subtilis. The TiO₂ particles dispersed activated carbons were readily prepared by steam activation of pitch containing titanium isopropoxide Ti(OiPr)₄ or titanium acetylacetonate TiO(acac)₃. The resulting activated carbons have high BET surface area and fine TiO₂ particles are uniformly dispersed. The photo-sterilization activities for E. coli and B. subtilis were estimated by the sterilization activity for bacteria spores by irradiation of black light to the solutions containing activated carbons. The obtained activated carbons exhibited high photo-sterilization activity for E. coli and B. subtilis with short irradiation time of 15 min.     

Fecal lactoferrin as a marker for disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease: comparison with other neutrophil-derived proteins

OBJECTIVES: 1) To investigate which neutrophil-derived proteins in feces most accurately reflect disease activity in inflammatory bowel disease. 2) To examine the extracellular release of these proteins by activated neutrophils and their stability in feces by in vitro study. METHODS: We studied 41 patients (91 samples) with ulcerative colitis (UC), 34 patients (105 samples) with Crohn's disease (CD), and 25 control subjects. Fecal levels of lactoferrin (Lf), polymorphonuclear neutrophil elastase (PMN-E), myeloperoxidase (MPO), and lysozyme (Lys) were measured by ELISA. We also measured fecal hemoglobin (Hb) and alpha 1-antitrypsin (alpha 1-AT), useful markers of disease activity in UC and CD, respectively. For the in vitro study, blood samples were stimulated with phorbol myristate acetate or latex beads. For the assessment of stability, homogenized stool samples were stored at 4 degrees C, 25 degrees C, and 37 degrees C for various periods. RESULTS: 1) Fecal Lf, PMN-E, MPO, and Lys concentrations were significantly increased in the active phase of the disease compared to the inactive phase in both UC and CD. 2) Fecal Lf, PMN-E, MPO, and Lys concentrations correlated significantly with fecal Hb concentration in UC, whereas fecal Lf, PMN-E, and MPO concentrations correlated significantly with alpha 1-AT concentration in CD. In UC, fecal Lf, PMN-E, MPO, and Lys concentrations were high in 15, 9, 14, and 14 samples, respectively, of 25 samples with normal Hb concentration. In CD, fecal Lf, PMN-E, and MPO concentrations were high in 19, 10, and 16 samples, respectively, of 30 samples with normal alpha 1-AT concentration. 3) The extracellular release of Lf was the most efficient and this molecule was the most stable in feces. CONCLUSIONS: Both our clinical and our in vitro studies suggested that Lf is the most suitable of these proteins to use as neutrophil-derived fecal marker of inflammation for clinical application.     

In vitro and in vivo antibacterial activities of ER-35786, a new antipseudomonal carbapenem

ER-35786 is a new parenteral 1 beta-methyl carbapenem with a broad antibacterial spectrum and a potent antipseudomonal activity. It showed high in vitro activity, comparable to those of meropenem and a new carbapenem, BO-2727, against methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus and streptococci, with MICs at which 90% of strains tested are inhibited (MIC90S) of < or = 0.39 microgram/ml. Against methicillin-resistant S. aureus, ER-35786 was the most active among the compounds tested, yet its MIC90 was 12.5 micrograms/ml. Against members of the family Enterobacteriaceae, Moraxella catarrhalis, and Haemophilus influenzae, ER-35786 inhibited 90% of strains tested at a concentration of < or = 1.56 micrograms/ml. The MIC90 of ER-35786 for Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 3.13 micrograms/ml, and the compound was more active than meropenem. In addition, the activity of ER-35786 against imipenem-, meropenem-, cefclidin-, or ceftazidime-resistant P. aeruginosa was equal to or higher than that of the most active reference compound. The in vivo activity of ER-35786 was consistent with this in vitro activity. The in vivo activity of ER-35786 was highest for systemic infection models with methicillin-resistant S. aureus and beta-lactam-resistant P. aeruginosa strains. In acute pneumonia caused by P. aeruginosa, ER-35786 produced a greater reduction in the viable cell count in the lungs than did imipenem-cilastatin or meropenem.     

Activity and distribution of learning-related neurons in monkey (Macaca fuscata) prefrontal cortex.

The involvement of monkey (Macaca fuscata) prefrontal cortex (PFC) neurons in motor output decisions was studied by recording single neuron activity during 3 tasks: (a) go-left, go-right, or no-go decisions, (b) operant bar press feeding based on discrimination of food and nonfood, and (c) either delayed matching-to-sample (DMS) or DMS with response delay. Combinations of single neuron responses during the 3 tasks suggested 7 types of PFC neurons that were related to attention, choice, task-unique memory, reward anticipation, laterality, initiation of movement, and suppression of movement. The authors suggest that responses of PFC neurons do not depend on physical properties of the stimuli, but on their behavioral significance. PFC neurons might be important for appropriate behavior in response to external stimuli and internal or motivational factors. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)