Zr- and Li-Modified Ru/Sio2 Catalysts for Fischer–Tropsch Synthesis

We have found that Zr- and Li-modified Ru/SiO₂ catalysts (Q-15) are extremely stable and can be used in FT synthesis to maintain the conversion rate of CO constant even after 33 h. Modification of Ru/SiO₂ by Zr (5 wt%) and Li (0.1 wt%) resulted in a remarkable increase in the stability of the catalyst. Taking into account surface acidity and reducibility, we assumed that this remarkable stability is due to the cooperative effects of Ru, Zr, Li, and the SiO₂ support.     

Development of formulation device for periodontal disease

In addition to providing standard surgical treatment that removes the plaque and infected tissues, medications that can regenerate periodontal tissue are also required in the treatment of periodontal disease. As a form of regenerative medication, various growth factors are expected to be used while treating periodontal disease. A protein-like growth factor is often developed as a lyophilized product with dissolution liquid, considering its instability in the solution state. We have clarified that the formulation for periodontal disease needs to be viscous. When the lyophilized product was dissolved using a sticky solution, various problems were encountered, difficulty in dissolving and air bubbles, for example, and some efforts were needed to prepare the formulation. In this research, to identify the problem of preparing a viscous formulation, a lyophilized product (placebo) and sticky liquid were prepared by using vial and ampoule as the conventional containers. Based on these problems, a prototype administration device was developed, and its functionality was confirmed. As a result, it was suggested that the device with a useful mixing system that could shorten the preparation time was developed.     

Preparation and characteristics of dextran-methyl methacrylate graft copolymer

A graft polymer of dextran-methyl methacrylate (MMA) has been prepared using ceric nitrate. The solubility, infra-red absorption spectrum and thermal behaviour of the graft copolymer together with those of dextran and PMMA have been studied. It was found that a hot-pressed film of the copolymer not only shows better water wettability and water absorbing power than PMMA but also thrombo-resistance, and can be shaped into a transparent contact lens having an affinity for tears and blood. High resolution electron scanning microscopy shows that the surface of the contact lens has a micro-heterogeneous structure, consisting of phase separated grains of about 0.2 μm in size which are distributed uniformly.     

Cancer-associated retinopathy syndrome: a case of small cell lung cancer expressing recoverin immunoreactivity

Cancer-associated retinopathy (CAR) syndrome is a rare paraneoplastic neuropathy syndrome often found in patients with small cell lung cancer (SCLC). Serological studies have indicated that the process could include autoimmune reactions directing retinal antigens. Recently, the CAR antigen was identified as a photoreceptor protein, recoverin, by screening retinal proteins using the CAR patient's serum. The present case of SCLC showed rapidly deteriorated bilateral visual acuity lacking the inflammatory findings at the retina which were compatible with CAR. The immunohistochemical study revealed that the cancer cells expressed recoverin or recoverin-like immunoreactivity. This is the first observation in CAR syndrome. The presence of recoverin or recoverin-like immunoreactivity in SCLC with CAR syndrome supports the hypothesis that the cancer-retina immunologic cross-reaction contributes to visual loss in this syndrome.     

Identification of five novel germline mutations of the MEN1 gene in Japanese multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) families

Multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1 (MEN1) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterised by tumours of the parathyroid glands, the anterior pituitary, and endocrine pancreas. The MEN1 gene has recently been cloned and germline mutations have been identified in MEN1 patients in the United States, Canada, and Europe. We examined MEN1 gene mutations in MEN1 and MEN1 related cases in eight unrelated Japanese families. These families include five familial MEN1 (FMEN1), two sporadic MEN1 (SMEN1), and one familial hyperparathyroidism (FHP). Direct sequence analysis of the protein coding regions was carried out in all the probands. We identified six different heterozygous mutations in the coding region, of which five were novel, including one missense mutation (E45G) in both FMEN1 and SMEN1, three deletions (569del, 711del, and 1350del3) in FMEN1 and FHP, and two nonsense mutations (R29X and Y312X) in FMEN1 and SMEN1. Only one of these mutations (Y312X) has previously been reported. One proband with FMEN1 had no mutation in the entire exon sequence including the 5' and 3' untranslated regions. A restriction digestion analysis of 19 relatives from the five families showed a close correlation between the existence of the MEN1 gene mutation and disease onset. Four different polymorphisms, including two novel ones, were identified. These findings imply that a diversity of MEN1 gene mutations exists in Japanese MEN1 and MEN1 related disease, suggesting that analysis of the entire coding region of the MEN1 gene is required for genetic counselling in Japan.     

Fine structure of cellophane–acrylamide graft copolymer by the ceric ion method

The relationship between the grafting yield and the structure of graft copolymer is studied by measuring the branched chain lengths, the number of branches, the crystallinities, and the diffraction intensities of the (101) and (101 ) + (002) planes determined by x-ray diffraction, and the distribution of branched polymers, observed by interferometry. Over a relatively wide range of grafting yield the number of initiating sites is almost constant and about 1–2 per 2 moles of cellulose chain. Therefore, the increase of grafting yield seems to be due mainly to the propagation of branched polymers. Branched polymers are assumed to be formed in cellulose crystallites both on the normal (101) planes and in the amorphous regions of cellulose. It is found that branched polymers grow from the outer layer into the inner part of the film as the grafting yield increases. At more than 250% of grafting yield, however, branched polymers are uniformly formed throughout the layer of film in which the crystalline regions of cellulose are gradually destroyed. This result agrees with the dimensional change of gel film during the reaction. The temperature dependence of tensile strength and elongation and the wet strength of graft copolymer are also investigated. At higher grafting yields, such as 250%, the crystalline structure of cellulose is disturbed by the formation of branched polymer, and no improvement in waterproofness can be expected from grafting; the secondary bonding between branched polymers may be presumed to be same as those among cellulose. In addition, the fine cracking of the film in the burst state is found to appear more easily as the grafting yield increases, in which the aggregating state of cellulose is recognized to be changed by the formation of branched polymer.     

Population dynamics of the modified theta model: macroscopic phase reduction and bifurcation analysis link microscopic neuronal interactions to macroscopic gamma oscillation

Gamma oscillations of the local field potential are organized by collective dynamics of numerous neurons and have many functional roles in cognition and/or attention. To mathematically and physiologically analyse relationships between individual inhibitory neurons and macroscopic oscillations, we derive a modification of the theta model, which possesses voltage-dependent dynamics with appropriate synaptic interactions. Bifurcation analysis of the corresponding Fokker–Planck equation (FPE) enables us to consider how synaptic interactions organize collective oscillations. We also develop the adjoint method (infinitesimal phase resetting curve) for simultaneous equations consisting of ordinary differential equations representing synaptic dynamics and a partial differential equation for determining the probability distribution of the membrane potential. This method provides a macroscopic phase response function (PRF), which gives insights into how it is modulated by external perturbation or internal changes of parameters. We investigate the effects of synaptic time constants and shunting inhibition on these gamma oscillations. The sensitivity of rising and decaying time constants is analysed in the oscillatory parameter regions; we find that these sensitivities are not largely dependent on rate of synaptic coupling but, rather, on current and noise intensity. Analyses of shunting inhibition reveal that it can affect both promotion and elimination of gamma oscillations. When the macroscopic oscillation is far from the bifurcation, shunting promotes the gamma oscillations and the PRF becomes flatter as the reversal potential of the synapse increases, indicating the insensitivity of gamma oscillations to perturbations. By contrast, when the macroscopic oscillation is near the bifurcation, shunting eliminates gamma oscillations and a stable firing state appears. More interestingly, under appropriate balance of parameters, two branches of bifurcation are found in our analysis of the FPE. In this case, shunting inhibition can effect both promotion and elimination of the gamma oscillation depending only on the reversal potential.