Background: The Borg Scale may be a useful tool for heart failure patients to self-monitor and self-regulate exercise on land or in water (hydrotherapy) by maintaining the heart rate (HR) between the anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point. Methods and Results: Patients performed a cardiopulmonary exercise test to determine their anaerobic threshold/respiratory compensation points. The percentage of the mean HR during the exercise session in relation to the anaerobic threshold HR (%EHR-AT), in relation to the respiratory compensation point (%EHR-RCP), in relation to the peak HR by the exercise test (%EHR-Peak) and in relation to the maximum predicted HR (%EHR-Predicted) was calculated. Next, patients were randomized into the land or water exercise group. One blinded investigator instructed the patients in each group to exercise at a level between "relatively easy and slightly tiring". The mean HR throughout the 30-min exercise session was recorded. The %EHR-AT and %EHR-Predicted did not differ between the land and water exercisegroups, but they differed in the %EHR-RCP (95 ±7 to 86 ±7, P<0.001) and in the %EHR-Peak (85 ±8 to 78 ±9, P=0.007). Conclusions: Exercise guided by the Borg scale maintains the patient's HR between the anaerobic threshold and respiratory compensation point (ie, in the exercise training zone). (Circ J 2009; 73: 1871-1876)

抄録全体を表示

Effects of styrene exposure on middle latency auditory-evoked potentials (MAEPs), which reflect the central auditory function, were investigated. As significant delay in latencies of No, Po, Na, and Pa components and increases in the peak to peak intervals of MAEPs, but not amplitudes, were observed in a dose-dependent manner, The present and our previous studies demonstrate that electrophysiological alterations occur before neuronal cell damage induced by styrene exposure. The present results suggested that styrene has a marked effect on the processing of auditory information related to MAEPs.

抄録全体を表示

  The purpose of this study was to improve the grindability of titanium by alloying with zirconium. The grindability of dental cast Ti-Zr binary alloys (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mass%Zr) was evaluated using a carborundum wheel. The Ti-Zr alloys up to 30 mass%Zr formed an α structure, and the 40 mass%Zr and 50 mass%Zr alloys formed an α′ structure. The Ti-40 mass%Zr alloy at up to 1000 m•min⁻¹ and the Ti-50 mass%Zr alloy at up to 1250 m•min⁻¹ exhibited significantly higher grindability than titanium. More than twice the volume of metal was removed from the alloys than from titanium per minute. The improved grindability could be attributed to the α′ structure in addition to the decrease in elongation. The Ti-Zr alloys, which formed an α′ phase structure, are candidates for use as machinable biomaterial in dental applications.

抄録全体を表示

Left ventricular function after a left ventriculectomy was assessed in a patient with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) who has survived longer than any other patient in Japan after this operation. The 19-year-old male had a history of cerebral infarction because of left ventricular thrombus associated with DCM. In order to remove the thrombus and improve left ventricular function, an approximately 12×4 cm piece of myocardial tissue was resected according to the methods of Batista's operation. Left ventricular diastolic dimension was temporarily reduced 1 month after surgery, but increased again. During the 45 months of follow-up, left ventricular diastolic dimension, cardiac output and New York Heart Association functional class remain unchanged from the preoperative values. (Circ J 2002; 66: 104 - 106)

抄録全体を表示

Activin is secreted from equine uterine glands and plays important roles in establishment and maintenance of pregnancy in mares. This study aimed to localize activin receptors (ActRs) IA/B and IIA/B using immunohistochemistry in the uteroplacental tissues of seven pregnant Thoroughbred mares. At the time of tissue collection, the mares were at the following days of pregnancy: 88, 120, 161, 269, 290, 313, and 335 days. We fixed the uteroplacental tissues in 4% paraformaldehyde and obtained serial sections that were subsequently stained for analysis. All four isoforms of ActR were expressed in the uteroplacental tissues, including the endometrial epithelium, uterine glands, trophoblasts, and myometrium, throughout pregnancy. Our results suggested the potential role of activin in the uteroplacental tissues.

抄録全体を表示

Repeated spraying of gebberellin solution promoted the initiation of spikelet primordia in cold requiring wheats under the condition of high temperature which was unfavorable for the progress of vernalization. It proves that gibberellin can replace the vernalization by low temperature. In such cases, the primordium differentiation in shoot apex was stimulated by the chemical before the initiation of spikes. There were, moreover, some indications that the spikelet production in a young ear might be enhanced. No discernible elongation of internodes was seen before spikelet initiation in all gibberellin-treated plants.

抄録全体を表示

Medically refractory heart failure may be present in children with cardiomyopathy (CMP) or complex congenital heart disease (CHD). In adults, the surgical management of this condition is either heart transplantation or the Batista operation. From March 1995 to January 2000, a total of 6 children, aged from 1 to 16 years, with medically refractory heart failure associated with CMP or complex CHD underwent cardiac transplantation and one of them also had the Batista operation as a bridge to transplantation. One of the 6 patients died of intractable sepsis 17 days after the operation, but the other 5 were discharged with satisfactory hemodynamics. Immunosuppressive agents, including azathioprine, cyclosporin or FK-506, were given. One patient experienced moderate acute rejection, but it was controlled by FK-506, OKT-3 and solumedrol. However, another suffered from lymphoproliferative disease 8 months after transplant, but it was controlled by intravenous immunoglubulin, α-interferon and acyclovir. Cardiac function during serial follow-up (range, 1 month to 5 years) revealed normal systolic and diastolic function and none received any anticongestive medications. Almost all patients received an oversized donor heart. The left ventricle (LV) mass was remodeled, initially as an decrease and later as an increase. The patient who underwent the Batista operation was discharged 1 month after the operation with an increased LV ejection fraction (from 10% to 22%). She was successfully bridged to heart transplantation 7 months after the Batista operation. The results of cardiac transplantation in growing children are satisfactory and remain the mainstay of surgical treatment for medically refractory heart failure in these patients. However, with a shortage of donor hearts, the Batista operation may be adopted as a bridge to heart transplant with a fair response. (Jpn Circ J 2001; 65: 289 -293)

抄録全体を表示

Lyrics influence human affection toward music as same as the acoustics. All phrases in a lyric are not remembered; there are some “attractive phrases” in lyrics. This paper proposes a method to detect attractive phrases from musical lyrics focusing on typical expressions on lyrics that are uncommon in natural document. Through the interview on impression for lyrics, “uniqueness of co-occurred terms” and “repetition” were founded as typical expressions that significantly attracted human. Therefore, these expressions were modeled as mathematical features. The proposed method detected attractive phrases using support vector machine with the modeled features. The results of the model evaluation experiments showed the 69% accuracy and 86% precision. The detected results were compared and discussed with the key sentences detected by using the existing summarization methods. As the result of the comparison, it was concluded that the proposed method detected attractive phrases more accurate than the existing summarization methods.

抄録全体を表示

拡張型心筋症を対象としたDynamic Caldiomyoplastyの臨床応用により, 術後の臨床症状や心収縮力の改善などが報告されている。本術式の循環補助メカニズムとしては心収縮補助のみならず, 広背筋被覆そのものによる心拡張予防効果や心筋壁応力減少効果などの関与が示唆されている。われわれは, Dynamic Cardiomyoplastyがこれらの相互作用により不全心臓のremodelingにも影響して心臓の拡張を防止し, また心臓の収縮力を改善すると考えている。本術式には被覆した広背筋のconditioningに約2ヵ月を要する点, 原疾患に起因する術後の不整脈死対策として骨格筋刺激装置にautodefibrillatorを内臓することが望まれるなど改善すべき点があるものの, donorを必要としない点, 免疫抑制剤に起因する合併症の心配が全くない点, 侵襲の少ない手術である点などのメリットがあり, 心不全の外科治療のひとつとして期待できる。

抄録全体を表示

Dynamic cardiomyoplasty(DCMP)の慢性期での左心補助効果をもたらすメカニズムを解析する目的で、骨格筋と心筋との癒着後のDCMP駆動時での左室壁運動を心エコー法にて検討した。長軸断層面ではpostero-lateralからapexが心基部に向かう運動、および短軸断層面での反時計回りの運動が確認された。一方壁運動を定量的に評価する目的でRegional wall motion(RWM)を分析してDCMP駆動時と非駆動時を比較し検討を加えた。左室長軸断層像のRWMではposIero-lateralからapexにかけてのfractional area changc(fac)が非駆動時、平均46.57±24.06%から駆動時、平均64.10±25.76%へと有意に増加し、乳頭筋レベルでの左室短軸断層像RWMでは全周性に有意なfacの増加が得られた。以上よりpostero-lalcralからapexが心基部方向に挙上され、同部を中心とした左室内腔の狭小化、心尖部からみて反時計回りの運動等がDCMPが左心補助効果をもたらすメカニズムであると考えられた。

抄録全体を表示

白金電極におけるピロールの電気化学酸化を0.1N硫酸,Britton-Robinso血緩衝液および0.1N水酸化カリウム水溶液中で行なった。
酸化生成物はpH>10では4-ピ律リン-2-オン,5-(2-ピロリル)-2-ピロリジノン,2,5-ビス(5-オキソピロリジソ-2-イル)ピ博一ルおよびピロール黒が,そしてpH<10ではピロール黒が得られた。
0.1N水酸化カリウム中におけるピロ一ルの酸化電位はHg/Hgo参照電極に対して+0.9Vであった。定電位電解中の陽極液のポーラログラムを滴下水銀電極で測定した。この結果まず4-ピロリン-2-オンおよび5-(2-ピロリル)-2-ピロリジノンが生成し,ついで2,5-ビス(5-オキソピロリジン-2-イル)ピロールが生成することが認められた。　

抄録全体を表示

This study analyses the characteristics of scenic viewing landscape in Matsudo City based on citizens’ preferences determined from their nominated scenic viewpoints, as well as related photos and comments submitted during the activity ‘My Favorite Scenic Spots of Matsudo City’ from 2009 to 2018. Through sorting out ten-year data, there are a total of 47 scenic viewpoints in Matsudo City, based on 64 contributors with 82 photos. Matsudo citizens’ preferences of scenic views, including the types and distribution characteristics of the scenic viewing subjects, and distribution characteristics of the viewpoints in Matsudo City, were classified and analyzed. The analysis results showed that the scenic viewpoints in Matsudo City are mainly concentrated in the western part, whereas the most preferred scenic viewing subjects are landmarks, both artificial and natural, mainly located outside of Matsudo City, especially Mt. Fuji and Tokyo Skytree. Most of the scenic viewing subjects could still be viewed clearly until now. Areas along the Edo River, areas surrounding Matsudo Station, and the Yakiri area have great potential for vitalizing the scenic viewing landscape of the city. This study suggests that Matsudo City’s landscape planning in the future should focus more on the scenic views and the preservation of these locations.

抄録全体を表示

A one-pot synthesis of β-lactams (4) was successfully achieved by the reaction of β-haloacyl chlorides (1) with α-amino acids (2) in aqueous 5% sodium hydroxide solution in the absence of phase transfer catalyst in yields of 43-91%.

抄録全体を表示

Batista introduced the partial left ventriculectomy (PLV), which is based on physics alone. With experience, it has been found that the extent of myocardial disease and viability of retained muscle is an important determinant of early and late survival. Although the PLV has been almost abandoned in many countries following the negative message from the Cleveland Clinic, it is still alive in Japan with a refined concept, surgical technique and patient selection. In a series of 63 patients undergoing PLV for idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy since 1996, operative mortality was 9.5%, and 1-, 3- and 5-year survival rates were 71.1%, 56.2% and 45.9%, respectively. Improved survival has obtained by using appropriate patient selection and concomitant restrictive mitral annuloplasty (1-, 3- and 5-year survival rate =86.5%, 78.6% and 59.4%, respectively, in the most recent 33 patients). Because of insufficient availability of donors for heart transplantation, nontransplant cardiac surgery for medically refractory heart failure is important. Ventricular restoration procedures, including PLV, should be seriously considered as an important option for endstage heart failure. (Circ J 2009; Suppl A: A-19-A-22)

抄録全体を表示

Partial left ventriculectomy (PLV) can be used to treat refractory congestive heart failure caused by dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM). In order to understand the relationship between the underlying myocardial injury and early clinical outcomes after PLV, histopathologic, immunohistochemical and virologic studies of the resected myocardium were performed. The posterolateral left ventricular walls from 27 patients with idiopathic DCM were examined. Cardiomyocyte diameter, degree of myocardial fibrosis, degree of cardiomyocyte degeneration, and degree of inflammatory cell infiltration were compared with mortality rates. Polymerase chain reaction was performed to detect enterovirus genome in the myocardium. Some patients had inflammatory cell infiltrates with focal accumulations of lymphocytes and macrophages, including both cytotoxic/suppressor T-cells and helper/inducer T-cells. The number of inflammatory cells (activated lymphocytes plus macrophages/mm²) was significantly greater in patients who died of cardiac insufficiency after surgery (27.8±5.7; n=7) than in the survivors (11.1±2.5; n=15). There was no significant difference in the degree of myocardial fibrosis, cardiomyocyte diameter or degree of cardiomyocyte degeneration between the 2 groups. Enterovirus genome was detected in the myocardium of 9 (38%) of 24 patients examined and 5 of these enterovirus-positive hearts had severe inflammatory cell infiltrates (37.9±2.5/mm²). Early survival in patients undergoing PLV for DCM is significantly affected by the degree of myocardial inflammation, so patients with more severe or ongoing inflammation may have poor clinical outcomes. Chronic myocarditis may play an important role in the etiology and pathophysiology of idiopathic DCM. (Jpn Circ J 2001; 65: 797 - 802)

抄録全体を表示

Ischemic reperfusion (I/R) injury is a serious problem in the treatment of ischemic heart disease. MicroRNA-208a (miR-208a) is a cardiac-specific or cardiac-enriched miRNA. This study was aimed to assess the role of miR-208a in I/R injury. H9c2 cells were used to simulate I/R injury in vitro. miR-208a expression level was measured by qPCR. H9c2 cells after simulated I/R injury were transfected with miR-208a mimic, AOS-miR-208a or negative controls. LDH release, MDA and SOD contents were measured by corresponding purchased detection kits, respectively. Cell apoptosis were measured by flow cytometry. Then binding effect of miR-208a on CHD9 3'UTR was detected by Dual-Luciferase activity assay. After miRNA or CHD9 overexpression transfections, expressions of apoptosis-related factors, CHD9, Notch 1, IκBα, and p65 in H9c2 cells after I/R injury were measured by Western blot assay. Results showed that in H9c2 cells after simulated I/R injury, miR-208a was upregulated. The elevated miR-208a expression enhanced the injury of cells and promoted cell apoptosis. miR-208a directly target 3'UTR of CHD9 and negatively regulated CHD9 expression. Overexpression of CHD9 rescued I/R injury that was enhanced by miR-208a mimic transfection. miR-208a was positively related with activation of Notch/NF-B signal pathways via CHD9. In conclusion, miR-208a was a cardiac-enriched miRNA and CHD9 is a direct target of miR-208a, which was also related with Notch/NFB signal pathway during I/R injury. miR-208a has potential to be a biomarker for early diagnosis of I/R injury and might be used as a treatment target in clinical treatment of ischemic heart disease.

抄録全体を表示

In Myanmar, pulses are a very important crop with great potential for export. Black gram (Vigna mungo L.) is one of the predominant pulse species grown, with planting after the harvest of monsoon rice in the winter season. Understanding the spatial variability of soil chemical properties is critical for improving the productivity of pulses and ensuring sustainable farming practices. However, a systematic assessment on the spatial variability of pulses yield has not been conducted. Therefore, this study was carried out to examine the variability of black gram yields in relation to soil chemical properties, at Kyee Inn Village, Pyinmana Township, central Myanmar from May 2017 to March 2018. Eighty composited soil samples were collected across the study area and analyzed for common soil chemical properties. Sixty seven farmers were surveyed as sample respondents to determine yields and management practices. Interpolation allowing overlay mapping of variations in black gram yields on soil chemical properties was accomplished using ArcGIS software. It was observed that these soil chemical properties and black gram yield varied considerably throughout the study area. Slight variability was observed in total nitrogen content. The pH value of the soils was moderately acidic to moderately alkaline with pH values of 5.48 to 7.58. The fields were characterized by low levels of soil organic matter and total phosphorus. The variation in black gram yields, ranging from 0.16 to 1.97 ton per hectare, is probably a result of the high variation of total soil nitrogen and phosphorus content. The results suggest that to improve soil fertility and sustain and improve black gram yields, it is very important to apply organic matter, nitrogen and phosphorus in parts of the study area.

抄録全体を表示