Fully-elastic multi-granular network with space/frequency/time switching using multi-core fibres and programmable optical nodes

We present the first elastic, space division multiplexing, and multi-granular network based on two 7-core MCF links and four programmable optical nodes able to switch traffic utilising the space, frequency and time dimensions with over 6000-fold bandwidth granularity. Results show good end-to-end performance on all channels with power penalties between 0.75 dB and 3.7 dB.

Epidemiological classification of infectious bronchitis virus isolated in Korea between 1986 and 1997

Forty Korean isolates and four reference strains of infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) were classified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) analysis. Each Korean isolate was isolated from different types of commercial chicken flocks between 1986 and 1997. RFLP patterns of an amplified DNA fragment (1722 bp) containing the S1 gene of IBV digested by restriction enzyme HaeIII showed that the 40 Korean isolates were classified into five genotypes, I to V. Six of them belonged to genotype I which had the same HaeIII and XcmI cleavage patterns with Massachusetts type (H120 and M41) but the other four genotypes had a different HaeIII cleavage pattern from the four reference IBV strains used in this study. Genotype III seemed to be the major type as 29 of the 40 isolates belonged to this type which was consistently found in the chicken flocks since 1990. On the other hand, genotypes II, IV and V were found in the field only in 1986, 1995 and 1995, respectively. Five isolates selected from each of the five genotypes were inoculated into 1-day-old specific-pathogen-free chicks to evaluate their pathogenicity. Genotype III induced 50% mortality as well as severe renal urate deposition on the kidneys but the other four genotypes only showed respiratory distress at 1 to 2 days after inoculation. Live H120 vaccine protected chicks against challenge with isolates selected from genotype I, but not genotypes IV to V. A live KM91p120 strain selected from major genotype III did protect chicks against challenge with isolates from genotype III, in addition to other genotypes, including two recent isolates of genotypes IV and V.

Face cooling with mist water increases cerebral blood flow during exercise: effect of changes in facial skin blood flow

Facial cooling (FC) increases cerebral blood flow (CBF) at rest and during exercise; however, the mechanism of this response remains unclear. The purpose of the present study was to test our hypothesis that FC causes facial vasoconstriction that diverts skin blood flow (SkBF_face) toward the middle cerebral artery (MCA V_mean) at rest and to a greater extent during exercise. Nine healthy young subjects (20 ± 2 years) underwent 3 min of FC by fanning and spraying the face with a mist of cold water (~4°C) at rest and during steady-state exercise [heart rate (HR) of 120 bpm]. We focused on the difference between the averaged data acquired from 1 min immediately before FC and last 1 min of FC. SkBF_face, MCA V_mean, and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) were higher during exercise than at rest. As hypothesized, FC decreased SkBF_face at rest (−32 ± 4%) and to a greater extent during exercise (−64 ± 10%, P = 0.012). Although MCA V_mean was increased by FC (Rest, +1.4 ± 0.5 cm/s; Exercise, +1.4 ± 0.6 cm/s), the amount of the FC-evoked changes in MCA V_mean at rest and during exercise differed among subjects. In addition, changes in MCA V_mean with FC did not correlate with concomitant changes in SkBF_face (r = 0.095, P = 0.709). MAP was also increased by FC (Rest, +6.2 ± 1.4 mmHg; Exercise, +4.2 ± 1.2 mmHg). These findings suggest that the FC-induced increase in CBF during exercise could not be explained only by change in SkBF_face.

Erythrocytes carotenoids after astaxanthin supplementation in middle-aged and senior Japanese subjects

A randomized, double-blind human trial was conducted to assess the effect of 4- or 12-week astaxanthin supplementation (1 or 3 mg/day) on the carotenoid compositions of erythrocytes in Japanese middle-aged and senior subjects. Erythrocyte astaxanthin concentrations after 4- or 12-weeks of supplementation (3 mg/day) was significantly higher than after placebo or 1 mg astaxanthin supplementations. No differences were observed in either the carotenoid compositions or the phospholipid hydroperoxide concentrations in erythrocytes after astaxanthin intake in both the 1 and 3 mg/day groups.

Differential blood flow responses to CO₂ in human internal and external carotid and vertebral arteries

Arterial CO2 serves as a mediator of cerebral blood flow(CBF), and its relative influence on the regulation of CBF is defined as cerebral CO2 reactivity. Our previous studies have demonstrated that there are differences in CBF responses to physiological stimuli (i.e. dynamic exercise and orthostatic stress) between arteries in humans. These findings suggest that dynamic CBF regulation and cerebral CO2 reactivity may be different in the anterior and posterior cerebral circulation. The aim of this study was to identify cerebral CO2 reactivity by measuring blood flow and examine potential differences in CO2 reactivity between the internal carotid artery (ICA), external carotid artery (ECA) and vertebral artery (VA). In 10 healthy young subjects, we evaluated the ICA, ECA, and VA blood flow responses by duplex ultrasonography (Vivid-e, GE Healthcare), and mean blood flow velocity in middle cerebral artery (MCA) and basilar artery (BA) by transcranial Doppler (Vivid-7, GE healthcare) during two levels of hypercapnia (3% and 6% CO2), normocapnia and hypocapnia to estimate CO2 reactivity. To characterize cerebrovascular reactivity to CO2,we used both exponential and linear regression analysis between CBF and estimated partial pressure of arterial CO2, calculated by end-tidal partial pressure of CO2. CO2 reactivity in VA was significantly lower than in ICA (coefficient of exponential regression 0.021 ± 0.008 vs. 0.030 ± 0.008; slope of linear regression 2.11 ± 0.84 vs. 3.18 ± 1.09% mmHg−1: VA vs. ICA, P <0.01). Lower CO2 reactivity in the posterior cerebral circulation was persistent in distal intracranial arteries (exponent 0.023 ± 0.006 vs. 0.037 ± 0.009; linear 2.29 ± 0.56 vs. 3.31 ± 0.87% mmHg−1: BA vs. MCA). In contrast, CO2 reactivity in ECA was markedly lower than in the intra-cerebral circulation (exponent 0.006 ± 0.007; linear 0.63 ± 0.64% mmHg−1, P <0.01). These findings indicate that vertebro-basilar circulation has lower CO2 reactivity than internal carotid circulation, and that CO2 reactivity of the external carotid circulation is markedly diminished compared to that of the cerebral circulation, which may explain different CBF responses to physiological stress.

Impact of chronic exercise training on the blood pressure response to orthostatic stimulation

Exercise training elicits morphological adaptations in the left ventricle (LV) and large-conduit arteries that are specific to the type of training performed (i.e., endurance vs. resistance exercise). We investigated whether the mode of chronic exercise training, and the associated cardiovascular adaptations, influence the blood pressure responses to orthostatic stimulation in 30 young healthy men (10 sedentary, 10 endurance trained, and 10 resistance trained). The endurance-trained group had a significantly larger LV end-diastolic volume normalized by body surface area (vs. sedentary and resistance-trained groups), whereas the resistance-trained group had a significantly higher LV wall thickness and aortic pulse wave velocity (PWV) compared with the endurance-trained group. In response to 60° head-up tilt (HUT), mean arterial pressure (MAP) rose in the resistance-trained group (+6.5 ± 1.6 mmHg, P < 0.05) but did not change significantly in sedentary and the endurance-trained groups. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) decreased in endurance-trained group (-8.3 ± 2.4 mmHg, P < 0.05) but did not significantly change in sedentary and resistance-trained groups. A forward stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that LV wall thickness and aortic PWV were significantly and independently associated with the MAP response to HUT, explaining ∼41% of its variability (R(2) =0.414, P < 0.001). Likewise, aortic PWV and the corresponding HUT-mediated change in stroke volume were significantly and independently associated with the SBP response to HUT, explaining ∼52% of its variability (R(2) = 0.519, P < 0.0001). Furthermore, the change in stroke volume significantly correlated with LV wall thickness (r = 0.39, P < 0.01). These results indicate that chronic resistance and endurance exercise training differentially affect the BP response to HUT, and that this appears to be associated with training-induced morphological adaptations of the LV and large-conduit arteries.

Oral administration of γ-aminobutyric acid affects heat production in a hot environment in resting humans

Background

Central administration of γ-amino butyric acid (GABA) induces lower body temperature in animals in hot ambient air. However, it is still unknown whether oral GABA administration affects temperature regulation at rest in a hot environment in humans. Therefore, in the present study, we specifically hypothesized that systemic administration of GABA in humans would induce hypothermia in a hot environment and that this response would be observed in association with decreased heat production.

Methods

Eight male participants drank a 200-ml sports drink with 1 g of GABA (trial G) or without GABA (trial C), then rested for 30 minutes in a sitting position in a hot environment (ambient air temperature 33°C, relative humidity 50%).

Results

We found that changes in esophageal temperature from before drinking the sports drink were lower in trial G than in trial C (-0.046 ± 0.079°C vs 0.001 ± 0.063°C; P < 0.05), with lower heat production calculated by oxygen consumption (41 ± 5 W/m² vs 47 ± 8 W/m²; P < 0.05).

Conclusions

In this study, we have demonstrated that a single oral administration of GABA induced a larger decrease in body core temperature compared to a control condition during rest in a hot environment and that this response was concomitant with a decrease in total heat production.

Lower skin temperature decreases maximal cycling performance

BACKGROUND

It is known that external cooling of body regions involved in exercise, prior to exercise, decreases anaerobic performance. However, there have been no studies reporting the effects of whole body skin surface cooling before exercise on maximal anaerobic capacity. In order to clarify the effects, we compared power output during the Wingate anaerobic test between preconditioning by exposure to temperature 10 degrees C and 25 degrees C.

METHODS

Eight healthy males carried out the Wingate test for 30 seconds, after pre-conditioning for 60 minutes using a perfusion suit with water at a temperature of 10 degrees C or 25 degrees C. We evaluated the peak power (PP) and peak power slope (PS) of the power output.

RESULTS

Mean skin temperature (T(sk)) at 60 minutes of pre-conditioning in the 10 degrees C trial was significantly lower than in the 25 degrees C trial (p < 0.05). PP and also PS were significantly lower in the 10 degrees C trial than in the 25 degrees C trial. Changes (Δ) in PP between the 10 degrees C trial and the 25 degrees C trial were strongly correlated with ΔT(sk) and Δ in thigh and leg skin temperature (ΔT(thigh) and ΔT(leg), respectively), whereas ΔPS was strongly correlated with ΔT(sk), but not with ΔT(thigh) and ΔT(leg).

CONCLUSIONS

Whole body skin surface cooling prior to exercise restricts anaerobic capacity, especially in the initial phase of exercise.

Kinetics of exercise-induced neural activation; interpretive dilemma of altered cerebral perfusion

Neural activation decreases cerebral deoxyhaemoglobin (HHb(C)) and increases oxyhaemoglobin concentration (O(2)Hb(C)). In contrast, patients who present with restricted cerebral blood flow, such as those suffering from cerebral ischaemia or Alzheimer's disease, and during the course of ageing the converse occurs, in that HHb(C) increases and O(2)Hb(C) decreases during neural activation. In the present study, we examined the interpretive implications of altered exercise-induced cerebral blood flow for cortical oxygenation in healthy subjects. Both O(2)Hb(C) and HHb(C) (prefrontal cortex) were determined in 11 healthy men using near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS). Middle cerebral artery mean blood velocity (MCA V(mean)) was determined via transcranial Doppler ultrasonography. Measurements were performed during contralateral hand-grip exercise during suprasystolic bilateral thigh-cuff occlusion (Cuff+) and within 2 s of cuff release (Cuff-) for the acute manipulation of cerebral perfusion. During Cuff+, both MCA V(mean) and O(2)Hb(C) increased during exercise, whereas HHb(C) decreased. In contrast, the opposite occurred during the Cuff- manipulation. These findings highlight the inverse relationship between cerebral blood flow and cerebral oxygenation as determined by NIRS, which has interpretive implications for the kinetics underlying exercise-induced neural activation.

Urinary concentrations of 15-epimer of lipoxin A(4) are lower in patients with aspirin-intolerant compared with aspirin-tolerant asthma

BACKGROUND

Although an abnormality in arachidonic acid metabolism may be responsible for aspirin-intolerant asthma (AIA), there is little knowledge about the concentrations of urinary lipoxin A(4) (LXA(4)) and the 15-epimer of LXA(4) (15-epi-LXA(4)) in relation to asthma severity in AIA subjects.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study is to estimate urinary LXA(4) and the 15-epimer concentrations to investigate lipoxins in AIA.

METHODS

In this study, we examined AIA, aspirin-tolerant asthma (ATA) and healthy control groups. The AIA and ATA groups were subdivided into the severe asthma and non-severe asthma subgroups. Urinary LXA(4), 15-epi-LXA(4) and leukotriene E(4) (LTE(4) ) were quantified using enzyme immunoassay after separating these compounds using high-performance liquid chromatography.

RESULTS

The urinary LXA(4) concentration was significantly lower than the 15-epi-LXA(4) concentration in the asthmatic subjects. The AIA group showed significantly lower urinary 15-epi-LXA(4) (P < 0.01) and higher urinary LTE(4) concentrations (P < 0.05) than the ATA group. Comparison of 15-epi-LXA(4) concentrations between the severe asthmatic and non-severe asthmatic subjects in the AIA and ATA groups revealed that the decreased 15-epi-LXA(4) concentration may be related to aspirin intolerance, but not asthma severity. Receiver operator characteristic curves demonstrated that the concentration ratio of LTE(4) to 15-epi-LXA(4) was superior to 15-epi-LXA(4) concentration and LTE(4) concentration as a predictive factor for aspirin intolerance.

CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE

We have demonstrated for the first time that urinary 15-epi-LXA(4) concentration is significantly higher than LXA(4) concentration in both the AIA and ATA groups. 15-Epi-LXA(4) concentration was significantly lower in the AIA group with an increased urinary LTE(4) concentration than in the ATA group. An imbalance between proinflammatory cysteinyl-leukotrienes and anti-inflammatory 15-epi-LXA(4) may be involved in AIA pathogenesis.

Tocotrienol distribution in foods: estimation of daily tocotrienol intake of Japanese population

Tocotrienol (T3) is an unsaturated form of natural vitamin E that has been focused on because of its potential health benefits (i.e., antioxidative, antihypercholesterolemic, and antiangiogenic effects). The presence of T3 in some plant sources (e.g., rice bran and palm oil) is known, but its distribution in other edible sources and its daily intake remain unclear. In this study, we aimed at clarifying the distribution of T3 in various food sources and estimating the daily T3 intake of Japanese population. T3 contents of 242 food items and 64 meal items were measured by using normal-phase HPLC with fluorescence detection. As for the results, T3 contents were nondetectable to 12 mg T3/kg wet wt of food items, and nondetectable to 1.3 mg T3/item of processed (cooked) meal. Accordingly, the daily intake of T3 was estimated as 1.9-2.1 mg T3/day/person. The estimated daily intake of T3 appears rather low compared with the intake of tocopherol (8-10 mg/day/person as reported in the Japanese National Nutrition Survey), and additional T3 is important for its therapeutic aspects.

Effect of oral administration of GABA on temperature regulation in humans during rest and exercise at high ambient temperature

BACKGROUND

Centric administration of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) has been implicated to affect temperature regulation in animals during rest or under anesthesia. However, there are few reports concerning the effects of the oral administration of GABA on temperature regulation in humans during rest and exercise. In order to clarify the effects and underlying mechanisms, we measured several parameters related to temperature regulation of humans during rest and exercise at high ambient temperature (35 degrees C).

METHODS

On two occasions, eight endurance-trained men rested for 20 min and cycled at 65% VO2peak for 30 min. In control trial (trial-C), subjects drank the sample which was a sports drink of 200 mL (placebo) before the rest period. In another trial (trial-G), subjects drank the sample which was a sports drink containing 1000 mg of GABA (GABA drink) before the rest period.

RESULTS

In trial-G, the plasma GABA concentrations were maintained higher than those in trial-C during the experiment. An increase of esophageal temperature during rest and exercise was inhibited in trial-G. Sweat rate, and plasma catecholamine concentrations during exercise were inhibited in trial-G.

CONCLUSIONS

Esophageal temperature inhibition is suggested to be induced by the suppression of cold-sensitive neurons during rest, and the inhibition of plasma catecholamine concentrations caused by the GABA-induced attenuation of the sympathetic nervous system during exercise.

[Full-thickness pleural biopsy using an Insulation-tipped Diathermic Knife in a patient with malignant pleural mesothelioma]

A 72-year-old woman was pointed out a right pleural effusion and thickening pleura on the chest computed tomography. The patient underwent semiflexible thoracoscopy under local anesthesia at the endoscopy room. The patient was placed in the lateral decubitus position, and flexible trocar was inserted with the single puncture technique. At the macroscopic findings, the parietal pleura were thickened prominently, and patchy plaques were occasionally recognized. A standard biopsy forceps hardly grasped pleura because of presence of scar, so we performed pleural biopsy using Insulation-tipped Diathermic (IT) knife. A subpleural injection of saline containing 0.5% lidokine and 0.005% epinephrine was performed for raising the affected parietal pleura with an injection needle. After a pin hole was made, the pleural lesion was incised in a circle by manipulating the IT knife, and the incised pleura were removed. Pathology revealed extensive fibrosis and epithelial mesothelioma by the specimen. This biopsy technique using IT knife through semiflexible thoracoscopy enabled to obtain a full-thickness pleura It is thought to be useful for the diagnosis of malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) in which standard forceps are difficult to grasp.