Fiber-in-Tube Solid Phase Extraction (FIT-SPE) for Miniaturized Sample Preparation Process

A typical analytical separation procedure has several important steps: sample preparation, isolation, identification, quantitation, statistical evaluation and final decision. Each step is alwayscritical to obtain correct results to fulfill the analytical purpose. In these various steps sample     

A Finite Element Method for 3-D Eddy Current Problems Using an Iterative Approach

An iterative method is proposed for a finite element approximation of three-dimensional eddy current problems. The method is based on an iterative method derived from a perturbation problem of magnetostatic problems. The TEAM model and a transformer model are considered as numerical examples. In both examples, BiConjugate Gradient (BiCG) method is applicable for the complex symmetric linear system arising in each step of the iterative procedure for a rather wide range of the perturbation parameter, and the present results seem to be suitable.     

Comparison between quantitative and subjective assessments of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in cancer patients: A prospective cohort study

Objective: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common adverse event experienced by cancer patients. In general, CIPN is evaluated subjectively based on patient self-assessment or clinician-reported scales; evidence supporting the utility and validity of quantitative sensory tests (QST) is lacking in this patient population. The aim of this study was to objectively assess CIPN of lower extremities by QSTs, and to evaluate the concordance between QSTs and subjective assessments. Methods: In this prospective cohort study, outpatients with cancer receiving chemotherapy were recruited at a single university hospital. We assessed CIPN at the lower extremities at baseline and three months after baseline. The QSTs were performed by applying a monofilament and a tuning fork to determine touch and vibration thresholds, respectively, at the affected site. Subjective assessments were performed based on the visual analog scale (VAS) and the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) toxicity grade. Kappa coefficients were calculated to evaluate the concordance between QSTs and subjective assessments. Results: After exclusion and drop-outs during follow-up, nineteen patients were included in the analysis. The prevalence of patients with abnormal sensation was 37% based on QSTs, 32% based on the VAS, and 14% based on CTCAE grading, respectively. Kappa coefficients were 0.32 between QSTs and VAS, and 0.28 between QSTs and CTCAE. Conclusions: The concordance rates between quantitative and subjective assessments were low. CIPN should be assessed using both quantitative and subjective assessments.     

Japanese cedar pollinosis: Discovery,nomenclature, and epidemiological trends

The history of pollinosis in Japan before the discovery of Japanese cedar pollinosis was presented in part I in this paper. Until early 1960s, it was believed that there was no pollinosis in Japan except one case of ragweed pollinosis.The summary of how the Japanese cedar pollinosis was discovered and named was presented in part II, by referring to the paper in which we reported the presence of Japanese cedar pollinosis for the first time.The epidemiology after the discovery of Japanese cedar pollinosis was presented in part III. The number of the patients suffering from Japanese cedar pollinosis gradually increased since the 1970s. The annual incidence rate of the pollinosis had correlations with the dispersed pollen count per year. The prevalence rate of the patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis increased from 16.2% in 1998 to 26.5% in 2008 by the nationwide survey. The prevalence rate of the patients with Japanese cedar pollinosis in Tokyo metropolitan area was 10% from 1983 to 1987, 19.4% in 1996, and 28.2% in 2006.The prospects of current research and future studies were discussed in parts IV and V.     

Reminiscence of phospholipase B in Penicillium notatum

Since the phospholipase B (PLB) was reported as a deacylase of both lecithin and lysolecithin yielding fatty acids and glycerophosphocholine (GPC), there was a question as to whether it is a single enzyme or a mixture of a phospholipase A₂ (PLA₂) and a lysophospholipase (LPL). We purified the PLB in Penicillium notatum and showed that it catalyzed deacylation of sn-1 and sn-2 fatty acids of 1,2-diacylphospholipids and also sn-1 or sn-2 fatty acids of 1- or 2-monoacylphospholipids (lysophospholipids). Further, it also has a monoacyllipase activity. The purified PLB is a glycoprotein with m.w. of 91,300. The sugar moiety is M₉ only and the protein moiety consists of 603 amino acids. PLB, different from PLA₂, shows other enzymatic activities, such as transacylase, lipase and acylesterase. PLB activity is influenced by various substances, e.g. detergents, deoxycholate, diethylether, Fe³⁺, and endogenous protease. Therefore, PLB might have broader roles than PLA₂ in vivo. The database shows an extensive sequence similarity between P. notatum PLB and fungal PLB, cPLA₂ and patatin, suggesting a homologous relationship. The catalytic triad of cPLA₂, Ser, Asp and Arg, is also present in P. notatum PLB. Other related PLBs, PLB/Lipases are discussed.     

无机盐对聚乙二醇(PEG)水溶液浊点温度的影响

<正> 聚乙二醇(Polyethylenylycol,PEG)是一种线型水溶性大分子,广泛用于造纸工业的粘着剂,纤维工业的上浆材料,它在生物体内的原生质融合过程中起着重要作用。因其分子结构简单,且不荷电,所以它对研究大分子水溶液中的结构效应是很有益的,无机盐的加入可以改变PEG溶液体系的相转移温度。Baily和Callard,曾研究过无机盐对PEG水溶液浊点温度的影响。本研究除进一步系统考察这种影响外,还讨论了它们之间的规律性,并且确定了PEG+H_2O体系的下临界共溶温度。