Syntheses of Two Potential Ligands for Tc-99m Labeling as Diagnosis Agents of Alzheimer''''s Disease

Two types of ligands-biphenyl and stilbene derivatives, whichcan be labeled with Tc-99m for the diagnosis of Alzheimer'sdisease (AD) have been synthesized successfully. The key stepsin these two syntheses involved Suzuki reaction and Wittig reac-tion respectively. The new discovered debromination reactionmay be expanded to the compounds with double or triple bondadjacent to the carbon atom bearing the bromine atoms. Thesetypes of syntheses provide a route to a series of biphenyl andstilbene derivatives that will benefit the search of new imagingagents for AD.     

ON AXISYMMETRIC TRAVELING WAVES AND RADIAL SOLUTIONS OF SEMI‐LINEAR ELLIPTIC EQUATIONS

ABSTRACT. Combining analytical techniques from perturbation methods and dynamical systems theory, we present an elementaryapproach to the detailed construction of axisymmetric diffusive interfaces in semi‐linear elliptic equations. Solutions of the resulting non‐autonomous radial differential equations can be expressed in terms of a slowlyvarying phase plane system. Special analytical results for the phase plane system are used to produce closed‐form solutions for the asymptotic forms of the curved front solutions. These axisym‐metric solutions are fundamental examples of more general curved fronts that arise in a wide variety of scientific fields, and we extensivelydiscuss a number of them, with a particular emphasis on connections to geometric models for the motion of interfaces. Related classical results for traveling waves in one‐dimensional problems are also reviewed briefly. Manyof the results contained in this article are known, and in presenting known results, it is intended that this article be expositoryin nature, providing elementarydemonstrations of some of the central dynamical phenomena and mathematical techniques. It is hoped that the article serves as one possible avenue of entree to the literature on radiallysymmetric solutions of semilinear elliptic problems, especiallyto those articles in which more advanced mathematical theoryis developed.     

检测钠离子的荧光探针：含稠合外环的硼-二吡咯亚甲基染料的合成与光物理性质研究

本文报道了两种中位为苯并冠醚亚单元取代的含稠合外环的硼-二吡咯亚甲基染料的合成、光谱和电化学性质。研究结果表明：在荧光团中引入吸电子的酯基使化合物2成为一种高灵敏性的检测钠离子的荧光探针。     

Effect of a Combined Exercise and Cognitive Activity Intervention on Cognitive Function in Community-dwelling Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of an intervention combining exercise and cognitive activity on cognitive function in healthy older adults. Methods: This pilot randomized controlled trial recruited 33 eligible, healthy communitydwelling older adults (mean age, 77.1 years old; women, 51.5%), who were divided into intervention and waitlist control groups. The intervention group was engaged weekly in a group activity comprising exercise and discussions of homework, which included reading aloud, simple arithmetic, and simple activities, like spotting differences, for cognitive stimulation. They were also required to complete cognitive activity homework twice a week. The waitlist control group received no intervention. The main outcomes were cognitive function assessed using the Mini-Mental State Examination, delayed recall score on the Logical Memory IIA of the Wechsler Memory Scale Revised, Trail Making Test, and digit symbol substitution test. Results: According to the results, Mini-Mental State Examination scores were maintained in the intervention group but declined in the control group [Mean change in outcomes in control group (95% confidence interval): -1.68 (-2.89 to -0.48)]. Additional mean change in outcomes in intervention group were found [1.68 (0.02 to 3.35)]. Conclusions: Interventions combining exercise and cognitive activity can be helpful for preserving cognitive function in healthy older adults.     

Sex-related Differences in Exercise Capacity Trends and Determinants after Cardiac Rehabilitation in Patients with Acute Myocardial Infarction

Objective: This study aimed to investigate whether longitudinal changes in exercise capacity in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) differ by sex and clarified what contributed to these differences. Methods: We retrospectively examined the differences in each variable between men and women in 156 patients with AMI (mean age: 65 ± 12 years; 82.0% male) who participated in a 3-month cardiac rehabilitation (CR) program and could be followed-up for exercise capacity 12-months after AMI onset. Sex-related differences in the change in peak oxygen uptake (peak VO₂) at baseline, 3-months, and 12-months after AMI were analyzed. Results: Male patients with AMI were younger and had higher body mass index and employment rate than women. The attendance of the CR program was higher in women (men vs. women; 10 [3–15] vs. 14 [11–24] sessions, p = 0.0002). Women showed a significant lower %change in peak VO₂ after 12 months (men vs. women; 7.8% [–0.49% to 14.6%] vs. 1.3% [–5.7% to 7.5%], p = 0.013). In multiple linear regression analysis, age (β = –0.76, 95% confidence interval [CI] = –1.0 to –0.50, p <0.0001) and female sex (β = –6.3, 95% CI = –9.1 to –3.5, p <0.0001) were negative independent predictors of change in peak VO₂ over 12 months, while CR attendance (β = 0.21, 95% CI = 0.0032–0.42, p = 0.047) and recommended exercise habit after the CR program (β = 2.1, 95% CI = 0.095–4.1, p = 0.040) were positive independent predictors of change in peak VO₂ over 12 months. Conclusion: In female patients, exercise capacity improved during the CR program but decreased to AMI onset levels after 12 months.     

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.     

Association of objectively measured physical activity with combined bilateral knee and low-back pain in older adults with knee osteoarthritis: A cross-sectional study

Objective: Knee pain (KP) and low-back pain (LBP) are common sites of pain and major public health issues among older adults. We investigated the combined association of bilateral KP and LBP with objectively measured physical activity (PA) among adults with knee osteoarthritis (OA). Methods: We recruited 150 knee OA adults and measured steps and PA intensity, including sedentary behavior (SB), low PA (LPA), and moderate-to-vigorous PA, using an accelerometer. KP and LBP were measured using a numerical rating scale. They were classified into 4 groups based on the presence of KP and LBP: with the only unilateral KP (UKP), with the combined UKP and LBP (UKP and LBP), with the bilateral KP (BKP), and with the combined bilateral KP and LBP (BKP and LBP). One-way analysis of covariance was performed to compare physical activity variables (intensity or steps) between the four groups. Results: Overall, 126 patients were enrolled. The prevalence of UKP, BKP, UKP and LBP, and BKP and LBP were 29.4%, 23.8%, 18.3%, and 28.6%. The proportion of SB was higher in the BKP and LBP group than in the other groups (F = 6.51, p < 0.01). The proportion of LPA was lower in the BKP and LBP group than in the other groups (F = 6.21, p < 0.01). Conclusions: The proportions of SB and LPA were significantly worse in knee OA adults with BKP and LBP than in those with UKP. Our findings may be a basis for considering knee OA adults for improving PA.     

Social Network Moderates the Association between Frequency of Social Participation and Physical Function among Community-dwelling Older Adults

Objective: Social participation is an essential component of active aging. Physical dysfunction is restriction of social participation, but it is inconclusive that improvement of physical function contributes to promote social participation. Therefore, understanding the other factor that moderates the association between physical dysfunction and social participation is important, and social network (i.e., ties with family and friends) may be a key factor. The aims of this study were to investigate the association between physical function and frequency of social participation, with social network as a moderator, and to examine the gender differences on the relationships. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among 287 community-dwelling older adults. We asked how often they participated in social groups in a week to measure frequency of social participation. Physical function and social network were measured by using the modified version of Short Physical Performance Battery for community-dwelling older adults and the abbreviated Lubben Social Network Scale, respectively. To investigate the association, we performed a linear regression analysis. Results: After adjustment, a linear regression analysis showed interactions between physical function and social network on frequent social participation (β: −0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −0.40 to −0.01). Furthermore, the same association was observed only in women (adjusted β: −0.33, 95% CI: −0.65 to −0.02). Conclusion: Our results suggested that social network moderates the association between physical function and social participation, and observed gender differences on the relationships. The findings of this study indicated the importance of multidimensional assessment and measures for improving social participation, not only physical function but also social network.     

Twists of elliptic curves

If E is an elliptic curve over , then let E(D) denote theD-quadratic twist of E. It is conjectured that there are infinitely many primesp for which E(p) has rank 0, and that there are infinitely many primes for which has positive rank. For some special curvesE we show that there is a set S of primes p with density for which if is a squarefree integer where , then E(D) has rank 0. In particular E(p) has rank 0 for every . As an example let E1 denote the curve .Then its associated set of primes S₁ consists of the prime11 and the primes p for which the order of the reduction ofX₀(11) modulo p is odd. To obtain the general result we show for primes that the rational factor of L(E(p),1) is nonzero which implies thatE(p) has rank 0. These special values are related to surjective Galois representations that are attached to modularforms. Another example of this result is given, and we conclude with someremarks regarding the existence of positive rank prime twists via polynomialidentities.     

Self-rated Changes of Health Status during Stay-at-home Orders among Older Adults Using the Long-term Care Insurance System of Japan: A Cross-sectional Study

Objectives: To reveal self-rated changes of health status during stay-at-home orders among older adults and to verify whether decrease in frequency of going outdoors during these orders was related to self-rated changes in health status. Method: A self-completed questionnaire for older adults was provided in 2 dayservice facilities and a nursing station. We operationally defined health status with 4 domains (motor function, oral and swallowing function, depression, and social networks) and designed the questionnaire to determine self-rated changes in health status using factor analysis. After factor analysis, regression analyses were conducted. Dependent variable was each factor score (self-rated changes of health status), and independent variable was decrease in frequency of going outdoors. Results: Approximately 80% of participants answered that their health status had “worsened” in motor function (75.0%-87.2%). Moreover, more than 70% of participants answered “worsened” in “Feeling energy” and “Getting together and speaking with friends” (72.3% and 75.7%, respectively). Regression analyses demonstrated that, after adjusting for covariates, the decrease in frequency of going outdoors was related to self-rated changes of motor function and friend network. Conclusion: During stay-at-home orders, older adults felt deterioration in their motor function, in feeling energy, and in their friend network, especially people who had decreased their frequency of going outdoors felt more deterioration in their motor function and in their friend network.