Real-time and in-situ small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies were conducted on polystyrene-block-poly (ethylene-alt-propylene) copolymer films having alternating lamellar microdomains. SAXS was detected with a 2D detector from the film specimens subjected to a large-amplitude oscillatory shear deformation with a sawtooth type strain y (-0.5 < y < 0.5) at frequency / = 0.0149 or 1 Hz and at temperature T = 105 or 130 °C. The specimens initially had a uniaxial orientation with the lamellar normal 1 preferentially oriented parallel to the film normal (OZ axis). The shear deformation at low temperature and low frequency (f = 0.0149 Hz, T = 105 °C) or that at high temperature and high frequency (f = 1 Hz, T-130 °C), with the displacement vector parallel to the OY axis and the shear gradient axis parallel to the OZ axis, gave a biaxial orientation with 1 preferentially oriented along either the OZ or OY axis, the former being dominant to the latter. On the other hand, the shear deformation at high temperature and low frequency (f = 0.0149 Hz, T = 130 °C) gave an improved uniaxial orientation of 1 with respect to the OZ axis. A preferred orientation of 1 along the OX axis, the neutral axis, was not detected in any case. The two deformations which gave the biaxial orientation involved about the same shear stress level, but this stress level was much higher than that involved in the deformation giving rise to the improved uniaxial orientation.

BackgroundThe Internet is known to be used for health purposes by the general public all over the world. However, little is known about the use of, attitudes toward, and activities regarding eHealth among the Japanese population.ObjectivesThis study aimed to measure the prevalence of Internet use for health-related information compared with other sources, and to examine the effects on user knowledge, attitudes, and activities with regard to Internet use for health-related information in Japan. We examined the extent of use via personal computers and cell phones.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of a quasi-representative sample (N = 1200) of the Japanese general population aged 15–79 years in September 2007. The main outcome measures were (1) self-reported rates of Internet use in the past year to acquire health-related information and to contact health professionals, family, friends, and peers specifically for health-related purposes, and (2) perceived effects of Internet use on health care.ResultsThe prevalence of Internet use via personal computer for acquiring health-related information was 23.8% (286/1200) among those surveyed, whereas the prevalence via cell phone was 6% (77). Internet use via both personal computer and cell phone for communicating with health professionals, family, friends, or peers was not common. The Internet was used via personal computer for acquiring health-related information primarily by younger people, people with higher education levels, and people with higher household incomes. The majority of those who used the Internet for health care purposes responded that the Internet improved their knowledge or affected their lifestyle attitude, and that they felt confident in the health-related information they obtained from the Internet. However, less than one-quarter thought it improved their ability to manage their health or affected their health-related activities.ConclusionsJapanese moderately used the Internet via personal computers for health purposes, and rarely used the Internet via cell phones. Older people, people with lower education levels, and people with lower household incomes were less likely to access the Internet via cell phone. The Internet moderately improved users’ health-related knowledge and attitudes but seldom changed their health-related abilities and activities. To encourage communication between health providers and consumers, it is important to improve eHealth literacy, especially in middle-aged people. It is also important to make adequate amendments to the reimbursement payment system and nationwide eHealth privacy and security framework, and to develop a collaborative relationship among industry, government, and academia.

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Small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) from an organogel system prepared from methyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-α-d-mannopyranoside and p-xylene was carried out with a synchrotron X-ray source at SPring-8, which revealed that hexagonally packed fibrils are formed in the gel state. The spacing between the fibrils can be evaluated to be about 60 Å, and this value was almost independent of both the gelator concentration and the temperature. Furthermore, the spacing is larger than the gelator molecular size. Upon heating, this supramolecular structure completely disappeared. Time-resolved SAXS revealed that phase separation takes place initially and subsequently the hexagonal structure is formed. Wide-angle X-ray diffraction (WAXD) showed that there is no crystalline peak at all and the diffraction pattern is consistent with being amorphous. 1H NMR spectral data show that the gelator molecules still maintain thermal motion in the gel state. The present SAXS, WAXD, and NMR results contrast with those of “dry gels” in which the gel fibers consist of the crystal of the gelators. Our results suggest that the solvent molecules are incorporated into the gel fiber and the present gel can be classified as a “wet gel”.

Abstract:Background. Increased numbers of mast cells are found in various solid tumors. To investigate the role of mast cells in the vicinity of gastric cancer cells, we used special staining and an immunohistochemical technique. Methods. Specimens were surgically obtained from 102 patients with gastric cancer. Mast cells around the tumor edge of gastric cancer nests were counted by staining with 0.05% toluidine blue solution. Blood vessels in these areas were also counted, by immunohistochemical staining of endothelial cells for factor VIII. Results. The average number of mast cells and blood vessels in gastric cancer specimens was significantly higher than that in normal gastric tissue. Specimens from patients with advanced disease with metastases to lymph nodes had more mast cells than specimens from patients with early-stage disease. Mast cells in specimens from patients with metastatic lymph nodes were significantly increased in comparison with numbers in specimens from those without nodal metastases. Mast cell numbers in the specimens of patients with lymphatic or blood vessel invasion were significantly higher than numbers in specimens from patients without such invasion. Mast cells were localized near the new vessels around gastric cancer cells. Mast cell numbers increased as the number of blood vessels increased (correlation coefficient, 0.783). Postoperative survival curves revealed that patients with increased numbers of mast cells had a poor prognosis. Conclusions. All these results suggest that mast cell accumulation at the tumor site may lead to increased rates of tumor vascularization and, consequently, increased rates of tumor growth and metastasis.