The interactions between condensed molecules at cryogenic temperatures (15–200 K) have been investigated on the basis of secondary ion mass spectrometry. It is demonstrated that the protonated molecular ions, emitted via the proton transfer reactions, provide us unique information about the reorganization of hydrogen-bonded molecules. From the CH3OH molecules adsorbed on the D2O–ice surface, the D+(CH3OH) ions are sputtered predominantly in the temperature range between 100 and 150 K since most of the CH3OH molecules are bound to the D2O layer via hydrogen bonds. A rapid and almost complete H/D exchange, yielding the D+(CH3OD) species, occurs above 150 K due to the enhanced mobility of the surface D2O molecules. Up to the desorption temperature of 180 K, a considerable amount of methanol exists on the surface without mixing with the heavy-water layer due to hydrophobicity of the methyl group. On the methanol–ice surface, the adsorbed D2O molecules form hydrogen bonds preferentially with the CH3OH molecules and tend to be incorporated in the thin-layer bulk of methanol above 120 K.
Abstract. The effect of ingesting seaweed "Kombu" (Laminaria japonica) on thyroid function was studied in normal Japanese adults. Ingesting 15 and 30 g of Kombu (iodine contents: 35 and 70 mg) daily for a short term (7-10 days) significantly increased serum thyrotropin (TSH) concentrations, exceeding the normal limits in some subjects. The serum free thyroxine (FT 4 ) and/or free 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (FT 3 ) concentrations were slightly decreased within the normal limits. During long term daily ingestion of 15 g of Kombu (55-87 days), the TSH levels were elevated and sustained while the FT 4 and FT 3 levels were almost unchanged. Urinary excretion of iodine significantly increased during ingestion of Kombu. These abnormal values returned to the initial levels 7 to 40 days after discontinuing the ingestion of Kombu. Based on these findings that thyroid function was suppressed during ingestion of Kombu, though the effect was reversible, we recommend Japanese people avoid ingesting excessive amounts of seaweed.
BackgroundSulfamethoxazole-trimethoprim (SMX/TMP) is a standard drug for the prophylaxis of Pneumocystis pneumonia (PJP) in immunosuppressed patients with systemic rheumatic diseases, but is sometimes discontinued due to adverse events (AEs). The objective of this non-blinded, randomized, 52-week non-inferiority trial was to quest an effective chemoprophylaxis regimen for PJP with a low drug discontinuation rate. Results at week 24 were reported.MethodsAdult patients with systemic rheumatic diseases who started prednisolone ≥0.6 mg/kg/day were randomized into three dosage groups: a single-strength group (SS, SMX/TMP of 400/80 mg daily), half-strength group (HS, 200/40 mg daily), and escalation group (ES, started with 40/8 mg daily, increasing incrementally to 200/40 mg daily). The primary endpoint was non-incidence rates (non-IR) of PJP at week 24.ResultsOf 183 patients randomly allocated at a 1:1:1 ratio into the three groups, 58 patients in SS, 59 in HS, and 55 in ES started SMX/TMP. A total of 172 patients were included in the analysis. No cases of PJP were reported up to week 24. Estimated non-IR of PJP in patients who received daily SMX/TMP of 200/40 mg, either starting at this dose or increasing incrementally, was 96.8–100% using the exact confidence interval as a post-hoc analysis. The overall discontinuation rate was significantly lower with HS compared to SS (p = 0.007). The discontinuation rates due to AEs were significantly lower with HS (p = 0.006) and ES (p = 0.004) compared to SS. The IR of AEs requiring reduction in the dose of SMX/TMP (p = 0.009) and AEs of special interest (p = 0.003) were different among the three groups with significantly higher IR in SS compared to HS and ES.ConclusionsAlthough there were no PJP cases, the combined group of HS and ES had an excellent estimated non-IR of PJP and both were superior in safety to SS. From the perspective of feasibility and drug discontinuation rates, the daily half-strength regimen was suggested to be optimal for prophylaxis of PJP in patients with systemic rheumatic diseases.Trial registrationThe University Hospital Medical Information Network Clinical Trials Registry number is UMIN000007727, registered 10 April 2012.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13075-016-1206-8) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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