Search

In recent years, a trend has been noted for increasing numbers of myopia cases found globally, which could potentially be indicative of a bigger problem. However, the cause of this trend remains unknown and in addition, we have yet to be able to establish a reliable method for preventing the onset of myopia. Furthermore, previous myopia studies have not paid adequate attention to hyperopia. That is to say, it has been suggested that the development of refraction in infancy and the onset of myopia are distinct from emmetropization. However, myopia studies also need to focus on the development of refraction in infancy, which involves hyperopia. Based on this viewpoint, our new hypothesis is that the trend towards myopia is associated with changes during the infancy period. The supporting evidence for these changes can be found in four areas, epidemiology of hyperopia, relationship with body height, incidence of esotropia, and birth month research. If this hypothesis is true, we need to investigate why there has been a decrease in hyperopia patients rather than why there has been an increase in myopia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims Most studies have not reported an improvement in the detection of adenomas with the use of image-enhanced colonoscopy methods, possibly because of the darkness of the images. To overcome this limitation, a new-generation endoscopic system has been developed. This system has 2 blue-laser imaging (BLI) observation modes. The BLI observation was set to BLI-bright mode to detect lesions. We aimed to evaluate the efficacy of BLI in detecting lesions. Methods This study was designed as a randomized controlled trial with participants from 8 institutions. We enrolled patients aged ≥40 years. The participants were randomly assigned to 2 groups: observation by using white-light imaging (WLI) with a conventional xenon light source (WLI group) or observation by using BLI-bright mode with a laser light source (BLI group). All of the detected lesions were resected or had a biopsy taken for histopathologic analysis. The primary outcome was the mean number of adenomas per patient (MAP) that were detected per procedure. Results The WLI and BLI groups consisted of 474 and 489 patients, respectively. The MAP was significantly higher in the BLI group than in the WLI group (mean ± standard deviation [SD] WLI 1.01 ± 1.36, BLI 1.27 ± 1.73; P = .008). Adenoma detection rate in the BLI group was not significantly higher than in the WLI group. Observation times differed significantly, with BLI (9.48 minutes) being longer than WLI (8.42; P < .001). The mean (± SD) number of polyps per patient was significantly higher in the BLI group compared with the WLI group (WLI 1.43 ± 1.64, BLI 1.84 ± 2.09; P = .001). Conclusions A newly developed system that uses BLI improves the detection of adenomatous lesions compared with WLI. (Clinical trial registration number: UMIN 000014555.) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Electroporation is effective for gene delivery into brain neurons of adult crickets. [•] Adjustment of poring and transfer pulses provides high success rate of gene transfer. [•] Localized gene-transfer within the brain is achieved by DNA-injection site and/or electrode arrangements. [•] This experimental approach of gene delivery will promote the cricket as a model system in neuroscience. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• The Muara Laboh geothermal system is a liquid-dominated, fracture-controlled reservoir showing some characteristics of both intrusion-related and fault circulation systems. • The developed reservoir has two distinct sectors of differing fluid chemistry and temperature. • Reservoir fluids generally have low salinity (∼400-1600 ppm Cl) with benign chemistry and low non-condensable gas (NCG) content (∼0.5 to 2 wt% in steam). • In the deep SW reservoir, fluids ascend along WNW to NNW and N to NE fracture, dikes, and stock margins. • In the shallower NE steam cap and outflow, N to NE steeply dipping fractures dominate, with bounding N to NNW faults. The Muara Laboh geothermal system is a liquid-dominated, fracture-controlled reservoir showing some characteristics of both intrusion-related and fault circulation systems. The developed reservoir has moderate to high-temperature (230–310 °C) with a long NNW outflow (160–230 °C) extending to the Sapan Malulong boiling chloride springs. Reservoir fluids generally have low salinity (∼400-1600 ppm Cl) with benign chemistry and low non-condensable gas (NCG) content (∼0.5 to 2 wt% in steam). The proven reservoir is divided into distinct SW and NE sectors. The principal deep upflow zone (270 to 310 °C) is located in the SW and is associated with Patah Sembilan volcano and satellite vents (Anak Patah Sembilan). The SW upflow is characterized by relatively low salinity (∼400-600 ppm Cl), whereas fluids in the NE emerge from a second upflow along faults and fractures at 240–250 °C (1200–1600 ppm Cl) and ascend to an initial-state steam cap near the Idung Mancung fumarole. The shallow NE part of the geothermal system is hosted mainly by Quaternary to Miocene Age andesitic to rhyolitic rocks, whereas the deeper SW part of the system occurs in a Mesozoic to Cenozoic Age plutonic complex and its host rocks that are cut by younger dikes. Rock porosity and permeability trends can be related to reservoir age, volcanic deposit type, and alteration history. Fracture permeability is high, whereas matrix porosity (<1-7%) and permeability are moderate to low and decrease with depth. The volcanic sequence is capped by tuffs dated at ∼34,000 to 41,000 years BP, incapsulated in debris flows. This sequence may have formed during and shortly after likely sector collapse episodes of the Patah Sembilan volcano. The shallow clay cap of the system wraps around the crater, suggesting that it was excavated during crater formation. Permeable fracture patterns and their origins differ somewhat between the deep SW and the shallow NE reservoir. In the deep SW reservoir, fluids ascend along fractured margins of stock and dike intrusions. Steeply dipping intrusions and open fractures strike from WNW to NNW, subparallel to the main Great Sumatra Fault trend, with a secondary set of N to NE fractures and intrusions parallel with the inferred maximum horizontal stress direction (SH Max). In the shallower NE steam cap and outflow, N to NE steeply dipping fractures dominate, with bounding N to NNW faults. Bulk rock alteration includes shallow argillic and transitional clay zones overlying phyllic and propylitic zones. High-T propylitic alteration (secondary amphibole) and rare potassic alteration (secondary biotite) are associated with intrusion. Vein paragenesis in the SW reservoir indicates that portions of the initially permeable propylitic zone have been sealed by calcite and quartz ± prehnite. Late calcite veins suggest ingress of steam-heated bicarbonate waters contributed to resealing of the system. These relationships suggest that the SW system underwent extensive boiling, fluid loss, and inflow of dilute bicarbonate waters, possibly related to sector collapse and partial excavation of the topseal of the system (now Patah Sembilan crater). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Magnetic liposomes enable the efficient magnetization of mesenchymal stem cells. • Magnetized MSCs were much retained in mouse skeletal muscle under a magnetic field. • Magnetized MSCs showed high immunomodulatory effects on inflamed skeletal muscle. Sarcopenia, an age-related reduction in skeletal muscle mass and strength, is mainly caused by chronic inflammation. Because mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have the capacity to both promote myogenic cell differentiation and suppress inflammation, they are a promising candidate for sarcopenia treatment. In this study, to achieve the long-term retention of MSCs in skeletal muscle, we prepared magnetized MSCs using magnetic anionic liposome/atelocollagen complexes that we had previously developed, and evaluated their retention efficiency and immunomodulatory effects in mouse inflamed skeletal muscle. Mouse MSCs were efficiently magnetized by incubation with magnetic anionic liposome/atelocollagen complexes for 30 min under a magnetic field. The magnetized MSCs differentiated normally into osteoblasts and adipocytes. Additionally, non-magnetized MSCs and magnetized MSCs increased IL-6 and inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA expression and decreased TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression in C2C12 mouse skeletal muscle myotubes through paracrine effects. Moreover, magnetized MSCs were significantly retained in cell culture plates and mouse skeletal muscle after their local injection in the presence of a magnetic field. Furthermore, magnetized MSCs significantly increased IL-6 and IL-10 mRNA expression and decreased TNF-α and IL-1β mRNA expression in inflamed skeletal muscle. These results suggest that magnetized MSCs may be useful for effective sarcopenia treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]