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In drone photography of vast natural terrain, it is difficult to know in advance the exact location and shape of an object. In addition, there are many time and location constraints in such environments; therefore, it is desirable to capture images quickly by automatic flight. The authors had previously proposed a method to determine the safety of such an automatic flight photography plan in advance and capture photographs quickly. The method was designed to model an object from the safety zone using multiple drones and determine a safe path in advance. However, further improvement in the efficiency was necessary when photographing the object over a large area. In contrast, in this study, to improve the efficiency of the safe flight path determination method for large-scale subjects, we developed a new method to model each number of photographs using structure from motion (SfM) and verify the accuracy of the model obtained for each number of photographs in advance. In addition, by determining the appropriate number of shots based on the results obtained and reducing the loss of time and battery during shooting, we verified the extent to which the total flight time could be reduced for a flight path of shooting a large-scale object in the Esan Prefectural Natural Park. In the case of the Esan Prefectural Natural Park, we demonstrate that the difference in the small-object shooting time was not a problem, but the difference was significant for shooting large objects. The effectiveness of determining and applying, in advance, the number of shots that provides appropriate accuracy is demonstrated.

Harmful algal blooms (HABs) are one of nature’s responses to nutrient enrichment in aquatic systems and increasingly occur in coastal waters, such as in Lampung Bay and Jakarta Bay, Indonesia. HABs present environmental and fisheries management challenges due to their unpredictability, spatial coverage, and detrimental health effects on coastal organisms, including humans. Here, an automated algae species identification system assisted and validated by expert judgment was proposed. The system used ontology as guidance to determine the species of algae and certainty factors to indicate the level of confidence of the experts when providing a statement or judgment for a particular object or event under consideration. The system was tested to identify 60 samples using 51 predetermined algal characteristics. The tests were narrowed down to the 20 most common HAB-causing algae types found in the study sites and compared with identification by experts. The results showed that the system successfully identified the test data with an accuracy of 73.33%. The system also had a high agreement (above 79.75%) with the identification performed by experts on six algae species. Further improvement of the system’s accuracy could facilitate its use as an alternative tool in rapid algal identification or part of an early warning system for HABs.

We examined 29 cases in which cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) was detected among routine aged autopsies. Most cases with severe CAA had many amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques in the occipital cortex. Nonetheless, two cases had few Aβ plaques with many small vessels and capillaries with CAA. In the two cases, severe CAA was widely distributed, except in the frontal lobes. Aβ deposits in capillaries often showed the characteristic pattern of dysphoric amyloid angiopathy. A few naked plaques were present. Although Aβ plaques were sparse near small vessels with CAA, there were many Aβ plaques distant from small vessels with CAA. Some of the remaining plaques had a moth-eaten appearance. Based on Aβ-positive star-like appearance and results of double immunohistochemistry for glial fibrillary acidic protein and Aβ1-42 , some astrocytes appeared to contain Aβ. Ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba1)-positive microglia were scattered within the neuropil, with some present around small vessels with CAA. Iba1-positive microglia also seemed to phagocytose Aβ in several senile plaques by double immunostaining. Neurons and neurites identified with a monoclonal antibody against phosphorylated tau (clone AT8) were occasionally detected in sparse plaque areas, with AT8-identified dot-like structures present around capillaries with CAA. Accumulation of T lymphocytes was detected around vessels in the subarachnoid space in one case. The morphological changes detected in our two cases were similar to those of morphological markers of plaque clearance after Aβ immunotherapy. Nonetheless, our cases did not receive Aβ immunotherapy, but similar pathologies were observed. Overall, advanced CAA cases, including our two cases, may be examples of plaque clearance without Aβ immunotherapy. Further studies are needed to resolve the mechanism of Aβ plaque clearance using these cases.

In Alzheimer's disease, the apolipoprotein E gene (APOE) ε2 allele is a protective genetic factor, whereas the APOE ε4 allele is a genetic risk factor. However, both the APOE ε2 and the APOE ε4 alleles are genetic risk factors for lobar intracerebral hemorrhage. The reasons for the high prevalence of lobar intracerebral hemorrhage and the low prevalence of Alzheimer's disease with the APOE ε2 allele remains unknown. Here, we describe the case of a 79-year-old Japanese female with Alzheimer's disease, homozygous for the APOE ε2 allele. This patient presented with recurrent lobar hemorrhages and multiple cortical superficial siderosis. The findings on the 11C-labeled Pittsburgh Compound B-positron emission tomography (PET) were characteristic of Alzheimer's disease. 18F-THK5351 PET revealed that the accumulation of 18F-THK 5351 in the right pyramidal tract at the pontine level, the cerebral peduncle of the midbrain, and the internal capsule, reflecting the lesions of the previous lobar intracerebral hemorrhage in the right frontal lobe. Moreover, 18F-THK5351 accumulated in the bilateral globus pallidum, amygdala, caudate nuclei, and the substantia nigra of the midbrain, which were probably off-target reaction, by binding to monoamine oxidase B (MAO-B). 18F-THK5351 were also detected in the periphery of prior lobar hemorrhages and a cortical subarachnoid hemorrhage, as well as in some, but not all, areas affected by cortical siderosis. Besides, 18F-THK5351 retentions were observed in the bilateral medial temporal cortices and several cortical areas without cerebral amyloid angiopathy or prior hemorrhages, possibly where tau might accumulate. This is the first report of a patient with Alzheimer's disease, carrying homozygous APOE ε2 allele and presenting with recurrent lobar hemorrhages, multiple cortical superficial siderosis, and immunohistochemically vascular amyloid β. The 18F-THK5351 PET findings suggested MAO-B concentrated regions, astroglial activation, Waller degeneration of the pyramidal tract, neuroinflammation due to CAA related hemorrhages, and possible tau accumulation.

Telomerase reverse transcriptase promoter (TERT-p) mutations are strongly associated with tumor aggressiveness and worse prognosis in papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). Since the TERT-p promoter mutations have been reported to be subclonal, it is unclear how accurately they can be detected by preoperative fine needle aspiration (FNA). The objective of this study was to analyze the concordance rate of the TERT-p mutations between preoperative FNA and corresponding postoperative surgical specimens. The mutational status of the TERT-p in FNA samples detected by our ddPCR assay was highly concordant with that in postoperative FFPE specimens. The TERT-p mutation was significantly associated with age, tumor size, extrathyroidal extension, and the Ki-67 labeling index in multivariate analysis in both FNA and FFPE samples. The detection of the TERT-p mutations using FNA samples has a good ability to predict disease aggressiveness and, therefore, could be clinically useful in the determination of PTC management.

BACKGROUND: There is currently no reliable treatment for secondary lymphedema caused by lymph node dissection or radiotherapy; however, stem cell-based regenerative medicine is emerging as a promising remedy for such complications. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of adipose-derived stem cells on lymphangiogenesis involving human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells exposed to ionizing radiation. METHODS: Proliferation, migration, and tube formation were analyzed in human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells that were co-cultured with adipose-derived stem cells or cultured in adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium. The levels of lymphangiogenic factors secreted from adipose-derived stem cells were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting. RESULTS: Co-culturing with adipose-derived stem cells and the use of adipose-derived stem cell-conditioned medium both significantly promoted proliferation, migration, and tube formation in nonirradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors also found that irradiated adipose-derived stem cells had similar alleviative effects on irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and Western blotting analysis revealed that irradiating adipose-derived stem cells increased their secretion of basic fibroblast growth factor in a dose-dependent manner, whereas it caused no detectable change in their secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor A or C, or hepatocyte growth factor. CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrated that factors secreted by adipose-derived stem cells contribute to the promotion of lymphangiogenesis in irradiated human dermal lymphatic endothelial cells. The authors' findings also suggest that radiation potentiates the paracrine effects of adipose-derived stem cells by stimulating basic fibroblast growth factor protein expression., Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, 143(6), pp.1189e-1200e: 2019

Radiotherapy induces an immune response in the cancer microenvironment that may influence clinical outcome. The present study aimed to analyse the alteration of CD8(+) T-cell infiltration and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression following radiotherapy in clinical samples from patients with uterine cervical squamous cell carcinoma. Additionally, the current study sought to analyse the association between these immune responses and clinical outcomes. A total of 75 patients who received either definitive chemoradiotherapy or radiotherapy were retrospectively analyzed. CD8(+) T-cell infiltration and PD-L1 expression were determined by immunohistochemistry using biopsy specimens before radiotherapy (pre-RT) and after 10 Gy radiotherapy (post-10 Gy). The PD-L1(+) rate was significantly increased from 5% (4/75) pre-RT to 52% (39/75) post-10 Gy (P

Cetuximab, an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) monoclonal antibody, is an efficient anti-tumor therapeutic agent that inhibits the activation of EGFR; however, data related to the cellular effects of prolonged cetuximab treatment are limited. In this study, the long-term cellular outcome of prolonged cetuximab treatment and the related molecular mechanism were explored in a head and neck squamous cell carcinoma cell line constitutively expressing a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicator. Fluorescent time-lapse imaging was used to assess clonal growth, cell motility, and cell-cycle progression. Western blot analysis was performed to measure the level of phosphorylation and protein-expression following cetuximab treatment. Over 5 days cetuximab treatment decreased cell motility and enhanced G1 phase cell arrest in the central region of the colonies. Significantly decreased phosphorylation of retinoblastoma, Skp2, and Akt-mTOR proteins, accumulation of p27Kip1, and induction of type II LC3B were observed over 8 days cetuximab treatment. Results of the present study elucidate the cetuximab-dependent inhibition of cell migration, resulting in high cell density-related stress and persistent cell-cycle arrest at G1 phase culminating in autophagy. These findings provide novel molecular insights related to the anti-tumor effects of prolonged cetuximab treatment with the potential to improve future therapeutic strategy.

Uncertainties due to confounding factors in epidemiological studies have limited our knowledge of the effects of low-dose-rate chronic exposure on human health. Animal experiments, wherein each subject is considered to be nearly identical, can complement the limitations of epidemiological studies. Therefore, we conducted a joint analysis of previously published cancer mortality data in B6C3F1 female mice chronically and acutely irradiated with 137Cs γ rays to estimate the dose-rate effectiveness factor. In the chronically irradiated animal experiment conducted by the Institute for Environmental Sciences, mice received irradiation at dose rates of 0.05, 1.1 or 21 mGy per day for 400 days from 8 weeks of age. For the acutely irradiated animal experiment conducted by the National Institute of Radiological Sciences, mice received irradiation at 35, 105, 240 or 365 days of age with 1.9, 3.8 or 5.9 Gy at a dose rate of 0.98 Gy per min. Because the preliminary analyses suggested that the risk was dependent on the age at exposure, a model was applied that considered risk differences depending on this factor. The model analysis revealed a three-fold, significantly decreased risk per Gy in mice exposed to 21 mGy per day compared to that in acutely irradiated mice. This resulted in a dose-rate effectiveness factor larger than that reported previously.

In 2015, the Asian Radiation Dosimetry Group established a regional network of biological dosimetry laboratories known as the ARADOS-WG03 (Working Group 03; Biological Dosimetry). A survey was conducted in 2017 to evaluate the capabilities and capacities of the participating laboratories for emergency preparedness and responses in large-scale nuclear and/or radiological incidents. The results of this survey were identified and assessed. The data provide important information on the current state of emergency cytogenetic biological dosimetry capabilities in the Asian region.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The infantile brain is continuously undergoing development. Non-invasive methods to assess the neurological development of infants are important for the early detection of abnormalities. Some microstructures in the brain have been demonstrated via phase difference-enhanced imaging (PADRE), which may reflect myelin-related microstructures. We aimed to assess the white matter (WM) signal distribution in infants using PADRE and compared it with that using T1-weighted images (T1WI) and diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MATERIALS AND METHOD This study included 18 infants (postmenstrual age at MRI, 37-40 weeks) without abnormal findings on MRI. Signal distribution using T1WI, a fractional anisotropy (FA) map and PADRE was assessed regarding the following intraparenchymal structures: the optic radiation (OR), internal capsule (IC), corpus callosum, corticospinal tract (CST), semiovale center and subcortical regions. RESULTS We found that the signal distribution was significantly different (P

We report the case of a 72-year-old Japanese woman with moyamoya disease (MMD). She experienced her first intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) at the age of 32 years, and had nine ICHs and/or intraventricular hemorrhages during the following 40 years. Cerebral angiograms and vascular pathologies at autopsy confirmed that the patient suffered from MMD. Macroscopically, there were brown-colored changes in the subarachnoid space, mainly at the base of the brain and around the cerebellar hemispheres. Microscopically, hemosiderin deposits were observed mainly in the old hemorrhagic lesions and on the surface of the brainstem and cerebellum. Many AT8-immunoreactive neurons and neurites were observed in the pons and midbrain, mainly in the locus ceruleus and reticular formation in the midbrain. Several AT8-immunoreactive neurons and neurites were positive for Gallyas silver staining. A few tiny and short AT8-immunoreactive processes were observed in the molecular, Purkinje cell and granular layers of the cerebellum. There were a few phosphorylated tau accumulations in the cerebrum without senile plaques. Lewy pathologies and transactive response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa proteinopathy were not detected. We suspect that oxidative stress after repeated bleedings with long-term courses in the ventricles and subarachnoid space may accelerate phosphorylated tau accumulation in the brainstem. To our knowledge, this is the first report of MMD with tauopathy in the brainstem.

This project revolves around the combination of different state-of-the-art concepts to create balloon robots which can be used for entertainment purposes. The goal is having multiple robots perform a choreographed flight on preset paths to make use of the "dead space" over the crowd of an event, either as part of the show or displaying information and advertisements. As the balloon is flying on a defined trajectory, a tracking system for its position is needed. For this purpose, several infrared cameras monitor the position of a marker attached to the balloon. The main challenge is overcoming the instabilities of the system to ensure a smooth and precise flight, resulting from the balloons structure: the balloon is filled with helium to counteract the forces of gravity and, therefore, minimize the work needed to keep its momentum. Finding a way to achieve this optimization and the precision mentioned beforehand is the task that we will present and solve in this paper.

Early volume analyses of the infantile brain may help predict neurodevelopmental outcome. However, brain volumes are not well understood in moderately preterm infants at term-equivalent age (TEA).This study retrospectively investigated the relationship between regional brain volumes and infant gestational age (GA) at birth in moderately preterm infants (30-35weeks' GA) on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at TEA.Forty infants scanned at TEA were enrolled. Regional brain volumes were estimated by manual segmentation on MRI, and their relationship with GA at birth was assessed.The regional volumes of the cerebral hemispheres and deep gray matter were larger (Spearman ρ=0.40, P=0.01, and Spearman ρ=0.48, P0.01, respectively), and volumes of the lateral ventricles were smaller (Spearman ρ=-0.32, P=0.04) in infants born at a later GA. The volumes of the cerebral hemispheres of the infants born at 30weeks' GA were significantly smaller than those born at 33 and 35weeks' GA (P0.05). No associations were found between the volume of the cerebellum and brainstem, and GA at birth (Spearman ρ=0.24, P=0.13, and Spearman ρ=0.24, P=0.14, respectively).The volumes of the cerebral hemispheres at TEA may be smaller in infants born at 30weeks' GA, whereas those of the cerebellum and brainstem may not be correlated with GA among moderately preterm infants.

Background: The BRAFV600E mutation is the most frequent genetic abnormality in adult papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs). On the other hand, various chromosomal rearrangements are more prevalent in childhood and adolescent PTCs. The aim of the present study was to identify novel rearrangements in PTCs from young patients. Methods: Among 63 postoperative specimens of childhood and adolescent PTCs, which had been discovered by the thyroid ultrasound screening program in Fukushima, nine samples without prevalent known oncogenes, BRAFV600E, RAS, RET/PTC1, RET/PTC3, and ETV6/NTRK3, were analyzed in the current study by quantitative real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to screen for novel fusion genes by comparing transcript expression between extracellular and kinase domains of ALK, NTRK1, NTRK3, and RET. Results: Of the above nine samples, five samples were suspected to harbor a fusion, and using subsequent 5′ rapid amplification of cDNA end (RACE), two already reported fusion oncogenes, ...

ObjectivePrevious studies have suggested that young sports players may suffer from sleep disordered breathing (SDB). It was hypothesised that SDB in heavy-class judo players was far more prevalent than expected and that it could reduce judo performance, which could be improved by appropriate therapies. To address this, the present study estimated the percentage of heavy-class judo players with SDB and investigated the effect of SDB treatment on judo performance.MethodsWe enrolled 19 young judo players from a university judo team with body weight >100 kg and/or body mass index >30 kg/m2. Both excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS) and respiratory disturbance index (RDI) were evaluated using the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS) and an overnight type 3 sleep monitor.ResultsThe percentages of young heavyweight-class judo players with EDS (ESS ≥11) and those with SDB (RDI ≥5) were both 63%, which was unexpectedly high for the age class. Seven of the participants underwent continuous positive airway pressure therapy, which improved both RDI and ESS scores (pConclusionsOur study indicates that young judo players might silently suffer from SDB, leading to poorer judo performance and to future cardiovascular diseases. Clinicians should be aware of the possible presence of SDB in young sports players and consider the application of diagnostic and therapeutic remedies.

Background: Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) is one of the most aggressive and refractory cancers, and a therapy with a new concept needs to be developed. Recently, research on cancer stem cells ...

Robot is designed for achieving specific task. However, robot is able to do much more things than it is expected by its own hardware. In this paper, concept of conquest oriented robot is proposed to know its availability systemati-cally and autonomously. Algorithm of conquest oriented robot and its experimental result in simulation field for the first step is shown in this paper.

The biological effects on humans of low-dose and low-dose-rate exposures to ionizing radiation have always been of major interest. The most recent concept as suggested by the International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) is to extrapolate existing epidemiological data at high doses and dose rates down to low doses and low dose rates relevant to radiological protection, using the so-called dose and dose-rate effectiveness factor (DDREF). The present paper summarizes what was presented and discussed by experts from ICRP and Japan at a dedicated workshop on this topic held in May 2015 in Kyoto, Japan. This paper describes the historical development of the DDREF concept in light of emerging scientific evidence on dose and dose-rate effects, summarizes the conclusions recently drawn by a number of international organizations (e.g., BEIR VII, ICRP, SSK, UNSCEAR, and WHO), mentions current scientific efforts to obtain more data on low-dose and low-dose-rate effects at molecular, cellular, animal and human levels, and discusses future options that could be useful to improve and optimize the DDREF concept for the purpose of radiological protection.

A method of predicting the residual breakdown electrical field strength of an epoxy-mica paper insulation system is described. This method was developed by using data on service–aged stator bars from generators as well as accelerated aging model bars. Thermal aging, mechanical aging, and combined thermal and mechanical aging were done individually as accelerated aging. The partial discharge characteristics, dissipation factor, and breakdown voltage were measured on the model bars and service–aged bars from generators. From these results, the residual breakdown electrical field strength was predicted based on the partial discharge characteristics and dissipation factor. First, the dominant type of deterioration (thermal or mechanical aging) on a bar’s insulation was determined by the pattern of voltage–partial discharge magnitude characteristics. Then the residual breakdown electrical field strength was predicted by using a predicting equation for both thermal and mechanical aging. Each predicting equation uses dissipation factor tip-up (i.e. difference in dissipation factor values between 2 kV and rated voltage) and partial discharge inception electrical field strength. The accuracy of this method was confirmed using data measured on 112 service-aged stator bars from generators and 10 accelerated aged model bars. The 95% confidence interval level included 94% of the measured residual breakdown electrical field strength values. This result shows that the method enables precise predictions of the residual breakdown electrical field strength of an epoxy-mica paper insulation system.

After the Tokyo Electric Power Company Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, cancer risk from low-dose radiation exposure has been deeply concerning. The linear no-threshold model is applied for the purpose of radiation protection, but it is a model based on the concept that ionizing radiation induces stochastic oncogenic alterations in the target cells. As the elucidation of the mechanism of radiation-induced carcinogenesis is indispensable to justify the concept, studies aimed at the determination of molecular changes associated with thyroid cancers among children who suffered effects from the Chernobyl nuclear accident will be overviewed. We intend to discuss whether any radiation signatures are associated with radiation-induced childhood thyroid cancers., Cancer Science, 106(2), pp.127-133; 2015

AIM To assess uptake and applications of near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) by neonatal intensive care units (NICUs). METHODS A pre-piloted online questionnaire was distributed in May 2015 to 12 perinatal societies in Asia, Europe, Australasia, North America and Middle East for dissemination to NICUs. Questions surveyed demographics, NIRS research/clinical applications, usage frequency, training approaches and target infant populations. RESULTS In total, 255 responses from 235 NICUs were obtained. Of these, 85 (36%) owned a NIRS device. Australian and New Zealand NICUs were more likely to own NIRS technology than Asian (OR 1.12, 95% CI: 0.38-3.37) and North American (OR 2.63, 95% CI: 1.07-6.45) NICUs. A total of 69 (71%) used NIRS within clinical or mixed clinical-research settings, however routine reliance for management and prognostication was low (9% and 3%, respectively). Of those without NIRS technology, 96 (64%) had no acquisition intentions. The main limiting factors were controversial evidence on efficacy (59%) and financial considerations (50%). About 51% of respondents received in-house NIRS training and 32% had access to written guidelines. CONCLUSION There is considerable geographical variation in NIRS usage in NICUs that is, on the whole, limited by consumer perception of lack of evidence for its clinical utility. This knowledge gap should be addressed by future research.

AIM: The diagnosis of tongue-tie (or ankyloglossia) has increased more than 10-fold in some countries. Whether this is a global phenomenon or related to cultural and professional differences is uncertain. METHODS: An online survey in English, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish was disseminated between May to November 2016 via 27 international professional bodies to >30 clinical professions chosen a priori to represent occupations involved in the management of neonatal ankyloglossia. RESULTS: A total of 1,721 responses came from nursing (51%), medical (40%), dental (6%) and allied health (4%) clinicians. Nurses (40%) and allied health (34%) professionals were more likely than doctors (8%) to consider ankyloglossia as important for lactation problems, as were Western (83%) compared to Asian (52%) clinicians. Referrals to clinicians for ankyloglossia management originated mainly from parents (38%). Inter-professional referrals were not clearly defined. Frenotomies were most likely to be performed by surgeons (65%) and dentists (35%), who were also less likely to be involved in lactation support. Clinicians performing frenotomies were more likely to consider analgesia as important compared to those not performing frenotomies. CONCLUSION: The diagnosis and treatment of ankyloglossia varies considerably around the world and between professions. Efforts to standardize management are required. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

AIM To collate and assess international clinical practice guidelines (CPG) to determine current recommendations guiding oxygen management for respiratory stabilisation of preterm infants at delivery. METHODS A search of public databases using the terms 'clinical practice guidelines', 'preterm', 'oxygen' and 'resuscitation' was made and complemented by direct query to consensus groups, resuscitation expert committees and clinicians. Data were extracted to include the three criteria for assessment: country of origin, gestation and initial FiO2 and target SpO2 for the first 10 minutes of life. RESULTS A total of 45 CPGs were identified: 36 provided gestation specific recommendations (

Hypertensive rat arteries exhibited severe medial smooth muscle cell injury and necrosis. Electron microscopic observations showed the smooth muscle cells of these arteries exhibited characteristics of focal cytoplasmic necrosis forming new cytodemarcating membrane between the healthy cytoplasm and necrotic cytoplasm. When the focal necrotic cytoplasm disappeared from the injured smooth muscle cells, it left it with a moth-eaten leaf-like appearance (moth-eaten necrosis). At an advanced stage of injury, smooth muscle cells changed to islet-like cell bodies with newly formed basement membranes around them, and further islet-like cell bodies and cell debris disappeared leaving lamellar and reticular basement membranes. In hypertensive rats injected with nitroblue tetrazolium (NBT), formazan deposits were observed in the medial cells and nitrotyrosine, a biomarker of peroxynitrite, were immunohistochemically observed in the arterial media. Nick-end positive extranuclear small granular bodies, which might have derived from focal necrotic cytoplasm and nucleus, were detected in the arterial media using DNA nick-end labeling method. Based on electron microscopical and histochemical findings, we conjectured that the focal cytoplasmic necrosis of the smooth muscle cells in the arterial media depended on injury arising from mitochondria-derived oxidants.

BACKGROUND Recent studies show that enzymatically hydrolysed collagen, the collagen peptide, is absorbed and distributed to joint tissues and has analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. A double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomised trial with collagen peptides isolated from pork skin (PCP) and bovine bone (BCP) sources was carried out to study the effectiveness of orally supplemented collagen peptide to control the progression of osteoarthritis in patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Improvement in treatment was assessed with reduction in Western Ontario McMaster Universities (WOMAC), visual analogue scale (VAS) and quality of life (QOL) scores from baseline to 13 weeks (Visit 7). Safety and tolerability were also evaluated. RESULTS There was significant reduction from baseline to Visit 7 in the primary end points of WOMAC and VAS scores and in the secondary end point of QOL score in subjects with PCP and BCP groups, while in subjects with placebo group the end point indices remained unaltered. Furthermore, all the score levels of WOMAC, VAS and QOL decreased significantly (P

A paradigm shift in plastic and reconstructive surgery is brought about the usage of cell-based therapies for wound healing and regeneration. Considering the imitations in the reconstructive surgeries in restoring tissue loss and deficiency, stem cell-based therapy, in particular, has been expected to pave the way for a new solution to the regenerative approaches. Limitations in the reconstructive surgeries in restoring tissue loss and deficiency have paved the way for new regenerative approaches. Among them, adipose-derived stem/progenitor cells (ADSCs)-based therapy could be the most promising clue, since ADSCs have pluripotent differentiation capabilities not only in adipocytes but also in a variety of cell types. Accumulating evidences have indicated that the unfavorable development of adipose-tissue damage, namely, lipodystrophy, is a systemic complication, which is closely related to metabolic abnormality. Considering ADSC-based regenerative medicine should be applied for the treatment of lipodystrophy, it is inevitable to ascertain whether the ADSCs obtained from the patients with lipodystrophy are capable of being used. It will be very promising and realistic if this concept is applied to lipoatrophy, one form of lipodystrophies that deteriorates the patients&rsquo, quality of life because of excessive loss of soft tissue in the exposed areas such as face and extremities. Since lipodystrophy is frequently observed in the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the present study aims to examine the biological potentials of ADSCs isolated from the HIV-infected patients with lipodystrophy associated with the HAART treatment. Growth properties, adipogenic differentiation, and mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production were examined in ADSCs from HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected patients. Our results clearly demonstrated that ADSCs from both patients showed indistinguishable growth properties and potentials for adipocyte differentiation in vitro. Thus, although the number of cases were limited, ADSCs isolated from the patients with lipodystrophy retain sufficient physiological and biological activity for the reconstitution of adipose-tissue, suggesting that ADSCs from the patients with lipodystrophy could be used for autologous ADSC-based regenerative therapy.

Enormous amounts of childhood thyroid cancers, mostly childhood papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs), after the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident have revealed a mutual relationship between the radiation exposure and thyroid cancer development. While the internal exposure to radioactive 131I is involved in the childhood thyroid cancers after the Chernobyl accident,people exposed to the external radiation, such as atomic-bomb (A-bomb) survivors, and the patients who received radiation therapy, have also been epidemiologically demonstrated to develop thyroid cancers. In order to elucidate the mechanisms of radiation-induced carcinogenesis, studies have aimed at defining the molecular changes associated with the thyroid cancer development. Here,we overview the literatures towards the identification of oncogenic alterations, particularly gene rearrangements, and discuss the existence of radiation signatures associated with radiation-induced thyroid cancers., Cancers, 11(9), art.no.1290; 2019

Although most papillary thyroid carcinomas (PTCs) have a good prognosis, a small but certain fraction shows aggressive behavior. Therefore, a novel and well-performing molecular marker is needed. In the present study, we assessed the impact of the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAF mutations and Ki-67 labeling index (LI) as a prognostic marker in PTC patients. Of 400 PTC samples, 354 were successfully genotyped for both TERT promoter/BRAF and analyzed for Ki-67 LI. Based on the combination of the mutational status and Ki-67 LI, the cases were categorized into three groups: high-, middle-, and low-risk. The recurrence rates of low-, middle-, and high-risk group were 1.9% (6 of 323), 18.2% (4 of 22), and 44.4% (4 of 9), respectively. The Kaplan-Meier curve and log-rank analyses demonstrated that there were statistical differences between any two groups. The hazard ratios for recurrence remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, tumor size, and extrathyroidal extension (low vs. middle: 8.80, 95% CI: 2.35-32.92, p = 0.001; middle vs. high: 6.255, 95% CI: 1.13-34.51, p = 0.035). In conclusion, the combination of the TERT promoter/BRAF V600E mutations and Ki-67 LI performed excellent in predicting PTC recurrence and may be clinically useful., Scientific Reports, 7, 41752; 2017

Recent genome-wide association studies have identified several single nucleotide polymorphisms in the forkhead box E1 gene (FOXE1) locus, which are strongly associated with the risk for thyroid cancer. In addition, our recent work has demonstrated FOXE1 overexpression in papillary thyroid carcinomas. To assess possible contribution of Foxe1 to thyroid carcinogenesis, transgenic mice overexpressing Foxe1 in their thyroids under thyroglobulin promoter (Tg-Foxe1) were generated. Additionally, Tg-Foxe1 mice were exposed to x-rays at the age of 5 weeks or crossed with Pten+/− mice to examine the combined effect of Foxe1 overexpression with radiation or activated phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase/Akt pathway, respectively. In 5- to 8-week-old Tg-Foxe1 mice, severe hypothyroidism was observed, and mouse thyroids exhibited hypoplasia of the parenchyma. Adult 48-week-old mice were almost recovered from hypothyroidism, their thyroids were enlarged, and featured colloid microcysts and multiple benign nodules of macrofollicular-papilloid growth pattern, but no malignancy was found. Exposure of transgenic mice to 1 or 8 Gy of x-rays and Pten haploinsufficiency promoted hyperplastic nodule formation also without carcinogenic effect. These results indicate that Foxe1 overexpression is not directly involved in the development of thyroid cancer and that proper Foxe1 dosage is essential for achieving normal structure and function of the thyroid.

OBJECTIVE To compare rates of a composite outcome of mortality or major morbidity in very-preterm/very low birth weight infants between 8 members of the International Network for Evaluating Outcomes. STUDY DESIGN We included 58 004 infants born weighing

The surgical management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries in patients with open physes is a controversial issue. Different techniques for ACL reconstruction (ACLR) have been described in patients with open physes, including the transphyseal and physeal-sparing techniques. ACLRs that are performed in adolescents with open physes in a manner that is similar to that in adults risk causing injuries to the physes and may result in an angular deformity of the knee or a leg length discrepancy after surgery. We devised two ACLRs for patients with open physes based on several previous clinical studies and animal experiments. The first operation is a partial transphyseal single-bundle ACLR with a bone socket of 8 mm in diameter created in the epiphysis of the tibia through the physes using a 3.5 mm drill and with a transepiphyseal tunnel in the femur that avoids the physes. This ACLR ensures that damage to the physes is prevented to the maximum possible extent. The second operation is a physeal-sparing double-bundle ACLR with transepiphyseal tunnels in the tibia and an over-the-top route for the anteromedial bundle and a transepiphyseal tunnel for the posterolateral bundle on the femur. This technique is used, when the proximal epiphysis on the tibia is of sufficient thickness to allow the creation of two transepiphyseal tunnels. Both ACLRs can lead to good clinical outcomes in patients with open physes that are similar to the outcomes that are expected in adult patients without growth abnormalities.

This review provides a thorough and clear discussion on the outcomes of stem cells in treating chronic wounds. With recent technological developments that now allow isolation and culture of stem cells, researchers are able to perform vigorous studies on somatic or adult stem cells. Human and animal stem cell studies are discussed with a focus on the basic process of stem cells in wound healing and the authors' first-hand clinical experience with stem cells used for chronic wound healing., Clinics in Plastic Surgery, 39(3), pp.281-292; 2012

Absorption of energy from ionizing radiation by the genetic material in the cell leads to damage to DNA, which in turn leads to cell death, chromosome aberrations and gene mutations. While early or deterministic effects result from organ and tissue damage caused by cell killing, latter two are considered to be involved in the initial events that lead to the development of cancer. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated the dose-2013;response relationships for cancer induction and quantitative evaluations of cancer risk following exposure to moderate to high doses of low-linear energy transfer radiation. A linear, no-threshold model has been applied to assessment of the risks resulting from exposure to moderate and high doses of ionizing radiation; however, a statistically significant increase has hardly been described for radiation doses below 100 mSv. This review summarizes our current knowledge of the physical and biological features of low-dose radiation and discusses the possibilities of induction of cancer by low-dose radiation., Japanese Journal of Clinical Oncology, 42(7), pp.563-568; 2012

Purpose Senescence-like growth arrest in human solid carcinomas is now recognized as the major outcome of radiotherapy. This study was designed to analyze cell cycle during the process of senescence-like growth arrest in mammary carcinoma cells exposed to X-rays. Methods and Materials Fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell cycle indicators were introduced into the human mammary carcinoma cell line MCF-7. Cell cycle was sequentially monitored by live-cell imaging for up to 5 days after exposure to 10 Gy of X-rays. Results Live-cell imaging revealed that cell cycle transition from G2 to G1 phase without mitosis, so-called mitotic skipping, was observed in 17.1% and 69.8% of G1- and G2-irradiated cells, respectively. Entry to G1 phase was confirmed by the nuclear accumulation of mKO 2 -hCdt1 as well as cyclin E, which was inversely correlated to the accumulation of G2-specific markers such as mAG-hGeminin and CENP-F. More than 90% of cells skipping mitosis were persistently arrested in G1 phase and showed positive staining for the senescent biochemical marker, which is senescence-associated s-galactosidase, indicating induction of senescence-like growth arrest accompanied by mitotic skipping. While G2 irradiation with higher doses of X-rays induced mitotic skipping in approximately 80% of cells, transduction of short hairpin RNA (shRNA) for p53 significantly suppressed mitotic skipping, suggesting that ionizing radiation-induced mitotic skipping is associated with p53 function. Conclusions The present study found the pathway of senescence-like growth arrest in G1 phase without mitotic entry following G2-irradiation.

Dopamine is one of the most frequently used inotropic drugs in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs); however, it does not seem to improve outcomes in premature infants. Given that the ultimate aim of cardiovascular management is to stabilize and maintain organ perfusion, an understanding of dopamine's effects on organ blood flow will help in judging when to use dopamine and how to titrate the dosage. Such an approach can lead to improved outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of dopamine on peripheral perfusion in very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants within 72 h of birth.This prospective observational study identified and sampled 44 instances of initiation of dopamine treatment or increase in dopamine dose in 29 VLBW infants. Blood pressure, heart rate, and skin and subcutaneous blood flow were measured and compared before and after each instance.Blood pressure and skin and subcutaneous blood flow in the lower limbs increased after initiation of dopamine treatment or after dose increase.Dopamine increases blood pressure as well as skin and subcutaneous blood flow in VLBW infants despite its supposed vasoconstrictive action, indicating that it increases both perfusion pressure and blood flow and is devoid of overwhelming peripheral vasoconstrictive effects.

Background: Conventional parameters of circulation that are routinely used in neonatal intensive care units, including blood pressure, have been reported to be inadequate in improving prognosis of very-low-birth-weight (VLBW) infants. Recently, the importance of evaluating the blood flow to each organ, including both vital and nonvital organs, has been increasingly recognized. Objectives: To study the changes in peripheral perfusion occurring in VLBW infants of less than 32 weeks’ gestation during the extrauterine transitional period. Methods: In 32 VLBW infants of less than 32 weeks’ gestation, forehead blood flow (FBF) and lower-limb blood flow (LBF) were measured for 48 h after birth using a novel laser Doppler flowmeter, and the indices of vascular resistance were estimated. Superior vena cava (SVC) blood flow was measured by echocardiography. Changes in these variables of circulation as well as the correlations were evaluated. Results: Both FBF and LBF significantly increased at 24 h, while the SVC flow remained unchanged over the same period. Both forehead and lower-limb vascular resistance indices significantly decreased at 24 h. LBF was negatively and positively correlated with estimated upper body vascular resistance and SVC flow, respectively. Conclusions: The increase in the peripheral blood flow along with the decrease in the peripheral vascular resistance indices, without an increase in the systemic blood flow at 24 h of age, indicated vasodilation in skin and subcutaneous tissue during the transitional period in VLBW infants. FBF and LBF can be useful parameters as indicators of both peripheral and systemic circulation.

慢性膵炎の予後は芳しくなく，より早期での慢性膵炎診断の重要性が認識されていた．早期慢性膵炎は微細な膵実質・膵管変化のみが伴うと考えられ，従来の画像診断（体表超音波検査，CT，内視鏡的逆行性胆膵管造影：ERCP，など）では異常を捉えることは困難であった．近年，超音波内視鏡（EUS）による慢性膵炎診断が提唱され，その有用性は高く評価されてきた．EUSは経胃もしくは経十二指腸的に，至近距離から高解像度での観察が可能であり，他の検査では捉えられない異常が描出できる．2009年に慢性膵炎診断基準が改定され早期慢性膵炎診断が可能となり，この診断基準にEUS所見が明記された．より早期からの医療介入のためにも，慢性膵炎診療におけるEUSの役割の理解はきわめて重要である．特に，上腹部痛や背部痛を訴える患者で，明らかな消化管異常が認められず慢性膵炎が疑われる症例においては，積極的なEUS施行が推奨される．

In the field of the ubiquitous computing, positioning systems which can provide users' location information have paid attention as an important technical element which can be applied to various services, for example, indoor navigation services, evacuation services, market research services, guidance services, and so on. A lot of researchers have proposed various outdoor and indoor positioning systems. In this paper, we deal with indoor positioning systems. Many conventional indoor positioning systems use expensive infrastructures, because the propagated times of radio waves are used to measure users' positions with high accuracy. In this paper, we propose an indoor autonomous positioning system using radio signal strengths (RSSs) based on ISM band communications. In order to estimate users' positions, the proposed system utilizes a particle filter that is one of the Monte Carlo methods. Because the RSS information is used in the proposed system, the equipments configuring the system are not expensive compared with the conventional indoor positioning systems and it can be installed easily. Moreover, because the particle filter is used to estimate user's position, even if the RSS fluctuates due to, for example, multi-paths, the system can carry out position estimation robustly. We install the proposed system in one floor of a building and carry out some experiments in order to verify the validity of the proposed system. As a result, we confirmed that the average of the estimation errors of the proposed system was about 1.8 m, where the result is enough accuracy for achieving the services mentioned above.

The recommender system provides personalized recommendations at many e-commerce websites. Collaborative filtering is one of the most popular and effective recommendation algorithms. User-based collaborative filtering, the conventional approach in collaborative filtering, uses user similarity computed based on user item rating. Recommendations are provided by calculating rating predictions based on similarity. Pearson’s correlation coefficient or cosign distance is used as similarity. Until now, a lot of discussions for efficient similarity computation were given by many researchers. Despite active discussion of similarity computation, little computation has been made for optimal similarity in collaborative filtering. In this research, similarity optimization problem was formulated by defining similarities between an active user and other users as a vector variable. The quasi-optimal solution was obtained based on Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) approach, compared to Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Experimental results based on agentbased simulation and sample dataset show that similarity based on PSO improves recommendation accuracy. We also found that PSO-based similarity computation provides rating predictions for unknown ratings more accurately than conventional similarity computation.

In large indoor commercial spaces constructed recently, services are improved if indoor locations of visitors and employees can be detected. The indoor positioning using ZigBee network based on preobservation of RSSI at positioning areas we propose presents experiments on positioning a mobile ZigBee node on a laboratory floor, including multipath effect. Using our proposal, we determine mobile node location within an accuracy of 3.0 m.

One of our purposes is to develop virtual creatures which can acquire behaviors such as building structural objects in a 3D physical simulation. In this article, we show the influences of behavior on structural objects which are built by virtual creatures. Many creatures can change their environment for the better by building structural objects, for example, spiders’ nests. In the field of artificial life, there are many studies of virtual creatures which change their bodies and behavior to suit their environments. In contrast, there are few studies about virtual creatures which build structural objects. As for natural creatures, virtual creatures need a physical interaction between their body and their environment. Therefore, our purpose is to develop a framework for the autonomous acquisition of behaviors which build structural objects in a 3D physical simulation. In order to do this, we first studied the evolutionary acquisition of behavior for building structural objects, e.g., a nest for predation, by the simple behavior of throwing blocks. As a result, we show the possibility that virtual creatures can acquire building behavior evolutionarily.

In order to study the radiobiological effects of low dose radiation, microbeam irradiation facilities have been developed in the world. This type of facilities now becomes an essential tool for studying bystander effects and relating signaling phenomena in cells or tissues. This review introduces you available microbeam facilities in Japan and in China, to promote radiobiology using microbeam probe and to encourage collaborative research between radiobiologists interested in using microbeam in Japan and in China., Journal of Radiation Research, 50(Suppl.A), pp.A29-A47; 2009

The objective of this study was to determine the effects of the level of inhaled oxygen during resuscitation on the levels of free radicals and anti-oxidative capacity in the heparinized venous blood of preterm infants. Forty four preterm infants35 weeks of gestation with mild to moderate neonatal asphyxia were randomized into two groups. The first group of infants were resuscitated with 100% oxygen (100% O(2) group), while in the other group (reduced O(2) group), the oxygen concentration was titrated according to pulse oximeter readings. We measured total hydroperoxide (TH) and redox potential (RP) in the plasma within 60 min of birth. The integrated excessive oxygen ( summation operator(FiO(2)-0.21) x Time(min)) was higher in the 100% O(2) group than in the reduced O(2) group (p0.0001). TH was higher in the 100% O(2) group than in the reduced O(2) group (p0.0001). RP was not different between the 100% O(2) and reduced O(2) groups (p = 0.399). RP/TH ratio was lower in the 100% O(2) group than in the reduced O(2) group (p0.01). We conclude that in the resuscitation of preterm infants with mild to moderate asphyxia, oxidative stress can be reduced by lowering the inspired oxygen concentration using a pulse oximeter.