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Photoperiod plays a role in controlling the initiation and termination of reproduction in fish. Melatonin is an internal transducer of environmental photoperiod and is involved in regulating reproduction. The present study aimed to examine how melatonin impacts the transcript levels of kisspeptin ( kiss1 and kiss2 ), gonadotropin-releasing hormones ( gnrh1 ), and the β -subunit of gonadotropins ( fshβ and lhβ ) in the brain of the sapphire devil, a tropical damselfish with long photoperiod preference. Feeding mature females with melatonin-containing pellets inhibited increases in the transcript levels of kiss1 , gnrh1 , and lhβ within 3 h. Continuous melatonin treatment for 1 week resulted in oocyte regression and downregulation of kiss2 , gnrh1 , fshβ , and lhβ . When the transcript levels of kiss1 and gnrh1 were measured at 4-h intervals in the brain of sapphire devil, a day–low/night–high fluctuation was observed. The hypothalamic– pituitary–gonadal (HPG) axis may be influenced by melatonin, exerting a negative effect at night because the transcript levels of aralkylamine N -acetyltransferase ( aanat2 ) increased during the scotophase. The expression of aanat2 was higher under short-day than long-day conditions, suggesting that there is a seasonal change in melatonin levels at night. It was concluded that change in photoperiod becomes a proximal factor for controlling the hormone synthesis in the HPG axis through melatonin.

We aimed to evaluate properties of optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) and radiophotoluminescent glass dosimeters (RPLDs) used in dual-source dual-energy (DE) computed tomography (DECT) dosimetry. Energy dependence was evaluated in single-energy (SE) and DE modes, and their relative dose responses differed by 3.8% and 6.6% under equivalent effective energy with OSLD and RPLD, respectively. Dose variation was evaluated using coefficients of variation of dose values from 10 dosimeters, and dose variation of OSLD and RPLD in SE mode ranged from 2.1 to 3.0% and from 2.1 to 2.8%, and those in the DE mode were 1.8 and 2.6%, respectively. Dose linearity was evaluated from 1 to 150 mGy, and linear relationships of dose response were observed between the dosimeters and the ionization chamber (correlation coefficients ≥ 0.9991). Angular dependence was evaluated from - 90° to + 90°, and it was smaller in DE mode than in SE mode for OSLD. The normalized response of RPLD was higher at ± 30° and ± 60° and lower at - 90° in SE and DE modes. This study demonstrated both OSLD and RPLD can perform dosimetry in dual-source DECT with small influence of the properties of the dosimeters compared with that in SECT.

This study aims to investigate the influence of the phantom position on weighted computed tomography dose index (CTDIw) in cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) when assuming breast irradiation. Computed tomography dose index (CTDI) was measured by the x‐ray volume imaging of CBCT using parameters for image‐guided radiation therapy (IGRT) in right breast irradiation. The measurement points of CTDI ranged from 0 (center) to 16 cm in the right–left (RL) direction, and from 0 (center) to 7.5 cm in the anterior–posterior (AP) direction, which assumed right breast irradiation. A nonuniform change exists in the relative value of CTDIw when the phantom deviated from the isocenter of CBCT. The CTDIw was ~30% lower compared with the value at the isocenter of CBCT when the phantom deviated 7.5 and 16 cm at the AP and RL directions, respectively. This study confirmed the influence of the phantom position on the CTDI values of CBCT. The CTDI measured at the isocenter of CBCT overestimates that measured at the irradiation center of the breast.

The purpose of this study was to establish a simple measurement method to verify the accuracy of incident air kerma (Ka, r) and air kerma area product (PKA) displayed on an over-couch-type X-ray fluoroscopy system. A dosimeter was located at the patient entrance reference point, and the irradiation field size was set to 10×10 cm. A lead plate was placed on the couchtop to protect the image receptor, and the duration of fluoroscopy was set to 1 min. The Ka, r was measured with the proposed method and the Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) method on three X-ray fluoroscopy units of different manufactures. The effect of backscattered X-rays from the lead plate was calculated using Monte Carlo methods. The errors of the displayed Ka, r and PKA to the measured Ka, r and PKA with our proposed method were calculated. There was no significant difference in the measured Ka, r between the proposed method and the JIS method in all units. The effect of backscattered X-ray was ≤0.5%. The errors of displayed Ka, r and PKA to those measured were in the range of 3.4 to 15.7% and -4.1 to 20.3%, respectively, which met the tolerance for accuracy of ±35% in accordance with the JIS method. We found that our proposed method was simple and that the accuracy of measured values was comparable to that of the JIS method.

The Catalyst HD (C‐RAD Positioning AB, Uppsala, Sweden) optical surface imaging (OSI) system is able to manage interfractional patient positioning, intrafractional motion monitoring, and non‐contact respiratory gating without x‐ray exposure for radiation therapy. In recent years, a novel high‐precision surface registration algorithm for stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS algorithm) has been released. This study aimed to evaluate the technical performance of the OSI system using rigid phantoms, by comparing the conventional and SRS algorithms. To determine the system’s technical performance, isocenter displacements were calculated by surface image registration via the OSI system using head, thorax, and pelvis rigid phantoms. The reproducibility of positioning was evaluated by the mean value calculated by repeating the registration 10 times, without moving each phantom. The accuracy of positioning was evaluated by the mean value of the residual error, where the 10 offset values given to each phantom were subtracted from the isocenter displacement values. The stability of motion monitoring was evaluated by measuring isocenter drift during 20 min and averaging it over 10 measurements. For the head phantom, all tests were compared with the mask types and algorithms. As a result, for all sites and both algorithms, the reproducibility, accuracy, and stability for translation and rotation were

We have proposed a method for patient-specific dose-volume histogram (DVH) verification using a 40-ms high-sampling-rate log file (HLF) available in an Elekta linac. Ten prostate volumetric-modulated arc therapy plans were randomly selected, and systematic leaf position errors of ±0.2, ±0.4, or ±0.8 mm were added to the 10 plans, thereby producing a total of 70 plans. An RTP file was created by interpolating each leaf position in the HLF to obtain values at each control point, which is subsequently exported to a treatment planning system. The isocenter dose calculated by the HLF-based plan to a phantom (Delta4 Phantom+) was compared to that measured by the diode in the phantom in order to evaluate the accuracy of the HLF-based dose calculation. The D95 of the planning target volume (PTV) was also compared between the HLF-based plans and the original plans with the systematic leaf position errors, the latter being referred to as theory-based plans. Sensitivities of the DVH parameters in the target, the rectum, and the bladder were also calculated with the varied systematic leaf position errors. The relative differences in the isocenter doses between the HLF-based calculations and the measurements among the 70 plans were 0.21% ± 0.67% (SD). The maximum relative differences in PTV D95 between the HLF-based and the theory-based plans among the 70 cases were 0.11%. The patient-specific DVH verification method detected a change in the target DVH parameters of less than 1% when the systematic leaf position error was ±0.2 mm. It is therefore suggested that the proposed DVH verification method may simplify patient-specific dose quality assurance procedures without compromising accuracy and sensitivity.

Fish that inhabit shallow water are exposed to periodic changes in tidal cues, including hydrostatic pressure (HP). The present study aimed at verifying differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the brain of the threespot wrasse Halichoeres trimaculatus (tropical species) and the honbera wrasse Halichoeres tenuispinis (temperate species), both of which were exposed to HP at 30 kPa (possible high-tide stimuli in the field) or 1 kPa (low tide) for 3 or 6 h. A de novo assembly yielded 174,710 contigs (63,530 contigs were annotated) from the brain of threespot wrasse. Following RNA sequencing, quantitative PCR confirmed DEGs that were upregulated [AT atypical cadherin 2 (FAT2)] and downregulated [neuronal leucine-rich repeat protein 3 (LRRN3), dual specificity tyrosine phosphorylation-regulated kinase 1 (DYRK), mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 1 (MAP2K1) and phosphoinositide 3 kinase (PI3K)]. The effect of HP on the transcription of these DEGs (except for MAP2K1) disappeared within 6 h, suggesting that HP is a transitory stimulus occurring at the beginning of the tidal cycle. Similar DEG transcription was observed in the brain of honbera wrasse maintained under HP for 6 h. In situ hybridization of the brain of the threespot wrasse revealed that strong signals of MPA2K1 were seen in the telencephalon, diencephalon and pituitary, whereas those of PI3K were seen in the telencephalon, diencephalon and medulla oblongata. This result suggests that these kinases are involved in sensory function (telencephalon), somatic and visceral function (medullar oblongata) and the neuroendocrine system (diencephalon and pituitary), all of which were related to changes in HP stimuli. Following HP exposure, the transcription of c-fos increased in the pituitary of honbera wrasse, suggesting that external stimuli directly or indirectly activate hormone synthesis at the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal axis. It is concluded that HP alters gene expression in relation to neural development and function in the central nervous system and plays a role in exerting tidal-related reproduction and feeding in wrasses.

This study aimed to elucidate the physiological processes of oogenesis in Acropora tenuis. Genes/proteins related to oogenesis were investigated: Vasa, a germ cell marker, vitellogenin (VG), a major yolk protein precursor, and its receptor (LDLR). Coral branches were collected monthly from coral reefs around Sesoko Island (Okinawa, Japan) for histological observation by in situ hybridisation (ISH) of the Vasa (AtVasa) and Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor (AtLDLR) genes and immunohistochemistry (IHC) of AtVasa and AtVG. AtVasa immunoreactivity was detected in germline cells and ooplasm, whereas AtVG immunoreactivity was detected in ooplasm and putative ovarian tissues. AtVasa was localised in germline cells located in the retractor muscles of the mesentery, whereas AtLDLR was localised in the putative ovarian and mesentery tissues. AtLDLR was detected in coral tissues during the vitellogenic phase, whereas AtVG immunoreactivity was found in primary oocytes. Germline cells expressing AtVasa are present throughout the year. In conclusion, Vasa has physiological and molecular roles throughout the oogenic cycle, as it determines gonadal germline cells and ensures normal oocyte development, whereas the roles of VG and LDLR are limited to the vitellogenic stages because they act in coordination with lipoprotein transport, vitellogenin synthesis, and yolk incorporation into oocytes.

Aim:To investigate the effect of different energies on dose distribution in volumetric-modulated arc therapy (VMAT) plans for head and neck cancer.Materials and methods:Data from nine patients undergoing VMAT plans using 6 MV, 10 MV and dual-energy X-ray beams with the Pinnacle 3 V 9.10 treatment planning system (Philips Medical System, Fitchburg, WI, USA) were analysed for quality using the conformity index (CI) and homogeneity index (HI) for planning target volume (PTV), and for mean and maximum dose to the organs at risk (OARs): parotid glands, brainstem, spinal cord and optic nerves.Results:There were no clear differences in the HIs of the PTV dose among the different plans. The CIs for 10 MV and dual-energy VMAT plans were superior to that of the 6 MV VMAT plan (0·8 ± 0·3, 0·8 ± 0·3, and 0·7 ± 0·2, respectively; p = 0·001). There were no significant differences in mean/maximum dose to the OARs among the three VMAT plans.Findings:Compared with the 6 MV VMAT plan, the dual-energy VMAT plan slightly increased the coverage of the PTV with the prescribed dose but did not decrease dose to the OARs.

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression patterns of ocular melatonin in the annual reproductive cycle of the female grass puffer. Spawning season of the female grass puffer is from June to July in Jeju, South Korea. Time-resolved fluoroimmunoassay revealed that levels of ocular melatonin, which show an annual change, peaked in May (spawning season). Additionally, expression of reproductive-related genes also showed annual patterns: GnRH1 peaked in August, GnRH2 peaked in February, GnRH3, Kiss2, and LPXRFa peaked in November. These results suggest that ocular melatonin may be related to the annual reproductive cycle in the grass puffer. To better understand the photic regulation of AANAT1a mRNA in the retina, we observed the nocturnal pattern of ocular melatonin levels daily, which shows a nocturnal pattern in both short photoperiod (SD) and long photoperiod (LD) conditions. In the brain, AANAT2 mRNA also shows a nocturnal pattern in both SD and LD; however, the time of peak expression of AANAT2 mRNA was unchanged in both conditions. Following intraperitoneal injection of melatonin for 2 weeks, expression of GnRH2 and LPXRFa mRNA in the brain significantly increased, while that of Kiss2 mRNA was decreased, suggesting that melatonin has a reproduction-related effect. Furthermore, under SD and LD conditions for 14 weeks, the gonadosomatic index more increased and the maturity of the ovary progressed under LD compared with those under SD, suggesting that the SD photoperiodic signal inactivated ovarian development. These results indicate that the ocular melatonin may have a possible role in the reproductive endocrinology of the grass puffer.

Purpose The aim of this study was to analyze improvement prediction on contour deformation accuracy using deformable image registration (DIR) results compared to rigid image registration (RIR) results. Method Radiotherapy plans for 31 cases (seven head and neck cases, 10 chest cases, six abdomen cases and eight female pelvis cases) from the privately open database for DIR were used. These cases used at least two radiotherapy plans, and registration was performed using two plans, not only for one case but also for different cases. The DIR and RIR were performed using the DIR software MIM Maestro (MIM software Inc., Cleveland, USA). The registration results for the following organs were analyzed: eye balls, optic nerves, brain stem, spinal cord and right and left parotid glands for head and neck; right and left lungs for chest; liver and right and left kidneys for abdomen; and rectum and bladder for pelvis. Dice similarity coefficient (DSC) for the organs was calculated from the results of RIR and DIR. The improvement in the DSC was observed. Results and discussion DIR improved the DSC values by more than 0.2 for simple shapes, well-defined boundaries and large volumes such as eye balls, brain stem, lungs and liver. The minimum DSC for these organs was approximately 0.7. The improvement in DSC for the organs eye balls, brain stem, lungs and liver had ceiling values 0.95, 0.90, 1.0 and 1.0, respectively. DSC for the spinal cord, parotid gland, bladder and kidney also improved by DIR compared to RIR; however, DIR could not improve the DSC value for rectum compared to RIR because of a large difference in the position, shape and size due to stool and gas.

It is necessary to verify an intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plan and to confirm dose error within the tolerance, in order to perform it securely and precisely. IMRT with dynamic multi-leaf collimator (DMLC) requires high DMLC position accuracy. The DMLC position accuracy analysis software DynaLog File Viewer (DFV; Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto, CA, USA) is used to analyze position errors of DMLC for IMRT plans. We analyzed correlation between DMLC parameters and position error of DMLC obtained from DFV in prostate IMRT. A regression analysis of the position error and the DMLC parameters was performed. As a result, a strong correlation was found between MLC position error and each of the DMLC parameters: leaf speed, gap width, and segment monitor unit (MU). We found the factors for the DMLC position error in this study. DMLC position error could be estimated from leaf speed, gap width, and segment MU when we analyze IMRT cases in the further study.

Guidelines require commissioning for deformable image registration (DIR) software before clinical use. The accuracy of DIR software depends upon data used. If common datasets for the DIR commissioning are available, the DIR results using the common datasets would be useful as an accuracy benchmark. Thus, the DIR-database (DIR-DB) was developed for DIR accuracy check and was open to access, which included radiotherapy plan data. This study was approved by Institutional Review Board (IRB). The DIR-DB recorded radiotherapy plans which had been finished on June 2017 and which at least two radiotherapy plans were built for a case in a treatment course. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) images for patient setup were also collected and recorded in the DIR-DB, if it is available. All recorded data were anonymized and were allowed to access by users in Japan with the IRB approval. The accuracy metrics of DIR; Hausdorff distance, mean distance to agreement, Dice similarity coefficient, Jaccard were put up on the DIR-DB web site. The number of recorded cases were 11 cases for head and neck, 16 cases for thorax, 7 cases for abdomen, 8 cases for pelvis and 6 cases for prostate treated with brachytherapy. The number of case for CBCT was 17 cases. It was meaningful for DIR accuracy check in Japan that the DIR-DB and DIR results using the data in the database were released.

The Catalyst™ HD (C-RAD Positioning AB, Uppsala, Sweden) is surface-guided radiotherapy (SGRT) equipment that adopts a deformable model. The challenge in applying the SGRT system is accurately correcting the setup error using a deformable model when the body of the patient is deformed. This study evaluated the effect of breast deformation on the accuracy of the setup correction of the SGRT system. Physical breast phantoms were used to investigate the relationship between the mean deviation setup error obtained from the SGRT system and the breast deformation. Physical breast phantoms were used to simulate extension and shrinkage deformation (-30 to 30 mm) by changing breast pieces. Three-dimensional (3D) Slicer software was used to evaluate the deformation. The maximum deformations in X, Y, and Z directions were obtained as the differences between the original and deformed breasts. We collected the mean deviation setup error from the SGRT system by replacing the original breast part with the deformed breast part. The mean absolute difference of lateral, longitudinal, vertical, pitch, roll, and yaw, between the rigid and deformable registrations was 2.4 ± 1.7 mm, 1.3 ± 1.2 mm, 6.4 ± 5.2 mm, 2.5° ± 2.5°, 2.2° ± 2.4°, and 1.0° ± 1.0°, respectively. Deformation in the Y direction had the best correlation with the mean deviation translation error (R = 0.949) and rotation error (R = 0.832). As the magnitude of breast deformation increased, both mean deviation setup errors increased, and there was greater error in translation than in rotation. Large deformation of the breast surface affects the setup correction. Deformation in the Y direction most affects translation and rotation errors.

We aimed to verify whether the image quality of large low-contrast objects can be improved using visual model-based iterative reconstruction (VMR) while maintaining the visibility of conventional filtered back projection (FBP) and reducing radiation dose through physical and visual evaluation. A 64-row multi-slice CT system with SCENARIA View (FUJIFILM healthcare Corp. Tokyo, Japan) was used. The noise power spectrum (NPS), task-based transfer function (TTF), and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) were physically evaluated. A low contrast object as a substitute for a liver mass was visually evaluated. In the noise measurement, STD1 showed an 18% lower noise compared to FBP. STR4 was able to reduce noise by 58% compared to FBP. The NPS of VMR was similar to those of FBP from low to high spatial frequency. The NPS of VMR reconstructions showed a similar variation with frequency as FBP reconstructions. STD1 showed the highest 10% TTF, and higher 10% TTF was observed with lower VMR level. The SNR of VMR was close to that of FBP, and higher SNR was observed with higher VMR level. In the results of the visual evaluation, there was no significant difference in visual evaluation between STD1 and FBP (p = 0.99) and between STD2 and FBP (p = 0.56). We found that the NPS of VMR images was similar to that of FBP images, and it can reduce noise and radiation dose by 25% and 50%, respectively, without decreasing the visual image quality compared to FBP.

This study investigated ovarian development and larval release in the hermit crab Clibanarius eurysternus, which inhabits the upper intertidal zone on Okinawa, Japan. Adult females were collected monthly and had a high gonadosomatic index (GSI) from May to October. Oocytes at vitellogenic stages were observed from May to October. Some females had post-ovulatory follicles in the ovary and embryos on the abdomen (ovigerous females) in June and August, suggesting active ovarian development and larval release during these months (breeding season). When adult females were collected weekly according to the lunar cycle, a high GSI with oocytes at the tertiary yolk globule stage in the ovaries was maintained in all lunar phases. Since post-ovulated follicles were seen in ovaries collected around the last quarter and new moons, darkness at night is needed for spawning. Ovigerous females exposed to stepwise changes in hydrostatic pressure exhibited significantly higher synchrony between larval release and high pressure at night from the last quarter moon to the new moon, suggesting the importance of the tidal amplitude cycle in larval release under non-moonlight conditions. We concluded that the continuity of synchronous spawning and larval release of C. eurysternus are repeated under darkness and high tide at night during the breeding season.

Objective According to reported spawning characteristics of Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, which exhibit spawning and migration patterns that are synchronized with lunar cycles and photoperiod, we hypothesized that a close association exists between specific photic signals (daylight, daylength, and moonlight) and endocrinological regulation. Given the photic control in melatonin secretion, this hypothesis was tested by investigating whether melatonin signals act as mediators relaying photic signals during testis development in the eel. Methods We examined changes in melatonin-secretion patterns using time-resolved fluorescence immunoassays in sexually immature and mature male Japanese eels under the condition of a new moon (NM) and a full moon (FM). Results The eye and plasma melatonin levels exhibited a nocturnal pattern under a 12-h light: dark cycle (12L12D) or under constant darkness (DD), but not with constant light (LL). Eye melatonin levels were similar under the 12L12D and short-day (9L15D) conditions. In the long-day condition (15L9D), secreted plasma melatonin levels were stable, whereas short-day melatonin secretion began when darkness commenced. Sexual maturation began at 8 weeks following intraperitoneal injection of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and NM exposure led to significantly higher eye and plasma melatonin levels compared with those detected under FM exposure.

Purpose For whole-breast irradiation after breast-conserving surgery, computed tomography simulation (CTS) and irradiation are generally performed during free breathing. In treatment planning, there are three techniques: field-in-field (FIF), physical wedge (PW), and enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW). The aim of this study was to investigate the impact of respiratory motion on doses for these three irradiation techniques. Methods All doses were measured using an ionization chamber in a cylindrical phantom on a respiratory motion platform. Doses for each technique were measured with and without phantom motion. The dose without phantom motion was defined as the reference. The reference was compared to the dose with the phantom motion. The positions of the isocenter with respect to the ranges of phantom motion were set as exhale and intermediate. The phantom motion amplitude was set to 5 mm or 10 mm. The respiratory phase to initiate irradiation was varied as inhale, intermediate-inhale, exhale and intermediate-exhale. Results When the motion amplitude was 10 mm, the dose differences for the FIF, PW, and EDW techniques were 4.2%, 0.5%, and 0.8%, respectively, at the maximum. However, the dose difference for the FIF technique was -0.5% when the isocenter position was set to the intermediate phase of phantom motion. Conclusion We found that the dose difference per fraction was reduced when the respiratory phase during CTS image acquisition was set to the intermediate phase. Meanwhile, the dose differences per fraction for the PW and EDW techniques were less affected by the respiratory motion.