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Sialic acid (Sia) is a group of acidic sugars with a 9-carbon backbone, and classified into 3 species based on the substituent group at C5 position: N-acetylneuraminic acid (Neu5Ac), N-glycolylneuraminic acid (Neu5Gc), and deaminoneuraminic acid (Kdn). In Escherichia coli, the sialate aldolase or N-acetylneuraminate aldolase (NanA) is known to catabolize these Sia species into pyruvate and the corresponding 6-carbon mannose derivatives. However, in bacteria, very little is known about the catabolism of Kdn, compared with Neu5Ac. In this study, we found a novel Kdn-specific aldolase (Kdn-aldolase), which can exclusively degrade Kdn, but not Neu5Ac or Neu5Gc, from Sphingobacterium sp., which was previously isolated from a Kdn-assimilating bacterium. Kdn-aldolase had the optimal pH and temperature at 7.0–8.0 and 50 °C, respectively. It also had the synthetic activity of Kdn from pyruvate and mannose. Site-specific mutagenesis revealed that N50 residue was important for the Kdn-specific reaction. Existence of the Kdn-aldolase suggests that Kdn-specific metabolism may play a specialized role in some bacteria.

LBX1 is a gene located near a single-nucleotide polymorphism, rs11190870, which is highly associated with susceptibility to adolescent idiopathic scoliosis. However, the potential involvement of LBX1 in the etiology of this spinal deformity has not been elucidated. In this study, we aimed to determine whether the lack of LBX1 in skeletal muscle results in spinal deformities in mice. We generated mutant mice in which the Lbx1 allele was conditionally excised under the control of a human muscle actin promoter. Mice lacking LBX1 from the skeletal muscle were fertile and available. The mutant mice had hypoplastic forelimbs and weighed less than control animals, but otherwise, there were no overt anomalies. The mice did not exhibit a scoliosis-like spinal deformity; however, they developed moderate kyphosis as they grew old. These observations indicated that LBX1 is involved in limb development and potentially in the maintenance of spinal curvature/alignment in mice.

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is now a treatment for women with uterine factor infertility to have a child. However, UTx is still largely at the experimental stage, and many medical issues remain unsolved. Therefore, adequate studies in large animals including non-human primates are required for validation of these issues. UTx research, especially in non-human primates, can provide important information for its full establishment in humans due to the anatomical and physiological similarities between the two. We accumulated data from UTx studies using cynomolgus macaques since 2009 and established autologous and allogeneic UTx models which led to deliveries after performing the procedure. In this paper, we summarized key points to develop UTx models in cynomolgus macaques based on our experience. UTx models in non-human primates can surely contribute new and beneficial knowledge in this field and can be useful for the further development of UTx in humans.

We consider a differential system $x\frac{d}{dx} Y=GY$ where $G(0)$ is a nilpotent matrix. Then there exists a solution matrix of the form $Y=F \exp(G(0)\log x)$. If a solution matrix at a generic point is of log-growth $\delta$, then we prove that $F$ is of log-growth $\delta$.

There are few effective antimicrobial agents against Balantidium coli infection. The effect of paromomycin sulfate (PS) against B. coli was confirmed in this study of 596 captive cynomolgus monkeys. In several trials, the minimum dose and duration of oral administration of PS were 25 mg/day for 5 + 5 days, with a 2-day withdrawal interval. To facilitate daily PS administration, pumpkin cakes supplemented with PS were made, which not only resulted in precise effects but also increased the efficiency of preparation and administration of PS by the animal care staff. No cysts or trophozoites were detected at 14 or 16 days after the last treatments. There were no obvious differences in blood and biochemical parameters between before and after administration of PS. These results indicate that PS is effective for elimination of B. coli without hematological side effects. These data could contribute to the control of microbiological pathogens during veterinary care and colony management in primate facilities.

Delivery following uterus transplantation (UTx)&mdash, an approach for treating uterine factor infertility&mdash, has not been reported in nonhuman primate models. Here, six female major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-defined cynomolgus macaques that underwent allogeneic UTx were evaluated. Antithymocyte globulin and rituximab were administered to induce immunosuppression and a triple maintenance regimen was used. Menstruation resumed in all animals with long-term survival, except one, which was euthanized due to infusion associated adverse reaction to antithymocyte globulin. Donor-specific antibodies (DSA) were detected in cases 2, 4, and 5, while humoral rejection occurred in cases 4 and 5. Post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) developed in cases 2 and 3. Pregnancy was attempted in cases 1, 2, and 3 but was achieved only in case 2, which had haploidentical donor and recipient MHCs. Pregnancy was achieved in case 2 after recovery from graft rejection coincident with DSA and PTLD. A cesarean section was performed at full-term. This is the first report of a successful livebirth following allogeneic UTx in nonhuman primates, although the delivery was achieved via UTx between a pair carrying haploidentical MHCs. Experimental data from nonhuman primates may provide important scientific knowledge needed to resolve unsolved clinical issues in UTx.

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is a potential option for women with uterine factor infertility to have a child. The clinical features indicating irreversible rejection of the uterus are unknown. In our experimental series of allogeneic UTx in cynomolgus macaques, six female macaques were retrospectively examined, which were unresponsive to treatment with immunosuppressants (i.e. irreversible rejection). Clinical features including general condition, hematology, uterine size, indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging by laparotomy, and histopathological findings of the removed uterus were evaluated. In all cases, general condition was good at the time of diagnosis of irreversible rejection and thereafter. Laboratory evaluation showed temporary increases in white blood cells, lactate dehydrogenase and C-reactive protein, then these levels tended to decrease gradually. In transabdominal ultrasonography, the uterus showed time-dependent shrinkage after transient swelling at the time of diagnosis of irreversible rejection. In laparotomy, a whitish transplanted uterus was observed and enhancement of the transplanted uterus was absent in ICG fluorescence imaging. Histopathological findings in each removed uterus showed hyalinized fibrosis, endometrial deficit, lymphocytic infiltration and vasculitis. These findings suggest that uterine transplantation rejection is not fatal, in contrast to rejection of life-supporting organs. Since the transplanted uterus with irreversible rejection atrophies naturally, hysterectomy may be unnecessary.

Nodular hidradenoma (NH) is a benign adnexal tumor that arises from either eccrine or apocrine sweat glands. NH can originate from any cutaneous site, but the most common sites are the head and anterior surface of the trunk, with very rare cases in the extremities. Long-standing NH has been reported to undergo malignant transformation to malignant NH (MNH); however, its occurrence in the lower leg is extremely rare with only one other case reported to date. In this report, we present a rare case of MNH occurring in the lower leg which was resected with the intent to make a diagnosis. At the final follow-up after 11 months, no local recurrence or metastasis has been observed.

Chondrosarcoma is the thirdmost frequentmalignant neoplasm of the bone after osteosarcoma and multiple myeloma, and comprises approximately 20% of all primary malignant bone tumor [1]. It is a chondroid neoplasm most commonly affecting the pelvis, humerus, femur and rib. The small bones of the hand and foot are rarely affected, reportedly less than 1%, although hand is significantly more prevalent. The etiological background of chondrosarcoma genesis remains largely unknown. Down syndrome is characterized by trisomy of chromosome 21 occurring in 1 out of every 700 births [2]. It has been postulated that lower frequency of solid cancer in Down syndrome is possibly due to chromosome 21 trisomy coding for various antitumor proteins [3]. In this report, we present a rare case of chondrosarcoma arising in the proximal phalanx of the small toe in a Down syndrome male, with a review of the literature. The patient and his family were informed that data from the case would be submitted for publication, and gave their consent.

Andre proved the Dwork conjecture on the log-growth Newton polygon of p-adic differential equations. We consider conditions such that the left end points of generic log-growth Newton polygon and the left end point of special log-growth Newton polygon coincide. We give an upper bound of the highest slope of differential equations at generic point. This shows that these end points coincide if differential operator has rational function coefficients and the rank of differential operator is equal to 2.

Study question How long is the allowable warm ischemic time of the uterus and what morphological and biochemical changes are caused by uterine ischemia/reperfusion injury in cynomolgus macaques? Summary answer Warm ischemia in the uterus of cynomolgus macaques is tolerated for up to 4 h and reperfusion after uterine ischemia caused no further morphological and biochemical changes. What is known already Uterus transplantation is a potential option for women with uterine factor infertility. The allowable warm ischemic time and ischemia/reperfusion injury of the uterus in humans and non-human primates is unknown. Study design, size, duration This experimental study included 18 female cynomolgus macaques with periodic menstruation. Participants/materials, setting, methods Animals were divided into six groups of three monkeys each: a control group and groups with uterine ischemia for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h. Biopsies of uterine tissues were performed before blood flow blockage, after each blockage time, and after reperfusion for 3 h. Blood sampling was performed after each blockage time, and after reperfusion for 5, 15 and 30 min for measurement of biochemical data. Resumption of menstruation was monitored after the surgical procedure. Morphological, physiological and biochemical changes after ischemia and reperfusion were evaluated. Main results and the role of chance Mild muscle degeneration and zonal degeneration were observed in all animals subjected to warm ischemia for 4 or 8 h, but there were no marked differences in the appearance of specimens immediately after ischemia and after reperfusion for 3 h in animals subjected to 4 or 8 h of warm ischemia. There were no significant changes in any biochemical parameters at any time point in each group. Periodical menstruation resumed in all animals with warm ischemia up to 4 h, but did not recover in animals with warm ischemia for 8 h with atrophic uteri. Limitations, reason for caution Warm ischemia in actual transplantation was not exactly mimicked in this study because uteri were not perfused, cooled, transplanted or reanastomosed with vessels. Results in non-human primates cannot always be extrapolated to humans. Wider implications of the findings The findings suggest that the tolerable warm ischemia time in the uterus is expected to be longer than that in other vital organs. Study funding/competing interest(s) This study was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI Grant Number 26713050. None of the authors has a conflict of interest to declare.

Uterus transplantation (UTx) is an option for women with uterine factor infertility to have a child, but is still in the experimental stage. Therefore, allogeneic animal models of UTx are required for resolution of clinical issues. In this study, long-term outcomes were evaluated in four recipients (cases 1&ndash, 4) after allogeneic UTx in cynomolgus macaques. Immunosuppression with antithymocyte globulin induction and a triple maintenance regimen was used. Postoperative ultrasonography and biopsy of the transplanted uterus and immunoserological examinations were performed. All four recipients survived for &gt, 3 months after surgery, but continuous menstruation did not resume, although temporary menstruation occurred (cases 1 and 2). All animals were euthanized due to irreversible rejection and no uterine blood flow (cases 1, 2 and 4) and post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder (case 3). Donor-specific antibodies against MHC class I and II were detected in cases 1, 2 and 4, but not in case 3. Peripheral lymphocyte counts tended to elevate for CD3+, CD20+ and NK cells in conjunction with uterine rejection, and all animals had elevated stimulation indexes of mixed lymphocyte reaction after surgery. Establishment of allogeneic UTx in cynomolgus macaque requires further exploration of immunosuppression, but the clinicopathological features of uterine rejection are useful for development of human UTx.

Introduction The objective of this study was to examine the allowable warm ischemic time and pathological changes due to ischemia and reperfusion injury in the uterus of the cynomolgus monkey as a model for uterus transplantation. Material and methods Six female cynomolgus monkeys were used in the study. The uterus was resected from the vaginal canal and connected through the bilateral ovarian and uterine arteries and veins only. One animal was used as a control. In the other five animals, the bilateral uterine and ovarian vessels were clamped for 0.5, 1, 2, 4 and 8 h, respectively. Biopsy of the smooth muscle tissue of corpus uteri was performed after each ischemic time and after subsequent reperfusion for 3 h. Biopsy samples were observed by light and electron microscopy. Menstruation recovery was monitored. Results There were no particular findings in both light and electron microscopy after ischemia for up to 2 h and after subsequent reperfusion. There were no marked changes after ischemia for 4 h, but dilated nuclear pores and rough endoplasmic reticulum swelling were found after reperfusion. These changes also occurred, along with mitochondrial swelling and cristae loss after ischemia for 8 h, and plasma membrane loss, nuclear fragmentation and chromatin condensation were found after reperfusion. Periodical menstruation restarted in all animals with ischemia up to 4 h, but the animal with ischemia for 8 h had amenorrhea and uterine atrophy. Conclusions The uterus of the cynomolgus monkey tolerates warm ischemia for up to 4 h.

The authors describe the results of direct measurements made on three persons who stayed in Tokai-mura, a village located ∼110 km south of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), during the arrival of significant radioactive plumes released from the FDNPS as a consequence of the Tohoku earthquake/tsunami/FDNPS accident in March 2011. These measurements were made using a NaI(Tl) spectrometer and a whole-body counter shortly after the accident. Their thyroid equivalent doses ((131)I) were estimated to be 0.9-1.4 mSv under the assumption of acute intake via inhalation on 15 March, when the first significant release event was observed. Although greatly depending on the physicochemical form of iodine, the intake amount ratios of (131)I to (137)Cs for the three subjects were calculated as 2.7-3.7, which were much smaller than the radioactivity ratio (7.8) found in air sampling at the same site.

The authors describe the results of direct measurements made on three persons who stayed in Tokai-mura, a village located ∼110 km south of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), during the arrival of significant radioactive plumes released from the FDNPS as a consequence of the Tohoku earthquake/tsunami/FDNPS accident in March 2011. These measurements were made using a NaI(Tl) spectrometer and a whole-body counter shortly after the accident. Their thyroid equivalent doses (131I) were estimated to be 0.9-1.4 mSv under the assumption of acute intake via inhalation on 15 March, when the first significant release event was observed. Although greatly depending on the physicochemical form of iodine, the intake amount ratios of 131I to 137Cs for the three subjects were calculated as 2.7-3.7, which were much smaller than the radioactivity ratio (7.8) found in air sampling at the same site.

Recently, Wireless Power Transfer (WPT) via Magnetic Resonant Coupling is especially focused around the world. Since a space will have a lot of devices in the future, WPT considering multiple devices will be required. It is important to consider not only power transfer efficiency but also power distribution when power is wirelessly transferred to multiple devices. The amount of received power in a receiver depends on the impedance of the receiver and the ratio of power distribution has the relation to the impedance. Conventional WPT system requires a few controllable repeaters and the large size of the receiver. In this paper, a variable impedance circuit for power distribution is proposed. Using the proposed circuit controllable by DC voltage, the problem for the conventional system is solved. In the future when WPT is popular, the circuit realizes electrically controllable power distribution.

Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) caused by PKD1 mutations is one of the most common hereditary disorders. However, the key pathological processes underlying cyst development and exacerbation in pre-symptomatic stages remain unknown, because rodent models do not recapitulate critical disease phenotypes, including disease onset in heterozygotes. Here, using CRISPR/Cas9, we generate ADPKD models with PKD1 mutations in cynomolgus monkeys. As in humans and mice, near-complete PKD1 depletion induces severe cyst formation mainly in collecting ducts. Importantly, unlike in mice, PKD1 heterozygote monkeys exhibit cyst formation perinatally in distal tubules, possibly reflecting the initial pathology in humans. Many monkeys in these models survive after cyst formation, and cysts progress with age. Furthermore, we succeed in generating selective heterozygous mutations using allele-specific targeting. We propose that our models elucidate the onset and progression of ADPKD, which will serve as a critical basis for establishing new therapeutic strategies, including drug treatments., ゲノム編集技術を用いてカニクイザルモデルにおいて常染色体優性多発性嚢胞腎(ADPKD)の病態再現に成功 --小動物では病態再現できない難病の研究に新たな道--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2019-12-13.

Wireless power transfer (WPT) is expected to spread around the world. WPT has two types, one is magnetic induction and another is magnetic resonant coupling (MRC). In magnetic induction, the amount of received power is determined by the transfer distance and the amount of magnetic flux through receiving coil. Therefore in transferring power to multiple receivers at each fixed transfer distance, power is transferred to all of the receiving coils through which magnetic flux passes. It is the problem that power may be distributed to the other receivers. This paper proposes transferring power to only one of various receivers by using MRC, selective WPT. In MRC, since a receiver is coupled to a transmitter by the resonant frequency, one receiver is distinguished from the others by the frequency. Experimental results represented the success of selective WPT. This proposal is useful for transferring power to one appropriate receiver independently of other receivers.

Fullerenes-extracted soot, the by-product of fullerene synthesis, is a carbon composite. The application of this material for water treatment has not yet been developed. Herein, fullerenes-extracted soot in the form of powder containing amino groups was prepared by reacting the soot with ethylenediamine, and was used as an adsorbent of hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] for removing Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions; this removal was studied by batch adsorption experiments. The effect of experimental parameters such as the pH, initial Cr(VI) concentration, and agitation time on the adsorption process was investigated. The adsorption of Cr(VI) was highly pH-dependent and the optimal pH for the adsorption process was 3.0. The data of Cr(VI) adsorption by fullerenes-extracted soot modified with ethylenediamine (FES-ED) fit the Langmuir isotherm equation well. The maximum Cr(VI)-uptake capacity of FES-ED was 93 mg g−1. The desorption of Cr(VI) from the adsorbent was also studied. The adsorbed Cr(VI) was eluted with 20 mL of an aqueous solution with pH 12 and the percentage recovery of Cr(VI) was determined as 75%. The adsorption and desorption test using the same FES-ED powder was repeated in triplicate to examine the reusability of the adsorbent. The adsorption was 97% and the desorption was >70% through the adsorption–desorption cycles. The adsorption of methyl orange onto the FES-ED was also examined. The dye was almost quantitatively removed from the aqueous solution by the adsorbent (the initial concentration of methyl orange: 40 μg mL−1; the adsorbent added: 10 mg/40 mL). Thus, we concluded that the FES-ED can be used as a novel adsorbent for removing pollutants from water., Article, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering. 2(2):1191-1198 (2014)

This paper describes the syntheses, crystal structure analyses and physical properties of new D–A dyads containing tetrathiafulvalene (TTF) and 4,4-difluoro-4-bora-3a,4a-diaza-s-indacene (BODIPY) moieties linked by a p-phenylene or p-phenylenevinylene spacer for the development of photoresponsive organic conducting materials that can show photofunctionality in the visible region. The absorption spectra of the synthesized dyads recorded in CHCl3 show strong absorptions at 505 nm originating from the BODIPY moiety and weak charge-transfer absorptions at around 550 nm. The fluorescence corresponding to the BODIPY moiety was suppressed to less than half in all the dyads, which suggests the formation of photoinduced charge-transfer states. All the thin-film samples of the dyads spin-coated onto ITO-coated glass substrates exhibited electric current generation that are related to the absorption spectra of the thin films. In the crystalline samples of three dyads, the TTF moieties formed 1D conducting columns through the dimerization of the TTF moieties and relatively strong side-by-side interactions between neighbouring stacking columns. All the neutral crystals exhibited photoinduced conductivity along the stacking direction of the TTF moieties and the crystal with the weakest dimerization and the strongest side-by-side interaction showed the greatest photoconductivity of the three crystals. The PF6 salt of the dyad with a p-phenylene spacer and a 2:1 stoichiometry of the dyad and anion exhibited semi-conducting behaviour with a conductivity of 3.0 × 10–4 S cm–1 at room temperature and an activation energy of 0.18 eV, probably because this crystal has a half-filled Mott insulating band structure that originates from strongly dimerized intermolecular interactions. Upon photoirradiation, this salt showed a slight enhancement of conductivity.

We study the function F d , m , ν = ∫ x ν ( 1 − x m ) d d x for m ∈ N , d ∈ Q and 0 ⩽ ν ⩽ m − 1 . We regard F d , m , ν as a p-adic analytic function. We prove that F d , m , ν satisfies a Frobenius equation and see that Jacobi sum appears in this equation. We consider the relation between the dimension dim kerbdd p ( L ) of space of bounded solutions of L ( y ) = ( D − ν x + d m x m − 1 1 − x m ) D ( y ) = 0 and the dimension dim Ker p L of the space of solutions of L in F p [ [ x ] ] . We prove that dim kerbdd p ( L ) ⩽ dim Ker p L for almost all primes and that dim kerbdd p ( L ) = 2 for almost all primes if and only if dim Ker p L = 2 for almost all primes. Moreover in this case F d , m , ν is an algebraic function.

The Great East Japan Earthquake Disaster on 11 March 2011 caused an unprecedented accident at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power station operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company (TEPCO). Nuclear Fuel Cycle Engineering Laboratories of Japan Atomic Energy Agency performed internal dose measurements of 560 employees involved in the accident during the period from 20 April to 5 August in 2011 at the request of TEPCO. The present paper describes our measurements of 131I in the thyroid that is the predominant contributor to the internal dose. These measurements were carried out using an HPGe detector installed in a low-background shielded chamber made of 20-cm-thick steel and the detector was placed adjacent to the subject's neck. The typical minimum detectable activity of this technique was 10 Bq for a counting time of 10 min; however, this sensitivity made it difficult to identify a residual thyroid content of 131I corresponding to a committed effective dose of 20 mSv for late subjects. This paper discussed ...

Porous ceramics incorporates pores to improve several properties including thermal insulation, maintaining inherent ceramic properties such as corrosion resistance and large mechanical strength. Conventional porous ceramics is usually fabricated through an insufficient sintering, leading to degraded strength and durability. Contrary to this, we have innovated superplastically foaming method to make ceramic foam only in the solid state. In this method, the previously inserted foam agent evaporates after the full densification of matrix at around the sintering temperature. Closed pores expand utilizing the superplastic deformation driven by the evolved gas pressure. Based on this concept we fabricated 8mol% yttria stabirized zirconia based porous ceramics and examined the properties concerning the high temperature structural material with thermal insulation.

No study has reported an animal model of uterus transplantation (UTx) using cynomolgus macaques. We aimed to establish a surgical technique of allogeneic UTx assuming the recovery of a uterus from a deceased donor in cynomolgus macaques. Four allogeneic UTxs were performed in female cynomolgus macaques. Donor surgeries comprised en bloc recovery of organs with iliac vessels on both sides, and/or abdominal aorta/vena cava after sufficient perfusion from one femoral artery or external iliac artery. Before perfusion, 150 mL of whole blood was obtained from the donor for subsequent blood transfusion to the recipient. Four uterine grafts were orthotopically transplanted to recipients. End-to-side anastomosis was performed to the iliac vessels on one side in case 1 and iliac vessels on both sides in case 2; aorto-aorto/cavo-caval anastomosis was performed in cases 3 and 4. Arterial blood flow of the uterine grafts was determined by intraoperative indocyanine green (ICG) angiography. ICG angiography results showed sufficient blood flow to all uterine grafts, and anaemia did not progress. Under appropriate immune suppression, all recipients survived for more than 90 days post-transplantation, without any surgical complications. We describe a surgical technique for allogeneic UTx in cynomolgus macaques.

日本の家電、住宅設備メーカは、長引く不況や少子高齢化などによる需要減少に対して、省エネやエコなど付加価値を高めたソリューション販売による成長戦略を描いている。ソリューション販売は、顧客のニーズに対して、メーカが持つすべての商品で対応する必要がある。しかしながらメーカの物流体制は、家電と住宅設備で分かれており、顧客のニーズに対してまとめて配送ができない状況にある。本稿では、概念データモデリング(CDM)の組織間連携図と制約条件の理論(TOC)の対立解消図を組み合わせた手法を提案し、家電と住宅設備の総合メーカであるA社に当てはめ、どのように物流センターを統合すべきかを導き出すことでこの手法の有効性を示す。A社へ適用した結果、ソリューション販売に対応できる物流センターへの統合が明確になると伴に、本論で提案する手法では、以下のことが導き出せることが分かった。(1)組織間連携図の情報に相手先や量、タイミングを描き加えることで、同様な仕事をしている組織の機能の違いが明確になる。(2)上流組織で仕事を変えることにより下流工程の組織の仕事が改善されることが分かる。(3)組織が本来行うべき機能が明確になるので、確信を持って組織再編を行うことができる。, 研究ノート(Note)

A serological survey of hepatitis E virus (HEV) antibody was conducted using 202 adult captive cynomolgus monkeys, who did not show any clinical signs of acute hepatitis. Out of these, 44 monkeys were sero-positive for anti-HEV IgG and all monkeys were negative for anti-HEV IgM. All positive monkeys came from either Vietnam or China, but none from the Philippines, Indonesia, or our facility. Selected 12 monkeys out of positive monkeys from Vietnam, including 9 positive and 3 negative, revealed mostly within the reference ranges for alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and asparatate aminotransferase (AST) by serum biochemistries. Their titers of anti-HEV IgG did not correlate with the concentrations of ALT and AST. Moreover, HEV-RNA could not be detected from any fecal specimens of the 12 monkeys. Thus, monkeys with anti-HEV IgG sero-positive did not seem to be source of the HEV-pollution, because 1) sero-positive monkeys did not excrete HEV-RNA from their feces, and 2) monkeys from the Philippines and Indonesia have remained to be sero-negative for anti-HEV IgG, even if the monkeys were kept in same animal room of our facility. From these results, it could be inferred that primary infection of HEV occurred in the exported countries, but not in our colony. The contamination of HEV in indoor-captive monkeys could be prevented by precise quarantine tests, including ELISA for detecting anti-HEV and RT-PCR for HEV RNA.

For improving the ozone consumption efficiency (OCE) of the ozone-electrolysis process, an ozone-electrolysis system with an independent electrolytic cell from an ozone contactor (indirect ozone injection system) and a three-dimensional electrode were introduced in this study. The reactor successfully enhanced the OCE and the ratio of 1,4-dioxane degradation rate to ozone injection rate (RDO) in comparison with the previous reactor. The three-dimensional electrode also contributed the improvement of the OCE and the RDO due to lowering the current density on the cathode. As the indirect ozone injection system allows higher degree of freedom for the reactor design, it is useful for application of ozone-electrolysis to practical water treatments.

住宅設備業界は、少子高齢化や長引く不況、政府の政策などにより、新築からリフォームへと市場が変わろうとしている。それにより卸機能としての建材・住宅設備代理店も役割を変えていく必要がある。本稿では、MASPアソシエーションが提唱する「概念データモデリング(CDM)」の組織間連携モデルを改良した「動的組織間連携モデル」を提案し、住宅設備メーカーA社と代理店、工務店の事例に当てはめ、代理店の新しい役割を導きだすことで、このモデルの有効性を示す。提案するモデルでは、1)時系列で組織間をやりとりする本質的な情報やビジネスの流れがチャートで分かる。2)組織間で行き来する情報やビジネスの偏りが見え、組織の役割の重要度が分かる。3)ビジネスプロセスの中で、情報を通過させるだけ、または中継するだけの組織が分かる。結果として、このモデルは組織が目指すべき方向を明確にし、新しい役割を示すことができる。, 研究ノート(Note)

*Small pieces of indium foil have been universally adopted by many nuclear facilities for the purpose of screening personnel exposed in criticality accidents because any neutron-induced activity of indium foil can be measured with survey meters. The authors performed experiments in which the counting efficiency of a survey meter to radiation from activated indium foil was evaluated using a 252 Cf neutron source. In those experiments pieces of indium foil were irradiated outside an aluminum tube containing a 252 Cf source, all of which was placed inside an annular PMMA cylinder moderator. The count rates to indium activity were then measured with a portable GM survey meter. Reference values of the activity of 115m In and 116m In were evaluated using measurements with a germanium detector and MCNP-4C2 calculations, resulting in the counting efficiency of a survey meter being evaluated to be 0.6 %. This result then allowed appropriate doses to be converted from the count rates to be applied in the screening procedure.

Ozonation combined with electrolysis (ozone-electrolysis), ozonation alone and electrolysis alone were applied to the treatment of a paper and pulp mill wastewater for the decolorization and removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD). Electrolysis alone was ineffective in treating the paper and pulp mill wastewater. Both ozone-electrolysis and ozonation alone were effective in removing chromaticity, but produced white suspended solids. The production of the solid by ozone-electrolysis was smaller than by ozonation alone. The ozone-electrolysis demonstrated more rapid removal of COD and higher ozone effectivity than the ozonation alone. Furthermore, ozone-electrolysis was the most useful method to transform organic compounds into more oxygenated ones of the three.

The results presented here provide evidence of the enhancing effect of oral fluoropyrimidine derivative S-1 in concomitant chemoradiotherapy for head and neck cancer and further insights into its biological mechanism.To investigate the additive effect of S-1 and radiation for human hypopharyngeal cancer.Nude mice bearing hypopharyngeal cancer cells (H891) were used for an in vivo model. S-1 was administered at a volume of 0.01 mg/g body weight per mouse for 14 days, and tumors were irradiated with 2.0 Gy on days 1 and 8. Mice treated with either radiation or S-1 alone were used as controls. The growth of tumors in each group was measured and, after completion of the treatment, a focused DNA array was used to determine mRNA expression levels in the tumors of 132 genes related to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU), radiation or carcinogenesis.The additive antitumor effect of S-1 and radiation was statistically confirmed on day 14 (p=0.01). DNA array assay showed significant changes in expression of several genes, including DNA repair gene POLD, angiogenesis-related genes bFGF and TP, DNA topoisomerase TOP2A, and nucleoside transporter gene ENT1.

The applicability of ozonation combined with electrolysis to removal of persistent organic matter and nitrogen from wastewater was experimentally investigated. Treated night soil was selected as wastewater containing ammonia and organic matter. A cation exchange membrane was used as a solid electrolyte. As a result, 1,4-dioxane as a persistent organic matter and other types of organic matter were rapidly decomposed by hydroxyl radicals generated via cathodic reduction of ozone. Organic matter in treated night soil did not interfere with 1,4-dioxane decomposition. At the anode, free chlorine was electrochemically generated and ammonia nitrogen was finally removed through break point chlorination. Ammonia nitrogen produced via decomposition of organic nitrogen was also removed. The electrolytic current required for ammonia removal was 6.5kC · mmol-NH3-1. However, a portion of ammonia and chloramines transformed into nitrate nitrogen by reaction with ozone and hydroxyl radical at the cathodic compartment. Although ammonium ion passed through the cation exchange membrane from the anodic compartment to the cathodic compartment, the ratios of the amount of nitrogen removed to that of ammonia nitrogen reacted were in the range from 0.71 to 0.76. The terminal voltage for electrolysis was successfully decreased using a solid electrolyte.