FEASIBILITY STUDY ON THE FUSION OF PHITS SIMULATIONS AND THE DLNN ALGORITHM FOR A NEW QUANTITATIVE METHOD OF IN-SITU MULTIPLE-CHANNEL DEPTH DISTRIBUTION SPECTROMETRY

We have recently have developed an in-situ multiple-channel depth distribution spectrometer (DDS) that can easily acquire on-site measurements of the depth distribution of specific radioactivities of Cs-134 and Cs-137 underground. Despite considerable improvements in the hardware developed for this device, the quantitative method for determining of radioactivities with this DDS device cannot yet achieve satisfactory performance for practical use. For example, this method cannot discriminate each γ-ray spectra of Cs-134 and Cs-137 acquired by the 20 thallium-doped caesium iodine CsI(Tl) scintillation crystal detectors of the DDS device from corresponding depth levels of underground soil. Therefore, we have applied deep learning neural network (DLNN) as a novel radiation measurement technique to discriminate the spectra and to determine the specific radioactivities of Cs-134 and Cs-137. We have developed model soil layers on a virtual space in Monte-Carlo based PHITS simulations and transported γ-ray radiation generated from a particular single soil layer or multiple layers as radiation sources; next, we performed PHITS calculations of those specific radioactivity measurements for each soil layer using DDS device based on machine learning via the DLNN algorithm. In this study, we obtained informative results regarding the feasibility of the proposal innovative radiation measurement method for further practical use in on-site applications.

Selective amplitude-level regeneration based on blue-chirp spectral slicing using QD-SOAs

We present a novel optical amplitude regenerator based on blue-chirp spectral slicing using a semiconductor optical amplifier (SOA). The combination of blue-chirp spectral slicing and gain competition in the SOA has a unique input/output (I/O) power-transfer function, which is controlled by the power of an input data signal injected into the SOA. The I/O power-transfer function provides selective amplitude-level regeneration of either the mark or space level of the input data signal. In this paper, we experimentally investigate the transfer function and the regeneration effect using a quantum-dot semiconductor optical amplifier. The results show that the regenerator has unique regeneration effect, specialized for either the mark or space level of a 10-Gbit/s on-off keying signal.

Autoimmune Th17 Cells Induced Synovial Stromal and Innate Lymphoid Cell Secretion of the Cytokine GM-CSF to Initiate and Augment Autoimmune Arthritis

Despite the importance of Th17 cells in autoimmune diseases, it remains unclear how they control other inflammatory cells in autoimmune tissue damage. Using a model of spontaneous autoimmune arthritis, we showed that arthritogenic Th17 cells stimulated fibroblast-like synoviocytes via interleukin-17 (IL-17) to secrete the cytokine GM-CSF and also expanded synovial-resident innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in inflamed joints. Activated synovial ILCs, which expressed CD25, IL-33Ra, and TLR9, produced abundant GM-CSF upon stimulation by IL-2, IL-33, or CpG DNA. Loss of GM-CSF production by either ILCs or radio-resistant stromal cells prevented Th17 cell-mediated arthritis. GM-CSF production by Th17 cells augmented chronic inflammation but was dispensable for the initiation of arthritis. We showed that GM-CSF-producing ILCs were present in inflamed joints of rheumatoid arthritis patients. Thus, a cellular cascade of autoimmune Th17 cells, ILCs, and stromal cells, via IL-17 and GM-CSF, mediates chronic joint inflammation and can be a target for therapeutic intervention.

Micro-CT and micro-FE analysis of pedicle screw fixation under different loading conditions

Anchorage of pedicle screw instrumentation in the elderly spine with poor bone quality remains challenging. In this study, micro finite element (µFE) models were used to assess the specific influence of screw design and the relative contribution of local bone density to fixation mechanics. These were created from micro computer tomography (µCT) scans of vertebras implanted with two types of pedicle screws, including a full region-or-interest of 10 mm radius around each screw, as well as submodels for the pedicle and inner trabecular bone of the vertebral body. The local bone volume fraction (BV/TV) calculated from the µCT scans around different regions of the screw (pedicle, inner trabecular region of the vertebral body) were then related to the predicted stiffness in simulated pull-out tests as well as to the experimental pull-out and torsional fixation properties mechanically measured on the corresponding specimens. Results show that predicted stiffness correlated excellently with experimental pull-out strength (R² > 0.92, p < .043), better than regional BV/TV alone (R2 = 0.79, p = .003). They also show that correlations between fixation properties and BV/TV were increased when accounting only for the pedicle zone (R² = 0.66-0.94, p ≤  .032), but with weaker correlations for torsional loads (R² < 0.10). Our analyses highlight the role of local density in the pedicle zone on the fixation stiffness and strength of pedicle screws when pull-out loads are involved, but that local apparent bone density alone may not be sufficient to explain resistance in torsion.

Effect of re-coaching on self-injection of insulin in older diabetic patients - Impact of cognitive impairment

AIMS

We investigated the effect of re-coaching on self-injection of insulin and impact of cognitive function in 100 older diabetic patients.

METHODS

We examined patients on a variety of skills and knowledge regarding self-injection of insulin and evaluated the effect of re-coaching the patients after 3months and 4years. We also investigated the influence of cognitive impairment (CI) on coaching.

RESULTS

Skills scores for self-injection of insulin and HbA1c improved significantly 3months after re-coaching. In 51 patients followed-up for 4years, skills scores were maintained during the 4years, while knowledge scores improved after 3months but then returned to the baseline level. In the group of patients with CI as determined by the Mini-Mental Status Examination, skills scores were similar to those in the group without CI, while knowledge scores were significantly lower as compared with those in the group without CI at any time point. Skills scores were maintained during the 4years regardless of CI.

CONCLUSION

The present study showed that re-coaching in skills for self-injection of insulin was effective in improving and maintaining insulin treatment in older diabetic patients, even if patients had CI.

Suggestion of the updated IVIS cut-off values for identifying non-ocular irritants in the bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay

The bovine corneal opacity and permeability (BCOP) assay is an alternative to the Draize test in rabbits. Although it can be used to evaluate ocular non-irritants and severe irritants, it is not used for the assessment of mild-irritating substances. In this assay, a chemical with an in vitro irritancy score (IVIS)≤3 is defined as a "non-irritant" while one with an IVIS>55 is defined as a "corrosive" or "severe irritant." We attempted to evaluate mild eye irritants by assessing the recovery of corneal lesions histopathologically. Our results indicated that chemicals with IVIS≤6 may be defined as "non-irritants," because the rapid recovery of lesions limited to the squamous layer was predicted by the histopathology. In cases where lesions extended to the wing and basal cell layers, when some intact basal cells remained, the lesions were also predicted to be reversible. Thus, chemicals which induce lesions in which basal cells remain intact can be considered to be mild irritants.

Vonoprazan prevents bleeding from endoscopic submucosal dissection-induced gastric ulcers

BACKGROUND

Vonoprazan, a potassium-competitive acid blocker, is expected to improve the healing of endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD)-induced gastric ulcers compared with proton pump inhibitors (PPIs).

AIM

To compare the healing status of ESD-induced gastric ulcers and the incidence of post-ESD bleeding between subjects treated with vonoprazan for 5 weeks and those treated with PPIs for 8 weeks.

METHODS

Patients in the vonoprazan group (n = 75) were prospectively enrolled, whereas patients in the PPI group (n = 150) were selected for a 2:1 matched historical control cohort according to baseline characteristics including gastric ulcer size immediately following ESD, age, sex and status of Helicobacter pylori infection. Two controls per case of vonoprazan-treated group were matched with a margin of 20% in terms of ulcer size and a margin of 5 years in terms of their age.

RESULTS

Although a higher number of completely healed ulcers was observed in the PPI group (95/150, 63.3%) than that in the vonoprazan group (14/75, 18.7%; P < 0.001), the ulcer size reduction rates, which were 96.0 ± 6.7% in the vonoprazan group and 94.7 ± 11.6% in the PPI group, were not significantly different (P = 0.373). The post-ESD bleeding incidence in the vonoprazan group (1/75, 1.3%) was less than that in the PPI group (15/150, 10.0%; P = 0.01). The factors affecting post-ESD bleeding incidence were the type of acid secretion inhibitor (P = 0.016) and use of an anti-thrombotic agent (P = 0.014).

CONCLUSION

Vonoprazan significantly reduced post-endoscopic submucosal dissection bleeding compared with PPIs.

Detection of a noble gas molecular ion, 36ArH+, in the Crab Nebula

Noble gas molecules have not hitherto been detected in space. From spectra obtained with the Herschel Space Observatory, we report the detection of emission in the 617.5- and 1234.6-gigahertz J = 1-0 and 2-1 rotational lines of (36)ArH(+) at several positions in the Crab Nebula, a supernova remnant known to contain both molecular hydrogen and regions of enhanced ionized argon emission. Argon-36 is believed to have originated from explosive nucleosynthesis in massive stars during core-collapse supernova events. Its detection in the Crab Nebula, the product of such a supernova event, confirms this expectation. The likely excitation mechanism for the observed (36)ArH(+) emission lines is electron collisions in partially ionized regions with electron densities of a few hundred per centimeter cubed.

Detailed features of palisade vessels as a marker of the esophageal mucosa revealed by magnifying endoscopy with narrow band imaging

The palisade vessels present at the distal end of the esophagus are considered to be a landmark of the esophagogastric junction and indispensable for diagnosis of columnar-lined esophagus on the basis of the Japanese criteria. Here we clarified the features of normal palisade vessels at the esophagogastric junction using magnifying endoscopy. We prospectively studied palisade vessels in 15 patients undergoing upper gastrointestinal endoscopy using a GIF-H260Z instrument (Olympus Medical Systems Co., Tokyo, Japan). All views of the palisade vessels were obtained at the maximum magnification power in the narrow band imaging mode. We divided the area in which palisade vessels were present into three sections: the area from the squamocolumnar junction (SCJ) to about 1 cm orad within the esophagus (Section 1); the area between sections 1 and 3 (Section 2); and the area from the upper limit of the palisade vessels to about 1 cm distal within the esophagus (Section 3). In each section, we analyzed the vessel density, caliber of the palisade vessels, and their branching pattern. The vessel density in Sections 1, 2, and 3 was 9.1 ± 2.1, 8.0 ± 2.6, and 3.3 ± 1.3 per high-power field (mean ± standard deviation [SD]), respectively, and the differences were significant between Sections 1 and 2 (P= 0.0086) and between Sections 2 and 3 (P < 0.0001). The palisade vessel caliber in Sections 1, 2, and 3 was 127.6 ± 52.4 µm, 149.6 ± 58.6 µm, and 199.5 ± 75.1 µm (mean ± SD), respectively, and the differences between Sections 1 and 2, and between Sections 2 and 3, were significant (P < 0.0001). With regard to branching form, the frequency of branching was highest in Section 1, and the 'normal Y' shape was observed more frequently than in Sections 2 and 3. Toward the oral side, the frequency of branching diminished, and the frequency of the 'upside down Y' shape increased. The differences in branching form were significant among the three sections (P < 0.0001). These results indicate that the density of palisade vessels is highest near the SCJ, and that towards their upper limit they gradually become more confluent and show an increase of thickness. Within a limited area near the SCJ, observations of branching form suggest that palisade vessels merge abruptly on the distal side. We have demonstrated that palisade vessels are a useful marker for endoscopic recognition of the lower esophagus.

The challenge of acute rejection in intestinal transplantation

Early diagnosis and treatment of acute cellular rejection (ACR) after intestinal transplantation (ITx) is challenging. We report the outcome of three patients: two presented mild ACR improved with steroids. One presented steroid-resistant severe rejection, improved after rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (r-ATG), but unfortunately died for encephalitis caused by opportunistic infections.

[Five cases of contralateral pneumothorax after lung resection]

Contralateral pneumothorax is one of severe complications after lung resection. We present our experiences with surgical treatment of 5 cases [case 4 is under the percutaneous cardiopulmonary support (PCPS) assistance] of contralateral pneumothorax after lung resection. All cases were men and not able to stop smoking, the disease caused by lung resection was lung cancer 3 and tuberculosis 2. Operative procedure was lobectomy 4 and pneumonectomy 1. Tracheal intubation was done before radiological confirmation of pneumothorax in 4 cases. Immediately after diagnosis all patients underwent chest drainage. Because the contralateral pneumothorax after lung resection is severe complication, we thought that surgical treatment is necessary. Though the thoracoscopic surgery under the PCPS assistance is also possible, it seems that a small thoracotomy with adjusting ventilation by anesthetist are more favorable. Accurate diagnosis and treatment is the key for success of treatment. The patient who receives lung resection due to lung cancer often has emphysema, and the risk of contralateral pneumothorax after the operation should also be explained.

[Thoracoscopically removed thoracolithiasis]

Thoracolithiasis is a rare condition with only 16 cases of surgically removed nodules reported in the literature in Japan. We report an additional thoracoscopically removed case. A 62-year-old man was pointed out an abnormal shadow behind the left diaphragmatic dome on a routine health examination. Computed tomography (CT) revealed a round mass lesion with calcification, about 11 mm in diameter, in the left thorax. Video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS) was performed and a white 11 mm completely free nodule in the left pleural cavity was removed. Pathological findings revealed necrotic fat tissue in the center surrounded by hyalinized fibrous tissue, being consistent with thoracolithiasis.

Warm water vapour in the sooty outflow from a luminous carbon star

The detection of circumstellar water vapour around the ageing carbon star IRC +10216 challenged the current understanding of chemistry in old stars, because water was predicted to be almost absent in carbon-rich stars. Several explanations for the water were postulated, including the vaporization of icy bodies (comets or dwarf planets) in orbit around the star, grain surface reactions, and photochemistry in the outer circumstellar envelope. With a single water line detected so far from this one carbon-rich evolved star, it is difficult to discriminate between the different mechanisms proposed. Here we report the detection of dozens of water vapour lines in the far-infrared and sub-millimetre spectrum of IRC +10216 using the Herschel satellite. This includes some high-excitation lines with energies corresponding to approximately 1,000 K, which can be explained only if water is present in the warm inner sooty region of the envelope. A plausible explanation for the warm water appears to be the penetration of ultraviolet photons deep into a clumpy circumstellar envelope. This mechanism also triggers the formation of other molecules, such as ammonia, whose observed abundances are much higher than hitherto predicted.

[A novel selected segmental inflation technique for anatomical segmentectomy]

Radical segmentectomy is being performed for small-sized lung cancer. However, it is not always easy to identify the intersegmental border. In this report, we present a new method to recognize it easier by using the nozzle of fibrin sealant spray kit. The diseased segment can be inflated through a pin hole which is placed distal to the ligation at segmental bronchus. In our 20 cases, successful inflation of diseased segment was easily done through thoracoscopic procedure.

Characterization of mycorrhizal fungi isolated from the threatened Cypripedium macranthos in a northern island of Japan: two phylogenetically distinct fungi associated with the orchid

We isolated Rhizoctonia-like fungi from populations of the threatened orchid Cypripedium macranthos. In ultrastructural observations of the septa, the isolates had a flattened imperforate parenthesome consisting of two electron-dense membranes bordered by an internal electron-lucent zone, identical to the septal ultrastructure of Rhizoctonia repens (teleomorph Tulasnella), a mycorrhizal fungus of many orchid species. However, hyphae of the isolates did not fuse with those of known tester strains of R. repens and grew less than half as fast as those of R. repens. In phylogenetic analyses, sequences for rDNA and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) regions of the isolates were distinct from those of the taxonomically identified species of Tulasnella. On the basis of the ITS sequences, the isolates clustered into two groups that corresponded exactly with the clades demonstrated for other Cypripedium spp. from Eurasia and North America despite the geographical separation, suggesting high specificity in the Cypripedium-fungus association. In addition, the two phylogenetic groups corresponded to two different plant clones at different developmental stages. The fungi from one clone constituted one group and did not belong to the other fungal group isolated from the other clone. The possibility of switching to a new mycorrhizal partner during the orchid's lifetime is discussed.

Atomic-scale heterogeneity of a multicomponent bulk metallic glass with excellent glass forming ability

We report the atomic structure of a multicomponent Cu45Zr45Ag10 bulk metallic glass investigated by state-of-the-art experimental and computational techniques. In comparison with a binary Cu50Zr50 metallic glass, Zr-rich interpenetrating clusters centered by paired and stringed Ag atoms and Cu-rich icosahedra are widely observed in the ternary Cu45Zr45Ag10 alloy. The atomic-scale heterogeneity caused by chemical short- and medium-range order is found to play a key role in stabilizing the liquid phase and in improving the glass forming ability of the multicomponent alloy.

Random number generation evaluation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus indicates a heterogeneous nature of central nervous system vulnerability

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the vulnerability of the central nervous system (CNS) in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODS

Forty-eight patients with SLE, 58 with schizophrenia in remission and 39 healthy controls were enrolled in the study. Patients vocally generated 100 numbers in a random fashion, using numbers 0 to 9, and were evaluated with seriality scores. Patients with SLE were subgrouped according to differences in the presence of Raynaud's phenomenon, anti-phospholipid antibody, lupus activity, and a history of neuropsychiatric (NP) lupus, and these patients were also evaluated by comparison with their counterparts.

RESULTS

In general, patients with SLE showed lower seriality scores than patients with schizophrenia, and higher seriality scores than normal controls. The scores of the patients with a history of NP lupus matched those with schizophrenia, and the scores of never having NP lupus matched those of the healthy controls.

CONCLUSIONS

CNS vulnerability may be prolonged in patients who have a history of NP lupus even when they appear to be in normal NP status. The damage in random number generation (RNG) observed in patients with a history of NP lupus seemed equal to that found in those with schizophrenia, whereas those patients never having NP lupus appeared to be equal to the controls. The current study suggests a heterogeneous nature of SLE and prolonged damage, especially in CNS vulnerability, when evaluating with RNG.

A muCT analysis of the femoral bone stock in osteonecrosis of the femoral head compared to osteoarthrosis

INTRODUCTION

Long-term results of resurfacing in osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) are lacking and migration of the femoral component, necrosis of the femoral head and fracture of the femoral neck or head have been depicted. The aim of this study was to analyse the bone quality and 3-dimensional microarchitecture of the femoral head and neck in patients with ONFH compared to a group of patients with primary osteoarthritis (OA).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

muCT was used to compare the microarchitecture of the femoral head and neck in patients with ONFH (n = 10) and a control group of patients with primary OA (n = 10).

RESULTS

No statistical significant differences were found for bone volume and the bone volume fraction, the connectivity density and the structure model index in patients with ONFH and those with OA (P > 0.05). Patients with ONFH and those with OA had a similar trabecular number, thickness and separation (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings, we might conclude that hip resurfacing arthroplasty is a possible therapeutic option in the treatment of ONFH of the young and active patient and that an insufficient bone stock in ONFH seems not to be the deciding factor for failure. However, we just focussed on one of probably various factors. Further studies are needed to support these findings.

The effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on experimental inflammatory bowel disease

Immunoproteasome up-regulation enhances the processing of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) and degradation of IkappaBalpha, which correlates with increased amounts of NF-kappaB in the various cells. Aberrant activation of NF-kappaB is involved in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The aim of this study was to elucidate the effect of proteasome inhibitor MG132 on experimental IBD. We investigated the effects of MG132 on intestinal inflammation and epithelial regeneration in both interleukin-10-deficient (IL-10(-/-)) mice and mice with dextran sulphate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. Body weight, histological findings and tumour necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha mRNA expression, epithelial cell proliferation and NF-kappaB p65 activity in colonic tissues were examined. The effects of MG132 on cell proliferation, migration and multiple drug resistance 1 (MDR1) gene expression were determined in vitro. MG132 ameliorated intestinal inflammation of IL-10(-/-) mice by decreasing TNF-alpha mRNA expression in the colonic tissues, which was associated with suppression of NF-kappaB activation, and reduced significantly the number of Ki-67-positive intestinal epithelial cells. On the other hand, MG132 did not reduce intestinal inflammation in mice with DSS-induced colitis, and delayed significantly the recovery of body weight and epithelial regeneration. MG132 also suppressed significantly epithelial cell proliferation, cell migration and MDR1 gene expression in vitro. Proteasome inhibition reduces T cell-mediated intestinal inflammation, but may interrupt both epithelial regeneration and barrier function of colonic mucosa. Optimal use of proteasome inhibitor should be kept in mind when we consider its clinical application for patients with IBD.

Chemotherapy (CT) with radiotherapy versus CT alone for FIGO Stage IIIc endometrial cancer

To determine optimal treatment for women with Stage IIIc endometrial carcinoma, extended-field radiotherapy (RT) plus chemotherapy (CT) was compared versus CT alone as adjuvant therapy. Twenty-nine patients with FIGO Stage IIIc endometrial cancer who underwent adjuvant treatment with 4.4 courses of CT (CAP or TC/DC) or 4.5 courses of CT (CAP or TC/DC) plus external pelvic RT (50 Gy) with paraaortic boost after surgery between 1992 and 2004 were retrospectively assessed. Fifteen patients underwent CT alone and 14 received combined treatment with CT/RT. Following treatment, the recurrence rate was 46.6% and 28.5% in the two treatment arms, respectively. There was a significant (p < 0.05) difference in the pelvic recurrence rate (33.3% and 7.1%, respectively). Combined treatment with RT/CT was associated with a better survival rate than CT alone (78% versus 62%, respectively). In Stage IIIc endometrial cancer, combined treatment with RT and CT reduces pelvic recurrence and improves progression-free survival and overall survival compared with CT alone.

Molecular spin resonance in the geometrically frustrated magnet MgCr2O4 by inelastic neutron scattering

We measured two magnetic modes with finite and discrete energies in an antiferromagnetic ordered phase of a geometrically frustrated magnet MgCr2O4 by single-crystal inelastic neutron scattering, and clarified the spatial spin correlations of the two levels: one is an antiferromagnetic hexamer and the other is an antiferromagnetic heptamer. Since these correlation types are emblematic of quasielastic scattering with geometric frustration, our results indicate instantaneous suppression of lattice distortion in an ordered phase by spin-lattice coupling, probably also supported by orbital and charge. The common features in the two levels, intermolecular independence and discreteness of energy, suggest that the spin molecules are interpreted as quasiparticles (elementary excitations with energy quantum) of highly frustrated spins, in analogy with the Fermi liquid approximation.