Neriishi, K., Nakashima, E., Minamoto, A., Fujiwara, S., Akahoshi, M., Mishima, H. K., Kitaoka, K. and Shore, R. E. Postoperative Cataract Cases among Atomic Bomb Survivors: Radiation Dose Response ...and Threshold. Radiat. Res. 168, 404–408 (2007). Recent evidence argues against a high threshold dose for vision-impairing radiation-induced cataractogenesis. We conducted logistic regression analysis to estimate the dose response and used a likelihood profile procedure to determine the best-fitting threshold model among 3761 A-bomb survivors who underwent medical examinations during 2000–2002 for whom radiation dose estimates were available, including 479 postoperative cataract cases. The analyses indicated a statistically significant dose–response increase in the prevalence of postoperative cataracts odds ratio (OR), 1.39; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.24–1.55 at 1 Gy, with no indication of upward curvature in the dose response. The dose response was suggestive when the restricted dose range of 0 to 1 Gy was examined. A nonsignificant dose threshold of 0.1 Gy (95% CI, <0–0.8) was found. The prevalence of postoperative cataracts in A-bomb survivors increased significantly with A-bomb radiation dose. The estimate (0.1 Gy) and upper bound (0.8 Gy) of the dose threshold for operative cataract prevalence was much lower than the threshold of 2–5 Gy usually assumed by the radiation protection community and was statistically compatible with no threshold at all.
To investigate whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) or interleukin-6 (IL-6) contributes to the pathogenesis of macular edema in eyes with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO), the ...correlations between these factors were investigated.
We studied 25 patients suffering from macular edema with BRVO and 14 patients with nonischemic ocular disease (control group). The degree of retinal ischemia was evaluated in terms of the area of capillary nonperfusion using Scion Images, and the severity of macular edema was examined using optical coherence tomography. Vitreous fluid samples were obtained at the time of vitreoretinal surgery, and VEGF and IL-6 levels in the vitreous fluid and plasma were determined by means of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays.
Vitreous fluid levels of VEGF and IL-6 were significantly elevated in patients with BRVO compared with control patients (P = 0.0011 and P < 0.0001, respectively). Also, the vitreous level of VEGF was significantly correlated with that of IL-6 (P = 0.0012), and vitreous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were correlated with the size of the BRVO nonperfusion area (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0033, respectively). Furthermore, vitreous levels of VEGF and IL-6 were correlated with the severity of macular edema (P = 0.0008 and P = 0.0191, respectively) and the severity of macular edema of BRVO was significantly correlated with the size of the BRVO nonperfusion area (P=0.0044).
The levels of VEGF and IL-6 are increased in patients with macular edema with BRVO and are significantly correlated with the size of the nonperfusion area and the severity of macular edema. Therefore, they may play a role in macular edema with BRVO.
Abstract
Hypothetical short-range interactions could be detected by measuring the wavefunctions of gravitationally bound ultracold neutrons (UCNs) on a mirror in the Earth's gravitational field.
...Searches for them with higher sensitivity require detectors with higher spatial resolution.
We developed and have been improving an UCN detector with a high spatial resolution, which consists of a Si substrate, a thin converter layer including ^10B_4C, and a layer of fine-grained nuclear emulsion.
Its resolution was estimated to be less than 100 nm by fitting tracks of either ^7Li nuclei or α-particles, which were created when neutrons interacted with the ^10B_4C layer.
For actual measurements of the spatial distributions, the following two improvements were made.
The first improvement was to establish a method to align microscopic images with high accuracy within a wide region of 65 mm × 0.2 mm.
We created reference marks of 1 μm and 5 μm diameter with an interval of 50 μm and 500 μm, respectively, on the Si substrate by electron beam lithography and realized a position accuracy of less than 30 nm.
The second improvement was to build a holder for the detector that could maintain the atmospheric pressure around the nuclear emulsion to utilize it under a vacuum during exposure to UCNs.
The intrinsic resolution of the improved detector was estimated to be better than
0.56(8) μm by evaluating the blur of a transmission image of a gadolinium grating taken by cold neutrons.
The evaluation included the precision of the gadolinium grating.
A test exposure was conducted to obtain the spatial distribution of UCNs in the quantized states on a mirror in the Earth's gravitational field.
The distribution was obtained, fitted with the theoretical curve, and turned out to be reasonable for UCNs in quantized states when we considered a blurring of 6.9 μm.
The blurring was well explained as a result of neutron refraction due to the large surface roughness on the upstream side of the Si substrate.
By using a double-side-polished Si substrate, a resolution of less than 0.56 μm is expected to be achieved for UCNs.
To determine the prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG), secondary glaucoma (SG), and all glaucoma in a Japanese population as a part of the Tajimi Study.
Population-based ...epidemiological survey.
A random sample of residents 40 years or older from Tajimi, Japan.
Each subject underwent a screening program comprising an interview and an ophthalmic examination, including Goldmann applanation tonometry, slit-lamp examination, a van Herick test, fundus photography, and a screening visual field (VF) test using frequency-doubling technology. If glaucoma was suspected, the subject was referred for a definitive examination that included slit-lamp examination, gonioscopy, intraocular pressure measurement, a VF test, and optic disc and fundus examination. A diagnosis of PACG or SG was made based on slit-lamp examination, gonioscopy, optic disc appearance, and perimetric results.
Prevalences of PACG, SG, and all cases of glaucoma.
Of 3870 eligible people, 3021 (78.1%) participated in the study. Estimated prevalences of PACG and SG in those over 40 years were 0.6% (95% confidence interval CI, 0.4%-0.9%) and 0.5% (95% CI, 0.2%-0.7%), respectively. Prevalences of all glaucoma and glaucoma/suspected glaucoma were estimated to be 5.0% (95% CI, 4.2%-5.8%) and 7.5% (95% CI, 6.5%-8.4%), respectively.
Prevalences were 0.6%, 0.5%, and 5.0%, respectively, for PACG, SG, and all glaucoma in subjects over 40 years from Tajimi, Japan.
Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are among the target cells of cancer therapy because they are uniquely involved in both cancer progression and sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents. We identified side ...population (SP) cells, which are known to be an enriched population of CSC, in five oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells (SCC9, SCC25, TOSCC7, TOSCC17, and TOSCC23). The percentages of SP cells ranged from 0% to 3.3%, with TOSCC23 cells showing the highest percentages of SP cells (3.3% of the total cell population). The SP cells isolated from TOSCC23 cells also showed greater cell proliferation and invasion compared to non-SP (MP) cells. Therefore, our initial findings suggested that SP cells were enriched for CSC-like cells. Furthermore, DNA microarray analysis revealed that the expression of cell proliferation-related and anti-apoptotic genes was greater in SP cells compared to MP cells. We focused on Lin28a, which showed the highest expression (approximately 22-fold) among the upregulated genes. The overexpression of Lin28a in TOSCC23 cells increased their proliferation, colony formation, and invasion. These findings suggest that Lin28a is an appropriate CSC target molecule for OSCC treatment
► Lin28a is a SP cell-specific factor in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells. ► SP cells in OSCC cells show cancer stem cell-like properties. ► Lin28a regulates OSCC proliferative and invasive activities.
This paper proposes an electromagnetic type MEMS air turbine generator combining an air turbine fabricated by MEMS process and a magnetic circuit by multilayer ceramic technology. Introducing ball ...baring system for the turbine, two types of turbine rotor, a planar type and a rim type, were evaluated. The rim type achieved 290,135 rpm at the inlet flow of 2.4 L/min and the pressure of 0.3 MPa. The magnetic circuit was fabricated by multilayer ceramic technology. The circuit consist of Ni Cu Zn ferrite and silver 100 turn helical coil. The internal resistance was 2 Ω. The dimensions of the combined generator were 7.40 mm, 8.47 mm and 5.82 mm, respectively. When the load resistance was 8 Ω, the generator showed the maximum output. The maximum power was 2.41 mVA.
Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are pleiotropic growth and differentiation factors belonging to the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. Signals of the TGF-beta-like ligands are ...propagated to the nucleus through specific interaction of transmembrane serine/threonine kinase receptors and Smad proteins. GCCGnCGC has been suggested as a consensus binding sequence for Drosophila Mad regulated by a BMP-like ligand, Decapentaplegic. Smad1 is one of the mammalian Smads activated by BMPs. Here we show that Smad1 binds to this motif upon BMP stimulation in the presence of the common Smad, Smad4. The binding affinity is likely to be relatively low, because Smad1 binds to three copies of the motif weakly, but more repeats of the motif significantly enhance the binding. Heterologous reporter genes (GCCG-Lux) with multiple repeats of the motif respond to BMP stimulation but not to TGF-beta or activin. Mutational analyses reveal several bases critical for the responsiveness. A natural BMP-responsive reporter, pTlx-Lux, is activated by BMP receptors in P19 cells but not in mink lung cells. In contrast, GCCG-Lux responds to BMP stimulation in both cells, suggesting that it is a universal reporter that directly detects Smad phosphorylation by BMP receptors.
Highlights • We demonstrated a relationship between soft-diet feeding after weaning and behavioral abnormalities in mice. • Male mice fed a soft diet showed significantly decreased prepulse ...inhibition. • Decreased hippocampal neurogenesis and BDNF gene expression were observed in mice fed a soft diet. • A soft diet after weaning may be related to vulnerability to mental disorders.
We evaluated the circadian phenotypes of patients with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD) and non-24-hour sleep-wake rhythm disorder (N24SWD), two different circadian rhythm sleep disorders ...(CRSDs) by measuring clock gene expression rhythms in fibroblast cells derived from individual patients. Bmal1-luciferase (Bmal1-luc) expression rhythms were measured in the primary fibroblast cells derived from skin biopsy samples of patients with DSWPD and N24SWD, as well as control subjects. The period length of the Bmal1-luc rhythm (in vitro period) was distributed normally and was 22.80±0.47 (mean±s.d.) h in control-derived fibroblasts. The in vitro periods in DSWPD-derived fibroblasts and N24SWD-derived fibroblasts were 22.67±0.67 h and 23.18±0.70 h, respectively. The N24SWD group showed a significantly longer in vitro period than did the control or DSWPD group. Furthermore, in vitro period was associated with response to chronotherapy in the N24SWD group. Longer in vitro periods were observed in the non-responders (mean±s.d.: 23.59±0.89 h) compared with the responders (mean±s.d.: 22.97±0.47 h) in the N24SWD group. Our results indicate that prolonged circadian periods contribute to the onset and poor treatment outcome of N24SWD. In vitro rhythm assays could be useful for predicting circadian phenotypes and clinical prognosis in patients with CRSDs.
Neutron beam monitors are regularly used in various neutron beam experiments to compare two or more sets of data taken in different experimental conditions. A neutron lifetime experiment at BL05, the ...NOP beamline, in J-PARC requires to monitor the initial neutron intensity with an precision of 0.1% to measure the neutron lifetime with the same accuracy. The performance of a thin 3He gas neutron beam monitor used for the experiment was studied to estimate the systematic uncertainties in the neutron lifetime measurement.
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