Zernike generation with MEMS deformadle mirror actuated by electrostatic piston array

2018 IEEE Micro Electro Mechanical Systems (MEMS), 21-25 Jan. 2018.We report a low-voltage and large-displacement electrostatic deformable mirror for in vivo retinal imaging by adaptive-optics optical coherence tomography. The mirror utilizes an electrostatic piston actuator which allows bottom electrodes to move vertically to keep the gap small to maintain large actuation force at low actuation voltage. An 8-mm-diameter mirror device was fabricated from two components; the mirror part and the actuator part. The parts were assembled with 7-μm-gap defined by an SU-8 layer. We successfully demonstrated operation of the mirror in various Zernike modes

Perfluorooctane Sulfonate (PFOS) and Related Perfluorinated Compounds in Human Maternal and Cord Blood Samples: Assessment of PFOS Exposure in a Susceptible Population during Pregnancy

Fluorinated organic compounds (FOCs), such as perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS), perfluorooctanoate (PFOA), and perfluorooctane sulfonylamide (PFOSA), are widely used in the manufacture of plastic, electronics, textile, and construction material in the apparel, leather, and upholstery industries. FOCs have been detected in human blood samples. Studies have indicated that FOCs may be detrimental to rodent development possibly by affecting thyroid hormone levels. In the present study, we determined the concentrations of FOCs in maternal and cord blood samples. Pregnant women 17–37 years of age were enrolled as subjects. FOCs in 15 pairs of maternal and cord blood samples were analyzed by liquid chromatography–electrospray mass spectrometry coupled with online extraction. The limits of quantification of PFOS, PFOA, and PFOSA in human plasma or serum were 0.5, 0.5, and 1.0 ng/mL, respectively. The method enables the precise determination of FOCs and can be applied to the detection of FOCs in human blood samples for monitoring human exposure. PFOS concentrations in maternal samples ranged from 4.9 to 17.6 ng/mL, whereas those in fetal samples ranged from 1.6 to 5.3 ng/mL. In contrast, PFOSA was not detected in fetal or maternal samples, whereas PFOA was detected only in maternal samples (range, < 0.5 to 2.3 ng/mL, 4 of 15). Our results revealed a high correlation between PFOS concentrations in maternal and cord blood (r(2) = 0.876). However, we did not find any significant correlations between PFOS concentration in maternal and cord blood samples and age bracket, birth weight, or levels of thyroid-stimulating hormone or free thyroxine. Our study revealed that human fetuses in Japan may be exposed to relatively high levels of FOCs. Further investigation is required to determine the postnatal effects of fetal exposure to FOCs

Co-transfection of EYFP-GH and ECFP-rab3B in an experimental pituitary GH3 cell: a role of rab3B in secretion of GH through porosome.

Recently, in order to elucidate the role of rab3B in porosome, we have observed the incorporation of rab3B in the secretion of GH through porosome under confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). Transfected cells with GH-EYFP fusion protein and rab3B-ECFP fusion protein were observed under CLSM, which showed the colocalization of EYFP-GH and ECFP-rab3B in the budding configuration of secretory process. These structural and functional images of rab3B imply the incorporation of rab3B in the secretion of GH through porosome

Pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin aspart in patients with Type 2 diabetes: Assessment using a meal tolerance test under clinical conditions

Few studies have evaluated the pharmacokinetics of rapid-acting insulin analogues in patients with Type 2 diabetes, especially under clinical conditions. The aim of the present study was to assess both the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of insulin aspart in Type 2 diabetic patients who were being treated with the analogue alone. Meal tolerance tests with and without self-injection of a customary dose of insulin aspart (0.05-0.22 U/kg) were conducted in 20 patients in a randomized cross-over study. The dose of insulin aspart (per bodyweight) was significantly correlated with both the maximum concentration (r 2 = 0.59; P < 0.01) and area under the concentration-time curve for insulin aspart (r 2 = 0.53; P < 0.01). However, the time to maximum concentration (T max), which varied widely from < 60 to ≥ 120 min, was not associated with either dosage (r 2 = 0.02; P = 0.51) or body mass index (r 2 = 0.02; P = 0.57). Injection of insulin aspart exacerbated delayed hyperinsulinaemia after meal loading, mainly in patients with T max ≥ 120 min. With regard to pharmacodynamics, insulin aspart had favourable effects on postprandial hyperglycaemia, hyperglucagonaemia and hyperlipidaemia. The T max for this insulin analogue differed greatly between individuals and delayed hyperinsulinaemia was particularly exacerbated in patients with higher T max values. Identification of the factors contributing to interindividual variation in the absorption lag time is essential for improving the efficacy and safety of insulin aspart. © 2012 The Authors. Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology and Physiology © 2012 Blackwell Publishing Asia Pty Ltd

Successful Treatment of Protein-Losing Gastroenteropathy with Steroid Pulse and Immunosuppressive Therapies in a Patient with Sjögren Syndrome

We report the case of a 59-year-old female who developed facial edema together with hypoproteinemia. On the basis of 99mTc-human serum albumin scintigraphy and a1-antitrypsin clearance, she was diagnosed with protein-losing gastroenteropathy. Furthermore, she was diagnosed with Sjögren syndrome on the basis of eye and oral dryness, positive result with anti-SSA antibody, and salivary gland biopsy. Her symptoms improved with the use of immunosuppressive agents following steroid pulse therapy. Therefore, steroid pulse therapy and immunosuppressive agents should be considered as possible effective treatment strategies for protein-losing gastroenteropathy associated with autoimmune diseases

QOL after RT or OP for uterine cervix cancer

This study aimed to research the post-treatment quality of life (QOL) between radiotherapy (RT)- and operation (OP)-treated early cervical cancer survivors, using separate questionnaires for physicians and patients. We administered an observational questionnaire to patients aged 20–70 years old with Stages IB1–IIB cervical cancer who had undergone RT or OP and without recurrence as outpatients for ≥6 months after treatment. We divided 100 registered patients equally into two treatment groups (n = 50 each). The average age was 53 and 44 years in the RT and OP groups, respectively. The RT group included 34 and 66% Stage I and II patients, respectively, whereas the OP group included 66 and 34% Stage I and II patients, respectively. The OP group included 58% of patients with postoperative RT. Combination chemotherapy was performed in 84 and 48% of patients in the RT and OP groups, respectively. On the physicians’ questionnaire, we observed significant differences in bone marrow suppression (RT) and leg edema (OP). On the patients’ questionnaire, significantly more patients had dysuria and leg edema in the OP group than in the RT group, and severe (Score 4–5) leg edema was significantly higher in the post-operative RT group than in the OP only group. The frequency of sexual intercourse decreased after treatment in both groups. On the patients’ questionnaire, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding sexual activity. These findings are useful to patients and physicians for shared decision-making in treatment choices. The guidance of everyday life and health information including sexual life after treatment is important

ショウガイシャ シエン ONE CD システム ASSISTIVE TOOLS USING LINUX ON DEMAND カショウ ノ シサク トクシュウ サイキン ノ メディア

障害者の情報環境改善の一試案として 「障害者支援ソフトウェア導入 one CD linux」 の自動生成システム （Assistive Tools Using Linux On Demand System） を提案する．本研究では， まずネットワーク上にある障害者支援ソフトウェアを one CD linux 上に実装を行った． 実装には， 視覚障害者用音声読み上げエディター emacspeak を試用した． その上で， ソフトウェアの選択/実装/iso イメージ生成を半自動で行えるインストーラを製作し、 そのインストーラを含む one CD linux の試作を行った． 本システムの試作により， 障害者に必要とされる機能を取捨選択し個別の障害に対応できる OS 製作の可能性を検討した

Long-term follow-up of production of IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among patients with COVID-19

The patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） produce IgM and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 （SARS-CoV-2）. However, the frequency and duration of antibody production still need to be fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the duration of antibody production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were monitored over twelve months for the production of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies, and the characteristics of these patients were examined. Forty-five patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were enrolled, and thirty-four patients were followed up until they tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies or up to twelve months after the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction （PCR） result. The positivity rates of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were 27.3％ and 68.2％ when SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative, 20.6％ and 70.6％ after one month, 8.8％ and 52.9％ after three months, and 0.0％ and 14.7％ after six months, respectively. Moreover, we compared patients with milder conditions who did not require oxygen administration with those with severe conditions which required oxygen administration. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients with severe conditions than in those with milder conditions on the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR result and after one month and three months, but not after six months. Patients with more severe COVID-19 produced more SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Moreover, it is suggested that the duration of IgG antibody production is independent of COVID-19 severity