Organic agriculture and teikei in Japan after nuclear plant explosion in March, 2011

The contamination of radioactive matters to the fields by nuclear accident gave severe damage to organic farming because it put importance on the safety and environment. Besides the loss of income, there were various uncountable damages that cannot be easily compensated. Under such severe situation, various supports among organic farmers and between consumers were tried

Diffractive multifocal intraocular lens interferes with intraoperative view

We report an unusual finding during vitreous surgery in an eye implanted with a diffractive multifocal intraocular lens (IOL). A 70-year-old woman reported gradual visual deterioration to 20/40 in the left eye two and a half years after uneventful cataract surgery with implantation of a diffractive multifocal IOL. Funduscopic examination showed an epiretinal membrane (ERM) in the left eye. Increased macular traction was believed to cause the visual deterioration. Vitreous surgery with removal of the ERM was performed and triamcinolone acetonide (TA) was injected intravitreally to visualize the residual vitreous cortex. Although the ERM was peeled successfully, the ability to focus on the vitreoretinal interface through the IOL required great effort with decreased contrast sensitivity and ghost images of the intravitreal TA crystals. The vision improved to 20/25 4 months postoperatively. Macular surgery can be performed in an eye with a diffractive multifocal IOL; however, decreased contrast sensitivity and ghost images may interfere with the intraoperative view through the diffractive IOL in complicated cases

Clinicopathologic Analysis of Localized Nasal/Paranasal Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) comprises 2 molecularly distinct subgroups of non-germinal center B-cell-like (non-GCB) and germinal center B-cell-like (GCB) DLBCLs, with the former showing relatively poor prognosis. In the present study, we analyzed the clinicopathological features of 39 patients with localized nasal/paranasal DLBCL. Immunohistochemistry-based subclassification revealed that 11 patients (28%) were of the GCB-type according to Hans' algorithm and 11 (28%) were of the GCB-type according to Choi's algorithm. According to both Hans' and Choi's algorithms, the non-GCB type was predominant. Nevertheless, prognosis was good. Overall survival did not differ significantly between the GCB and non-GCB subgroups (Hans' algorithm: p = 0.57, Choi's algorithm: p = 0.99). Furthermore, the prognosis of localized nasal/paranasal DLBCL was better than that of other localized extranodal DLBCLs. The prognosis of extranodal DLBCL is usually considered poorer than that of nodal DLBCL. However, in our study, no difference was noted between patients with localized nasal/paranasal DLBCL and patients with localized nodal DLBCL. In conclusion, although the non-GCB subtype is thought to show poor prognosis, in our study, the prognosis for localized nasal/paranasal DLBCL patients was good irrespective of subclassification

Very low-density lipoprotein-apoprotein CI is increased in diabetic nephropathy: Comparison with apoprotein CIII

Very low-density lipoprotein-apoprotein CI is increased in diabetic nephropathy: Comparison with apoprotein CIII.BackgroundRecent studies have suggested that apoprotein (apo) CI in very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL) plays an important role in causing hypertriglyceridemia independent of apo CIII, which is associated with coronary heart disease (CHD). Because the incidence of CHD is increased in diabetic patients and is even higher when diabetic nephropathy is developed, we measured apo CI levels in VLDL from type 2 diabetic patients, with various degree of nephropathy, and compared the results with those for healthy controls or nondiabetic patients with chronic renal failure (CRF).MethodsThis study enrolled healthy control subjects, type 2 diabetic patients with normoalbuminuria, microalbuminuria, overt proteinuria, and CRF on hemodialysis and nondiabetic hemodialyis patients. VLDL (density <1.006) was separated by ultracentrifugation. Then the apo CI, CIII, and B concentrations in VLDL were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).ResultsThe apo CI, CIII, and B concentrations in VLDL were respectively 3-, 2-, and 2-fold higher, respectively, in diabetic patients with overt proteinuria than in controls. Hemodialysis patients with diabetic nephropathy had levels of apo CI, CIII, and B in VLDL that were 2.6-, 2.7- and 2-fold higher, respectively, than those in controls. Nondiabetic hemodialysis patients also had a 2.7-fold higher level of VLDL apo CIII, whereas VLDL apo CI and VLDL apo B were not significantly increased. VLDL apo CI was significantly correlated with VLDL apo B independently of VLDL apo CIII level.ConclusionAn increase of VLDL apo CIII is a prominent feature of dyslipidemia in CRF patients, regardless of whether they are diabetic or nondiabetic, whereas an increase of VLDL apo CI is more specific to diabetic nephropathy and is closely associated with an increase of VLDL particle numbers, a new risk factor for CHD

Development, Characteristics and Durability of Dye-Sensitized Solar Cell

The DSSC 120 x 120 mm square sub-module with high conversion efficiency, excellent high temperature durability was fabricated using the new ruthenium-complex dye J2 which was developed by us, most appropriate Ti02 nano-particles, suited electrolyte containing iodine, the improved sealant, protective material of collecting grids. By assembling many sub-modules, large size of modules and also see-through type DSSC modules were developed. By the study of characteristics of DSSC on the incident angle of light and temperature, the advantage of DSSC has been discussed comparing with other Si solar cells

調理操作がきゅうりの一般生菌数および大腸菌群数に及ぼす影響

The aim of this research was to evaluate effects of washing, heating and vinegar treatment on bacterial contamination level of a cucumber using the model experiment of cooking process. The samples were extracted from cucumbers before and after washing with tap water, acidified sodium chlorite, acidic electrolyzed water, a solution of diluted vinegar. In the fresh cucumbers the aerobic plate counts (APC) was 5--6 log CFU/g and Coliforms count was 1-3 log CFU/g. After washing with tap water the APC and Coliforms was 4-6 log CFU/g and 1-2 log CFU/g respectively, which did not significantly reduce the contamination level of the cucumber. The APC decreased significantly after washing with acidified sodium chlorite, and acidic electrolyzed water. On the other hand, the APC and Coliforms were not detected after heating at over 75 degree C. The APC and Coliforms decreased significantly after 3 different vinegar treatment (vinegar, vinegar with salt, vinegar with salt and sugar) for 24 to 48 h. This study suggests that heating is the most effective method in the reduction of bacterial contamination of cucumbers and vinegar treatment is also effective after 24 to 48 h preparation for a vinegard dish with cucumber本研究では,きゅうりの酢の物の調理過程を実験モデルとし,洗浄,加熱,食酢の添加による調理操作がきゅうりの一般生菌数,大腸菌群数に及ぼす影響を検討した。　原材料に使用したきゅうりの一般生菌数,大腸菌群数は10^5～10^6CFU/g,10～10^3CFU/gであった。水道水,次亜塩素酸ナトリウム溶液,強酸性電解水,酢水による洗浄処理のうち,水道水による洗浄では,きゅうりの一般生菌数,大腸菌群数はそれぞれ10^4～10^6CFU/g,10～10^2CFU/gであり,有意な減少は見られなかった。一方,次亜塩素酸ナトリウム溶液および強酸性電解水による洗浄によりきゅうりの一般生菌数は有意に減少した。中心温度75℃ 以上の加熱処理を行ったきゅうりでは,一般生菌数及び大腸菌群数に有意な減少が見られた。酢(食酢),二杯酢(食酢・塩),三杯酢(食酢・塩・砂糖)を添加したきゅうりでは,24時間から48時間後に一般生菌数及び大腸菌群数の有意な減少が見られた。　以上のことから,きゅうりを加熱処理することは細菌数を減らすのに最も効果的であった。未加熱のきゅうりを用いた調理では,食酢を添加して24時間から48時間保存すれば静菌効果が期待できることが示唆された

Breastfeeding history and metabolic syndrome in parous women

Objective The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between breastfeeding and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in community-dwelling parous women and to clarify whether the associations depend on age. Methods The present cross-sectional study included 11,118 women, aged 35–69 years. Participants’ longest breastfeeding duration for one child and their number of breastfed children were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire, and their total breastfeeding duration was approximated as a product of the number of breastfed children and the longest breastfeeding duration. The longest and the total breastfeeding durations were categorized into none and tertiles above 0 months. Metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, and hyperglycemia) were defined as primary and secondary outcomes, respectively. Associations between breastfeeding history and metabolic syndrome or each cardiovascular risk factor were assessed using multivariable unconditional logistic regression analysis. Results Among a total of 11,118 women, 10,432 (93.8%) had ever breastfed, and 1,236 (11.1%) had metabolic syndrome. In participants aged <55 years, an inverse dose–response relationship was found between the number of breastfed children and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome; multivariable-adjusted odds ratios for 1, 2, 3, and ≥4 breastfed children were 0.60 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.31 to 1.17), 0.50 (95% CI: 0.29 to 0.87), 0.44 (95% CI: 0.24 to 0.84), and 0.35 (95% CI: 0.14 to 0.89), respectively. The longest and total breastfeeding durations of longer than 0 months were also associated with lower odds of metabolic syndrome relative to no breastfeeding history in participants aged <55 years. In contrast, all measures of breastfeeding history were not significantly associated with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular risk factors in participants aged ≥55 years old. Conclusions Breastfeeding history may be related to lower prevalence of metabolic syndrome in middle-aged parous women

Support for UNRWA's survival

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides life-saving humanitarian aid for 5·4 million Palestine refugees now entering their eighth decade of statelessness and conflict. About a third of Palestine refugees still live in 58 recognised camps. UNRWA operates 702 schools and 144 health centres, some of which are affected by the ongoing humanitarian disasters in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, mortality, and illiteracy. Its social services include rebuilding infrastructure and homes that have been destroyed by conflict and providing cash assistance and micro-finance loans for Palestinians whose rights are curtailed and who are denied the right of return to their homeland