Technical Notes on Endoscopic Transnasal Transsphenoidal Approach for Clival Chondrosarcoma

Although there are various operative approaches for clival tumors, a transsphenoidal approach is one of choices when the main tumor extention is in an anterior-posterior direction with a slight lateral extension. However, this approach sometimes provides only narrow and deep operative field. Recently, endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach is quite an effective approach for clival tumors because of the improvement of surgical instruments, image guidance systems, and techniques and materials of wound closure. In this paper, we describe the effectiveness, technical problems, and solution of this approach based on our experiences with two clival chondrosarcomas that was removed by endoscopic transnasal transsphenoidal approach

Human Escherichia coli O157:H7 Genetic Marker in Isolates of Bovine Origin

The antiterminator Q gene of bacteriophage 933W (Q933) was identified upstream of the stx2 gene in 90% of human disease–origin Escherichia coli O157:H7 isolates and in 44.5% of bovine isolates. Shiga toxin production was higher in Q933-positive isolates than Q933-negative isolates. This genetic marker may provide a useful molecular tool for epidemiologic studies

Characteristics of optical CT for gel dosimeters- distortion and its calibration and resolution -

放射線の照射量を ３ 次元的に測定することを目指し、ゲル線量計用の光学 CT 装置の開発を行っている。本研究では、性能評価の 1 つである MTF を調べた。また試料を水中で測定することも検討されているが、水中での測定では像が拡大し歪むことがわかった。このため、最初にこの影響と補正方法について検討をおこなった。その結果、水中での測定では拡大率は画像の中心で 1３0% であった。歪み率は画像中心から 5 cm の場所で 15%であった。この歪みは、OpenCV を用いて補正することが可能である。OpenCV は様々な画像処理が含まれたライブラリであり、オープンソースである。この OpenCV を用いた補正後は画像中心から 5 cm の場所では歪み率が 5 ％以下に改善された。MTF の測定にはワイヤ法（直径 0.２6mm）を用いて測定を行ったところ、水中で測定したほうが、良いMTF を得られることがわかった。これは試料が拡大されて撮影されるからである。We have developed and evaluated a prototype optical computed tomography (CT) for polymer gel dosimetry that measures the amount of irradiation in three dimensions. We investigated the modulation transfer function (MTF) to evaluate performance. The sample was placed underwater and measured. The image of the sample underwater was shown to be distorted. First, we studied the influence of this distortion and developed a calibration method. The magnification power was 1３0% at the center of the image when the sample was underwater. The image distortion was 15% at a point 5 cm from the center of the image. We corrected for this distortion using OpenCV, an open source computer vision and machine learning software library. After calibration using OpenCV, the rate of distortion improved and became ≤ 5% at the point 5 cm from the center of the image. Next, we measured MTF of the prototype optical CT using a wire 0.２6 mm in diameter. The results indicated that MTF became more visible when the sample was placed underwater, because the sample looked larger

生涯スポーツとしてのボールルームダンスの生理的効果について(第2報) : ダンスプログラミングに着目して

The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of dance programming by studying the subject\u27s heart rate changes. This was accomplished by measuring subject\u27s heart rate during Ballroom dancing with different partners of different performance level. Then, we made three kinds of program (A.B.C), which are different level of exercise intensities. Each program consists of 9 or 10 composition, those are classified into low, middle, and high level based on the subject\u27s ratings of perceived exertion (RPE) toward each composition. The result of this study can be summarized as follows: 1) Program A will improve fitness of the middle and elderly persons. Program B is an appropriate in intensity as aerobics, and it shows pattern of heart rate alteration of interval training. Program C can be expected to assist dancers, in improving their cardiorespiratory function. 2) The woman\u27s physical response tends to change largely by the level of partner\u27s (men) dance performance. Our results suggests that ballroom dancing can be said an appropriate physical activity for the middle and elderly persons as life-long sport through dance programming, by meaning of improve fitness and for training

Apex of a V-shaped cut field acts as a pacemaker on an oscillatory system

The generation and propagation of chemical waves in the Belousov–Zhabotinsky (BZ) reaction were investigated using a cation-exchange membrane embedded with a metal catalyst as a 2-dimensional oscillatory/active field. We found that a target pattern is generated from the top of a V-shape, indicating that the apex on the boundary between active and passive fields behaves as a pacemaker. A Plausible mechanism for this phenomenon is proposed based on a reaction–diffusion equation

Ciliates Expel Environmental Legionella-laden Pellets for Stockpiling Food

When the ciliate Tetrahymena is cultured with Legionella pneumophila, they expel bacteria packaged in free spherical pellets. Why the ciliates expel these pellets remains unclear. Hence, we determined optimal conditions for pellet expulsion, and assessed whether they contribute to maintenance of growth and survival of ciliates. When incubated environmental L. pneumophila, the ciliates maximally expelled the pellets at 2 days after infection. Heat-killed bacteria failed to produce pellets from ciliates, and there was no obvious difference in pellet production among the ciliates or bacterial strains. Morphological studies with assessment of lipid accumulation showed that pellets contained tightly packed bacteria with rapid lipid accumulation and were composed of the layers of membranes; bacterial culturability in the pellets rapidly decreased in contrast to that in ciliate-free culture, although the bacteria maintained membrane integrity in the pellets. Furthermore, ciliates newly cultured with pellets were maintained and grew vigorously compared with those without pellets. In contrast, a human L. pneumophila isolate killed ciliates 7 day post-infection in a Dot/Icm dependent manner and pellets harboring this strain did not support ciliate growth. Also, pellets harboring the human isolate were resuscitated by co-culture with amoebae, depending on Dot/Icm expression. Thus, while ciliates expel pellet-packaged environmental L. pneumophila for stockpiling food, the pellets packaged the human isolate are harmful on ciliate's survival, possibly connecting clinical significance