Chlamydomonas reinhardtii as a new model system for studying the molecular basis of the circadian clock

AbstractThe genome of the unicellular green alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii has both plant-like and animal-like genes. It is of interest to know which types of clock genes this alga has. Recent forward and reverse genetic studies have revealed that its clock has both plant-like and algal clock components. In addition, since C. reinhardtii is a useful model organism also called “green yeast”, the identification of clock genes will make C. reinhardtii a powerful model for studying the molecular basis of the eukaryotic circadian clock. In this review, we describe our forward genetic approach in C. reinhardtii and discuss some recent findings about its circadian clock

Pixyz: a library for developing deep generative models

With the recent rapid progress in the study of deep generative models (DGMs), there is a need for a framework that can implement them in a simple and generic way. In this research, we focus on two features of the latest DGMs: (1) deep neural networks are encapsulated by probability distributions and (2) models are designed and learned based on an objective function. Taking these features into account, we propose a new DGM library called Pixyz. We experimentally show that our library is faster than existing probabilistic modeling languages in learning simple DGMs and we show that our library can be used to implement complex DGMs in a simple and concise manner, which is difficult to do with existing libraries.Comment: Work in progres

COMPARISON OF PROPERTIES OF A PITCHED-BALL ROTATION MEASURED BY THREE DIFFERENT METHODS

The purpose of this study was to compare the properties of a pitched-ball rotation, such as the spin rate and direction of the spin axis, which were measured by 2D images with a 3D registration method (2DR), the 3D direct linear transformation method (3DLT), and a Doppler radar measurement system (DRS). The pitched baseball was recorded by using two high-speed cameras (2,000 Hz) and DRS (48,000 Hz). For 2DR and 3DLT, some landmarks on the pitched ball were digitized to calculate the location in 2D and 3D space. For DRS, the 3D spin axis was calculated using equations developed by Nathan (2015). We found that the properties of the fastball were comparable among the three methods, but the properties of pitches that were not fastballs were not always comparable with the others

Symptomatic radiation pneumonitis after stereotactic body radiotherapy for multiple pulmonary oligometastases or synchronous primary lung cancer

[Purpose] Stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) can be easily used for patients with tumors in various organs and is a promising local therapy for eradicating tumors in cancer patients. There is a rising clinical need for increasing knowledge of oligometastases in the treatment of multiple pulmonary tumors. This study aimed to explore the predictive factors for symptomatic radiation pneumonitis (RP) after SBRT for multiple pulmonary oligometastases or synchronous primary lung cancer (SPLC). [Methods and Materials] A total of 38 consecutive patients who had 2 or more pulmonary oligometastases (n = 21) or SPLC (n = 17) and who were treated with SBRT were investigated. Patient characteristics, tumor characteristics, and details of radiation therapy were retrospectively collected from a clinical database. The association between RP of grade 2 or worse (grade 2+ RP) and clinical or dosimetric factors was assessed using logistic regression analyses. [Results] The tumors presented ipsilaterally in 24 patients and bilaterally in 14 patients. During the median follow-up period of 4.9 years, grade 2+ RP, grade 2 RP, and grade 3 RP were observed in 9 patients (23.7%), 7 patients (18.4%), and 2 patients (5.3%), respectively. The mean lung dose (MLD) and the volume of the normal lung receiving ≥5 Gy (lung V5Gy) were significantly associated with grade 2+ RP (P = .023 and P = .012, respectively). The logistic model showed that 20% and 50% of the predicted probability of grade 2+ RP were 6.1 Gy and 9.1 Gy for MLD and 31.6 % and 42.8% for lung V5Gy, respectively. [Conclusion] Although further investigation is required to validate the metrics and establish reliable dose constraints, the dose-volume metrics for the normal lung could be predictive of the development of grade 2+ RP after SBRT for multiple pulmonary oligometastases or SPLCs

Are Prophylactic Systemic Antibiotics Required in Patients with Cataract Surgery at Local Anesthesia?

The reduced use of antimicrobial drugs has been recommended worldwide, according to the global action for antimicrobial resistance published in 2015 by the World Health Organization. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed the incidence of surgical site infection in consecutive patients with cataract surgeries at a single hospital in the 6-year process when prophylactic systemic antibiotics were reduced in a step-by-step manner. The entire study period from 2016 to 2022 was divided into five stages, based on the use of systemic antibiotics. In stage 1 with 649 cataract surgeries, an intravenous drip infusion of cefazolin 1 g was given at surgery, followed by oral cefdinir 100 mg in the evening on surgery day and three times for two postoperative days. In stage 2 with 541 cataract surgeries, oral cefdinir 100 mg was given in the late morning before surgery, in the evening, and three times (300 mg in total) for two postoperative days. In stage 3 with 103 cataract surgeries, oral levofloxacin 500 mg was given in the late morning before surgery and once in the morning for two postoperative days. In stage 4 with 545 cataract surgeries, oral levofloxacin 500 mg was given only in the late morning before surgery. In stage 5 with 311 cataract surgeries, no systemic antibiotics were given. As common procedures in all stages, moxifloxacin eye drops were given four times daily as topical antibiotics in the 3 days before surgery and about 2 weeks after surgery. At surgery, the ocular surface was frequently irrigated with saline-diluted povidone iodine at 0.5% working concentration. No postoperative infection was recorded in any stage. This study showed neither harm nor risk in reduced use and, consequently, no use of prophylactic systemic antibiotics in cataract surgery as far as local precautionary measures were secured

Design Consideration of Self-Oscillating Voltage booster Including JFET Characteristics for Energy Harvesting Applications

An Energy Harvesting (E.H.) has been paid attention for the field of Internet of Things (IoT) in recent years. The wireless sensor as a key component of IoT can be realized battery less operation by using E.H technology. The oscillating circuit with a step-up transformer is used as a voltage booster for E.H. The voltage booster has not been fully analyzed the influences of the circuit parameters yet. In this paper, the influence of JFET parameters such as parasitic capacitance and threshold voltage are analyzed, and the self-oscillating voltage booster is designed including the JFET parameters. As a result, it is clarified that the large additional capacitance connected into gate-source terminal of JFET can be remarkably reduced the influence of input capacitance of JFET. Moreover, the relationship between threshold voltage and amplitude condition are clarified. Finally, the validity of the analysis and design method are experimentally confirmed.IEEE REGION 10 CONFERENCE (TENCON), 16-19 November, 2020, Osaka, Japan（オンライン開催に変更

Microcirculation changes in gingival tissue after ultrasonic tooth preparation in beagle dog

Abstract: Ultrasonic wave technology is widely used during dental treatments. We previously demonstrated that this method protects the gingival tissue. However, the physiological change on the gingival microvasculature caused by this method remains unclear. Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the morphological and physiological effects on gingival microcirculation when preparing teeth, using the conventional dental turbine or ultrasonic method. Methodology: The lower premolar teeth of beagle dogs were prepared along the gingival margin by using a dental turbine or ultrasonic wave instrument. Gingival vasculature changes were investigated using scanning electron microscopy for corrosion resin casts. Gingival blood flow at the preparation site was determined simultaneously by laser Doppler flowmetry. These assessments were performed immediately (Day 0), at 7 days and 30 days after tooth preparation. Results: At day 0, in the turbine group, blood vessels were destroyed and some resin leaked. Furthermore, gingival blood flow at the site was significantly increased. In contrast, the ultrasonic group demonstrated nearly normal vasculature and gingival blood flow similar to the non-prepared group for 30 days after preparation. No significant alterations occurred in gingival circulation 30 days after either preparation; however, the turbine group revealed obvious morphological changes. Conclusions: Based on multiple approach analyses, this study demonstrated that ultrasonic waves are useful for microvascular protection in tooth preparation. Compared with a dental turbine, ultrasonic wave instruments caused minimal damage to gingival microcirculation. Tooth preparation using ultrasonic wave instruments could be valuable for protecting periodontal tissue