Dynamic Behavior in Methanation Activity During the Reaction on Supported Nickel-based Catalysts

Increase in the methanation activity of supported Ni-based composite catalysts during the H₂-CO₂ reaction was studied. A gradual increase in the activity with repeated use was observed in the Ni-La₂O₃ catalysts supported on alumina, whereas the Ni-La₂O₃ catalysts supported on silica gave an almost constant activity through repeated use. This difference was attributed to the reducibility of the catalysts. The nickel oxide part in the composite catalyst supported on silica was reduced sufficiently to nickel metal by hydrogen reduction at 400°C. On the other hand, some portion of the nickel oxide in the composite catalyst supported on alumina was considered to have formed some NiAl₂O₄ spinel which was difficult to be reduced with hydrogen at 400°C. However, this NiAl₂O₄ spinel was reduced gradually during the methanation reaction even at a much lower temperature, 300°C, with the aid of coexisting water vapor formed by the reaction, resulting in the increase in activity

Simple Display System of Mechanical Properties of Cells and Their Dispersion

The mechanical properties of cells are unique indicators of their states and functions. Though, it is difficult to recognize the degrees of mechanical properties, due to small size of the cell and broad distribution of the mechanical properties. Here, we developed a simple virtual reality system for presenting the mechanical properties of cells and their dispersion using a haptic device and a PC. This system simulates atomic force microscopy (AFM) nanoindentation experiments for floating cells in virtual environments. An operator can virtually position the AFM spherical probe over a round cell with the haptic handle on the PC monitor and feel the force interaction. The Young's modulus of mesenchymal stem cells and HEK293 cells in the floating state was measured by AFM. The distribution of the Young's modulus of these cells was broad, and the distribution complied with a log-normal pattern. To represent the mechanical properties together with the cell variance, we used log-normal distribution-dependent random number determined by the mode and variance values of the Young's modulus of these cells. The represented Young's modulus was determined for each touching event of the probe surface and the cell object, and the haptic device-generating force was calculated using a Hertz model corresponding to the indentation depth and the fixed Young's modulus value. Using this system, we can feel the mechanical properties and their dispersion in each cell type in real time. This system will help us not only recognize the degrees of mechanical properties of diverse cells but also share them with others

REMOVAL OF Cs+ USING ZEOLITE RHO

Radioactive Cs+ in water needs to be removed to prevent health problems in humans and animals. After the Fukushima nuclear power plant explosion, Cs+ has been removed by ion-exchange using zeolites such as Chabazite and Mordenite. To reduce the amount of contaminated zeolite waste, more efficient zeolite is needed. Zeolite RHO is a zeolite with a low Si/Al ratio, and a high ion-exchange capacity is expected. Thus, zeolite RHO was prepared using the conventional hydrothermal synthesis method and characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), adsorption/desorption isotherm of nitrogen, and elemental analysis by X-ray fluorescence (XRF) and inductively-coupled plasma spectroscopy (ICP). Removal of Cs+ was performed batch-wise in water and artificial seawater. Zeolite RHO showed promising Cs removal ability even in artificial seawater

Changes in the deep vasculature assessed using anterior segment OCT angiography following trabecular meshwork targeted minimally invasive glaucoma surgery

The effect of trabecular meshwork (TM)-targeted minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) on the vasculature assessed using anterior segment (AS)-optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) has not been established. In this prospective, longitudinal study, we investigated changes in the deep vasculature following TM-targeted MIGS using AS-OCTA for open-angle glaucoma in 31 patients. AS-OCTA images of the sclera and conjunctiva at the nasal corneal limbus were acquired preoperatively and 3 months postoperatively, and the vessel densities (VDs) of the superficial (conjunctival) and deep (intrascleral) layers were calculated. The VDs before and after MIGS were compared, and the factors associated with the change in VD following MIGS were analyzed. The mean deep VD decreased from 11.98 ± 6.80% at baseline to 10.42 ± 5.02% postoperatively (P = 0.044), but superficial VD did not change (P = 0.73). The multivariate stepwise regression analysis revealed that deep VD reduction was directly associated with IOP reduction (P < 0.001) and preoperative IOP (P = 0.007) and inversely associated with preoperative deep VD (P < 0.001). The deep VD reduction following MIGS was significant in the successful group (21 eyes) (P = 0.032) but not in the unsuccessful group (10 eyes) (P = 0.49). The deep VDs assessed using AS-OCTA decreased following TM-targeted MIGS, especially in the eyes with good surgical outcomes

Expression of DNA Methyltransferase (DNMT) 1, 3a and 3b Proteins in Human Hepatocellular Carcinoma

Alteration of aberrant DNA methylation is one of the most consistent epigenetic changes found in human cancers. DNA methylation is catalyzed by DNA methyltransferase (DNMT). In this study, we examined DNMT protein expression by immunohistochemistry in surgically resected hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Sections of paraffin-embedded specimens were obtained from 95 patients with HCC between 1989 and 2002. The specimens were stained with anti-DNMTs (DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b) antibodies. There were statistically significant associations between DNMT protein expression and tumor differentiation (P < 0.05) and intrahepatic metastasis (P < 0.05). DNMT3a protein expression was significantly correlated with portal vein involvement of tumors (P < 0.05). The overall survival rates of patients with DNMT3a-positive HCCs and DNMT3b-positive HCCs were significantly lower than those of patients negative for these proteins (P < 0.005, respectively). To further evaluate the correlation between DNMT protein expression and patient survival, we classified patients into 3 groups: Group 1, DNMT1(+), 3a(–) and 3b(–); Group 2) DNMT1(+), 3a or 3b(+); and Group 3) DNMT1(+), 3a(+) and 3b(+). The overall survival rate of patients in Group 3 was significantly lower than those of patients in Groups 1 and 2 (P = 0.0009). In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that DNMT1, DNMT3a and DNMT3b are cooperatively involved in determining the extent of HCCs, and that DNMT protein overexpression in HCCs may be a predictive factor for poor survival

ショクドウガン シュジュツチュウ ニ シンシツ サイドウ オ ショウジ キュウメイシエタ イチレイ

The patient was６０years old, man. He is in the hospital with diabetes and spinal cord injury, admitted passing disorder, diagnosed with advanced esophageal cancer, and introduced to our hospital. Start the chemotherapy following systemic examination became operative after completion chemotherapy. Chest operation is carried out under full thoracoscopy, the end without any problems. Abdominal operation is done laparoscopy, towing the thoracic esophagus into the abdominal cavity, who developed ventricular fibrillation in a few minutes after the esophageal hiatus became a release. Immediately start cardiopulmonary resuscitation, underwent defibrillation, it was restored to the normal waveform. It was restarted operation. Reconstruction using a gastric tube, in the chest wall before route, was anastomosis in the neck. The postoperative course good, rather than after-effects and postoperative complications, and it was discharged on day ３４. Esophageal cancer surgery is a highly invasive surgical procedure, there is a high frequency of arrhythmia will develop. We ventricular fibrillation develop in the esophagus resection surgery, and that a reported rare example that was life-saving

Prediction of trabecular meshwork-targeted micro-invasive glaucoma surgery outcomes using anterior segment OCT angiography

前眼部OCTAを用いた線維柱帯切開術効果予測 --房水主流出路の可視化による緑内障手術予後予測の可能性--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2021-09-09.We performed a prospective, longitudinal study to investigate the association between the preoperative intrascleral vasculature assessed using anterior segment (AS)-optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) and surgical outcomes of trabecular meshwork-targeted micro- or minimally invasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS). We included 37 patients with primary open-angle glaucoma. Preoperative AS-OCTA images of the sclero-conjunctiva of the nasal corneal limbus were acquired in the superficial (conjunctival) and deep (intrascleral) layers. The vessel densities (VDs) of each layer were measured separately in the entire area, limbal side, and fornix area. Surgical success was determined by postoperative intraocular pressure (IOP) and IOP reduction. Twenty-three and 14 eyes were classified as having successful and unsuccessful outcomes, respectively. The deep VDs of the entire area and fornix area were significantly lower in the successful group (P = 0.031 and P = 0.009). The success rate was significantly higher for eyes with a lower deep VD than for eyes with a higher deep VD. A greater IOP reduction was significantly associated with lower deep VD in the fornix area (P = 0.022) and higher preoperative IOP (P < 0.001). These results indicate that intrascleral vasculature assessed using preoperative AS-OCTA was negatively correlated with surgical success and IOP reduction resulting from trabecular meshwork-targeted MIGS. AS-OCTA images might help predict MIGS outcomes