An Empirical Study of Electric Power Demand Control by Real-time Feedback of Consumption Levels: Case of Nushima Island Households

AbstractElectric power demand management will play an important role in the creation of smart-energy communities. We are conducting a field experiment on the real-time feedback of electric power consumption via smart meters and tablet PCs with the participation of 51 households on Nushima Island, one of Japan's remote islands. Our estimate of the effect of feedback in reducing power demand by panel data analysis has revealed that such feedback achieves a saving of 7.6 percent in electric power demand

Does reticulocyte synthesize RNA ?

As has been well established, reticulocytes (RC) synthesize the species specific protein, globin, actively for about 24 hours or more till the time of their complete maturation1,2,3. This will be possible only in the presence of messenger RNA (m-RNA)4,5. Since the splendid hypothesis of m-RNA proposed by JACOB and MONOD6 for explaining the mechanism of the transfer of genetic information from nucleus to cytoplasm, it has largely been accepted through the numerous observations that followed7,8,9,10. However, the m-RNA hypothesis, which has been deduced by observing the protein synthesis in E. Coli, includes the meaning of labile RNA which is incessantly decomposed and newly synthesized to compensate the rapid degradation. As m-RNA cannot be synthesized in RC which have no detectable DNA, it has been supposed that the m-RNA of RC should be considerably stablell,12,13. Even in the denucleated cells, however, the RNA synthesis might be possible because Borsook reported the positive RNA synthesis of RC14, and this result has recently been reconfirmed by BURNY15.</p

Time taken to the maximum increase in the oxygenated hemoglobin level in calf muscle as a predictor of mild and moderate post-thrombotic syndrome

AbstractBackgroundNear-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) allows continuous noninvasive monitoring of changes in the tissue levels of oxygenated hemoglobin (O2Hb) and deoxygenated hemoglobin (HHb) and can identify the severity of chronic venous diseases. Here we investigated the predictors of post-thrombotic syndrome (PTS) using NIRS in patients with a first episode of deep venous thrombosis (DVT).MethodsThe study enrolled 129 patients with DVT. Risk factors in each patient were assessed at presentation. Venous abnormalities confirmed by ultrasound and parameters derived from NIRS were evaluated at 6 months after DVT. On standing, increases in O2Hb and HHb (ΔO2Hbst and ΔHHbst) and the times taken for each concentration to become maximal (TO2Hbst, and THHbst) were measured. During 10 tiptoe movements, O2Hb showed a continuous decrease (ΔO2Hbex), whereas venous expulsion (ΔHHbEex) and subsequent retention (ΔHHbRex) were observed. The oxygenation index (HbD; HbD = O2Hb − HHb) was also calculated at the end of standing and at the end of 10 tiptoe movements (ΔHbDst and ΔHbDex). Final clinical manifestations were evaluated at 6 years, and PTS was considered to be present if the Villalta score was ≥5.ResultsThirteen patients were excluded and 116 patients were finally included. Of these, 19 (16%) developed PTS. Among various NIRS-derived parameters, TO2Hbst had the highest area under the curve (0.88; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.80-0.93; P < .01) with the best cutoff value (TO2Hbst ≤48 seconds). On univariate analysis, variables associated with greater risk for development of PTS were stroke (odds ratio [OR], 5.59; 95% CI, 0.74-42.41; P = .06), idiopathic DVT (OR, 4.13; 95% CI, 1.36-12.55; P < .01) and iliofemoral DVT (OR, 4.31; 95% CI, 1.48-12.60; P < .01) at initial presentation, venous occlusion combined with reflux (OR, 4.24; 95% CI, 1.50-12.00; P < .01), and NIRS-derived TO2Hbst ≤48 seconds (OR, 43.03; 95% CI, 9.04-204.81; P < .01) at 6 months. Multivariate logistic regression analysis finally revealed venous occlusion combined with reflux (OR, 4.80; 95% CI, 1.03-22.36; P < .05) and NIRS-derived TO2Hbst ≤48 seconds (OR, 53.73; 95% CI, 8.43-342.41; P < .01) to be independently associated with PTS progression.ConclusionsNIRS-derived TO2Hbst ≤48 seconds is a promising time-course predictor of PTS progression

ABCA7 Gene Expression and Genetic Association Study in Schizophrenia

Introduction: Although ATP-binding cassette sub-family A member 7 gene (ABCA7) is known to be associated with Alzheimer’s disease, the relationship between ABCA7 and schizophrenia has been unknown. Methods: Schizophrenia patients (n = 50; 24 males, 62.1 ± 0.50 years old) and age- and sex-matched healthy controls (n = 50) were recruited for the mRNA analysis. Additionally, a case-control study for the rs3764650 genotypes was performed with 1308 samples (control subjects; n = 527, schizophrenia patients; n = 781). All participants were Japanese, unrelated to each other, and living in the same area. Results: The distributions of the rs3764650 genotypes in schizophrenia patients were not different from that of controls. However, the ABCA7 mRNA expression levels in schizophrenia patients were significantly higher than those in controls by a logistic regression analysis. Additionally, the ABCA7 mRNA expression levels in schizophrenia patients were correlated with the rs3764650 genotypes in a dose-dependent manner. Discussion: The ABCA7 mRNA expression levels in peripheral blood with the rs3764650 genotypes may be related to pathological mechanisms in schizophrenia and may be a biological marker for schizophrenia

Transitional Changes in Fatigue-Related Symptoms Due to Long COVID: A Single-Center Retrospective Observational Study in Japan

Background and Objectives: Changes in post COVID-19 condition (PCC) characteristics caused by viral variants have yet to be clarified. We aimed to characterize the differences between clinical backgrounds and manifestations in long COVID patients who were infected with the Delta variant and those who were infected with the Omicron variants. Materials and Methods: This study was a single-center retrospective observational study for patients who visited our COVID-19 aftercare outpatient clinic (CAC) established in Okayama University Hospital (Japan) during the period from 15 February 2021 to 15 July 2022. We classified the onset of COVID-19 in the patients into three groups, the preceding, Delta-dominant, and Omicron-dominant periods, based on the prevalent periods of the variants in our prefecture. Results: In a total of 353 patients, after excluding 8 patients, 110, 130, and 113 patients were classified into the preceding, Delta-dominant, and Omicron-dominant periods, respectively. Patients infected in the Omicron-dominant period had significantly fewer hospitalizations, milder illnesses, more vaccinations and earlier visit to the CAC than did patients infected in the Delta-dominant period. Patients infected in the Omicron-dominant period had significantly lower frequencies of dysosmia (12% vs. 45%, ** p < 0.01), dysgeusia (14% vs. 40%, ** p < 0.01) and hair loss (7% vs. 28%, ** p < 0.01) but had higher frequencies of fatigue (65% vs. 50%, * p < 0.05), insomnia (26% vs. 13%, * p < 0.05) and cough (20% vs. 7%, ** p < 0.01) than did patients infected in the Delta-dominant period. Conclusions: The transitional changes in long COVID symptoms caused by the two variants were characterized

Masked CKD in hyperthyroidism and reversible CKD status in hypothyroidism

IntroductionWhile it is well known that thyroid function may affect kidney function, the transition of the chronic kidney disease (CKD) status before and after treatment for thyroid disorders, as well as the factors affecting this change, remains to be explored. In the present study, we focused on the change in kidney function and their affecting factors during the treatment for both hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism. Methods Eighty-eight patients with hyperthyroidism and fifty-two patients with hypothyroidism were enrolled in a retrospective and longitudinal case series to analyze the changes in kidney function and their affecting factors after treatment for thyroid disorders. Results Along with the improvement of thyroid function after treatment, there was a significant decrease in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in hyperthyroidism (an average Delta eGFR of -41.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2)) and an increase in eGFR in hypothyroidism (an average Delta eGFR of 7.1 mL/min/1.73 m(2)). The multiple linear regression analysis revealed that sex, eGFR, free thyroxine (FT4) and free triiodothyronine (FT3) could be considered independent explanatory variables for Delta eGFR in hyperthyroidism, while age, eGFR, and FT3 were detected as independent explanatory variables in hypothyroidism. In addition, the stratification by kidney function at two points, pre- and post-treatment for thyroid disorders, revealed that 4.5% of the participants with hyperthyroidism were pre-defined as non-CKD and post-defined as CKD, indicating the presence of "masked" CKD in hyperthyroidism. On the other hand, 13.5% of the participants with hypothyroidism presented pre-defined CKD and post-defined non-CKD, indicating the presence of "reversible" CKD status in hypothyroidism. Conclusions We uncovered the population of masked CKD in hyperthyroidism and reversible CKD status in hypothyroidism, thereby re-emphasizing the importance of a follow-up to examine kidney function after treatment for hyperthyroidism and the routine evaluation of thyroid function in CKD patients as well as the appropriate hormone therapy if the patient has hypothyroidism

TREM2 Expression in Schizophrenia

TREM2 and TYROBP are causal genes for Nasu–Hakola disease (NHD), a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by bone lesions and early-onset progressive dementia. TREM2 forms a receptor signaling complex with TYROBP, which triggers the activation of immune responses in macrophages and dendritic cells, and the functional polymorphism of TREM2 is reported to be associated with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The objective of this study was to reveal the involvement of TYROBP and TREM2 in the pathophysiology of AD and schizophrenia. Methods: We investigated the mRNA expression level of the 2 genes in leukocytes of 26 patients with AD and 24 with schizophrenia in comparison with age-matched controls. Moreover, we performed gene association analysis between these 2 genes and schizophrenia. Results: No differences were found in TYROBP mRNA expression in patients with AD and schizophrenia; however, TREM2 mRNA expression was increased in patients with AD and schizophrenia compared with controls (P < 0.001). There were no genetic associations of either gene with schizophrenia in Japanese patients. Conclusion: TREM2 expression in leukocytes is elevated not only in AD but also in schizophrenia. Inflammatory processes involving TREM2 may occur in schizophrenia, as observed in neurocognitive disorders such as AD. TREM2 expression in leukocytes may be a novel biomarker for neurological and psychiatric disorders

Sociodemographic patterning of long-term diabetes mellitus control following Japan's 3.11 triple disaster:A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE: To assess the sociodemographic patterning of changes in glycaemic control of patients with diabetes affected by the 2011 triple disaster in Japan (earthquake, tsunami and nuclear accident). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study was undertaken with 404 patients with diabetes at a public hospital in Minamisoma City, Fukushima Prefecture. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels were measured in 2010, 2011 and 2012 to capture changes in glycaemic control postdisaster. Age, sex, urban/rural residency, evacuation status and medication use were also assessed. RESULTS: There was an overall deterioration in glycaemic control after the disaster, with the mean HbA1c rising from 6.77% in 2010 to 6.90% in 2012 (National Glycohemoglobin Standardization Program, NGSP). Rural residency was associated with a lower likelihood of deteriorating control (OR 0.34, 95% CI 0.13 to 0.84), compared with urban residency. Older age (OR 0.95, 95% CI 0.91 to 0.98) was also slightly protective against increased HbA1c. Evacuation and sex were not significant predictors. CONCLUSIONS: Patients with diabetes who were affected by Japan's triple disaster experienced a deterioration in their glycaemic control following the disasters. The extent of this deterioration was mediated by sociodemographic factors, with rural residence and older age protective against the effects of the disaster on glycaemic control. These results may be indicative of underlying social determinants of health in rural Japan

Space Demonstration of Two-Layer Pop-Up Origami Deployable Membrane Reflectarray Antenna by 3U CubeSat OrigamiSat-2

3U CubeSat OrigamiSat-2 demonstrates a 50-cm × 50-cm two-layer pop-up Origami deployable membrane reflectarray antenna in space. The membrane has small stowage volume and high gain even though it has low flatness because of a large enough antenna area to cover its un-flatness. C-band transmitter is equipped in the CubeSat and offers 20-Mbps amateur satellite communication. In 3U size, a 1-m length deployable gravity gradient mast and magnetic torquer are equipped to stabilize and control its attitude. A camera is attached to the satellite to measure the shape of the membrane antenna. OrigamiSat-2 was selected as the Innovative Satellite Technology Demonstration-4 by Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and is going to be launched in 2024 by Epsilon Launch Vehicle