A Study on Prediction of Improvement of Watertightness of Rock Mass by Grouting

Grouting is a principal technique to improve watertightness of the foundation of dams. But it is not easy to predict the amount of grouting work until attaining the required improvement of watertightness of rock mass, since the improvement mechanism of watertightness by grouting is not understood comprehensively. Therefore, the grouting work is conducted with the split spacing method until attaining the required improvement. In this paper, the method to predict the effects of grouting is discussed analyzing grouting data obtained from the Hattabara Dam construction site. As the result or the analysis, it is understood that the logarithm of the Lugeon values (logLu) and the logarithm of the amount of cement take (logC) can be dealt with as statistic values and the relationships of their mean values between the i-th order of grouting holes and the i+Ith order of grouting holes can be expressed as the recurrence equation. The improvement of watertightness of rock mass can be predicted according to these relationships

Bisbenzamidine derivative, pentamidine represses DNA damage response through inhibition of histone H2A acetylation

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>MRE11 is an important nuclease which functions in the end-resection step of homologous recombination (HR) repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs). As MRE11-deficient ATLD cells exhibit hyper radio-sensitivity and impaired DSB repair, MRE11 inhibitors could possibly function as potent radio-sensitizers. Therefore, we investigated whether a bisbenzamidine derivative, pentamidine, which can inhibit endoexonuclease activity, might influence DSB-induced damage responses <it>via </it>inhibition of MRE11.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We first clarified that pentamidine inhibited MRE11 nuclease activity and also reduced ATM kinase activity in vitro. Pentamidine increased the radio-sensitivity of HeLa cells, suggesting that this compound could possibly influence DNA damage response factors in vivo. Indeed, we found that pentamidine reduced the accumulation of γ-H2AX, NBS1 and phospho-ATM at the sites of DSBs. Furthermore, pentamidine decreased HR activity <it>in vivo</it>. Pentamidine was found to inhibit the acetylation of histone H2A which could contribute both to inhibition of IR-induced focus formation and HR repair. These results suggest that pentamidine might exert its effects by inhibiting histone acetyltransferases. We found that pentamidine repressed the activity of Tip60 acetyltransferase which is known to acetylate histone H2A and that knockdown of Tip60 by siRNA reduced HR activity.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that inhibition of Tip60 as well as hMRE11 nuclease by pentamidine underlies the radiosensitizing effects of this compound making it an excellent sensitizer for radiotherapy or chemotherapy.</p

EDA-BASED ESTIMATION OF VISUAL ATTENTION BY OBSERVATION OF EYE BLINK FREQUENCY

This paper describes the relationship between visual attention and eye blink frequency. In an experiment, we prompted the activation of a subject's visual attention and examined the influence of visual attention (as measured using electrodermal activity (EDA), which is meaningfully correlated with visual attention) on the subject's eye blink frequency. Experimental results show that engagement of visual attention decreased eye blink frequency and that when visual attention was not activated, eye blink frequency increased. Knowledge of this relationship provides a technique using EDA to objectively determining a subject's visual attention status

Effect of fentanyl for preterm infants on mechanical ventilation: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Introduction: Because excessive physical stress is harmful, reducing pain and discomfort in premature neonates during mechanical ventilation is a major challenge for physicians. There are no consensus and systematic review on the use of fentanyl, the most commonly used pain reliever in preterm neonates during mechanical ventilation. We aim to compare the benefits and harms of fentanyl versus placebo or no drug for preterm neonates receiving mechanical ventilation. Methods: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. The systematic review was reported using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses statement. Scientific databases such as MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, and CINAHL were searched. All preterm infants on mechanical ventilation and enrolled in an RCT of fentanyl versus control were included. Results: Of 256 reports initially retrieved, 4 reports met the eligibility criteria. Fentanyl was not associated with mortality risk compared to the control (risk ratio: 0.72, 95% confidence intervals [CIs]: 0.36–1.44). No increase in ventilation duration (mean difference [MD]: 0.04, 95% CIs: −0.63–0.71) and no effect on hospital stay length (MD: 4.00, 95% CIs: −7.12–15.12) were found. Fentanyl intervention does not affect any other morbidities, including bronchopulmonary dysplasia, periventricular leukomalacia, patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH), severe IVH, sepsis, and necrotizing enterocolitis. Conclusion: The present systematic review and meta-analysis failed to demonstrate the benefit of administering fentanyl to preterm infants on mechanical ventilation in mortality and morbidities. Follow-up studies are required to investigate the long-term neurodevelopment of the children

Pyogenic Ventriculitis After Anterior Skull Base Surgery Treated With Endoscopic Ventricular Irrigation And Reconstruction Using a Vascularized Flap

Ventriculitis is a rare, serious complication of neurosurgery. A 59-year-old man who had undergone a craniotomy for a paranasal adenocarcinoma, developed a right frontal cystic lesion. We performed a bifrontal craniotomy to remove the lesion. The dura was repaired with non-vascularized free fascia lata in watertight fashion. Ventriculitis occurred 3 days postoperatively. Ventricular drainage, craniectomy, and endoscopic irrigation were undertaken to remove an abscess. The dura and the resection cavity were reconstructed using a vascularized anterolateral thigh adipofascial flap. His symptoms disappeared, indicating that endoscopic irrigation and reconstruction can effectively address ventriculitis even in patients in critical clinical condition

p53 変異型ヒト口腔がん細胞における高LET 放射線によるp53 非依存Akt 生存シグナルの抑制

Although mutations and deletions in the p53 tumor suppressor gene lead to resistance to low linear energy transfer (LET) radiation, high-LET radiation efficiently induces cell lethality and apoptosis regardless of the p53 gene status in cancer cells. Recently, it has been suggested that the induction of p53-independent apoptosis takes place through the activation of Caspase-9 which results in the cleavage of Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). This study was designed to examine if high-LET radiation depresses serine/threonine protein kinase B (PKB, also known as Akt) and Akt-related proteins. Human gingival cancer cells (Ca9-22 cells) harboring a mutated p53 (mp53) gene were irradiated with 2 Gy of X-rays or Fe-ion beams. The cellular contents of Akt-related proteins participating in cell survival signaling were analyzed with Western Blotting 1, 2, 3 and 6h after irradiation. Cell cycle distributions after irradiation were assayed with flow cytometric analysis. Akt-related protein levels decreased when cells were irradiated with high-LET radiation. High-LET radiation increased G(2)/M phase arrests and suppressed the progression of the cell cycle much more efficiently when compared to low-LET radiation. These results suggest that high-LET radiation enhances apoptosis through the activation of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, and suppresses cell growth by suppressing Akt-related signaling, even in mp53 bearing cancer cells.博士（医学）・甲第598号・平成25年3月15日Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserve

Effectiveness of music therapy for alleviating pain during haemodialysis access cannulation for patients undergoing haemodialysis: a multi-facility, single-blind, randomised controlled trial

Background: Repeated pain during haemodialysis access cannulations is a serious problem for haemodialysis patients even when prescribed oral or topical analgesics. Although some studies have observed the efficacy of music therapy for improving pain and anxiety, its effectiveness during haemodialysis access cannulations during dialysis is uncertain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of music therapy for pain when cannulating haemodialysis access for haemodialysis patients. Methods: A prospective, multi-facility, single-blind, crossover, randomised controlled trial will be implemented. The intervention includes listening to Mozart, along with a white noise control condition. One hundred twenty haemodialysis patients will be enrolled across five facilities. Patients will be randomly allocated to either an Early-sequence group or a Later-sequence group. The Early-sequence group will receive cannulation while listening to Mozart\u27s Sonata for two pianos in D major (K.448) during the second week (Music period) and white noise during the fourth week (White noise period). The Later-sequence group will receive cannulation along with white noise first, followed by Mozart. All patients will also undergo cannulation during a no-sound period (wearing only headphones) during the first and third week (No-sound period). The music or no-music protocol will begin 8 min prior to the cannulating procedure, and participants will finish listening after starting haemodialysis during each period. The primary outcomes that will be assessed include the Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score for pain during cannulation, and secondary outcomes are blood pressure, heart rate, VAS anxiety score, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score, and salivary amylase activity. The operators who are in charge of haemodialysis access cannulation will be blind to the listening condition and VAS report. Discussion: The proposed study has several methodological benefits. First, using white noise is a suitable control condition for addressing the role of sound in pain management. Additionally, using a crossover design with repeated measurements can help control individual differences between participants, which should better distinguish between- and within-participant variability. Overall, music therapy is a safe and inexpensive intervention that does not have the problematic side effects typically associated with pharmacological treatment. If effective, music therapy can be easily implemented for reducing pain and anxiety during cannulation. Trial registration: This trial was prospectively registered to UMIN Clinical Trials Registry on 1 July 2018 (UMIN 000032850)