Attribute Assignment to Point Cloud Data and Its Usage

In recent years, with the development of laser measurement technology, utilization of point cloud data is progressing. However, since point cloud data does not contain attribute information, the usability of the data is low. It is possible to consider that by assigning attributes to the nonattribute point cloud data, this can lead to the usage of point cloud data in each phase of life cycle of construction: design, construction, and maintenance. Therefore, in this paper, the authors have proposed an attribute assignment method for point cloud data. In addition, the authors proposed the way to use attributed point cloud data, the usage as objects, data linkage, and visualization by using the attribute assignment method. Point cloud data of a dam was used as a case study for the proposed method and the usage

Epithelium-poor Odontogenic Fibroma with an Unusual Progress

Odontogenic fibroma (OF) is a relatively rare benign tumor derived from odontogenic ectodermal mesenchymal tissue. It is divided into central (COF) or peripheral OF (POF) based on the affected area. Regarding its pathological features, OF can also be classified as epithelium-rich (WHO type) or epithelium-poor (simple type), depending on the amount of odontogenic epithelium in the tumor. There is limited information available about the latter type because of its low incidence. We report case of simple type COF apparently like POF. A 52- year-old Japanese male was suffering from tenderness at the right posterior maxilla during occlusion with his removable partial denture. The lesion was diagnosed as a simple type OF arising at the edentulous region around the right molar site of the maxilla. A tumor resection was performed, and there was no evidence of recurrence at his 18-month follow-up examination. In addition, we provide a review of the literature with the most up-to-date information about this lesion so that it can be diagnosed correctly

In vivo radioactive metabolite analysis for individualized medicine: A basic study of a new method of CYP activity assay using 123I-IMP

Introduction: 123I-N-isopropyl-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP) is metabolized and converted to 123I-p-iodoamphetamine (123I-PIA) by CYP2C19 in humans. Since variations in 123I-PIA levels reflect variations in CYP2C19 activity, CYP2C19 activity can be estimated by quantitative analysis of 123I-PIA levels. Thus, 123I-IMP administration can provide diagnostic information not only regarding cerebral blood flow (rCBF) but also regarding metabolic function. The aim of the present study was to detect variations in CYP activity in mice using metabolite analysis. Methods: Metabolism of 125I-IMP in pooled homogenates of mouse liver (MLH) was analyzed by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) in the presence or absence of NADPH. The amount of 125I-PIA generated was calculated as the normalized peak area of the chromatogram. Inhibition of 125I-IMP metabolism was evaluated using the inhibitor SKF-525A. A biodistribution study of 125I-IMP was performed to determine the organ distribution of 125I-IMP/125I-IMP metabolites and the effect of SKF-525A. Variations in CYP activity in vivo were detected by administration of 123I-IMP and/or SKF-525A to mice. The liver and the kidney were then excised, homogenized and analyzed using HPLC. Results: 125I-IMP was metabolized by MLH in the presence of NADPH, and the production of 125I-PIA was inhibited by SKF-525A. SKF-525A did not greatly affect the biodistribution of 125I-IMP/125I-IMP metabolites in vivo. Both 123I-IMP and 123I-PIA were detected in organs of control mice. However, 123I-PIA was not detected in the livers or kidneys of mice treated with SKF-525A. Conclusions: CYP activity in vivo was inhibited by SKF-525A treatment. Variations in CYP activity could be detected in the blood, liver and kidney as changes in the peak area of 123I-PIA. Advances in knowledge and implications for patient care: 123I-IMP metabolite analysis has the potential to provide beneficial information for prediction of the effect of medicines, in addition to its contribution to more accurate rCBF diagnosis that reflects individual CYP activity

A novel biomarker TERTmRNA is applicable for early detection of hepatoma

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Backgrounds</p> <p>We previously reported a highly sensitive method for serum human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) mRNA for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). α-fetoprotein (AFP) and des-γ-carboxy prothrombin (DCP) are good markers for HCC. In this study, we verified the significance of hTERTmRNA in a large scale multi-centered trial, collating quantified values with clinical course.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In 638 subjects including 303 patients with HCC, 89 with chronic hepatitis (CH), 45 with liver cirrhosis (LC) and 201 healthy individuals, we quantified serum hTERTmRNA using the real-time RT-PCR. We examined its sensitivity and specificity in HCC diagnosis, clinical significance, ROC curve analysis in comparison with other tumor markers, and its correlations with the clinical parameters using Pearson relative test and multivariate analyses. Furthermore, we performed a prospective and comparative study to observe the change of biomarkers, including hTERTmRNA in HCC patients receiving anti-cancer therapies.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>hTERTmRNA was demonstrated to be independently correlated with clinical parameters; tumor size and tumor differentiation (P < 0.001, each). The sensitivity/specificity of hTERTmRNA in HCC diagnosis showed 90.2%/85.4% for hTERT. hTERTmRNA proved to be superior to AFP, AFP-L3, and DCP in the diagnosis and underwent an indisputable change in response to therapy. The detection rate of small HCC by hTERTmRNA was superior to the other markers.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>hTERTmRNA is superior to conventional tumor markers in the diagnosis and recurrence of HCC at an early stage.</p

Achieving LDL cholesterol target levels <1.81 mmol/L may provide extra cardiovascular protection in patients at high risk: Exploratory analysis of the Standard Versus Intensive Statin Therapy for Patients with Hypercholesterolaemia and Diabetic Retinopathy study

Aims To assess the benefits of intensive statin therapy on reducing cardiovascular (CV) events in patients with type 2 diabetes complicated with hyperlipidaemia and retinopathy in a primary prevention setting in Japan. In the intension-to-treat population, intensive therapy [targeting LDL cholesterol = 2.59 to = 100 to = 2.59 to <3.10 mmol/L in patients with hypercholesterolaemia and diabetic retinopathy

RUN and FYVE domain-containing protein 4 enhances autophagy and lysosome tethering in response to Interleukin-4

Autophagy is a key degradative pathway coordinated by external cues, including starvation, oxidative stress, or pathogen detection. Rare are the molecules known to contribute mechanistically to the regulation of autophagy and expressed specifically in particular environmental contexts or in distinct cell types. Here, we unravel the role of RUN and FYVE domain–containing protein 4 (RUFY4) as a positive molecular regulator of macroautophagy in primary dendritic cells (DCs). We show that exposure to interleukin-4 (IL-4) during DC differentiation enhances autophagy flux through mTORC1 regulation and RUFY4 induction, which in turn actively promote LC3 degradation, Syntaxin 17– positive autophagosome formation, and lysosome tethering. Enhanced autophagy boosts endogenous antigen presentation by MHC II and allows host control of Brucella abortus replication in IL-4–treated DCs and in RUFY4-expressing cells. RUFY4 is therefore the first molecule characterized to date that promotes autophagy and influences endosome dynamics in a subset of immune cells