Conduction Velocity around the Tricuspid Valve Annulus during Typical Atrial Flutter by Electro-anatomic Mapping System

Objective: Conduction velocity around the tricuspid valve annulus (TA. during typical atrial flutter (AFL. has been shown to be slowest in the inferior vena cava-tricuspid valve (IVC-TV. isthmus when compared to the septal or free wall segments of the TA. We investigated the conduction velocity in IVC-TV isthmus, dividing into three areas. Methods: We evaluated conduction velocity around the TA during typical AFL in 10 patients, using an electro-anatomic mapping system (CARTO™). Conduction velocity was calculated at six areas around the TA including the septal wall, upper wall, lateral wall, and isthmus wall, which was further divided into three areas, lateral isthmus, mid isthmus, and septal isthmus. Results: Conduction velocity around the TA during typical AFL was slowest in the IVC-TV isthmus. Further, conduction velocities (m/sec. in the mid isthmus (0.44±0.17. and septal isthmus (0.45±0.22. were significantly slower (p < 0.05. than that in the upper wall (0.67±0.26). Conclusions: The relatively slower conduction in IVC-TV isthmus resulted from the relatively slower conduction in the area from mid to septal isthmus

Assisted reproductive technology in Japan : a summary report of 1992–2014 by the Ethics Committee, Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology

Aim: The Japan Society of Obstetrics and Gynecology implemented a registry report system for the clinical practice of assisted reproductive technology in 1986. The aggregated results from 1992 to 2014 are reported herein. Methods and Results: The total number of registered treatments was 393 745 cycles, of which 66 550 were pregnancy cycles and 46 008 were cycles with a live birth. Compared to the number of registered treatments in 2008, when the cycle‐based registry was newly introduced, there was a 2.07‐fold increase in the total number of treatments and a 2.25‐fold increase in the number of cycles with a live birth. As the average age of patients who receive assisted reproductive technology has become markedly higher year by year, the most common age of those patients who received assisted reproductive technology in 2014 was 40 years. Conclusion: The total numbers of both assisted reproductive technology treatments and assisted reproductive technology live births are likely to be higher in the future. In addition, the trend toward aging patients seems to be continuing into the future

Inhibition of microRNA-33b in humanized mice ameliorates nonalcoholic steatohepatitis

マイクロRNA-33bの阻害は非アルコール性脂肪肝炎を改善する --核酸医薬による治療応用へ--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-06-13.Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) can lead to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma in their advanced stages; however, there are currently no approved therapies. Here, we show that microRNA (miR)-33b in hepatocytes is critical for the development of NASH. miR-33b is located in the intron of sterol regulatory element–binding transcription factor 1 and is abundantly expressed in humans, but absent in rodents. miR-33b knock-in (KI) mice, which have a miR-33b sequence in the same intron of sterol regulatory element–binding transcription factor 1 as humans and express miR-33b similar to humans, exhibit NASH under high-fat diet feeding. This condition is ameliorated by hepatocyte-specific miR-33b deficiency but unaffected by macrophage-specific miR-33b deficiency. Anti-miR-33b oligonucleotide improves the phenotype of NASH in miR-33b KI mice fed a Gubra Amylin NASH diet, which induces miR-33b and worsens NASH more than a high-fat diet. Anti-miR-33b treatment reduces hepatic free cholesterol and triglyceride accumulation through up-regulation of the lipid metabolism–related target genes. Furthermore, it decreases the expression of fibrosis marker genes in cultured hepatic stellate cells. Thus, inhibition of miR-33b using nucleic acid medicine is a promising treatment for NASH

Development of an autonomous surface vehicle for monitoring underwater vehicles

JAMSTEC has developed and operated several AUVs (Autonomous Underwater Vehicle) as platform for scientific investigation and explorations of seabed mineral resources. Conventionally, a support vessel monitors only one AUV during its whole dive for safety and positioning. We propose an operation of multiple AUVs using an ASV (Autonomous Surface Vehicle) to improve survey efficiency. For this purpose, JAMSTEC has been developing an ASV “MAINAMI” with a length of 6 meters since 2013. It has a diesel engine, two thrusters and a rudder. The vehicle is equipped with an acoustic communication device and a satellite one, in order to relay information between an AUV and operators on a ship or on land.Date of Conference: 19-22 October 2015http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/kaiyo/ky15-e01/

Dives of cruising-AUV "JINBEI" to methane hydrate area on Joetsu knoll and Umitaka Spur

Autonomous Underwater Vehicle "JINBEI", constructed in 2012, is a cruising type AUV with a weight of 2 ton and a length of 4.0m. The major purposes are observation of underwater CO2 distribution in deep sea and exploration of seabed mineral resources. It has four rear-thrusters, two mid-ship azimuthal thrusters, and a rear X-rudder. The AUV is equipped with three main sensors; a multi-beam echo sounder, a side scan sonar, and a hybrid CO2-pH sensor. During KY12-10 cruise in August 2012, we deployed "JINBEI" at a methane hydrate area in Joetsu knoll and Umitaka Spur, Japan Sea. The depth of the area is 850-950m. The vehicle cruised over the methane hydrate area at a speed of 2 knots. We obtained high-resolution side scan images of hydrate mounts as well as methane plumes. At same time, the CO2-pH sensor detected the methane plumes indirectly. Through the dives, we confirmed that the cruising AUV "JINBEI" is one of powerful tool for survey of scientific observations.Date of Conference: 23-27 September 2013http://www.godac.jamstec.go.jp/darwin/cruise/kaiyo/ky12-10/

資源探査AUVのデザインコンセプトと開発状況

第29回日本ロボット学会学術講演会（2011年9月7日～9日, 芝浦工業大学豊洲キャンパス