Finite element analysis of multi-stage deep drawing for forming deep rectangular case with high aspect ratio

This paper presents investigations on multi-stage deep drawing for producing a flat and deep rectangular case, of which a cross section is high aspect ratio. Effects of a blank shape on a formability was investigated for preventing a local thinning and a large ear by using the finite element method (FEM) analysis. The multi-stage deep drawing was composed of four stages. The first and the second stage were deep drawing and redrawing process, and the third and the fourth stage were ironing process. The blank was the rectangle with the elliptic corners, and the longitudinal length and the elliptic corner length was changed. The local thinning and the ear were reduced by appropriately setting the longitudinal length and the elliptic corner length. In addition, the effect of the aspect ratio on the formability was small. Therefore, the optimized blank could be applied for forming the flat and deep rectangular case with various aspect ratio

Retinoblastoma protein-initiated cellular growth arrest overcomes the ability of cotransfected wild-type p53 to induce apoptosis

The retinoblastoma gene, RB, participates in the regulation of the G1/S-phase transition and in p53-mediated apoptosis. We have previously reported that stably transfected RB functions as a growth and tumour suppressor in HTB9 human bladder carcinoma cells, which carry a mutation of the p53 gene at codon 280 and lack RB expression. To elucidate the potential role of RB in the regulation of p53-mediated apoptosis, we transfected a wt p53 expression plasmid under the control of the human cytomegalovirus promoter into parental and RB-transfected HTB9 cells. The p53+/RB– cells were susceptible to apoptosis under various experimental conditions: 1) incubation in serum-free culture for 72 h, 2) short-term (6 h) or long-term (48 h) exposure to etoposide, and 3) culturing in soft agar. In contrast, p53+/RB+ cells were significantly resistant to apoptosis under similar conditions and exhibited efficient growth arrest, as measured by laser scanning cytometry. Tumorigenicity in nude mice of parental HTB9 cells was lost by exogenous expression of wt p53. Likewise, none of mice injected subcutaneously with either p53–/RB+ or p53+/RB+ cells developed tumours, indicating that RB allows suppression of tumorigenesis, regardless of p53 status. These results suggest that the growth-inhibitory function of RB may overcome the ability of wt p53 to induce apoptosis. © 2000 Cancer Research Campaig

Accuracy of the Majority Voting Method with Multiple IOL Power Formulae

Yukihito Kato,1,&ast; Takashi Kojima,1,2 Akeno Tamaoki,3 Yoshiki Tanaka,1,&ast; Naoki Yamamoto,4,5,&ast; Kazuo Ichikawa1 1Chukyo Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 2Nagoya Eye Clinic, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Japan Community Health Care Organization Chukyo Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan; 4Center for Society-Academia Collaboration, Research Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan; 5International Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Research Promotion Headquarters, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan&ast;These authors contributed equally to this workCorrespondence: Kazuo Ichikawa, Chukyo Eye Clinic, 12-22, Sanbonmatsu-cho, Atsuta-ku, Nagoya-city, Aichi, Japan, Tel +81 52 884 7976, Fax +81 52 884 7977, Email [email protected]: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of a majority decision algorithm that integrates intraoperative aberrometry (IA) and two intraocular lens (IOL) frequency formulas. The primary objective was to compare the accuracy of three formulas (IA; Sanders, Retzlaff, and Kraff/Theoretical (SRK/T); and Barrett Universal II (BUII)), in achieving emmetropia in eyes implanted with TFNT lenses (Alcon).Patients and Methods: A total of 145 eyes of 145 patients were included in the evaluation. Preoperative data were obtained from IOLMaster 700, while intraoperative data were collected from ORA SYSTEMTM. Visual acuity ≥ 0.8 at the 3-month post-surgery mark was confirmed. We assessed refractive prediction error (RPE), which is the difference between predicted refraction (PR) and postoperative subjective refraction. This evaluation aimed to identify the optimal IOL power with the implemented algorithm.Results: Among the 145 eyes evaluated, 55.9%, 78.7%, and 97.2% achieved postoperative subjective refraction within ± 0.13 Diopters (D), ± 0.25 D, and ± 0.50 D, respectively. The percentages of eyes within ± 0.25 D of PR varied by formula type, with values of 57%, 57%, and 54% for IA, BUII, and SRK/T, respectively. For eyes with short to medium axial length (AL< 26.00 mm), the percentages within ± 0.25 D of RPE were 52%, 58%, and 58% for IA, SRK/T, and BUII, respectively. In contrast, for eyes with long axial length (≥ 26.00 mm) the percentages were 68%, 52%, and 45% for IA, BUII, and SRK/T, respectively.Conclusion: The proposed majority decision algorithm incorporating IA and two IOL frequency formulas was effective in reducing postoperative refractive error. IA was particularly beneficial for eyes with long axial length. These findings suggest the algorithm has potential to optimize IOL power selection to improve quality of life of patients and clinical practice outcomes.Keywords: multifocal intraocular lens, cataract, intraocular lens power calculation, axial length, optimum visual acuit

Ethylene supports colonization of plant roots by the mutualistic fungus Piriformospora indica

The mutualistic basidiomycete Piriformospora indica colonizes roots of mono- and dicotyledonous plants, and thereby improves plant health and yield. Given the capability of P. indica to colonize a broad range of hosts, it must be anticipated that the fungus has evolved efficient strategies to overcome plant immunity and to establish a proper environment for nutrient acquisition and reproduction. Global gene expression studies in barley identified various ethylene synthesis and signaling components that were differentially regulated in P. indica-colonized roots. Based on these findings we examined the impact of ethylene in the symbiotic association. The data presented here suggest that P. indica induces ethylene synthesis in barley and Arabidopsis roots during colonization. Moreover, impaired ethylene signaling resulted in reduced root colonization, Arabidopsis mutants exhibiting constitutive ethylene signaling, -synthesis or ethylene-related defense were hyper-susceptible to P. indica. Our data suggest that ethylene signaling is required for symbiotic root colonization by P. indica

The promotion of nephropathy by Porphyromonas gingivalis lipopolysaccharide via toll-like receptors.

Recently, we reported that toll-like receptor (TLR)2 and TLR4 localized on the glomerular endothelium in the glomeruli of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type 1 diabetic mice and high fat diet feed-induced type 2 diabetic mice, and that periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis LPS (Pg-LPS) administration lowered the survival rate of diabetic mice. The present study aims to examine the effect of TLR4 blocking on the suppression of Pg-LPS-induced diabetic nephropathy.The survival rate and morphological/biochemical features for streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice with Pg-LPS and TLR4 blocker eritoran administration were investigated by reporter gene assay, urine and blood analysis, immunohistochemistry, and real time-PCR.All of the diabetic mice administered Pg-LPS were euthanized within the survival period of almost all of the diabetic mice. The blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, expression of TLR2 and TGF-b, and type 1 collagen accumulation, in the diabetic mice increased significantly with the Pg-LPS administration. In spite of the limited TLR4 activation with Pg-LPS, the TLR4 blocker eritoran decreased blood urea nitrogen and creatinine, and raised the survival rate of the Pg-LPS-administered diabetic mice slightly. The high expression levels of TLR2, TGF-b, and type 1 collagen in Pg-LPS-administered diabetic mice decreased with eritoran. Nuclear STAT3 which enhances TLR2 expression was detected in the TLR2-expressing glomeruli of diabetic mice. The TLR2 and STAT3 gene expression increased by the Pg-LPS administration but decreased with eritoran. These may suggest that Pg-LPS-induced diabetic nephropathy is mainly dependent on TLR2 signaling on glomerular endothelial cells, and that TLR4 blocker eritoran may play a role to slow the progress of diabetic nephropathy.福岡歯科大学2017年