Investigation of Environmental Factors Influencing the Deterioration of Nikka Stone in Koshien Hall

Environmental factors influencing the deterioration of Nikka Stone used in Koshien Hall were investigated through field surveys of current conditions. The main results obtained were as follows: 1. Deterioration of Nikka Stone used in Koshien Hall was classified into three categories: algal contamination, detachment, and salt efflorescence. 2. There are several possible causes of detachment, including freezing/thawing cycles caused by high stone-water content and high concentration of evaporation from the surface of water from the surroundings, salt efflorescence, and so on. 3. Small quantities of rainfall and sunshine can contribute to algal growth

Microtensile Bond Strength of Self-Adhesive Luting Cements to Ceramics

The purpose of this paper was to compare the bond strengths of the self-adhesive luting cements between ceramics and resin cores and examine their relation to the cement thickness. Three self-adhesive luting cements (Smartcem, Maxcem, and G-CEM) and a resin cement (Panavia F 2.0) for control were used in the paper. The thickness of the cements was controlled in approximately 25, 50, 100, or 200 μm. Each 10 specimens were made according to the manufacturers' instructions and stored in water at 37°C. After 24 hours, microtensile bond strength (μTBS) was measured. There were significant differences in cements. Three self-adhesive cements showed significantly lower μTBSs than control that required both etching and priming before cementation (Tukey, P < 0.05). The cement thickness of 50 or 100 μm tended to induce the highest μTBSs for each self-adhesive luting cements though no difference was found

CT-based CTVHR for cervical brachytherapy

Our purpose was to develop recommendations for contouring the computed tomography (CT)-based high-risk clinical target volume (CTVHR) for 3D image-guided brachytherapy (3D-IGBT) for cervical cancer. A 15-member Japanese Radiation Oncology Study Group (JROSG) committee with expertise in gynecological radiation oncology initiated guideline development for CT-based CTVHR (based on a comprehensive literature review as well as clinical experience) in July 2014. Extensive discussions occurred during four face-to-face meetings and frequent email communication until a consensus was reached. The CT-based CTVHR boundaries were defined by each anatomical plane (cranial–caudal, lateral, or anterior–posterior) with or without tumor progression beyond the uterine cervix at diagnosis. Since the availability of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with applicator insertion for 3D planning is currently limited, T2-weighted MRI obtained at diagnosis and just before brachytherapy without applicator insertion was used as a reference for accurately estimating the tumor size and topography. Furthermore, utilizing information from clinical examinations performed both at diagnosis and brachytherapy is strongly recommended. In conclusion, these recommendations will serve as a brachytherapy protocol to be used at institutions with limited availability of MRI for 3D treatment planning

A Field Survey of Window-Opening Behavior and Thermal Conditions in Apartments of Surabaya, Indonesia

A field survey was conducted in apartments of Surabaya, Indonesia to investigate occupants’ window-opening behavior and their thermal conditions. A total of 347 households were interviewed and about 30 houses were covered for measurements of thermal conditions. It was seen that occupants in the naturally ventilated apartments tend to open windows or doors as much as possible at least during daytime for satisfying air flow and ventilation in particular. The average duration of opening windows/doors was 16-17 hours/day in the naturally ventilated apartments, while the corresponding duration in air-conditioned private apartments was less than 5 hours/day. The results of measurement showed that generally indoor air temperatures was about 6°C lower than the outdoors during 11:00 to 19:00, while it was 3°C higher than the outdoors for the rest of the day, i.e. nighttime. The structural cooling effect was evident in these apartments

Analysis of Household Energy Consumption of Lighting and Electric Appliances and Predictions for 2020

increase in household energy consumption has been more apparent than such increases in the industrial and transportation sectors. The sources of household energy consumption can be classified into heating and cooling, cooking, hot-water supply, and lighting and electric appliances. In particular, energy consumption for lighting and electric appliances has been significantly increasing. In order to consider energy-saving measures in the home, we should trace the tendencies of increasing energy consumption due to lighting and electric appliances in recent years. In this paper, we analyze the current level of energy consumption for lighting and electric appliances and, moreover, attempt to predict the level we can expect in 2020. Consequently, it is estimated that the energy consumption of lighting and electric appliances will decrease by 16% from the 2010 level, mainly due to the energy savings expected for refrigerators and lighting

Heat shock protein 90 inhibitor NVP-AUY922 exerts potent activity against adult T-cell leukemia?lymphoma cells

Adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL), an aggressive neoplasm etiologically associated with HTLV-1, is a chemoresistant malignancy. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is involved in folding and functions as a chaperone for multiple client proteins, many of which are important in tumorigenesis. In this study, we examined NVP-AUY922 (AUY922), a second generation isoxazole-based non-geldanamycin HSP90 inhibitor, and confirmed its effects on survival of ATL-related cell lines. Analysis using FACS revealed that AUY922 induced cell-cycle arrest and apoptosis; it also inhibited the growth of primary ATL cells, but not of normal PBMCs. AUY922 caused strong upregulation of HSP70, a surrogate marker of HSP90 inhibition, and a dose-dependent decrease in HSP90 client proteins associated with cell survival, proliferation, and cell cycle in the G1 phase, including phospho-Akt, Akt, IKKα, IKKβ, IKKγ, Cdk4, Cdk6, and survivin. Interestingly, AUY922 induced downregulation of the proviral integration site for Moloney murine leukemia virus (PIM) in ATL cells. The PIM family (PIM-1, -2, -3) is made up of oncogenes that encode a serine/threonine protein kinase family. As PIM kinases have multiple functions involved in cell proliferation, survival, differentiation, apoptosis, and tumorigenesis, their downregulation could play an important role in AUY922-induced death of ATL cells. In fact, SGI-1776, a pan-PIM kinase inhibitor, successfully inhibited the growth of primary ATL cells as well as ATL-related cell lines. Our findings suggest that AUY922 is an effective therapeutic agent for ATL, and PIM kinases may be a novel therapeutic target. This report first describes the effectiveness of a novel HSP90 inhibitor NVP-AUY922 to adult T-cell leukemia-lymphoma (ATL) cells

QOL after RT or OP for uterine cervix cancer

This study aimed to research the post-treatment quality of life (QOL) between radiotherapy (RT)- and operation (OP)-treated early cervical cancer survivors, using separate questionnaires for physicians and patients. We administered an observational questionnaire to patients aged 20–70 years old with Stages IB1–IIB cervical cancer who had undergone RT or OP and without recurrence as outpatients for ≥6 months after treatment. We divided 100 registered patients equally into two treatment groups (n = 50 each). The average age was 53 and 44 years in the RT and OP groups, respectively. The RT group included 34 and 66% Stage I and II patients, respectively, whereas the OP group included 66 and 34% Stage I and II patients, respectively. The OP group included 58% of patients with postoperative RT. Combination chemotherapy was performed in 84 and 48% of patients in the RT and OP groups, respectively. On the physicians’ questionnaire, we observed significant differences in bone marrow suppression (RT) and leg edema (OP). On the patients’ questionnaire, significantly more patients had dysuria and leg edema in the OP group than in the RT group, and severe (Score 4–5) leg edema was significantly higher in the post-operative RT group than in the OP only group. The frequency of sexual intercourse decreased after treatment in both groups. On the patients’ questionnaire, there were no significant differences between the two groups regarding sexual activity. These findings are useful to patients and physicians for shared decision-making in treatment choices. The guidance of everyday life and health information including sexual life after treatment is important

Proposal of Energy-efficient Living Strategies based on Traditional Japanese Environmental Design: the Project of “Kisekae House”

We proposed the Kisekae House as a net-zero energy house for the 2017 Enemane House Competition. The traditional Japanese environmental design based on the traditional lifestyle, which is unique as it is adjustable according to the local climate conditions, was arranged to suit to the current lifestyle and incorporated into the Kisekae House. The main concept of the house is to maintain good relations with neighbors and to be in contact with the surrounding natural environment. Specifically, the house design enhanced the thermal performance of the house envelope, installed the high efficiencies of household appliances, introduced a superior energy-utilization control system, and incorporated energy generation using solar photovoltaics. In addition, the resident’s behaviors, including controlling the high-thermal-performance doors, partitions, and shades, also facilitated energy savings and allowed the creation of a comfortable environment. The Kisekae House was evaluated in terms of reduction in energy consumption and the energy self-sufficiency, the environmental conditions were also evaluated in winter. The proposed design facilitated a 143% reduction in the primary energy consumption based on that of a standard house. The proposed design strategies are expected to contribute to achieving the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement to mitigate global warming

Comparison of the efficacy of the Epley maneuver and repeated Dix–Hallpike tests for eliminating positional nystagmus: A multicenter randomized study

Background and objectivesPatients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo of the posterior canal (pc-BPPV) exhibit BPPV fatigue, where the positional nystagmus diminishes with the repeated performance of the Dix–Hallpike test (DHt). BPPV fatigue is thought to be caused by the disintegration of lumps of otoconial debris into smaller parts and can eliminate positional nystagmus within a few minutes [similar to the immediate effect of the Epley maneuver (EM)]. In this study, we aimed to show the non-inferiority of the repeated DHt to the EM for eliminating positional nystagmus after 1 week.MethodsThis multicenter, randomized controlled clinical trial was designed based on the CONSORT 2010 guidelines. Patients who had pc-BPPV were recruited and randomly allocated to Group A or Group B. Patients in Group A were treated using the EM, and patients in Group B were treated using repeated DHt. For both groups, head movements were repeated until the positional nystagmus had been eliminated (a maximum of three repetitions). After 1 week, the patients were examined to determine whether the positional nystagmus was still present. The groups were compared in terms of the percentage of patients whose positional nystagmus had been eliminated, with the non-inferiority margin set at 15%.ResultsData for a total of 180 patients were analyzed (90 patients per group). Positional nystagmus had been eliminated in 50.0% of the patients in Group A compared with 47.8% in Group B. The upper limit of the 95% confidence interval for the difference was 14.5%, which was lower than the non-inferiority margin.DiscussionThis study showed the non-inferiority of repeated DHt to the EM for eliminating positional nystagmus after 1 week in patients with pc-BPPV and that even the disintegration of otoconial debris alone has a therapeutic effect for pc-BPPV. Disintegrated otoconial debris disappears from the posterior canal because it can be dissolved in the endolymph or returned to the vestibule via activities of daily living.Classification of evidenceThis study provides Class II evidence of the non-inferiority of repeated DHt to the EM for eliminating positional nystagmus after 1 week.Registration numberUMIN000016421

Long-term follow-up of production of IgM and IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 among patients with COVID-19

The patients diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） produce IgM and IgG antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 （SARS-CoV-2）. However, the frequency and duration of antibody production still need to be fully understood. In the present study, we investigated the duration of antibody production after SARS-CoV-2 infection. The patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were monitored over twelve months for the production of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies, and the characteristics of these patients were examined. Forty-five patients diagnosed with COVID-19 were enrolled, and thirty-four patients were followed up until they tested negative for SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies or up to twelve months after the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 polymerase chain reaction （PCR） result. The positivity rates of SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies were 27.3％ and 68.2％ when SARS-CoV-2 PCR was negative, 20.6％ and 70.6％ after one month, 8.8％ and 52.9％ after three months, and 0.0％ and 14.7％ after six months, respectively. Moreover, we compared patients with milder conditions who did not require oxygen administration with those with severe conditions which required oxygen administration. The positivity rate of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies was significantly higher in patients with severe conditions than in those with milder conditions on the date of a negative SARS-CoV-2 PCR result and after one month and three months, but not after six months. Patients with more severe COVID-19 produced more SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibodies. Moreover, it is suggested that the duration of IgG antibody production is independent of COVID-19 severity