Radiography studies with gamma rays produced by 14-MeV fusion neutrons

Oxygen contained in pure water has been activated via the {sup 16}O(n, p){sup 16}N reaction using 14-MeV neutrons produced at a neutron generator with the {sup 3}H(d,n){sup 4}He source. Photons of 6.129 and 7.115 MeV, generated by the decay of 7.13-second {sup 16}N, were then used to demonstrate the feasibility of employing highly penetrating, nearly monoenergetic gamma rays for radiography studies of thick, dense objects composed of elements with medium to relatively high atomic numbers. A simple radiography apparatus was constructed by circulating water continuously between a position near the target of the neutron generator and a remote location where photon transmission measurements were conducted. A sodium iodide scintillator was employed to detect the photons. Pulses equivalent to photon energies smaller than 2.506 MeV (corresponding to the cascade sum of 1.333- and 1.173-MeV gamma rays from the decay of 5.271-year {sup 60}Co) were rejected by the electronics settings in order to reduce background and improve the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio. Respectable S/N ratios on the order of 20-to-1 were achieved with this setup. Most of the background (N) could be attributed to ambient environmental radiation and cosmic-ray interactions with the lead shielding and detector. Four representative objects were examined by photon radiography in this study. This demonstrated how such - interesting features as hidden holes and discontinuities in atomic number could be easily identified from observed variations in the intensity of transmitted photons. Some advantages of this technique are described, and potential applications are suggested for a future scenario where fusion reactors are used to generate electric power and very intense sources of high-energy photons from {sup 16}N decay are continuously available as a byproduct of the reactor cooling process

Detection of Torque Teno Virus DNA in Exhaled Breath by Polymerase Chain Reaction

To determine whether exhaled breath contains Torque teno virus (TTV) or not, we tested exhaled breath condensate (EBC) samples by semi-nested PCR assay. We detected TTV DNA in 35% (7/20) of EBC samples collected from the mouth of one of the authors, demonstrating that TTV DNA is excreted in exhaled breath with moderate frequency. TTV DNA was detected also in oral EBC samples from 4 of 6 other authors, indicating that TTV DNA excretion in exhaled breath is not an exception but rather a common phenomenon. Furthermore, the same assay could amplify TTV DNA from room air condensate (RAC) samples collected at distances of 20 and 40cm from a human face with 40 (8/20) and 35% (7/20) positive rates, respectively. TTV transmission has been reported to occur during infancy. These distances seem equivalent to that between an infant and its household members while caring for the infant. Taken together, it seems that exhaled breath is one of the possible transmission routes of TTV. We also detected TTV DNA in 25% (10/40) of RAC samples collected at a distance of more than 180cm from any human face, suggesting the risk of airborne infection with TTV in a room

A Prospective Comparison of EUS-Guided FNA Using 25-Gauge and 22-Gauge Needles

Background and Aims. There are limited data on the differences in diagnostic yield between 25-gauge and 22-gauge EUS-FNA needles. This prospective study compared the difference in diagnostic yield between a 22-gauge and a 25-gauge needle when performing EUS-FNA. Methods. Forty-three patients with intraluminal or extraluminal mass lesions and/or lymphadenopathy were enrolled prospectively. EUS-FNA was performed for each mass lesion using both 25- and 22-gauge needles. The differences in accuracy rate, scoring of needle visibility, ease of puncture and quantity of obtained specimen were evaluated. Results. The overall accuracy of 22- and 25-gauge needle was similar at 81% and 76% respectively (N.S). Likewise the visibility scores of both needles were also similar. Overall the quantity of specimen obtained higher with the 22-gauge needle (score: 1.64 vs. P < .001). However the 25-gauge needle was significantly superior to the 22-gauge needle in terms of ease of puncture (score: 1.9 vs. 1.29, P < .001) and in the quantity of specimen in the context of pancreatic mass EUS-FNA (score: 1.8 vs. 1.58, P < .05). Conclusion. The 22-gauge and 25-gauge needles have similar overall diagnostic yield. The 25-gauge needle appeared superior in the subset of patients with hard lesions and pancreatic masses

ズガ コウサクカ ジュギョウ ニオイテ ジドウ ニ エンゲージメント オ ツクリダス ココロミ

本研究は，エンゲージメントに着目した授業を実践し，その成果と課題を検討することを目的とした実践報告である。授業の工夫として，(1)行動エンゲージメントの工夫，(2)感情エンゲージメントの工夫，(3)認知的エンゲージメントの工夫，の３つの手立てを計画し授業実践を行った。効果の検証のため，児童のエンゲージメント状態を測定するためのエンゲージメント尺度を作成し，同尺度を用いた検証と児童の振り返り記述を用いた検証を行った。結果，エンゲージメントの要素である認知的エンゲージメントに対する支援について効果が見られた。課題として，教師による児童のニーズの把握の必要性が示唆された。This paper is a practical report aimed at practicing lessons of arts and crafts focusing on engagement and examining the outcomes and problems of practice. As a way of teaching, we practiced classes by planning three methods: (1) Behavior engagement, (2) Emotional engagement, and (3) Cognitive engagement. As a verification method, the engagement scale for measuring the engagement state was created and measured, and verification using the child\u27s retrospective description was performed. As a result, it was effective for support for cognitive engagement which is an element of engagement. For further improvement, it was suggested that teachers are required to understand the needs of children

Chemotherapy with low-dose capecitabine as palliative treatment in a patient with metastatic breast cancer: a case report

Chemotherapeutic agents are rarely used for symptom management in patients under palliative care setting. This is because chemotherapeutic agents not only have limited efficacy in palliative treatment but are also known to exert severe adverse effects. We describe our experience with a patient with metastatic breast cancer who was successfully treated with low-dose capecitabine, without the development of any severe toxicities and with significant improvement in activities of daily living (ADL) and quality of life (QOL)

Factors affecting commencement and cessation of betel quid chewing behaviour in Malaysian adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Betel quid chewing is a common habit widely practiced in Southern Asian populations. However, variations are seen in the content of a betel quid across the different countries. Factors associated with commencement and cessation of this habit has been numerously studied. Unfortunately, data on Malaysian population is non-existent. This study aims to determine the factors associated with the inception and also cessation of betel quid chewing behaviour among Malaysian adults.</p> <p>Method</p> <p>This study is part of a nationwide survey on oral mucosal lesions carried out among 11,697 adults in all fourteen states in Malaysia. The questionnaire included sociodemographic information and details on betel quid chewing habit such as duration, type and frequency. The Kaplan-Meier estimates were calculated and plotted to compare the rates for the commencement and cessation of betel quid chewing behaviour. Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard rate ratios for factors related to commencement or cessation of this habit.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Of the total subjects, 8.2% were found to be betel quid chewers. This habit was more prevalent among females and, in terms of ethnicity, among the Indians and the Indigenous people of Sabah and Sarawak. Cessation of this habit was more commonly seen among males and the Chinese. Females were found to be significantly more likely to start (p < 0.0001) and less likely to stop the quid chewing habit. Females, those over 40 years old, Indians and a history of smoking was found to significantly increase the likelihood of developing a quid chewing habit (p < 0.0001). However, those who had stopped smoking were found to be significantly more likely to promote stopping the habit (p = 0.0064). Cessation was also more likely to be seen among those who chewed less than 5 quids per day (p < 0.05) and less likely to be seen among those who included areca nut and tobacco in their quid (p < 0.0001).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>Factors that influence the development and cessation of this behaviour are gender, age, ethnicity, and also history of smoking habit while frequency and type of quid chewed are important factors for cessation of this habit.</p

A novel locally operated master-slave robot system for single-incision laparoscopic surgery

Purpose: Single-incision laparoscopic surgery (SILS) provides more cosmetic benefits than conventional laparoscopic surgery but presents operational difficulties. To overcome this technical problem, we have developed a locally operated master-slave robot system that provides operability and a visual field similar to conventional laparoscopic surgery. Material and methods: A surgeon grasps the master device with the left hand, which is placed above the abdominal wall, and holds a normal instrument with the right hand. A laparoscope, a slave robot, and the right-sided instrument are inserted through one incision. The slave robot is bent in the body cavity and its length, pose, and tip angle are changed by manipulating the master device; thus the surgeon has almost the same operability as with normal laparoscopic surgery. To evaluate our proposed system, we conducted a basic task and an ex vivo experiment. Results: In basic task experiments, the average object-passing task time was 9.50 sec (SILS cross), 22.25 sec (SILS parallel), and 7.23 sec (proposed SILS). The average number of instrument collisions was 3.67 (SILS cross), 14 (SILS parallel), and 0.33 (proposed SILS). In the ex vivo experiment, we confirmed the applicability of our system for single-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy. Conclusion: We demonstrated that our proposed robot system is useful for single-incision laparoscopic surgery.ArticleMINIMALLY INVASIVE THERAPY & ALLIED TECHNOLOGIES. 23(6):326-332 (2014)journal articl

Lavender Essential Oil and Its Main Constituents Inhibit the Expression of TNF-α-induced Cell Adhesion Molecules in Endothelial Cells

Lavender essential oil (Lvn) has anti-inflammatory effects in an ovalbumin-sensitized murine model of asthma, and inhibits inflammatory cell infiltration into the lungs. The anti-inflammatory effects of Lvn on cell adhesion molecules are not clear. Here we evaluated the effects of Lvn and its main constituents, linalyl acetate (LA) and linalool (LO), on the expression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α)-induced cell adhesion molecules in murine brain endothelial bEnd.3 cells and human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). The bEnd.3 cells were treated with Lvn, LA, or LO and subsequently stimulated with TNF-α. The mRNA expression levels of cell adhesion molecules were detected using RT-PCR. E-selectin and P-selectin protein and phosphorylated-NF-κB p65 were detected by western blotting. The effects of Lvn on HUVECs were measured by RT-PCR. In bEnd.3 cells, Lvn and LA suppressed TNF-α-induced E-selectin, P-selectin, vascular cell adhesion molecule-1, intercellular adhesion molecule-1, and phosphorylated-NF-κB p65 in the nucleus; LO did not suppress P-selectin or phosphorylated-NF-κB p65. Lvn inhibited TNF-α-induced E-selectin mRNA in HUVECs. These results indicate that Lvn and LA inhibit TNF-α-induced cell adhesion molecules in endothelial cells through the suppression of NF-κB activation. Consequently, Lvn or other essential oils including LA may be useful as alternative anti-inflammatory medicines

Factors affecting commencement and cessation of smoking behaviour in Malaysian adults

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Tobacco consumption peak in developed countries has passed, however, it is on the increase in many developing countries. Apart from cigarettes, consumption of local hand-rolled cigarettes such as <it>bidi </it>and <it>rokok daun </it>are prevalent in specific communities. Although factors associated with smoking initiation and cessation has been investigated elsewhere, the only available data for Malaysia is on prevalence. This study aims to investigate factors associated with smoking initiation and cessation which is imperative in designing intervention programs.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>Data were collected from 11,697 adults by trained recording clerks on sociodemographic characteristics, practice of other risk habit and details of smoking such as type, duration and frequency. Smoking commencement and cessation were analyzed using the Kaplan-Meier estimates and log-rank tests. Univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to calculate the hazard rate ratios.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Males had a much higher prevalence of the habit (61.7%) as compared to females (5.8%). Cessation was found to be most common among the Chinese and those regularly consuming alcoholic beverages. Kaplan-Meier plot shows that although males are more likely to start smoking, females are found to be less likely to stop. History of betel quid chewing and alcohol consumption significantly increase the likelihood of commencement (p < 0.0001), while cessation was least likely among Indians, current quid chewers and kretek users (p < 0.01).</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Gender, ethnicity, history of quid chewing and alcohol consumption have been found to be important factors in smoking commencement; while ethnicity, betel quid chewing and type of tobacco smoked influences cessation.</p