Multi-layered reasoning by means of conceptual fuzzy sets

The real world consists of a very large number of instances of events and continuous numeric values. On the other hand, people represent and process their knowledge in terms of abstracted concepts derived from generalization of these instances and numeric values. Logic based paradigms for knowledge representation use symbolic processing both for concept representation and inference. Their underlying assumption is that a concept can be defined precisely. However, as this assumption hardly holds for natural concepts, it follows that symbolic processing cannot deal with such concepts. Thus symbolic processing has essential problems from a practical point of view of applications in the real world. In contrast, fuzzy set theory can be viewed as a stronger and more practical notation than formal, logic based theories because it supports both symbolic processing and numeric processing, connecting the logic based world and the real world. In this paper, we propose multi-layered reasoning by using conceptual fuzzy sets (CFS). The general characteristics of CFS are discussed along with upper layer supervision and context dependent processing

Remarkable morphological characteristics of Milnesium sp. from Inhovde, East Antarctica

第6回極域科学シンポジウム[OB] 極域生物圏11月16日（月）　国立極地研究所１階交流アトリウ

Evaluating Health Impact at High Altitude in Antarctica and Effectiveness of Monitoring Oxygen Saturation

[Background] The Japanese Antarctic Research Expedition (JARE) has been conducting research activities in inland Antarctica, which is extremely cold dryland covered with a thick ice sheet. This environment may cause a health disorder called acute mountain sickness (AMS). To improve the safety of expedition members, we evaluated the impact of extreme environmental conditions on human health and the effectiveness of monitoring of hypoxia for the early detection of AMS. [Methods] In total, 9 members from JARE 59 were studied. Dome Fuji Station (Dome F), located 3,810 m above sea level (ASL), was the destination of the research party. We analyzed daily AMS scores (higher values correspond to more severe AMS-related symptoms), physiological findings, and percutaneous arterial blood oxygen saturation (SpO2) during the inland activity. We also determined the factors related to AMS scores. [Results] The average AMS score on arrival at Dome F was significantly higher than that at the departure point (560 m ASL). The average SpO2 level was significantly lower than that at other points. The SpO2 level correlated negatively with the AMS score in Spearman’s rank correlation. Generalized estimating equations analysis showed that the AMS score was negatively associated with SpO2 level and positively associated with age. [Conclusion] Hypoxia is a contributory factor to AMS which we can easily assess by measuring the SpO2 level with a pulse oximeter. SpO2 monitoring is a potentially useful health management tool for members in inland Antarctic expeditions. In addition, our results are helpful for understanding physiological responses and health issues in extreme environments

On the Antacrctic tardigrade Acutuncus antarcticus found near Showa Station

第3回極域科学シンポジウム/第34回極域生物シンポジウム 11月27日（火） 国立極地研究所 ３階ラウン

protective effect of EGCG on mouse islets

Purpose: Epigallocatechin 3-gallate (EGCG), a green tea polyphenol, has been shown to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in vitro and in vivo. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects and mechanism of EGCG on isolated pancreatic islets as pre-conditioning for pancreatic islet transplantation. Methods: The pancreatic islets were divided into two groups: an islet culture medium group (control) and an islet culture medium with EGCG (100 μM) group. We investigated the islet viability, Nrf2 expression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) mRNA. Five hundred islet equivalents after 12 h of culture for the EGCG 100 μM and control group were transplanted under the kidney capsule of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic ICR mice. Results: The cell viability and insulin secretion ability in the EGCG group were preserved, and the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 was increased in the EGCG group (p<0.01). While the HO-1 mRNA levels were also higher in the EGCG group than in the control group (p<0.05), the ROS production was lower (p<0.01). An in vivo functional assessment showed that the blood glucose level had decreased in the EGCG group after transplantation (p<0.01). Conclusion: EGCG protects the viability and function of islets by suppressing ROS production via the Nrf2 pathway

Aggressive resection of metachronous triple biliary cancer

Radical resection of recurrent cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) is rare. To date, only two patients have been reported to undergo major hepatectomy twice after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) for metachronous CCC. This report describes a patient who underwent three metachronous radical resections of CCC with curative intent, consisting of PD followed by two hepatectomies, for cancer of the middle bile duct. A 60 year old male, who had undergone a distal gastrectomy for duodenal ulcer perforation in 23 years ago, underwent PD (Honjo method) for middle bile duct cancer (papillary adenocarcinoma) in 20 years ago at another hospital. In 12 years ago, he was referred to our hospital for further examinations of hepatic tumors and was diagnosed with CCC (S6, solitary, 4 cm). He underwent S6 subsegmentectomy of the liver. Pathological examination revealed a poorly differentiated CCC, considered a second primary cancer. In 6 years ago, subsequent follow up as an outpatient revealed repeated cholangitis, with CT showing a hilar mass caused by obstructive jaundice. He was diagnosed with a hilar cholangioma, and underwent hepatectomy and hepaticojejunostomy, which were safe despite surgical difficulties caused by severe adhesions and re-anastomosis. Pathological examination showed a welldifferentiated CCC, considered the third primary cancer. The lung metastasis was revealed in 28months after the last operation, however he has survived after partial lung resection without further metastasis

Elevated Preoperative Serum CEA Level Is with Hepatocellular Carcinoma with Poor Prognosis Through the Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition

Background: Serum carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is used as an indicator of tumor progression in a variety of carcinomas. A subset of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibit increased serum CEA level, but the significance of this is unclear. In this study, we investigated the prognosis of patients with HCC with increased serum CEA, and explored the correlations with expression of carcinoembryonic antigen-related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and tumor angiogenesis. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twenty-three patients with HCC who underwent radical resection were divided into two groups according to a cut-off value of 5.0 ng/ml for serum CEA: high (n=24) and normal (n=99) groups. We compared the clinicopathological factors with serum CEA levels and its correlations with CEACAM1 expression, EMT-related factors and microvessel density (MVD) of tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry. Results: In the high CEA group, the disease-free survival (DFS) rate was significantly worse than in the normal CEA group. Multivariate analysis revealed that a high CEA level was an independent factor predictive of recurrence. Furthermore, increased serum CEA levels were positively correlated with CEACAM1 expression. Moreover, CEACAM1 expression was positively correlated with expression of EMT-related factors and MVD of tumor tissues. Conclusion: Increased serum CEA level reflected CEACAM1 expression and was an independent factor predictive of recurrence in HCC through EMT and tumor angiogenesis

Development of the equipment for measuring the microenvironment and a model of lightweight germfree excavator, to study the micro-ecosystems in the polar area.

第2回極域科学シンポジウム/第33回極域生物シンポジウム 11月18日（金） 統計数理研究所 3階リフレッシュフロ