Development of the Autofluorescence Endoscope Imaging System

It is a well known fact that light emitted at a specific wavelength induces fluorescence in the human body. This kind of fluorescence is called autofluorescence. The application of autofluorescence diagnosis, on the other hand, is a more complicated system designed to detect faint autofluorescence inherent in tissues/cells. We have adopted this autofluorescence diagnosis method and developed a new autofluorescence endoscope imaging system called the SAFE-1000. Normal mucosa emitting autofluorescence appears green on the monitor, while abnormal mucosa shows a dark image caused by the lack of autofluorescence

How enterprise strategies are related to innovation and productivity change: An empirical study of Japanese manufacturing firms

This study analyzes the total factor productivity of 1,067 Japanese manufacturing firms. In production estimation, we employ the directional distance function and Luenberger productivity indicator. Research and development strategy survey data are used to analyze the determinant factors related to improvements in innovation and productivity. Our results indicate that increasing technology and knowledge through a “black box” process is related to an increase in productivity. Furthermore, the protection and management of production knowledge and expertise is a valid method of increasing global technical change

How enterprise strategies are related to innovation and productivity change: An empirical study of Japanese manufacturing firms

This study analyzes the total factor productivity of 1,067 Japanese manufacturing firms. In production estimation, we employ the directional distance function and Luenberger productivity indicator. Research and development strategy survey data are used to analyze the determinant factors related to improvements in innovation and productivity. Our results indicate that increasing technology and knowledge through a “black box” process is related to an increase in productivity. Furthermore, the protection and management of production knowledge and expertise is a valid method of increasing global technical change

Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and potential leathal damage repair (PLDR) of heavy-ion beam

150KV X線,中性子線及び炭素(LET13, 20, 50, 90, 140, 150, 153, 200keV/μm)を照射したマウスNIH3T3細胞の生存率曲線のLD(10)から(60)Coγ線に対する生物学的効果比(RBE)を求めた｡RBEは150KV X線では1.26,中性子線では2.44,炭素線(LET13, 20, 50, 90, 140, 150, 153, 200keV/μm)ではそれぞれ1.41, 1.47, 2.22, 2.61, 1.61, 2.05, 1.57であった｡LETとRBEの関係では100keV/μm付近にピークを認めた｡150KVX線のLETは13keV/μm,中性子線のLETは70keVμmに相当した｡(60)Co γ線の潜在性致死損傷からの回復(PLDR)は大きかった｡炭素線(13keV/μm)照射でもPLDRが観察されるがLETが大きくなるとPLDRは減少したが,LET90keV/μmの炭素線でもPLDRが認められた｡照射時の細胞状態の検討では増殖期の細胞の感受性は定常期細胞に比し僅かに高かった｡Relative biological effectiveness (RBE) and repair of potential lethal damage (PLDR) of NIH3T3 cells against heavy-ion radiation were studied. RBE of 150 KV X-rays and neutron estimated from LD(10) dose of dose response survival curves compared to (60)Co γ-ray were 1.26 and 2.44, respectively. RBE of 13, 20, 50, 90, 140, 150, 153, 200 keV/μm of LET of carbon beam were 1.41, 1.47, 2.22, 2.61, 2.61, 1.61, 2.05 and 1.57, respectively. Potential lethal damage repair (PLDR) after exposure to carbon beam was observed. The magnitude of PLDR of (60)Co γ-ray was the biggest. As for the carbon beam of LET of 13 keV/μm as well, PLDR were observed. PLDR decreased when LET of carbon beam grew big

How enterprise strategies are related to innovation and productivity change: an empirical study of Japanese manufacturing firms

This study analyzes the total factor productivity of 1067 Japanese manufacturing firms. In production estimation, we employ the directional distance function and Luenberger productivity indicator. Research and development strategy survey data are used to analyze the determinant factors related to improvements in innovation and productivity. Our results indicate that increasing technology and knowledge through a ‘black box’ process is related to an increase in productivity. Furthermore, the protection and management of production knowledge and expertise is a valid method of increasing global technical change

Roles of Macrophages in Advanced Liver Fibrosis, Identified Using a Newly Established Mouse Model of Diet-Induced Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Macrophages play critical roles in the pathogenesis of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). However, it is unclear which macrophage subsets are critically involved in the development of inflammation and fibrosis in NASH. In TSNO mice fed a high-fat/cholesterol/cholate-based diet, which exhibit advanced liver fibrosis that mimics human NASH, we found that Kupffer cells (KCs) were less abundant and recruited macrophages were more abundant, forming hepatic crown-like structures (hCLS) in the liver. The recruited macrophages comprised two subsets: CD11c+/Ly6C−and CD11c− /Ly6C+ cells. CD11c+ cells were present in a mesh-like pattern around the lipid droplets, constituting the hCLS. In addition, CD11c+ cells colocalized with collagen fibers, suggesting that this subset of recruited macrophages might promote advanced liver fibrosis. In contrast, Ly6C+cells were present in doughnut-like inflammatory lesions, with a lipid droplet in the center. Finally, RNA sequence analysis indicates that CD11c+/Ly6C− cells promote liver fibrosis and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation, whereas CD11c−/Ly6C+ cells are a macrophage subset that play an anti-inflammatory role and promote tissue repair in NASH. Taken together, our data revealed changes in liver macrophage subsets during the development of NASH and shed light on the roles of the recruited macrophages in the pathogenesis of advanced fibrosis in NASH