The distribution and number of Leu-7 (CD57) positive cells in lung tissue from patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Leu-7 positive lymphocytes, including natural killer cells, play an important role in the immune system's surveillance function to prevent the development of cancer. The incidence of lung cancer is significantly high in patients with end-stage pulmonary fibrosis. We hypothesized that the number of Leu-7 positive cells may be decreased in areas of severe pulmonary fibrosis. To demonstrate this, Leu-7 positive cells were immunohistochemically stained in 41 lung specimens obtained from patients with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and pulmonary fibrosis associated with collagen vascular disorders. The number of Leu-7 positive cells was evaluated according to the pathological findings. In pathologically normal lung, Leu-7 positive cells were mostly found within the capillaries of the septa and rarely in the alveolar space or the stroma. The number of Leu-7 positive cells was 0.69 +/- 0.15 in areas of advanced fibrosis (n = 41), 2.39 +/- 0.60 in areas that had newly developeing fibrosis (n = 41), 1.14 +/- 0.57 in bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (n = 9), and 1.35 +/- 0.87 in diffuse alveolar damage (DAD) (n = 11). The number of Leu-7 positive cells in areas of newly developing fibrosis (2.39 +/- 0.60) was significantly higher than that in areas of established fibrosis (0.69 +/- 0.15, P &#60; 0.05). Our present study demonstrates a significant decrease in the number of Leu-7 positive cells in areas of advanced fibrosis. This evidence may partly explain the high incidence of lung cancer associated with pulmonary fibrosis.</p

Heterogeneous hydraulic properties of an insular aquifer clarified by a tidal response method with simple decomposition techniques

Two simple frequency decomposition techniques were used as part of a tidal response method to derive the hydraulic diffusivities of a freshwater-lens aquifer. Digital high-pass filtering can separate the tidal components of diurnal and shorter periods from longer-period components. Discrete Fourier transform can be used to isolate a specific tidal component. These techniques are easy to practice using the built-in functions of spreadsheet software. The applied techniques were each optimized for the frequencies of known major tidal components. Isolation of the specific tidal signals helps to reduce the errors of a basic tidal response method that uses in its calculations the amplitude attenuation and phase lag of a simple sinusoidal wave of groundwater fluctuations. Another advantage of the present tidal method is the utilization of two groundwater time series collected from near-shore and relatively inland sites affected by the same ocean tide. The method does not use surface-water observation, thus avoiding errors derived from generally possible surface-water/groundwater boundary effects.The tidal response method with simple decomposition techniques was used to investigate the aquifer properties of an uplifted limestone island located in a subtropical region of Japan. A freshwater lens is the principal water resource for this island and its sustainable development is desired. Significant hydraulic layering has not been reported in the limestone aquifer. Pairs of groundwater-level time-series data collected by simultaneous observations at near-shore and inland sites were analysed by the tidal response method. The results demonstrated heterogeneous aquifer diffusivity on the island, typically with larger values in the southeastern coastal part than in the northwestern coastal part, which is consistent with the planar distribution of the entire freshwater lens and the position of its maximum thickness that are slightly biased toward the northwestern side.</p

Fabrication and characterization of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate optical waveguides

金沢大学理工研究域電子情報学系Amorphous polyethylene terephthalate (PET) optical waveguides are fabricated by the spin coating method and the optical properties are characterized. The refractive index measured by a spectroscopic ellipsometer is 1.5656, 1.5560, 1.5489, and 1.5477 at 633-, 830-, 1310-, and 1550-nm wavelength, respectively. Multimode optical waveguides with 12-μm thickness and 46-μm width are fabricated by mechanical grinding using a dicing saw to form the core ridge, and the propagation loss is measured by the cut-back method to be 0.30, 0.12, 0.35, and 0.70 dB/cm for 660-, 830-, 1310-, and 1550-nm wavelength, respectively. © 2011 IEEE

歯の形態形成に関与する新規遺伝子の解明

Tooth development is controlled by body plan during the fetal period, the generation of teeth from tooth germ is induced by the epithelial-mesenchymal interaction. Spatiotemporal regulation of tooth morphogenesis is supported by gene expression. Although many of the genes involved in tooth development are known, the molecular mechanism underlying tooth morphogenesis is not completely understood. For a comprehensive understanding of tooth development, the elucidation of unknown genes is necessary. In this study, to identify unknown genes involved in tooth development, we performed genome-wide analysis at each stage of tooth development and identified 17 genes with high levels of expression and large changes in expression. In addition, we performed qPCR and in situ hybridization analyses to elucidate the spatiotemporal regulation, such as the regulation that occurs around or in the entire tooth germ, enamel knots, epithelium, and mesenchyme. These results show that these characteristic genes may play important roles in each time period or region of tooth development, and the elucidation of the functions of these genes will lead to an integrated understanding of the process of tooth development.博士（医学）・甲第790号・令和3年3月15日発行元である日本再生歯科医学会の許諾を得て登録（2021年6月29日付）ジャーナル公式サイト（日本再生歯科医学会HP内）：http://www.jarde.jp/zasshi/e/18-2-1.htm

Transumbilical laparo-endoscopic single site surgery for adrenal cortical adenoma inducing primary aldosteronism: initial experience

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>We have started using laparo-endoscopic single-site surgery (LESS) in urologic surgery, although its use has not gained momentum due to its level of difficulty. We here report our initial experience with transumbilical LESS for adrenal cortical adenoma by using a single port with a multichannel cannula (SILS port) and bent laparoscopic instrumentation.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>A multichannel port (SILS port), bent laparoscopic instrument (Roticulator Endo Mini-Shears) and Opti4 laparoscopic electrodes were used in all cases. The intraperitoneal space was approached through the umbilicus. The SILS port was placed through a 2 cm incision at the inner edge of the umbilicus. A 5 mm flexible laparoscope was introduced to keep the laparoscope outside, and surgical specimens were extracted using an Endocatch bag. In addition, as a case control study, we compared perioperative data of LESS adrenalectomy (LESS-A) with that of conventional laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA). We performed transumbilical LESS-A for adrenal cortical adenoma in 12 cases, beginning in December, 2009. All procedures were successfully completed, with only one incision through the umbilicus, and without conversion to a standard laparoscopic approach. Mean operative time for LESS-A was 121.2 ± 7.8 min, which was slightly longer than LA (110.2 ± 7.3 min). For right adrenal tumors, we used a miniport (2 mm port) in addition to a SILS port, and were able to successfully perform adrenalectomy "with no visible scaring". Tumor laterality and patient BMI did not affect surgical morbidity in these procedures. Moreover, there was no significant difference between LESS-A and LA in blood loss, analgesic requirement, hospital stay, and scar satisfaction.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>The transumbilical approach in LESS for adrenalectomy is safe and feasible and also improves cosmetic outcome compared with standard laparoscopic procedures. Improvements in surgical devices may aid the further development of this approach.</p

Establishing the Japan-Store House of Animal Radiobiology Experiments (J-SHARE), a large-scale necropsy and histopathology archive providing international access to important radiobiology data

Purpose: Projects evaluating the effects of radiation, within the National Institutes of Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology (QST), National Institute of Radiological Sciences (NIRS), have focused on risk analyses for life shortening and cancer prevalence using laboratory animals. Genetic and epigenetic alterations in radiation-induced tumors have been also analyzed, with the aim of better understanding mechanisms of radiation carcinogenesis. As well as the economic and practical limitations of repeating such large-scale experiments, ethical considerations make it vital that we store and share the pathological data and samples of the animal experiments for future use. We are now constructing such an archive called the Japan-Storehouse of Animal Radiobiology Experiments (J-SHARE). Methods: J-SHARE records include information such as detailed experimental protocols, necropsy records and photographs of organs at necropsy. For each animal organs and tumor tissues are dissected, and parts are stored as frozen samples at -80 ˚C. Samples fixed with formalin are also embedded in paraffin blocks for histopathological analyses. Digital copies of stained tissues are being systematically saved using a virtual slide system linked to original records by barcodes. Embedded and frozen tissues are available for molecular analysis. Conclusion: Similar archive systems for radiation biology have been also under construction in the USA and Europe, the Northwestern University Radiation Archive (NURA), and STORE at the BfS, respectively. The J-SHARE will be linked with the sister-archives and made available for collaborative research to institutions and universities all over the world

Seasonal level of hemoagglutinin inhibitinlt and its 2-mercaptoethanol sensitive antibody in the sera of swine (Epidemiological Study on Japanese Encephalitis, 67)

Seasonal level of hemoagglutinin inhibiting and its 2 -mercaptoethanol sensitive antibody in the sera of swine were researched and the following results were obtained. 1. The positive rate of hemoagglutination inhibit reaction (HI reaction) on swine showed 100% at maximum in the middle of September. 1980. The positive rate of 2-ME sensitive antibody showed the titer of over 1 : 40 with all swine examined in the middle of August, 1980. 2. The positive rate of HI reaction of inhabitants at Mukaiyama in Kurashiki City was 76.0% (on 8th in July, 1980) indicating the rather big decrease being compared with annual value of 90.6%, in 1976. Date indicated that increase In JE virus in swine as source of infection thought to be a vector of JE, caused a genuine case of JE, in 1980, as described below. 3. Higher positive rate of HI reaction and 2-ME sensitive positive rate of swine were observed in 1980. 4. One patient who suffered from JE was found In Kurashiki City in 1980. 5. Henceforth and continuously, Japanese Encephalitis should be investigated, above all on its occurance order with the number or Ct or the positive rate of hemoagglutination inhibit reaction in inhahitants and swine, etc. considering that J.E. has a high lethality rate and often leaves the terrible J. E. residue to patients

Control of PNG kinase, a key regulator of mRNA translation, is coupled to meiosis completion at egg activation

The oocyte-to-embryo transition involves extensive changes in mRNA translation, regulated in Drosophila by the PNG kinase complex whose activity we show here to be under precise developmental control. Despite presence of the catalytic PNG subunit and the PLU and GNU activating subunits in the mature oocyte, GNU is phosphorylated at Cyclin B/CDK1sites and unable to bind PNG and PLU. In vitro phosphorylation of GNU by CyclinB/CDK1 blocks activation of PNG. Meiotic completion promotes GNU dephosphorylation and PNG kinase activation to regulate translation. The critical regulatory effect of phosphorylation is shown by replacement in the oocyte with a phosphorylation-resistant form of GNU, which promotes PNG-GNU complex formation, elevation of Cyclin B, and meiotic defects consistent with premature PNG activation. After PNG activation GNU is destabilized, thus inactivating PNG. This short-lived burst in kinase activity links development with maternal mRNA translation and ensures irreversibility of the oocyteto- embryo transition.National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (GM39341)National Institutes of Health (U.S.) (GM118098