Study on networking issues of medium earth orbit satellite communications systems

Two networking issues of communications systems with medium earth orbit (MEO) satellites, namely network architectures and location determination and registration methods for hand-held terminals, are investigated in this paper. For network architecture, five candidate architectures are considered and evaluated in terms of signaling traffic. For location determination and registration, two methods are discussed and evaluated

Percutaneous cryoablation for clinical T3a renal cell carcinoma (< 7 cm) with segmental vein involvement or perinephric fat invasion based on preoperative evaluation of high-resolution multidetector computed tomography scan

Purpose　To retrospectively assess the feasibility, safety, renal function, technique efficacy rate, and survival of patients with clinical T3a renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Materials and methods　Sixteen cryoablation sessions were performed in 14 patients (10 men; mean age, 69.8 ± 10.5 years; range, 49–90 years) with 14 clear cell T3a RCCs (mean, 3.3 ± 0.9 cm; range, 1.9–5.2 cm). One patient was on dialysis. Transcatheter arterial embolization was performed before cryoablation in 15 sessions. The primary endpoint was the technique efficacy rate. The secondary endpoints included feasibility, safety, renal function, and survival. Results　Cryoablation was technically successful in all RCC cases. In two RCCs, cryoablation was performed twice because of local tumor progression. No major adverse events were observed. All patients were alive without metastases, with a median follow-up of 45 months (6−93 months). Complete response was achieved by cryoablation in 11 RCCs (78.6%). The primary and secondary technique efficacy rates were 77.1% and 84.4% at 1 year, 57.9% and 73.9% at 3 years, and 57.9% and 73.9% at 5 years, respectively. One patient underwent dialysis given a total contralateral nephrectomy due to another RCC 1 month after initial cryoablation and a total ipsilateral nephrectomy 46 months after initial cryoablation due to local progression. Except for two dialysis patients, of the 12 patients with a median follow-up of 41 months (6–93 months), none were on dialysis. Conclusion　Cryoablation was safe and effective in T3a RCC, which mainly involved the renal venous branches and may represent an alternative treatment for inoperable patients

Smad1の条件付き遺伝子削除は進行性糸球体腎炎による糸球体傷害を改善する

Matrix expansion and cell proliferation are concomitantly observed in various glomerular injuries. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes have not been fully elucidated. We have reported that Smad1 is a key signalling molecule that regulates the transcription of type IV collagen (Col4) in mesangial matrix expansion and is thereby involved in glomerular injury in an acute model of glomerulonephritis. In this study, we addressed the role of Smad1 signalling in accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN), a model of progressive glomerulonephritis, using conditional deletion of Smad1 in Rosa26CreERT2 mice (Smad1-CKO). Mesangial matrix expansion in the Smad1-CKO mice with NTN was significantly inhibited compared with that in wild type mice with NTN, which was consistent with the decrease in Col4 expression level. On the other hand, STAT3 activation and cell proliferation were not influenced by Smad1 deletion in the NTN model. Therefore, we investigated another factor that activates cell proliferation in the absence of Smad1. Id2 induced VEGF secretion and subsequent STAT3 activation, independently of Smad1 expression in mouse mesangial cells. Here we show that Smad1 plays an important role in the development of glomerular injury without affecting cell proliferation, in progressive glomerulonephritis

Conditional Deletion of Smad1 Ameliorates Glomerular Injury in Progressive Glomerulonephritis

Matrix expansion and cell proliferation are concomitantly observed in various glomerular injuries. However, the molecular mechanisms responsible for these changes have not been fully elucidated. We have reported that Smad1 is a key signalling molecule that regulates the transcription of type IV collagen (Col4) in mesangial matrix expansion and is thereby involved in glomerular injury in an acute model of glomerulonephritis. In this study, we addressed the role of Smad1 signalling in accelerated nephrotoxic nephritis (NTN), a model of progressive glomerulonephritis, using conditional deletion of Smad1 in Rosa26CreERT2 mice (Smad1-CKO). Mesangial matrix expansion in the Smad1-CKO mice with NTN was significantly inhibited compared with that in wild type mice with NTN, which was consistent with the decrease in Col4 expression level. On the other hand, STAT3 activation and cell proliferation were not influenced by Smad1 deletion in the NTN model. Therefore, we investigated another factor that activates cell proliferation in the absence of Smad1. Id2 induced VEGF secretion and subsequent STAT3 activation, independently of Smad1 expression in mouse mesangial cells. Here we show that Smad1 plays an important role in the development of glomerular injury without affecting cell proliferation, in progressive glomerulonephritis

Indocyanine Green (ICG) Lymphography Is Superior to Lymphoscintigraphy for Diagnostic Imaging of Early Lymphedema of the Upper Limbs

BACKGROUND: Secondary lymphedema causes swelling in limbs due to lymph retention following lymph node dissection in cancer therapy. Initiation of treatment soon after appearance of edema is very important, but there is no method for early diagnosis of lymphedema. In this study, we compared the utility of four diagnostic imaging methods: magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT), lymphoscintigraphy, and Indocyanine Green (ICG) lymphography. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between April 2010 and November 2011, we examined 21 female patients (42 arms) with unilateral mild upper limb lymphedema using the four methods. The mean age of the patients was 60.4 years old (35-81 years old). Biopsies of skin and collecting lymphatic vessels were performed in 7 patients who underwent lymphaticovenous anastomosis. RESULTS: The specificity was 1 for all four methods. The sensitivity was 1 in ICG lymphography and MRI, 0.62 in lymphoscintigraphy, and 0.33 in CT. These results show that MRI and ICG lymphography are superior to lymphoscintigraphy or CT for diagnosis of lymphedema. In some cases, biopsy findings suggested abnormalities in skin and lymphatic vessels for which lymphoscintigraphy showed no abnormal findings. ICG lymphography showed a dermal backflow pattern in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest the importance of dual diagnosis by examination of the lymphatic system using ICG lymphography and evaluation of edema in subcutaneous fat tissue using MRI

Ultrasonographic characteristics of small hepatocellular carcinoma.

The ultrasonographic characteristics of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC) were investigated. Four typical features of HCCs, "mosaic internal echo pattern", "halo", "lateral shadow" and "posterior echo enhancement", were not recognized in minute HCCs smaller than 2 cm in diameter. These characteristics developed as the tumors grew. Only hypoechoic space-occupying lesions can be considered as small HCCs. In differentiating small HCCs from hypoechoic non-malignant space-occupying lesions in the cirrhotic liver, the ratios of short to long dimensions of the lesions seemed to be important since the ratios of HCCs were significantly larger than those of non-malignant lesions. The fact that 3 hyperechoic small HCCs could not be diagnosed even by celiac arteriography has suggested to us that ultrasonically guided biopsies should be performed in order to differentiate from small hemangiomas. Serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) levels of 1/3 of the patients with HCCs were below 100 ng/ml, indicating that it is impossible to detect small HCCs only by measuring serum AFP.</p

Activation of Src Mediates PDGF-Induced Smad1 Phosphorylation and Contributes to the Progression of Glomerulosclerosis in Glomerulonephritis

Platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF) plays critical roles in mesangial cell (MC) proliferation in mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis. We showed previously that Smad1 contributes to PDGF-dependent proliferation of MCs, but the mechanism by which Smad1 is activated by PDGF is not precisely known. Here we examined the role of c-Src tyrosine kinase in the proliferative change of MCs. Experimental mesangial proliferative glomerulonephritis (Thy1 GN) was induced by a single intravenous injection of anti-rat Thy-1.1 monoclonal antibody. In Thy1 GN, MC proliferation and type IV collagen (Col4) expression peaked on day 6. Immunohistochemical staining for the expression of phospho-Src (pSrc), phospho-Smad1 (pSmad1), Col4, and smooth muscle α-actin (SMA) revealed that the activation of c-Src and Smad1 signals in glomeruli peaked on day 6, consistent with the peak of mesangial proliferation. When treated with PP2, a Src inhibitor, both mesangial proliferation and sclerosis were significantly reduced. PP2 administration also significantly reduced pSmad1, Col4, and SMA expression. PDGF induced Col4 synthesis in association with increased expression of pSrc and pSmad1 in cultured MCs. In addition, PP2 reduced Col4 synthesis along with decreased pSrc and pSmad1 protein expression in vitro. Moreover, the addition of siRNA against c-Src significantly reduced the phosphorylation of Smad1 and the overproduction of Col4. These results provide new evidence that the activation of Src/Smad1 signaling pathway plays a key role in the development of glomerulosclerosis in experimental glomerulonephritis

The Ganymede Laser Altimeter (GALA) for the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE): Mission, science, and instrumentation of its receiver modules

The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) is a science mission led by the European Space Agency, being developed for launch in 2023. The Ganymede Laser Altimeter (GALA) is an instrument onboard JUICE, whose main scientific goals are to understand ice tectonics based on topographic data, the subsurface structure by measuring tidal response, and small-scale roughness and albedo of the surface. In addition, from the perspective of astrobiology, it is imperative to study the subsurface ocean scientifically. The development of GALA has proceeded through an international collaboration between Germany (the lead), Japan, Switzerland, and Spain. Within this framework, the Japanese team (GALA-J) is responsible for developing three receiver modules: the Backend Optics (BEO), the Focal Plane Assembly (FPA), and the Analog Electronics Module (AEM). Like the German team, GALA-J also developed software to simulate the performance of the entire GALA system (performance model). In July 2020, the Proto-Flight Models of BEO, FPA, and AEM were delivered from Japan to Germany. This paper presents an overview of JUICE/GALA and its scientific objectives and describes the instrumentation, mainly focusing on Japan’s contribution