Approach to Object Hardness Prediction by Rubber Ball Hardness Prediction Using Capsule Network

A hardness is often used as an index to compare similar objects such as fruits or wood. To measure an object’s hardness, a hardness meter is required, and certain conditions must be met. The conditions are that the hardness meter is compatible with the object and must be close at hand. This research shows the possibility of measuring hardness without a hardness meter using a neural network. The method employs machine learning using a capsule network (CapsNet) of a neural network model. This research experimented using CapsNet with routing-by-agreement, CapsNet with expectation-maximization routing (EM routing) and the EM routing method with the addition of Tasks-Constrained Deep Convolutional Network (TCDCN). The four-layer CapsNet with EM routing implemented has achieved the state-of-the-art.  Multi-layered CapsNet with EM routing was a very effective method for regression analysis as well. And, CapsNet has higher discriminative power using EM-routing than routing-by-agreement

Prevention of hypoglycemia by intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring device combined with structured education in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus : A randomized, crossover trial

Aims: We conducted a randomized, crossover trial to compare intermittent-scanning continuous glucose monitoring (isCGM) device with structured education (Intervention) to self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) (Control) in the reduction of time below range. Methods: This crossover trial involved 104 adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) using multiple daily injections. Participants were randomly allocated to either sequence Intervention/Control or sequence Control/Intervention. During the Intervention period which lasted 84 days, participants used the first-generation FreeStyle Libre (Abbott Diabetes Care, Alameda, CA, USA) and received structured education on how to prevent hypoglycemia based on the trend arrow and by frequent sensor scanning (≥10 times a day). Confirmatory SMBG was conducted before dosing insulin. The Control period lasted 84 days. The primary endpoint was the decrease in the time below range (TBR; <70 mg/dL). Results: The time below range was significantly reduced in the Intervention arm compared to the Control arm (2.42 ± 1.68 h/day [10.1 %±7.0 %] vs 3.10 ± 2.28 h/day [12.9 %±9.5 %], P = 0.012). The ratio of high-risk participants with low blood glucose index >5 was significantly reduced (8.6 % vs 23.7 %, P < 0.001). Conclusions: The use of isCGM combined with structured education significantly reduced the time below range in patients with T1DM

On the origin and evolution of the asteroid Ryugu: A comprehensive geochemical perspective

Presented here are the observations and interpretations from a comprehensive analysis of 16 representative particles returned from the C-type asteroid Ryugu by the Hayabusa2 mission. On average Ryugu particles consist of 50% phyllosilicate matrix, 41% porosity and 9% minor phases, including organic matter. The abundances of 70 elements from the particles are in close agreement with those of CI chondrites. Bulk Ryugu particles show higher δ18O, Δ17O, and ε54Cr values than CI chondrites. As such, Ryugu sampled the most primitive and least-thermally processed protosolar nebula reservoirs. Such a finding is consistent with multi-scale H-C-N isotopic compositions that are compatible with an origin for Ryugu organic matter within both the protosolar nebula and the interstellar medium. The analytical data obtained here, suggests that complex soluble organic matter formed during aqueous alteration on the Ryugu progenitor planetesimal (several 10’s of km), <2.6 Myr after CAI formation. Subsequently, the Ryugu progenitor planetesimal was fragmented and evolved into the current asteroid Ryugu through sublimation

Thrombin generation capacity is enhanced by low antithrombin activity and depends on the activity of the related coagulation factors

Background Supplementation with antithrombin (AT) concentrates is now common in the treatment of congenital and acquired AT deficiency. However, there is no established consensus on the target and timing of supplementation. We aimed to elucidate the effects of AT deficiency on the balance between coagulation activation and inhibition using a thrombin generation assay as in vitro global assay. Methods Samples were prepared by admixing commercially acquired AT-deficient plasma with < 1% AT activity with pooled normal plasma. The AT activity in each sample was adjusted to 100, 90, 70, 50, 40, 30, 10, 5, and < 1%. A thrombin generation assay was performed in each sample. AT concentrate-spiked samples were also prepared by adjusting the AT activities in four types of the concentrates: one recombinant and three plasma-derived AT concentrates. The final targeted AT activities in the samples were adjusted to 100, 50, 30, and 5% by spiking each concentrate into the AT-deficient plasma. We also prepared samples with five levels of prothrombin time (PT) % in coagulation factors with the AT activity fixed at 30% by dilution by mixing AT-deficient plasma and normal plasma with Owren's veronal buffer to adjust the coagulation factor activities in several proportions. The theoretical target PT% values were 100, 66, 50, 40, and 30%. A thrombin generation assay was performed on all samples. Results The ability to generate thrombin depended on the AT activity, and the amount of thrombin generation was increased as AT was decreased. Additionally, the amount of thrombin generation was changed significantly when AT activity was <= 50%, indicating that AT suppressed thrombin generation. In particular, thrombin generation was remarkable when AT activity was < 30%, and it can be assumed that the prognosis is poor due to organ failure from thrombotic tendency. Conclusions The results presented in this basic research were found to be consistent with the clinical findings to date. The mechanism by which 30-50% of AT activity is set as the clinical boundary was elucidated by the thrombin generation assay

A potential function for neuronal exosomes : Sequestering intracerebral amyloid-beta peptide

Elevated amyloid-beta peptide (A beta) in brain contributes to Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. We demonstrated the presence of exosome-associated A beta in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of cynomolgus monkeys and APP transgenic mice. The levels of exosome-associated A beta notably decreased in the CSF of aging animals. We also determined that neuronal exosomes, but not glial exosomes, had abundant glycosphingolipids and could capture A beta. Infusion of neuronal exosomes into brains of APP transgenic mice decreased A beta and amyloid depositions, similarly to what reported previously on neuroblastoma-derived exosomes. These findings highlight the role of neuronal exosomes in A beta clearance, and suggest that their downregulation might relate to Ab accumulation and, ultimately, the development of AD pathology. (C) 2014 Federation of European Biochemical Societies. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

RNA Aptamer Binds Heparin-Binding Epidermal Growth Factor-Like Growth Factor with High Affinity and Specificity and Neutralizes Its Activity

Background: Heparin-binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF) is a member of the EGF family and is involved in various diseases including cancers. Aptamers are synthetic oligonucleotides (RNA or DNA) that fold into unique three-dimensional structures and specifically bind to their targets with high affinity. We aimed to generate an aptamer with high affinity and specificity for HB-EGF. Methods: Recombinant human HB-EGF (rhHB-EGF), comprised of the extracellular EGF-like and heparin-binding domains of HB-EGF, was used as the target. The aptamer against HB-EGF (the anti-HB-EGF aptamer) was obtained by systematic evolution of ligands by exponential enrichment (SELEX). Results: After the 10th round of SELEX, aptamers were reverse-transcribed and PCR-amplified. Within obtained forty-six clones, twenty-three were identical (the anti-HB-EGF aptamer). The analysis using wireless-electrodeless quartz crystal microbalance revealed that the anti-HB-EGF aptamer had high affinity for rhHB-EGF (KD value: 12.2 ± 1.1 nmol/L). The dot-blot analysis revealed that the anti-HB-EGF aptamer specifically bound to rhHB-EGF. The analysis using confocal microscopy indicated that the anti-HB-EGF aptamer also bound to membrane-bound HB-EGF. Western-blot assay indicated that the anti-HB-EGF aptamer inhibited the phosphorylation of rhHB-EGF-mediated EGF receptor (EGFR). Conclusion: We identified a novel RNA aptamer that bound with high affinity and specificity to rhHB-EGF and potently inhibited the rhHB-EGF-mediated phosphorylation of EGFR. The anti-HB-EGF aptamer may be a promising therapeutic agent for specifically neutralizing HB-EGF signaling

Targeted Therapy for Acute Autoimmune Myocarditis with Nano-Sized Liposomal FK506 in Rats

Immunosuppressive agents are used for the treatment of immune-mediated myocarditis; however, the need to develop a more effective therapeutic approach remains. Nano-sized liposomes may accumulate in and selectively deliver drugs to an inflammatory lesion with enhanced vascular permeability. The aims of this study were to investigate the distribution of liposomal FK506, an immunosuppressive drug encapsulated within liposomes, and the drug’s effects on cardiac function in a rat experimental autoimmune myocarditis (EAM) model. We prepared polyethylene glycol-modified liposomal FK506 (mean diameter: 109.5 ± 4.4 nm). We induced EAM by immunization with porcine myosin and assessed the tissue distribution of the nano-sized beads and liposomal FK506 in this model. After liposomal or free FK506 was administered on days 14 and 17 after immunization, the cytokine expression in the rat hearts along with the histological findings and hemodynamic parameters were determined on day 21. Ex vivo fluorescent imaging revealed that intravenously administered fluorescent-labeled nano-sized beads had accumulated in myocarditic but not normal hearts on day 14 after immunization and thereafter. Compared to the administration of free FK506, FK506 levels were increased in both the plasma and hearts of EAM rats when liposomal FK506 was administered. The administration of liposomal FK506 markedly suppressed the expression of cytokines, such as interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α, and reduced inflammation and fibrosis in the myocardium on day 21 compared to free FK506. The administration of liposomal FK506 also markedly ameliorated cardiac dysfunction on day 21 compared to free FK506. Nano-sized liposomes may be a promising drug delivery system for targeting myocarditic hearts with cardioprotective agents