The relative biological effectiveness of accelerated carbon ions with different LET for inducing mitotic crossing over and intragenic reversion of the white-ivory allele in Drosophila larvae

We previously described an expression cassette that relies on the tobacco etch virus (TEV) nuclear inclusion a (NIa) protease and leads to the coordinated accumulation of multiple proteins through self processing of a polyprotein [21]. However, low levels of proteins accumulated when the full-length protease was encoded within the polyprotein [22]. Studies were conducted to evaluate whether the disruption of NIa nuclear localization would affect the levels of proteins produced via the cassette. Modifications comprised either removal of its nuclear localization signals (NLSs), removal of the VPg domain (which includes the NLSs), and fusion to the 6 kDa protein, previously demonstrated to be a viral cytoplasmic anchor [28]. In in vitro translation reactions and in vivo protoplast experiments the modified NIa retained sequence-specific proteolysis. Moreover, the removal of the NLSs correlated with an increase in GUS reporter accumulation. The modified cassette, pPRO10, led to the synthesis of up to three viral coat protein (CPs) in addition to NIa. However, the accumulation of proteins in protoplasts depended upon the position of the CP coding sequence within the cassette as well as on the stability of the protein.     

Occurrence of ateliosis in Japanese Black calves and their secretory function of growth hormone

Unthrifty calves occurred sporadically in Japanese Black (beef cattle) in an area in northeastern Japan. The states of unthrifty development, pedigree, clinico-biochemistry and the secretory function of bovine growth hormone (bGH) in pituitary were investigated. The total cholesterol concentration and CK, AST and LDH activities in the serum showed higher values than those of control calves. Basal bGH concentrations in the serum and bGH secretory reactivity in the insulin tolerance test (ITT) were showed to be significantly lower than those of the control calves. Furthermore, sperm donated from a specific bull had been used for these unthrifty calves. This study suggested that the present occurrence of unthrifty calves represented ateliosis possibly caused by congenital hypopituitarism which decreased of bGH secretory function.     

Factors affecting mandibular complications in low dose rate brachytherapy for oral tongue carcinoma with special reference to spacer

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of a spacer in the prevention of mandibular complications in low dose rate (LDR) brachytherapy (BRT) for oral tongue carcinoma. METHODS AND MATERIALS: A retrospective analysis was conducted using 103 patients with T1 or T2 tongue carcinoma treated by a single plane implantation of iridium (192Ir) pins between 1979-1994. Of these patients, 60 were treated by BRT alone, and the rest were combined with external irradiation (Ext) and/or chemotherapy (CHT). Forty-eight and 55 patients were given BRT with and without a spacer, respectively. Spacers were individually made of acrylic resin according to a prosthetic technique so as to obtain the thickness of 7-10 mm at the lingual part of the implanted side. Variables, including a spacer, which may be associated with the development of osteoradionecrosis (ORN) of the mandible, were analyzed by the Cox proportional hazards regression analysis. RESULTS: Our spacer reduced about 50% of the absorbed dose at the lingual side surface of the lower gingiva (LSG) to that in the absence of a spacer. Absolute incidence of ORN was 2.1% (1 of 48) and 40.0% (22 of 55), with and without a spacer, respectively, and the difference was statistically significant by univariate analysis (p = 0.0004). It was revealed by the Cox analysis that the spacer (p = 0.0247), combined CHT (p = 0.0295), and combined Ext (p = 0.0279) were significant independent factors associated with the development of ORN. The spacer was shown to be a significant factor by univariate analysis (p = 0.0037), but not by multivariate analysis when analysis was restricted to the patients who did not receive CHT. The absorbed dose, dose rate, and biological effective dose (BED) reflecting early or late response were estimated at the LSG, and prognosticators associated with the incidence of ORN were also determined by the Cox analysis. Particularly, BED for late response by BRT, the total absorbed dose, and any BED by Ext plus BRT were highly significant factors in the whole population. Essentially similar results were obtained in the patients without receiving CHT. CONCLUSIONS: It was clarified that our spacer effectively prevents mandibular complications in LDR BRT by 192Ir for oral tongue carcinoma. Furthermore, introduction of a spacer provided novel information concerning the development of ORN, where BED particularly for late response given by BRT, the total absorbed dose, and any BED by Ext plus BRT could be good prognostic factors only when estimated at the LSG.     

Preventive effects of diclofenac ophthalmic solution on post-cataract-surgical cystoid macular edema

Using eyes undergoing phacoemulsification followed by implantation of a foldable acrylic intraocular lens (IOL) designed for small-incision cataract surgery, a multi-center study was performed to compare a non-steroidal ophthalmic solution (0.1% diclofenac) to a steroidal ophthalmic solution (0.1% fluorometholone) in preventing cystoid macular edema (CME) and inducing disruption of the blood-aqueous barrier determined by laser flare cellmetry. The incidence of CME, noted in 3 out of 53 eyes (5.7%) receiving diclofenac and in 29 out of 53 eyes (54.7%) receiving fluorometholone, was significantly lower in the diclofenac group. The flare in the anterior chamber was also significantly lower in the diclofenac group; when compared between eyes with and without CME, the amount of flare was significantly higher in the former group. These findings suggest that diclofenac effectively prevents CME following cataract surgery and that CME is closely related to the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier.     

锂离子二次电池用涂炭石墨阳极

开发了一种新型涂炭天然石墨，由这种材料制备的锂离子电池阳极材料显示了卓越的电化学性能。通过应用该涂炭技术，使得PC基电解液的电池效率得到了明显改善。     

Examination of the long-term stability of radiation survey meters and electronic pocket dosemeters

To describe the stability of radiation survey meters (RSMs) and electronic pocket dosemeters (EPDs), we examined 28 EPDs and 24 RSMs: 12 used NaI(Tl) scintillation RSMs and 12 used Geiger-Muller(GM) RSMs. We used simple methods for the relative calibration of the 24 RSMs and 28 EPDs. The RSM and EPD measurements were compared with a calibrated RSM and EPD (reference: traceable from the national standard of exposure) using a homemade measurement device to maintain the reproducibility of the measurements with reference radiation sources (i.e. 137Cs, 90Sr and 67Ga). The response of RSMs and EPDs, especially after prolonged use, should be checked periodically. In particular, GMRSMs that have been in use for many years have very low sensitivity and poor reproducibility. Our simple method for the relative calibration of RSMs and EPDs was shown to be effective for quality assurance purposes in checking RSMs and EPDs. We recommend regular checks and calibration for sustained performance of RSMs and EPDs.     

Techniques for imaging human metaphase chromosomes in liquid conditions by atomic force microscopy

The purpose of this study was to obtain three-dimensional images of wet chromosomes by atomic force microscopy (AFM) in liquid conditions. Human metaphase chromosomes-obtained either by chromosome spreads or by an isolation technique-were observed in a dynamic mode by AFM in a buffer solution. Under suitable operating conditions with a soft triangular cantilever (with the spring constant of 0.08-0.4?N?m(-1)), clear images of fixed chromosomes in the chromosome spread were obtained by AFM. For imaging isolated chromosomes with the height of more than 400?nm, a cantilever with a high aspect ratio probing tip was required. The combination of a Q-control system and the sampling intelligent scan (SIS) system in dynamic force mode AFM was useful for obtaining high-quality images of the isolated chromosomes, in which globular or cord-like structures about 50?nm thick were clearly observed on the surface of each chromatid.     

Intraoperative monitoring of depth-dependent hemoglobin concentration changes during carotid endarterectomy by time-resolved spectroscopy

By measuring the adult human head during carotid endarterectomy, we investigate the depth sensitivity of two methods for deriving the absorption coefficient changes (Dmu(a)) from time-resolved reflectance data to absorption changes in inhomogeneous media: (1) the curve-fitting method based on the diffusion equation (DE-fit method) and (2) the time-independent calculation based on the modified Lambert-Beer law (MLB method). Remarkable differences in the determined values of Dmu(a) caused by clamping the external carotid artery and subsequently clamping the common carotid artery were observed between the methods. The DE-fit method was more sensitive to mu(a) changes in cerebral tissues, whereas the MLB method was rather sensitive to mu(a) changes in the extracerebral tissues. Our results indicated that the DE-fit was useful for monitoring the cerebral blood circulation and oxygenation during neurosurgical operations. In addition, the combined evaluation of mu(a) changes with the DE-fit and MLB methods will provide us with more available information about the hemodynamic changes in the depth direction.     

Damage Monitoring of Ball Bearing

A simple method and low cost equipment have been developed for monitoring the damage that occurs on rolling surfaces of the ball bearing in machine tool spindle. The monitoring identifies the initiation and the progress of geometrical damage of bearing surfaces and issues a warning prior to the end of bearing life.     

Assembly study for JT-60SA tokamak

The assembly scenarios and assembly tools of the major tokamak components for JT-60SA are studied in the following. (1) The assembly frame (with a dedicated 30-tonne crane), which is located around the JT-60SA tokamak, is adopted for effective assembly works in the torus hall and the temporary support of the components during assembly. (2) Metrology for precise positioning of the components is also studied by defining the metrology points on the components. (3) The sector segmentation for weld joints and positioning of the vacuum vessel (VV), the assembly scenario and tools for VV thermal shield (TS), the connection of the outer intercoil structure (OIS) and the installation of the final toroidal field coil (TFC) are studied, as typical examples of the assembly scenarios and tools for JT-60SA.