Apaf-l-deficient fog mouse cell apoptosis involves hypopolarization of the mitochondrial inner membrane, ATP depletion and citrate accumulation

To explore how the intrinsic apoptosis pathway is controlled in the spontaneous fog （forebrain overgrowth） mutant mice with an Apafl splicing deficiency, we examined spleen and bone marrow cells from Apafl＋/＋ （＋/＋） and Apafl^fog/fog （fog/fog） mice for initiator caspase-9 activation by cellular stresses. When the mitochondrial inner membrane potential （△ψm） was disrupted by staurosporine, ＋/＋ cells but not fog/fog cells activated caspase-9 to cause apoptosis, indicating the lack of apoptosome （apoptosis protease activating factor 1 （Apaf-l）/cytochrome c/（d）ATP/procaspase-9） function in fog/fog cells. However, when a marginal （-20%） decrease in △ψm was caused by hydrogen peroxide （0.1 mM）, peroxynitrite donor 3-morpholinosydnonimine （0.1 mM） and UV-C irradiation （20 J/m^2）, both ＋/＋ and fog/fog cells triggered procaspase-9 auto-processing and its downstream cascade activation. Supporting our previous results, procaspase-9 pre-existing in the mitochondria induced its auto-processing before the cytosolic caspase activation regardless of the genotypes. Cellular ATP concentration significantly decreased under the hypoactive △ψm condition. Furthermore, we detected accumulation of citrate, a kosmotrope known to facilitate procaspase-9 dimerization, probably due to a feedback control of the Krebs cycle by the electron transfer system. Thus, mitochondrial in situ caspase-9 activation may be caused by the major metabolic reactions in response to physiological stresses, which may represent a mode of Apaf-l-independent apoptosis hypothesized from recent genetic studies.

Selective Heating of Transition Metal Usings Hydrogen Plasma and Its Application to Formation of Nickel Silicide Electrodes for Silicon Ultralarge-Scale Integration Devices

We developed an apparatus for producing high-density hydrogen plasma. The atomic hydrogen density was 3.1 × 1021 m?3 at a pressure of 30 Pa, a microwave power of 1000 W, and a hydrogen gas flow rate of 10 sccm. We confirmed that the temperatures of transition-metal films increased to above 800。C within 5 s when they were exposed to hydrogen plasma formed using the apparatus. We applied this phenomenon to the selective heat treatment of nickel films deposited on silicon wafers and formed nickel silicide electrodes. We found that this heat phenomenon automatically stopped after the nickel slicidation reaction finished. To utilize this method, we can perform the nickel silicidation process without heating the other areas such as channel regions and improve the reliability of silicon ultralarge-scale integration devices.

Start-Up Acceleration of Quartz Crystal Oscillator Using Active Inductance Double Resonance and Embedded Triggering Circuit

Low-frequency double-resonance quartz crystal oscillator was developed with active inductance circuit aiming the start-up of stable oscillation of tuning fork-type quartz crystal resonator at 32.768 kHz within 0.37 ms. The initial oscillation is triggered by a part of crystal oscillator forming a CR oscillator. The negative resistance ranges to 4 MΩ at gmf of 4.1 μA/V. In a limited frequency range, the circuit shows negative reactance Ccci = -3.4 pF equivalent to inductance Lcc = 9.8 H. The Allan standard deviation indicated 10-11 to 10-10, showing high stability comparable to general quartz crystal oscillator.

Simultaneous Multimode Oscillation of Stress-Compensated Cut Quartz Resonator with Narrow-Band Wide Variable-Range Quartz Crystal Oscillator

A multimode-quartz-crystal oscillator was developed to excite stable dual-mode resonance at different frequencies: The oscillation of the 3rd harmonic resonance of the principle C-mode and an additional resonance B-mode of SC-cut crystal. Harmonic combinations of the 3rd and fundamental mode of B-mode with the 3rd harmonics of C-mode are demonstrated. The measurement of the temperature dependence of the oscillation frequency is demonstrated along with the stability determined by root Allan variance. Dependence on the open conductance of the active circuit and the dependence on the coupling capacitors are discussed.

Immunohistochemical Study of Serum Proteins in Normal and Cadmium-Treated Mouse Testis by in vivo Cryotechnique

Objective To investigate time-dependent changes of serum proteins permeability in the normal and cadmium（Cd）-treated mouse testis, reflecting tight junctional （TJ） barriers of Sertoli cells Methods The serum proteins, albumin and immunoglobulin-G（IgG）, in the seminiferous tubules were firstly immobilized by the “in vivo cryotechnique”, in which the dynamic blood circulation was always kept. The cryofixed testicular tissues were then processed for the freeze-substitution method, and embedded in the paraffin wax. Serial sections of 5μm thickness were immunostained by anti-mouse albumin or IgG antibody with peroxidase immunostaining, and also stained with hematoxylin-eosine （HE）for morphological observation. Results In normal seminiferous tubules, albumin immunoreaction products were localized around peritubular myoid cells and among Leydig cells, as well as in blood vessels. They were also localized as arch-like patterns around some spermatogonia in basal compartments. The number of the immunopositive arch structures was different according to developmental stages of the seminiferous cycle, judging from the arrangement of germ cells by HE-staining. The patterns of localization of IgG immunostaining in normal mouse testis were similar to that of albumin. In 24 h after Cd-treatment, some enlarged spaces and vesicular formation in the seminiferous epithelium were observed on the paraffin sections by HE-staining. The albumin or IgGimmunolocalization was seen not only in the basal compartments, but also in the adluminal compartments between Sertoli.cells and germ cells. Conclusion The structural changes of inter-Sertoli TJ barriers in vivo, such as different immunostaining patterns of serum proteins between the normal and Cd-treated mouse seminiferous tubules, could be clearly detected by the “in vivo cryotechnique” with albumin or IgG immunohistochemistry.

Child Care Providers’ Perceptions of Children’s Lifestyles and Risk Factors for Obesity: A Focus Group Study

Objective: This study attempts to understand child care providers’ perceptions of remarkable children’s lifestyles and discusses potentially successful strategies of cooperation among child care providers, parents, and health professionals for health promotion and the prevention of obesity in preschool children. Methods: We conducted 6 focus group discussions consisting of 34 child care providers employed by private and public child care centers, and a public kindergarten in Yamanashi Prefecture, Japan. Systematic thematic analysis was conducted to generate themes to address the study questions. Results: What the focus group participants discussed with felt mainly into the 3 different kinds of points: “Concerns of Child Care Providers Regarding Parental Attitudes about Nutrition and Nurture,” “Tensions between Parents and Child Care Providers,” and “Current Obesity Prevention Activities and the Role of Child Care Professionals.” Conclusions: Childcare providers had many concerns that fell into 5 main issues of the possible detrimental effects on children’s health due to parents’ nurturing methods and lifestyles. Participants described possible strategies for the prevention of childhood obesity in childcare settings as well as barriers to effective intervention. Childcare providers felt that a system to demand helps from public health nurses in guiding parents would be effective in preventing childhood obesity.

Dietary fat intake of Japanese male children and its associated factors: Results of the 1995 National Nutrition Survey in Japan

Aim: To clarify the factors associated with reported dietary fat intake by Japanese male children. Methods: This study is based on the data of a nationally representative cross-sectional study in Japan. Three hundred and seventy-seven male children (age, 6 - 11 years) whose households were sampled in the 1995 Comprehensive Survey of Living Conditions of the People on Health and Welfare, and the 1995 National Nutrition Survey and whose parents were identified through record linkage between the 2 survey data sets were enrolled. Results: The final dataset in this study consisted of 377 boys with 329 of their parents. Fifty-two boys were found to be overweight (13.8%). The reported dietary fat intake was higher among the overweight boys than among the non-overweight boys. Maternal obesity was significantly associated with obesity in male children. Boys who frequently consumed foods from the “fats and lipids” group and the “meat” groups, and children from nuclear families rather than 3- generation families reported high dietary fat intake. In addition, parental fat intake was also significantly associated with fat intake of male children. Conclusions: Child and parental dietary habits along with the household status should be considered when implementing nutritional education programmes to control dietary fat intake and reduce the obesity risks of male children.

Ohmic Hetero-Junction of n-Type Silicon and Tungsten Trioxide for Visible-Light Sensitive Photocatalyst

Visible light-sensitive photocatalyst was developed by combining n-type silicon (n-Si) and tungsten trioxide (WO3, n-Si/WO3), yielding an ohmic contact in between. In this system, the ohmic contact acted as an electron-and-hole mediator for the transfer of electrons and holes in the conduction band (CB) of WO3 and in the valence band (VB) of n-Si, respectively. Utilizing thus- constructed n-Si/WO3, the decomposition of 2-propanolto CO2 via acetone was achieved under visible light irradiation, by the contribution of holes in the VB of WO3 to decompose 2-propanol and the consumption of electrons in the CB of n-Si to reduce O2. The combination of p-type Si (p-Si) and WO3 (p-Si/ WO3), not the ohmic contact but the rectifying contact, was much less effective, compared to n-Si/WO3.

Reduction of Dislocation Densities of Ge Layers Grown on Si Substrates by Using Microwave Plasma Heating and Fabrication of High Hole Mobility MOSFETs on Ge Layers

We have developed a microwave plasma heating technique to rapidly heat the transition metal. W/SiO2 layers were deposited on Ge/Si heterostructures. By heating the W, dislocations in Ge layers originated from lattice mismatch between Ge and Si crystals were reduced drastically. We have fabricated p- MOSFETs on Ge/Si substrates and realized higher mobility of about 380 cm2/ Vs than that of Si p-MOSFET.

Enhanced Visible-Light-Sensitive Two-Step Overall Water-Splitting Based on Band Structure Controls of Titanium Dioxide and Strontium Titanate

Visible light-induced two-step overall water-splitting was achieved by combining two types of photocatalysts, which were prepared by introducing foreign elements into rutile titanium dioxide (TiO2) and strontium titanate (SrTiO3) with a controlled electronic band structure. Rutile TiO2 and SrTiO3 were doped with chromium and tantalum (Cr,Ta-TiO2) and with rhodium (Rh-SrTiO3), respectively, to introduce visible-light sensitivity. Under irradiation with only visible light from a 420-nm LED lamp, the simultaneous liberation of hydrogen and oxygen with a molar ratio of ~2:1 was achieved with these two types of photocatalysts in the presence of iodate ion/iodide ion as a redox mediator.

Formation of Poly-Si Films on Glass Substrates by Using Microwave Plasma Heating and Fabrication of TFT’s on the Films

We have developed an apparatus for producing high-density hydrogen plasma. The atomic hydrogen density was 3.0 × 1021 m?3 at a pressure of 30 Pa, a microwave power of 1000 W, and a hydrogen gas flow rate of 5 sccm. We confirmed that the temperatures of tungsten films increased to above 1000?C within 5 s when they were exposed to hydrogen plasma formed using the apparatus. We applied this phenomenon to the selective heat treatment of tungsten films deposited on amorphous silicon films on glass substrates and formed polycrystalline silicon films. To utilize this method, we can perform the crystalline process only on device regions. TFTs were fabricated on the polycrystalline silicon films and the electron mobilities of 60 cm2/Vs were obtained.

Distribution and Possible Function of Cannabinoid Receptor Subtype 1 in the Human Prostate

Background: Cannabinoid receptor subtype 1 (CB1) has a relationship to the proliferation of various cells including malignant tumoral cells. We investigated and compared the expression of CB1 in benign and malignant human prostate tissues and in benign and malignant human prostate cell lines, as well as its function for the proliferation of human prostate cancer cells. Methods: Real-time quantitative PCR was performed to compare its expressions in human prostate tissues (normal, benign hyperplasia, and cancer) and prostate cell lines (3 normal and 3 malignant). For localization of CB1, immunofluorescent staining with rabbit anti-CB1 polyclonal antibodies and tetramethyl isothiocyanate (TRITC)-labeled swine anti-rabbit immunoglobulin (DAKO) were used under fluorescence microscope. To further analyze whether cell death was induced by anandamide (non-selective agonist for CB1/CB2) via a receptor dependent mechanism, the viability of DU145 cells, which is known as androgen-insensitive prostate cancer cell, was measured using MTT assay. Results: CB1mRNA was found to be expressed in the all 3 human prostate tissues, however, CB1 protein was expressed in BPH and low grade malignant PC tissues, but not in high grade malignant PC tissues. CB1 as for cell lines, the expression of CB1 was low in malignant cell lines except for DU145. Anandamide elicited cell death, which was significantly inhibited by AM251 (selective antagonist for CB1), indicating that cell death induced by anandamide in DU145 cells was mediated by CB1. Anandamide time-dependently elicits up-regulation of CB1 in DU145 cells. Conclusions: CB1 may be an inhibitory regulator of androgen-insensitive human prostate cancer epithelial cell growth.

Material Conformity and Bactericidal Characteristics of High-Density Ozone Disinfection in Vinyl Polysiloxane Impression and PMMA Dentistry Fillings

Disinfection was investigated in high-density ozone produced by dielectric barrier discharge under atmospheric pressure. Disinfection was studied on three-dimensional carriers made of hydrophilic vinyl-polysiloxane impression material and granular acrylic resin used for oral surgery. Experimental results indicate disinfection of spore-forming bacteria: Geobacillus stearothermophilus and Bacillus atrophaeus, and selected species of opportunistic pathogens: Aspergillus niger, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, and Candida albicans.

Using Artificial Neural Network to Estimate Sediment Load in Ungauged Catchments of the Tonle Sap River Basin, Cambodia

Concern on alteration of sediment natural flow caused by developments of water resources system, has been addressed in many river basins around the world especially in developing and remote regions where sediment data are poorly gauged or ungauged. Since suspended sediment load (SSL) is predominant, the objectives of this research are to: 1) simulate monthly average SSL (SSLm) of four catchments using artificial neural network (ANN);2) assess the application of the calibrated ANN (Cal-ANN) models in three ungauged catchment representatives (UCR) before using them to predict SSLm of three actual ungauged catchments (AUC) in the Tonle Sap River Basin;and 3) estimate annual SSL (SSLA) of each AUC for the case of with and without dam-reservoirs. The model performance for total load (SSLT) prediction was also investigated because it is important for dam-reservoir management. For model simulation, ANN yielded very satisfactory results with determination coefficient (R2) ranging from 0.81 to 0.94 in calibration stage and 0.63 to 0.87 in validation stage. The Cal-ANN models also performed well in UCRs with R2 ranging from 0.59 to 0.64. From the result of this study, one can estimate SSLm and SSLT of ungauged catchments with an accuracy of 0.61 in term of R2 and 34.06% in term of absolute percentage bias, respectively. SSLA of the AUCs was found between 159,281 and 723,580 t/year. In combination with Brune’s method, the impact of dam-reservoirs could reduce SSLA between 47% and 68%. This result is key information for sustainable development of such infrastructures.

Enhancement of Oxygen Evolution Activity of Ruddlesden-Popper-Type Strontium Ferrite by Stabilizing Fe4⁺

Development of active iron based water oxidation for designing an ideal artificial photosynthesis devices operating under benign neutral pH is highly demanded. We investigated the electrocatalytic activity of Ruddlesden-Pop-per-type strontium ferrite (Sr3Fe2O7) toward the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Owing to the temperature-dependent efficiency of the charge disproportionation of Fe4+, the OER activity of Sr3Fe2O7 varied with the temperature, and the onset potential for the OER at a neutral pH underwent a negative shift of approximately 200 mV by increasing the temperature for the stabilization of Fe4+. When metal substitution was made to Sr3Fe2O7 for stabilizing Fe4+ at room temperature, the temperature dependence of the OER activity disappeared and the OER was driven at a small overpotential without increasing the temperature, indicating that the stabilization of Fe4+ is substantially important for achieving high OER activity.

Degradation of Aqueous 2,6-Dibromophenol Solution by In-Liquid Dielectric Barrier Microplasma

Degradation of 2,6-dibromophenol (2,6-DBP) in the aqueous solution was studied using dielectric barrier discharge in micro-bubbles. Experimental comparison of working gas Ar, N2, O2, and air showed that oxygen and air plasma efficiently decomposed 2,6-DBP to bromide ion, and inorganic carbon. The molecular orbital model was applied in the analysis of the degradation in electrophilic, nucleophilic, and radical reactions.

Direct Evaluation of Transition Amplitude Using Determinant of Wave Operator in One-Dimensional Potential Scattering System

A determinantal formula is developed for direct evaluation of transition amplitude without solving the wave equation in a one-dimensional potential scattering system. Our formulation is 5ased on the principle that a desired quantity can be extracted from the wave operator, which is the master operator maintaining all the information of the system. This principle is tested in a simplified system, i.e,, in a one-dimensional potential scattering system. We are now developing a formula for direct evaluation of near-field amplitude to design a system, in which local field enhancement is desired.

Coupling Singular Spectrum Analysis with Artificial Neural Network to Improve Accuracy of Sediment Load Prediction

Sediment load estimation is generally required for study and development of water resources system. In this regard, artificial neural network (ANN) is the most widely used modeling tool especially in data-constraint regions. This research attempts to combine SSA (singular spectrum analysis) with ANN, hereafter called SSA-ANN model, with expectation to improve the accuracy of sediment load predicted by the existing ANN approach. Two different catchments located in the Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) were selected for the study and the model performance was measured by several statistical indices. In comparing with ANN, the proposed SSA-ANN model shows its better performance repeatedly in both catchments. In validation stage, SSA-ANN is superior for larger Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency about 24% in Ban Nong Kiang catchment and 7% in Nam Mae Pun Luang catchment. Other statistical measures of SSA-ANN are better than those of ANN as well. This improvement reveals the importance of SSA which filters noise containing in the raw time series and transforms the original input data to be near normal distribution which is favorable to model simulation. This coupled model is also recommended for the prediction of other water resources variables because extra input data are not required. Only additional computation, time series decomposition, is needed. The proposed technique could be potentially used to minimize the costly operation of sediment measurement in the LMB which is relatively rich in hydrometeorological records.

Pancreatic cancer secondary to intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm with collision between gastric cancer and B-cell lymphoma: A case report

BACKGROUND Patients with intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm(IPMN)have an increased risk of pancreatic and extrapancreatic malignancies.Lymphomas are rare extrapancreatic malignancies,and in situ collisions of early gastric cancer and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma(DLBCL)are even rarer.Here,we report the first case of pancreatic cancer comorbid with in situ collision of extrapancreatic malignancies(early gastric cancer and DLBCL)in a follow-up IPMN patient.Furthermore,we have made innovations in the treatment of such cases.CASE SUMMARY An 81-year-old Japanese female diagnosed with IPMN developed elevated carbohydrate antigen(CA)19-9 levels during follow-up.Because her CA19-9 levels continued to rise,endoscopic ultrasound(EUS)was performed and revealed a suspicious lesion at the pancreatic tail.However,lesions in the pancreas were not found by computed tomography,magnetic resonance imaging,or endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.To make an exact pathological diagnosis,EUS-guided fine needle aspiration was performed.To our supprise,early gastric cancer was found in preoperative gastroscopy.The gastric cancer was completely resected through endoscopic submucosal dissection before postoperative pathology identified early adenocarcinoma collided with DLBCL.Subsequent EUS-guided fine needle aspiration provided pathological support forthe pancreatic cancer diagnosis, and then laparoscopic distal pancreatectomy andsplenectomy were performed. CA19-9 levels returned to normal postoperatively.CONCLUSION Endoscopic submucosal dissection is appropriate for submucosal lymphomas inpatients intoleratant of chemotherapy. EUS can detect small IPMN-relatedpancreatic tumors.