Assessment of individual external exposure doses based on environmental radiation in areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station accident.

Assessing individual external exposure doses from ambient dose equivalents is valuable for predictive and retrospective purposes when personal dosimeters are impractical. This study developed a model to assess individual external exposure doses from ambient dose equivalents, considering daily life patterns (location and time spent in various places), and evaluated parameters associated with individual external exposure doses, such as the reduction effects of radiation due to buildings and vehicles. The model parameters were evaluated using the robust datasets of environmental radiation measured in areas affected by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS) accident.

Ultrasensitive Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering Platform for Protein Detection via Active Delivery to Nanogaps as a Hotspot.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an attractive technique in molecular detection with high sensitivity and label-free characteristics. However, its use in protein detection is limited by the large volume of proteins, hindering its approach to the narrow spaces of hotspots. In this study, we fabricated a Au nanoTriangle plate Array on Gel (AuTAG) as an SERS substrate by attaching a Au nanoTriangle plate (AuNT) arrangement on a thermoresponsive hydrogel surface.

Design of the Functional Dialysis Membrane with a Catalase Pseudoactive Center on the Surface.

Here, we have designed a functional dialysis membrane with a catalase pseudoactive center on the surface. To make the catalase pseudoactive center, we have modified the regenerated cellulose dialysis membrane with methylated or octylated poly(1-vinylimidazole) (PVIm-Me or PVIm-Oc), followed by manganese or iron tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyrin (Mn- or Fe-TCPP), using the layer-by-layer (LbL) method. As a result of the optimization, the dialysis membrane modified with 25 mol % methylated poly(1-vinylimidazole) [PVIm-Me(25)] and Mn-TCPP produced the highest amount of oxygen (O) from hydrogen peroxide (HO) without the decomposition of Mn-TCPP.

Accumulation of persistent organic pollutants in the kidneys of pet cats (Felis silvestris catus) and the potential implications for their health.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), such as polychlorinated diphenyls (PCBs) and brominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), are ubiquitous in the pet cat's living environment and are ingested through dietary intake and environmental exposure such as house dust. Cats are known to be susceptible to chronic kidney disease (CKD) and exposure to POPs may be associated with CKD. However, no studies have been conducted on the renal accumulation and health effects of POPs in cats.

Isolation and characterization of filamentous fungi capable of degrading the mycotoxin patulin.

Patulin is a toxic secondary metabolite synthesized by various fungal strains. This mycotoxin is generally toxic to microorganisms as well as mammals due to its reactivity with the important cellular antioxidant glutathione. In this study, we explored the presence of microorganisms capable of degrading patulin.

External exposure assessment in the Fukushima accident area for governmental policy planning in Japan; Part 2. Matters to be attended for assessments of external exposure.

After the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident, individual exposure doses to residents have been assessed by many municipalities, governments and research institutes. Various methods including measurements with personal dosimeters and simulations have been used for this evaluation depending on purposes, but the information of assessments and methods has not been systematically organized. A comprehensive review of the knowledge and experiences of individual exposure doses assessments accumulated so far and understanding the characteristics of the assessment methods will be very useful for radiation protection and risk communication, following to governmental policy planning.

External exposure assessment in the Fukushima accident area for governmental policy planning in Japan: part 1. Methodologies for personal dosimetry applied after the accident.

The evacuation order areas established due to the accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings' (TEPCO) Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) have been reorganized according to the decrease in ambient dose rates and the decontamination progress. The Japanese government decided to decontaminate the difficult-to-return areas and lift the evacuation order by 2030. This radiation protection strategy can be optimized by examining emergency exposure situations to date and the existing exposure after the accident.

Intercalation of a Cationic Cyanine Dye Assisted by Anionic Surfactants within Mg-Al Layered Double Hydroxide.

An original route for the intercalation of a 1,1'-diethyl-2,2'-cyanine iodide (PIC) cationic dye, through the use of anionic surfactants as vector/carrier phases, within Mg-Al layered double hydroxide (LDH) was investigated. From the data acquired from complementary techniques (X-ray diffraction, infrared and UV-visible spectroscopies, thermogravimetry, and fluorimetry), it appears that both the intercalation and aggregation states of the cationic dye within the internal structure of LDH mainly depend on both the surfactant state (monomer form or spherical micelle) and its amount. The intercalation of PIC at a low molar ratio to the anionic surfactant leads to the formation of -aggregates with singular fluorescence properties that mainly depend on the nature of the anionic surfactant used for the co-intercalation process.

Surface modification strategy for fluorescence solvatochromism of carbon dots prepared from p-phenylenediamine.

The fluorescence solvatochromism of p-phenylenediamine-derived carbon dots (CDs) was modulated through surface modification with decanoic acid or perfluorodecanoic acid. This is attributed to the adjustment of the dipole interaction between solvent molecules and the CD surface in terms of steric hindrance of a surface modifier and polarization of the modified CD surface.

Fluorescence Solvatochromism of Carbon Dot Dispersions Prepared from Phenylenediamine and Optimization of Red Emission.

Fluorescent carbon dots (CDs) are of interest as a promising alternative to quantum dots, partly because they do not include heavy metals. However, most CDs exhibit blue or green emission, while red-emitting CDs are required for a variety of applications. In the present work, CDs were synthesized by refluxing three phenylenediamine (PD) isomers with amino groups at different positions (-PD, -PD, and -PD) in diphenyl ether at 250 °C for 4 h.

Analysis of Dose Escalation of Propofol Associated With Frequent Sedation.

Patients with dental phobia frequently require intravenous sedation to complete dental treatment. We encountered a case of a patient who received frequent sedation by propofol, which required escalation in the dosage of propofol required. The patient was a healthy young female with severe dental phobia, and the dental procedures were initiated under intravenous sedation.

Increasing Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) proviral load is a risk factor for progression of Enzootic bovine leucosis: A prospective study in Japan.

Bovine leukemia virus (BLV) belongs to the genus Deltaretrovirus in the family Retroviridae, and is etiologically associated with Enzootic Bovine Leukosis (EBL). The majority of BLV-infected cattle remain asymptomatic throughout their productive lives, whereas approximately 5%-10% of infected cattle develop EBL. Data accumulated recently indicate that whole blood proviral load (PVL) levels of BLV-infected cattle could be an indicator of disease progression in the field.

[Comparison of outcomes of conventional laser versus pascal laser for diabetic retinopathy].

Purpose: To assess the efficacy and outcomes of PASCAL laser versus conventional laser for panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) in the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

Methods: A retrospective chart review of 26 eyes at Nagoya City University Hospital which had undergone PRP with a follow-up of at least 6 months. The study endpoints were change in visual outcome, central retinal thickness (CRT), laser setting parameters, and total number of PRP and complications.

Enhanced thermoelectric figure of merit in stannite-kuramite solid solutions Cu(2+x)Fe(1-x)SnS(4-y) (x = 0-1) with anisotropy lowering.

In this Article, we elucidate the structural and thermoelectric properties of stannite-kuramite solid solutions, Cu(2+x)Fe(1-x)SnS(4-y) (x = 0-1), with sulfur defects (y) ≤ 0.4. Structural analysis revealed that anisotropy decreases and Cu/Sn disorder increases with an increase in x.

Differences in the localization of the adenomatous polyposis coli-Asef/Asef2 complex between adenomatous polyposis coli wild-type and mutant cells.

The tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is mutated in familial adenomatous polyposis and in many sporadic colorectal tumors. Adenomatous polyposis coli is known to negatively regulate Wnt signaling by inducing the degradation of β-catenin. Adenomatous polyposis coli also interacts with the guanine nucleotide exchange factors Asef and Asef2 and stimulates their activity, thereby regulating cell adhesion and migration.

Three-dimensional spheroidal culture visualization of membranogenesis of Bruch's membrane and basolateral functions of the retinal pigment epithelium.

Purpose: Aging changes in the RPE involve lipid accumulation and membranous basal deposits onto the underlying Bruch's membrane, which may be related to AMD. Conventional in vitro cell culture is limited in its ability to observe the epithelial functions on the basal side. The purpose of this study was to develop a three-dimensional culture system to observe basolateral functions of the RPE.

The adenomatous polyposis coli-associated guanine nucleotide exchange factor Asef is involved in angiogenesis.

Mutation of the tumor suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is a key early event in the development of most colorectal tumors. APC promotes degradation of beta-catenin and thereby negatively regulates Wnt signaling, whereas mutated APCs present in colorectal tumor cells are defective in this activity. APC also stimulates the activity of the guanine nucleotide exchange factor Asef and regulates cell morphology and migration.

Fundus autofluorescence and fate of glycoxidized particles injected into subretinal space in rabbit age-related macular degeneration model.

Purpose: Abnormal fundus autofluorescence (FAF) is associated with the incidence or progression of dry and wet age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We previously developed a rabbit AMD model with drusen and type-1 choroidal neovascularization (CNV) that mimics the accumulation of lipofuscin using artificial glycoxidized particles. The objective of the current study was to investigate in vitro effects of glycoxidized particles on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells, and the FAF and fate of injected particles in this model.

Early-onset macular holes following ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysms.

Purpose: To report three cases of early-onset macular hole secondary to a ruptured retinal arterial macroaneurysm.

Methods: Case reports.

Results: The patients were diagnosed with a subretinal hemorrhage with macular involvement.

Simple synthesis of diastereomerically pure phosphatidylglycerols by phospholipase D-catalyzed transphosphatidylation.

A simple method for synthesizing diastereomerically pure phosphatidylglycerols (PtdGro), namely, 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-3'-sn-glycerol (R,R configuration) and 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-1'-sn-glycerol (R,S configuration), was established. For this purpose, diastereomeric 1,2-O-isopropylidene PtdGro were prepared from 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PtdCho) and enantiomeric 1,2-O-isopropylideneglycerols by transphosphatidylation with phospholipase D (PLD) from Actinomadura sp. This species was selected because of its higher transphosphatidylation activity and lower phosphatidic acid (PtdOH) formation than PLD from some Streptomyces species tested.

Effect of temperature on the stereoselectivity of phospholipase D toward glycerol in the transphosphatidylation of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylglycerol.

In this study, the effect of temperature on the stereoselectivity of phospholipase D (PLD) toward the two primary hydroxyl groups of glycerol in the transphosphatidylation reaction of phosphatidylcholine to phosphatidylglycerol (PtdGro) was investigated. For this purpose, PLD from bacteria (Streptomyces septatus TH-2, S. halstedii subsp.

Asymmetric in vitro synthesis of diastereomeric phosphatidylglycerols from phosphatidylcholine and glycerol by bacterial phospholipase D.

Using chiral-phase HPLC, we determined the stereochemical configuration of the phosphatidylglycerols (PtdGro) synthesized in vitro from 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (PtdCho, R configuration) or 1,2-diacyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine (PtdEtn, R configuration) and glycerol by transphosphatidylation with bacterial phospholipase D (PLD). The results obtained with PLD preparations from three Streptomyces strains (S. septatus TH-2, S.

Mutated APC and Asef are involved in the migration of colorectal tumour cells.

The tumour suppressor adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is mutated in sporadic and familial colorectal tumours. APC binds to beta-catenin, a key component of the Wnt signalling pathway, and induces its degradation. APC interacts with microtubules and accumulates at their plus ends in membrane protrusions, and associates with the plasma membrane in an actin-dependent manner.

Identification of a link between the tumour suppressor APC and the kinesin superfamily.

The tumour suppressor gene adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) is mutated in sporadic and familial colorectal tumours. APC is involved in the proteasome-mediated degradation of beta-catenin, through its interaction with beta-catenin, GSK-3 beta and Axin. APC also interacts with the microtubule cytoskeleton and has been localized to clusters near the distal ends of microtubules at the edges of migrating epithelial cells.