[Estimation of Uncertainty of the VMAT Absolute Dose Measurement Due to the Phantom Setup Error Using a Treatment Planning System].

Purpose: When performing single-point dose verification in VMAT, it is necessary to avoid the regions with steep dose gradient. We propose a method to obtain the estimated value ( U) of uncertainty of the absolute dose measurement due to the phantom setup error by using dose gradient calculated from treatment planning system (TPS), for evaluating the appropriate measurement points.

Methods: The dose gradient was calculated from the planned dose values in the vicinity of the isocenter point using TPS.

Serum cystatin C in diabetic patients. Not only an indicator for renal dysfunction in patients with overt nephropathy but also a predictor for cardiovascular events in patients without nephropathy.

Serum cystatin C (CysC) has been proposed as a potentially superior marker for the evaluation of renal function because it was more sensitive and accurate for the estimation of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) than other markers. We evaluated the clinical usefulness of CysC in diabetic nephropathy. The study was performed on 414 Japanese diabetic patients.

Novel mechanism of chronic exposure of oleic acid-induced insulin release impairment in rat pancreatic beta-cells.

A sustained, high circulating level of free fatty acids (FFAs) is an important risk factor for the development of insulin resistance, islet beta-cell dysfunction, and pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Here, we report a novel mechanism of chronic exposure of oleic acid (OA)-induced rat insulin release impairment. Following a 4-day exposure to 0.

Modulation of Ca2+ influx by corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides via CRF receptors in rat pancreatic beta-cells.

The actions of the corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) family of peptides are mediated by the seven transmembrane-domain G-protein-coupled receptors, the CRF receptors type 1 (CRF1 receptor) and type 2 (CRF2 receptor). In a previous study, we reported that CRF, an endogenous ligand for CRF1 receptor, modulated Ca2+ influx in rat pancreatic beta-cells. In addition to CRF, other additional members of the family, urocortins, have been identified in mammals.

Glucose-stimulated insulin response in non-diabetic patients with lipoprotein lipase deficiency and hypertriglyceridemia.

Elevations in plasma triglyceride (TG) and free fatty acid (FFA) concentrations are generally thought to play a role in the pathogenesis of insulin-resistant diabetes. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between hypertriglyceridemia and glucose-stimulated insulin responsiveness in non-diabetic patients. Forty subjects were divided into three BMI-matched groups as follows: one group consisted of 8 patients with a lipoprotein lipase (LPL) deficiency, another consisted of 12 patients with hypertriglyceridemia and a third consisted of 20 subjects with normal TG levels.

Impairment of host resistance to Listeria monocytogenes infection in liver of db/db and ob/ob mice.

Leptin is an adipocyte-derived hormone that regulates a number of physiological functions, including energy homeostasis and immune function. In immune responses, leptin plays a role in the induction of inflammation. We investigated a role of leptin in Listeria monocytogenes infection using leptin receptor-deficient db/db mice and leptin-deficient ob/ob mice.

Masked excitatory action of noradrenaline on rat islet beta-cells via activation of phospholipase C.

The effect of noradrenaline (NE) on rat islet beta-cells was examined. NE reduced insulin secretion from rat islets exposed to extracellular solutions containing glucose at 5.5 or 16.

Intracellular Ca(2+) modulation of ATP-sensitive K(+) channel activity in acetylcholine-induced activation of rat pancreatic beta-cells.

We investigated the mechanism by which acetylcholine (ACh) regulates insulin secretion from rat pancreatic beta-cells. In an extracellular solution with 5.5 mM glucose, ACh increased the rate of insulin secretion from rat islets.