Size and Surface Properties of Functionalized Organosilica Particles Impact Cell-Particle Interactions Including Mitochondrial Activity.

Understanding of the interactions between macrophages and multifunctional nanoparticles is important for development of novel macrophage-based immunotherapies. Here, we investigated the effects of fluorescent thiol-organosilica particle size and surface properties on cell-particle interactions, including mitochondrial activity, using the mouse macrophage cell line J774A.1.

The effect of Dunaliella tertiolecta supplementation on diet-induced obesity in UCP1-deficient mice.

We previously demonstrated that dietary supplementation with Dunaliella tertiolecta (DT) increases uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) expression in brown adipose tissue (BAT) and improves diet-induced obesity (DIO) in C57BL/6 J mice at thermoneutrality (30 °C). Here, we investigated whether DT improves DIO in a thermoneutral UCP1-deficient (KO) animal. KO mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with DT for 12 weeks.

PATIENT DOSIMETRY SURVEY OF PEDIATRIC DIAGNOSTIC AND THERAPEUTIC CARDIAC CATHETERISATION IN JAPAN.

To propose reference values for air-kerma at the reference point (Ka,r), air-kerma area product (PKA), fluoroscopy time (FT) and number of cine images (CI) for four age groups in Japan, a nationwide questionnaire was posted to 132 pediatric catheterisation of certified facility in Japan, using the conventional post system, to which 43 facilities responded. For diagnostic cardiac angiography, reference values were as follows: Ka,r: 86, 102, 165 and 264 mGy; PKA: 9.3, 9.

NATIONWIDE SURVEY OF RADIATION EXPOSURE FOR RADIOFREQUENCY CATHETER ABLATION FOR PULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION AND NONPULMONARY VEIN ISOLATION IN JAPAN.

To propose typical values for the arrhythmia region between pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) and nonpulmonary vein isolation (non-PVI) in Japan. A nationwide questionnaire was posted to 343 facilities, to which 125 facilities (36.4%) responded.

Dietary Supplementation with Prevents Whitening of Brown Fat and Controls Diet-Induced Obesity at Thermoneutrality in Mice.

We investigated the effect of evodiamine-containing microalga (DT) on the prevention of diet-induced obesity in a thermoneutral C57BL/6J male (30 °C). It attenuates the activity of brown adipose tissue (BAT), which accelerates diet-induced obesity. Nine-week-old mice were fed a high-fat diet supplemented with 10 g (Low group) or 25 g (High group) DT powder per kg food for 12 weeks.

[Nationwide Survey of Medical Radiation Exposure on Cardiovascular Examinations in Japan].

Purpose: It is very important to manage the radiation dose of cardiovascular interventional (CVI) procedures. Overseas, the diagnostic reference levels for cardiac interventional procedures were established with the air kerma at the patient entrance reference point (Ka,r) and the air kerma-area product (P). Although the Japan DRLs 2015 was established by the Japan Network for Research and Information on Medical Exposure (J-RIME), the Japan DRL for CVIs were established by fluoroscopic dose rates of 20 mGy/min at the patient entrance reference point with 20 cm thickness polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) phantom.

Contrast enhancement on 100- and 120 kVp hepatic CT scans at thin adults in a retrospective cohort study: Bayesian inference of the optimal enhancement probability.

Purpose: To assess the probability of achieving optimal contrast enhancement in 100 kVp and 120 kVp-protocol on hepatic computed tomography (CT) scans.

Materials And Methods: We enrolled 200 patients in a retrospective cohort study. Hundred patients were scanned with 120 kVp setting, and other 100 patients were scanned with 100 kVp setting.

[Usefulness of Fenestrated Catheters for i.v. Contrast Infusion Cardiac CT Angiography for Newborn Patients during the Congenital Heart Disease].

Purpose: A three-dimensional (3D) image from computed tomography (CT) angiography is a useful method for evaluation of complex anatomy such as congenital heart disease. However, 3D imaging requires high contrast enhancement for distinguishing between blood vessels and soft tissue. To improve the contrast enhancement, many are increasing the injection rate.

Radiation Dose Reduction With a Low-Tube Voltage Technique for Pediatric Chest Computed Tomographic Angiography Based on the Contrast-to-Noise Ratio Index.

Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the radiation dose and image quality at low tube-voltage pediatric chest computed tomographic angiography (CTA) that applies the same contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) index as the standard tube voltage technique.

Materials And Methods: Contrast-enhanced chest CTA scans of 100 infants were acquired on a 64-row multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) scanner. In the retrospective study, we evaluated 50 images acquired at 120 kVp; the image noise level was set at 25 Hounsfield units.

Radiation Dose Reduction at Low Tube Voltage CCTA Based on the CNR Index.

Rationale And Objectives: We compared the radiation dose and diagnostic accuracy on 120- and 100-kVp coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA) scans whose contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) was the same.

Materials And Methods: We studied 1311 coronary artery segments from 100 patients. For 120-kVp scans, the targeted image level was set at 25 Hounsfield units (HU).

Effect of Patient Characteristics on Vessel Enhancement at Lower Extremity CT Angiography.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of patient characteristics on popliteal aortic contrast enhancement at lower extremity CT angiography (LE-CTA) scanning.

Materials And Methods: Prior informed consent to participate was obtained from all 158 patients. All were examined using a routine protocol; the scanning parameters were tube voltage 100 kVp, tube current 100 mA to 770 mA (noise index 12), 0.

[Study of CT Automatic Exposure Control System (CT-AEC) Optimization in CT Angiography of Lower Extremity Artery by Considering Contrast-to-Noise Ratio].

Purpose: To evaluate the image quality and effect of radiation dose reduction by setting for computed tomography automatic exposure control system (CT-AEC) in computed tomographic angiography (CTA) of lower extremity artery.

Methods: Two methods of setting were compared for CT-AEC [conventional and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) methods]. Conventional method was set noise index (NI): 14and tube current threshold: 10-750 mA.

The N-terminal motif of PMP70 suppresses cotranslational targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum.

Many membrane proteins possessing hydrophobic transmembrane (TM) segments are cotranslationally integrated into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane. Various peroxisomal and mitochondrial membrane proteins escape the ER-targeting mechanism and are targeted to their destinations. Here, we discovered a short segment in the 70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein (PMP70) that suppresses ER targeting.

Delivering the Saline Chaser Via a Spiral Flow-Generating Tube Improves Arterial Enhancement for Computed Tomography Angiography of the Lower Extremities.

Rationale And Objectives: We delivered the saline chaser via a spiral flow-generating tube or a conventional connecting tube and compared arterial enhancement at computed tomography angiography (CTA) of the lower extremities.

Materials And Methods: We randomly assigned 100 patients whose ankle bronchial pressure index or clinical symptoms were suspect of peripheral arterial disease to a spiral flow-generating tube (protocol A) or a conventional connecting-tube protocol (protocol B) and performed CTA of the lower extremities. The test bolus was delivered under protocol A or B, and the CT numbers recorded for each protocol were compared.

Evodiamine inhibits insulin-stimulated mTOR-S6K activation and IRS1 serine phosphorylation in adipocytes and improves glucose tolerance in obese/diabetic mice.

Evodiamine, an alkaloid extracted from the dried unripe fruit of the tree Evodia rutaecarpa Bentham (Rutaceae), reduces obesity and insulin resistance in obese/diabetic mice; however, the mechanism underlying the effect of evodiamine on insulin resistance is unknown. This study investigated the effect of evodiamine on signal transduction relating to insulin resistance using obese/diabetic KK-Ay mice and an in vitro adipocyte culture. There is a significant decrease in the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and ribosomal S6 protein kinase (S6K) signaling in white adipose tissue (WAT) in KK-Ay mice treated with evodiamine, in which glucose tolerance is improved.

Role of N-glycosylation in cell surface expression and protection against proteolysis of the intestinal anion exchanger SLC26A3.

SLC26A3 is a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger that plays a major role in Cl(-) absorption from the intestine. Its mutation causes congenital chloride-losing diarrhea. It has been shown that SLC26A3 are glycosylated, with the attached carbohydrate being extracellular and perhaps modulating function.

Primary treatment for cleft lip and/or cleft palate in children in Japan.

Objective: To investigate current trends in primary treatment for children with cleft lip and/or cleft palate in Japan.

Design: Nationwide, retrospective study under the direction of the Academic Survey Committee of the Japanese Cleft Palate Association based on analysis of data obtained via a booklet-style questionnaire completed by institutions providing primary treatment for cleft lip and/or palate patients. PARTICIPANTS, PATIENTS: Patients were 4349 children undergoing primary repair for cleft lip and/or palate at 107 participating institutions between 1996 and 2000.

Multiple organelle-targeting signals in the N-terminal portion of peroxisomal membrane protein PMP70.

Most membrane proteins are recognized by a signal recognition particle and are cotranslationally targeted to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) membrane, whereas almost all peroxisomal membrane proteins are posttranslationally targeted to the destination. Here we examined organelle-targeting properties of the N-terminal portions of the peroxisomal isoform of the ABC transporter PMP70 (ABCD3) using enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) fusion. When the N-terminal 80 amino acid residue (N80)-segment preceding transmembrane segment (TM) 1 was deleted and the TM1-TM2 region was fused to EGFP, the TM1 segment induced ER-targeting and integration in COS cells.

Regulation of intestinal Cl-/HCO3- exchanger SLC26A3 by intracellular pH.

SLC26A3, a Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger, is highly expressed in intestinal epithelial cells, and its mutations cause congenital chloride diarrhea. This suggests that SLC26A3 plays a key role in NaCl absorption in the intestine. Electroneutral NaCl absorption in the intestine is mediated by functional coupling of the Na(+)/H(+) exchanger and Cl(-)/HCO(3)(-) exchanger.

70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein related protein (P70R/ABCD4) localizes to endoplasmic reticulum not peroxisomes, and NH2-terminal hydrophobic property determines the subcellular localization of ABC subfamily D proteins.

70-kDa peroxisomal membrane protein related protein (P70R/ABCD4) is a member of ATP-binding cassette (ABC) protein subfamily D. ABC subfamily D proteins are also known as peroxisomal ABC proteins. Therefore, P70R is thought to be a peroxisomal membrane protein.