Principle validation of nuclear fuel material isotopic composition measurement method based on photofission reactions

We have developed a new nondestructive assay technique based on the photonuclear reaction, which is aimed at measuring the isotopic composition of nuclear fuel materials without relying on their self-generated neutron information. This methodology enables measurement of the number of neutrons produced by the photofission reactions at different specific photon energies, and only information on the relative counts and not the absolute values or energies, which are considerably affected by backgrounds, are required for the enrichment induction according to a mathematical process. The present methodology estimated the ²³⁵U enrichment value with 8% accuracy when the cross section uncertainty is 5%.     

Sensory nerve fibres from lumbar intervertebral discs pass through rami communicantes. A possible pathway for discogenic low back pain

It has been thought that lumbar intervertebral discs were innervated segmentally. We have previously shown that the L5-L6 intervertebral disc in the rat is innervated bilaterally from the L1 and L2 dorsal root ganglia through the paravertebral sympathetic trunks, but the pathways between the disc and the paravertebral sympathetic trunks were unknown. We have now studied the spines of 17 rats to elucidate the exact pathways. We examined serial sections of the lumbar spine using immunohistochemistry for calcitonin gene-related peptide, a sensory nerve marker. We showed that these nerve fibres from the intervertebral disc ran through the sinuvertebral nerve into the rami communicantes, not into the corresponding segmental spinal nerve. In the rat, sensory information from the lumbar intervertebral discs is conducted through rami communicantes. If this innervation pattern applies to man, simple decompression of the corresponding nerve root will not relieve discogenic pain. Anterior interbody fusion, with the denervation of rami communicantes, may be effective for such low back pain.     

Reduced Claudin-12 Expression Predicts Poor Prognosis in Cervical Cancer

Background: Within the claudin (CLDN) family, CLDN12 mRNA expression is altered in various types of cancer, but its clinicopathological relevance has yet to be established due to the absence of specific antibodies (Abs) with broad applications. Methods: We generated a monoclonal Ab (mAb) against human/mouse CLDN12 and verified its specificity. By performing immunohistochemical staining and semiquantification, we evaluated the relationship between CLDN12 expression and clinicopathological parameters in tissues from 138 cases of cervical cancer. Results: Western blot and immunohistochemical analyses revealed that the established mAb selectively recognized the CLDN12 protein. Twenty six of the 138 cases (18.8%) showed low CLDN12 expression, and the disease-specific survival (DSS) and recurrence-free survival rates were significantly decreased compared with those in the high CLDN12 expression group. We also demonstrated, via univariable and multivariable analyses, that the low CLDN12 expression represents a significant prognostic factor for the DSS of cervical cancer patients (HR 3.412, p = 0.002 and HR 2.615, p = 0.029, respectively). Conclusions: It can be concluded that a reduced CLDN12 expression predicts a poor outcome for cervical cancer. The novel anti-CLDN12 mAb could be a valuable tool to evaluate the biological relevance of the CLDN12 expression in diverse cancer types and other diseases.     

Docosahexaenoic Acid Esters of Hydroxy Fatty Acid Is a Novel Activator of NRF2

Fatty acid esters of hydroxy fatty acids (FAHFAs) are a new class of endogenous lipids with interesting physiological functions in mammals. Despite their structural diversity and links with nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) biosynthesis, FAHFAs are less explored as NRF2 activators. Herein, we examined for the first time the synthetic docosahexaenoic acid esters of 12-hydroxy stearic acid (12-DHAHSA) or oleic acid (12-DHAHOA) against NRF2 activation in cultured human hepatoma-derived cells (C3A). The effect of DHA-derived FAHFAs on lipid metabolism was explored by the nontargeted lipidomic analysis using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, their action on lipid droplet (LD) oxidation was investigated by the fluorescence imaging technique. The DHA-derived FAHFAs showed less cytotoxicity compared to their native fatty acids and activated the NRF2 in a dose-dependent pattern. Treatment of 12-DHAHOA with C3A cells upregulated the cellular triacylglycerol levels by 17-fold compared to the untreated group. Fluorescence imaging analysis also revealed the suppression of the degree of LDs oxidation upon treatment with 12-DHAHSA. Overall, these results suggest that DHA-derived FAHFAs as novel and potent activators of NRF2 with plausible antioxidant function.     

Very high temperature annealing effect on amorphous carbon films grown on refractory oxide substrates by pulsed laser deposition

We have carried out very high temperature heat treatment at 1400–2700 °C of about 10 nm-thick amorphous carbon thin films deposited on refractory substrates MgO, Al₂O₃, and yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) using pulsed laser deposition techniques. After the annealing, a few nanometer scale sp² crystallization of the films and a large corrugation with a height of more than 1 μm were observed by Raman spectroscopy analysis and optical/atomic force microscopes, respectively. The corrugation is probably caused by the formation of gases at the film/substrate interface during the heat treatment.     

Effects of fermentation conditions and soybean peptide supplementation on hyaluronic acid production by Streptococcus thermophilus strain YIT 2084 in milk

To increase the hyaluronic acid (HA) yield from Streptococcus thermophilus YIT 2084, fermentation conditions (pH, temperature, agitation, aeration) were optimized in milk-based medium, and the effects of supplemental soybean peptides, which have different molecular weight distributions, were determined. HA production was enhanced to approximately 100 mg/l at pH 6.8 and 33–40 °C. Agitation speed and aeration rate slightly affected HA production. Soybean peptides including those of high molecular weight (approximately 27 to 130 kDa) further increased HA production to 208 mg/l under the optimal condition (pH 6.8, 35 °C, 100 rpm), which was 20-fold greater than non-optimal condition. HA production was no longer related to the specific growth rate. The HA produced under the optimal condition included a large amount of high-molecular-weight fraction of 100 to 2000 kDa, compared with under the basal condition without optimization.     

Thermomechanical characterization of β-stabilized Ti–45Al–7Nb–0.4W–0.15B alloy

The correlation between hot deformation parameters and the workability of β-stabilized Ti–45Al–7Nb–0.4W–0.15B (at. %) alloy was studied in the temperature range 1000–1200 °C and the strain rate range 0.001–1 s^?1. Deformation mechanisms were characterized by detailed analyses of the deformation behavior and microstructural observations. The results indicate that the deformation and recrystallization occurred preferentially in the grain boundary β phases because its good high temperature deformability enhances grain boundary sliding and migration, and thus improves the workability. Decomposition of the β phase to α₂ and γ phases partly accommodates the stress concentration and is thus beneficial in hot deformation. Appropriate deformation processing parameters were suggested based on the processing map, and were successfully applied in the quasi-isothermal canned forging of industrial-scale billets.     

Isotope dilution analysis of Se in human blood serum by using high-power nitrogen microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometry coupled with a hydride generation technique

To establish a method for sensitive, accurate, and precise determination of Se in real samples, isotope dilution analysis using high-power nitrogen microwave-induced plasma mass spectrometry (N2 MIP-IDMS) was conducted. In this study, freeze-dried human blood serum (Standard Reference Material, NIES No. 4) provided by NIES (National Institute for Environmental Studies) was used as a real sample. The measured isotopes of Se were 78Se and 80Se which are the major isotopes of Se. The appropriate amount of a Se spike solution was theoretically calculated by using an error multiplication factor (F) and was confirmed experimentally for the isotope dilution analysis. The mass discrimination effect was corrected for by using a standard Se solution for the measurement of Se isotope ratios in the spiked sample. However, the sensitivity for the detection of Se was not so good and the precision of the determination was not improved (2-3%) by N2 MIP-IDMS with use of the conventional nebulizer. Therefore, a hydride generation system was connected to N2 MIP-IDMS as a sample introduction system (HG-N2 MIP-IDMS) in order to establish a more sensitive detection and a more precise determination of Se. A detection limit (3 sigma) of 10 pg mL-1 could be achieved, and the RSD was less than 1% at the concentration level of 5.0-10.0 ng mL-1 by HG-N2 MIP-IDMS. The analytical results were found to be in a good agreement with those obtained by the standard addition method using conventional Ar ICPMS.     

Endoscopic sphincterotomy and laparoscopic cholecystectomy in an infant with cholecysto-choledocholithiasis

Laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) and endoscopic sphincterotomy (EST) are widely accepted procedures for cholecysto-choledocholithiasis in adults. However, their use in infants has not been reported. An 8-month-old girl presented with high fever and obstructive jaundice. Ultrasound scan showed acute cholecystitis with stones in the bile duct. After 2-week-long antibiotic therapy the acute cholecystitis and hepatic impairment resolved. An endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) confirmed choledocholithiasis and cholecystolithiasis. Risk factors for the development of biliary calculi were not detected. One month after the restoration of her liver function, she underwent EST using a side-viewing endoscope with a small sphincterotome. A common bile duct stone was extracted using a basket catheter. LC was then carried out. The time interval between the EST and LC was 34 days. No complications have been noted for 6 months.