Inhibition of Citric Acid-Induced Dentin Erosion by an Acidulated Phosphate Sodium Monofluorophosphate Solution

Sodium monofluorophosphate (Na2FPO3, MFP) is mainly used as an ingredient in fluoride-based dentifrices as it has a high safety profile, with one-third of the toxicity of sodium fluoride (NaF), as well as the ability to reach deep into the dentin. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevention of dentin erosion by MFP upon exposure to citric acid, which has a chelating effect, and to compare the effects to those of the conventional acidulated phosphate fluoride (APF) application method. Bovine dentin was used, and four groups were created: (i) APF (9000 ppmF, pH 3.6) 4 min group; (ii) acidulated phosphate MFP (AP-MFP, 9000 ppmF, pH 3.6) 4 min group; (iii) AP-MFP 2 min + APF 2 min (dual) group; and (iv) no fluoride application (control) group. Compared with the conventional APF application method, the application of AP-MFP was shown to significantly reduce substantial defects, mineral loss, and lesion depth; better maintain Vickers hardness; and promote the homogenous aggregation of fine CaF2 particles to seal the dentin tubules, enhancing acid resistance in their vicinity. The ΔZ value of the AP-MFP group was 2679 ± 290.2 vol% μm, significantly smaller than the APF group's 3806 ± 257.5 vol% μm (p < 0.01). Thus, AP-MFP-based fluoride application could effectively suppress citric acid-induced demineralization and could become a new, more powerful, and biologically safer professional-care method for preventing acid-induced dentin erosion than the conventional method.

Associations between welding fume exposure and neurological function in Japanese male welders and non-welders

OBJECTIVES

There are some studies reporting the association between (manganese [Mn]) exposure to welding fume and neurological dysfunction. This study examined the relationship between Mn exposure and neurological behavior in Japanese male welders and non-welders using biological samples, which to date has not been assessed in Japan.

METHODS

A total of 94 male welders and 95 male non-welders who worked in the same factories were recruited. The blood and urine samples were obtained from all the participants to measure Mn exposure levels. Neurological function tests were also conducted with all participants. The sampling of the breathing air zone using a personal sampler was measured for welders only.

RESULTS

The odds ratios (ORs) for the Working Memory Index (WMI) scores were significantly higher among all participants in the low blood Mn concentration group than those in the high blood Mn concentration group (OR, 2.77; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.24, 6.19; P = .013). The association of WMI scores and blood Mn levels in welders had the highest OR (OR, 3.73; 95% CI, 1.04, 13.38; P = .043). Although not statistically significant, a mild relationship between WMI scores and blood Mn levels was observed in non-welders (OR, 2.09; 95% CI, 0.63, 6.94; P = .227).

CONCLUSIONS

The results revealed a significant positive relationship between blood Mn and neurological dysfunction in welders. Furthermore, non-welders at the same factories may be secondarily exposed to welding fumes. Further research is needed to clarify this possibility.

The effect of mask fit test on the association between the concentration of metals in biological samples and the results of time-weighted average personal exposure: A study on Japanese male welders

OBJECTIVES

The mask fit test confirms whether the wearing condition of the wearer's face and the facepiece of the respirators are used appropriately. This study aimed to examine whether the results of the mask fit test affect the association between the concentration of metals related to welding fumes in biological samples and the results of time-weighted average (TWA) personal exposures.

METHODS

A total of 94 male welders were recruited. Blood and urine samples were obtained from all participants to measure the metal exposure levels. Using personal exposure measurements, the 8-h TWA (8 h-TWA) of respirable dust, TWA of respirable Mn, and 8-h TWA of respirable Mn were calculated. The mask fit test was performed using the quantitative method specified in the Japanese Industrial Standard T8150:2021.

RESULTS

Fifty-four participants (57%) passed the mask fit test. Only in the Fail group of the mask fit test, it was observed that blood Mn concentrations be positively associated with the results of TWA personal exposure after adjusting for multivariate factors (8-h TWA of respirable dust; coefficient, 0.066; standard error (SE), 0.028; P = 0.018, TWA of respirable Mn: coefficient, 0.048; SE, 0.020; P = 0.019, 8 h-TWA of respirable Mn: coefficient, 0.041; SE, 0.020; P = 0.041).

CONCLUSIONS

The results clarify that welders with high concentrations of welding fumes in their breathing air zone are exposed to dust and Mn if there is leaking air owing to the lack of fitness between respirators and the wearer's face when using human samples in Japan.

Imaging-based feedback cooling of a levitated nanoparticle

Imaging-based detection of the motion of levitated nanoparticles complements a widely used interferometric detection method, providing a precise and robust way to estimate the position of the particle. Here, we demonstrate a camera-based feedback cooling scheme for a charged nanoparticle levitated in a linear Paul trap. The nanoparticle levitated in vacuum was imaged using a complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) camera system. The images were processed in real-time with a microcontroller integrated with a CMOS image sensor. The phase-delayed position signal was fed back to one of the trap electrodes, resulting in cooling by velocity damping. Our study provides a simple and versatile approach applicable for the control of low-frequency mechanical oscillators.

O-006 Annotation-free embryo score calculated by iDAScore® correlated with live birth and has no correlation with neonatal outcomes after single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer

Study question

Does the embryo score calculated by annotation-free embryo scoring system based on deep learning and time-lapse sequence images correlate with live birth (LB) and neonatal outcomes?

Summary answer

Annotation-free embryo score calculated by iDAScore correlates with decreased miscarriage and increased LB and has no correlation with neonatal outcomes.

What is known already

Embryo ranking models have recently been developed based on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning to rank embryos according to their potential for pregnancy. The practicability and usability of such models have been reported. And the previous report suggested iDAScore which is one of the deep learning models for embryo scoring was superior to traditional morphological assessment methods and morphokinetic embryo assessment models. However, few studies have used independent datasets to analyze the correlation between the score calculated by AI models, LB, and neonatal outcomes.

Study design, size, duration

A total of 3,010 single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) cycles were analyzed retrospectively. The quality and scoring of embryos were assessed using iDAScore v1.0 (iDAScore, Vitrolife, Sweden). The cohort was divided into four groups based on the iDAScore according to the percentile (9.9-9.3, 9.2-8.7, 8.6-7.3 and, 7.2-1.0).

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Scores were calculated using the iDAScore software module in the Vitrolife Technology Hub (Vitrolife, Gothenburg, Sweden). The correlation between iDAScore, LB rates and total miscarriage (TM), including 1st and 2nd trimester miscarriage, were analysed using a trend-test and multivariable logistic regression analysis. Furthermore, similarly, correlation between the iDAScore and neonatal outcomes were analysed.

Main results and the role of chance

LB rates decreased as the iDAScore decreased (P &lt; 0.05), and a similar inverse trend was observed for the TM rates (P &lt; 0.05). Additionally, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that iDAScore significantly correlated with increased LB (adjusted odds ratio: 1.742, 95% CI: 1.601–1.904, P &lt; 0.05) and decreased TM (adjusted odds ratio: 0.799, 95% CI: 0.706–0.905, P &lt; 0.05). There was no significant correlation between iDAScore and neonatal outcomes, including congenital malformations, sex, gestational age, and birth weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis, which included maternal and paternal age, maternal body mass index, parity, smoking, and the presence or absence of caesarean section as confounding factors, revealed no significant difference in any neonatal characteristics (low birth weight, small for gestation, large for gestation, preterm birth, male sex rates, and major congenital malformation).

Limitations, reasons for caution

SVBT was performed following minimal stimulation and natural cycle in vitro fertilisation. Therefore, only a few cycles of elective blastocyst transfer were available. However, there was no bias in selecting embryos for SVBT.

Wider implications of the findings

Objective embryo assessment using a completely automatic and annotation-free model, like iDAScore, showed a good correlation with increased LB and decreased TM. Furthermore, it did not correlate with neonatal outcomes. Therefore, iDAScore may be an optimal LB prediction model after SVBT without affecting neonatal outcomes.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Neurobehavioral effects of acute low-dose whole-body irradiation

Radiation exposure has multiple effects on the brain, behavior and cognitive functions. It has been reported that high-dose (>20 Gy) radiation-induced behavior and cognitive aberration partly associated with severe tissue destruction. Low-dose (<3 Gy) exposure can occur in radiological disasters and cerebral endovascular treatment. However, only a few reports analyzed behavior and cognitive functions after low-dose irradiation. This study was undertaken to assess the relationship between brain neurochemistry and behavioral disruption in irradiated mice. The irradiated mice (0.5 Gy, 1 Gy and 3 Gy) were tested for alteration in their normal behavior over 10 days. A serotonin (5-HT), Dopamine, gamma-Aminobutyric acid (GABA) and cortisol analysis was carried out in blood, hippocampus, amygdala and whole brain tissue. There was a significant decline in the exploratory activity of mice exposed to 3 Gy and 1 Gy radiation in an open field test. We observed a significant short-term memory loss in 3 Gy and 1 Gy irradiated mice in Y-Maze. Mice exposed to 1 Gy and 3 Gy radiation exhibited increased anxiety in an elevated plus maze (EPM). The increased anxiety and memory loss patterns were also seen in 0.5 Gy irradiated mice, but the results were not statistically significant. In this study we observed that neurotransmitters are significantly altered after irradiation, but the neuronal cells in the hippocampus were not significantly affected. This study suggests that the low-dose radiation-induced cognitive impairment may be associated with the neurochemical in low-dose irradiation and unlike the high-dose scenario might not be directly related to the morphological changes in the brain.

Shift-and-add image processing incorporated with the unsharp masking method

Shift-and-add (SAA) is a simple image processing procedure. SAA was devised to reconstruct a diffraction-limited image from atmospherically degraded stellar images. Recently SAA has been applied to biological imaging. There are several variants of SAA. Here proposed is an SAA procedure incorporated with unsharp masking (USM). The SAA procedure proposed here encompasses an extended version of USM. The proposed SAA method retains the simplicity and easiness, and the basic features of SAA. The effectiveness of the proposed method is examined by restoring atmospherically degraded solar images. It is shown that the USM SAA reconstructed image exhibits high contrast and reveals fine structures blurred by atmospheric turbulence. It is also shown that the USM SAA performs better with a data frame selection scheme.

O-220 An annotation-free embryo scoring system (iDAScore®) based on deep learning shows high performance for pregnancy prediction after single-vitrified blastocyst transfer

Study question

How is the performance of an automated embryo scoring system for pregnancy prediction after single-vitrified blastocyst transfer (SVBT) compared to other, annotation-dependent blastocyst grading systems?

Summary answer

Automatic embryo ranking by iDAScore shows a higher or equal performance, with regards to pregnancy prediction after SVBT, compared to manual, annotation-dependent grading systems.

What is known already

Blastocyst viability can be assessed by blastocyst morphology grades and/or morphokinetic parameters. However, morphological and morphokinetic embryo assessment is prone to both inter- and intra-observer variation. Recently, embryo ranking models have been developed based on artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning. Such models rank embryos according to their potential for pregnancy only based on images and do not require any user-dependent annotation. So far, no study has independently assessed the performance of AI models compared to other embryo scoring models, including traditional morphological grading.

Study design, size, duration

A total of 3,014 SVBT cycles were retrospectively analysed. Embryos were stratified according to SART age groups. The quality and scoring of embryos were assessed by iDAScore v1.0 (iDAS, Vitrolife, Sweden), KIDScoreTM D5 v3 (KS; Vitrolife), and Gardner criteria. The performance of the pregnancy prediction for each embryo scoring model was compared using the area under curve (AUC) of the receiver operating characteristic curve for each maternal age group.

Participants/materials, setting, methods

Embryos were cultured in the EmbryoScope+ and EmbryoScopeFlex (Vitrolife). iDAS was automatically calculated using the iDAScore model running on the EmbryoViewer (Vitrolife). KS was calculated in EmbryoViewer after annotation of the required parameters. ICM and TE were annotated according to the Gardner criteria. The degree of expansion in all blastocysts was Grade 4 due to our freezing policy. Furthermore, Gardner’s scores were stratified into four grades (Excellent: AA, Good: AB BA, Fair: BB, Poor: others).

Main results and the role of chance

The AUCs of the &lt; 35 years age group (n = 389) for pregnancy prediction were 0.72 for iDAS, 0.66 for KS and 0.64 for Gardner criteria. The AUC of iDAS was significantly higher (P &lt; 0.05) compared to the other two models. For the 35–37 years age group (n = 514) the AUCs were 0.68, 0.68, and 0.65 for iDAS, KS and Gardner, respectively, and were not significantly different. The AUCs of the 38–40 years age group (n = 796) were 0.67 for iDAS, 0.65 for KS and 0.64 for Gardner criteria and where was not significantly different. The AUCs of the 41–42 years age group (n = 636) were 0.66, 0.66, and 0.63 for iDAS, KS and Gardner, respectively, and there was no significant difference among the pregnancy prediction models. For the &gt; 42 years age group (n = 389) AUCs were 0.76 for iDAS, 0.75 for KS and 0.75 for Gardner criteria and not significantly different. Thus, for all age groups, iDAS was either highest or equal to the highest AUC, although a significant difference was only observed for the youngest age group.

Limitations, reasons for caution

In this study, SVBT was performed after minimal stimulation and natural cycle in vitro fertilisation (IVF). Therefore, we had only few cycles with elective blastocyst transfer. However, there was also no bias in selecting the embryos for SVBT.

Wider implications of the findings

Our results showed that objective embryo assessment by a completely automatic and annotation-free model, iDAScore, does perform as good or even better than more traditional embryo assessment or an annotation-dependent ranking tool. iDAS could be an optimal pregnancy prediction model after SVBT, especially in young and advanced age patients.

Trial registration number

not applicable

Local Anesthetics Inhibit Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid Subtype 3 Channel Function in Xenopus Oocytes

BACKGROUND

The transient receptor potential vanilloid subtype 3 (TRPV3) channel is activated by innocuous temperature and several chemical stimuli. It is proposed to be involved in pathological pain development and is therefore considered a potential target for treating pain. Local anesthetics have been used for patients with both acute and chronic pain. Although blockage of the voltage-gated sodium channel is the primary mechanism by which local anesthetics exert their effects, they cannot be explained by this mechanism alone, especially in pathologic states such as chronic pain. Indeed, the effects of local anesthetics on multiple targets involved in the pain pathway have been reported. It has also been suggested that modulating the function of transient receptor potential (TRP) channels (eg, TRPV1 and transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 [TRPA1]) is one of the mechanisms of action of local anesthetics. However, the effects of local anesthetics on TRPV3 have not been reported.

METHODS

We expressed TRPV3 in Xenopus oocytes and investigated the effects of local anesthetics on 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2APB)-induced currents using 2-electrode voltage-clamp techniques.

RESULTS

Clinically used local anesthetics inhibited the 2APB-activated currents from the TRPV3 channel in a concentration-dependent manner at pharmacologically relevant concentrations with half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values of 2.5 (lidocaine), 1.4 (mepivacaine), 0.28 (ropivacaine), and 0.17 (bupivacaine) mmol/L, respectively. Conversely, these local anesthetics also directly induced currents at higher concentrations, although these currents were quite small compared to the 2APB-induced currents. We found that the inhibition of TRPV3 by lidocaine is noncompetitive and independent of intracellular signaling cascades. 2APB-induced TRPV3 currents were reduced by extracellular N-(2,6-dimethylphenylcarbamoylmethyl) triethylammonium bromide (QX-314) but not by intracellular QX-314 nor benzocaine. Moreover, lidocaine showed a use-dependent block in TRPV3 inhibition. Finally, QX-314 appeared to slightly permeate the activated TRPV3 channel pore based on examination of oocytes coexpressing TRPV3 and a sodium channel. These results suggest that local anesthetics could inhibit TRPV3 channel function by extracellular interactions of their charged forms with the channel pore.

CONCLUSIONS

Local anesthetics inhibited TRPV3 2APB-induced currents at pharmacologically relevant concentrations when TRPV3 was expressed in Xenopus oocytes. These effects seem to occur via an extracellular interaction between the charged form of the anesthetic with the TRPV3 channel pore. These results help to elucidate the mechanisms of action of local anesthetics.

[Cardio-oncology - elucidation of the mechanism of cardiac dysfunction caused by cancer therapy and cancer cachexia]

Cardiovascular disorders in cancer patients with cachexia have recently become a great concern. However, the relationship between cancer cachexia and cardiac dysfunction remains unclear, due to lack of suitable models. We established a novel murine model of cancer cachexia by implantation of 85As2 cells, a cell line derived from human gastric cancer cells, presenting anorexia, weight loss and low fat-free mass similar to those observed in patients. Moreover, cardiac dysfunction is expected in this model, which has not been yet examined. In the present study, we firstly evaluated cardiac functions with the model. Secondly, we investigated effects of voluntary wheel running (VWR) on cachexia-induced cardiac dysfunction using this model, as the exercise is considered to be one of therapies for chronic heart failure. 85As2 cells were transplanted subcutaneously into mice, which observed a symptomatic cachexia; decrease in body, skeletal muscle weight, and food intake. In addition, this cachexia mouse developed severe cardiac atrophy and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) also markedly reduced with cachexia progression. Moreover, VWR suppressed the decrease in food intake and skeletal muscle weight loss in this model, and improved LVEF with suppression of heart weight loss. These results imply that our 85As2-cachexia mice models show cardiac dysfunction and VWR may improve not only cachexia symptoms but also cardiac dysfunction. As exercise therapy is generally introduced for the purpose of improving heart failure symptoms, this study suggests a possible therapeutic effect of exercise on cardiac dysfunction induced by cancer cachexia.

Myositis with sarcoplasmic inclusions in Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome: a genetic inflammatory myopathy

AIMS

Nakajo-Nishimura syndrome (NNS) is an autosomal recessive disease caused by biallelic mutations in the PSMB8 gene that encodes the immunoproteasome subunit β5i. There have been only a limited number of reports on the clinicopathological features of the disease in genetically confirmed cases.

METHODS

We studied clinical and pathological features of three NNS patients who all carry the homozygous p.G201V mutations in PSMB8. Patients' muscle specimens were analysed with histology and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

All patients had episodes of typical periodic fever and skin rash, and later developed progressive muscle weakness and atrophy, similar to previous reports. Oral corticosteroid was used for treatment but showed no obvious efficacy. On muscle pathology, lymphocytes were present in the endomysium surrounding non-necrotic fibres, as well as in the perimysium perivascular area. Nearly all fibres strongly expressed MHC-I in the sarcolemma. In the eldest patient, there were abnormal protein aggregates in the sarcoplasm, immunoreactive to p62, TDP-43 and ubiquitin antibodies.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that inflammation, inclusion pathology and aggregation of abnormal proteins underlie the progressive clinical course of the NNS pathomechanism.

Carvacrol inhibits the neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels Nav1.2, Nav1.6, Nav1.3, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8 expressed in Xenopus oocytes with different potencies

Carvacrol is the predominant monoterpene in essential oils from many aromatic plants. Several animal studies showing analgesic effects of carvacrol indicate potential of carvacrol as a new medication for patients with refractory pain. Voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v) are thought to have crucial roles in the development of inflammatory and neuropathic pain, but there is limited information about whether the analgesic mechanism of carvacrol involves Na_v. We used whole-cell, two-electrode, voltage-clamp techniques to examine the effects of carvacrol on sodium currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing α subunits of Na_v1.2, Na_v1.3, Na_v1.6, Na_v1.7, and Na_v1.8. Carvacrol dose-dependently suppressed sodium currents at a holding potential that induced half-maximal current. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration values for Na_v1.2, Na_v1.3, Na_v1.6, Na_v1.7, and Na_v1.8 were 233, 526, 215, 367, and 824 μmol/L, respectively, indicating that carvacrol had more potent inhibitory effects towards Na_v1.2 and Na_v1.6 than Na_v1.3, Na_v1.7, and Na_v1.8. Gating analysis showed a depolarizing shift of the activation curve and a hyperpolarizing shift of the inactivation curve in all five α subunits following carvacrol treatment. Furthermore, carvacrol exhibits a use-dependent block for all five α Na_v subunits. These findings provide a better understanding of the mechanisms associated with the analgesic effect of carvacrol.

Changes over time in pulmonary inflammatory response in rat lungs after intratracheal instillation of nickel oxide nanoparticles

OBJECTIVE

Nickel oxide nanoparticles (NiONPs) are representative metal oxide NPs and are categorized as an insoluble nickel compound. Our previous studies suggested that NiONPs have more pulmonary toxicity than micron-sized NiO because they may dissolve slowly and produce many more Ni ions. We confirmed the hypothesis that the slow dissolution of NiONPs induces a change in inflammatory response over time.

METHOD

We reanalyzed our previous data on intratracheally instilled NiONP to rats and focused on Ni retention in the lungs and the lung weight ratio for each rat to the mean of control rat lungs. We also measured the solubility of NiONPs and micron-sized NiO samples by means of an artificial lysosomal fluid (ALF, pH 4.5).

RESULTS

The in vivo test of instilled NiONPs resulted in the biomarkers reaching their peak values at 1 week or 1 month, and not at 3 days, after instillation. We found that as the NiO mass in the lung increased, the lung weight ratios tended to increase. The relationships shifted to more toxic at 3 days to 1 month (P < .01). Compared to the dissolution of NiONPs in the ALF that took roughly 1 week, the dissolution of NiONPs in vivo was take about 1 month or more.

CONCLUSION

When intratracheally instilled NiONPs dissolve slowly in the phagolysosomes of alveolar macrophages (AM), the resulting Ni ions cause the AM to transform into foamy cells at 1 month, and the inflammatory response persists even at 3 months after instillation.

Exposure to 1-bromopropane vapors during pregnancy enhances the development of hippocampal neuronal excitability in rat pups during lactation

OBJECTIVES

Although 1-Bromopropane (1-BP) exposure has been reported to cause neurotoxicity in adult humans and animals, its effects on the development of the central nervous system remain unclear. Recently, we reported delayed developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) upon 1-BP exposure in rats. Here we aimed to study the effect of prenatal 1-BP exposure on the hippocampal excitability in the juvenile offspring.

METHODS

Pregnant Wistar rats were exposed to vaporized 1-BP for 20 days (6 h/d) with concentrations of 0 (control), 400, or 700 ppm. Hippocampal slices were prepared from male offspring during postnatal days (PNDs) 13, 14, and 15. Field excitatory postsynaptic potential (fEPSP) and population spike (PS) were recorded simultaneously from the CA1 region.

RESULTS

In the exposed groups, the stimulation/response relationships of fEPSP slope and PS amplitude were enhanced more than in the control group at PND 14. Analysis of fEPSP-spike coupling demonstrated increased values of Top and Eslope50 in the exposed groups. Real-time PCR analysis showed a significant increase in the mRNA levels of the adult type Nav 1.1 Na+ channel subunit and the GluR1 glutamate receptor subunit in the hippocampus of the 700 ppm group at PND 14.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results provide evidence that prenatal exposure to 1-BP accelerates developmental enhancement of hippocampal excitability in the pups before eye-opening. The current study suggests that our evaluation method of DNT is applicable to the industrial chemical 1-BP.

The effect of environmental factors in childcare facilities and individual lifestyle on obesity among Japanese preschool children; a multivariate multilevel analysis

Lifestyle in preschool children is associated with the onset of childhood obesity. However, the effect of environmental factors in childcare facilities on lifestyle and obesity in preschool children is unknown. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of environmental factors in childcare facilities on the association between obesity and individual lifestyle in preschool children.Subjects included 2902 infants, aged 4 to 6 years old in Kitakyushu City, Japan. A stratified multilevel analysis was conducted with 2 strata: factors related to individual lifestyle and maternal factors as the individual level and factors related to the childcare facility as the environmental level. Two-level multilevel regression analysis was conducted with the presence or absence of obesity.The proportion of infants with obesity was 4.2%. The childhood obesity was significantly associated with the mastication, nutritional methods during infancy, absence of breakfast, presence of skipping meals due to overeating of snacks, usual play activity, screen time on weekdays, maternal body mass index, and maternal weight increase during pregnancy at the individual level. On the other hand, childhood obesity had a significantly negative association with the receiving snacks in facilities by using multilevel analysis.The present study revealed that establishing and maintaining environmental factors in childcare facilities may play important roles in the prevention of obesity from early childhood.

Direct Measurement of the Cosmic-Ray Proton Spectrum from 50 GeV to 10 TeV with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station

In this paper, we present the analysis and results of a direct measurement of the cosmic-ray proton spectrum with the CALET instrument onboard the International Space Station, including the detailed assessment of systematic uncertainties. The observation period used in this analysis is from October 13, 2015 to August 31, 2018 (1054 days). We have achieved the very wide energy range necessary to carry out measurements of the spectrum from 50 GeV to 10 TeV covering, for the first time in space, with a single instrument the whole energy interval previously investigated in most cases in separate subranges by magnetic spectrometers (BESS-TeV, PAMELA, and AMS-02) and calorimetric instruments (ATIC, CREAM, and NUCLEON). The observed spectrum is consistent with AMS-02 but extends to nearly an order of magnitude higher energy, showing a very smooth transition of the power-law spectral index from -2.81±0.03 (50-500 GeV) neglecting solar modulation effects (or -2.87±0.06 including solar modulation effects in the lower energy region) to -2.56±0.04 (1-10 TeV), thereby confirming the existence of spectral hardening and providing evidence of a deviation from a single power law by more than 3σ.

The CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) on the International Space Station: Results from the First Two Years of Operation

The CALorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) space experiment, which has been developed by Japan in collaboration with Italy and the United States, is a high-energy astroparticle physics mission on the International Space Station (ISS). The primary goals of the CALET mission include investigation of possible nearby sources of high-energy electrons, detailed study of galactic cosmic-ray acceleration and propagation, and search for dark matter signatures. With a long-term observation onboard the ISS, the CALET experiment measures the flux of cosmic-ray electrons (including positrons) up to 20 TeV, gamma-rays to 10 TeV, and nuclei up to 1,000 TeV based on its charge separation capability from Z = 1 to 40. Since the start of science operation in mid-October, 2015, a continuous observation has been maintained without any major interruptions. The number of triggered events over 10 GeV is nearly 20 million per month. By using the data obtained during the first two-years, here we present a summary of the CALET observations: 1) Electron+positron energy spectrum, 2) Nuclei analysis, 3) Gamma-ray observation with a characterization of the on-orbit performance. The search results for the electromagnetic counterparts of LIGO/Virgo gravitational wave events are also discussed.

Extended Measurement of the Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron Spectrum from 11 GeV to 4.8 TeV with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station

Extended results on the cosmic-ray electron + positron spectrum from 11 GeV to 4.8 TeV are presented based on observations with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope (CALET) on the International Space Station utilizing the data up to November 2017. The analysis uses the full detector acceptance at high energies, approximately doubling the statistics compared to the previous result. CALET is an all-calorimetric instrument with a total thickness of 30 X_{0} at normal incidence and fine imaging capability, designed to achieve large proton rejection and excellent energy resolution well into the TeV energy region. The observed energy spectrum in the region below 1 TeV shows good agreement with Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer (AMS-02) data. In the energy region below ∼300  GeV, CALET's spectral index is found to be consistent with the AMS-02, Fermi Large Area Telescope (Fermi-LAT), and Dark Matter Particle Explorer (DAMPE), while from 300 to 600 GeV the spectrum is significantly softer than the spectra from the latter two experiments. The absolute flux of CALET is consistent with other experiments at around a few tens of GeV. However, it is lower than those of DAMPE and Fermi-LAT with the difference increasing up to several hundred GeV. The observed energy spectrum above ∼1  TeV suggests a flux suppression consistent within the errors with the results of DAMPE, while CALET does not observe any significant evidence for a narrow spectral feature in the energy region around 1.4 TeV. Our measured all-electron flux, including statistical errors and a detailed breakdown of the systematic errors, is tabulated in the Supplemental Material in order to allow more refined spectral analyses based on our data.

Comparison of pregnancy outcomes following fresh and electively frozen single blastocyst transfer in natural cycle and clomiphene-stimulated IVF cycles

STUDY QUESTION

Are there any differences in live birth rates (LBR) following fresh blastocyst transfer in natural or clomiphene-stimulated cycles, or after elective blastocyst freezing in clomiphene-stimulated cycles followed by thawing and transfer at different time-points?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Clomiphene citrate (CC) administration adversely affected the LBR after single fresh blastocyst transfer (SBT) in CC cycles compared with that in natural cycles, while this adverse effect of CC is not present when a single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) is performed in subsequent natural ovulatory cycles, regardless of the duration between CC administration and the day of SVBT.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

CC affects uterine receptivity associated with a thinning of the uterine endometrium through an antioestrogenic effect. However, the duration that this adverse effect of CC on uterine endometrium persists after initial use is still unknown.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

A retrospective cohort study of 157 natural cycle IVFs followed by SBT and 1496 minimal ovarian stimulation with CC IVF cycles followed by SBT (n = 24) or SVBT (n = 1472) from January 2010 to December 2014 was conducted. SVBT cycles were classified into two groups according to the period between the last day of CC administration and the day of SVBT (A: ≤60 d and B: ≥61 d). All groups were then compared based on pregnancy outcomes (natural-SBT group: n = 157, CC-SBT group: n = 24, SVBT-A: n = 1143, SVBT-B: n = 329).

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

Women were aged 30–39 years at oocyte retrieval. In SVBT cycles, blastocysts were vitrified and warmed using a Cryotop safety kit. SVBT was performed in subsequent natural ovulatory cycles. The main outcomes were LBR and neonatal outcome, and both were compared among the groups.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

The LBR in the CC-SBT group (29.2%, 7/24) was significantly lower compared with the natural-SBT (56.1%, 88/157) (P = 0.01) and SVBT-A (50.0%, 572/1143) (P = 0.04), but not SVBT-B (47.4%, 156/329), groups. Furthermore, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that the LBR was comparable among the natural-SBT and SVBT groups, but was significantly lower in the CC-SBT group (adjusted odds ratio: 0.324, 95% CI: 0.119–0.800, P = 0.01). No significant differences among all groups were observed for gestational age (P = 0.19), birthweight (P = 0.41) and incidence of malformation (P = 0.53).

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

In this study we analysed a biased sample, based on clinical judgement regarding endometrial thickness, and the study was limited by its retrospective nature. The low statistical power caused by the group size disparity was also a limitation, especially in the CC-SBT group. Although the outcome showing inferiority of CC-SBT compared to natural-SBT is consistent with general findings in the literature, further large-scale clinical studies, ideally RCTs, are necessary to validate our results and clarify the prolonged effect of CC in SVBT cycles on pregnancy and neonatal outcomes.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

Our observation suggests that CC administered in minimal ovarian stimulation cycles affects adversely the pregnancy outcomes when SBT is performed. Therefore, for a CC-based minimal stimulation IVF cycle, we suggest that frozen embryo transfer should be performed in a subsequent natural ovulatory cycle to avoid the possibility of implantation failure associated with CC administration.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTERESTS

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare. No external funding was either sought or obtained.

Energy Spectrum of Cosmic-Ray Electron and Positron from 10 GeV to 3 TeV Observed with the Calorimetric Electron Telescope on the International Space Station

First results of a cosmic-ray electron and positron spectrum from 10 GeV to 3 TeV is presented based upon observations with the CALET instrument on the International Space Station starting in October, 2015. Nearly a half million electron and positron events are included in the analysis. CALET is an all-calorimetric instrument with total vertical thickness of 30 X_{0} and a fine imaging capability designed to achieve a large proton rejection and excellent energy resolution well into the TeV energy region. The observed energy spectrum over 30 GeV can be fit with a single power law with a spectral index of -3.152±0.016 (stat+syst). Possible structure observed above 100 GeV requires further investigation with increased statistics and refined data analysis.

Prenatal exposure to 1-bromopropane causes delayed adverse effects on hippocampal neuronal excitability in the CA1 subfield of rat offspring

OBJECTIVES

Neurotoxicity of 1-bromopropane (1-BP) has been reported in occupational exposure, but whether the chemical exerts developmental neurotoxicity is unknown. We studied the effects of prenatal 1-BP exposure on neuronal excitability in rat offspring.

METHODS

We exposed dams to 1-BP (700 ppm, 6 h a day for 20 days) and examined hippocampal slices obtained from the male offspring at 2, 5, 8, and 13 weeks of age. We measured the stimulation/response (S/R) relationship and paired-pulse ratios (PPRs) of the population spike (PS) at the interpulse intervals (IPIs) of 5 and 10 ms in the CA1 subfield.

RESULTS

Prenatal 1-BP exposure enhanced S/R relationships of PS at 2 weeks of age; however, the enhancement diminished at 5 weeks of age until it reached control levels. Prenatal 1-BP exposure decreased PPRs of PS at 2 weeks of age. After sexual maturation, however, the PPRs of PS increased at 5-ms IPI in rats aged 8 and 13 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that prenatal 1-BP exposure in dams can cause delayed adverse effects on excitability of pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 subfield of offspring.

Antidepressants inhibit Nav1.3, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8 neuronal voltage-gated sodium channels more potently than Nav1.2 and Nav1.6 channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes

Tricyclic antidepressants (TCAs) and duloxetine are used to treat neuropathic pain. However, the mechanisms underlying their analgesic effects remain unclear. Although many investigators have shown inhibitory effects of antidepressants on voltage-gated sodium channels (Na_v) as a possible mechanism of analgesia, to our knowledge, no one has compared effects on the diverse variety of sodium channel α subunits. We investigated the effects of antidepressants on sodium currents in Xenopus oocytes expressing Na_v1.2, Na_v1.3, Na_v1.6, Na_v1.7, and Na_v1.8 with a β₁ subunit by using whole-cell, two-electrode, voltage clamp techniques. We also studied the role of the β₃ subunit on the effect of antidepressants on Na_v1.3. All antidepressants inhibited sodium currents in an inactivated state induced by all five α subunits with β₁. The inhibitory effects were more potent for Na_v1.3, Na_v1.7, and Na_v1.8, which are distributed in dorsal root ganglia, than Na_v1.2 and Na_v1.6, which are distributed primarily in the central nervous system. The effect of amitriptyline on Na_v1.7 with β₁ was most potent with a half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) 4.6 μmol/L. IC₅₀ for amitriptyline on Na_v1.3 coexpressed with β₁ was lowered from 8.4 to 4.5 μmol/L by coexpression with β₃. Antidepressants predominantly inhibited the sodium channels expressed in dorsal root ganglia, and amitriptyline has the most potent inhibitory effect. This is the first evidence, to our knowledge, showing the diverse effects of antidepressants on various α subunits. Moreover, the β₃ subunit appears important for inhibition of Na_v1.3. These findings may aid better understanding of the mechanisms underlying the pain relieving effects of antidepressants.

PU.1 acts as tumor suppressor for myeloma cells through direct transcriptional repression of IRF4

We previously reported that PU.1 is downregulated in the majority of myeloma cell lines and primary myeloma cells of certain myeloma patients, and conditional expression of PU.1 in such myeloma cell lines induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis. We found downregulation of IRF4 protein in the U266 myeloma cell line following induction of PU.1. Previous studies reported that knockdown of IRF4 in myeloma cell lines induces apoptosis, prompting us to further investigate the role of IRF4 downregulation in PU.1-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in myeloma cells. PU.1 induced downregulation of IRF4 at the protein level, cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in six myeloma cell lines. Chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP) revealed that PU.1 directly binds to the IRF4 promoter, whereas a reporter assay showed that PU.1 may suppress IRF4 promoter activity. Stable expression of IRF4 in myeloma cells expressing PU.1 partially rescued the cells from apoptosis induced by PU.1. As it was reported that IRF4 directly binds to the IRF7 promoter and downregulates its expression in activated B cell-like subtype of diffuse large B cell lymphoma cells, we performed ChIP assays and found that IRF4 directly binds the IRF7 promoter in myeloma cells. It is known that IRF7 positively upregulates interferon-β (IFNβ) and induces apoptosis in many cell types. Binding of IRF4 to the IRF7 promoter decreased following PU.1 induction, accompanied by downregulation of IRF4 protein expression. Knockdown of IRF7 protected PU.1-expressing myeloma cells from apoptosis. Furthermore, IFNβ, which is a downstream target of IRF7, was upregulated in myeloma cells along with IRF7 after PU.1 induction. Finally, we evaluated the mRNA expression levels of PU.1, IRF4 and IRF7 in primary myeloma cells from patients and found that PU.1 and IRF7 were strongly downregulated in contrast to the high expression levels of IRF4. These data strongly suggest that PU.1-induced apoptosis in myeloma cells is associated with IRF4 downregulation and subsequent IRF7 upregulation.

Effect of Antihypertensive Drugs on Uric Acid Metabolism in Patients with Hypertension: Cross-Sectional Cohort Study

Background: Hypertension is a common complication in patients with gout and/or hyperuricemia. Besides, hyperuricemia is a risk factor of gout as well as ischemic heart disease in hypertensive patients. Moreover, the risk of gout is modified by antihypertensive drugs. However, it remains unclear how antihypertensive agents affect uric acid metabolism. Purpose: In the present study, we investigated the uric acid metabolism in treated hypertensive patients to find out whether any of them would influence serum levels of uric acid. Patients and methods: 751 hypertensive patients (313 men and 438 women) under antihypertensive treatment were selected. Blood pressure (BP), serum uric acid (SUA) and serum creatinine (Scr) were measured and evaluated statistically. Results: In patients treated with diuretics, beta-blockers and/or alpha-1 blockers SUA levels were significantly higher than in patients who were not taking these drugs. Besides, the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients treated with diuretics, beta-blockers and/or alpha-1 blockers was negatively correlated with SUA level. There were gender differences in the effects of beta-blockers and alpha-1 blockers. Multiple regression analysis indicated that both diuretics and beta-blockers significantly contributed to hyperuricemia in patients with medication for hypertension. Conclusion: Diuretics, beta-blockers and alpha-1 blockers reduced glomerular filtration rate and raised SUA levels. Calcium channel blockers, ACE inhibitors and angiotensin receptor blockers, including losartan, did not increase SUA levels.

Influence of morphology and polymorphic transformation of fat crystals on the freeze-thaw stability of mayonnaise-type oil-in-water emulsions

This study examined the destabilization of an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion by freeze-thawing with a focus on the influence of the morphology and polymorph of fat crystals. For a model of food emulsion, this study used a mayonnaise-type O/W emulsion containing 70wt% canola oil (canola emulsion) or soybean oil (soybean emulsion) stored at -15, -20, and -30°C. The freeze-thaw stabilities of the emulsions were evaluated by measuring the upper oil layer after freeze-thawing. The soybean emulsion kept at -20°C had the highest stability; the other emulsions were destabilized during 6h of storage. Crystallization in the emulsions was determined using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), time variation of temperature, X-ray diffraction measurement, and polarized light microscopy. DSC thermograms indicated that crystallization in emulsions occurred first in the high-melting fraction of oil, followed by water and, last, in the low-melting fraction of oil during cooling to -40°C. In the canola emulsion, the amount of fat crystals derived from the low-melting fraction of oil increased during storage at all temperatures, resulting in partial coalescence. The soybean emulsion was expected to be destabilized by polymorphic transformation (sub-α to β' and β) of fat crystals derived from the high-melting fraction during storage at -15 and -20°C. However, the soybean emulsion did not exhibit polymorphic transformation stored at -30°C, and the amount of fat crystals did not increase during freezing; thus, it was destabilized via a different mechanism.