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In Rwanda, nutritional problems are increasingly drawing attention, and the National Nutrition Policy focuses on the solutions to reduce the prevalence of malnutrition and to improve household food intake. Since rural Rwandans typically have meals at home and household food intake is known to be affected by their socioeconomic status (SES), care should be taken to ensure that homemade meals are healthy. This study aimed to assess the current nutrient content of porridge and mixture so as to recommend modifications to be made to improve nutrient intake within rural households in Rwanda. A crosssectional study was conducted; anthropometric measurements and one-day weighed food records (WFRs) were collected from 30 participants in four households with different SES in the Musanze district in the Northern Province of Rwanda. The first objective of this study was to compare nutritional status and food intake among households with different SES. The study results indicated that SES did not solely explain the nutritional status of the household members, and co-existence of over-nutrition and undernutrition was observed within the better-off household. Although meal frequency per day and the number of dishes and ingredients were positively related to household SES, rural Rwandans consumed monotonous diets characterized by porridge for breakfast and mixture (a dish boiled some foods together) for lunch and dinner as a whole. These two familiar dishes, porridge and mixture, greatly affected their energy and nutrient intakes. The second objective was to compare energy and nutrient contents in the same dishes with different ingredients and cooking methods. Porridges were made by dissolving mixed flour (maize and sorghum flours) in hot water. The porridge did not contain vitamin A. The energy, protein, and iron contents of the porridge were affected by flour concentration. Thick porridge whose flour concentration is 13% is recommended. Beans and potatoes were popular ingredients of mixture. Beans were major sources of energy, protein, and iron intakes. Contrary to general assumption, roots and tubers were also the major sources of protein and iron intakes among the participants. To cook mixture that is well boiled and contains beans and potatoes is a feasible way to increase energy and nutrient intakes regardless of household SES. In order to provide good vitamin A intake, addition of yellow plantain, palm oil, and/or tomato is recommended. This study presents locally and economically feasible recommendations to make popular dishes more nutritious for rural Rwandans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the direct formation of the ferrite film on the substrate surface of various substances. Film preparation and characterization; Adhesion test; Wettability test; Results and discussion.

Design activities on the helical-type fusion DEMO reactor, FFHR-d1, are progressing at NIFS. A 100 kA current-capacity is required for the helical coil conductors under the maximum magnetic field of \sim13 T. High-temperature superconducting conductor has been proposed as one of the conductor options for the FFHR-d1 magnet. In this study, a 30 kA class HTS conductor sample has been fabricated and tested. The sample had no current feeders and the current was induced by changing the background magnetic field generated by the 9 T split coils in the cryostat. Rogowski coils and Hall probes were used for the measurement of the transport current of the sample. The critical current of the sample was measured at various temperatures and bias magnetic fields. To verify the self-field effect of the sample, a numerical analysis was performed by considering the current and magnetic field distribution among the tapes self-consistently. The analysis result was compared with the experimental observation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A 31-year-old man underwent living-related kidney transplantation in 2004 as a consequence of primary focal segmental glomerulosclerosis ( FSGS). Four years after the transplantation, we confirmed nephrotic syndrome caused by recurrent FSGS. We performed plasmapheresis and low-density lipoprotein adsorption. We also combined steroid therapy with a reduction in the dose of tacrolimus and an increased dose of mycophenolate mofetil. The nephrotic syndrome improved dramatically with this combined therapeutic approach. However, 10 months after these treatments, he revisited our hospital because of altered consciousness. We detected multiple tumor masses in his brain that were ring enhanced on contrast magnetic resonance imaging. Consequently, we suspected primary central nervous system post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder ( CNS- PTLD). We performed a craniotomy to biopsy the brain tumors. The biopsy specimen showed Epstein-Barr virus-associated diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. There is no definitive treatment for CNS- PTLD. Therefore, we treated the primary CNS- PTLD successfully with whole-brain radiation and discontinuation of immunosuppression therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the highest radiosensitivity of cells in the M phase among the other cell phases, such as the G1, S and G2 phases, has been known, the exact mechanism of radiosensitivity in mitotic cells remains unclear. Recently, mitotic arrest caused by DNA-damaging reagents has been shown, and the molecular mechanism in the arrest has been discussed in detail. In this study, abnormal cell-cycle progression in the M phase was investigated when a single mitotic cell in each mitotic stage was irradiated with a 5.35 keV X-ray microbeam focused on the cell nucleus. An X-ray microbeam irradiation system installed at BL-27 in Photon Factory, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (HEARO, Tsukuba) was used. HeLa cells, genetically modified and expressing enhanced green fluorescent protein-tagged aurora kinase B, were used as irradiated samples in order to recognise the stage of each cell in the M phase. Thus, 10 Gy irradiation concentrated at the nucleus of a single cell elongated the cell-cycle progression in the M phase by delaying the metaphase/anaphase transition. The dose dependence of the elongation of the M phase was also examined. An irregular distribution of DNA in anaphase cells was observed after irradiation. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The aim was to develop a simple biodosimetry method for as rapid as possible estimation of absorbed radiation doses in victims of radiation accidents, in particular after high-dose exposure. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were gamma-irradiated in vitro with several doses up to 40 Gy stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) for 2 days and their chromosomes condensed prematurely using 50 nm calyculin A. Chromosome lengths of Giemsa-stained G2 prematurely condensed chromosomes (PCC) were measured using image analysing software and the ratio of the longest/shortest chromosome length was calculated. The length ratio (LR) of the longest/shortest Giemsa-stained chromosome s increased with a good correlation to the square root of the radiation dose ( D ) up to 40  Gy, i.e. LR = (4.90 × D 0.5 ) + 2.14. The LR of the longest/shortest chromosome might be used as an index for estimating the radiation dose. The blood samples should not be cooled until the start of separation/stimulation of the lymphocytes. A rapid and easy estimation of large doses after whole-body exposure was identified by measuring the ratio of the longest/shortest length of Giemsa-stained G2-PCC induced by calyculin A. This simple protocol will be particularly useful for making therapy decisions for victims of ionizing radiation exposure and has potential for use as a biodosimeter for partial-body exposure accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a need for quick dose estimation by a simple method in radiation accidents. This study develops a simple and rapid dose estimation protocol for victims of such accidents, in particular those involving high radiation doses. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were ?-irradiated in vitro at several dose points up to 60?Gy, and were stimulated with phytohaemagglutinin-P (PHA-P) for 2 days to obtain dividing cells. PBL were then forced to condense prematurely, using 50 nM calyculin A, and the obtained chromosome spreads were Giemsa stained. The G2-PCC (prematurely condensed chromosomes) index and chromosome number for each radiation dose point were scored. G2-PCC were stably induced using calyculin A within 24?h delays in stimulation of PBL with PHA-P. The chromosome number of G2-PCC increased steeply with radiation doses up to 30?Gy at a rate of 0.31?Gy ?-?1 and then decreased at 0.30?Gy ?-?1 up to 40?Gy. More than 10% of G2-PCC index remained up to a 15?Gy dose. Even after 40?Gy irradiation, about 2% PCC index was obtained, and this value was enough to score a sufficient number of chromosome spreads for analysis. Therefore, the combined use of chromosome number and G2-PCC index allows biodosimetry to be done easily and rapidly. If PCC are not induced using calyculin A, it is strongly suggested that the radiation dose is over 50?Gy. A rapid and easy dose estimation for large dose exposure whole-body was realized by combined analysis of Giemsa-stained chromosome number of G2-PCC and PCC index using calyculin A. This simple method will be of use for rapid decision making of therapy for radiation accident victims. This method also has potential for use as a biodosimeter for partial-body exposure accidents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the gene expression of tumour necrosis factor (TNF) and the molecular weight of the cytotoxic factor in a subline of a rat basophilic leukaemia cell line, RBL-2H3. After IgE receptor triggering with a specific antigen that was associated with histamine release, cytotoxic activity in the cell lysates and supernatants increased for 2 hr during the culture of RBL-2H3 cells. Furthermore, calcium ionophore A23187 could induce release of histamine and cytotoxic activity from RBL-2H3 cells. However, compound 48/80, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) were unable to induce the release of either histamine or cytotoxic activity from the cells. These data suggested that, at least in part, there was a common pathway in histamine release and production of cytotoxic activity. A protein synthesis inhibitor, cycloheximide, did not affect histamine release, but inhibited the induction of cytotoxic activity. This cytotoxic activity from RBL-2H3 cells was completely neutralized by anti-mouse TNF rabbit serum. With Northern blot analysis, mouse TNF eDNA probe could hybridize with RNA isolated from RBL-2H3 cells. TNF mRNA was induced as early as I hr after stimulation with specific antigen and decreased by 4 hr. Moreover, the molecular weight (MW) of the released cytotoxic factor from RBL-2H3 cells triggered with IgE receptors was approximately 17,000 by SDS-PAGE, which was compatible to that of TNF, Thus, it is concluded that the gene expression and production of TNF occurred in RBL-2H3 cells after IgE receptor triggering in association with histamine release, suggesting that TNF produced by basophils and mast ceils may play an important role in allergic reaction through its wide range of biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

P815, a transformed mouse mastocytoma cell line, produced and released cytotoxic factors after stimulation with phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), but not with lipopolysaecharide (LPS), calcium ionophore A23187 and IgE receptor triggering. The cytotoxic activity was reduced 60% by antibodies to mouse turnout necrosis factor (TNF). In addition, we demonstrated that TNF mRNA was already expressed under normal culture conditions and that it increased after stimulation with PMA. Although it was unknown whether factors other than TNF were lymphotoxin or some other unknown factors, it has been suggested that mast cells have cytotoxic activity, and that they contribute to inflammatory response through the release of TNF, which has a wide range of biological activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin (IL)-5 or IL-8 have been suggested to play an important role in the pathogenesis of eosinophilic airway inflammation in bronchial asthma or neutrophilic airway inflammation in chronic bronchitis, respectively. However. GM-CSF and IL-8 have biological activities to either eosinophils or neutrophils. Objective To investigate the contribution of these cytokines to airway inflammation, we compared the cellular differential and immunolocalization of GM-CSF, IL-5 and IL-8 in sputum cells from patients with bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. Methods Cytospins of sputum cells from 12 patients with bronchial asthma and 12 with chronic bronchitis were subjected to cellular differential counting and immunocytochemistry with anti-human GM- CSF, IL-5 and IL-8 antibody. Results The predominant cells in bronchial asthma were eosinophils and lymphocytes, while those in chronic bronchitis were neutrophils. All cytokines examined were detected in either bronchial asthma or chronic bronchitis, although the percentage of GM-CSF and IL-5 positive cells in bronchial asthma (53.4 ± 60 [mean ± SEM]% and 9.7 ± 2.8%, respectively) was significantly higher than that in chronic bronchitis (11.4 ± 2.5%; P < 0.001 and 1.7 ± 0.3%; P < 0.007. respectively). In contrast, the percentage of IL-8 positive cells in chronic bronchitis (23.8 ± 7.0%) was significantly higher than that in bronchia! asthma (7.7 ± 1.9%; P < 0.04). The cells positive for IL-5 were lymphocytes in bronchial asthma and chronic bronchitis. The cells positive for GM- CSF in bronchial asthma were predominantly eosinophils, while those in chronic bronchitis were monocytes/macrophages and neutrophils. In contrast, neutrophils are mainly positive for IL-8 in chronic bronchitis, while monocytes/macrophages and bronchial epithelial cells are positive for IL-8 in bronchial asthma. Conclusion The immunochemical comparison of GM-CSF and IL-8 localization in sputum cells between bronchial asthma chronic bronchitis suggests the differential regulation and roles of these cytokines in eosinophilic vs neutrophilic airway inflammation, resulting in the development of different types of airway inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]