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Spheroid formation assisted by microengineered chambers is a versatile approach for morphology-controlled three-dimensional (3D) cell cultivation with physiological relevance to human tissues. However, the limitation in diffusion-based oxygen/nutrient transport has been a critical issue for the densely packed cells in spheroids, preventing maximization of cellular functions and thus limiting their biomedical applications. Here, we have developed a multiscale microfluidic system for the perfusion culture of spheroids, in which porous microchambers, connected with microfluidic channels, were engineered. A newly developed process of centrifugation-assisted replica molding and salt-leaching enabled the formation of single micrometer-sized pores on the chamber surface and in the substrate. The porous configuration generates a vertical flow to directly supply the medium to the spheroids, while avoiding the formation of stagnant flow regions. We created seamlessly integrated, all PDMS/silicone-based microfluidic devices with an array of microchambers. Spheroids of human liver cells (HepG2 cells) were formed and cultured under vertical-flow perfusion, and the proliferation ability and liver cell-specific functions were compared with those of cells cultured in non-porous chambers with a horizontal flow. The presented system realizes both size-controlled formation of spheroids and direct medium supply, making it suitable as a precision cell culture platform for drug development, disease modelling, and regenerative medicine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors describe an immunocompetent, 50-year-old man who complained of a daily transient blurring of his vision with bilateral papilloedema. His visual acuity was 20/20 OU, and the blind spot was enlarged bilaterally. There was intracranial hypertension, but imaging for systemic and brain tumours were negative. These findings suggested a diagnosis of the pseudotumor syndrome. However, MRI showed leptomeningeal enhancement, and acetazolamide successfully resolved his visual symptoms and papilloedema. Cytology and flow cytometry of the CSF led to the final diagnosis of primary leptomeningeal lymphoma (PLML). Clinicians need to be aware that a case of PLML may be misdiagnosed as peudotumor cerebri. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aurora kinase (AUR) is a well-known mitotic serine/threonine kinase that regulates centromere formation, chromosome segregation, and cytokinesis in eukaryotes. In addition to regulating mitotic events, AUR has been shown to regulate protein dynamics during interphase in animal cells. In contrast, there has been no identification and characterization of substrates and/or interacting proteins during interphase in plants. The Arabidopsis thaliana genome encodes three AUR paralogues, AtAUR1, AtAUR2, and AtAUR3. Among them, AtAUR1 and AtAUR2 are considered to function redundantly. Here, we confirmed that both AtAUR1 and AtAUR3 are localized in the nucleus and cytoplasm during interphase, suggesting that they have functions during interphase. To identify novel interacting proteins, we used AlphaScreen to target 580 transcription factors (TFs) that are mainly functional during interphase, using recombinant A. thaliana TFs and AtAUR1 or AtAUR3. We found 133 and 32 TFs had high potential for interaction with AtAUR1 and AtAUR3, respectively. The highly AtAUR-interacting TFs were involved in various biological processes, suggesting the functions of the AtAURs during interphase. We found that AtAUR1 and AtAUR3 showed similar interaction affinity to almost all TFs. However, in some cases, the interaction affinity differed substantially between the two AtAUR homologues. These results suggest that AtAUR1 and AtAUR3 have both redundant and distinct functions through interactions with TFs. In addition, database analysis revealed that most of the highly AtAUR-interacting TFs contained a detectable phosphopeptide that was consistent with the consensus motifs for human AURs, suggesting that these TFs are substrates of the AtAURs. The AtAURs phosphorylated several highly interacting TFs in the AlphaScreen in vitro. Overall, in line with the regulation of TFs through interaction, our results indicate the possibility of phosphoregulation of several TFs by the AtAURs (280/300). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accidents following the March 11, 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and subsequent tsunami released radioactive materials into the atmosphere and caused significant public health concerns, particularly thyroid cancers in children. However, the lack of measurement data for atmospheric concentrations of 131I has caused persistent and widespread uncertainty. This study estimated the maximum potential thyroid doses of inhaled 131I in the early post-accident phase between March 12 and 23, 2011 by using the hourly measured data of the 137Cs concentrations at 101 suspended particulate matter (SPM) monitoring sites, a new multi-model ensemble (MME) method of simulating 137Cs concentrations using two Atmospheric Transport and Deposition Models (ATDMs), the 131I/137Cs ratio obtained from measurement data analysis, and the internal exposure model. Based on the measurements, the maximum potential thyroid doses were estimated at 3.1–160 mSv at 5 sites in the Fukushima-Hamadori area for 1-year-old children assumed to remain outdoors, whereas they were less than 4.3 mSv at the other sites in the base case of the 131I/137Cs ratio. The spatial distribution of the maximum potential of early inhalation doses was estimated by using the MME and measurements. The inhalation thyroid doses in the evacuation scenarios were compared to the estimates reported by previous studies. The results of the present study were almost congruent with the outcomes of previous investigations except for thyroid doses contributed by highly contaminated plumes on March 12 and 15. The sensitivity analysis for the 131I/137Cs ratio indicated that these plumes carried the potential to significantly increase the thyroid doses of residents. • Early thyroid doses from inhaled 131I after the FDNPP accident were estimated. • Multi-ensemble ATDM and hourly measured 137Cs data could improve the estimation. • Plumes on March 12 and 15, 2011 had potential to change the previous estimations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The radiation dose effects due to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident are of public concern. Although indoor dust is an important exposure route for some hazardous chemicals, the radiation exposure dose from the radioactive caesium (Cs) in it has not been well investigated. Hence, in this study, we measured the radioactive Cs in the indoor dust of private houses in order to estimate the resulting human exposure. We collected vacuum cleaner dust twice (in April and June 2012, n = 250 and 241, respectively) in the prefectures of Chiba and Ibaraki, from houses located 150–200 km south from the FDNPP. The activity concentrations of 134Cs and 137Cs in the indoor dust were measured using germanium γ-ray detectors, and the exposure dose was calculated and the household-to-household variations were analysed. The median activity concentrations of 134Cs + 137Cs in the indoor dust collected in April and June were 1470 and 1340 Bq kg−1, respectively. The median committed effective doses via indoor dust ingestion were estimated as 0.73, 0.66, and 0.43 × 10−3 mSv year−1, and those via inhalation were estimated as 0.03, 0.04, and 0.06 × 10−3 mSv year−1 for one- and ten-year-old children and adults, respectively. Those were much smaller than the annual dose limit of 1 mSv year−1, which was set as a goal to be achieved in the a few years or decades (clear period has not been set). Within the detached houses, multiple regression analysis showed that wet wiping of floor was a significant reduction factor of the Cs concentration in dust; however, the small determination coefficient implies the presence of factors that were not considered in this study. • Radioactive Cs in indoor dust (vacuum cleaner dust) from houses located 150–200 km south from the FDNPP was measured. • The median committed effective dose via indoor dust ingestion and indoor air inhalation was less than 1 × 10-3 mSv year-1. • Wet wiping of indoor floor was a significant reduction factor of the radioactive Cs concentration in indoor dust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collection and cooking of wild vegetables have provided seasonal enjoyments for Japanese local people as provisioning and cultural ecosystem services. However, the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident in March 2011 caused extensive radiocesium contamination of wild vegetables. Restrictions on commercial shipments of wild vegetables have been in place for the last 10 years. Some species, including buds of Aralia elata, are currently showing radiocesium concentrations both above and below the Japanese reference level for food (100 Bq/kg), implying that there are factors decreasing and increasing the 137Cs concentration. Here, we evaluated easy-to-measure environmental variables (dose rate at the soil surface, organic soil layer thickness, slope steepness, and presence/absence of decontamination practices) and the 137Cs concentrations of 40 A. elata buds at 38 locations in Fukushima Prefecture to provide helpful information on avoiding collecting highly contaminated buds. The 137Cs concentrations in A. elata buds ranged from 1 to 6,280 Bq/kg fresh weight and increased significantly with increases in the dose rate at the soil surface (0.10–6.50 μSv/h). Meanwhile, the 137Cs concentration in A. elata buds were not reduced by decontamination practices. These findings suggest that measuring the latest dose rate at the soil surface at the base of A. elata plants is a helpful way to avoid collecting buds with higher 137Cs concentrations and aid in the management of species in polluted regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizer and associated with various health issues. Recently, non-phthalate plasticizers are replacing phthalates; however, the exposure to these substances and the risk in Japan is unclear. In this study, we assessed the concentrations of phthalates, non-phthalate plasticizers, and phthalate degradation products in house dust and determined their respective exposure risks via oral and dermal routes. Twelve phthalates, seven non-phthalate plasticizers, and two degradation products were determined in the house dust obtained from 100 Japanese homes. The median concentration of di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), accounting for 85 % of the total concentration of phthalates and non-phthalate plasticizers detected in this study, was 2.1 × 103 μg/g of dust. Apart from DEHP, diisononyl phthalate (DINP) and di(2-ethylhexyl) terephthalate (DEHT) were the most abundant in the house dust, accounting for 6.2 % (median: 1.7 × 102 μg/g of dust) and 6.1 % (median: 1.7 × 102 μg/g of dust) of the total concentrations, respectively. DEHP and DEHT concentrations in house dust were higher in apartment and small houses (floor area: ≤30 m2 or 31–60 m2 for DEHP and 31–60 m2 for DEHT) than in detached and large houses (floor area: ≥121 m2). Conversely, di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) concentrations were significantly higher in detached and large houses (floor area: ≥121 m2) than in apartment and small houses (floor area: ≤30 m2). The total hazard quotient (HQ), using the maximum concentration in house dust, revealed that oral and dermal exposure to house dust was 1.3 × 10-6–0.11 for adults (all substances) and 1.6 × 10-5–2.2 × 10-2 for preschool children (except for DnBP and DEHP), suggesting no risk. The HQs for DnBP and DEHP exposure via house dust for preschool children using the maximum values were 0.46 and 1.2, and 6.0 × 10-3 and 0.18 using the median values, indicating that risk of DEHP exposure should be exhaustively determined by considering other exposure routes that were not evaluated in this study, such as diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aggregated transfer factor (Tag) is commonly used to represent the actual transfer of radiocesium from soil to wild edible plants, but the values have shown substantial variation since the Fukushima nuclear accident. To elucidate the factors causing this variation, we investigated the effects of spatial scale and vertical 137Cs distribution in the soil on the variation of Tag-137Cs values for one of the most severely contaminated wild edible plants, Eleutherococcus sciadophylloides Franch. et Sav. (Koshiabura). The variation in Tag-137Cs values was not reduced by direct measurement of 137Cs deposition in soil samples from the Koshiabura habitat, as a substitute for using spatially averaged airborne survey data at the administrative district scale. The 137Cs activity concentration in Koshiabura buds showed a significant positive correlation with the 137Cs inventories only in the organic horizon of soil from the Koshiabura habitat. The ratio of 137Cs inventories in the organic horizon to the total 137Cs deposition in soil exhibited substantial variation, especially in broad-leaved deciduous forests that Koshiabura primarily inhabits. This variation may be the cause of the wide range of Tag-137Cs values observed in Koshiabura buds when calculated from the total 137Cs deposition in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant cell wall, the most external layer of the plant surface, is the site where most pathogenic fungi first make contact with host cells. A plant–fungus interaction therefore commences at the interface between the plant and the spore. Our current research focusing on the plant cell wall has discovered an extracellular ecto-nucleoside triphosphate diphosphohydrolase (ecto-NTPDase/apyrase; EC3.6.1.15) as a key player in plant defense before the onset of PTI (PAMP-triggered immunity). This review focuses on our recent findings, especially the role of the plant cell wall in the extracellular defense against fungi as well as fungal strategies resulting in successful infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We obtained the aggregated transfer factor (Tag) for 10 common edible wild plant species (four perennial spermatophytes, bamboo shoot, two tree species, and three perennial pteridophytes) in northeastern Japan. Measurement of Tag was carried out in 2012–2019 and we also used publicly available data for 2012–2019: food monitoring data and total deposition data from an airborne survey. The Tag obtained from actual measurements agreed well with Tag values calculated from the publicly available data. The sampling locations were only identified at the municipal level and uncertainty of the deposition for the publicly available data, and thus Tag values showed substantial variation. The Tag of the perennial spermatophytes, including bamboo shoot, and perennial pteridophytes showed single exponential decline with effective half-lives of approximately 2 years, whereas those of tree species did not show distinct temporal change. These results imply that data since 2014 are applicable for Tag estimation for long-term potential ingestion dose in the future to the public because of the slow decline. The calculated Tag values of all species for 2014–2019 ranged from 6.1 × 10−5 to 5.2 × 10−3 m2/kg-fresh mass. The maximum Tag value was observed for the tree koshiabura (Chengiopanax sciadophylloides) and the minimum value was observed for the perennial spermatophyte giant butterbur (Petasites japonica). Tree species showed higher Tag than spermatophyte and pteridophyte perennials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental phenols are widely distributed in the environment and human samples, suggesting potential exposure to these chemicals. We designed an intervention trial with 30 participants over 6 days to assess the urinary concentrations and half-lives of environmental phenols in Japanese young people. The target environmental phenols include three parabens (methyl paraben, ethyl paraben, and propyl paraben), two benzophenones (benzophenone 1 and 3), two bisphenols (bisphenol F and bisphenol S), and triclosan. Throughout the intervention, the participants consumed the same food and drinks and used personal care products provided by the project. The target phenols were measured in urine from the participants using a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometer. We compared the measured concentrations between the study periods to better understand the exposure tendency. Some statistically significant differences were observed. All target analytes were detected in more than 50% of samples collected on Day 0 (the day before the intervention). Methyl paraben was the dominant phenol detected in urine (1640 μg/g-creatinine), followed by ethyl paraben (119 μg/g-creatinine). Downward trends in creatinine-corrected concentrations were observed for all target analytes in some instances. Non-compartment analysis was performed to estimate urinary excretion parameters. The estimated half-lives ranged from 7.69 to 20.3 h. Use of paraben-free products during the intervention period reduced the body burden. [Display omitted] • Intervention trial with controlled diet and personal care products was conducted. • Urinary parabens, bisphenols, benzophenones and triclosan were measured for 7 days. • Parabens, especially methyl paraben, were dominant phenols detected in urine. • Significant differences were observed between preintervention and intervention. • The estimated elimination half-lives ranged from 7.69 (PrP) – 20.3 (BPF) hours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to obtain information on thermochemical reactions of chlorophenols, which are well known as dioxin precursors, occurring during the combustion of municipal solid wastes, the combustion of 2,4,6-trichlorophenol (2,4,6-T3CP) in an air stream was investigated over a temperature range of 500¿800°C for a residence time of 1¿20s using a quartz flow reactor. Gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric (GC/MS) analysis of the gaseous products and residues showed that 2,4,6-T3CP began to decompose at 500°C and produced several compounds, with 1,3,6,8- and 1,3,7,9-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxins (T4CDD) as the major products. In addition, more than fifty organic products were observed in our experimental conditions. The yields of polychlorinated benzenes, phenols, dibenzofurans, and dibenzo-p-dioxins formed during the combustion of 2,4,6-T3CP were plotted as a function of temperature and residence time. Furthermore, it was found that the yields and the compositions of these gaseous products were strongly dependent on the residence time in the flow reactor. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To report two cases of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with asteroid hyalosis (AH). Case Presentation: Two patients presented with RRD originating from a flap tear. Case 1 involved a 62-year-old male who was found to have bullous RRD in his left eye originating from a flap tear. During vitreous surgery, a thick vitreous cortex was found to have strongly adhered to the entire retinal surface, from the center to the periphery. A bimanual method was then used in conjunction with the vitrectomy to create an artificial posterior vitreous detachment. After surgery, the retina was successfully reattached, and his corrected visual acuity (VA) improved. Case 2 involved a 70-year-old male who was found to have localized RRD in his left eye originating from a flap tear. During vitreous surgery, a thick vitreous cortex was found to have strongly adhered to the entire retinal surface. After surgery, the retina was successfully reattached, and his corrected VA improved. Conclusions: RRD associated with AH presents with stronger vitreoretinal adhesion compared to typical RRD, thus requiring a more complicated surgical technique to properly treat the patient. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This study was conducted to investigate the agonistic activity against human retinoic acid receptor (RAR) α in the Lake Biwa–Yodo River and the Ina River in the Kinki region of Japan. To accomplish this, a yeast two-hybrid assay was used to elucidate the spatial and temporal variations and potential sources of RARα agonist contamination in the river basins. RARα agonistic activity was commonly detected in the surface water samples collected along two rivers at different periods, with maximum all-trans retinoic acid (atRA) equivalents of 47.6ng-atRA/L and 23.5ng-atRA/L being observed in Lake Biwa–Yodo River and Ina River, respectively. The results indicated that RARα agonists are always present and widespread in the rivers. Comparative investigation of RARα and estrogen receptor α agonistic activities at 20 stations along each river revealed that the spatial variation pattern of RARα agonist contamination was entirely different from that of the estrogenic compound contamination. This suggests that the effluent from municipal wastewater treatment plants, a primary source of estrogenic compounds, seemed not to be the cause of RARα agonist contamination in the rivers. Fractionation using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) directed by the bioassay found two bioactive fractions from river water samples, suggesting the presence of at least two RARα agonists in the rivers. Although a trial conducted to identify RARα agonists in the major bioactive fraction was not completed as part of this study, comparison of retention times in HPLC analysis and quantification with liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed that the major causative contaminants responsible for the RARα agonistic activity were not RAs (natural RAR ligands) and 4-oxo-RAs, while 4-oxo-RAs were identified as the major RAR agonists in sewage in Beijing, China. These findings suggest that there are unknown RARα agonists with high activity in the rivers. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Numerous poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) have been manufactured and distributed on the world market. Research on PFAS has highlighted their global distribution and impacts on ecosystems and human health. Following regulations and public concern, PFAS production has shifted toward novel molecules in recent years. New classes of PFAS have been identified in the environment and are gaining worldwide attention. The development of an efficient strategy for identification and quantification of emerging PFAS is essential for risk assessment. This review presents and discusses the most recent analytical method development for PFAS in air, water, abiotic solid matrices and biological matrices, and addresses non-target approaches. Various methods are covered including sampling, pre-treatment (enrichment, extraction and clean-up) and instrumental analysis, and their applications, advantages, shortcomings and future needs are explored. • We discuss recent trends in analytical methods for PFAS in various matrices. • PFAS in air, water, abiotic solids and biological samples are investigated. • Our review covers various methods including sampling, pretreatment and measurement. • We review current analytical techniques and their performance to help future PFAS research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]