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Item response theory (IRT) models are often compared with respect to predictive performance to determine the dimensionality of rating scale data. However, such model comparisons could be biased toward nested-dimensionality IRT models (e.g., the bifactor model) when comparing those models with non-nested-dimensionality IRT models (e.g., a unidimensional or a between-item-dimensionality model). The reason is that, compared with non-nested-dimensionality models, nested-dimensionality models could have a greater propensity to fit data that do not represent a specific dimensional structure. However, it is unclear as to what degree model comparison results are biased toward nested-dimensionality IRT models when the data represent specific dimensional structures and when Bayesian estimation and model comparison indices are used. We conducted a simulation study to add clarity to this issue. We examined the accuracy of four Bayesian predictive performance indices at differentiating among non-nested- and nested-dimensionality IRT models. The deviance information criterion (DIC), a commonly used index to compare Bayesian models, was extremely biased toward nested-dimensionality IRT models, favoring them even when non-nested-dimensionality models were the correct models. The Pareto-smoothed importance sampling approximation of the leave-one-out cross-validation was the least biased, with the Watanabe information criterion and the log-predicted marginal likelihood closely following. The findings demonstrate that nested-dimensionality IRT models are not automatically favored when the data represent specific dimensional structures as long as an appropriate predictive performance index is used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using the bifactor item response theory model to analyze data arising from educational and psychological studies has gained popularity over the years. Unfortunately, using this model in practice comes with challenges. One such challenge is an empirical identification issue that is seldom discussed in the literature, and its impact on the estimates of the bifactor model's parameters has not been demonstrated. This issue occurs when an item's discriminations on the general and specific dimensions are approximately equal (i.e., the within-item discriminations are similar in strength), leading to difficulties in obtaining unique estimates for those discriminations. We conducted three simulation studies to demonstrate that within-item discriminations being similar in strength creates problems in estimation stability. The results suggest that a large sample could alleviate but not resolve the problems, at least when considering sample sizes up to 4,000. When the discriminations within items were made clearly different, the estimates of these discriminations were more consistent across the data replicates than that observed when the discriminations within the items were similar. The results also show that the similarity of an item's discriminatory magnitudes on different dimensions has direct implications on the sample size needed in order to consistently obtain accurate parameter estimates. Although our goal was to provide evidence of the empirical identification issue, the study further reveals that the extent of similarity of within-item discriminations, the magnitude of discriminations, and how well the items are targeted to the respondents also play factors in the estimation of the bifactor model's parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The majority of research on accessing and utilizing mental health services has focused on patient barriers to care. Few studies have explored possible provider biases that may impact client access at point of entry. Using the audit method, we conducted an email-based field experiment to investigate the responsiveness of psychotherapy providers to inquiries from simulated patients with different backgrounds (i.e., race, gender, diagnosis, and ability to pay). A total of 725 therapists (176 men, 549 women) practicing in Chicago, Illinois were identified from an online therapist directory and randomized to receive emails requesting therapy appointments. Overall, 21.7% of providers did not return prospective client email inquiries; 32.5% of providers were somewhat responsive in that they returned an email despite not being able to take on the client; and 45.7% were highly responsive in that they returned an email and offered an appointment or the opportunity to discuss the matter further. Male providers were less responsive to African American and Latinx simulated clients and most responsive to White clients, whereas female providers were more likely to respond similarly to all simulated clients. Moreover, regardless of the providers' gender, they were more responsive to simulated patients with depression than to simulated patients with schizophrenia or borderline personality disorder (BPD). Finally, providers were more responsive to those who could pay the full fee than to those who requested a sliding scale. Educating providers on these possible biases is important because it could help reduce biased behaviors and improve access to care for vulnerable populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although item response theory (IRT) models such as the bifactor, two-tier, and between-item-dimensionality IRT models have been devised to confirm complex dimensional structures in educational and psychological data, they can be challenging to use in practice. The reason is that these models are multidimensional IRT (MIRT) models and thus are highly parameterized, making them only suitable for data provided by large samples. Unfortunately, many educational and psychological studies are conducted on a small scale, leaving the researchers without the necessary MIRT models to confirm the hypothesized structures in their data. To address the lack of modeling options for these researchers, we present a general Bayesian MIRT model based on adaptive informative priors. Simulations demonstrated that our MIRT model could be used to confirm a two-tier structure (with two general and six specific dimensions), a bifactor structure (with one general and six specific dimensions), and a between-item six-dimensional structure in rating scale data representing sample sizes as small as 100. Although our goal was to provide a general MIRT model suitable for smaller samples, the simulations further revealed that our model was applicable to larger samples. We also analyzed real data from 121 individuals to illustrate that the findings of our simulations are relevant to real situations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilevel bifactor item response theory (IRT) models are commonly used to account for features of the data that are related to the sampling and measurement processes used to gather those data. These models conventionally make assumptions about the portions of the data structure that represent these features. Unfortunately, when data violate these models' assumptions but these models are used anyway, incorrect conclusions about the cluster effects could be made and potentially relevant dimensions could go undetected. To address the limitations of these conventional models, a more flexible multilevel bifactor IRT model that does not make these assumptions is presented, and this model is based on the generalized partial credit model. Details of a simulation study demonstrating this model outperforming competing models and showing the consequences of using conventional multilevel bifactor IRT models to analyze data that violate these models' assumptions are reported. Additionally, the model's usefulness is illustrated through the analysis of the Program for International Student Assessment data related to interest in science. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Advancements in item response theory (IRT) have led to models for dual dependence, which control for cluster and method effects during a psychometric analysis. Currently, however, this class of models does not include one that controls for when the method effects stem from two method sources in which one source functions differently across the aspects of another source (i.e., a nested method--source interaction). For this study, then, a Bayesian IRT model is proposed, one that accounts for such interaction among method sources while controlling for the clustering of individuals within the sample. The proposed model accomplishes these tasks by specifying a multilevel trifactor structure for the latent trait space. Details of simulations are also reported. These simulations demonstrate that this model can identify when item response data represent a multilevel trifactor structure, and it does so in data from samples as small as 250 cases nested within 50 clusters. Additionally, the simulations show that misleading estimates for the item discriminations could arise when the trifactor structure reflected in the data is not correctly accounted for. The utility of the model is also illustrated through the analysis of empirical data. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Postural abnormalities in Parkinson's disease (PD) patients and unimpaired elderly are not well differentiated. Factors related to postural abnormality associated with PD are controversial. Objective: We assessed differences in postural change between PD patients and unimpaired elderly and elucidated factors related to abnormal posture in PD patients. Methods: We measured the dropped head angle (DHA), anterior flexion angle (AFA), and lateral flexion angle (LFA) of the thoracolumbar spine of an unprecedented 1,117 PD patients and 2,732 general population participants (GPPs) using digital photographs. Two statistical analyses were used for elucidating factors related to these angles. Results: In GPPs, age was correlated with DHA, AFA, and LFA. DHAs, AFAs, and LFAs of PD patients and age‐matched GPPs were 21.70° ± 14.40° and 13.13° ± 10.79°, 5.98° ± 12.67,°and − 3.82° ± 4.04°, and 0.86° ± 4.25° and 1.33° ± 2.16°, respectively. In PD patients, factors related to DHA were age, male sex, and H & Y stage during ON time. Factors related to AFA were age, duration of disease, H & Y stage during ON and OFF times, pain, vertebral disease, and bending to the right. A factor related to LFA was AFA. Conclusions: DHA and AFA of GGPs correlated with age and were larger in PD patients than those with in GPPs. Some PD patients showed angles far beyond the normal distribution. Thus, factors associated with disease aggravation affected postural abnormality in PD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many item response theory (IRT) models take a multidimensional perspective to deal with sources that induce local item dependence (LID), with these models often making an orthogonal assumption about the dimensional structure of the data. One reason for this assumption is because of the indeterminacy issue in estimating the correlations among the dimensions in structures often specified to deal with sources of LID (e.g., bifactor and two‐tier structures), and the assumption usually goes untested. Unfortunately, the mere fact that assessing these correlations is a challenge for some estimation methods does not mean that data seen in practice support such orthogonal structure. In this paper, a Bayesian multilevel multidimensional IRT model for locally dependent data is presented. This model can test whether item response data violate the orthogonal assumption that many IRT models make about the dimensional structure of the data when addressing sources of LID, and this test is carried out at the dimensional level while accounting for sampling clusters. Simulations show that the model presented is effective at carrying out this task. The utility of the model is also illustrated on an empirical data set. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Strontium-90 (90Sr) was released together with radioactive cesium (Cs) from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant ( FNPP) accident. Although the total amount of 90Sr released into the marine environment from the FNPP was estimated to be a factor of 100 lower than that of 137Cs, the public have been concerned about the safety of commercial species because of the tendency of accumulation in bones of organisms, its long physical half-life and less information about 90Sr concentrations in commercial species. In this study, we investigated the concentrations of 90Sr in marine fishes off Japan before and after the FNPP accident. Except for within a 20-km radius from the FNPP, 90Sr concentrations higher than the background level (<0.046 Bq kg−1 wet) were only detected in 4 of 26 specimens collected off Fukushima. Furthermore, 90Sr concentrations in all samples collected outside of Fukushima were under the detection limit (<0.040 Bq kg−1 wet). Also, the concentrations of 90Sr in marine fishes were notably lower than those of 137Cs, and thus the activity ratios of 137Cs to 90Sr in the whole body of teleost fishes were 5-190 times higher than that of before the accident. The activity ratio tended to decrease owing to a decrease in the 137Cs concentration in marine fish. Our result together with ananalysis of other data sets indicated that the influence of the FNPP accident on 90Sr in marine fishes was limited to the area near the FNPP and outside of the FNPP harbor area can be considered as negligible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant (FNPP) accident that followed the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 resulted in the release of enormous quantities of anthropogenic radionuclides, especially radioactive cesium (Cs and Cs) into the ocean off the east coast of Japan. FNPP-derived radioactive Cs may have consequently accumulated within marine food webs via seawater intake and predator-prey interactions. We provide evidence of the temporal variability in Cs and Cs concentrations in seawater and zooplankton samples collected in coastal waters off Joban-Sanriku, in Sendai Bay, and in the Oyashio region between June 2011 and December 2013. In Sendai Bay, seawater Cs and Cs concentrations exceeded 1 Bq/kg in June 2011 and rapidly decreased during the study period. Cs and Cs concentrations in zooplankton were also high in June 2011, up to 23 Bq/kg-wet and also decreased during the study period, although at a slower rate than seawater Cs and Cs concentrations. Regarding Cs concentrations, the difference in the rate of decrease between seawater and zooplankton resulted in a high apparent concentration ratio ( aCR) for zooplankton. The observed relation between Cs in seawater and the aCR of zooplankton were good indicators of the progress of Cs contamination in zooplankton from the beginning of the FNPP accident to the restoration phase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Typical item response theory (IRT) rating scale models assume that the rating category threshold parameters are the same over examinees. Unfortunately, such models are inappropriate for rating data that exhibit differential item functioning (DIF). The authors introduce a new Bayesian nonparametric IRT model for rating scale items, which is more appropriate for rating data that contain DIF. The model is an infinite mixture of Rasch partial credit models, with mixture distribution modeled by the local (Dependent) Dirichlet process. The model treats the rating category thresholds as the random parameters that are subject to the mixture, with (stick-breaking) mixture weights that are covariate-dependent. Thus, the model allows the rating category thresholds to differ across items and examinees, while allowing the form of the distribution for the category thresholds to vary flexibly as a function of covariates. The authors illustrate the new model through the analysis of simulated data and real data. The model demonstrated the ability to correctly identify DIF items. Moreover, the model attained better predictive-fit performance than did other commonly used IRT rating models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fukushima nuclear accident led to deposition of radionuclides into the freshwater fishery ground of ayu Plecoglossus altivelis. For the purpose of more comprehensive understanding of the radioactive contamination, cesium-137 ( 137Cs) was analyzed in running water, muddy sediment, attached algae, and ayu using samples from three river systems with different levels of contamination within Fukushima Prefecture in summer and autumn 2011. The amount of 137Cs contained in water as well as in sediment declined over an interval of two months, although the concentration in sediment samples was up to 10,000-fold higher than that in water samples. The changes in 137Cs concentration of algae showed different courses among the three river systems, the concentration being greater in autumn in the river systems with high and moderate radioactive contamination. 137Cs detected within a single stock of ayu appeared to be excreted rather rapidly with a calculated half-life of approximately 39 days, while the concentration ratio ranged from 10 3 to 10 4 l/kg, attaining higher levels than previously reported. These findings indicate that the most important pathway of 137Cs into ayu is via intake of algae as food but that the retention time of 137Cs inside ayu is relatively short. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale-Revised (ECERS-R) is widely used to associate child care quality with child development, but its validity for this purpose is not well established. We examined the validity of the ECERS-R using the multidimensional Rasch partial credit model (PCM), factor analyses, and regression analyses with data from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study Birth Cohort. The PCM identified rating category disordering, indicating previously unrecognized problems with the scale's response process validity. Factor analyses identified neither a single factor nor the ECERS-R six subscales, replicating prior research regarding the scale's structural validity. Criterion validity results were mixed, with small effect sizes for regressions predicting child outcomes and moderate effect sizes for regressions predicting teacher-reported quality. Our results lend empirical support to recent critiques of the ECERS-R, and we discuss implications for its future use and for the development of future measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report here the molecular cloning, characterization, and catalytic mechanism of a novel glycosphingolipid-degrading β-N-acetylgalactosaminidase (β-NGA) from Paenibacillus sp. TS12 (NgaP). Consisting of 1034 putative amino acid residues, NgaP shares no sequence similarity with known proteins. Recombinant NgaP, expressed in Escherichia coli, cleaved the nonreducing terminal β-GalNAc residues of gangliotriaosylceramide and globotetraosylceramide. The enzyme hydrolyzed para-nitrophenyl-β-N-acetylgalactosaminide ∼100 times faster than para-nitrophenyl-β-N-acetylglucosaminide. GalNAc thiazoline, an analog of the oxazolinium intermediate and potent inhibitor for enzymes adopting substrate-assisted catalysis, competitively inhibited the enzyme. The Ki of the enzyme for GalNAc thiazoline was 1.3 nM, whereas that for GlcNAc thiazoline was 46.8 μM. Comparison of the secondary structure with those of known enzymes exhibiting substrate-assisted catalysis and point mutation analysis indicated that NgaP adopts substrate-assisted catalysis in which Glu-608 and Asp-607 could function as a proton donor and a stabilizer of the 2-acetamide group of the β-GalNAc at the active site, respectively. These results clearly indicate that NgaP is a β-NGA showing substrate-assisted catalysis. This is the first report describing the molecular cloning of a β-NGA adopting substrate-assisted catalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) the clinical features are heterogeneous and include different predominant symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between subregional aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity in the striatum and the cardinal motor symptoms of PD using high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) with an AADC tracer, 6-[18F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT). Methods: We assessed 101 patients with PD and 19 healthy volunteers. PD was diagnosed based on the UK Brain Bank criteria by two experts on movement disorders. Motor symptoms were measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). FMT uptake in the subregions of the striatum was analyzed using semi-automated software for region-of-interest demarcation on co-registered magnetic resonance images. Results: In all PD patients, FMT uptake was decreased in the posterior putamen regardless of predominant motor symptoms and disease duration. Smaller uptake values were found in the putamen contralateral to the side with more affected limbs. The severity of bradykinesia, rigidity, and axial symptoms was correlated with the decrease of FMT uptake in the putamen, particularly in the anterior part. No significant correlation was observed between tremors and FMT uptake. Conclusions: Decrease of FMT uptake in the posterior putamen appears to be most sensitive in mild PD and uptake in the anterior putamen may reflect the severity of main motor symptoms, except for tremor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gene transfer of dopamine-synthesizing enzymes into the striatal neurons has led to behavioral recovery in animal models of Parkinson's disease (PD). We evaluated the safety, tolerability, and potential efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector–mediated gene delivery of aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) into the putamen of PD patients. Six PD patients were evaluated at baseline and at 6 months, using multiple measures, including the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), motor state diaries, and positron emission tomography (PET) with 6-[18F]fluoro-L-m-tyrosine (FMT), a tracer for AADC. The short-duration response to levodopa was measured in three patients. The procedure was well tolerated. Six months after surgery, motor functions in the OFF-medication state improved an average of 46% based on the UPDRS scores, without apparent changes in the short-duration response to levodopa. PET revealed a 56% increase in FMT activity, which persisted up to 96 weeks. Our findings provide class IV evidence regarding the safety and efficacy of AADC gene therapy and warrant further evaluation in a randomized, controlled, phase 2 setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper summarizes the methods we devised for the treatment of psychosis, orthostatic hypotension, and mood disorders among the various non-motor complications of Parkinson’s disease. Psychosis may not manifest when a patient believes in his/her delusions. If left untreated over a prolonged period, however, the delusions progress to paranoia that is very difficult to cure. Accordingly, enquiries should be made during routine examinations to detect the presence of psychosis and facilitate early discovery. Atypical antipsychotics are used when psychosis does not improve after reducing the doses of antiparkinson drugs. We achieved favorable results by using mianserin hydrochloride prior to this step, with efficacy being observed for hallucinations and mild delusions that often manifested at night. This drug does not act as a dopamine receptor blocker, so it has the advantage of not aggravating motor symptoms. With this therapy, it is also possible to improve motor symptoms without inducing psychosis by reducing the doses of antiparkinson drugs and locally stimulating the motor loop by deep brain stimulation of the subthalamic nucleus. We previously introduced leg-holding exercises for the treatment of orthostatic hypotension, through which blood pooled in the veins is returned to the systemic circulation by holding the knees. This can be done easily and is free of adverse reactions. Mood disorders are difficult to cope with in patients with Parkinson’s disease, but may be treated by selecting an appropriate dopamine agonist while giving consideration to affinity for the dopamine D3 receptor. However, treatment becomes complicated when the dopamine receptor is overstimulated. Here we report on cases of successfully treated pathological gambling and dopamine dysregulation syndrome, which are considered difficult to manage. The solution may differ depending on a patient’s environment, and it is not easy to prescribe therapy based on evidence-based medicine. The best therapy should be selected by maintaining communication with the patient and developing a relationship built on trust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Additive effects of noble metals such as Rh, Pt and Pd on NiO–MgO solid solution in oxidative steam reforming of methane under atmospheric pressure and pressurized condition were investigated. In the reaction under atmospheric pressure, Ni0.2Mg0.8O lost the reforming activity due to catalyst oxidation; however, the addition of small amount of noble metals enhanced the activity drastically, especially at low W/F condition (0.13gh/mol). From the reaction tests under pressurized conditions, the noble metal addition was also effective to the inhibition of carbon deposition. In terms of the promotion in catalyst activity and inhibition of carbon deposition, Rh was the most effective component even when the additive amount of Rh was as low as 0.035%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The interaction between silica and palladium following complete oxidation of methane or following reduction in H2 was investigated on a polycrystalline palladium foil and on supported Pd/SiO2 catalysts. During methane oxidation, oxidized silicon covered the palladium oxide surface as observed by TEM on Pd/SiO2 catalysts and by XPS on palladium foil. On the Pd foil, the source of silica was a silicon impurity, common on bulk metal samples. The migration of oxidized silicon onto PdO deactivated the catalysts by blocking the active sites for methane oxidation. Silicon oxide overlayers were also observed covering the Pd surface after reduction of Pd/SiO2 by H2 at 923 K. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The inhibitory effect of brown algal phlorotannins on hyaluronidase was evaluated by an in vitro assay. Crude phlorotannins from the brown algae Eisenia bicyclis and Ecklonia kurome had a stronger inhibitory effect than well-known inhibitors such as catechins and sodium cromoglycate. IC 50 values of the following six phlorotannins: phloroglucinol, an unknown tetramer, eckol (a trimer), phlorofucofuroeckol A (a pentamer), dieckol and 8,8′-bieckol (hexamers), were 280, 650, >800, 140, 120 and 40 μM, respectively. The IC 50 of catechin, epigallocatechin gallate and sodium cromoglycate was 620, 190 and 270 μM, respectively. 8,8′-Bieckol, the strongest HAase inhibitor in this study, acted as a competitive inhibitor with an inhibition constant ( K i ) of 35 μM. Acetylation of the phlorotannins markedly decreased their inhibitory potency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Multilocular cystic nephroma is a relatively rare benign tumor of the kidney. An adult case of spontaneously ruptured multilocular cystic nephroma was reported. A 33-year-old woman who presented with a right flank colic attack. The preoperative diagnosis was spontaneously ruptured renal tumor. A right nephrectomy was performed. A multilocular cystic lesion, 10 cm in diameter, was found in the removed specimen, which had a hematoma inside and direct tumor extension into the renal pelvis. On microscopic examination, the surface of loculi was covered by a layer of hobnail epithelium, and septa were composed of fibrous tissue with dilated vessels, lacking in normal renal components. There were no signs of malignancy. The lesion extending into the renal pelvis showed the same microscopic findings. The final diagnosis was multilocular cystic nephroma. Two respects, spontaneous rupture and tumor extension into the renal pelvis, were unique to the present case. There has been no report of spontaneously ruptured mutilocular cystic nephroma. The tumor extension into the renal pelvis, however, has been found in several reports. This growth pattern might be one of the characteristics of this benign renal tumor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the common and growing use of and instruction on digital reading in schools, the ways in which reading comprehension may operate differently in paper and online environments are still underexplored. Using publicly available national datasets, we explore similarities and differences in how varied comprehension processes relate to each other in these spaces. Analyses using a Bayesian unidimensional graded response model found that paper‐based reading performance involved hierarchical comprehension processes consistent with traditional theories of reading comprehension while digital hypermedia reading did not involve these same processes. This research provides usable knowledge for supporting researchers, and teachers in uncovering the unique educational benefits and challenges of online reading. Despite the common and growing use of and instruction on digital reading in schools, the ways in which reading comprehension may operate differently in paper and online environments are still underexplored. Using publicly available national datasets, we explore similarities and differences in how varied comprehension processes relate to each other in these spaces. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the temporal variations in radiocesium concentration associated with sinking particles in the northeastern Japan Sea between September 2010 and July 2012. We analyzed sediment trap samples from this period after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) accident in March 2011. Cesium-134 was detected in samples collected between May and July 2011 at a depth of 1100 m (4.2–11 mBq g-dry−1) but not in other periods at 1100 m or deeper (3100 and 3500 m). These results confirmed the deposition of FDNPP-derived radiocesium on the surface water in the late April 2011, which rapidly sank with sinking particles to a depth of at least 1100 m, in the northeastern Japan Sea, about 40 days after the deposition in the North Pacific. If FDNPP-derived 137Cs was excluded, no seasonal changes were detected in the 137Cs activity concentration of the sinking particles, and the 137Cs activity concentration of the particles increased with increasing depth. Judging from the concentration of 137Cs of sinking particle and seasonal variation of total mass flux and organic matter content, the lithogenic particle seems to be important for radiocesium associated with sinking particles. These data also strongly suggest a difference in sinking features of particles between 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 deployments. Due to the existence of benthic front, shallow water (1100 m) and deep water (3500 m) are separated during 2010–2011 deployment, but in the winter of 2011–2012, this front disappeared and the particles in surface water seem to have sunk to the depth of 3100 m. The sinking velocity of the particles at 1100 m was estimated to be 33–62 m day−1, with a mean sinking velocity of 43 m day−1. These values were comparable to those estimated at depths shallower than 1000 m in the North Pacific after the FDNPP accident, or in the Mediterranean, North, and Black Seas after the Chernobyl accident. • Sediment traps were deployed in the northeastern Japan Sea between 2010 and 2012. • Total mass flux and concentrations of radiocesium are reported. • Cesium-134 was detected at a depth of 1100 m during two to four months after the FDNPP accident. • The sinking velocity of the particles at 1100 m was estimated to be 43 m day−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel strain of Halomonas (Tc-202), which has the capability of removing Tc(VII) from solid- and aqueous-phase material aerobically, was isolated from the marine environment. Tc-202 removed 55% of the total 99Tc in solutions at 15°C by reducing Tc(VII) to Tc(V), but other Halomonas strains did not. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractBackground: We report on an extremely rare case of urachal tuberculosis that was confirmed using a polymerase chain reaction test of paraffin-embedded material. Methods/Results: A 62-year-old man presented with pollakiuria. With a diagnosis of urachal abscess, the patient underwent en bloc resection of the cystic mass. A bacterial culture test of the content showed no organism. The histopathologic findings suggested urachal tuberculosis. The AMPLICOR polymerase chain reaction test by using paraffin-embedded sections revealed the existence of Mycobacterium tuberculosis in the resected tissue. The only positive finding in systemic screening examinations for tuberculosis was old tuberculosis scars in the upper right lung. It was supposed that hematogeneous spreading from the lung lesion may result in urachal tuberculosis after a long latent period. Conclusions: Although urachal tuberculosis is an extremely rare condition, tuberculosis must always be kept in mind when observing any infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Many congenital hydronephroses spontaneously resolve. This study evaluated a long‐term follow‐up of more than 4 years of patients with congenital hydronephrosis at a single center. Methods: In total, 215 patients (286 kidneys) with congenital hydronephrosis were included. Hydronephrosis outcomes (resolution, improvement, and persistence) and time‐to‐outcome were evaluated. Results: Fourteen patients underwent early surgical intervention until the age of 2 years. A total of 189 congenital hydronephrosis cases (66%) showed resolution at a median of 16 months (interquartile range: 7–21 months) and 169 (80%) of 210 kidneys with grade I to II hydronephrosis showed resolution at a median of 14 months (interquartile range: 6–23 months). Of 76 kidneys with grade III to IV hydronephrosis, 24 (32%) showed resolution at a median of 29 months (interquartile range: 24–41 months), and 56 (74%) showed improvement to grade II or less at a median of 12 months (interquartile range: 5–23 months). Of the 76 kidneys with grade III to IV hydronephrosis, five required delayed pyeloplasty at a median of 66 months (interquartile range: 42–89 months). One patient was asymptomatic, with a marked worsening of hydronephrosis and decreased renal function 6 years after the resolution of hydronephrosis. Conclusions: None of the patients with grade I to II hydronephrosis required surgical treatment, and a shorter follow‐up may be sufficient. Grade III to IV severe hydronephrosis should be considered for a longer and more careful follow‐up, given the possibility of asymptomatic exacerbation of hydronephrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Cryptorchidism (CO) diagnosis by palpation is challenging. Patients with suspected CO are primarily referred to pediatric urologists by general pediatricians and urologists. Currently, surgical treatment for CO is recommended earlier than in previous guidelines. In this study, we evaluated factors that lead to diagnosis discordance and delayed orchidopexy in patients referred with suspected CO in addition to timing of initial screening. Methods: In total, 731 patients (1052 testes) with suspected CO were included. Risk factors for diagnostic discrepancy in CO diagnosis by pediatric urologists and risk of delayed orchiopexy were evaluated. Results: Herein, 659 (90%) patients were diagnosed during routine public health checkups for infants and young children, and 419 (57%) patients were referred by pediatric practitioners. Of 1052 testes, 374 (36%) were diagnosed with CO by pediatric urologists. In multivariate analysis, risk factors of diagnostic discrepancy for CO diagnosis by pediatric urologists were bilateral testis (odds ratio [OR] = 9.17, p < 0.0001), >6 months old at initial diagnosis (OR = 1.036, p < 0.0001), and pediatric referral (OR = 4.60, p < 0.0001). In total, 296 patients underwent orchiopexy for CO. In multivariate analysis, risk factors for delayed orchiopexy were presence of comorbidities (OR = 3.43, p = 0.003) and >10 months old at referral (OR = 12.62, p < 0.0001). Conclusions: Pediatric referral is a risk factor for discordant CO diagnostics, and late age at referral brings a risk of delayed orchiopexy. It is necessary to enlighten pediatricians, who are mainly responsible for routine health checkups, in teaching CO diagnostic techniques to ensure early referral. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Substance Use Disorder (SUD) is a major public health concern affecting an estimated 22.5 million individuals in the United States. The primary aim of this study was to characterize psychological pain in a cohort of patients participating in outpatient treatment for SUD. A secondary aim was to determine the relationships between pre-treatment assessments of psychological pain, depression, anxiety and hopelessness with treatment retention time and completion rates. Data was analyzed from 289 patients enrolled in an outpatient community drug treatment clinic in Southern California, U.S. A previously determined threshold score on the Mee-Bunney Psychological Pain Assessment Scale (MBP) was utilized to group patients into high and low-moderate scoring subgroups. The higher pain group scored higher on measures of anxiety, hopelessness and depression compared to those in the low-moderate pain group. Additionally, patients scoring in the higher psychological pain group exhibited reduced retention times in treatment and more than two-fold increased odds of dropout relative to patients with lower pre-treatment levels of psychological pain. Among all assessments, the correlation between psychological pain and treatment retention time was strongest. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate that psychological pain is an important construct which correlates with relevant clinical outcomes in SUD. Furthermore, pre-treatment screening for psychological pain may help target higher-risk patients for clinical interventions aimed at improving treatment retention and completion rates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract We examined the vertical 134Cs and 137Cs concentration profiles in the southwestern Okhotsk Sea in 2011, 2013, and 2017. In June 2011, atmospheric deposition-derived 134Cs from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant (FDNPP) was detected at depths of 0–200 m (0.06–0.6 mBq/L). In July 2013, 134Cs detected at depths of 100–200 m (∼0.05 mBq/L) was ascribed to the transport of low-level 134Cs-contaminated water and/or the convection of radioactive depositions (<0.03 mBq/L at depths of 0–50 m). In July 2017, 134Cs was detected in water samples at depths above 300 m (0.03–0.05 mBq/L), and the inventory, decay-corrected to the FDNPP accident date, exhibited its maximum value (85 Bq/m2) during this period. Combining temperature-salinity data with the concentrations of global fallout-derived 137Cs led to a plausible explanation for this observation, which is a consequence of re-entry of FDNPP-derived radiocesium through the Kuril Strait from the northwestern North Pacific Ocean to the Okhotsk Sea and subsequent mixing with the south Okhotsk subsurface layer until 2017. Highlights • Radiocesium vertical profiles in the southwestern Okhotsk Sea were investigated. • 134Cs was affected by physical oceanographic processes such as advection and mixing. • Atmospheric deposition-derived 134Cs from the FDNPP was detected in June 2011. • The 134Cs inventory, based on the FDNPP accident date, showed a maximum value in 2017. • FDNPP-derived radiocesium was re-delivered from the North Pacific Ocean until 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on the MultRasch SAS code, which can be used in estimating multiplicative rasch model parameters. It states that MultRasch is consisted of two SAS files, the executable code and call program, which call SAS macros. It states that MultRasch was created to run on window-based computers with SAS 9.1.3 installed. Furthermore, it says that MultRasch can be downloaded at the website www.uic.edu.

Psychological pain is a relatively understudied and potentially important construct in the evaluation of suicidal risk. Psychological pain also referred to as ‘mental pain’ or ‘psychache’ can be defined as an adverse emotional reaction to a severe trauma (e.g., the loss of a child) or may be associated with an illness such as depression. When psychological pain levels reach intolerable levels, some individuals may view suicide as the only and final means of escape. To better understand psychological pain, we previously developed and validated a brief self-rating 10-item scale, Mee-Bunney Psychological Pain Assessment Scale [MBP] in depressed patients and non-psychiatric controls. Our results showed a significant increase in psychological pain in the depressed patients compared to controls. We also observed a significant linear correlation between psychological pain and suicidality in the depressed patient cohort. The current investigation extends our study of psychological pain to a diagnostically heterogeneous population of 57 US Veterans enrolled in a suicide prevention program. In addition to the MBP, we administered the Columbia Suicide Severity Rating Scale (C-SSRS), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), Beck Hopelessness Scale (BHS), and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS-11). Suicidal patients scoring above a predetermined threshold for high psychological pain also had significantly elevated scores on all the other assessments. Among all of the evaluations, psychological pain accounted for the most shared variance for suicidality (C-SSRS). Stepwise regression analyses showed that impulsiveness (BIS) and psychological pain (MBP) contributed more to suicidality than any of the other combined assessments. We followed patients for 15 months and identified a subgroup (24/57) with serious suicide events. Within this subgroup, 29% (7/24) had a serious suicidal event (determined by the lethality subscale of the C-SSRS), including one completed suicide. Our results build upon our earlier findings and recent literature supporting psychological pain as a potentially important construct. Systematically evaluating psychological pain along with additional measures of suicidality could improve risk assessment and more effectively guide clinical resource allocation toward prevention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In idiopathic Parkinson's disease (PD) the clinical features are heterogeneous and include different predominant symptoms. The aim of the present study was to determine the relationship between subregional aromatic l-amino acid decarboxylase (AADC) activity in the striatum and the cardinal motor symptoms of PD using high-resolution positron emission tomography (PET) with an AADC tracer, 6-[18F]fluoro-ʟ-m-tyrosine (FMT).Methods: We assessed 101 patients with PD and 19 healthy volunteers. PD was diagnosed based on the UK Brain Bank criteria by two experts on movement disorders. Motor symptoms were measured with the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). FMT uptake in the subregions of the striatum was analyzed using semi-automated software for region-of-interest demarcation on co-registered magnetic resonance images.Results: In all PD patients, FMT uptake was decreased in the posterior putamen regardless of predominant motor symptoms and disease duration. Smaller uptake values were found in the putamen contralateral to the side with more affected limbs. The severity of bradykinesia, rigidity, and axial symptoms was correlated with the decrease of FMT uptake in the putamen, particularly in the anterior part. No significant correlation was observed between tremors and FMT uptake.Conclusions: Decrease of FMT uptake in the posterior putamen appears to be most sensitive in mild PD and uptake in the anterior putamen may reflect the severity of main motor symptoms, except for tremor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ayu Plecoglossus altivelis , a herbivorous fish, is an important fishery resource and key component of the foodweb in many Japanese streams. Radionuclide contamination of this species is likely transferred to higher trophic levels, include humans, in the food chain. After the Fukushima accident in March 2011, ayu were exposed to highly contaminated silt while feeding on algae attached to the riverbed stones. To understand the route by which herbivorous fish are exposed to radionuclides, the activity concentrations of sum of 134 Cs and 137 Cs (radiocesium) were analyzed in riverbed samples (algae and silt) and in the internal organs and the muscle of ayu in five river systems in the Fukushima Prefecture between summer 2011 and autumn 2013. Although there was a positive correlation between the radiocesium activity concentrations in the muscle and the internal organs of ayu, the median activity concentration in the muscle was much lower than those in the internal organs. The activity concentrations of radiocesium in the riverbed samples and the internal organs and the muscle of ayu were correlated with contamination levels in soil samples taken from the watershed upstream of the sample sites. The results of the generalized linear mixed models suggest that the activity concentrations in both the internal organs and the muscle of ayu declined over time. Additionally, the activity concentrations in the internal organs were correlated with those in the riverbed samples that were collected around the same time as the ayu. The activity concentrations in the muscle were correlated with ayu body size. Our results suggest that ayu ingest 134 Cs and 137 Cs while grazing silt and algae from the riverbed, and a part of the 134 Cs and 137 Cs is assimilated into the muscle of the fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Understanding teachers' appraisals of student wellness services and supports during COVID‐19 is essential to strengthening services and improving student health outcomes. This mixed‐method study aimed to examine US PK‐12 teachers' appraisals of student wellness services and supports during COVID‐19. METHODS: This study focuses on qualitative data from 291 teachers' open‐ended responses to the question: "What do you wish your school leaders knew about this (wellness support) aspect of your work?" and whose responses described wellness services and supports. A qualitative content analysis was conducted by an interdisciplinary research team using open‐ and axial coding. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged. (1) insufficient access to mental health professionals and programming at schools, (2) concern about the quality of available services, and (3) a need for teacher professional development and support on student wellness. Statistically significant differences in teacher appraisals of insufficient access to mental health professionals and programming were found based on grade level taught and percentage of immigrant students in the school. CONCLUSION: With amplified student wellness needs, school personnel, including school leaders, must consider ways to allocate additional resources/staffing, assess the quality of services and supports, and design professional development opportunities to support teachers' involvement in supporting student wellness needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: To investigate the organ-specific responses and clinical outcomes of mixed responses (MRs) to treatment with pembrolizumab for unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (ur/mUC), 136 patients were analyzed retrospectively. The total objective response rate (ORR) and organ-specific ORR were determined according to RECIST version 1.1 as follows: (i) CR, (ii) PR, (iii) SD, and (ⅳ) PD. MR was defined as when PD occurred in one lesion plus either CR or PR in other lesion simultaneously, and 12 cases were applicable. Most of the organ-specific ORR was 30–40%, but bone metastasis was only 5%. Compared to non-responders, responders to locally advanced lesions and lymph node, lung, or liver metastases were involved in OS, but local recurrence and bone metastases were not involved in OS. In MR, patients who continued pembrolizumab experienced longer survival times compared to patients who discontinued pembrolizumab and received standard treatment. To investigate the organ-specific response and clinical outcomes of mixed responses (MRs) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (ur/mUC), we retrospectively analyzed 136 patients who received pembrolizumab. The total objective response rate (ORR) and organ-specific ORR were determined for each lesion according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 as follows: (i) complete response (CR), (ii) partial response (PR), (iii) stable disease (SD), and (iv) progressive disease (PD). Most of the organ-specific ORR was 30–40%, but bone metastasis was only 5%. There was a significant difference in overall survival (OS) between responders and non-responders with locally advanced lesions and lymph node, lung, or liver metastases (HR 9.02 (3.63–22.4) p < 0.0001; HR 3.63 (1.97–6.69), p < 0.0001; HR 2.75 (1.35–5.59), p = 0.0053; and HR 3.17 (1.00–10.0), p = 0.049, respectively). MR was defined as occurring when PD happened in one lesion plus either CR or PR occurred in another lesion simultaneously, and 12 cases were applicable. MR was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis than that of the responder group (CR or PR; HR 0.09 (0.02–0.35), p = 0.004). Patients with bone metastases benefitted less. Care may be needed to treat patients with MR as well as patients with pure PD. Further studies should be conducted in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examined the radiocesium concentration, age, standard length, and stomach contents of smallmouth bass Micropterus dolomieu collected from Lake Hayama, Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, in 2014. Across three seasons sampled, fish and aquatic insects were common foods for M. dolomieu; the most frequently occurring forage items were Osteichthyes. The mean radiocesium concentration in M. dolomieu muscle was 582 Bq kg–1 wet weight, and the concentrations in different categories of stomach contents ranged from 297 to 811 Bq kg–1 wet weight. Considering the radiocesium concentrations in the lake water and in plankton (which included some particulate organic matter), it was possible that M. dolomieu radiocesium contamination is mainly transferred via the food chain. A positive correlation existed between M. dolomieu standard length and radiocesium concentration. However, in M. dolomieu of the same size range, the concentrations did not differ significantly between fish that existed at the time of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant accident and those born afterward. Although some fish sampled in 2014 were highly contaminated, the initial Fukushima fallout does not necessarily explain the high radiocesium concentrations in some M. dolomieu in the lake several years after the accident. The contamination levels observed in M. dolomieu might result from radiocesium concentrations in their available food at any time, whether immediately or several years after the Fukushima accident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The Arnett Caregiver Interaction Scale (CIS) has been widely used in research studies to measure the quality of caregiver–child interactions. The scale was modeled on a well-established theory of parenting, but there are few psychometric studies of its validity. We applied factor analyses and item response theory methods to assess the psychometric properties of the Arnett CIS in a national sample of toddlers in home-based care and preschoolers in center-based care from the Early Childhood Longitudinal Study-Birth Cohort. We found that a bifactor structure (one common factor and a second set of specific factors) best fits the data. In the Arnett CIS, the bifactor model distinguishes a common substantive dimension from two methodological dimensions (for positively and negatively oriented items). Despite the good fit of this model, the items are skewed (most teachers/caregivers display positive interactions with children) and, as a result, the Arnett CIS is not well suited to distinguish between caregivers who are “highly” versus “moderately” positive in their interactions with children, according to the items on the scale. Regression-adjusted associations between the Arnett CIS and child outcomes are small, especially for preschoolers in centers. We encourage future scale development work on measures of child care quality by early childhood scholars. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: Knowledge of acculturative processes and their impact on immigrant families remains quite limited. Acculturative family distancing (AFD) is the distancing that occurs between immigrant parents and their children and is caused by breakdowns in communication and cultural value differences. It is a more proximal and problem-focused formulation of the acculturation gap and is hypothesized to increase depression via family conflict. Method: Data were collected from 105 Chinese American high school students and their mothers. Rasch modeling was used to refine the AFD measure, and structural equation modeling was used to determine the effects of AFD on youth and maternal depression. Results: Findings indicate that greater AFD was associated with higher depressive symptoms and risk for clinical depression. Family conflict partially mediated this relation for youths, whereas for mothers, AFD directly increased risk for depression. Greater mother-child heritage enculturation discrepancies were associated with greater mother and child AFD. Mainstream acculturation discrepancies and language gaps between mothers and youths were not significantly associated with any of the primary outcome variables. Conclusions: Results highlight the need for better understanding of how AFD and other acculturation-gap phenomena affect immigrant mental health. They also underscore the need for prevention and intervention programs that target communication difficulties and intergenerational cultural value differences. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Iodine-131 (physical half-life: 8.04days) was detected in brown algae collected off the Japanese coast. Brown algae have been extensively used as bioindicators for radioiodine because of their ability to accumulate radionuclides in high concentration factors. The maximum measured specific activity of 131I in brown algae was 0.37±0.010Bq/kg-wet. Cesium-137 was also detected in all brown algal samples used in this study. There was no correlation between specific activities of 131I and 137Cs in these seaweeds. The specific activity of 137Cs ranged from 0.0034±0.00075 to 0.090±0.014Bq/kg-wet. Low specific activity and minimal variability of 137Cs in brown algae indicated that past nuclear weapon tests were the source of 137Cs. Although nuclear power stations and nuclear fuel reprocessing plants are known to be pollution sources of 131I, there was no relationship between the sites where 131I was detected and the locations of nuclear power facilities. Most of the sites where 131I was detected were near big cities with large populations. Iodine-131 is frequently used in diagnostic and therapeutic nuclear medicine. On the basis of the results, we suggest that the likely pollution source of 131I, detected in brown seaweeds, is not nuclear power facilities, but nuclear medicine procedures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The algicidal effects of phlorotannins from the brown alga Ecklonia kurome on three species of red tide microalgae (Karenia mikimotoi, Cochlodinium polykrikoides and Chattonella antiqua) were examined. Swimming cell density of K. mikimotoi and C. polykrikoides decreased to less than 2% of the initial density within 30 min in medium containing 150 mg/l crude phlorotannins. After losing their motility, almost all of the cells became round. They then expanded and burst. Once cells had become round, none of them recovered to normal vegetative cells within 24 h even if they were transplanted to normal medium. On the other hand, no change was observed on C. antiqua in the 500 mg/l medium within 3 h after inoculation. However, by 24 h, over 99% of the cells were destroyed even in the 100 mg/l medium.Among the five phlorotannins isolated from E. kurome, phlorofucofuroeckol A, a pentamer of phloroglucinol, had the strongest algicidal activity, which was comparable to that of epigallocatechin gallate.No mortality was observed among red sea bream Pagrus major, tiger puffer Fugu rubripes rubripes (body weights ca. 13 and 102 g, respectively) or larval blue crab Portunus trituberculatus (total carapace length ca. 2 mm) which were exposed to 200 mg/l phlorotannins for 30 min. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract Background: A pressure-flow study, although a slightly invasive procedure, can evaluate bladder outlet obstruction and detrusor contractility. This study was conducted in men with a non-enlarged prostate to determine the cause of urinary disturbance by less invasive examinations that might eventually replace pressure-flow study. Methods: Thirty-six men with lower urinary tract symptoms were enrolled. Their prostate volume, estimated by transrectal ultrasonography, was less than 20 mL. All patients were examined using pressure-flow study, free-flowmetry, transrectal ultrasonography, prostate specific antigen and an interview using the International Prostate Symptom Score and Quality of Life Index. With determination of the cause for urinary disturbance, parameters that correlated with outflow obstruction or impaired detrusor contractility were sought. Results: Twenty-one (60%) of the 36 men were judged as having outflow obstruction, and 16 of these 21 men had normal detrusor function. Impaired detrusor contractility was observed in 17 men. Only three of these 17 men had no outflow obstruction. Four patients had an unstable bladder. All these four had normal detrusor contractility, but had outflow obstruction. Among the parameters examined, only the maximum flow rate in a flow metrogram (Qmax ) correlated significantly with the degree of outflow obstruction (P = 0.04). The positive predictive value of Qmax for outflow obstruction was 65% at a flow rate of less than 10 mL/s, and 100% at that of less than 5 mL/s. No parameter correlated with detrusor contractility. Conclusion: The only parameter that was a clear indicator of outflow obstruction was Qmax . Other indicators of detrusor contractility should be sought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract With the increase in detection of incidental renal cell carcinoma, nephron-sparing surgery for small renal cell carcinomas is now recognized as one of the surgical options. We report a case of renal arteriovenous fistula developing after non-ischemic tumor enucleation of a small renal cell carcinoma using a microwave tissue coagulator. A 50-year-old Japanese man presented with right flank pain and gross hematuria. The patient had undergone non-ischemic tumor enucleation for right renal cell carcinoma, 2 cm in diameter, 1 month previously. Doppler ultrasound revealed the formation of an arteriovenous fistula at the enucleated portion. Transcatheter super-selective occlusion of the feeding artery was successfully performed with two metallic coils. The patient has been followed up with no sign of recanalization of the fistula. In this case, the tumor was located close to the renal hilus with thick arterial branches around the tumor. Additional microwave coagulations against arterial bleeding from the cutting surface might have been the cause of the fistula formation of this case. Non-ischemic tumor enucleation using a microwave tissue coagulator is a relatively easy and secure nephron-sparing surgical procedure. Excessive coagulation, however, should be avoided, since it might be the cause of unexpected postoperative vascular complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the summer of 2013, we measured the radiocesium (134Cs and 137Cs) concentrations in aquatic organisms inhabiting the estuary of the Abukuma River, which flows through the Fukushima and Miyagi Prefectures. Radiocesium concentrations in four muscle-tissue samples of blackhead seabream ( Acanthopagrus schlegeli) [1240, 914, 202 and 106 Bq kg−1 wet weight (w.w.)] and two whole-body samples deriving from multiple individuals of flathead grey mullet ( Mugil cephalus) (129 and 110 Bq kg−1 w.w.) exceeded the Japanese standard limit for radiocesium levels in foods (100 Bq kg−1 w.w.). However, radiocesium concentrations in the other fish samples were lower than the Japanese standard limit. In addition, radiocesium concentrations in crustaceans, major prey items of omnivorous and carnivorous fish species in the Abukuma River estuary, were generally low (0.444-15.1 Bq kg−1 w.w.). Stable isotope analysis indicated that the feeding habit of the three heavily contaminated blackhead seabream, which the radiocesium concentrations were about several times or more higher than the Japanese standard limit, were similar to those of other individuals collected from the same sampling site. Therefore, the difference in the radiocesium level between the three heavily contaminated individuals and the less-contaminated individuals of blackhead seabream was not because of a recent feeding habit in the Abukuma River estuary. Environmental conditions in the Abukuma River estuary in the summer of 2013 would not have had the potential to increase radiocesium concentrations in the muscle tissues of fish inhabiting the estuary to levels greater than 100 Bq kg−1 w.w. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of radiocesium (Cs + Cs) contamination in lake water, bottom sediment, plankton, and fish were investigated in three geographically separated lakes in Fukushima Prefecture (Lake Hayama, Lake Akimoto, and Lake Tagokura) between June 2012 and November 2013. Levels of contamination differed among the three lakes, with the highest levels of each measured component in Lake Hayama, followed by Lake Akimoto, and the least contamination in Lake Tagokura. Among the lakes, the magnitude of contamination decreased with distance from the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant. Mean radiocesium concentrations were higher in piscivorous fish than in other fish, possibly reflecting differences in trophic level. The radiocesium concentrations in some fish species decreased significantly by 33-65 % during the period between 2012 and 2013. Radiocesium concentrations of the lake water, bottom sediment, plankton, and fish were significantly correlated with surface soil radiocesium content near lake sites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Previously, we identified a brain-type creatine kinase antibody to be associated with paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration using a proteomic approach. Immunohistochemistry showed that this antibody reacted with both mouse cerebellar neurons and bladder cancer tissues. Furthermore, we detected this antibody in sera from two paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer and one lymphoma patient. In total, we detected four paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients. Aim To confirm the new onconeural antibody, we investigated whether this autoantigen is expressed in both human cerebellum and cancer tissues (small cell lung cancer of lymphoma). Methods We examined sera from two paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer, one lymphoma patient and a patient with sensory-motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome by western blotting and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to explore creatine kinase brain-type antibody expressions in these cancer cells as well as in the human cerebellum. Sera from the patients without paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration were used as controls. In addition, we examined the serum from a patient with sensory-motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome by western blot. Results The mean serum values of creatine kinase brain-type antibodies in paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients with small cell lung cancer were significantly higher than those of small cell lung cancer patients without paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration. Immunohistochemistry detected this autoantigen expression in both abovementioned specimens. We also detected this antibody in the serum in sensory-motor neuropathy as paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. Conclusion Our study showed that this antibody was produced in four paraneoplastic cerebellar degeneration patients, and that this autoantigen expression was evident in human cerebellum and cancer. These findings show that creatine kinase brain-type antibody might be a novel antibody associated with paraneoplastic neurological syndrome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To understand the process of radiocaesium uptake in salmonids after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident, a lake caging experiment and two captive-rearing experiments with controlled radiocaesium concentrations of water and feed were conducted in and around Lake Chuzenji, central Honshu Island, Japan (160 km from the station). Substantial accumulations of radiocaesium were confirmed in muscle of hatchery-reared kokanee ( Oncorhynchus nerka) and masu salmon ( Oncorhynchus masou) after release into the cages, indicating that radionuclide contamination of fish is an ongoing process, 1.5 years after the nuclear accident. Two captive experiments, controlling water and feed radiocaesium levels, showed that direct radiocaesium transfer from water (43 mBq·L-1) in Lake Chuzenji to muscle tissue was undetected, at least during the ∼90-day experimental period, whereas a rapid increase in radiocaesium levels was observed when fish were cultured using radiocaesium-contaminated pellets. The results revealed that radiocaesium contamination in salmonids is mainly via the food chain and that direct intake from water via the skin, gut, and (or) gills has no major direct impact on muscle tissue concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]