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Purpose: The aim of this study is to reveal the vascular branching variation in SFC (splenic flexure cancer) patients using the preoperative three-dimensional computed tomography angiography with colonography (3D-CTAC). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed patients with SFC who underwent preoperative 3D-CTAC between January 2014 and December 2019. Results: Among 1256 colorectal cancer (CRC) patients, 96 (7.6%) manifested SFC. The arterial branching from the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) was classified into five patterns, as follows: (type 1A) the left branch of middle colic artery (LMCA) diverged from middle colic artery (MCA) (N = 47, 49.0%); (2A) the LMCA diverged from the MCA and the accessory middle colic artery (AMCA) (N = 26, 27.1%); (3A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA (N = 16, 16.7%); (4A) the LMCA independently diverged from the SMA and AMCA (N = 3, 3.1%); (5A) only the AMCA and the LMCA was absent (N = 4, 4.1%). Venous drainage was classified into four patterns, as follows: (type 1V) the SFV flows into the inferior mesenteric vein (IMV) then back to the splenic vein (N = 50, 52.1%); (2V) the SFV flows into the IMV then back to the superior mesenteric vein (SMV) (N = 19, 19.8%); (type 3V) the SFV independently flows into the splenic vein (N = 3, 3.1%); (type 4V) the SFV is absent (N = 24, 25.0%). Conclusion: 3D-CTAC could reveal accurate preoperative tumor localization and vascular branching. These classifications should be helpful in performing accurate complete mesocolic excision and central vessel ligation for SFC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Complete mesocolic excision with central vessel ligation may be important for accurate staging and improving the prognosis of right-sided colon cancer. Although the procedure is often performed laparoscopically, approaching the middle colic artery (MCA) is technically demanding, especially when complete ligation of arteries at their roots is desired. We standardized our laparoscopic approach by establishing the dissection boundary along the superior mesenteric artery to achieve D3 lymphadenectomy in the region of the MCA. The aim of the present study was to evaluate, on the basis of perioperative and short-term oncologic outcomes, the feasibility and safety of our technique Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive patients with cancer located at the ascending colon and transverse colon who had laparoscopic right hemicolectomy requiring ligation of the MCA. Results: There were 41 patients (22 males, median age 71 years [range 49–86] years). The median operation time was 285 min, and blood loss volume was 40 mL. Conversion to open surgery was required in 1 case. Complications that were Clavien–Dindo grade III or above occurred in 3 patients (7.3%). There was no anastomotic leakage. The median number of lymph nodes harvested was 46. Conclusions: Our technique was shown to be a safe, feasible, and useful strategy for performance of right hemicolectomy requiring ligation of the MCA in cases of colon cancer. The technique facilitates maximal lymph node dissection. Having obtained favorable outcomes, we look forward to investigation into long-term outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drought is a serious global problem of agriculture. For this, an investigation was carried out with 25 wheat genotypes composed of cultivars and advanced lines to screen drought-tolerant bread wheat genotypes using multivariate analysis. The experiment was conducted in a split plot design with three replications and two treatments control and drought. The analysis of variance revealed significant differences among the genotypes and treatments for all the characters studied, viz. plant height, flag leaf collar height, flag leaf length, flag leaf breadth, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, proline content, number of tillers per plant, root fresh weight, shoot fresh weight and root–shoot ratio. High heritability was observed for all the traits except flag leaf length, flag leaf breadth and number of tillers per plant. Based on the genetic distances, all the 25 genotypes were grouped into three different clusters. In control conditions, cluster number I contained most tolerant genotypes and under drought conditions, cluster number III contained most drought-tolerant genotypes. In biplot, the genotypes SATYN-24, BARI Gom-24 and SATYN-2 contributed positively and correlated with number of tillers per plant, shoot fresh weight, flag leaf breadth, proline content and plant height under drought conditions. The drought susceptibility index (DSI) indicated that the genotypes BARI Gom-24 and SATYN-9 exhibited a highly drought-tolerant genotype in the present investigation. These genotypes might carry genes for drought tolerance and may be useful for further drought tolerance breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The 3rd arm gently grasps the mesentery upward, and 2nd arm pulls the retroperitoneum downward for countertraction; the dissection between the retroperitoneum and left-sided colonic mesentery, from medially to laterally, is performed. Counter traction, formed by the 2nd arm grasping the anterior wall of the rectum and the 3rd arm grasping the peritoneum of the pelvic wall, will enable linear dissection line visualization (Fig. Hence, sufficient Z axis traction should be confirmed first; then, the medial traction of the rectum by the 2nd arm and the lateral traction by the 3rd arm will allow visualization of the border between the mesorectum and the NVB (Fig. Our procedure allows dissection of the anterior and posterior antecedent to the lateral demanding field, which visualizes the sandwiched lateral dissection line. [Extracted from the article]

What is known and objective Furanocoumarins, such as bergamottin ( BG) and 6′,7′-dihydroxybergamottin ( DHB), isolated from grapefruit juice are clinically active constituents capable of inhibiting cytochrome P450 3A4. Furanocoumarins are also found in hassaku, pummelo and daidai. Several types of hybrid citrus fruits have recently been developed, and these may also contain furanocoumarins because they were produced by cross-breeding pummelo, daidai and other citrus fruits. In this study, we quantified BG and DHB levels in the flesh and peel of hybrid citrus fruits. Methods Extracts from flesh and peel were diluted with acetonitrile and analysed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Results and discussion For flesh extracts, lime juice (24.13 μg/ mL) contained a greater amount of BG than grapefruit juice (13.61 μg/ mL). Lime (13.21 μg/ mL) and sour orange (8.08 μg/ mL) juices also contained greater amounts of DHB than grapefruit juice (7.54 μg/ mL). For peel extracts, lime (1749.15 μg/g), Citrus kawachibankan (308.13 μg/g), lemon (203.44 μg/g) and sour orange (161.95 μg/g) contained greater amounts of BG than grapefruit (white) (78.80 μg/g). The hybrid sweetie ( Citrus maxima × Citrus paradise; 173.32 μg/g) contained a greater amount of DHB than grapefruit (white) (85.27 μg/g). What is new and conclusion The lime flesh and the sweetie peel contained the greatest amounts of furanocoumarins. Thus, caution is required during the simultaneous use of drugs metabolized by cytochrome P450 3A4 and consumption of these citrus fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a study on the magnetostriction of amorphous GdFeCo and YFeCo thin films. Composition dependence of magnetostriction constant in amorphous gadolinium (Gd)-iron (Fe), Gd-cobalt and Tb-Fe films; Contributions of rare-earth-transitional-metal in psuedobinary amorphous GdGeCo films; Preparation of the samples used in the experiment.

The aim of this study was to determine whether mef(C) and mph(G), originally found on the transferable multi-drug plasmid pAQU1 from Photobacterium damselae subsp. damselae isolated from seawater of a fish farm, are responsible for conferring macrolide resistance. Since these genes are localized head-to-tail on pAQU1 and only four nucleotides exist between them, the single- and combination-effect of these genes was examined. When mph(G) alone was introduced to Escherichia coli, the minimum inhibitory concentrations ( MICs) against erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin increased, whereas introduction of mef(C) alone did not influence macrolide susceptibility. Introduction of both mef(C) and mph(G) dramatically increased the MICs to the same three macrolides, i.e. >512 μg ml−1, >512 μg ml−1 and 128 μg ml−1 respectively. These results suggest that the macrolide phosphotransferase encoded by mph(G) is essential for macrolide resistance, while the efflux pump encoded by mef(C) is required for high-level macrolide resistance. The tandem-pair arrangements of the mef(C) and mph(G) genes were conserved on plasmids ranging in size from 240 to 350 kb of the 22 erythromycin-resistant strains belonging to Vibrio and Photobacterium obtained from the fish farm. Sixteen of 22 plasmids ranged in size from 300 to 350 kb. This is the first report of novel macrolide resistance genes originating from a marine bacterium. Significance and Impact of the Study In this study, mef(C) and mph(G) were found to be novel macrolide-resistance genes, and this is the first report of macrolide-resistance genes originating from a marine bacterium. These genes may be responsible for previously reported cases of the emergence of erythromycin-resistant bacteria in aquaculture sites by an unknown mechanism. The introduction of the tandem arrangement of the mef(C) and mph(G) genes in Escherichia coli increased the MICs to erythromycin, clarithromycin and azithromycin, suggesting a novel mechanism conferring high-level macrolide resistance via combined expression of the efflux pump and macrolide phosphotransferase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Clinical T1 gastric cancer has low metastatic potential to lymph nodes and is generally curable by local treatment. Endoscopic resection can preserve the whole stomach and does not impair the patient's quality of life; however, its indication is strictly limited to the subset of patients without nodal metastasis. The study was designed to predict reliably the patients without nodal metastasis based only on the clinical information. Methods: We examined patients with clinical T1 disease who were treated with surgery. The clinically available information was evaluated for its ability to predict nodal metastasis by logistic regression model. Then, the predictive ability of the logistic regression model using the risk factors for nodal metastasis was evaluated by a receiver operating characteristic curve. Results: A total of 511 patients were entered into this study. The clinical depth (cT1a or cT1b), maximal tumor diameter, and pathological type were confirmed to be significantly different between patients with and without nodal metastasis. The cutoff value of the tumor diameter differed depending on the histology and clinical depth: 79 mm for differentiated type and 48 mm for undifferentiated type in cT1a tumors, and 43 mm for differentiated type and 11 mm for undifferentiated type in cT1b tumors. According to these criteria, 348 of the 511 patients (68.1 %) were classified to have predictive N0 status. The negative predictive value was 95.7 % (95 % confidence interval 94.0-97.5 %). Conclusions: The predictive criteria based on the multivariate logistic model identified that almost two-thirds of the patients with clinical T1 gastric cancer were possible candidates for endoscopic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study that determines the role of double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase and antisense viral RNA in activation of adult T-cell leukemia (ATL) or lymphoma cells. Overview of the background the study that searches for candidate RNAs derived from the genome and MT-1 cells is provided. The result of the study which suggests that the antisense RNA was involved in the constitutive activation of ATL cells is offered.

The article presents research on the use of x-ray examination and pulmonary function tests among toner-handling workers. The study shows no evidence of side effects on chest x-rays and pulmonary function indices as well as obvious fibrotic findings in chest x-ray findings associated with toner exposure in workers.

The article investigates the health impact of toner exposure on toner-handling workers in terms of biomarkers. The study shows no evidence of excessive allergic, inflammatory or oxidative stress reaction in workers exposed to toxic substances or materials. Low concentrations in toner exposure is also reported.

The aims of this study were to examine the change of occlusal contact area following the increment of clenching intensity using silicone materials and electromyography ( EMG) in normal subjects and to compare direct intra-oral examination with indirect examination using dental casts mounted by means of two impression methods. Participants were 7 men and 5 women with no more than one missing tooth per quadrant and no pain in the head and neck region. During the task, intercuspal position was maintained with minimal force, 20% maximum voluntary contraction ( MVC) and 40% MVC using electromyography visual feedback. Three types of occlusal contact examinations were performed with the aid of blue silicone material in randomised order: (i) intra-oral direct occlusal contact examination ( DE), (ii) indirect occlusal contact examination with dental casts using conventional impression method ( IEC) and (iii) using occlusal impression method ( IEO). Total occlusal contact area during DE and IEO significantly increased from baseline to 20% MVC and from baseline to 40% MVC, but not during IEC. Total occlusal contact area during DE in all tooth clenching conditions was significantly larger compared to IEO and IEC ( P < 0·05). At 40% MVC, total occlusal contact area during IEO was significantly larger than during IEC ( P < 0·05). These findings suggest that indirect occlusal contact examinations may not accurately reflect the intra-oral occlusal condition. If the intra-oral condition is reproduced using dental casts, these findings also suggest the occlusal impression method was more accurate compared to the conventional method (240 words). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]