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Plastics can contain two types of organic contaminants; absorbed from ambient water, and already contained as additives. To investigate the bioaccumulation of these substances, we conducted two types of exposure experiments using mussels and polyethylene microplastics with absorbed PCBs and containing four types of additives (BDE209, DBDPE, UV327 and UV234). After dietary exposure for 15 days, significantly higher concentrations of total PCBs, UV327 and UV234 were detected in the gonad of exposed groups than in the control groups, respectively. However, no significant differences in BDE209 or DBDPE levels were observed between the control and exposure groups. Although a higher transfer ratio was shown for PCB congeners with octanol-water partition coefficients (logK ow) below 7, the ratio was lower for higher-hydrophobic PCBs with logK ow above 7. This suggests that higher hydrophobic compounds (not only highly chlorinated PCBs, but also BDE209 and DBDPE) tend not to desorb or leach from plastics. [Display omitted] • Microplastics containing PCBs and four additives were exposed to mussels. • Increases of PCBs, UV327 and UV234, and decreases of BDE209 and DBDPE were observed. • The transfer ratio of PCBs has elevated with increasing hydrophobicity. • However, the ratio decreased as hydrophobicity of PCBs became extremely high. • High hydrophobicity would disturb the migration of compounds from plastics to biota. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) is an allergic reaction caused by the fungus Aspergillus , and it is often treated with steroids or antifungal agents. However, long-term use of these medications can lead to infections and drug interactions. We present the case of a 71-year-old woman with ABPA who was diagnosed with hepatitis B and active hepatitis C, and sputum analysis revealed the presence of bacteria. Oral steroids were initially administered, but the patient was switched to mepolizumab because of numerous infectious complications. The early introduction of mepolizumab is effective in patients with ABPA complicated by infectious diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cardiac involvement secondary to polymyositis is not infrequent. In addition, it sometimes presents various forms of arrhythmia, including atrial tachycardia (AT). A 72-year-old female who had 5-years history of polymyositis was referred to our clinic with symptomatic supraventricular tachycardia with 2:1 atrioventricular conduction. Electrophysiological study revealed a total of three focal AT in right atrium with the origin of the basal right atrial appendage (AT1), coronary sinus ostium (AT2), and low lateral right atrium (AT3), respectively. Endocardial bipolar voltage mapping showed low voltage area in the limited area, partially overlapping with the focus of AT3. We finally terminated AT2 targeting an early fractionated potential and AT3 at early activation site with a support of flexibly-bended deflectable sheath while accidentally eliminating AT3 with the bumping of a catheter. With the additional applications, we completely eliminated all AT. AT were never provoked by any inductions with isoproterenol infusion. < Learning objective: Polymyositis is a broad-spectrum inflammatory disease which could involve myocardium, sometimes leading to the arrhythmogenicity. We should recognize the possibility of arrhythmia occurrence with multiple foci in patients with polymyositis when performing catheter ablation even if there were no obvious structural and functional heart abnormality.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Slow-fast atrioventricular nodal tachycardia (AVNRT) has various electrophysiological aspects due to atrioventricular (AV) nodal physiology. In addition, concomitantly another form of arrhythmia with AVNRT, especially atrial tachycardia (AT), was an infrequent arrhythmia. A 38-year-old female with narrow QRS tachycardia underwent electrophysiological study due to frequent faintness. The electrophysiological study disclosed the coexistence of AT originating from coronary sinus (CS) with slow-fast AVNRT. We easily diagnosed AT originating from CS and terminated with several radiofrequency ablations (RFA) around CS. The diagnosis of slow-fast AVNRT, however, was somewhat difficult due to the following findings: (1) small amount of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) could terminate slow-fast AVNRT reproducibly; (2) we could provoke slow-fast AVNRT only by RV pacing with isoproterenol infusion. With other electrophysiological findings, we diagnosed slow-fast AVNRT. Radiofrequency energy was delivered initially in the posteroseptal region, followed by inside CS, and finally in the middle septal region, which completed the slow pathway ablation. After the procedure, we could never provoke these arrhythmias. < Learning objective: Coexistence of focal AT originating from CS with slow-fast AVNRT is a rare phenomenon. Furthermore, slow-fast AVNRT could show unusual characteristic as following: (1) small amount of ATP terminates slow-fast AVNRT; (2) atrial pacing never provoked slow-fast AVNRT with isoproterenol infusion whereas ventricular pacing did, which depends on the physiological characteristic of the dual AV nodal pathway. Accordingly, we should precisely assess the obtained electrophysiological findings.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 39-year-old woman with no coronary risk factors was admitted due to repetitive morning chest pain. Coronary angiography revealed subtotal occlusion of the distal obtuse marginal branch that was not recanalized by intracoronary nitroglycerin administration. Intravascular ultrasound and optical frequency domain imaging showed tandem intramural hematomas in the culprit vessel. We performed cutting balloon angioplasty successfully with dual intracoronary imaging modality guidance. The 4-month follow-up angiography revealed favorable vascular healing and the provocation test induced multiple spasms, including in the culprit vessel, by intracoronary acetylcholine administration. < Learning objective: Coronary artery spasm could be the cause of tandem intramural hematomas with clinical presentation of acute coronary syndrome. Angioplasty with dual imaging modality guidance is a useful option for diagnosing and treating for intramural hematoma.> [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytochrome P450 1a (Cyp1a) is an important enzyme for metabolism of organic pollutants. To understand its reaction to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), we knocked out this gene in a marine model fish, Javanese medaka, Oryzias javanicus , using the CRISPR/Cas 9 system. A homozygous mutant (KO) strain with a four-base deletion was established using an environmental DNA (eDNA)-based genotyping technique. Subsequently, KO, heterozygous mutant (HT), and wild-type (WT) fish were exposed to model pollutants, pyrene and phenanthrene, and survivorship and swimming behavior were analyzed. Compared to WT, KO fish were more sensitive to pyrene, suggesting that Cyp1a transforms pyrene into less toxic metabolites. Conversely, WT fish were sensitive to phenanthrene, suggesting that metabolites transformed by Cyp1a are more toxic than the original compound. HT fish showed intermediate results. Thus, comparative use of KO and WT fish can distinguish modes of pollutant toxicity, providing a deeper understanding of fish catabolism of environmental pollutants. • The cyp1a gene of Oryzias javanicus was knocked out using CRISPR/Cas 9. • An environmental DNA (eDNA) extraction method was employed for genotyping. • The cyp1a -knockout strain (KO) is more sensitive to pyrene than wild-type fish (WT). • The KO strain is less sensitive to phenanthrene than WT. • Combined use of WT and KO fish reveals different modes of pollutant toxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In living-donor liver transplantation, biliary tract complications are a serious problem for recipients and donors.Methods: We applied intraoperative real-time cholangiography using a C-arm and/or C-tube drainage to reduce biliary tract complications in donor hepatectomy. From 2003 to 2010, intraoperative real-time cholangiography and C-tube drainage was applied to 39 and 19 donor cases, respectively. Fifteen donor cases had both procedures.Results: We confirmed the division line of the hepatic duct by visualizing a stricture on the monitor of the C-arm by pulling a thread and dissecting the proper site of the bile duct. The number of hepatic ducts of the graft to be anastomosed was 1 in 11 cases and 2 or 3 in 8 of the 19 cases without intraoperative real-time cholangiography, and it was 1 in 32 cases and 2 in 7 of the 39 cases with intraoperative real-time cholangiography. Bile leakage from the resection occurred in seven donors without, and in none of those with, C-tube drainage.Conclusion: In living-donor liver transplantation, intraoperative real-time cholangiography enables effective determination of the precise division line of the hepatic duct. Moreover, C-tube drainage is effective for reducing bile leakage from the resected surface of the liver of donors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The purpose of this nonrandomized retrospective study was to report our new procedures using polyethylene glycolic acid (PGA) felt with fibrin sealant to prevent severe pancreatic fistula in patients undergoing pancreatic surgery.Methods: From 2000 to 2008, 54 and 63 patients underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) and distal pancreatectomy (DP), respectively. Of those patients, we applied PGA felt with fibrin sealant to 18 PD patients and 26 DP patients. In PD patients, the PGA felt was wrapped around the pancreatic suture site, while in DP patients, the PGA felt was wrapped around the predictive division site. The pancreaticojejunostomy site in PD patients and the cut stump in DP patients were coated with fibrin sealant. We compared the occurrence rates for severe postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) that occurred after PD or DP both with and without our new procedures.Results: Before introduction of our procedures, severe POPF developed in 14 of 36 PD patients (39%) and 10 of 37 DP patients (27%). In contrast, after introduction of our procedures, the incidence of POPF was only one in both of 18 PD (6%; P = 0.016) and 26 DP (4%; P = 0.017) patients.Conclusion: In summary, our procedure using PGA felt with fibrin sealant may reduce the risk of severe POPF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Recently, sleep disordered breathing (SDB) has gained attention in the field of cardiology. Until now, no study describing the relationship between acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and SDB has been carried out in Japan. Methods: Among ACS patients admitted to our hospital, 44 patients (mean age 60.6±13.5 years) who received a portable polysomnography to measure apnea hypopnea index (AHI) were selected for this study. The circadian pattern of ACS onset was studied in 6-h intervals. In addition, all subjects were divided into three groups according to AHI severity (AHI<5, 5≤AHI<15, and 15≤AHI). Then, a comparative study between peak time of ACS and AHI severity was conducted for each group. Results: In the AHI<5 group, 66.0% patients suffered from ACS between 12:00h and 18:00h and 17.0% between 18:00h and 24:00h, and a total of 83.0% patients had ACS between 12:00h and 24:00h. In the 5≤AHI<15 group, 49.9% patients had ACS between 24:00h and 06:00h, 16.7% patients between 06:00h and 12:00h. 12:00–18:00h and 18:00–24:00h showed no significant difference. All 22 patients in the 15≤AHI group suffered from ACS between 24:00h and 12:00h. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest a possible relationship between SDB and the onset of ACS between midnight to morning. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The natriuretic peptide (NP) family consists of multiple subtypes in teleosts, including atrial, B-type, ventricular, and C-type NPs (ANP, BNP, VNP, CNP-1–4, respectively), but only ANP, BNP, CNP-3, and CNP-4 have been identified in tetrapods. As part of understanding the molecular evolution of NPs in the tetrapod lineage, we identified NP genes in the chicken genome. Previously, only BNP and CNP-3 have been identified in birds, but we characterized two new chicken NP genes by cDNA cloning, synteny and phylogenetic analyses. One gene is an orthologue of CNP-1, which has only ever been reported in teleostei and bichir. The second gene could not be assigned to a particular NP subtype because of high sequence divergence and was named renal NP (RNP) due to its predominant expression in the kidney. CNP-1 mRNA was only detected in brain, while CNP-3 mRNA was expressed in kidney, heart, and brain. In the developing embryo, BNP and RNP transcripts were most abundant 24h post-fertilization, while CNP mRNA increased in a stage-dependant manner. Synthetic chicken RNP stimulated an increase in cGMP production above basal level in chicken kidney membrane preparations and caused a potent dose-dependant vasodilation of pre-constricted dorsal aortic rings. From conserved chromosomal synteny, we propose that the CNP-4 and ANP genes have been lost in chicken, and that RNP may have evolved from a VNP-like gene. Furthermore, we have demonstrated for the first time that CNP-1 is retained in the tetrapod lineage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) family is composed of CGRP, amylin and adrenomedullin (AM) in mammals. In teleost fish, AM forms an independent subfamily of five members (AM1–5), which inspired us to trace the evolutionary history of the CGRP family throughout vertebrates by comparative genomic approach. Linkage mapping and synteny analyses of the CGRP family genes in medaka, Oryzias latipes, revealed that AM1/CGRP, AM2/amylin, and AM5 genes were located on respective proto-chromosomes before the divergence of teleost lineage. In teleost fish, additional whole genome duplication generated AM1/4, CGRP1/2, AM2/3, but one of the duplicated amylin and AM5 genes was silenced. In mammals, the amylin or AM2 gene was translocated to different chromosomes, while the CGRP gene was multiplied in tandem to generate CGRP-α,β, and recently identified calcitonin receptor-stimulating peptide genes. Based on these data, we identified a novel AM5 gene in several mammalian species as we previously did for AM2. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The natriuretic peptide (NP) family is a group of peptides involved in cardiovascular and body fluid regulation in vertebrates. While only C-type NP (CNP) has been found in elasmobranchs, atrial NP (ANP), B-type NP (BNP) and CNP have been found in mammals, and ventricular NP (VNP) instead of BNP in teleosts. Thus, it was once hypothesized that CNP is the ancestral NP, from which ANP and BNP/VNP were generated. However, the discovery of hfNP in the hagfish, and CNP in the lamprey suggested that the ancestral NP had characteristics common to these two peptides. Genomic studies in ray-finned fish revealed multiplication processes of NP genes: The ancestral gene was duplicated into four CNP genes before the divergence of elasmobranchs, and ANP, BNP and VNP genes were generated from one of the four CNP genes by tandem duplications. From up to seven NP genes thus generated, tetrapods are supposed to have lost some of them. Concerning NP receptors, teleosts also have more subtypes (three guanylyl cyclase-coupled receptors and two clearance receptors) than mammals. It is of interest to examine how the complicated NP system in teleosts compared with tetrapods, is involved in the adaptation to a wide variety of osmotic environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) is a freshwater (FW) teleost that is popular throughout the world for laboratory use. In this paper, we discuss the utility of Japanese medaka and related species for studying mechanisms of seawater (SW) adaptation. In addition to general advantages as an experimental animal such as their daily spawning activity, transparency of embryos, short generation time and established transgenic techniques, Japanese medaka have some adaptability to SW unlike the strictly stenohaline zebrafish (Danio rerio). Since other species in the genus Oryzias exhibit different degrees of adaptability to SW, comparative studies between Japanese medaka, where molecular-biological and genetic information is abundant, and other Oryzias species are expected to present varying approaches to solving the problems of SW adaptation. We introduce some examples of interspecies comparison for SW adaptabilities both in adult fish and in embryos. Oryzias species are good models for evolutionary, ecological and zoogeographical studies and a relationship between SW adaptability and geographic distribution has been suggested. Medaka fishes may thus deliver new insights into our understanding of how fish have expanded their distribution to a wide variety of osmotic environments. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Attempts to identify a novel guanylin family in the intestine of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica. Tissue distribution; Cellular localization of guanylin in eel intestine; Comparison of the expression of guanylins between freshwater and seawater eels.

We have investigated a post-annealing effect on microscopic structural changes of kink boundaries (KBs), which have been initially introduced by a hot-extrusion of an Mg-Zn-Y alloy containing long period stacking/order (LPSO) phase, based on scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) and atom-probe tomography (APT). STEM observations show that most of the KBs appear to be segmented into several submicron-scale, each of which is composed of arrays of extended basal (a -) dislocations that are geometrically necessary to account for the LPSO crystalline rotations. Atomic-scale STEM/APT observations reveal significant reconstructions of these extended dislocation-core structures, which occur at the solute-enriched face-centered cubic layers in the LPSO structures and forms local hexagonal close-packed Mg region with distinct solute depletions. These recovery-like features indeed enhance the thermal stability of the KBs, and the corresponding driving force can be reasonably described according to disclinations, whose elastic energy is defined by crystal rotations and the relevant dipole distances. • Microscopic structures of kink boundaries in unique long-period structured Mg-Zn-Y alloys have been investigated. • Microscopic segmentations of kink boundaries have been promoted during the post-annealing of the hot-extruded specimen. • Dislocation-core structures at kink boundaries have been significantly reconstructed with distinct solute redistributions. • Driving force to promote the observed recovery features can be reasonably described according to disclinations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Filter feeding organisms have been reported to ingest microplastics (MP) in marine environments. However, information regarding how long the ingested MPs are retained in their digestive tracts remains limited. Here, we report the gut retention time (GRT 90) and the long-term egestion time of three different sized polystyrene microspheres (1, 10, and 90 μm) in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. We found significant differences in GRT 90 with respect to MP size. With respect to the long-term egestion of MPs, most of the smaller MPs were excreted immediately, although some were detected intermittently until day 40. In comparison, larger MPs were slowly excreted in bulk, after which they were not detected. The results indicate that different sized MPs are retained differently in the digestive tract of mussels. The size-dependent effects of MPs should thus be considered when evaluating the effects of MPs in mussels. • The retention and elimination times of ingested microplastics vary depending microplastic size in the Mediterranean mussel. • Smaller microplastics were excreted immediately in bulk, although small numbers were intermittently detected thereafter. • Larger microplastics were excreted slowly in bulk, after which they were not detected. • The size-dependent effects of MPs should thus be considered when evaluating the effects of MPs in mussels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping on the growth of the alumina scale formed on an oxide dispersion strengthened (ODS) Co-10Ni-20Cr-15Al (at%) superalloy at 900 °C in air was investigated. On both superalloys with and without Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping, a distinctive layered alumina scale consisting of an outer θ-alumina and an inner α-alumina was formed. Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping could reduce the oxidation growth rate of the θ- and α-alumina layers and improve the spallation resistance of the scale by suppressing the formation of interfacial pores. The reactive element effect in the θ-alumina has been initially elucidated in detail with the aid of 3D-AP characterization. • Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping on oxidation of Co-based ODS superalloy at 900 ºC was studied. • Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping suppressed the alumina growth and eliminated interfacial pores. • RE-segregation effect on θ-alumina was demonstrated for the first time with 3D-AP. • Y 2 O 3 /Hf co-doping promoted the preferential formation of α-alumina at 900 ºC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A total of 513 NSCLC patients who received ICI were retrospectively analyzed. • BMI was associated with the efficacy of ICIs in previously treated NSCLC. • BMI was independently associated with a longer PFS in multivariate analysis. : Body mass index (BMI) is reported to be associated with the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in solid tumors such as melanomas. However, it remains unclear whether such a relationship exists in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated with programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1)/ programmed death-ligand 1(PD-L1) inhibitors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and the efficacy of ICI treatment in patients with advanced NSCLC. : The medical records of NSCLC patients who received PD-1/PD-L1 antibody monotherapy at nine institutions between December 2015 and May 2018 were reviewed retrospectively. The effect of BMI was investigated in two cohorts. Cohort 1 included patients with NSCLCs with high PD-L1 expression (≥ 50 %) treated with pembrolizumab as first-line therapy, and cohort 2 included patients with NSCLCs treated with nivolumab/pembrolizumab/atezolizumab as second- or later-line treatment. : A total of 513 from nine institutions were analyzed (84 in cohort 1, 429 in cohort 2). Using a BMI cut-off value of 22 kg/m2, which is an ideal BMI in our country (high BMI:22.0 and low BMI:22.0), there was no significant difference in the PFS or OS between the high and low BMI patients in cohort 1. However, in cohort 2, survival was significantly longer in patients with a high versus low BMI (PFS: 3.7 vs. 2.8 months, p = 0.036; OS: 15.4 vs. 13.5 months, p = 0.021). : BMI was significantly associated with the efficacy of ICIs in patients with NSCLC treated with second- or later-line PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in our cohort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ureterosciatic hernia and ureteral diverticulum are rare conditions. Only a few cases with surgical management for these conditions have been reported. We report a case of ureteral diverticulum due to ureterosciatic hernia in an 85-year-old woman admitted for septic shock. Computed tomography and retrograde ureterography revealed obstructive ureterosciatic hernia. During intraoperative laparoscopic mesh repair for the hernia after urosepsis treatment, we noted ureteral diverticulum that was also detected endoscopically at the herniated ureter wall. Suture plication was performed to prevent stricture and hernia mesh infection. To our knowledge, this is the first report on ureteral diverticulum due to ureterosciatic hernia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Early detection followed by treatment with antibiotics in conjunction with direct or endovascular surgery is integral in the management of patients with intracranial infectious aneurysms. These aneurysms often manifest as massive intracranial hemorrhages, which severely deteriorate the outcome. It is very important to detect infectious aneurysms before they rupture. Although usually associated with infective endocarditis, these aneurysms can occur in a variety of clinical settings. We present a case of α-Streptococcus–provoked infectious aneurysm in a patient without infective endocarditis, initially presenting as atherothrombotic-like brain infarction, before massive intracranial hemorrhage. The present case alerts clinicians to keep in mind possible development of infectious aneurysms, even in patients who appear to be suffering from atherothrombotic stoke, especially in patients presenting with signs of infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]