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Seabirds are higher-order predators in the marine ecosystem and hence good indicators of the marine environment. Although the North Pacific has been the focal area for investigations of seabird faunal dynamics, the Pleistocene seabird fossil record has been scarce in the western North Pacific. Here, remains of 32 species of seabirds and related taxa (Anatidae, Podicipedidae, Gaviidae, Diomedeidae, Hydrobatidae, Procellariidae, Phalacrocoracidae, Scolopacidae, Laridae, and Alcidae) are reported from the middle–late Pleistocene Shiriya local fauna, northeastern Japan (Marine Isotope Stages 9 and 5e, ~ 320 and ~ 120 ka). This is the first substantial Pleistocene seabird fauna reported from the region so far, and includes globally first fossil records for Cepphus carbo and extant species of Aethia. The fauna also includes three extinct species, Shiriyanetta hasegawai, Mancalla? sp., and Uria onoi, the former two of which were flightless. The occurrence of immature individuals indicates that at least two species had nearby breeding sites. The seabird populations had probably been sustained by enhanced oceanic productivity in this area during their age, but oceanographic fluctuations in the subsequent glacial period, including the probable disappearance of a nearby oceanic front, would have seriously affected their subsistence, likely causing local extinctions of some species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two well-preserved delphinid crania have been recovered from the Haraichi Formation, Annaka Group, Gunma Prefecture, Japan (earliest late Miocene, Tortonian; 11.29–11.25 Ma). The specimens represent a new genus and species of delphinid, Norisdelphis annakaensis. The new species is characterized by transversely narrow and anteroposteriorly elongated external bony nares, and a wider proximal extremity of the left premaxilla. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that Norisdelphis is the most basal member of the Delphinidae. The previous oldest known described delphinid, Eodelphinus kabatensis, is from the upper Miocene (ca. 9 Ma), and other reliably dated and described fossil delphinids are no older than Pliocene; thus, N. annakaensis is the oldest convincingly dated and well-diagnosed fossil delphinid species yet described. Norisdelphis annakaensis expands the geological range of the family Delphinidae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Kentriodontids are small- to medium-sized odontocetes with a wide geographic range that flourished during the Miocene. They are closely related to crown Delphinida. Seven fossil kentriodontid specimens have been recovered from the Haraichi Formation, Annaka Group (latest middle/earliest late Miocene, Serravallian/Tortonian), Gunma Prefecture, Japan. We describe and diagnose a new species of the genus Kentriodon. Kentriodon nakajimai, sp. nov., has a larger fossa for the hamular and preorbital lobes of the pterygoid sinuses, which suggests that the species was more highly adapted for diving than other Kentriodon species. Asymmetric development of left and right maxillary crests indicates asymmetric development of the facial muscles attached to the melon. If this is the case, it suggests that K. nakajimai possessed a more sophisticated echolocation system than other kentriodontids. Phylogenetic analysis suggests that K. nakajimai is most closely related to K. obscurus and the genus Kentriodon may have originated in the Pacific and then dispersed into the Atlantic several times. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disseminated carcinomatosis of the bone marrow (DCBM) is diffusely invasive bone metastasis resulting from solid tumors. DCBM is often associated with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) or hemolytic anemia. Generally, DCBM treatment includes cytotoxic chemotherapy for underlying solid tumors and management of hematological conditions if present. We report a case of DCBM accompanied with DIC in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Due to her life-threatening condition, we used hormone therapies, not cytotoxic chemotherapies, to treat her DCBM. With zoledronic acid, her DIC and general condition gradually improved and eventually she could return to her daily life. If DCBM occurs in hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, hormone therapy can be one of the treatment choices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Malignant psoas syndrome is a rare malignant condition presenting as lumbosacral plexopathy and painful fixed flexion of the hip. Metastasis to the psoas muscle is observed, which damages the nerve bundles in the lumbosacral plexuses. The syndrome presents as refractory lower back pain with several other neurological symptoms. The pain is difficult to control because it is a mixture of nociceptive and neuropathic pain, which indicates that treatment requires a versatile approach. The authors report a case of severe back pain caused by metastasis to the psoas muscle of advanced gastric cancer in a patient who underwent palliative radiotherapy under epidural analgesia. Despite conventional analgesics and subcutaneous oxycodone, he had difficulties in maintaining supine position because of the back pain and had a problem to receive radiotherapy, which required him to stay still in the same position during the treatment. By epidural analgesia, he could remain in supine position and complete radiotherapy without increasing opioid administration. His back pain was improved after the radiotherapy. Epidural analgesia is an effective treatment choice for a patient who is unable to keep the position during palliative radiotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

A new, well-preserved mysticete fossil is described and diagnosed here as Joumocetus shimizui, gen. et sp. nov. The holotype specimen was recovered from the earliest Late Miocene, Haraichi Formation, Annaka Group, Gunma Prefecture, Japan. Although many cetotheres have been found from the Pacific realm, the Cetotheriidae sensu stricto is relatively rare in terms of taxonomic diversity and also abundance of specimens. Joumocetus will be the fourth genus of the Cetotheriidae sensu stricto from the Pacific and the geologically earliest and most archaic Cetotheriidae sensu stricto yet reported. Joumocetus retains a number of primitive characteristics, and our phylogenetic analysis indicates that Joumocetus is placed basally among the Cetotheriidae sensu stricto. Our analysis clearly indicates a monophyly of the Cetotheriidae sensu stricto and of a clade that consists of Balaenopteridae, Eschrichtiidae, and cetotheres. The results also indicate the monophyly of the following two groups: cetotheres not belong to Cetotheriidae sensu stricto (= Isanacetus-group) and Cetotheriidae sensu lato (= Isanacetus-group + Cetotheriidae sensu stricto); however, the monophylies of these groups are not well supported by bootstrap analysis. Consequently, the relationships and definition of these mysticete taxa remain unclear. Based on the present study and a review of previous studies, we suggest that the Isanacetus-group is a paraphyletic taxon that includes the ancestors of two clades, Balaenopteridae + Eschrichtiidae and the Cetotheriidae sensu stricto. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article describes the teeth of the Cretalamna appendiculata, a medium-sized shark and discusses its importance in identifying the specimen's taxonomic diversity, habitat and behavior. The remains of a Cretalamna-bitten elasmosaurid plesiosaur from the Upper Cretaceous era in central Japan was used to examine variations in the shark's anterior teeth, particularly on its upper and lower jaws. The presence of articulated bones in the plesiosaur's carcasses was mentioned as an evidence that they served as a large supply of food for many organisms, including sharks, during the Late Creataceous seas. Such contention was supported by the association of a plesiosaur material with one or more teeth of other shark species, including Notidanodon pectinatus and Cretoxyrhina mantelli.

To elucidate the possible roles of pectins during the growth of angiosperm pollen, we studied the distribution and changes in the properties of pectin in the pollen grains and tubes of Camellia japonica, Lilium longiflorum, and five other species at different growth stages by immunoelectron microscopy with monoclonal antibodies JIM5, against de-esterified pectin, and JIM7, against esterified pectin. We also studied the localization of arabinogalactan proteins, which are regarded as pectin-binding proteins, with monoclonal antibodies JIM13 and LM2, against arabinogalactan proteins. Similar results were obtained for all species: JIM5 labeled the intine and part of the callose layer in germinated pollen grains, and labeled the outer layer of the tube wall, the Golgi vesicles, and the callose plug in the pollen germinated in vitro, but did not label any part of immature pollen grains. In contrast, JIM7 labeled the intine of both immature and mature pollen grains, labeled the Golgi vesicles around the Golgi bodies, and strongly labeled the outer layer of the cell wall and the Golgi vesicles in the tube tip region. On the other hand, the distribution of arabinogalactan proteins detected with JIM13 was different for each species, and does not suggest a close relationship between pectin and arabinogalactan proteins. LM2 scarcely reacted with the specimens. We discuss the contribution of pectins to tube wall formation and fertilization and deduce a mechanism of callose plug formation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]