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To prove the hypothesis that paddy rice utilizes soil nonexchangeable potassium (neK) and causes associated structural changes in clay minerals, K status and clay mineralogy of 22 surface soils from three paddy fields under long‐term fertilizer management for 51–93 years were investigated. Soil neK content was determined as the difference between 1 mol L−1 hot HNO3 extractable K and 1 mol L−1 ammonium acetate exchangeable K. Clay mineralogy was identified by X‐ray diffraction (XRD). The radiocesium interception potential (RIP), an index of frayed edge sites in the interlayer sites of 2:1 type clay minerals, was also determined. The neK contents under the ‐K and NPK treatments were considerably lower than those under the unfertilized treatment in all the fields, indicating the exploitation of soil neK by rice. XRD analysis of the clay samples revealed 7% shift from the 1.0 peak to 1.4 nm one under the ‐K treatment compared with the unfertilized one, and the amounts of neK were negatively correlated with those of RIP (p <.01), suggesting the expansion of interlayer spaces of the 2:1 type phyllosilicates such as mica due to the release of neK. In addition, the neK content positively correlated with K balance of the long‐term experiments (p <.05). The differences of neK between unfertilized K and ‐K treatments corresponded to 22–157 kg K ha−1, or 0.42–1.68 kg K ha−1 year−1. In conclusion, utilization of considerable amount of soil neK under K depleted conditions should be considered to establish sustainable K management for paddy rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

After our coauthors described the first remote‐access parathyroidectomy (RAP) series in 2000, several other approaches were developed. No systematic review has been performed to classify and evaluate RAP techniques. We performed a literature search using PubMed and Cochrane Library (CENTRAL). A total of 71 studies met our inclusion/exclusion criteria. RAP can be categorized into five approaches: (1) endoscopic and robotic axillary, (2) anterior chest, (3) transoral, (4) retroauricular, and (5) a combination of these approaches. The limited data in the literature suggest that the cure rates and safety of RAP are in no way inferior to those of open parathyroidectomy. Each approach has its advantages and disadvantages, and the recommendations for the selection of each approach are listed. The selection of approach methods might depend on the surgeon's experience and familiarity and the patient's preference and disease status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over 50 years of the Green Revolution since the 1960s, the global population has increased by 2.5 times, cereal production by 3.3 times and the use of N, P and K fertilisers by 9.4, 4.2 and 4.3 times, respectively. Information is still limited, however, on the influence of these impacts on the fertility status of agricultural soils. Here we investigated the influence of the Green Revolution on 142 paddy soils in three tropical Asian countries, that is, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia, during the given period by repeated soil sampling in the 1960s and 2010s at or near the same locations. We revealed that the phytoavailablility indices of three macronutrients – N, P and K, that is, available P, exchangeable K and total N, showed 743% (p < 0.01), 12% and 1% increase on average, respectively, while total C showed 9% decline. Comprehensive investigation of overall fertility status by factor analysis using 11 soil parameters suggested that only the factor scores associated with 'available P status' increased drastically in all the three countries (p < 0.01) whereas those associated with 'organic matter and N contents' and 'inherent potentiality' did not exhibit any consistent changes among the countries. In conclusion, intensive soil/fertiliser management systems under the Green Revolution have successfully improved the nutrient status, especially P status, of paddy soils with slight decrease of soil organic matter over the last 50 years, while a large amount of nutrients applied, especially N and K, has been released from soil to the outer environments. Conversion to a high‐efficiency system of external nutrient inputs with organic matter‐conserving strategies is, therefore, urgently required to secure sustainable food production while restoring the environment during the coming decades. Highlights: Paddy soils from 142 locations in three tropical Asian countries were repeatedly surveyed in the 1960s and 2010s.Available P increased by 8.4 times, that of exchangeable K and total N showed 12% and 1% increase, while organic matter level showed 9% decline.Factor analysis indicated significant increase of the factor scores for those associated with 'available P status'.A high‐efficiency system with organic matter‐conserving strategies is to be established for both sustainable food production and restoration of the environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a forward model to quantify the P‐wave velocity (VP), S‐wave velocity (VS), and electrical conductivity (σ) of the solid‐liquid mixtures for a given set of pressure, temperature, lithology, liquid phase (aqueous fluid or melt), liquid fraction, and geometrical parameters in relation to the aspect ratio and connectivity of the liquid phase. This is based on previous experimental and theoretical studies on seismic velocity and electrical conductivity of solid rocks and liquid phases. A total of 78 lithologies, an aqueous fluid with NaCl (∼0–10 wt.%), and mafic to felsic melt appropriate for the crust and the uppermost mantle conditions were described in terms of VP, VS, and σ, as per previous experimental measurements and molecular dynamics simulation. This forward model is provided as a Windows executable program, and generates synthetic VP, VS, and σ, referring to the seismic velocities and electrical conductivity observed in the northeast Japan arc. After generation of the synthetic VP, VS, and σ, the original lithology and liquid parameters (phase, fraction, aspect ratio, and connectivity) were searched by implementing the grid search algorithm to map the misfit over the broad parameter space. The mapping shows the presence of a global misfit minimum around the optimized solution and the possibility of resolving the lithology and the liquid phase parameters based on the observed VP, VS, and σ by using the forward model presented in this study. Plain Language Summary: Liquid phases such as aqueous fluid and magma present within the solid Earth play crucial roles in various geodynamic processes including earthquake and volcanic eruption, as well as in the evolution of our planet. This study aims to improve the subsurface imaging of the potentially variable types of liquid phase and solid rock, based on the near‐surface observations concerning seismic velocity and electrical conductivity of the Earth's interior. We constructed a quantitative model to predict the physical properties of liquids and rocks. Then we used the model to perform "inversion," which estimates the physical properties of liquid and rock based on the observed seismic velocity and electrical conductivity. The inversion test using synthetic data shows the utility of our model. Key Points: A forward model is presented to quantify seismic velocity and electrical conductivity of solid‐liquid mixtures in crust‐uppermost mantleThe input parameters include pressure, temperature, lithology, liquid phase composition and fraction, and solid‐liquid geometryFor a given set of seismic velocity and electrical conductivity, the optimal parameter values can be found by inversion [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Remote‐access total endoscopic thyroidectomy (TET) is a recently established approach that can avoid producing scars in the neck. There are no clear surgical indications for TET for benign nodules or for malignant tumors at present. We report a successful TET in a 50‐year‐old Japanese woman with follicular lymphoma of the thyroid gland after an open neck biopsy. She had been referred to us with a neck tumor noted 2 months earlier. Because of adhesion, we performed a combined resection of the thyroid and partial right sternohyoid muscle. To the best of our knowledge, there is no other report of a TET performed after open neck surgery. Our patient's case demonstrates that (a) the cosmetic outcome of TET is clearly superior to that of conventional open neck surgery, and (b) a TET can be suitable even for reoperation if carefully selected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the effects of type of micaceous mineral and degree of weathering on the ability to adsorb and desorb radiocaesium (RCs) ions, various levels of weathering were induced (K‐depletion) in three types of micaceous minerals: biotite, muscovite and illite. The ability to adsorb RCs was represented by RCs interception potential (RIP) and a desorption ratio was determined by the amount of 137Cs desorbed from the minerals by 1 M ammonium acetate (137Cs desorption ratio). The RIP values were in the order of illite > biotite > muscovite. The RIP values for biotite gradually increased with the release of up to ~50% of the K+ from interlayer sites but then decreased with the further release of K+, up to ~100%, which was associated with the formation of a fully expanded interlayer: vermiculite. The change from increasing to decreasing RIP due to the weathering of the biotite strongly indicated that the selective adsorption sites for RCs are not located in an expanded interlayer but in intermediate sites between non‐expanded and expanded interlayers: frayed edge sites (FES). In contrast, for both the muscovite and illite, the RIP only increased. The 137Cs desorption ratio, <7% for all the samples, tended to decrease with increasing degrees of weathering and did not differ greatly by mineral type. These results contribute to a more accurate prediction of the risk of RCs transfer from soils to crops and the understanding of the weathering processes of micaceous minerals in soils. Highlights: Radiocaesium adsorption and desorption was investigated for gradually K‐removed biotite, muscovite and illite.Vermiculitization of biotite via K removal firstly increased then decreased the frayed edge sites (FES).Adsorption was influenced by di/trioctahedral character and charge localization, and desorption by degree of weathering.These results lead to better understanding of the weathering processes of micaceous minerals and fate of RCs in soils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: In perinatal medicine, inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) has been an important tool for the treatment of full‐term and late‐preterm infants with persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn (PPHN) and hypoxemic respiratory failure (HRF). Its use in more premature infants, however, is controversial. To evaluate the current clinical practices regarding use of acute iNO in extremely preterm infants, a nationwide survey was conducted in Japan. Methods: A questionnaire survey was conducted from May to September, 2015. Questionnaires about PPHN and iNO treatment were sent to the doctor in charge of the neonatal care unit in 213 perinatal medical centers (PMC) that possessed iNO equipment in Japan. Results: A total of 143 of the 213 PMC provided responses (67.1%). A diagnosis of PPHN was made exclusively on echocardiography in all PMC. On definitive PPHN diagnosis, iNO was selected in the majority of the PMC (72%) and started from ≤10 p.p.m. in most PMC (49.7%) for extremely preterm infants. During iNO therapy, cardiac function was checked on echocardiography by a neonatologist every ≤8 h. iNO weaning was started when differential peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2) disappeared, or when SpO2 reached 100% and so on. After iNO concentration reached 5 p.p.m., it was decreased gradually and carefully in five steps, taking 12–24 h to go from 5 to 0 p.p.m. Conclusions: Inhaled nitric oxide was predominantly used in extremely preterm infants as early rescue therapy for PPHN based on echocardiography performed by a neonatologist. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We used two‐dimensional simulations to investigate the effects of a hydrous lithospheric mantle (HLM) on subduction dynamics. It was demonstrated that the thickness of a subducting HLM strongly controls the motion and deformation of converging plates. When the HLM thickness is lower than a critical value, for example, ∼5 km for a 100‐Ma slab, all serpentine in the HLM decomposes, and the liberated fluid enters the mantle wedge. The fluid weakens the overlying plate, causing trench retreat, rapid plate convergence, and slab stagnation. In contrast, when the HLM thickness exceeds the critical value, dense hydrous magnesium silicates appear in cold parts of the HLM at high pressures. The buoyant dense hydrous magnesium silicates reduce the slab pull force, weakening trench retreat, rapid convergence, and slab stagnation. A low HLM thickness may account for tectonics in some actual subduction zones characterized by trench retreat, rapid convergence, and stagnant slabs, for example, in Northeast Japan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, GATA6 heterozygous loss-of-function mutations were reported to cause pancreatic agenesis and congenital heart defects (PACHD [OMIM:600001]). However, the molecular mechanisms resulting from premature termination codons have not been examined in this disorder. The objective of this study was to perform a genetic analysis of a patient with PACHD. A female patient presented with ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia at birth. Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus and pancreatic exocrine deficiency due to pancreatic agenesis was diagnosed at 1 month of age. PCR-direct sequencing of GATA6 revealed that the patient is heterozygous for a novel de novo nonsense mutation of c.1477C>T, p. Arg493X in exon 5. RT-PCR direct sequencing of the RT-PCR products of total RNA from peripheral blood of the patient for the region encompassing exons 4-6 revealed only the wild-type allele. This finding provides the evidence for the occurrence of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in the p.Arg493X mutation. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of GATA6 transcript in the patient was less than half compared with normal control samples. This is the first evidence that GATA6 haploinsufficiency is caused by NMD in vivo, and we conclude that GATA6 haploinsufficiency causes not only PACHD but may affect other organs derived from the endoderm. Further screenings of GATA6 mutations in patients with various forms of diabetes and/or congenital heart disease with other visceral malformation may reveal the impact of GATA6 mutations on diabetes and congenital malformation. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a case of alveolar capillary dysplasia, wherein duodenal atresia was diagnosed during the third trimester. A 36-year-old mother was referred to our hospital for polyhydramnios at 31 weeks’ gestation. Duodenal atresia was suspected from the ultrasonographic findings, which showed gastric dilation. Other findings noted were enlarged, highly echogenic lungs, a spherical heart and an increased lung–thorax transverse area ratio.A male infantwas born at 37 weeks’ gestation. The findings of serial radiography of the infant’s upper gastrointestinal tract were compatible with the diagnosis of duodenal atresia; however, he developed persistent pulmonary hypertension of the newborn eight hours after birth and died at five days of age. The autopsy revealed alveolar capillary dysplasia and duodenal obstruction. We propose that the detection of duodenal atresia should prompt the physician to conduct a thorough ultrasonographic examination to rule out associated anomalies, such as alveolar capillary dysplasia, which can be detected by the presence of highly echogenic lungs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, GATA6 heterozygous loss-of-function mutations were reported to cause pancreatic agenesis and congenital heart defects (PACHD [OMIM:600001]). However, the molecular mechanisms resulting from premature termination codons have not been examined in this disorder. The objective of this study was to perform a genetic analysis of a patient with PACHD. A female patient presented with ventricular septal defect, patent ductus arteriosus, and congenital diaphragmatic hernia at birth. Permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus and pancreatic exocrine deficiency due to pancreatic agenesis was diagnosed at 1 month of age. PCR-direct sequencing of GATA6 revealed that the patient is heterozygous for a novel de novo nonsense mutation of c.1477C>T, p. Arg493X in exon 5. RT-PCR direct sequencing of the RT-PCR products of total RNA from peripheral blood of the patient for the region encompassing exons 4-6 revealed only the wild-type allele. This finding provides the evidence for the occurrence of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) in the p.Arg493X mutation. Quantitative RT-PCR analysis revealed that the expression of GATA6 transcript in the patient was less than half compared with normal control samples. This is the first evidence that GATA6 haploinsufficiency is caused by NMD in vivo, and we conclude that GATA6 haploinsufficiency causes not only PACHD but may affect other organs derived from the endoderm. Further screenings of GATA6 mutations in patients with various forms of diabetes and/or congenital heart disease with other visceral malformation may reveal the impact of GATA6 mutations on diabetes and congenital malformation., (© 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)