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Predicting the calving time in dairy cattle can help in avoiding calving accidents and reducing burdens on animal caretakers. In this study, we analyzed the behavior of pregnant dairy cattle for 7 days prior to calving, to assess the feasibility of predicting the calving time. Eleven Holstein cows were divided into two groups based on their calving times, that is, in the morning (the Morning Parturition Group) or the evening (the Evening Parturition Group). Their behavior was recorded on video. An analysis was conducted of the daily occurrences of each type of behavior and the number of switches of behavior during the day and at night. A statistical analysis was conducted, using a two‐way factorial analysis. The behavioral sequence was analyzed using an adjacency matrix. Hierarchical structure charts were created, using Interpretive Structural Modeling. The results suggest that feeding and exploratory behaviors are associated with the calving time period and thus can be useful when predicting that period. The hierarchical structure charts suggest that the Morning Parturition Group had no definite behavioral sequence pattern, unlike the Evening Parturition Group. The detection of an unstable behavioral sequence pattern might predict the calving time period. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Gemcitabine/cisplatin (GC) combination therapy has been the standard palliative chemotherapy for patients with advanced biliary tract cancer (BTC). No randomized clinical trials have been able to demonstrate the survival benefit over GC during the past decade. In our previous phase II trial, adding S‐1 to GC (GCS) showed promising efficacy and we aimed to determine whether GCS could improve overall survival compared with GC for patients with advanced BTC. Methods: We performed a mulitcenter, randomized phase III trial across 39 centers. Enrolled patients were randomly allocated (1:1) to either the GCS or GC arm. The GCS regimen comprised gemcitabine (1000 mg/m2) and cisplatin (25 mg/m2) infusion on day 1 and 80 mg/m2 of S‐1 on days 1–7 every 2 weeks. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS) and the secondary endpoints were progression‐free survival (PFS), response rate (RR), and adverse events (AEs). This study is registered with Clinical trial identification: NCT02182778. Results: Between July 2014 and February 2016, 246 patients were enrolled. The median OS and 1‐year OS rate were 13.5 months and 59.4% in the GCS arm and 12.6 months and 53.7% in the GC arm, respectively (hazard ratio [HR] 0.79, 90% confidence interval [CI]: 0.628–0.996; P =.046 [stratified log‐rank test]). Median PFS was 7.4 months in the GCS arm and 5.5 months in the GC arm (HR 0.75, 95% CI: 0.577–0.970; P =.015). RR was 41.5% in the GCS arm and 15.0% in the GC arm. Grade 3 or worse AEs did not show significant differences between the two arms. Conclusions: GCS is the first regimen which demonstrated survival benefits as well as higher RR over GC in a randomized phase III trial and could be the new first‐line standard chemotherapy for advanced BTC. To exploit the advantage of its high RR, GCS is now tested in the neoadjuvant setting in a randomized phase III trial for potentially resectable BTC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcopenia is an adverse prognostic factor for diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma. A case of diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma whose diagnosis, severity, and therapeutic effect of sarcopenia were difficult to determine owing to lymphoma cell infiltration into the psoas major and femoral bone marrow is reported. At presentation, the cross‐sectional area of left psoas major at L3 was enlarged owing to lymphoma cell infiltration; thus, sarcopenia evaluation was impossible by L3 skeletal muscle index. The patient was bedridden; thus, sarcopenia evaluation was impossible by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus diagnostic criteria at presentation. At the terminal stage, she could not walk due to bilateral anterior thigh pain caused by lymphoma infiltration into femoral marrow; thus, sarcopenia evaluation was impossible by the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus diagnostic criteria. Although the L3 skeletal muscle index and the Asian Working Group for Sarcopenia 2019 consensus diagnostic criteria are representative sarcopenia evaluation systems, they cannot be used to evaluate sarcopenia in some diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have investigated the total ionizing dose effect by X‐rays, which is a degradation mode of a single transistor, to find the radiation resistance of oxide semiconductor large scale integrated circuit. At 3000 Gy corresponding to the absorbed dose for 30 years in a space environment, or more specifically, on a geostationary orbit, an oxide semiconductor field‐effect transistor showed a negative drift in threshold voltage of less than 300m V and substantially no degradation in subthreshold slope and mobility. After 60 hours from the irradiation, approximately 40% of the threshold voltage variation was recovered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We evaluated the impact of Gleason pattern 5 presence on prognosis among de novo metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer patients with a Gleason score ≥8. Methods: The data of 559 patients diagnosed as metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer with a Gleason score ≥8, who were initially treated with androgen deprivation therapy from 2008 to 2016, were retrospectively collected. Patients were divided into two groups as high and low volume based on the CHAARTED trial criteria. Results: The median overall survival of the 559 metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer patients with Gleason score ≥8 was 70 months, with a median follow‐up period of 36 months. Gleason pattern 5 was confirmed in 341 patients (61.0%), in which primary Gleason pattern 5 was confirmed in 164 patients (29.3%). The number of patients with high metastatic volume group was 363 (64.9%). In total and high metastatic volume groups, hemoglobin and lactate dehydrogenase were significant factors for predicting overall survival, but both Gleason pattern 5 and primary Gleason pattern 5 did not show a statistically significant difference. In the low‐volume metastatic group, the median overall survival in patients with or without primary Gleason pattern 5 was 40 and 78 months, respectively. In multivariate analysis, only primary Gleason pattern 5 was an independent predictive factor for overall survival in the low‐volume metastatic group (hazard ratio 2.76, 95% confidence interval 1.88–8.67; P = 0.0026). Conclusion: The presence of Gleason pattern 5 was not associated with overall survival in metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer with a Gleason score ≥8. In low‐metastatic volume metastatic hormone‐sensitive prostate cancer, primary Gleason pattern 5 was a poor prognostic factor, which might show a separate treatment option for this group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/Introduction: To investigate the association between cardiovascular autonomic neuropathy (CAN) assessed by the coefficient of variation of the R‐R interval and the reduction in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in patients with type 2 diabetes. Materials and methods: This retrospective observational cohort study enrolled type 2 diabetes patients who had their coefficient of variation of the R‐R interval measured on an electrocardiogram from January 2005 to December 2018. CAN was defined using the reference coefficient of variation of the R‐R interval value based on age and sex. The primary outcome was set as a 40% eGFR decline from baseline. Regression analyses using the Cox proportional hazards model were carried out to evaluate the association. Results: Of the 831 patients, 118 (14.2%) were diagnosed with CAN. In the analysis of the primary outcome, the median follow‐up period was 5.3 years, and 25 (21.2%) patients with CAN and 78 (10.9%) patients without CAN developed a 40% eGFR decline. In the univariate regression analysis, CAN was significantly associated with a 40% eGFR decline (hazard ratio 2.42, 95% confidence interval 1.54–3.80). In the multivariate analysis, CAN remained almost significant after adjusting for the prognostic risk factors for CAN and the decline in the renal function, and an interaction with proteinuria was found. In analyses for the interaction effect between CAN and proteinuria, the presence of CAN synergistically increased the risk of an eGFR decline in patients with macroproteinuria. Conclusions: CAN strongly increased the risk of a 40% eGFR decline from baseline, especially in type 2 diabetes patients with macroproteinuria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/Hypothesis: Disturbed perilymph behind a labyrinth fistula can lead to hearing deterioration; thus, delicate manipulation is required during surgery for cholesteatomatous fistulae with matrix extension to the perilymphatic space (EPS). However, it remains challenging to identify the EPS preoperatively. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of computed tomography (CT) for preoperative prediction of the EPS of cholesteatomatous fistulae. Study Design: Retrospective study. Methods: We included serial high‐resolution CT images showing a cholesteatomatous bone defect in the lateral semicircular canal (LSC) requiring mastoidectomy. CT and intraoperative findings were analyzed retrospectively. Using axial CT planes, we evaluated the length and angle between the margins of bone defects. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to determine the cutoff points. Results: We extracted data from 30 bone defects, of which six (20.0%) showed EPS intraoperatively. Bone defects with EPS (n = 6) had significantly greater length and angle values than those without EPS (n = 24) (P <.001 for both, Wilcoxon rank sum test). For length and angle, the area under the curve was 0.944 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.858‐1.000) and 0.951 (95% CI: 0.875‐1.000), respectively, according to the ROC analysis, and the optimal cutoff values were 3.65 mm and 71.6°, respectively, with 100% sensitivity and 91.67% specificity for both. Conclusions: Results demonstrated that a length >3.65 mm and an angle >71.6° for LSC bone defects on axial CT images are reliable diagnostic markers of EPS. Preoperative high‐resolution CT analysis can provide surgeons with a more conscientious preparation for handling deeper labyrinth fistulae. Level of Evidence: 4 Laryngoscope, 131:E1301–E1307, 2021 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During vertebrate development, neural crest cells arise in the dorsal region of the fusing neural tube, then migrate extensively across the embryonic body to differentiate into various cell types. In adults, subsets of neural crest‐derived cells (NCDCs) reside as stem cells and are considered useful as cell sources for autologous cell therapy. Previous studies have suggested that these NCDC subsets persist into adulthood in mammals, especially those within dentofacial compartments. We have found NCDCs in a wide variety of tissues, including palate, gingiva, and tongue, as well as hair follicles, submandibular glands, and buccal mucosa in adult mice. NCDCs from buccal mucosa can also form neurosphere‐like structures that have a capability to differentiate into osteoblasts. These findings indicate that NCDCs reside in various adult oral and dentofacial regions, and possess potential to differentiate into osteoblastic cells, thus suggesting that those in adults may be a useful source for bone regeneration strategies. In recent years, several researchers have reported regeneration experiments using NCDCs obtained from oral and dentofacial tissues. Here, we review findings related to the distribution of NCDCs, with focus on the oral and dentofacial regions, as well as the future prospects of NCDC‐based regenerative therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate the association of tumor burden with the prognosis in real‐world patients with metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer and to investigate the eligibility for upfront intensification therapy. Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 679 patients with metastatic castration‐sensitive prostate cancer who were initially treated with conventional androgen deprivation therapy between August 2001 and November 2018. The primary purpose was to investigate the eligibility for upfront intensification therapy based on the progression of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. The secondary purpose included the comparison of the metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer progression rate, metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer‐free survival and overall survival after castration‐resistance in CHAARTED low‐ or high‐volume disease patients. Results: The number of patients with metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer progression was 119 (52%) and 319 (71%) in the low‐ and high‐volume disease groups, respectively. The metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer progression rate (P < 0.001) and castration‐resistant prostate cancer‐free survival (P < 0.001) were significantly different between the low‐ and high‐volume disease groups, but no difference was found for overall survival after castration resistance (P = 0.363). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no significant association between tumor burden and overall survival after castration resistance (P = 0.522; hazard ratio 1.14). Conclusions: The progression rate in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients with the low‐volume disease under conventional androgen deprivation therapy is approximately 50%. Upfront intensification therapy might be beneficial for approximately half of patients with low‐volume disease. A novel maker to predict the castration‐resistant status is required to select optimal patients for upfront intensification therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, gallium nitride (GaN) samples implanted with magnesium (Mg) and fluorine (F) ions are investigated by photoluminescence (PL) measurements. In low‐temperature PL measurements, the characteristic green luminescence (GL) band attributable to nitrogen vacancies (VN) is observed in Mg‐ion‐implanted GaN. As VN are likely to act as donors, suppressing their formation is essential to realizing p‐type conductivity. The energy required for a F impurity to replace VN in GaN and eventually form F on a N site decreases when the Fermi level approaches the valence band maximum, and therefore F is employed as a subsequent implantation element to compensate for VN. The GL band peak disappears upon implanting Mg and F ions at a high temperature and adjusting the F concentration to an appropriate value. This result suggests that VN generated by Mg ion implantation can be suppressed using an element with a lower formation energy than that of VN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives/hypothesis: Individuals with orofacial clefts often experience respiratory problems because of nasopharyngeal abnormalities. Pharyngeal airway morphology is thought to differ among the various cleft types. We measured three-dimensional (3D) airway volume using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) analysis to evaluate and compare pharyngeal airways in Japanese preschoolers with and without orofacial clefts.Study Design: Retrospective case-control study.Methods: We enrolled 83 subjects (37 boys, 46 girls; mean age = 4.66 ± 0.56 years) with nonsyndromic orofacial clefts and 16 noncleft healthy subjects (seven boys, nine girls; mean age = 5.30 ± 0.52 years) as controls. The subjects were divided into five groups. Four groups were based on the cleft type: isolated cleft palate, unilateral cleft lip and alveolus), unilateral cleft lip and palate, and bilateral cleft lip and palate. The fifth group included the noncleft controls. All subjects were examined with CBCT, and the 3D airway volume was measured. We analyzed group differences statistically using analysis of covariance with the Bonferroni post hoc pairwise comparison tests for the corrected means.Results: Compared with the noncleft group, each cleft group exhibited significantly decreased total and nasal airway volumes and increased superior and inferior pharyngeal airway volumes. The differences were all statistically significant.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that anatomical differences exist in pharyngeal airway volumes among various cleft groups and in those without a cleft.Level Of Evidence: 3b Laryngoscope, 130:533-540, 2020. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to identify predictive factors associated with conditional net survival in patients with metastatic hormone‐naive prostate cancer (mHNPC) initially treated with androgen deprivation therapy (ADT). Methods: At nine hospitals in Tohoku, Japan, the medical records of 605 consecutive patients with mHNPC who initially received ADT were retrospectively reviewed. The Pohar Perme estimator was used to calculate conditional net cancer‐specific survival (CSS) and overall survival (OS) for up to 5 years subsequent to the diagnosis. Using multiple imputation, proportional hazard ratios for conditional CSS and OS were calculated with adjusted Cox regression models. Results: During a median follow up of 2.95 years, 208 patients died, of which 169 died due to progressive prostate cancer. At baseline, the 5‐year CSS and OS rates were 65.5% and 58.2%, respectively. Conditional 5‐year net CSS and OS survival gradually increased for all the patients. In patients given a 5‐year survivorship, the conditional 5‐year net CSS and OS rates improved to 0.906 and 0.811, respectively. Only the extent of disease score (EOD) ≥2 remained a prognostic factor for CSS and OS up to 5 years; as survival time increased, other variables were no longer independent prognostic factors. Conclusions: The conditional 5‐year net CSS and OS in patients with mHNPC gradually increased; thus, the risk of mortality decreased with increasing survival. The patient's risk profile changed over time. EOD remained an independent prognostic factor for CSS and OS after 5‐year follow‐up. Conditional net survival can play a role in clinical decision‐making, providing intriguing information for cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Demand has been increasing recently for an automated monitoring system of animal behavior as a tool for the management of livestock animals. This study investigated the association between the behavior of dairy cattle and the acceleration data collected using three‐axis neck‐mounted accelerometers, as well as the feasibility of improving the precision of behavior classifications through machine learning. In total 38 Holstein dairy cows were used, and kept in four different farms. A logger was mounted to each collar to obtain acceleration data for calculating the activity level and variations. At the same time the behavior of the cattle was observed visually. Characteristic acceleration waves were recorded for eating, rumination, and lying, respectively; and the activity level and variations were significantly different among these behaviors (p < 0.01). Decision tree learning was performed on the data set from Farm A and validated its precision; which proved to be 99.2% in cross‐validation, and 100% in test data sets from Farms B to D. This study showed that highly precise classifications for eating, rumination, and lying is possible by using decision tree learning to calculate the activity level and variations of cattle based on the data obtained by three‐axis accelerometers mounted to a collar. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Orthognathic surgery dramatically changes morphology of the maxillofacial deformity and improves the malocclusion morphologically and functionally. We investigated the influence of orthognathic surgery on genomewide DNA methylation in saliva. Methods: Saliva was obtained from nine patients undergoing orthognathic surgery and two healthy reference individuals before and 3 months after orthognathic surgery. Genomewide DNA methylation profiling of saliva (341,482 CpG dinucleotides) was conducted using Infinium HumanMethylation450 BeadChips. Results: Comparison between pre‐ and postsurgery saliva samples revealed significant changes in DNA methylation patterns at 2,381 CpG sites (p < 0.01) with suggestive significance. The differentially methylated probe sets were significantly associated with the cancer pathway (p = 2.8 × 10−7; a false discovery rate q‐value = 3.7 × 10−4) and PI3K‐Akt signalling pathway (p = 2.4 × 10−5; a false discovery rate q‐value = 3.1 × 10−2). Conclusion: Pathway enrichment analysis of genes with suggestive significance demonstrated that altered DNA methylation in saliva of patients undergoing orthognathic surgery, possibly as a response to surgical stress or bone injury. Further studies with a large sample size and long‐term observation are needed to validate the phenomena identified in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Objective: Orofacial clefts (OFCs) are common and etiologically complex birth defects. This study explored potential genetic differences in a pair of Japanese monozygotic (MZ) twins with different forms of OFC using whole‐genome sequencing. Subjects and Methods: One co‐twin (MZ‐1) presented with nonsyndromic bilateral cleft lip and palate; the other co‐twin (MZ‐2) had nonsyndromic bilateral cleft lip and unilateral left‐sided cleft alveolus. Neither parent had an OFC. Craniofacial morphologic features and potential genetic differences were compared using standard cephalometry and whole‐genome sequencing, respectively. Results: Morphologically, MZ‐1 had a smaller vertical mandibular height, compared to MZ‐2. However, no discordant genetic differences were detected. Moreover, both twins and their parents harbored rare candidate gene variants (GRHL3; TPM1) considered to be associated with OFCs. Conclusion: The observed differences between MZ‐1 and MZ‐2 in craniofacial morphology assessed by cephalograms might be directly attributable to the effects of the OFC on growth and/or differences in surgical history, given the lack of any differences in genetic background. However, comparisons of discordant MZ twins should continue to identify novel candidates that might control OFC or that might partly explain the missing heritability for this common birth defect, in addition to understanding craniofacial growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective/hypothesis: We previously reported that the metabolic tumor volume (MTV) of a primary tumor was an independent prognostic factor for survival in laryngeal carcinoma treated by radiotherapy (RT)-based protocol. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the difference in survival outcomes between surgery-based and RT-based treatment in patients with a MTV laryngeal cancer.Study Design: An individual retrospective cohort study.Methods: We reviewed the records of 63 patients with laryngeal cancer showing a primary tumor with a high MTV value (≥ 4.9 mL). The patients were separated into two groups by primary treatment strategy: 22 patients were included in the surgery group, and 41 patients were included in the RT group. Clinical factors and treatment modalities were analyzed for their association with survival.Results: Multivariate analysis, including age, sex, subsite, T classification, nodal metastasis, and treatment modality, showed that the subsite (hazard ratio [HR] 2.55, P = 0.043) and treatment modality (HR 3.98, P = 0.019) were independent predictors for survival. The Kaplan-Meier curves for 2-year relapse-free survival rates and overall survival rates for patients in the surgery and RT groups were 74.2% versus 38.8% (P = 0.025) and 80.1% versus 66.7% (P = 0.078).Conclusions: Patients with a high metabolic volume laryngeal cancer treated by a surgery-based protocol showed better relapse-free survival and overall survival than did those undergoing RT-based treatment. Pretreatment MTV assessment could be useful in planning the treatment strategy for patients with a laryngeal cancer.Level Of Evidence: 2b. Laryngoscope, 127:862-867, 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The purpose of this study was to elucidate the prognostic significance of the pretreatment metabolic tumor volume (MTV) in patients with piriform sinus carcinoma treated by radiation-based therapy. Methods This retrospective study included 100 patients with piriform sinus carcinomas who had received treatment by radiation-based therapy. The MTV values were obtained from pretreatment positron emission tomography (PET). The association between clinical factors, including the MTV, and survival was analyzed. Results Kaplan-Meier estimates revealed the 5-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates were significantly poorer for patients with a high MTV compared to those with a low MTV. In the multivariate analysis, MTV ( p < .001), nodal metastasis ( p = .011), and applied chemotherapy regimen ( p = .004) were found to be independent prognostic factors for DFS. Conclusion The locoregional MTV is a prognostic factor for DFS in patients with piriform sinus carcinoma treated by radiation-based therapy. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 1708-1716, 2016 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Germline PMS2 gene mutations were detected by RT- PCR/direct sequencing of total RNA extracted from puromycin-treated peripheral blood lymphocytes ( PBL) and multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification ( MLPA) analyses of Japanese patients with colorectal cancer ( CRC) fulfilling either the revised Bethesda Guidelines or being an age at disease onset of younger than 70 years, and screened by mismatch repair protein immunohistochemistry of formalin-fixed paraffin embedded sections. Of the 501 subjects examined, 7 (1.40%) showed the downregulated expression of the PMS2 protein alone and were referred to the genetic counseling clinic. Germline PMS2 mutations were detected in 6 (85.7%), including 3 nonsense and 1 frameshift mutations by RT- PCR/direct sequencing and 2 genomic deletions by MLPA. No mutations were identified in the other MMR genes (i.e. MSH2, MLH1 and MSH6). The prevalence of the downregulated expression of the PMS2 protein alone was 1.40% among the subjects examined and IHC results predicted the presence of PMS2 germline mutations. RT- PCR from puromycin-treated PBL and MLPA may be employed as the first screening step to detect PMS2 mutations without pseudogene interference, followed by the long-range PCR/nested PCR validation using genomic DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We explored the role of histogram analysis of apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) maps for discriminating uterine carcinosarcoma and endometrial carcinoma.Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated findings in 13 patients with uterine carcinosarcoma and 50 patients with endometrial carcinoma who underwent diffusion-weighted imaging (b = 0, 500, 1000 s/mm(2) ) at 3T with acquisition of corresponding ADC maps. We derived histogram data from regions of interest drawn on all slices of the ADC maps in which tumor was visualized, excluding areas of necrosis and hemorrhage in the tumor. We used the Mann-Whitney test to evaluate the capacity of histogram parameters (mean ADC value, 5th to 95th percentiles, skewness, kurtosis) to discriminate uterine carcinosarcoma and endometrial carcinoma and analyzed the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve to determine the optimum threshold value for each parameter and its corresponding sensitivity and specificity.Results: Carcinosarcomas demonstrated significantly higher mean vales of ADC, 95th, 90th, 75th, 50th, 25th percentiles and kurtosis than endometrial carcinomas (P < 0.05). ROC curve analysis of the 75th percentile yielded the best area under the ROC curve (AUC; 0.904), sensitivity of 100%, and specificity of 78.0%, with a cutoff value of 1.034 × 10(-3) mm(2) /s.Conclusion: Histogram analysis of ADC maps might be helpful for discriminating uterine carcinosarcomas and endometrial carcinomas. J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2016;43:1301-1307. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sleep is known to be essential for proper cognitive functioning. Sleep disturbance, especially respiratory disturbance during sleep, is a risk factor for the development of dementia. However, it is not known whether hypopnoea during sleep is related to severity of cognitive function in patients already diagnosed with dementia. Considering the high prevalence of sleep problems in aged people, it is important to determine if hypopnoea during sleep contributes to dementia. In addition, it would be desirable to develop a feasible method for objectively evaluating sleep in patients with dementia. For this purpose, a simple sleep recorder that employs single or dual bioparameter recording, which is defined as a type-4 portable monitor, is suitable. In this study, a type-4 sleep recorder was used to evaluate respiratory function during sleep in 111 patients with dementia, and data suggesting a possible relationship with cognitive function levels were examined. Multivariate logistic regression was used to investigate the association of severity of dementia with sleep-disordered breathing, age, diabetes, dyslipidaemia and hypertension. It was found that the respiratory disturbance index was associated with severity of cognitive dysfunction in our subjects. Furthermore, patients younger than 80 years were more susceptible to lower cognitive function associated with sleep-disordered breathing than patients 80 years old or over, because an increase in the respiratory disturbance index was associated with deteriorated cognitive function only in the former age group. These results suggest that proper treatment of sleep apnea is important for the preservation of cognitive function, especially in patients with early-stage dementia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We successfully executed laparoscopic distal gastrectomy in two patients who had previously undergone coronary artery bypass grafting using the right gastroepiploic artery ( RGEA). A laparoscopic distal gastrectomy preserving the RGEA graft with Roux-en- Y reconstruction was performed on two men, one 69 years of age and one 73 years of age. In both cases, the RGEA was used during coronary artery bypass grafting for the posterior descending branch. The laparoscopic approach helped avoid injury to the RGEA associated with laparotomy and retractor placement. In addition, the locations of ports necessary for laparoscopy were situated away from the RGEA graft and from adhesions resulting from bypass. Using typical laparoscopic settings, we were able to easily identify the grafted RGEA. Thus, laparoscopic distal gastrectomy is not only less invasive than open gastrectomy procedures, but it is also associated with a lower risk of injury to the RGEA graft. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A channel-etched IGZO field-effect transistor (FET) using Cu wiring was fabricated. Because little Cu is diffused into a c-axis aligned crystalline oxide semiconductor (CAAC-OS), which is c-axis aligned crystalline IGZO, the use of the CAAC-OS provides favorable characteristics for a channel-etched FET. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The investigation of donor states is an important issue for characteristics and reliability of FETs. We succeeded in identifying the origin of donor states of InGaZnO through experiments and calculations. In addition, the number of photomasks is reduced by applying this mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Radioresistance remains a critical issue in the use of radiotherapy for the treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). This study evaluated the efficacy of combination treatment with OBP-301, a telomerase-specific replication-selective adenovirus, and radiotherapy in overcoming radioresistance by examining its effect on radiation-resistant HNSCC cells. Methods Radiation-resistant HNSCC cells were treated with OBP-301 and radiation in vitro and in an orthotopic nude mouse model in vivo and synergism was assessed. Apoptosis and expression of MRN complex, which plays a key role in DNA repair machinery, were also analyzed. Results Infection with OBP-301 was found to enhance the antitumor efficacy of radiation both in vitro and in vivo by inhibiting MRN complex expression and increasing apoptosis induction. Conclusion Combined OBP-301 and radiation therapy seems to overcome radioresistance in HNSCC cells by inhibiting DNA repair machinery, and may thus be a novel therapeutic strategy for treating HNSCC. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 411-418, 2014 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our crystalline In-Ga-Zn oxide (IGZO) thin film has a c-axis-aligned crystal (CAAC) structure and maintains crystallinity even on an amorphous base layer. Although the crystal has c-axis alignment, its a-axis and b-axis have random arrangement; moreover, a clear grain boundary is not observed. We fabricated a back-channel-etched thin-film transistor (TFT) using the CAAC-IGZO film. Using the CAAC-IGZO film, more stable TFT characteristics, even with a short channel length, can be obtained, and the instability of the back channel, which is one of the biggest problems of IGZO TFTs, is solved. As a result, we improved the process of manufacturing back-channel-etched TFTs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction We investigated potential advantages of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy ( LADG) in high-risk gastric cancer patients. We examined the differences among various risk groups by comparing the incidence of postoperative complications and invasiveness of LADG with those of open distal gastrectomy ( ODG) based on the American Society of Anesthesiologists ( ASA) criteria. Methods A total of 639 patients with stage IA or IB gastric cancer were included in this study. ODG was performed between 2003 and 2005, and LADG was performed between 2006 and 2011. Results The incidence of postoperative complications in the LADG group ( ASA1, 5.6%; ASA2, 3.8%; and ASA3, 5.7%) was significantly lower than that in the ODG group in all the ASA classes ( ASA1, 16.9%; ASA2, 12.5%; and ASA3, 20%). Changes in the pain scores, body temperatures and blood analyses revealed that LADG was less invasive than ODG in all ASA classes. However, as the ASA class increased, the less invasive nature of LADG decreased. Conclusion LADG may be less invasive than ODG, even in ASA3 patients. Hence, LADG may reduce the incidence of postoperative complications in ASA1, ASA2, and ASA3 patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent studies have shown that IGZO are variously influenced by photoirradiation. In this study, by using measurement results of optical properties and calculation results, a relationship of defect levels in the IGZO films and the SiO2 films to negative-bias photodegradation was examined, and the mechanism of the degradation was revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated a back-channel-etched TFT using the CAAC-IGZO film that we developed. As a factor of success in manufacturing stable back-channel-etched TFTs, it is considered that CAAC-IGZO has a strong structure because of its crystallinity. For verification, we have compared the cohesive energy of c-IGZO and that of a-IGZO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sharp succeeded the production of high performance LCD using IGZO for the first time in the world. With the extraordinary TFT characteristics, IGZO-TFT LCD can realize (1)lower power consumption and (2)higher touch panel performance than a-Si TFT LCD. In this paper, we report the development of IGZO-TFT and new LCD devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, there are no detailed reports on the effects of vitamin E-bonded polysulfone (PS) membrane dialyzers on intradialytic hypotension (IDH) in diabetic hemodialysis (HD) patients. This study was designed to evaluate changes in intradialytic systolic blood pressure (SBP) using 'VPS-HA' vitamin E-bonded super high-flux PS membrane dialyzers. The subjects were 62 diabetic HD patients whose intradialytic SBP fell by more than 20%. Group A comprised patients who required vasopressors to be able to continue treatment or who had to discontinue therapy due to their lowest intradialytic SBP being observed at 210 min (28 patients). Group B comprised patients who showed no symptoms and required no vasopressors but showed a gradual reduction in blood pressure, with the lowest intradialytic SBP seen at the end of dialysis (34 patients). The primary outcome was defined as the lowest intradialytic SBP after 3 months using VPS-HA. Secondary outcomes included changes in the following: lowest intradialytic diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, pulse rate, plasma nitric oxide and peroxynitrite, serum albumin, and hemoglobin A1c. Group A's lowest intradialytic SBP had significantly improved at 3 months (128.0 ± 25.1 mm Hg vs. 117.1 ± 29.2 mm Hg; P = 0.017). Group B's lowest intradialytic SBP had significantly improved at 1 month (134.4 ± 13.2 mm Hg vs. 121.5 ± 25.8 mm Hg; P = 0.047) and 3 months (139.1 ± 20.9 mm Hg vs. 121.5 ± 25.8 mm Hg; P = 0.011). We conclude that VPS-HA may improve IDH in diabetic HD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have fabricated a 13.5-inch top-emission OLED display including an oxide semiconductor FET element. This display has a high pixel density exceeding 300 dpi and is applicable to a Quad-HDTV (number of pixels: 3840 × RGB × 2160). There have been few reports on fabrication of OLED displays with such a high pixel density so far. Color display is achieved by combining an EL element having a tandem structure and emitting white light with a microcavity structure and a color filter. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels are reduced in depressed patients, and successful antidepressant treatment leads to increases in BDNF levels. However, little is known about how psychotropic drugs affect the mechanism of the human response to mental stress. We investigated the influence of psychotropic drugs on plasma BDNF levels under mental stress using a driving simulator (DS) task. Methods Fourteen healthy male volunteers received one of four drugs, diazepam (5 mg), tandospirone (20 mg), paroxetine (10 mg), and matched placebo, in a double-blind, crossover manner. Subjects were asked to perform the DS task 4 h post-dosing. Plasma BDNF levels were measured before and after the DS task. Results Plasma BDNF levels under the placebo, diazepam, and tandospirone conditions significantly decreased after the DS task compared with before the task. Conversely, no significant differences in plasma BDNF levels were detected under the paroxetine condition. Conclusion As these three psychotropic drugs have differential effects on plasma BDNF levels under mental stress after 4 h post-dosing, antidepressants, unlike anxiolytics, might have a prompt positive effect on the mental stress response. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Apoptosis and autophagic cell death are programmed cell deaths that are involved in cell survival, growth, development and carcinogenesis. p53, the most extensively studied tumor suppressor, regulates apoptosis and autophagy by transactivating its downstream genes. It also stimulates the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway and inhibits autophagy in a transactivation-independent manner. However, the contribution of apoptosis and autophagic cell death to p53-dependent cell death is unclear. Using wild-type (WT) and mutant (MT) p53 inducible cell lines in TP53-null SF126 glioblastoma cells, we examined the apoptosis and autophagic cell death induced by p53. WT p53 expression in SF126 cells induced apoptosis and autophagy, and reduced the cell number. An autophagy inhibitor reduced autophagy, increased the S-phase fraction, and attenuated the inhibition of cell proliferation induced by WT p53. Pan-caspase inhibitor reduced apoptosis but showed weaker inhibition of cell proliferation than the autophagy inhibitor. We concluded that p53-dependent cell death in SF126 cells comprises caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis and autophagic cell death, and the induction of autophagy as well as apoptosis could be a new strategy to treat some type of WT p53-retaining tumors. ( Cancer Sci 2011; 102: 799-807) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitroxyl-aziridine hybrid, a candidate for a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) probe and an anticancer drug, was synthesized by aziridine formation reaction of nitroxyl-introduced aldehyde and guanidinium ylide in good diastereoselectivity. The relative configuration at aziridine C(2)C(3) bond of the major diastereoisomer was determined to be cis by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Application of chiral guanidinium ylide resulted in the formation of the corresponding optically active aziridine in 84% ee. Reversible one-electron redox potential and quantitative spin yield of the hybrid were observed in cyclic voltammogram and electron spin resonance, respectively. However, cytotoxicity of the hybrid against cancer cell lines used was not observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the effects of two anxiolytics, diazepam and tandospirone, on driving performance from methodological viewpoints taking frequent rear-end collisions into account. Methods In this double-blinded, three-way crossover trial, 18 healthy males received acute doses of 20 mg tandospirone (TSP), 5 mg diazepam (DZP), and placebo (PCB). The subjects were administered three driving tasks—road tracking, car following, and harsh braking—performed using a driving simulator and three cognitive tasks—Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Test, and N-back test—at baseline and at 1 and 4 h post-dosing. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores were also assessed. Results DZP nonsignificantly increased the percent change of brake reaction time (BRT) as compared to PCB at 4 h post-dosing. TSP nonsignificantly decreased the percent change of BRT as compared to PCB. Consequently, there was a significant difference in the percent change of BRT between DZP and TSP at 4 h post-dosing. For the remaining tasks, no statistically significant effects of treatment were observed. Conclusions Acute doses of DZP significantly impaired the harsh-braking performance as compared to acute doses of TSP. These findings suggest that TSP may be used more safely in patients' driving activities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Amitriptyline triggers the impairment of cognitive and motor functions and has been confirmed to have harmful effects on driving performance. Although interindividual differences in plasma concentration may cause variations in driving performance, the relationship between plasma amitriptyline concentration and its effect on driving performance has not been completely elucidated. Thus, the aim of the present study was to assess the influence of individual pharmacokinetic differences on driving performance and cognitive functions. Methods: In this double-blinded study, 17 healthy male volunteers were given an acute, single, 25-mg dose of amitriptyline. The subjects were assigned three driving simulator tasks, three cognitive tasks, and the questionnaire of the Stanford Sleepiness Scale at the baseline and at 4 h after dosing. The plasma amitriptyline concentrations were measured on high-performance liquid chromatography. Results: A significant positive correlation was observed between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and road-tracking performance (r = 0.543, P < 0.05). There was no significant correlation between the plasma amitriptyline concentration and other driving performance, cognitive functions, and subjective somnolence. Conclusions: Amitriptyline produces a concentration-related impairment on road-tracking performance. Therapeutic monitoring of amitriptyline would be useful for predicting the difficulties involved while driving. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To assess the effects of antidepressants on driving performance from a different methodological viewpoint in light of the recent traffic accidents. Methods In this double-blinded, 3-way crossover trial, 17 healthy males received acute doses of 10 mg paroxetine, 25 mg amitriptyline, and placebo. The subjects were administered three driving tasks—road tracking, car following, and harsh braking—performed using a driving simulator and three cognitive tasks—Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, Continuous Performance Test, and N-back test at baseline and at 1 h and 4 h post-dosing. The Stanford Sleepiness Scale scores were also assessed. Results At 4 h post-dosing, amitriptyline significantly impaired road-tracking and car-following performance, reduced driver vigilance, and caused subjective somnolence. Paroxetine impaired neither driving performance nor cognitive function. Conclusions Acute doses of amitriptyline significantly impaired driving performance in the context of driving on crowded urban roads at relatively low speeds. This setting is important with respect to skills necessary for daily driving and may be difficult to measure in actual driving tests. This simulator-based study replicated the results of previous studies and could be considered complementary to them. This method may enable easy and safe screening of the driving hazard potential of drugs. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Inorganic polyphosphate exists as chains of phosphate molecules and is distributed in osteoblasts, and regulates osteoblastic cell differentiation and bone matrix calcification. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effects of inorganic polyphosphate on periodontitis. Material and methods: Subgingival local irrigation with inorganic polyphosphate was studied in a randomised double-blind study of 33 patients with periodontitis. Scaling and root planing were performed 1 week after the initial examination. Results: No significant differences between the inorganic polyphosphate group and control were detected in each item except IL-1β. Patients in whom both the bleeding on probing and gingival index at 1 week had improved were significantly older in the inorganic polyphosphate group than in the control group ( p < 0.05). Bone regeneration was seen in one case of the inorganic polyphosphate group. Conclusions: Inorganic polyphosphate was useful in the treatment of periodontitis in the elderly, indicating a probable effect of anti-ageing, with similar bone regenerations occurring in both groups. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents the results of experimental study on the performance of a Unified Power Flow Controller (UPFC), one of the FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) controllers. A laboratory-scale UPFC was manufactured and installed on a laboratory electric power system to investigate its multifunctional capabilities as a power flow controller. The UPFC consists of two 4.5-kVA, 200-V back-to-back voltage-sourced converters, labeled “Converter 1” and “Converter 2,” operated from a common DC link provided by a DC storage capacitor of 380 V. It can provide independent control of both the real and reactive power flow in the line. Tests were performed to examine the capabilities of the UPFC, under one-machine connected to an infinite-bus system. Steady-state responses under various kinds of operating conditions were measured and analyzed. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Electr Eng Jpn, 161(2): 8– 15, 2007; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/eej.20538 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aimed to clarify the efficacy of extensive surgery, including pancreas head resection, for more complete lymphadenectomy in the treatment of gallbladder carcinoma. The study involved retrospective analyses of 65 consecutive patients with gallbladder carcinoma who underwent surgical resection between 1982 and 2003. Of these 65 patients, 41.5% displayed node-positive disease and among them 23.1% had positive para-aortic nodes. Of six node-positive 5-year survivors, five underwent pancreatoduodenectomy combined with S4aS5 hepatic subsegmentectomy. The 5-year survival rates were 76.2% for pN0, 30.0% for pN1, 45.8% for pN2, and 0% for pM1[lymph], respectively. Significant differences existed in survival rates. Postoperative recurrence was observed in 24.1% (13/54) of patients who underwent R0 resection. Of the four patients who displayed lymph node recurrence, two had pericholedocal and/or posterior pancreatoduodenal lymph node metastasis at the time of surgery and underwent pancreas-preserving regional lymphadenectomy. These results suggest that extensive resection, including resection of the pancreatic head, is effective in selected patients with up to pN2 lymph node metastasis, as long as complete removal of the cancer can be achieved. Pancreatoduodenectomy combined with S4aS5 hepatic subsegmentectomy should be considered when lymph node metastasis is obvious and the patient is in good condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Maximum likelihood-expectation maximization (ML-EM) is well known as a method to reconstruct images from projection data, while the ordered subsets algorithm (OS) has been proposed to improve the performance of iterative calculation. In a combination of this algorithm with expectation maximization (OS-EM), the projection data are divided into subsets, and pixels are updated for each subset according to the projection data; this method achieves recovery of high-frequency components in few iterations. In this paper, OS-EM is explored in terms of the dependence of image quality on the manner in which the subsets are built, and the order in which they are then calculated. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 33(13): 96–102, 2002; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.1176 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we consider the problem of consensus formation of adaptive agents. We consider a group of adaptive agents required to make a group decision. The adaptive agents are modeled as having their own preference order as rational agents with different levels of adaptation. In order to make a consistent group decision, they are required to derive the group preference by aggregating their preference orders. Each agent, as both a rational and an autonomous agent, may behave to satisfy its own preference order. However, it may pose a difficult issue if priority is given to each agent's preference order. It is known that it is impossible to derive the consistent group preference order by summarizing individual preference orders. Therefore, in a group of humans, prior to a group decision, each member often changes his own views and modifies his own preference order. In this paper, we provide an adaptive model for consensus formation. Each agent modifies its own preference order by considering the others' preference orders and the status of the group decision. We also consider the heterogeneity of agents by reflecting different levels of adaptation. We show that a group of rational agents with different levels of adaptation enhances the possibility of reaching consensus. Heterogeneity among agents also affects the content of consensus formation. We develop a prototype model which is applied to the problem domain of allocating Internet resources. © 2000 Scripta Technica, Syst Comp Jpn, 31(7): 20–28, 2000 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Administration of neurotoxic doses of methamphetamine (8 mg/kg, intraperitoneally x 4 times, at 2 hr intervals) caused a significant decrease in dopamine and 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid and an increase in 3-methoxytyramine levels in the striatum along with a decrease in serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid levels in the striatum and hippocampus. In addition, the methamphetamine treatment caused an increase in rat rectal temperature. Intraventricular injection of salicylate 105 min. after the last injection of methamphetamine produced an increase in 2,3- and 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid in the striatum and hippocampus. Moreover, the ratio of 2,3-dihydroxybenzoic acid to salicylate was significantly increased in the striatum, but not in the hippocampus. These results indicate that the hydroxyl radical may play an important role in methamphetamine-induced neurotoxicity in rat striatum and that its formation may be the result of methamphetamine-induced release of dopamine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper considers the loop reconfiguration control system, aiming at a reliability improvement of the loop transmission system, and evaluates the reliability in terms of the mean number of detached stations. As the reconfiguration methods to be evaluated, methods presently employed in the loop transmission system are considered, which are the station bypass method, where the station in fault is derouted by the by-pass switch, the loop switching method, where the spare dual loop is employed, and the loop-back method, where the channel is returned at the point of fault, as well as their combinations. First, generation of single or double faults is considered, and the relation between the faults and the mean number of detached stations is described for the fault in each unit such as link, repeater and loop reconfiguration controller. Then, based on the fault generation probabilities of the units, the mean number of detached stations in the entire loop transmission system is evaluated. As a result, it is seen that to reduce the mean number of detached stations, the loop reconfiguration control should be performed in the order of loop switching, station by-pass and loop back. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]