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Asuka village in Nara Prefecture has been designated as one of the "Special Conservation Areas for Historic Landscape" since the 1960s and is known for its richness in historic remains from the Asuka period. This paper aimed to clarify the exterior design composition of rural main houses in six village sections in Asuka village. Based on the data collected in these village sections, an item/category data are compiled. Using this IC data, by performing "multiple correspondence analysis" followed by cluster analysis, samples are classified into 15 clusters. The obtained clusters are further grouped into Townhouse type, Intermediate type between townhouses and farmhouses, Farmhouse type, Conventional construction type, Modern type, Yamato‐mune (thatched roof) type, Single‐storied traditional type, and Single‐storied type. Given that our previous research paper revealed the variation and development process of house compounds, the analysis next explores the relationship between the building layouts in house compounds and the exterior designs of main houses. Finally, the paper tries to find out the characteristics of the dominant typologies of exterior design of main houses in each village section. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Onychomatricoma is a rare, fibroepithelial tumor of the nail. Although it is benign, unnecessary and excessive treatment, such as extensive or total removal of the nail matrix, has been reported in the past. Recently, it was speculated that onychomatricoma is derived from onychomatricodermis, the dermal stroma of the nail matrix. Excision of the stromal rather than the epithelial component of the tumor is important. However, since the boundary between the normal and diseased stroma is usually unclear, minimal excision at the base of the tumor projection should be sufficient. We report a case of onychomatricoma and suggest a method of surgical treatment that would minimize postoperative deformity of the nail plate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper deals with the exterior design of townhouses in an urban block of the eastern part of Bhaktapur in Kathmandu Valley. The primary purpose is to provide an analysis method to determine the typical combination among exterior design components of Nepalese townhouses. By using multiple correspondence analysis and cluster analysis, 118 samples are grouped into 13 clusters. Secondly, all the clustered samples were put onto the original plots on the map to see the characteristics of their locations. Such a process would help a designer/planner reflect on how they should compose a proper facade in reconstruction works of townhouses after the earthquake in 2015. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the perioperative outcomes of off‐clamp tumor excision using soft coagulation in laparoscopic and robotic partial nephrectomy. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the data from 78 patients who underwent minimally invasive partial nephrectomy, using soft coagulation, at the Shiga University of Medical Science, between September 2013 and April 2017. Tumor excision and hemostasis without renal arterial clamping was performed using soft coagulation. Collecting system repair and renorrhaphy with arterial clamping were carried out only if the collecting system had been opened. Results: Forty‐three of the 78 patients underwent laparoscopic partial nephrectomy using soft coagulation and the other 35 patients underwent robotic partial nephrectomy using soft coagulation. The median estimated total blood loss was 73 (0‐1140) mL and no patient needed a blood transfusion. No cases featured postoperative hemorrhagic events. Six patients with urinary fistula needed prolonged ureteral stenting. The median percentage change of the estimated glomerular filtration rate was −7.2 at one to 3 months after surgery. Conclusion: The off‐clamp soft coagulation technique in laparoscopic partial nephrectomy and robotic partial nephrectomy is a safe and feasible approach to excise kidney tumors. This procedure may reduce the incidence of perioperative hemorrhagic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Voiding cystourethrography is the most important fluoroscopic examination in pediatric urology for the investigation of lower urogenital tract diseases, such as vesicoureteral reflux or urethral stricture. However, this invasive procedure imposes a significant burden on children and their parents, and recently there has been a paradigm shift in the diagnosis and treatment of vesicoureteral reflux. In the 2011 revision, the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines on urinary tract infection recommended abandoning routine voiding cystourethrography after the first febrile urinary tract infection. In 2014, the randomized intervention for children with vesicoureteral reflux study recommended discontinuation of routine continuous antibiotic prophylaxis for vesicoureteral reflux. The time is now ripe to radically reconsider indications for voiding cystourethrography and the procedure itself. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Trichoblastoma (TB) is a benign cutaneous adnexal neoplasm. The lesion typically presents as a slow‐growing, solitary, well‐circumscribed nodule measuring up to 3 cm in diameter. On rare occasions, TB causes malignant transformation into an aggressive form described as high‐grade trichoblastic carcinoma. Four such cases have been reported to date; all were described as high‐grade trichoblastic carcinomas. Here, we describe the case of a 72‐year‐old Japanese male patient with a rapidly enlarging subcutaneous tumor on his lower back, which was diagnosed as high‐grade trichoblastic carcinoma. Histopathologically, the tumor featured both benign and malignant components, and a transition zone between these states was clearly evident. In the immunohistochemical analysis, a malignant component was positive for p53 and showed stronger staining of phospho‐RAC‐α serine/threonine‐protein kinase (AKT) Ser473 in comparison with a benign component. These results suggest that loss of p53 function and activation of phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase–AKT signaling pathways played important pathogenic roles in malignant transformation of the present case. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We propose a community structure-based approach that does not require community labels of nodes, for network immunization. Social networks have been widely used as daily communication infrastructures these days. However, fast spreading of information over networks may have downsides such as computer viruses or epidemics of diseases. Because contamination is propagated among subgraphs (communities) along links in a network, use of community structure of the network would be effective for network immunization. However, despite various research efforts, it is still difficult to identify ground-truth community labels of nodes in a network. Because communities are often interwoven through intermediate nodes, we propose to identify such nodes based on the community structure of a network without requiring community labels. By regarding the community structure in terms of nodes, we construct a vector representation of nodes based on a quality measure of communities. The distribution of the constructed vectors is used for immunizing intermediate nodes among communities, through the hybrid use of the norm and the relation in the vector representation. Experiments are conducted over both synthetic and real-world networks, and our approach is compared with other network centrality-based approaches. The results are encouraging and indicate that it is worth pursuing this path. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes a graph-based approach for semisupervised clustering based on pairwise relations among instances. In our approach, the entire data set is represented as an edge-weighted graph by mapping each data element (instance) as a vertex and connecting the instances by edges with their similarities. In order to reflect pairwise constraints on the clustering process, the graph is modified by contraction as it is known from general graph theory and the graph Laplacian in spectral graph theory. The graph representation enables us to deal with pairwise constraints as well as pairwise similarities over the same unified representation. By exploiting the constraints as well as similarities among instances, the entire data set is projected onto a subspace via the modified graph, and data clustering is conducted over the projected representation. The proposed approach is evaluated over several real-world data sets. The results are encouraging and show that it is worthwhile to pursue the proposed approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Epidermolysis bullosa acquisita ( EBA) is an autoimmune subepidermal blistering disease caused by autoantibodies against type VII collagen. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) is currently available to detect autoantibodies in EBA. There have been reports suggesting generically that ELISA indices reflect EBA disease severity; however, there is, as yet, no conclusion as to whether ELISA indices fluctuate with disease activity over time in each EBA patient. This study aimed to investigate whether ELISA titers fluctuate with EBA disease activity and to validate the clinical significance of checking ELISA values in EBA by monitoring type VII collagen ELISA titers and disease severity, evaluated in terms of numbers of blisters and erosions as a clinical score, over time in three Japanese patients with EBA. All three cases in this study, which were treated successfully, showed titers of anti-type VII collagen autoantibodies detected by ELISA that fluctuated in parallel with disease activity. Especially in case 1, we could determine that the expanding erosions were not due to flare-ups of EBA because the ELISA indices stayed low, although new lesions continued to appear. In fact, control of infection and nutrition helped the lesions to become epithelialized. In conclusion, we found that repeated ELISA measurements are useful in monitoring disease activity and making decisions in EBA treatment plans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When several people are engaged in cooperative work, conceptual differences resulting from differences in background knowledge or specialized fields can impede the flow of ideas. Previously, the authors have represented user knowledge as a decision tree for when different symbols are used with the same meaning for conceptual differences, or when the same symbols are used with a different meaning. They then worked on detecting conceptual differences by using the differences in the structure of the decision trees. In this paper, the authors describe the problems with conventional methods to detect differences by generating virtual knowledge based on each user's knowledge and then creating a decision tree. As a solution to these problems, they propose a method to detect differences by finding correlations between decision trees in a bottom-up fashion based on class classification in the decision trees. The authors create a prototype using their proposed method, and then confirm in experiments on a case involving the diagnosis of a motor failure that detection precision rises. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Syst Comp Jpn, 35(2): 25–38, 2004; Published online in Wiley InterScience (www.interscience.wiley.com). DOI 10.1002/scj.10430 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper proposes an evolutionary approach for discovering difference in the usage of words to facilitate collaboration among people. In general, different people seem to have different ways of conception and thus can have different concepts even on the same thing. When people try to communicate their concepts with words, such difference in the meaning and usage can lead to misunderstanding in communication, which can hinder their collaboration. In our approach each granule of knowledge in classification from users is structured into a decision tree so that difference in the usage of words can be discovered as difference in the structure of decision trees. By treating each granule of classification knowledge (i.e., decision tree) as an individual in Genetic Algorithm (GA), evolution is carried out with respect to both classification efficiency of each individual and diversity as a population so that the granule for classification is gradually evolved with diverse structure. Experiments were carried out on motor diagnosis cases with artificially encoded difference in the usage of words and the result shows the effectiveness of the proposed evolutionary approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial haemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (FHL) is a rare disorder in infancy, curative only by an allogeneic stem cell transplantation (SCT). We recently confirmed the clonal evidence of T cells in FHL. To confirm the effect of chemotherapy and SCT in FHL, the change of T-cell clones was analysed in two patients using inverse reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) of the T-cell receptor variable region (TCR V) gene, followed by PCR for the junctional region (Jβ-PCR), a single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) and sequencing analysis at diagnosis, after chemotherapy and after SCT. A high frequency (> 15%) of αβ T-cell clones and a predominant bias (Jβ1:Jβ2, 85:15) for the Jβ1 subgroup were observed in the two patients at diagnosis. In one patient, however, an inverted predominant bias (Jβ1:Jβ2, 9:91) for the Jβ2 subgroup and oligoclonal expansion were observed at relapse after chemotherapy. In the other patient, correction of both restricted Jβ cluster usage and variation of TCR were observed after chemotherapy and SCT. Using sequence analysis, the clonal T cells detected at diagnosis were found to be substituted at low frequency (< 0.75%) by several new clones after chemotherapy and SCT. These results indicate that any genetic defect could influence the regulation of the T-cell network, and normalization of both the variation in each Vβ repertoire and the Jβ1/Jβ2 ratio is needed to achieve remission, and might support the rationale that the only acceptable curative therapy of FHL is allogeneic SCT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The P/C mRNA of Sendai virus (SeV), a prototypic member of the family Paramyxoviridae in the Mononegavirales superfamily comprising a large number of nonsegmented negative strand RNA viruses, encodes a nested set of accessory proteins, C', C, Y1 and Y2, referred to collectively as C proteins, initiating, respectively, at ACG/81 and AUGs/114, 183, 201 in the +1 frame relative to the ORF of phospho (P) protein, the smaller subunit of RNA polymerase. Among them, C is the major species expressed in infected cells at a molar ratio which is several-fold higher than the other three. However, their function has remained an enigma. It has not even been established whether or not the C proteins are essential for viral replication. Many other viruses in Mononegavirales encode C-like proteins, but their roles also remain to be defined. Results: By taking advantage of a recently developed reverse genetics system to recover infectious SeV from cDNA, we created mutants in which C protein frames were variously silenced. C/C'(-) viruses which did not express C and C', but did express Y1 and Y2, were severely attenuated in replication in tissue culture cells of various species and tissues, as well as in embryonated chicken eggs. More notably, they were almost totally incapable of growing productively in—and hence nonpathogenic for mice—the natural host. Both gene expression and genome replication appeared to be impaired in C/ C'(-) viruses. Additionally silencing the Y1 and Y2 expression was also possible, and a critically impaired but viable clone, the 4C(-) virus, was isolated which expressed none of the four C proteins. Conclusion: SeV C proteins are categorically nonessential gene products, but greatly contribute to full replication capability in vitro and are indispensable for in vivo multiplication and pathogenesis. This study represents the first comprehensive functional assessment of the accessary C protein for Mononegavirales. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Sendai virus (SeV) V protein is characterized by the unique cysteine-rich domain in its carboxy-terminal half which is fused to the amino-terminal half of the P protein, but its function has remained enigmatic. The V protein-directing mRNA is generated by a remarkable process known as mRNA editing involving the pseudotemplated addition of a single G residue at a specific septinucleotide locus in the P gene, whereas the unedited exact copy encodes the P protein. Here, we introduced two nucleotide changes in the septi-nucleotide motif (UUUUCCC to UUCUUCC) in a full-length SeV cDNA and were able to recover a virus from the cDNA, which was devoid of mRNA editing and hence unable to synthesize the V protein. Compared with the parental wild-type virus with regard to gene expression, replication and cytopathogenicity in various cell lines in vitro, the V(­) virus was found to be either potentiated or comparable but never attenuated. The V(­) virus, however, showed markedly attenuated in vivo replication capacity in and pathogenicity for mice. Thus, though categorized as a non-essential gene product, SeV V protein encodes a luxury function required for in vivo pathogenicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a rare case of multiple schwannomas presenting with scrotal mass. In the present case, a scrotal schwannoma developed in a 66-year-old man with a history of brain tumor surgery. Investigating the patient's past history lead to the diagnosis as probable schwannomatosis. Patients with schwannomatosis are at increased risk of developing multiple schwannomas and these patients need regular surveillance. In this regard, the present case highlights the importance of thorough history taking in patients with scrotal schwannoma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In all creatures including humans, the molecules that function in accordance with the genetic code are mainly proteins. After completing the sequencing of the human genome, rapid progress has been made in proteome analysis. The primary structures of almost all proteins were determined by the human genome sequence. However, the whole picture of proteins cannot be elucidated because of alternative splicing and post-translational modifications. Therefore, genomic as well as systematic and comprehensive information of proteins is required. Modern methods of proteomics have dramatically improved the quality and speed of protein analysis. Developments in both bioinformatics and mass spectrometry have contributed to the technical improvement, making it possible to identify proteins in a short time with high accuracy even from a very small sample. In the field of cancer research, many studies of useful diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers using these proteomic technologies have been reported, and target molecules for treatment have been explored. The aim of the present review was to summarize the basic technologies of proteomics and recent research in the field of urothelial cancer obtained using proteomic methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effects of proteasome inhibitors on the replication of a paramyxovirus in comparison with the effects on replication of an orthomyxovirus and rhabdovirus were investigated. Treatment of Sendai virus (SeV)-infected LLC-MK2 cells with 50 microM MG132 reduced virus growth to ca. 1/10,000, and treatment with different concentrations of MG132 reduced virus growth in a dose-dependent manner. Released amounts of viral proteins were reduced in correspondence with decrease in infectivity. The inhibition of virus maturation was confirmed by an SeV-like particle formation system. Lactacystin also impaired SeV growth and zLL impaired the growth to a lesser extent, suggesting involvement of proteasomes in the restriction of virus growth. In the presence of MG132, localizations of the M protein and viral F and HN glycoproteins on the cell membrane appeared to be partly dissociated, although the viral glycoproteins were normally transported to the cell surface. These results suggest that an early step of SeV assembly was disturbed by proteasome inhibitors. The relationship of the results with ubiquitin is also discussed. SeV maturation was less susceptible and resistant to MG132 in CV1 cells and A549 cells, respectively, indicating cell specificity of the drug effect. Release of vesicular stomatitis virus also showed high susceptibility to MG132 and release of influenza virus A/WSN/33 was only mildly susceptible to the drug in LLC-MK2 cells. Effects of proteasome inhibitors on virus maturation are thus highly cell-specific and partly virus-specific.