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This article describes the effect of day length during the photoperiodic cycle on the diurnal differences in the innermost surface of developing secondary walls. Saplings of Cryptomeria japonica D. Don. were grown in growth chambers at constant temperature and relative humidity, but with different photoperiods. Samples of differentiating xylem were collected during the light and dark periods. The innermost surface of developing secondary walls in differentiating tracheids were observed using field emission scanning electron microscopy, and observations made during the light and dark periods were compared. In the saplings grown under long-day or short-day conditions, diurnal differences in aspects of the innermost surface of developing secondary walls were observed. Cellulose microfibrils were observed on the innermost surface of developing secondary walls during the light period when the volumes of differentiating cells were low, and amorphous material was observed during the dark period, when differentiating tracheids were turgid. The amorphous material was labeled with antiglucomannan antiserum. These results suggest that the range of day-length conditions set in this study does not affect the diurnal periodicity in the supply of cell wall components to the innermost surface of developing secondary walls.

A fifty-three-year-old man developed thrombophlebitis in the left subclavian and jugular vein after 16-days total parenteral nutrition (TPN) with a catheter indwelling in the central vein via the left subclavian vein for nutritional management during perioperative period of distal gastrectomy. We herein report the case with a venous angiographic study of 27 cases that underwent central vein catheterization for TPN

The influence of structure on the thermal softening of Palasan canes was evaluated using the creep compliance test. The canes revealed compliance curves similar to wood. Correlating the average compliance per temperature to ground parenchyma and fiber area percentage showed that the former promoted thermal softening while the latter inhibited it. This thermal response was highly affected by the ratio between the heat resistant cellulose and heat sensitive hemicellulose components of the cell wall. Ground parenchyma cells with high hemicellulose content favored thermal softening, while fibers with high cellulose content inhibited it. Therefore, the degree of thermal softening is dependent on the proportion of ground parenchyma present within the region. If the ground parenchyma percentage is high it is expected that the amount of softening will be large and vice versa.

First, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for torsion-free finite rank subgroups of arbitrary abelian groups to be purifiable. An abelian group G is said to be a strongly ADE decomposable group if there exists a purifiable T(G)-high subgroup of G. We use a previous result to characterize ADE decomposable groups of finite torsion-free rank. Finally, in an extreme case of strongly ADE decomposable groups, we give a necessary and sufficient condition for abelian groups of finite torsion-free rank to be splitting.

The occurrence of heart splitting during the crosscutting of logs was discussed in relation to the released strain on Eucalyptus spp. logs. The strains released in the longitudinal and tangential directions were measured by the strain-gauge method and were correlated with the length of the heart split measured on the same logs. There were differences in the longitudinal strain; however, no significant correlation was found with the diameter that could be converted to a mean annual increment (i.e., a relation with the growth rate). The initial splits expand with the time after felling. The longer the initial split, the longer is the length 1 week after felling. The split length was significantly smaller at the butt end of the first log of every tree than at the other end, but there were no significant differences between the split length at the top of the first logs and at either end of the second logs, although there were differences among individual trees. The length of the heart split correlated with the released strain near the pith, which was estimated using Kubler’s equation. The longitudinal released strain measured on the surface of logs is a good indicator of the heart splitting when crosscutting logs.

The tangential strain on the inner bark surface of Fagus crenata sapling stems was continuously measured using strain gauges. The total strain increased daily, increasing at night and decreasing during the day. When tension wood was induced by artificial inclination, the strain increased more on the upper side than on the lower side; and the increment in the strain at night was larger on the upper side than on the lower. The change in tangential strain on the inner bark surface arose from changes in the water content and the volume of differentiating cells. Differentiating tension wood fibers appear to contain more water and to expand more at night than differentiating normal wood fibers. We can determine whether tension wood is formed from the tangential strain during growth.

Summary This paper describes the effect of light on the diurnal change in the innermost surface of developing secondary walls. Cryptomeria japonica D. Don saplings were grown in two growth chambers, in which temperature and relative humidity were kept constant and the light-dark phase of the photoperiod varied. One chamber reproduced the natural light-dark phase, while the other reversed it. Samples of differentiating xylem were collected during the dark period when the tangential strain, used as an index of volumetric changes in differentiating cells, was high, and during the light period when the tangential strain was low. The innermost surface of developing secondary walls in differentiating tracheids was observed by field emission scanning electron microscopy. In the specimens collected during the dark period, amorphous material was observed and the cell wall surface was immunogold-labeled with an anti-glucomannan antiserum. In the specimens collected during the light period, cellulose microfibrils were clearly evident, and amorphous material and immunogold labeling were rarely observed. These results demonstrate that the diurnal changes in the innermost surface of developing secondary walls correspond to the light-dark cycle over 24 h.

PURPOSE: Budding at the invasive front of tumors has recently been thought to suggest greater malignant potential of the colorectal carcinoma. We examined whether budding is associated with poor prognosis after curative resection in Stage II and Stage III colon carcinoma. Furthermore, we examined whether budding is useful to select high-risk patients in Stage II colon carcinoma. METHODS: Surgically resected specimens of 196 Stage II and Stage III colon carcinomas were studied. All the resections were curative (R0), and the median postoperative follow-up was 75.5 months. Using hematoxylin-eosin–stained sections, we determined the presence or absence of budding according to Morodomi’s criteria. Routine pathologic findings were also recorded. RESULTS: Budding was detected significantly more frequently in lesions with lymph node metastasis (Stage III) than in lesions without it (Stage II; P < 0.0001). Patients with budding-positive lesions had worse outcome than those with budding-negative lesions: 43 patients (50.6 percent) with budding-positive lesions and 9 (8.1 percent) with budding-negative lesions developed recurrence (P < 0.0001). Patients with budding-positive lesions had a worse prognosis than patients without it (P < 0.0001). Moreover, no significant difference in survival curves was observed between patients with budding-positive Stage II lesions and those with Stage III lesions (P = 0.930). Multivariate analysis revealed budding as the significant prognostic cofactor of postoperative survival in Stage II and Stage III colon carcinoma (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Budding is useful to select high-risk patients in Stage II colon carcinoma.

In previous models the distribution of radial tensile stresses in the tree trunk has been explained as a response to the mechanisms of growth stress generation in the longitudinal and tangential directions. We investigated the contribution of ray tissue to growth stress generation in the tree trunk by the origin of the radial stresses during differentiation of parenchyma cells. Measurements on three konara oak trees (Quercus serrata Thunb.) were carried out comparing the radial residual strain of big oak rays with the radial residual strain of the axial tissues (containing only uniseriate rays). The results indicated that the ray tissue generated tensile growth stress in the radial direction of the trunk (the axial direction of the parenchyma cells). In contrast to previous assumptions, the growth stresses seem to be variable in relation to the individual tissue types. The mechanical advantage of a radially prestraining effect of the rays is discussed for the living tree.

Some methods to reduce residual stress inside logs have been reported, although the conditions for stress relaxation are not yet clarified. Our study using precise experiments revealed that residual stress relaxation occurs only when both heat and moisture exist inside the logs. We then determined the heating time and temperature required to relax the residual stress inside the logs. Short air-drying treatments did not relax residual stress even though free water in the logs was greatly reduced. The residual stress of the 33-h 80°C-heated bolts was relaxed, whereas that of the 48-h 70°C-heated bolts was not. As for the influence of treatment time, bolts heated at 100°C were relaxed after 18 h of treatment. The 13-h heated bolts did not show any relaxation. Therefore, residual stress relaxation occurred rapidly owing to the thermomechanical change of the individual wood components comprising the cell wall. The moisture content inside all the bolts was much higher than the fiber saturation point. This is because relaxation occurs only when the heating temperature is maintained above 80°C for a particular duration of treatment.

Objective The present study was undertaken to clarify the clinical and pathological features of synchronous colorectal carcinomas, to compare prognosis between cases with synchronous carcinomas and those with single carcinomas and to explore prognostic factors of synchronous carcinomas. Patients and methods Among 876 surgically resected primary colorectal carcinomas, 42 cases (4.8%) with synchronous carcinomas were identified. Clinical characteristics, routine pathological findings according to the TNM classification and postoperative survival were compared between synchronous cases and single cases. Prognostic factors of synchronous cases were explored using the proportional hazard model. Results The index lesions of synchronous cases did not differ from single lesions in age, size, differentiation, location, pT value, pN value, pathological stage, morphology or lymphatic invasion. However, the male:female ratio was higher and distant metastasis was more frequent in synchronous cases than in single cases. Although postoperative survival of synchronous cases was shorter than that of single cases, they were similar in the multivariate proportional hazard model including pathological stage and curability as co-factors. Only pathological stage and curability of the index lesion were significant co-factors of postoperative survival of synchronous cases. Conclusion Synchronous carcinomas and single carcinomas were similar in clinical characteristics and routine pathological findings. The prognosis of synchronous cases and that of single cases did not differ if the pathological stages were identical and the resections were curative.

Let be an arbitrary abelian group and the maximal torsion subgroup of . A subgroup of is said to be –high in if is maximal with respect to the property of being disjoint from . First, we show that there exists a –high subgroup of an abelian group of torsion–free rank such that type type for every –high subgroup of . Next, we characterize the abelian group of torsion–free rank all of whose –high subgroups are isomorphic.

In the shoots of woody plant species, reaction-wood fibers are formed on the upper or lower side of the secondary xylem of a leaning trunk or branch wherever large, internal growth stress is generated. Negative gravitropic movement in woody plant stems is proposed to be the result of growth stress generated in the reaction-wood tissue. This study examines the interaction between bending moment due to increasing self-weight and recovery moment resulting from asymmetric growth stress, and tests a hypothesis that describes the relationship based on the structural mechanics "beam theory". Simulations of observed tree branch morphology of Magnolia kobus DC., Juniperus chinensis L., Abies saccharinensis Fr. Schum., and Prunus spachiana Kitamura f. spachiana cv. Plenarosea showed that (i) the growth stress generated in the reaction wood is sufficient to counteract the gravitropic response to increasing self-weight, and (ii) the specific directional angle of the shoot apex or preferred angle of the elongation zone plays an important role in controlling the spatial shape of the branch stem that is peculiar to plant species with large growth stress generated in the reaction-wood tissue.

SummaryThe influence of heat and loading time on the mechanical properties ofCalamus merrilliiBecc. was evaluated by measurement of dynamic Young's modulus and creep compliance at different temperature settings. Young's modulus decreased steadily as temperature was elevated. Creep compliance, on the other hand, increased steadily with loading time, similar to wood. Compliance rates were more or less the same at all temperature settings except for one particular temperature which deviated extremely from the rest. This temperature indirectly represents the softening temperature. Reduction in strength caused by heat was highly influenced by the cellular composition of the stem as well as the sensitivity of its basic chemical constituents, e.g., hemicellulose content, to heat. Knowing this basic behavior of rattan stems will enable manufacturers to design rattan products more efficiently.

The influence of the hemicellulose-lignin matrix of the cell wall of eight rattan species on the thermal softening of cane was evaluated using the creep compliance test. Extractive free samples were first prepared using ethanol-benzene. This was followed with the chemical analysis of the rattan cell wall using standard procedures used in wood. Results revealed that the cell wall is 42-53% alpha-cellulose, 19-27% hemicellulose and 20-40% lignin. The creep compliance test showed the softening behaviour of the samples due to the application of heat. Softening occurred from 70-85°C for extractive-free, 75-95°C for holocellulose and 100°C for alpha-cellulose samples. For the eight species, variation in the degree of thermal softening was observed. This was attributed to the differences in the proportion of hemicellulose-lignin matrix between species: the higher the volume of the matrix, the larger was the observed molecular movement. Reduction in thermal softening values from the extractive-free materials to the holocellulose and up to the alpha cellulose samples was also noticed. This is parallel to the reduction in the matrix volume because of the removal of lignin. Alpha-cellulose still exhibited some movement. Such movement can only be derived from the crystalline-amorphous region within the cellulose chain. The more crystalline the material, the smaller was the observed molecular movement.

Summary Growth stress (growth strain) in trees is usually evaluated using either a strain gauge or a dial gauge to measure the strain release. We summarize the techniques used to assess growth stress and compare the two methods. The dial gauge method measures change in distance between two pin targets when growth stress is released by sawing two grooves; from this the strain released is calculated. The absolute values of the strain released depended on whether the two grooves were sawn inside or outside the pin targets: the values in the first case were approximately twice those in the latter. If the grooves were sawn outside the pin targets, the values for the strain released were about the same as with the strain gauge method, in which the strain released by sawing a groove at each end of a strain gauge is measured. The released strain values were consistent when the strain gauge was glued to the outer surface of the secondary xylem after first fully removing the differentiating xylem. To release most of the surface growth stress and maximize released strain values, the optimal distance between the ends of the strain gauge and the grooves cut to release the growth stress was 3 to 5 mm, and the optimal depth of the groove was 5 to 10 mm. Most of the growth stress was released immediately when the grooves were sawn.

Five specimens that contained a continuous gradient of wood, from normal to tension wood regions, were collected from an inclined yellow poplar (Liriodendron tulipifera), and the released strain of tensile growth stress was quantified. Ultraviolet (UV) microspectrophotometry was used to examine the relationship between lignin distribution in the cell wall and the intensity of tensile growth stress. The UV absorption of the secondary wall and the cell corner middle lamella decreased with increasing tensile released strain (i.e., tensile growth stress). The UV absorption in the compound middle lamella region remained virtually constant, irrespective of the tensile released strain. The absorption maximum (λmax) remained virtually constant in the secondary wall, the cell corner middle lamella, and the compound middle lamella region at 273–274, 277–278, and 275–278 nm respectively, irrespective of the tensile released strain. The ratios of the UV absorbance at 280 to 260 nm and 280 to 273 nm of the secondary wall decreased with increasing tensile released strain. The ratios in the cell corner and compound middle lamella region remained constant, irrespective of the tensile released strain. The lignin content of the secondary wall decreased, while the syringyl/guaiacyl ratio increased with increasing tensile released strain. Gelatinous fibers were not observed in the tension wood regions, but the secondary wall became gelatinous-layer-like, i.e., the lignin content and microfibrillar angle decreased and the cellulose content increased. A definite gelatinous layer seems to be important for generating greater tensile growth stress. It is concluded that a decrease in lignin and an increase in cellulose microfibrils parallel to the fiber axis in the secondary wall are necessary to produce large tensile growth stress.

PURPOSE: Lymph node metastasis is an important indicator of tumor stage and prognosis in pT1 and pT2 colorectal adenocarcinomas. Lymphovascular invasion is an established risk factor of lymph node metastasis, whereas budding at the invasive front of tumors is also reported to correlate with lymph node metastasis. We examined whether the coexistence of lymphovascular invasion and budding provides any better information than lymphovascular invasion alone in the prediction of lymph node metastasis of pT1 or pT2 well-differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas. METHODS: Surgically resected specimens of 101 pT1 or pT2 well-differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas were studied. Using sections stained with hematoxylin-eosin, we examined lymphovascular invasion and budding according to Morodomi’s definition. RESULTS: Lymphovascular invasion was present in 39 lesions (38 percent), whereas budding was found in 42 lesions (41 percent). Budding was more frequently detected in pT2 tumors than in pT1 tumors. The presence of budding significantly correlated with lymphovascular invasion. Sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of lymphovascular invasion alone for lymph node metastasis were 79, 76, 34, and 96 percent, respectively, whereas those of the combination of lymphovascular invasion and budding (either lymphovascular invasion or budding) were 93, 52, 24, and 98 percent, respectively. CONCLUSION: Because the risk of lymph node metastasis in pT1 or pT2 well-differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas having neither lymph node metastasis nor budding is very low, budding in combination with lymphovascular invasion seems to be a simple and inexpensive pathologic marker in predicting lymph node metastasis. Therefore, the presence or absence of budding should be examined in the routine pathologic diagnosis of pT1 or pT2 well-differentiated colorectal adenocarcinomas.

Vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) is considered to influence cellular proliferation through its action on adenylate cyclase. This study examined VIP in the tumor-neighboring mucosa (TM) and remote normal mucosa (RM) in patients with colorectal carcinoma, and explored its relationship to tumor stage.Immunohistochemical staining of VIP, using the avidinbiotin peroxidase complex technique, was performed on TM and RM from 55 patients, surgically resected colorectal carcinomas. The VIP immunoreactivity in the lamina propria (LP) of TM and RM was semiquantitatively graded, according to the density of VIP immunoreactive fibrous strands, and correlated with clinical characteristics, pathological findings, and tumor stage.VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of TM and RM was found mainly as fibrous strands, some of which were nerve fibers. A few pericryptal myofibroblasts also showed VIP immunoreactivity. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP was significantly greater in TM than in RM. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of TM was marginally greater in lesions with distant metastasis. The VIP immunoreactivity in the LP of RM was significantly greater in lesions with deeper wall penetration, in those with lymph node metastasis, and in those at more advanced stages.These results suggest a possible trophic role of VIP in the progression of colorectal carcinoma, or enhanced VIP secretion secondary to or in parallel with the progression of carcinoma.

Seven specimens that contained a continuous gradient of wood from normal to tension wood were collected from an inclined black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia), and the released strain of growth stress was quantified. Lignin distribution in the cell wall was investigated using ultraviolet (UV) microspectrophotometry to examine its relation to the intensity of growth stress. The UV absorption at cell corner middle lamella and in the compound middle lamella remained virtually constant, irrespective of the contractive released strain (i.e., tensile growth stress). The gelatinous (G)-layer began to differentiate, and the UV absorption decreased there in accordance with increases in the contractive released strain. The absorption maximum (λmax) remained virtually constant at the cell corner middle lamella and in the compound middle lamella at 277–280nm, irrespective of the released strain. The λmax for the secondary wall of normal wood was 272nm and shifted to 268nm in the G-layer of tension wood as the contractive released strain increased. The percentage of the cross-sectional area, consisting of the G-layer, with respect to the whole cross-sectional area increased with the contractive released strain.

癌の浸潤や転移にはMatrix Metalloproteinases(MMPs)による細胞外マトリクスの分解が重要な役割を果たしていると考えられている.今回,基底膜破壊に関与するとされるMMP-9と,大腸癌の臨床病理学的所見との関連を検討した.手術で切除された高分化型大腸sm癌25例・mp癌25例にMMP-9の免疫組織化学染色を施行した.MMP-9は癌先進部に接する間質細胞(主にマクロファージ)に発現しており,発現細胞の頻度から-・+・++・+++の4段階に発現程度を評価した.MMP-9の発現程度はリンパ節転移の有無との有意な関連は認められなかったが,sm癌よりもmp癌で高度であり,リンパ管侵襲,浸潤性発育,細胞異型度が高異型度,組織型変化,buddingといった高悪性度を示唆する病変で高度であった.以上よりMMP-9の発現は大腸sm癌・mp癌の悪性度と関連があると考えられた.

Summary In order to clarify the growth stress mechanism of tree species in tropical forest, peripheral and internal longitudinal released strains in 39 year-old teak (Tectona grandis) trees planted in West Java, Indonesia were investigated using the strain-gauge technique. Results showed that both of the peripheral and internal longitudinal released strains were not affected by the rate of growth of the trees. However, released strains distribution inside tree stem, from pith to periphery, were significantly affected by growth rate; slow growing trees generate steeper released strain gradients.

Summary The overall silica content in 10 rattan species was analyzed. Its distribution within the stem of Calamus merrillii Becc. was also tested. Anatomical observations were performed to explain the silica content variation. Ash and silica content varied among species. Regardless of diameter class, silica accounts for 44% to 48% of the overall ash content of the stem. Silica in the medium and small diameter stem was twice as much as in the large diameter stem. Within Calamus merrillii Becc., silica was abundant in the epidermal layer. It was responsible for 74% to 85% of the total silica content of the stem, which explains the variation in silica content between diameter classes. The proportion of epidermal layer contained in the sample deviated among the species causing a variation in silica content. Epidermal silica did not vary along the length of the stem while silica in the stem itself varied significantly from base to top. Differences in silica body frequency per vascular bundle caused such deviation.

Background An elevated plasma D-dimer level indicates activation of coagulation and fibrinolysis. Previous studies demonstrated that the preoperative plasma D-dimer level correlates with tumor stage in patients with colorectal cancer. This study examined the relationship between preoperative plasma D-dimer level and both pathological findings and TNM classification and examined the prognostic significance of preoperative plasma D-dimer level. Methods Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were measured in 93 patients who underwent curative resection of colorectal cancer and 40 patients with benign colorectal diseases other than inflammatory bowel disease. The results were analyzed for correlations between preoperative plasma D-dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer and pathological findings, TNM classification and postoperative survival. Results Preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were significantly higher in patients with colorectal cancer than in patients with benign colorectal diseases. Plasma D-dimer levels were higher in patients with tumors that were relatively large, had relatively deep wall penetration and were at a relatively advanced TNM stage. Higher preoperative plasma D-dimer levels were significantly associated with shorter postoperative overall survival. Results of analysis with a multivariate proportional hazard model suggested that preoperative plasma D-dimer level was the third strongest prognostic factor; exceeded in importance only by lymph node status and preoperative carcinoembryonic antigen level. Conclusions Elevated plasma D-dimer levels in patients with colorectal cancer are associated with relatively advanced tumor stage and short postoperative survival after curative resection. It appears that measurement of preoperative D-dimer level would be useful in the preoperative diagnosis of tumor stage and prediction of postoperative survival.

Summary The tangential strain on the inner bark of Cryptomeria japonica saplings grown in a growth chamber was continuously measured using strain gauges. Compression wood formation was induced by artificial inclination. The diurnal changes in tangential strain during light/dark cycles in the growth chamber differed from those observed in the field. The total strain increased daily, increasing incrementally during dark periods and decreasing in the light, as observed in the field. In the growth chamber, however, steep increases and rapid decreases in strain were found immediately following lights-off and lights-on. In the inclined saplings, the strain increased more on the lower side of the stem than on the upper side; and the increment of the strain in the dark and the decrement in the light were larger on the lower side than on the upper side. The change in tangential strain on the inner bark surface arises from changes in the volume of differentiating cells, corresponding to turgor pressure changes and cell-wall extensibility changes. Therefore, the differentiating tracheids into compression wood appear to expand at night and shrink in the daytime more than the differentiating tracheids into normal wood.

Summary Field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis were used to investigate the generation of growth stress in connection with the deposition of cell wall materials along the innermost surface of radial walls during secondary wall formation of differentiating tracheids of Cryptomeria japonica. Samples were collected when the turgor pressure of the tree was low (16:00 h), and when the pressure was high (6:00 h). In samples collected at 16:00 h, cellulose microfibrils deposited on the innermost surface of radial walls were clearly evident and amorphous material was rarely found. Conversely, in samples collected at 6:00 h, cellulose microfibrils were rarely observed and the amorphous material was prevalent. Cellulose microfibrils were evident, however, after removing the amorphous material with chlorite. The concentration of potassium on the inner surface of radial walls was greater at 6:00 h than at 16:00 h. After chlorite treatment, the concentration of potassium measured in the samples collected at 6:00 h decreased to a level equivalent to that in samples collected at 16:00 h and thus potassium was found to be associated with the amorphous material on the cellulose microfibrils. The amorphous material is probably a matrix of hemicellulose and monolignol, material that is abundant on the inner surface of developing cell walls, especially during expansion (as a result of high turgor pressure) of differentiating tracheids. A matrix of hemicellulose and lignin deposited in the expanded gaps between cellulose microfibrils and daily expansion of the gaps probably produces an isotropic compressive stress (growth stress). This paper demonstrates periodicity in cell wall formation as a result of the cycles of compressive growth in the differentiating cell wall.

Summary The microfibril angle of rattan fibers was determined using the iodine staining method and the X-ray diffraction technique. The two were compared to assess the applicability of the X-ray technique in estimating the actual microfibril angle (MFA) of the fiber walls. Likewise, longitudinal Young's modulus and longitudinal shrinkage were evaluated to determine the influence of MFA on the properties of the cane. The X-ray technique gave an accurate and objective estimate of the actual MFA of the fiber walls. A nonlinear relationship existed between MFA and longitudinal Young's modulus while a curvilinear relationship was observed between MFA and longitudinal shrinkage. This pattern is similar to the behavior of wood. Thus, it was deduced that the influence of microfibril angle on the properties of rattan cane is similar to its influence on the properties of wood.

The equilibrium position of a current-year branch of the weeping Japanese cherry,Prunus spachiana Kitamura f.spachiana cv.Plenarosea, was estimated by measuring the released strains of growth stresses. In current-year branches that were supported with wires to prevent weeping as soon as the branches first budded, tensile growth stresses on the upper side were smaller than those of the control branches. Gelatinous fibers were rarely found on the upper part of the cross section of the supported branches, whereas the control branches had many gelatinous fibers on the upper part. The upright orientation of the supported branches was closer to the equilibrium position than the weeping orientation of the control branches. The equilibrium position of the branches was thought to be in the initial bud direction, above the horizontal plane; and the weeping style of branch was not the preferred angular orientation forP. spachiana.

We determine the structure of a p-pure[pure] hull of a p-purifiable [purifiable] subgroup of an arbitrary abelian group. Moreover, we prove that a subgroup A of an abelian group G is purifiable in G if and only if A is p-purifiable in G for every prime p. Using these results, we characterize the groups G for which all subgroups are purifiable in G. Furthermore, we establish several properties of purifiable subgroups.

One of the roles of growth stress in branch shape formation was investigated using a weeping-type Japanese cherry,Prunus spachiana. Negative released strains, caused by longitudinal tensile growth stresses, were detected in the upper side of gibberellin A3-treated (GA3-treated) and control branches. The mean value of the released strain in the upper side of the treated branches was −0.104%, which was larger than the value (−0.067%) observed in the control branches. Both branches formed tension wood in the upper side of the xylem, and the treated branches formed tension wood near the pith as well. This suggested that the treated branches generated larger tensile growth stress from the early growth stages. The successive generation of growth stress from the early growth stages was considered to generate forces large enough to bend the branch upward.

A new mechanical model was developed to introduce the maturation process of wood cells theoretically. Using mechanical and physical properties of the two components of the cell wall, namely, a matrix reinforced by oriented cellulose microfibrils, it is possible to predict the relation between the anisotropic released strains and the microfibril angle. The model used in this study is based on the unified hypothesis combining the compressive stress generated in the cell wall matrix and the tensile stress originating in the cellulose microfibril as a framework. It is simple compared to the previously derived multilayered model, but it does not strictly fulfill all conditions of static equilibrium. Nevertheless, an excellent fit with observations can be obtained through varying a limited number of parameters.

Although it is well known that sap exudation during early spring in temperate deciduous trees occurs in response to daytime warming and nighttime cooling, the mechanisms of the process are not yet fully understood. Previous theories suggested that changes in stress in the wood caused by daytime heating and nighttime cooling might be linked with sap flow. Consequently, a study of itaya-kaede maple (Aver mono) and shirakamba birch (Betula platyphylla var.japonica) looked at tangential strains. One-hour intervals for 3 years of the tangential strains on the inner bark of stem and root were measured in itaya-kaede maple and shirakamba birch during the sap exudation season. The measurements indicated different mechanisms of sap exudation in these two trees. During the sap exudation season in late March, when the temperature fluctuated around 0°C, the tangential strain in the root of itaya-kaede maple showed expansion in the daytime and contraction at night. Conversely, in early April the tangential strain in the root of shirakamba birch exhibited contraction in the daytime and expansion at night. The changes in tangential strains in itaya-kaede maple were attributed to conditioning, a known concept used to explain the uptake mechanism of soil water in maple and its exudation during early spring. However, because the change in tangential strain in the roots of shirakamba birch was similar to that found during the rampant season, sap exudation was not attributed to conditioning but to the plentiful supply of water from the roots. The implications of these mechanisms are that different sap harvesting techniques may be appropriate for different tree species.

Internal stress development was investigated in rattan canes (Calamus merrillii Becc.) following the procedures used in trees. Measurements showed that longitudinal compressive stresses existed at the periphery while longitudinal tensile stresses existed at the core. Such stresses originated from the fibers. Fiber MFA was observed to be beyond 20" and the lignin content was above 30%. Considering its similarities to compression wood tracheids, it was assumed that the rattan fibers generated longitudinal compressive stress. The amount of stress varied from base to top and from periphery to core because of the variation in the proportion of fibers along these points. This is why the longitudinal compressive stress that was generated at the base was higher than at the top and high longitudinal compressive stress was developed at the periphery. As a response to this high peripheral stress, longitudinal tensile stress was induced at the core.

Lignin content in the cell wall was investigated to examine its relation with growth stress, using an ultraviolet microscopic spectrum analyzer. Although a weak correlation existed between the growth stress and lignin concentration in the compound middle lamella, it was believed that the compound middle lamella did not contribute to compressive growth stress generation as there was no correlation between growth stress and lignin concentration in the cell corner part of the intercellular layer. In the secondary wall, larger compressive growth stress was associated with higher lignin concentration especially in the outer part. This finding confirms that lignin contributes positively to the generation of compressive longitudinal growth stresses in the compression wood and more substantially in the outer part of the secondary wall. This experimental result strongly supports our hypothesis of growth stress generation given by the model.

We present the case of a 55-year-old man who underwent transsacral local excision for a rectal submucosal tumor-like lesion suspected to originate from tuberculosis. The lesion, 2 cm in size, was found incidentally in the posterior wall of the lower rectum during anal fistulectomy. The lesion was apart from the primary crypt of the anal fistula. Barium enema and colonoscopy revealed a protuberant submucosal growth with a shallow depression of the overlying mucosa. Although computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging showed a well defined round mass within the rectal wall, digital rectal examination suggested extramural origin. Since repeated endoscopic biopsies were negative, we selected the transsacral approach for excisional biopsy to achieve histological diagnosis. The lesion was confined to the rectal wall and the full-thickness rectal wall was excised. Histologically, a foreign-body granuloma with acute inflammation was the main component of the lesion. Caseating granulomas and Langhans' giant cells, consistent with tuberculosis, were also found.

We characterize strongly purifiable subgroups of primary abelian groups to be intersections of finitely many pure hulls of these subgroups in given groups.

First we introduce the concept of QD-hulls in arbitrary abelian groups. Then we use the concept to give a new characterization of purifiable torsion-free finite rank subgroups of an arbitrary abelian group. Finally we use it to formulate a splitting criterion for mixed groups of torsion-free finite rank.

Paraesophageal hiatal hernia is often associated with a number of complications such as intestinal obstruction, gastric volvulus and acute pancreatitis, each of which can result in critical conditions requiring surgery. Herein, we report our surgical procedure for paraesophageal hiatal hernia.Since 2003, we have surgically treated hiatal hernia in 18 patients, including 2 men and 16 women, with a mean age of 73 years. Thirteen patients (72.2%) had a type-I hiatal hernia, two (11.1%) had type III and three (16.7%) had type IV. The operative procedure consisted of a crural repair and anti-reflux maneuver.Laparoscopic procedures were completed in all patients. The mean operation time was 160.2 min for type I and 230.8 min for types III and IV. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.8 days, and there was no mortality. Three patients relapsed during the mean follow-up period of 74.9 months. Two of them were asymptomatic and one required laparoscopic reoperation.Laparoscopic surgery for paraesophageal hiatal hernia is safe and effective with minimal morbidity and early recovery. However, it is important to determine the appropriate timing of surgery based on the severity of the hernia and the patient's general status and comorbidities.

Introduction: A laparoscopic approach is often selected for resection of gastric submucosal tumor (GST), and several variations of this procedure have been reported. The approach selected greatly depends on the characteristics of the tumor, including its size or location, and also the experience and skill of the surgeon. Here we report our experience with intragastric resection of GSTs under oral endoscopic guidance. Methods: We performed laparoscopic intragastric resection of GSTs in 13 patients. The criteria for this approach were a tumor less than 5 cm in diameter and 8 cm2 in cross-section, and a tumor location on the posterior gastric wall in the upper and middle stomach or near the esophagogastric junction. Under general anesthesia, two or three ports were directly inserted into the stomach. Partial resection of the stomach including the tumor and an adequate margin in all directions was performed using a linear stapler. The resected specimen was retrieved orally using a plastic bag. Results: Laparoscopic intragastric resection of GST was successful in all patients. The mean maximum tumor diameter was 27 mm. The mean operation time was 176 min, and intraoperative blood loss was minimal. One patient required a gastrostomy and enlargement of one of the port sites in order to remove the tumor. There was no intra- or postoperative complications. The mean postoperative hospital stay was 7.5 days. The diagnosis after pathological examination of the tumor was gastrointestinal stromal tumor in 8 patients, leiomyoma in 4 and a cyst in one in one. There were no recurrences during a mean follow-up period of 121.7 months. Conclusion: A laparoscopic intragastric approach is well suited for patients who have a GST located in the upper and middle part of the stomach. It is anticipated that an oral endoscope will be used increasingly during laparoscopic procedures in the future.

We describe a new modality for intraoperative exploration of the biliary anatomy using fluorescence imaging with indocyanine green (ICG) and its evaluation in 15 patients diagnosed as having gallbladder stones who were scheduled to undergo laparoscopic cholecystectomy. The patients included 6 males and 9 females with a mean age of 54 years and a mean BMI of 22.3. Standard four-port laparoscopic cholecystectomy was performed in 11 patients and single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in the other 4. ICG was infused 1 h before surgery. We observed the biliary tract under real-time fluorescence imaging guidance, and confirmed the positions of the gallbladder, cystic duct, and common bile and hepatic duct on the monitor. The cystic artery was also observed after reinjection of ICG. The procedure was completed successfully in all cases, and no additional ports or conversion to open cholecystectomy were necessary. The mean operation time was 88 min. We obtained a clear view of the biliary tract in all patients, and the cystic artery was confirmed 10 s after reinjection of ICG. There were no specific perioperative complications related to the intravenous injection of ICG. The median postoperative hospital stay was 3 days. Intraoperative exploration of the biliary tract using ICG is a useful approach for identification of the biliary anatomy without cannulation into the cystic duct, X-ray equipment or use of radioactive materials. We expect that this modality will become routine, offering a lower degree of invasiveness that will help avoid bile duct injury.

Liver biopsy (LB) is an important procedure in the diagnosis and treatment of liver diseases. However, procedures for performing LB vary amongst institutions, and no universal guide‐ lines exist. LB is performed for two main reasons: diagnosis of a liver condition itself, and as an adjunct to an existing surgical procedure. Recently, it has become possible to employ both approaches with minimal invasiveness using the transjugular route or under the guid‐ ance of ultrasound, computed tomography, or laparoscopic and endoscopic ultrasound. Techniques for liver tissue sampling include percutaneous liver biopsy [1-6], transjugular liver biopsy [7-14], laparoscopic liver biopsy [15], and transgastric liver biopsy [16-20]. This chapter introduces these techniques and evaluates their outcomes.

Sixteen patients with nasal obstructions were treated by use of a new technique of submucosal turbinectomy (mucosal flap method) which can reduce a large volume of the turbinate without leaving any mucosal defect. Subjective nasal obstruction showed improvement in all of the cases at 1 month after operation, and objective nasal obstruction examined with rhinomanometry was improved in 13 out of 16 sides of the noses (8 cases). Mucosal flaps were made from the turbinate mucosa facing the common meatus. After excision of the turbinate bone with the mucosa, the bone stump and mucosal defect were covered with the newly repositioned mucosal flap. It is considered that this mucosal flap method can reduce a large volume of the turbinate without leaving any mucosal defect.

Ibudilast is a cerebral vasodilator. Its therapeutic effect and safety were studied in 27 patients with dizziness due to cerebro-vascular insufficiency. The patients were given a 10mg capsule of ibudilast 3 times a day for over 8 weeks.In 22 out of 26 patients (84.6%) subjective symptoms disappeared, and objective signs were reduced in 12 out of 13 (92.3%). In 23 of the 27 patients (85.2%) there was over all improvement. No severe clinical side effects were noted.The results suggest that ibudilast is a clinically useful drug for the treatment of dizziness due to cerebro-vascular insufficiency.

International audience; Awareness of the shortage of fossil resources leads to an increasing demand for woody biomass. We investigated the feasibility of using fast-growing Gmelina arborea wood for material production. Gmelina arborea wood samples were collected from trees of varying cambium ages in Indonesia, from 3.5-, 7- and 12-year-old plantations.* The lateral growth rate and the cambium age did not significantly affect the longitudinal released strain of the growth stress, xylem density, or microfibril angle at the outermost surface of the secondary xylem at any sampling site. However, fiber length in the 3.5-year-old plantation tended to be shorter in smaller diameter trees, whereas in larger diameter trees it was almost the same as that in trees from the 7- and 12-year-old plantations. This suggests that smaller diameter trees in the 3.5-year-old plantation had not yet produced mature wood.* Xylem qualities had already reached values appropriate for harvesting, except in the smaller diameter trees from the 3.5-year-old plantation. This indicates that the larger diameter trees had already matured, regardless of their cambium age. These results suggest that the next step is to develop silvicultural treatments to increase the lateral growth rate during the early growing stage, in order to produce as much mature wood as possible, as quickly as possible.; La prise de conscience de la raréfaction des ressources fossiles conduit à une demande croissante de biomasse ligneuse. Dans ce contexte nous avons examiné la faisabilité d'utiliser une essence à croissance rapide Gmelina arborea pour la production de bois matériau.Nous avons collecté en Indonésie des échantillons de bois dans des arbres provenant de plantations de 3,5, 7 et 12 ans.* Pour tous les sites, le taux de croissance radiale et l'âge cambial n'affectent pas les déformations résiduelles longitudinales des contraintes de croissance, la densité du xylème ou l'angle des microfibrilles de la périphérie du xylème secondaire. Cependant pour les petits arbres de la plantation de 3,5 ans, les fibres sont plus courtes tandis que pour les gros arbres les fibres ont une longueur comparable à celle des arbres des plantations de 7 et 12 ans. Cela suggère que les petits arbres de la plantation de 3,5 ans ne produisent pas encore du bois mature. * Les qualités du xylème ont facilement atteint des valeurs justifiant l'exploitation exception faite des petits arbres de la plantation de 3,5 ans. Cela indique que les gros arbres sont déjà matures indépendamment de leur âge. Ces résultats suggèrent que l'étape suivante est le développement de traitements sylvicoles visant à augmenter le taux de croissance radiale durant le stade initial de croissance, dans le but de produire le plus rapidement possible le plus de bois adulte.