Search

Preoperative sarcopenia is associated with various cancers and affects the long-term prognosis of patients. After gastrectomy for gastric cancer, dynamic changes in body composition occur, and sarcopenia becomes more apparent after surgery than before surgery. However, the relationship between sarcopenia in the early postoperative period and long-term survival is not fully understood. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of surgical sarcopenia on long-term outcomes of patents with gastric cancer.We included 408 patients who underwent curative gastrectomy (distal or total gastrectomy) for gastric cancer at the Kanagawa Cancer Center from December 2013 to November 2017. Sarcopenia was defined using the skeletal muscle index (SMI), using computed tomography (CT) one month after gastrectomy. We compared the long-term outcomes between patients with and without sarcopenia.The 5-year overall survival (OS) rates were 83.2% and 91.4% in the surgical and non-surgical sarcopenia groups, respectively. The hazard ratio (HR) of surgical sarcopenia for OS was 2.410 (95% confidence interval (CI)=1.321-4.396). In addition, surgical sarcopenia was associated with non-cancer-related deaths and deaths from other cancers.Patients with surgical sarcopenia after gastrectomy should be carefully monitored not only for gastric cancer recurrence but also for the occurrence of other diseases, including other cancers.

Protein-losing enteropathy (PLE) is a rare syndrome characterized by hypoproteinemia due to gastrointestinal (GI) protein loss. Primary intestinal follicular lymphoma (PIFL), a specific variant of follicular lymphoma with essential only GI involvement, has not been reported as an etiology of PLE. We herein report a case of PLE complicated with PIFL that was successfully treated with rituximab, resulting in rapid improvement of PLE and a complete response of PIFL. Macroscopic findings of ulcerative lesions with diffuse involvement, which were precisely described by capsule and double-balloon enteroscopy at the diagnosis, also improved following the treatment. This case provides a clue suggesting factors that promote PLE in PIFL.

In this case, when a patient with interstitial pneumonia was given platinum palladium, improvement in respiratory function was observed. Generally, various treatment methods are used for interstitial pneumonia, but conservative therapy has been the main focus and no curative solution has been reached. In this case, there was a tendency for improvement in patients who took platinum palladium, so we reported it. Since it is only drunk, it is not invasive and has great benefits for patients. It has also been reported that COPD, which is also a respiratory disease, showed an improvement tendency by drinking platinum palladium. Although the mechanism is still unknown, it is considered that it is largely due to the antioxidant action by platinum palladium and the activation of AMPK. In the future, we would like to examine further cases and improve the mechanism.

Aging was defined as one of the diseases by ICD-11. Preventing aging may avoid the risk of various diseases. However, it is difficult to simply prevent aging in daily life. The presence of nutrients is essential there. This time, we reviewed NMN "nicotinamide nucleotide", which is attracting attention as an anti-aging component, and conducted additional experiments using AMPK "AMP-activated protein kinase" and NAD + as indicators to determine whether or not it actually prevents aging gone. As a result, a significant increase in AMPK and NAD + was confirmed, suggesting that NMN may help prevent aging in the future.

Isoprenoids with reduced Z,E-mixed prenyl groups are found in various organisms. To date, only polyprenol reductases (PR-Dol) involved in dolichol biosynthesis have been identified as enzymes capable of reducing Z,E-mixed prenyl groups. Although C

Biclonal gammopathy (BG) is a rare phenomenon in which 2 M proteins are detected in the same patient, with 2 major hypotheses regarding its etiology. One potential explanation is that completely different malignant B-cell clones produce different M proteins, while the other is that there is a malignant clone that produces both M proteins simultaneously. In this study, we examined 2 cases of B-cell malignancy with BG and found that some cells were double positive for both M proteins by immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. However, most of the remaining cells were single positive cells that produced only one of the M proteins. We hypothesized that double positive cells were in the process of transitioning from 1 single positive cell to another single positive cell, and that class switch recombination (CSR) would be involved as a mechanism. We then examined the expression of activation induced cytidine deaminase (AICDA), which is responsible for CSR, and found that lymphoma/myeloma cells in 2 BG patients were positive for AICDA by immunostaining. Our study is the first report suggesting that AICDA may be involved in the pathogenesis of BG.

A 36-year-old man with severe acute kidney injury (AKI) was admitted to Shonan Kamakura General Hospital in Japan. He was diagnosed with refractory hypertension based on a severely elevated blood pressure of 224/116 mmHg and retinal, cardiac, and brain damage revealed by electrocardiogram, fundoscopy, and magnetic resonance imaging, respectively. Although hemodialysis was withdrawn following strict blood pressure control by an angiotensin receptor blocker, severe kidney insufficiency persisted. Therefore, we performed an autologous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood CD34-positive cell transplantation. Collected CD34-positive cells were directly infused to both renal arteries. The patient's general condition was unremarkable after intervention, and the serum creatinine level gradually improved to 2.96 mg/dL 23 weeks after cell therapy. Although transient fever and thrombocytosis were observed after intervention, no major adverse events were observed. This patient is the first case in a phase I/II clinical trial of autologous granulocyte colony-stimulating factor-mobilized peripheral blood CD34-positive cell transplantation for severe AKI with a CD34-positive cell dose-escalating protocol (trial number jRCTb030190231).

Indonesia is one of the largest Ni ore producers in the world and is also expected to be an important potential source of some critical metals (e.g., Co, Sc, rare-earth elements, and platinum-group elements). However, few studies have examined Ni laterite deposits in this country. In this study, we investigate Ni enrichment and the potential accumulation of critical metals in four laterite profiles with varying degrees of serpentinization and weathering intensity in the Soroako and Pomalaa mining areas of Sulawesi, Indonesia. We integrate geochemical evaluation with a mass-balance approach and mineralogical anal ysis to better constrain the geochemical factors influencing the mobilization of Ni during lateritization. Nickel contents in the saprolite horizon of the profiles that are strongly weathered and developed over serpentinized peridotite are higher than those that are weakly weathered and developed over unserpentinized harzburgite. The bulk Ni contents of saprolite horizons are related to Ni contents of Ni-bearing Mg-phyllosilicates, which suggests that Ni remobilization is the main control on Ni enrichment in the profiles. Mass balance calculations reveal that the amounts of gained Fe and Ni in the pro files are positively correlated. This relationship indicates that the redistribution of Ni is likely controlled by the aging of Ni-bearing goethite (dissolution/ recrystallization) involving ligand-promoted dissolution by organic matter and/or reductive dissolution by microbial activity near the surface. Critical metals show enrichment in specific horizons. Enrichments in Co and rare earth elements are strongly influenced by the formation of Mn-oxyhydroxides in the oxide zone of the profiles. In contrast, Sc, Pt, and Pd show residual enrichment patterns, with grades influenced mainly by their initial contents in bedrock. The profiles show a positive correlation between Sc and Fe, as reported for other Ni laterite deposits. Among the critical metals, Sc, Pt, and Pd contents in the studied profiles are comparable with values reported from other Ni laterite deposits worldwide.

No studies have reported the effect of solitary living on adjuvant chemotherapy continuation in patients with gastric cancer. This study aimed to investigate the influence of solitary living on the efficacy of adjuvant chemotherapy after curative gastrectomy.We enrolled 155 patients with pathological stage II/III gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy and adjuvant chemotherapy between January 2013 and March 2020. The patients were divided into two groups according to their living conditions, the solitary group (n = 34) versus the non-solitary group (n = 121). Clinicopathological features, predictive factors for the continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy, and long-term survival were compared between the two groups.The median body weight loss (BWL) at one month after surgery (8.9% vs. 7.0%, p = 0.01), and the rates of failure to continue six courses of chemotherapy were higher in the solitary group (41.2% vs. 14.9%, p = 0.002) than in the non-solitary group. Multivariate analysis revealed that solitary living was an independent predictive factor for discontinuing adjuvant chemotherapy (odds ratio 3.36, 95% confidence interval [CI; 1.32-8.58], p = 0.01) as well as 10% BWL at one month after surgery (odds ratio 3.99, 95% CI [1.57-10.2], p = 0.004). The relapse-free survival was significantly worse in the solitary group (p = 0.03).Solitary living may be an independent risk factor for discontinuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with gastric cancer. It is necessary to examine whether social and medical support organized by medical institutes and the government improves the continuation of adjuvant chemotherapy in patients living alone.

Backgrounds : Endoscopic full-thickness resection (EFTR) without laparoscopic assistance—pure EFTR—is an emerging, less invasive treatment for gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs). However, the technique has seldom been applied outside of China due to concerns about pneumoperitoneum, maintenance of endoscopic view, and endoscopic suturing regarding its procedure. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of endoscopic resection with one port placement (EROPP) for gastric GISTs. Methods This retrospective study included 14 patients with gastric GISTs originating from the muscularis propria who underwent EROPP between 2019 and 2021. One camera port was inserted in the umbilicus before starting the endoscopic procedure to maintain intra-abdominal pressure, which was monitored and adjusted via this port. While allowing for conversion to laparoscopic surgery if needed, EFTR was performed as follows: (1) circumferential incision of the mucosal and submucosal layer around the lesion by typical endoscopic submucosal dissection; (2) an intentional perforation and subsequent seromuscular resection using dental floss and an endo-clip for traction; and (3) closure of the gastric full-thickness defect with an over-the-scope-clip (OTSC) after peroral retrieval of the specimen. We retrospectively assessed the short-term outcomes and safety. Results All procedures were completed successfully without conversion to laparoscopic surgery. The median size of resected tumors was 23 mm (range, 10–35 mm) and the median procedure time was 37 min (range, 22–95 min). The rates of en bloc and curative resection were 100% and 86%, respectively. In two cases, another port was added to aspirate leaking fluid or to check the condition of the endoscopic closure. All gastric defects were endoscopically closed, mainly using OTSCs. The recovery course for all patients was uneventful and no adverse events were reported Conclusions EROPP is a safe and minimally invasive treatment for gastric GISTs and seems to be suitable as a pure EFTR procedure.

Anoxic seawater may have played an important role in the preservation of volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits in the Hokuroku district, northeast Japan, which is the type locality for Kuroko-type VMS deposits. In this study, we investigated the Fe isotopic compositions of sulfide ores and overlying ferruginous sedimentary rocks in these deposits. These data, coupled with petrographic and geochemical data, enable us to investigate the key formation processes and conditions during the formation of large Kuroko-type VMS deposits. Large Fe isotope variations of ca. 4 parts per thousand (delta Fe-56) associated with negative or positive Ce anomalies characterize the ferruginous sedimentary rocks formed in the Kuroko VMS deposits and post-Kuroko hydrothermal activity. This suggests that iron (hydr)oxides were precipitated by the partial oxidation of dissolved Fe2+ derived from hydrothermal fluids in anoxic or suboxic pools in the Hokuroku Basin. Positive Eu anomalies in the ferruginous cherts closely associated with the Kuroko VMS deposits indicate formation from high-temperature hydrothermal fluids. Zincrich black ores in both the Matsumine and Fukazawa deposits have lower delta Fe-56 values, due to rapid precipitation of pyrite triggered by the mixing of hydrothermal fluids with seawater. Positive shifts in delta Fe-56 values in the ferruginous cherts from the Ezuri and Fukazawa deposits may be explained by simultaneous precipitation of ferruginous sedimentary rocks with black ores, which modified the delta Fe-56 values of the hydrothermal fluids to positive values. However, Cu-rich yellow ores show no significant Fe isotope fractionation as compared with the dissolved Fe in the hydrothermal fluids, and were likely formed by slow growth of pyrite that replaced the black ores. The difference in the abundance of sulfide ores between the Matsumine and Fukazawa deposits may reflect the duration of hydrothermal circulation.

Background: The predictive factors for discontinuation of S-1 administration and prognostic factors in elderly patients with pStage II/III gastric cancer receiving S-1 adjuvant chemotherapy remain unclear. Methods: Between January 2004 and December 2016, 80 elderly gastric cancer patients (≥70 years) undergoing curative D2 gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. Predictive factors for completion of S-1 administration over 1 year, adverse events due to S-1 administration, and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) and relapse-free survival (RFS) were evaluated. Results: Twenty-eight patients (35%) completed 8 courses of S-1. The median relative dose intensity was 82.1% (IQR 31.1–100%). The incidence rates of hematological and nonhematological adverse events were acceptable. Distal gastrectomy was an independent predictive factor for completion of S-1 administration (odds ratio [OR] 0.364; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.141–0.939; p = 0.037). Higher postoperative neutrophil count/lymphocyte count (N/L) ratio and more advanced stage adversely influenced OS. Multivariate analysis revealed that a higher postoperative N/L ratio and more advanced stage adversely affected RFS. Conclusion: To complete adjuvant S-1 administration to elderly patients with pStage II/III gastric cancer, total gastrectomy should be avoided if possible. A new regimen for elderly gastric cancer patients with higher postoperative N/L ratios and more advanced stage should be established.

Silicate glasses are durable materials in our daily life, but corrosion rate accelerates under alkaline aqueous environment. Such situation has raised concerns, for example, in nuclear waste disposal where vitrified wastes encounter to alkaline leachate from surrounding concrete materials. Here we report volcanic glass example surviving with a hyperalkaline groundwater (pH > 11) and high flow rate for about 4000 years. The tiny glass fragments were extracted from the volcanic ash layer sandwiched between ultramafic sediments using microanalytical techniques. Sharp elemental distributions at the glass surface, where amorphous-like smectite precursors and crystalline smectites coexist, suggest the corrosion by an interface-coupled dissolution-precipitation mechanism rather than inter-diffusion. The secondary minerals acted as a protective film for the glass by limiting water accessibility. The corrosion rate was maintained at, the minimum, 2.5 orders of magnitude less than the rate observed for fresh glass, even in the presence of Fe and Mg that might have consumed Si through the silicate precipitation.

Effects of the water content of ground surface on windborne lead (Pb) dispersion from the zinc (Zn) leach residue site at the Kabwe mine, Zambia, were simulated. The Pb-bearing Zn plant leach residue site was selected as the source of the dispersion, and water conditions of the surface of the source were evaluated by the modified normalized difference water index (MNDWI) under the actual weather conditions in the year 2019. The MNDWI was calculated based on Sentinel-2 datasets, which were acquired in the year 2019. The index was used for monitoring the surface condition of the source necessary for simulating Pb dispersion, because the higher surface water content reduces the intensity of windborne source. The results showed that the wind speeds and directions had huge impacts on Pb dispersion when the MNDWI had negative values, and that the dispersion was inhibited when the MNDWI had positive values. These indicate that the water content of the surface is sensitive to dispersion, and that MNDWI is an effective parameter that expresses the source strength.

A 60-year-old woman was not accompanied by any symptom. She had a gallstone which was identified 20 years prior. Ultrasonography performed by a local doctor revealed that the gallbladder was filled with small stones, and the patient was referred to our department for further examination and treatment for gallbladder stone. Tumor markers are elevated. Contrast- enhanced CT revealed gallbladder stones and thickening in the gallbladder body. PET-CT showed abnormal accumulation of FDG-PET with SUVmax 3.6 in the body of the gallbladder. With a diagnosis of gallbladder cancer, extended cholecystectomy and gallbladder bed resection with regional lymph node dissection were performed. The tumor was diagnosed histologically as small cell type neuroendocrine carcinoma of the gallbladder(pT2a[SS], pN0, pStage ⅡA; Japanese society of hepato-biliary-pancreatic surgery, the 7th edition). The postoperative course was uneventful. This patient has been followed up for 8 years without obvious signs of recurrence. R0 resection and lack of lymph node metastasis can allow long- term survival.

In Bacillus subtilis, a sporulation-related gene, spsM, is disrupted by SPβ prophage, but reconstituted during sporulation through SPβ excision. The spsM reconstitution is catalyzed by a site-specific DNA recombinase, SprA, and its cognate recombination directionality factor, SprB. SprB interacts with SprA, directing the SprA-mediated recombination reaction from integration to excision; however, the details of the directionality control remains unclear. Here, we demonstrate the importance of the extreme C-terminal region (ECT) of SprA in the DNA recombination and directionality control. We created a series of SprA C-terminal deletants and examined their DNA-binding and recombination activities. Deletions in the ECT caused a loss of integration and excision activity, the magnitudes of which positively correlated with the deletion size. Gel shift study revealed that the loss of the integration activity was attributable to the failure of synaptic complex formation. The excision deficiency was caused by defective interaction with SprB. Moreover, alanine scanning analysis revealed that Phe532 is essential to interact with SprB. SprAF532A , therefore, showed almost no excision activity, while retaining the integration activity. Collectively, these results suggest that the ECT plays the crucial roles in the interaction of SprA with SprB and possibly in the directional control of the recombination.

A rapid purification method was developed for antibody production in Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells using a Protein A-immobilized monolithic silica spin column with hydrophilic polymers. Monolithic silica modified with copolymers of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) showed lower non-specific protein absorption than that modified with a silane reagent. The epoxy group of GMA was converted to an amino group, and Protein A was modified by the coupling reagent. The amount of immobilized Protein A was controlled by changing the ratio of GMA to HEMA and the mesopore size of monolith. A modified monolith disk was fixed to a spin column for rapid antibody purification. The linear curves (for the antibody concentrations over 10 - 300 μg/mL) had a correlation coefficient of >0.999. Our column had various analytical advantages over previously reported columns, including a shorter preparation time (

Ambergris, a sperm whale metabolite, has long been used as a fragrance and traditional medication, but it is now rarely available. The odor components of ambergris result from the photooxidative degradation of the major component, ambrein. The pharmacological activities of ambergris have also been attributed to ambrein. However, efficient production of ambrein and odor compounds has not been achieved. Here, we constructed a system for the synthesis of ambrein and odor components. First, we created a new triterpene synthase, “ambrein synthase,” for mass production of ambrein by redesigning a bacterial enzyme. The ambrein yields were approximately 20 times greater than those reported previously. Next, an efficient photooxidative conversion system from ambrein to a range of volatiles of ambergris was established. The yield of volatiles was 8–15%. Finally, two biological activities, promotion of osteoclast differentiation and prevention of amyloid β-induced apoptosis, were discovered using the synthesized ambrein.

Mining operations in the Pinpet Fe deposit, which is the second-largest Fe deposit in Myanmar, are currently suspended, in part because of possible contamination of heavy metals and hazardous elements (e.g., Fe, As, Cu, Zn, and U) into the surrounding aquatic environment and associated public concern. However, a scientific investigation of the source and degree of contamination in streams near the deposit has not yet been conducted. Therefore, we quantified heavy-metal and hazardous-element concentrations of stream waters and sediments in stream beds, and measured the speciation and concentration of these metals in deposit Fe ores using the sequential extraction method, to better understand the influence of mining activities on the surrounding environment. Geochemical results for Nan-tank-pauk stream and its tributaries indicate that the chemical compositions of their waters are controlled by carbonate bedrock and that no detectable contamination has occurred as a result of mining activity or hematite and limonite ore beneficiation processes in either the wet or dry seasons. All measured heavy-metal and hazardous-element concentrations were below the World Health Organization standards for drinking water and the proposed national drinking water quality standards in Myanmar. Bulk chemical compositions of stream-bed and tailings dam sediments show that As, Zn, and Cu concentrations are similar to those in uncontaminated sediments. Results of bulk mineralogical and chemical analyses of ore samples reveal that some limonite ore samples contain substantial amounts of As (up to 2 wt%). However, sequential extraction results indicate that most (>90%) of the As in these As-rich ores is hosted in insoluble fractions (e.g., crystalline Fe hydroxides and clays). Therefore, arsenic is unlikely to be released into the aquatic environment by interacting with water during ore beneficiation processes should the mine resume operations.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of postoperative infectious complications on long-term outcomes after curative resection of gastric cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS Patients who underwent curative gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy for gastric cancer at Yokohama City University and Kanagawa Cancer Center from January 2000 to August 2015 were retrospectively selected from medical records. Clinicopathological factors between patients with and without infectious complications were compared. Prognostic factors of long-term survival were analyzed by univariate and multivariate Cox proportional hazards analyses. RESULTS A total of 2,254 patients were eligible for inclusion in the present study. Fifty-eight patients had postoperative infectious complications (IC group); 2,196 had no postoperative infectious complications (NC group). In the IC group, the median age (p=0.031), body mass index (p=0.004), American Society of Anesthesiologists physical status (p=0.006) and percentage of male patients (p

The presence of portlandite (Ca(OH)2) in steel slag leads to potential hydration capacity, and this can be exploited to improve the engineering properties of high-water-content dredged clays. The strength and stiffness mobilisation characteristics of four dredged clays from Japan mixed with two steel slags were continuously investigated from early hours to 28 d of curing in this study, by using direct shear apparatus and bender elements, which allowed testing of mixed specimens from the initial, soft, uncemented states. The stiffness and strength increase rates in the second, main stage of evolution in the clay–slag mixtures were found to be loosely correlated to the amount of amorphous silica. The correlation was also influenced by the amount of portlandite in the slags. The results can be used to screen out clays that are hard to solidify in the medium term, based on quick on-site measurement of the amorphous silica content. For quality control in practice, the strength–stiffness relationship was critically examined as a means to assess the strength using non-destructive stiffness probes. Close observation revealed that to represent a wide range of curing time and mixing conditions by a single line, as proposed in existing studies, could be misleading. A new interpretation for the relationship is proposed.

Terpene synthases (TS) are classified into two broad types, Class I and II, based on the chemical strategy for initial carbocation formation and motif sequences of the catalytic site. We have recently identified a new class of enzymes, Class IB, showing the acceptability of long (C₂₀–C₃₅) prenyl-diphosphates as substrates and no amino acid sequence homology with known TS. Conversion of long prenyl-diphosphates such as heptaprenyl-diphosphate (C₃₅) is unusual and has never been reported for Class I and II enzymes. Therefore, the characterization of Class IB enzymes is crucial to understand the reaction mechanism of the extensive terpene synthesis. Here, we report the crystal structure bound with a substrate surrogate and biochemical analysis of a Class IB TS, using the enzyme from Bacillus alcalophilus (BalTS). The structure analysis revealed that the diphosphate part of the substrate is located around the two characteristic Asp-rich motifs, and the hydrophobic tail is accommodated in a unique hydrophobic long tunnel, where the C₃₅ prenyl-diphosphate, the longest substrate of BalTS, can be accepted. Biochemical analyses of BalTS showed that the enzymatic property, such as Mg^2⁺ dependency, is similar to those of Class I enzymes. In addition, a new cyclic terpene was identified from BalTS reaction products. Mutational analysis revealed that five of the six Asp residues in the Asp-rich motifs and two His residues are essential for the formation of the cyclic skeleton. These results provided a clue to consider the application of the unusual large terpene synthesis by Class IB enzymes.

Background/aim Prophylactic splenectomy has shown no inferiority for tumors not invading the greater curvature side. Despite this, the clinical impact of prophylactic splenectomy for proximal advanced gastric cancer is not clear. This review aimed to clarify the impact of splenectomy for advanced gastric cancer in the upper third of the stomach. Materials and methods A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted based on PubMed and EMBASE databases. The following search terms were used: "gastric cancer" OR "splenectomy" OR upper third of the stomach" OR preservation of the spleen. Results Out of 765 articles, 18 studies (combined n=6,341) were included in the analysis. Four randomized controlled trials (RCT) and eight retrospective studies suggested the benefits of spleen-preserving gastrectomy. Six retrospective studies showed no significant benefit of spleen-preserving gastrectomy. Prophylactic splenectomy showed a close association with a higher incidence of postoperative morbidity (pancreatic fistula and anastomotic leakage) with no concomitant improvement in overall survival. Prophylactic splenectomy should not be routinely performed and RCTs are necessary to confirm the impact of splenectomy for cN(+) at the splenic hilum tumors and tumors invading the greater curvature.

Zinc plant leach residues (ZPLRs), particularly those produced using old technologies, have both economic importance as secondary raw materials and have environmental impacts because they contain hazardous heavy metals that pose risks to human health and the environment. Therefore, the extraction and recovery of these metals from ZPLRs has both economic and environmental benefits. In this study, we investigated the removal of lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn) from ZPLRs by alkaline (NaOH) leaching and the concurrent cementation of dissolved Pb and Zn using aluminum (Al) metal powder. The effects of the leaching time, NaOH concentration, solid-to-liquid ratio (S/L), and dosage of Al metal powder on the extraction of Pb and Zn were investigated. Pb and Zn removal efficiencies increased with increasing NaOH concentrations and decreasing S/Ls. The Pb and Zn removal efficiencies were 62.2% and 27.1%, respectively, when 2.5 g/50 mL (S/L) of ZPLRs were leached in a 3 M NaOH solution for 30 min. The extraction of Pb and Zn could be attributed to the partitioning of these metals in relatively more mobile phases—water-soluble, exchangeable, and carbonate phases—in ZPLRs. Around 100% of dissolved Pb and less than 2% of dissolved Zn were cemented in leaching pulp when Al metal powder was added. Minerals in the solid residues, particularly iron oxides minerals, were found to suppress the cementation of extracted Zn in leaching pulp, and when they were removed by filtration, Zn was recovered by Al metal powder via cementation.

Terpene synthase (TS) from Bacillus alcalophilus (BalTS) is the only Class IB TS for which a 3D structure has been elucidated. Recently, geranyl-β-phellandrene, a novel cyclic diterpene, was identified as a product of BalTS in addition to the acyclic β-springene. In the present study, we have provided insight into the mechanism of geranyl-β-phellandrene formation. Deuterium labeling experiments revealed that the compound is produced via a 1,3-hydride shift. In addition, nonenzymatic reactions using divalent metal ions were performed. The enzyme is essential for the geranyl-β-phellandrene formation. Furthermore, BalTS variants targeting tyrosine residues enhanced the yield of geranyl-β-phellandrene and the proportion of the compound of the total products. It was suggested that the expansion of the active site space may allow the conformation of the intermediates necessary for cyclization. The present study describes the first Class IB TSs to successfully alter product profiles while retaining high enzyme activity.

Patients with gastric cancer who underwent laparoscopic-assisted pylorus-preserving gastrectomy (LAPPG group)or laparoscopic-assisted distal gastrectomy(LADG group)between January 2010 and December 2019 were reviewed and their postoperative nutritional status and long-term outcomes retrospectively evaluated.In total, 83 patients(LAPPG group, n=23; LADG group, n=60)were included. Weight loss rates 1, 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively in the LAPPG and LADG groups were 5.7% and 7.1%, 6.6% and 9.6%, 5.8% and 10.1%, and 5.2% and 8.7%, respectively. The LADG group exhibited a significantly higher weight loss than the LAPPG group at 6, 12, and 24 months (p=0.007, 0.002, and 0.022, respectively). No recurrence was observed in either group within 5 years of surgery. The 5- year overall survival rate of patients with pathological Stage Ⅰ cancer( LAPPG group, n=23, LADG group, n=51) was higher in the LAPPG group than in the LADG group(100% vs 82.9%, p=0.027). There were 6 cases of death from other diseases in the LADG group(pneumonia, n=2, other cancer, n=2, postoperative bleeding, n=1, and heart failure, n=1)but none in the LAPPG group.The weight loss after LAPPG was significantly lower than that after LADG. Furthermore, the former showed a good prognosis without death from other diseases, such as pneumonia.

Magnesium silicate hydrate (M-S-H) is a poorly crystalline Mg-silicate phase formed under alkaline conditions at low temperatures (T < 100 °C). Its formation has been studied in closed systems but not in open-flow systems, which better represent natural surface/subsurface environments. Here, MgO powder was used in reactions at pH ∼10 and 50 °C in flow-through experiments to study the formation of M-S-H as a function of aqueous Si concentration (1.5, 0.15, and 0 mM). Consumption of aqueous Si during precipitation of M-S-H resulted in an increase in the dissolution rate of the primary material (Mg hydroxide). Steady-state Si concentrations were used to calculate the dissolution rate of Mg hydroxide and the precipitation rate of M-S-H. Analyses of retrieved solids by electron microscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy confirmed the formation of M-S-H, although X-ray diffraction patterns provided no clear evidence of the presence of M-S-H because of the small amount precipitated and its nano-crystallinity. The chemical composition (Mg/Si ratio) of the M-S-H varied with the aqueous Si concentration of the injected solution. Mg/Si ratios of 1.00 ± 0.09 and 1.59 ± 0.15 were obtained with Si concentrations of 1.5 and 0.15 mM, respectively. Results indicate that the formation of M-S-H is feasible under Earth surface conditions, with dissolved silica coexisting with Mg-bearing minerals at alkaline pH., This work has been financially supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research A (No. 19H00878) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) to T.S. and T.O, and SPRING (No. JPMJSP2119) from the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST) to Y.N. IDAEA-CSIC is a Centre of Excellence Severo Ochoa (Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation, Project CEX2018-000794-S funded by MCIN/AEI/10.13039/501100011033). The TEM and STEM studies were conducted in the Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University and supported by the Nanotechnology Platform of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology (MEXT), Japan. We thank Jordi Bellés (IDAEA-CSIC) for experimental assistance, Maite Romero (Scientific and Technical Services of the University of Barcelona) for ICP–OES analyses, Ryo Ota (High Voltage Electron Microscope Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University) for STEM–EDS analyses, Naoya Nakagawa (The Frontier Chemistry Center, Faculty of Engineering, Hokkaido University) for NMR analyses, Kosuke Nakamura (Thin-Section Lab., Faculty of Science, Hokkaido University) for preparation of polished sections, and Tatsuya Fujimura (Graduate School of Engineering, Hokkaido University) for SEM observations. We also thank an anonymous reviewer for their constructive comments that helped us to improve the quality of the manuscript.

A 7 km section of CRCP was constructed on the Ban-Etsu Expressway, which was opened in October 1990, in heavy snowy region of the Japan main island. Transverse cracks had opened wide and the crack spacing had become shorter just after 9 year service, resulting in punchout on the surface. The deteriorated part of the CRCP section had been repaired with the partial depth patching using SFRC and double layer asphalt overlay. However , the similar severe deterioration has appeared on the other parts of the section recently. Therefore, in 2018, comprehensive investigations including material tests, excavation of the slabs and joints, FWD tests and ground penetrator radar (GPR) survey were conducted to establish the rehabilitation strategy for the CRCP section. In the investigations, horizontal cracks were found at a depth of the reinforcement bar, which started from the transverse crack. Also, some extracted bars were severely corroded. The material tests revealed high chloride ion concentration in the upper part of the concrete slab. Based on those investigation results, it was assumed that the expansion of the corroded reinforcement bars initiated and developed the horizontal cracks at the position of reinforcement bars, which divided the CRC slab into two layers, resulting in severe punchout.