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Background and purpose Intravenous administration of tissue plasminogen activator (t-PA) can improve clinical outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke. The most important complication of t-PA therapy is intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). The aim of this study was to use serial MRI studies to identify independent predictors of symptomatic and asymptomatic ICH after t-PA therapy. Methods Consecutive anterior-circulation ischemic stroke patients treated with t-PA within 3 h of stroke onset were studied prospectively. To identify the presence of recanalization in the occluded arteries and the presence of ICH, MRI, including diffusion weighted imaging (DWI), T2*, and magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), was performed before and 1 h, 24 h, and 5–7 days after t-PA thrombolysis. The independent predictors of ICH were determined using multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results 41 patients (21 males, 20 females; mean age, 73.2 ± 10.7 years) were enrolled, and 19 ICHs (1 symptomatic, 18 asymptomatic) were observed on T2*. The initial MRA demonstrated occluded brain arteries in 31 patients (75.6%), of which follow-up MRA at 1 h, 24 h, and 5–7 days after t-PA therapy revealed recanalization in 48.4%, 80.0%, and 90.0% of patients, respectively. The frequency of recanalization within 1 h after t-PA therapy did not differ between ICH and No-ICH groups, but the ICH group had more frequent recanalization between 1 h and 24 h after t-PA than the No-ICH group (50.0% vs. 4.5%, P = 0.001). The ICH group had arterial fibrillation (AF) more frequently than the No-ICH group (78.9% vs. 27.3%, P = 0.001). Compared to the No-ICH group, the NIHSS score was higher (16.4 ± 5.7 vs. 11.5 ± 6.5, P = 0.011) and the ASPECTS–DWI value (a normal DWI has an ASPECTS–DWI value of 11 points) was lower (7.3 ± 2.4 vs. 8.9 ± 1.9, P = 0.019) in the ICH group. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the presence of recanalization between 1 and 24 h after the end of t-PA infusion (OR: 20.2; CI: 1.0–340.9; P = 0.037) was the only independent predictor of ICH. Conclusion Recanalization of occluded arteries between 1 and 24 h but not within 1 h after t-PA infusion should be independently associated with symptomatic and asymptomatic ICH after t-PA therapy.

Background and purpose The mechanism of neurological deterioration in small vessel disease is unclear. We examined the relationship between neurological deterioration and change of infarct volume in acute small vessel disease. Methods We studied consecutive patients with acute supratentorial small vessel disease. Patients were classified into two groups (D: group with deterioration, N: group with no deterioration). We performed serial MRI studies, measured infarct volumes using NIH Image, and calculated the changes in infarct volume (Δ volume) between initial and follow-up diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI). Results Seventy-two patients (44 males, 68±11 years of age) were enrolled. Fifteen patients exhibited neurological deterioration (group D) and 57 patients did not (group N). Initial infarct volume was 0.66 cm 3 in group D and 0.45 cm 3 in group N ( p =0.025). Infarct volumes on follow-up DWI were 1.41 cm 3 and 0.72 cm 3 , respectively ( p =0.001). The Δ volume in group D was larger than that in group N (0.76 cm 3 vs 0.27 cm 3 , p =0.001). In order to differentiate D from N group, sensitivity specificity analysis yielded a cut-off value of Δ volume of 0.5 cm 3 for differentiation of the two groups, which exhibited a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 84%. Multivariate logistic regression analysis demonstrated that increase in infarct volume of over 0.5 cm 3 (odds ratio; 18.0, 95% CI; 1.4 to 270, p =0.027) was independently associated with neurological deterioration in patients with acute small vessel disease. Conclusions Enlargement of infarct volume may contribute to neurological deterioration in acute small vessel disease.

A total of 290 bile samples from 143 Japanese Brown, 97 Japanese Black, and 50 Holstein cattle, and a total of 148 liver samples from 81 Japanese Brown, 49 Japanese Black, and 18 Holstein cattle were examined for the presence of Campylobacter jejuni by direct plating. The bile samples were also subjected to enumeration of coliform bacilli. Sixty-eight (23%) bile samples and 2 (1.4%) liver samples were positive for C. jejuni. A significantly higher isolation rate was observed from bile samples from Holstein (50%) than from Japanese Black (22%) and Japanese Brown (15%) cattle. C. jejuni was isolated from 52 of 232 bile samples that contained < 30 CFU/ml (under the detection threshold) of coliform bacilli. The presence of C. jejuni from bile was observed throughout the year. Fifty-four of the 68 bile isolates were serologically typed into eight groups. Serotypes O:4 complex (28 isolates) and O:2 (11 isolates), which were commonly isolated from human patients in Japan, accounted for 57% of the isolates. These observations suggest that bile can be a cause of contamination with C. jejuni even though it contains only a low number of coliforms.

The Hydrachnidia (water mites) represent the most important group of the Arachnida in fresh water. Over 6,000 species have been described worldwide, representing 57 families, 81 subfamilies and more than 400 genera. The article analyzes extant water mite diversity and biogeography. Data on distribution and species richness of water mites are substantial but still far from complete. Many parts of the world are poorly investigated, Oriental and Afrotropical regions in particular. Moreover, information among different freshwater habitats is unbalanced with springs and interstitial waters disproportionately unrepresented. Therefore, more than 10,000 species could be reasonably expected to occur in inland waters worldwide. Based on available information, the Palaearctic region represents one of the better investigated areas with the highest number of species recorded (1,642 species). More than 1,000 species have been recorded in each of the Neotropical (1,305 species) and Nearctic regions (1,025 species). Known species richness is lower in Afrotropical (787 species) and Australasian (694 species) regions, and lowest in the Oriental region (554 species). The total number of genera is not correlated with species richness and is distinctly higher in the Neotropical (164 genera); genus richness is similar in the Palaearctic, Nearctic and Australasian regions (128-131 genera) and is lower in the Afrotropical and Oriental regions with 110 and 94 genera, respectively. A mean number of about three genera per family occur in the Palaeartic, Nearctic and Oriental while an average of more than four genera characterizes the families of Australasian and Afrotropical regions and more than five genera those of the Neotropical. Australasian fauna is also characterized by the highest percentage of endemic genera (62%), followed by Neotropical (50.6%) and Afrotropical (47.2%) regions. Lower values are recorded for the Palaearctic (26.9%), Oriental (24.4%) and Nearctic (21.4%). The Palaearctic and Nearctic have the highest faunistic similarity, some minor affinities are also evident for the generic diversification of Holarctic and Oriental families. The faunas of Southern Hemisphere bioregions are more distinct and characterized by the presence of ancient Gondwanan clades with a regional diversification particularly evident in the Neotropics and Australasia. This scenario of water mite diversity and distribution reflect the basic vicariance pattern, isolation, phylogenetic diversification, recent climatic vicissitudes and episodes of dispersal between adjacent land masses together with extant ecological factors can be evoked to explain distribution patterns at a global scale.

The aim of this study is to investigate the mechanisms of improvement in insulin resistance after duodenal-jejunal bypass (DIB), especially regarding the correlation between bile acids and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1).SD rats were divided into two groups: DIB or Sham group. Blood glucose, insulin, GLP-1, bile acids, and the number of L cells in the small intestine were investigated three weeks after the operations. Next, to assess the effect of the bile acids on GLP-1 secretion in ileum, bile diversion model (=inhibition of rapid bile exposure to the ileum; BD group) were performed and postoperative glycemic parameters were measured.DJB improved insulin resistance and increased GLP-1 compared with sham. Higher bile acids in DJB were found than that in sham. The number of L cells in the common limb of DJB was increased compared with that in the distal segment of sham. In BD group, insulin resistance had not improved. GLP-1, bile acids, and the number of L cells revealed no significant changes compared with sham.DJB has a potential to improve insulin resistance, which may be related to enhanced GLP-1 secretion through the increase of bile acids in the common limb of the small intestine.

Background and Methods We conducted a community-based study to evaluate genotype-specific prevalence of high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) and potential predictors of its presence in young, asymptomatic, female college students. Self-administered surveys and vaginal swabs for self collection were distributed to students of participating schools. A sufficient cellular component in cervical samples was verified by examining for the presence of human β-globin DNA by PCR. A total of 1,118 valid cervical samples were subjected to screening for HR-HPV infection with the Digene Hybrid Capture 2 assay, followed by identification of HPV genotypes with GENOSEARCH HPV31 kit. Logistic regression was used to adjust for confounding factors associated with HR-HPV positivity and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) was calculated. Results The median age of recruited students was 20 years. Of the 1,118 women who provided valid cervical samples for testing, 770 had sexual intercourse in the past, of which 125 (16.2%) were positive for HR-HPV. Logistic regression analysis revealed that HR-HPV infection was associated with smoking history (AOR 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.98 to 5.05; p < 0.01), total number of partners (AOR 4.72; 95% CI 1.97 to 11.32 if > 5 partners; p < 0.001), number of partners in the past 6 months (AOR 3.12; 95% CI 1.42 to 6.87; p < 0.01), improper use of condoms (AOR 2.21; 95% CI 1.25 to 3.90; p < 0.01), and chlamydia infection (AOR 2.61; 95% CI 1.28 to 5.34; p < 0.01). The most common HR-HPV genotype was type 52 (6.4%), followed by 16 (3.1%), 56 (3.0%), and 58 (2.6%). Conclusion Compared with previous reports in East Asian coutries, the prevalence of HR-HPV infection among young, asymptomatic, female students before the nationwide use of vaccination in Japan was in the intermediate range. The most common HR-HPV genotypes were HPV 52, 16, 56, and 58.

Bulk chemical compositions and oxygen isotopic compositions were analyzed for 48 stony cosmic spherules (melted micrometeorites) collected from the Antarctic ice sheet using electron- and ion-microprobes. No clear correlation was found between their isotopic compositions and textures. The oxygen isotopic compositions showed an extremely wide range from −28‰ to +93‰ in δ18O and from −21‰ to +13‰ in Δ17O. In δ18O-δ17O space, most samples (38 out of 48) plot close to the terrestrial fractionation line, but 7 samples plot along the carbonaceous chondrite anhydrous mineral (CCAM) line. Three samples plot well above the terrestrial fractionation line. One of these has a Δ17O of +13‰, the largest value ever found in solar system materials. One possible precursor for this spherule could be 16O-poor planetary material that is still unknown as a meteorite. The majority of the remaining spherules are thought to be related to carbonaceous chondrites.

Nine species of Hygrobates (Acari: Parasitengona: Hygrobatidae) from Hokkaido, Japan are described or redescribed from newly collected material and historical specimens. Treated herein are eight species in the subgenus Hygrobates, including one new species, H. bibi sp. nov., as well as H. calliger Piersig, 1896; H. foreli (Lebert, 1874); H. japonicus Uchida, 1931; H. longipalpis (Hermann, 1804); H. longiporus Thor, 1898; H. nigromaculatus Lebert, 1879; and H. sokolowi Thor, 1927. Also treated is H. ezoensis Uchida, 1934 in the subgenus Rivobates. A lectotype and paralectotype are designated for H. japonicus Uchida, 1931. Hygrobates (s. str.) heteropalpis Imamura, 1954 is synonymized with H. calliger Piersig, 1896. The name H. ezoensis Uchida, 1934 is resurrected from synonymy with H. diversiporus Sokolow, 1927. Six species previously known from Hokkaido were collected in the study: H. foreli, H. japonicus, H. longipalpis, H. longiporus, H. diversiporus, and H. ezoensis. New records for both Hokkaido and J...

学生は訪問看護ステーション実習において看護の対象としての「家族」への援助についてどのような学びをするのかを明らかにし,訪問看護ステーション実習の意義と学生の家族への援助の理解のための教育方法や内容充実に向けて方向性を得ることを目的に平成13,14,15年度臨地実習IIIで訪問看護ステーションを選択した学生10名の臨地実習IIIの実習日誌および実習終了後のレポートを分析した。その結果,在宅療養者とその家族に関わった体験や訪問看護師が行った看護とそれらの体験を通して学んだことに関する記述,184が抽出できた。これらの記述について,家族への援助についての学びから記述内容の類似性によりカテゴリー化し,24のサブカテゴリーに類別できた。さらに,カテゴリー化し11のカテゴリーに類別できた。学生は,家族を1つのまとまりとして個別性があり,主体となる存在で,セルフケア能力を持ち,生活過程を持つと学んでいた。その結果,家族への具体的な援助について学んでいた。また,家族員一人ひとりに目を向けたり,関係性に目を向けることの大切さも学んでいた。このように,家族を看護の対象として捉えるようになったことが家族への援助の理解を促進したと考えられる。また,訪問看護ステーションという,対象の家庭に出向き,家族と出会いつつ看護過程を展開することも家族への援助の理解には関連しており,訪問看護ステーション実習の有効性が示唆された。一方,家族と地域の関連についての学びは少なく,今後,家族の生活を支援するという立場で地域全体を評価し,地域づくりへと発展させていけるような実習指導についての課題が明らかになった。

Background— Endothelin (ET)-1 and norepinephrine (NE) are involved in myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. We investigated the role of ET-1 in ischemia/reperfusion–induced NE overflow and cardiac dysfunction using a selective ET A receptor antagonist (ABT-627), a selective ET B receptor antagonist (A-192621), and the spotting lethal ( sl ) rat, which carries a naturally occurring deletion in the ET B receptor gene. Methods and Results— According to the Langendorff technique, isolated hearts were subjected to 40-minute global ischemia followed by 30-minute reperfusion. In Sprague-Dawley rat hearts, ischemia/reperfusion–induced cardiac dysfunctions such as decreased left ventricular developed pressure and coronary flow and increased left ventricular end-diastolic pressure were worsened by treatment with A-192621. This agent enhanced excessive NE overflow in the coronary effluent from the postischemic heart. In contrast, treatment with ABT-627, in the absence or presence of A-192621, significantly improved postischemic cardiac dysfunction and markedly suppressed NE overflow to the same extent. Postischemic cardiac dysfunction and NE overflow in the heart of ET B receptor–deficient homozygous ( sl / sl ) rats were highly observed compared with cases in wild-type rats, and exaggerated responses to ischemia/reperfusion in sl / sl rats were abolished by ABT-627 treatment. Exogenously applied ET-1 produced severe cardiac dysfunction and a significant increase in NE overflow in a dose-dependent manner, but these responses were markedly suppressed in the presence of 5- N -ethyl- N -isopropyl-amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na + /H + exchanger (NHE). Conclusions— Pharmacological blockade or genetic deficiency of ET B receptors is detrimental to the postischemic heart, and exaggerated cardiac pathology under the above conditions is mediated by ET A receptor activation. ET A /NHE-mediated excessive NE overflow is contributive, at least in part, to postischemic cardiac dysfunction in rats.

2003-2004年に,釧路湿原の南東部に位置する達古武沼の水生大型無脊椎動物相を調べ,94分類群の生息を確認した。その内訳は次のとおりで,全体として浅い富栄養な海跡湖の特徴を示していた。ユスリカ科34分類群,貧毛綱18分類群,軟体動物8分類群,トンボ目7種,カメムシ目5分類群,ヒル亜綱,トビケラ目各4分類群,ダニ目,ワラジムシ目,コウチュウ目,ヌカカ科各2分類群,線形動物門,ヨコエビ亜目,エビ目,アミ亜目,カゲロウ目,ヘビトンボ目各1分類群。

Myocardial fibrosis commonly occurs in patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) and has proven to be an important predictor for cardiovascular events. In experimental settings, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1-R) antagonists have been shown to have anti-fibrotic effects on the myocardium independent of their antihypertensive effects. In this study, to investigate whether the AT1-R antagonist losartan would have such anti-fibrotic effects in patients, we administered losartan or, for purpose of comparison, the angiotensin-converting enzyme enalapril or Ca2+-antagonist amlodipine to patients with ESRD. Thirty-nine ESRD patients with hypertension were randomly assigned to receive losartan (n=13), enalapril (n=13), or amlodipine (n=13). Ultrasonic integrated backscatter (IBS) and serological markers of collagen type I synthesis and degradation were used to assess the degree of myocardial fibrosis just before and after 6 months of treatment. There were no significant differences in antihypertensive effects among the three agents. In the enalapril- and amlodipine-treated groups, the mean calibrated IBS values increased significantly after 6 months of treatment (enalapril: -31.6 +/- 1.3 to -29.4 +/- 1.2 dB, p=0.011; amlodipine: -30.6 +/- 1.4 to -27.2 +/- 1.2 dB, p=0.012). However, the mean calibrated IBS values in the losartan-treated group did not increase after 6 months of treatment (-31.2 +/- 1.7 to -31.3 +/- 1.4 dB, p=0.88). The ratio of the serum concentration of procollagen type I carboxy-terminal peptide to the serum concentration of collagen type I pyridinoline cross-linked carboxy-terminal telopeptide was significantly reduced in the losartan-treated group (42.6 +/- 4.6 to 34.4 +/- 3.6, p=0.038). The present study indicates that losartan more effectively suppresses myocardial fibrosis in patients with ESRD than does enalapril or amlodipine despite a comparable antihypertensive effect among the three drugs.

We investigated the role of endothelin-A (ET A ) and endothelin-B (ET B ) receptors in ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction and norepinephrine overflow using isolated rat hearts. According to the Langendorff technique, isolated hearts were subjected to 40 minutes of global ischemia followed by 30 minutes of reperfusion. Ischemia/reperfusion led to decreases in left ventricular developed pressure and coronary flow, and an increase in left ventricular end-diastolic pressure compared with pre-ischemic basal levels. An ET B receptor antagonist A-192621 at 1 μM worsened ischemia/reperfusion-induced cardiac dysfunction. In contrast, an ET A receptor antagonist ABT-627 at 5 μM with or without A-192621 improved the aforementioned cardiac dysfunction, to the same extent. Norepinephrine was massively released in coronary effluent from the hearts exposed to ischemia/ reperfusion. Treatment with ABT-627 significantly suppressed the norepinephrine overflow induced by the ischemia/reperfusion whereas A-192621 further enhanced it, which was completely abolished by the concomitant treatment with ABT-627. These results suggest that the detrimental effect of ET B receptor blockade on post-ischemic cardiac function is mediated by the ET A receptor-related action and that norepinephrine overflow from sympathetic nerve endings is closely related to the antagonist-induced functional changes of post-ischemic hearts.

本研究は,育児支援ボランティアを組織し,活動を継続している看護学生の成長過程を明らかにすることを目的としている。研究対象はボランティアの組織化及び活動経過における14名の学生の認識と表現である。研究方法は,まず学生がボランティアを組織化し,活動を継続する上で,意味があると思われる場面を素材化し,学生の認識と表現の連関をたどりながら,場面の意味を取り出した。そして,場面ごとの意味を押さえつつ,学生の認識と表現の特徴を取り出し,看護学生の成長過程を明らかにした。その結果,学生は,組織化の過程で,保健師の立場で対象のニーズを見出し,ニーズを満たすための社会資源の開発を自らおこなうことができた。そして,ボランティア活動を行っていく過程では,対象を捉える視点が母子から家族へと拡がり,問題解決方法も直接援助からセルフケア能力を高める援助へと発展していた。さらには,「家族」の形成過程を支えるという視点から,ボランティアという社会資源のあり方を自己評価し,効果的な育児支援のための社会資源へと変化させていた。つまり,経過とともに,家族自身で健康的に生活を整えることができるような支援へと,学生の関わりが発展している,という成長過程をたどっていることが明らかになった。, The purpose of this research was to clarify nursing student's developmental process in organized volunteers for the support of child-rearing and continuing volunteer activities. Recognition and expression of 14 students in organized and continued volunteer activities were analyzed. Characteristics of the student's recognition and expression, and nursing student's developmental process was clarified. The results are as follows: 1 Nursing student's development in the process of organizing volunteers; Students found out the mother's and child's needs in a public health nurse's position and organized the social resource for fulfilling these needs by themselves 2 Nursing student's development in the process of continuing volunteer activities; 1) Students changed from the assisting the mother and child to assistance for an entire family that makes up the volunteer activity. 2) Students developed an assistance method that heightened self-care capabilities due to direct assistance. 3) Students changed child-rearing support volunteer activities to a social resource that created a better cohesive family environment. That is to say, due to the direct influential shift of developing a mother/newborn support system to family centered one, it is possible to see that families can now live a healthier and more progressive life.

The inhibitory effects of various flavonoids on human 3beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Delta(5)-Delta(4)-isomerase type II (3beta-HSD type II), overexpressed in baculovirus, were investigated, and the structure-inhibition relationship was examined. The isoflavone derivatives daidzein, genistein, formononetin and biochanin A inhibited 3beta-HSD type II activity at a concentration of 10 microM and of these, genistein was the most potent inhibitor. 6-Hydroxyflavone (6-HF), a synthetic flavone, also strongly inhibited 3beta-HSD activity but 5-HF, 7-HF and other natural flavones were less potent. Energy minimization structures of the flavonoids, as produced using MOE software, showed that isoflavones and flavones have an almost flat A-C ring structure, and that flavonoids that acted as inhibitors had similar steric structures to DHEA. Genistein, 6-HF and cyanoketone, which is known as a typical 3beta-HSD inhibitor, were found to act as competitive inhibitors with K(i) values of 0.12 microM, 0.19 microM and 0.67 nM, respectively. Furthermore, the LUMO (lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO)) values, as calculated using WinMOPAC (Fujitsu, Japan), of the inhibitors were correlated with the IC(50) values (r2 = 0.84). From these results, it appears that inhibitory effects of flavonoids are due to the combination of steric structure and electron affinity between the active center of 3beta-HSD type II and the flavonoid molecule.

A 59-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of repeated episodes of bilateral hand weakness. She had a 10-year history of combined estrogen-progestin therapy for menopausal symptoms. Magnetic resonance imaging on admission showed multiple hyperintense lesions in bilateral cerebral and cerebellar cortices on diffusion-weighted imaging. Transesophageal echocardiography showed thrombus formation on the aortic valve and moderate aortic insufficiency. Laboratory test demonstrated elevated CA125 (334.8 U/mL) and D-dimer (7.0 µg/mL) levels. Trousseau's syndrome (cancer-related hypercoagulation) was considered, but various examinations showed only uterine adenomyosis and no evidence of cancer. Multiple cerebral infarctions were considered to be caused by Trousseau's syndrome-like condition associated with uterine adenomyosis. CA125 and coagulation markers should be measured in adenomyosis patients treated with hormone replacement therapy, because a mucinous tumor and coagulation markers may be good markers for the risk of thromboembolism in such patients.

国民が病気にならないための健康づくり戦略として, 現在さまざまな形で生活習慣改善指導が展開されている。これは, 病気ではないが, なんらかの検査異常値を示すいわゆる生活習慣病予備軍に対して, 検査異常値が不健康な生活習慣に起因するといわれていることにより, まず生活習慣の行動様式を改めさせることで健全化を図ろうとするものである。本調査研究では, 高脂血症者の地域住民を対象に, 血清脂質の改善を目的として, 栄養・運動を中心とした生活習慣改善指導を約1年間にわたって行い, この介入活動が対象者の意識・行動をどのように変化させ, また, 体重・体脂肪・血清脂質やその他生化学検査値にどう影響を及ぼしたかについて検討を行った。介入活動前後で生活習慣調査表を比較してみると, 食事や運動に対する関心が深まり, 食習慣では, 特に卵・野菜・間食・塩分の摂り方が改善し, このことは, 栄養分析結果でもほぼ確認できた。運動習慣では, 介入前より仕事以外の運動頻度が増加傾向を示した。また, 一般検査・血液検査では, 総コレステロール0体重・肥満度・空腹時血糖において, 介入活動後有意に減少効果がみられた。以上のことにより, 今回の介入活動が, 対象者の意識改革・行動変容をもたらし, 体重や. 血浩脂質の改善に少なからず寄与したことがうかがえた。

The levels of platelet-derived microparticles (PDMPs), platelet activation markers (P-selectin, CD63, and PAC-1 on activated platelets), and C-C chemokines (monocyte chemotactic peptide [MCP]-1 and regulated on activation normally T-cell expressed and secreted [RANTES] were measured and compared in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) or stable pectoris angina. These substances are thought to paricipate in the development of complications in patients with AMI. The percentage binding of anti-P-selectin, CD63, and PAC-1 antibody to platelets, and the levels of PDMPs (per 10(4) platelets) were higher in the patients with AMI than in those with stable pectoris angina (P-selectin, 23.1% +/- 2.1% vs. 10.3% +/- 1.2%, p0.001; CD63, 24.6% +/- 3.3% vs. 11.2% +/- 3.1%, p0.01; PAC-1, 14.1% +/- 1.7% vs. 9.3% +/- 2.1%, p0.05; PDMPs, 613 +/- 71 vs. 413 +/- 55, p0.01). There were no differences in platelet levels of GPIIb/IIIa and GPIb between groups. Levels of MCP-1 and RANTES were higher in the patients with AMI than in patients with stable pectoris angina (MCP-1, 430 +/- 35 vs. 265 +/- 23, p0.01; RANTES, 175 +/- 32 vs. 88 +/- 29, p0.001). The effects of percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA) on the levels of these agents in patients with AMI were studied. Platelet activation markers were significantly decreased in patients with AMI after PTCA. RANTES level was also significantly decreased after treatment, but MCP-1 level was not changed. In addition, this tendency was clearer in STENT patients. These findings suggest that in patients with AMI PTCA, particularly STENT, may prevent the development of complications in which activated platelet and RANTES participate.

Cancer stem cells (CSC) was reported to play an important role in various kinds of cancer. CD133 is one of the cancer stem cell markers in solid cancers. However, the correlation between CD133 expression and the clinicopathological factors in colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.Forty patients with CRC who underwent operations were enrolled. Expression of CD133 was investigated by immunohistochemistry (IHC). The staining was observed in the cytoplasm of cancer cells and the patients who have the staining were defined as CD133-positive cases. The patients were divided into two groups: the CD133-positive group (n = 22) and negative group (n = 18). Clinicopathological factors were compared between the two groups. The prognostic factors were investigated by multivariate analysis.In the CD133-positive group, the incidence of lymph node and liver metastasis, lymphatic and venous invasion, as well as the progression of stage of cancer were higher than that in the CD133-negative group. The 5-year survival rate and the disease-free survival rate in the CD133-positive group were lower than that in the CD133-negative group. The multivariate analysis revealed that CD133 expression tended to be an independent prognostic factor.CD133 expression is correlated with poor prognosis in CRC.

Recent studies have demonstrated the efficacy of irradiation from light emitting diodes (LED) for wound healing, anti-inflammation and anticancer therapies. However, little is known about the effects of visible light in colon cancer cells. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the biological response (including gene expression changes) of human colon cancer cells to different wavelengths of LED irradiation.Human colon cancer cells (HT29 or HCT116) were seeded onto laboratory dishes that were then put on LED irradiation equipment with a 465 nm-, 525 nm-, or 635 nm-LED. Irradiation at 15 or 30 mW was performed 10 min/day, each day for 5 days. The cell counting kit8 was then used to measure cell viability. Apoptosis and expression of several mRNAs (caspase, MAPK and autophagy pathway) in HT29 cultures irradiated with 465 nm LED were evaluated via AnnexinV/PI and RT-PCR, respectively.Viability of HT29 and HCT116 cells was lower in 465 nm-LED irradiated cultures than in control cultures, but viability of HT29 cells did not differ between control cultures and 525 nm-LED or 635 nm-LED irradiated cultures. Moreover, the expression of FAS, caspase-3, capase-8, and JUK were significantly higher in 465 nm-LED irradiated cultures than in control cultures, and expression of ERK1/2 and LC3 was lower in blue-irradiated cells.LED irradiation at 465 nm inhibited the proliferation of HT29 cells and of HCT116 cells. Notably, LED irradiation at 465 nm promoted apoptosis inHT29 cultures via the extrinsic apoptosis pathway and the MAPK pathway.

Incisional ventral hernia is one of the most common surgical complications after laparotomy. Laparoscopic repair of incisional ventral hernia has been conducted recently, and the advantages of this procedure have been reported. However, in large orifice cases, the recurrence rate is increased. To improve recurrence rates in large cases, a hybrid method combining laparoscopic primary closure and mesh repair can be applied.Monofilament thread was inserted into the abdominal cavity for hernia closure and pulled from the other side of the orifice. The same procedure was performed from the upper side to the lower side without closure, and all thread was placed in line. Both sides of the thread were then introduced to the midline of the incision through a subcutaneous route. This procedure was conducted with an introducer. All threads were tied, and then a mesh was placed.Hybrid techniques already combine mini-laparotomy for hernia closure and subsequent laparoscopic intraoperative onlay mesh for reinforcement, but such techniques require laparotomy. In our technique, closure of the linea alba does not require laparotomy. All procedures were performed laparoscopically. This procedure is very easy and safe, and does not require the abdominal cavity to be opened. Thus, hybrid methods are effective for treating cases of incisional hernia involving a large orifice.

Gastric adenocarcinoma is one of the most common malignant tumors and the leading cause of malignancy-related death worldwide. Studies have reported overexpression of activation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) and protein kinase c iota (PKCi) proteins showing involvement in the regulation of carcinogenesis. In the present study, we investigated the expression of AID and PKCi in patients with gastric adenocarcinoma and determined the correlation between these proteins.This study was conducted between September 2009 and September 2010 on a total of 59 patients with gastric adenocarcinoma at the Tokushima University Hospital. AID, PKCi and mutated p53 protein expressions were evaluated by immunohistochemistry in gastric adenocarcinoma.High AID and PKCi expression was significantly (p0.05) associated with poorly-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma. In addition, PKCi expression was significantly correlated with clinicopathological findings such as a lymph node metastasis, and venous and lymphatic invasion (p0.05). Furthermore, AID expression was significantly correlated with PKCi and mutated p53 protein expression in gastric adenocarcinoma (p0.05).High AID and PKCi expressions were significantly correlated with poorly-differentiated gastric adenocarcinoma.

Background and objectives: The relationship between the prothrombin time (PT)-international normalized ratio (INR) at intracerebral hemorrhage onset and patient outcome is unknown. Therefore, we investigated this relationship in the present study. Methods: Clinical backgrounds, physical and imaging findings, and outcomes were compared among 76 consecutive patients who were administered warfarin within 24 hours of acute intracerebral hemorrhage onset and had PT-INR values of Results: The PT-INR Conclusion: The in-hospital mortality rate was significantly higher for acute intracerebral hemorrhage patients taking warfarin with PT-INR ≥2.0 than for the other patients. To avoid significantly higher mortality rates, alternatives to warfarin should be considered.

Background and objective: This study retrospectively investigated long term recurrence rate in stroke patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who had left atrial thrombus (LAT). Methods: Participants compromised 359 consecutive stroke patients with AF less than 7 days after onset who had undergone transesophageal echocardiography. Patients were divided into LAT and non-LAT groups based on the presence or absence of LAT. Clinical background, neurological findings, imaging findings and stroke recurrence within 3 years of discharge were then compared between the two groups. Results: Fifty-nine patients were classified into the LAT group and 300 patients into the non-LAT group. Median age of the LAT and non-LAT groups was 78 and 76 years, respectively (p=0.57), and the LAT group had a higher proportion of females (53% vs. 39%, p=0.06) and hypertension (81% vs. 69%, p=0.06). CHADS2 score was higher in the LAT group than in the non-LAT group (median score: 3 vs. 2; p Conclusion: Compared to patients without LAT, stroke patients with AF who previously had LAT are more likely to have increased recurrence in long term, but not in the short term.

(E)-6-Ethyl-2,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadienal was identified from female seed beetle, Callosobruchus rhodesianus (Pic), as an electroantennographic-detection (EAD) active compound in the male. The ratio of the (E)-6-ethyl-2,10-dimethyl-5,9-undecadienal and (3S,6E)-2,3-dihydrohomofarnesal, previously identified as a sex attractant pheromone, was estimated at approximately 1:4.5. In combination with the stereoisomer-activity relationship of 2,3-dihydrohomofarnesal, we suggest that this new compound might function as a minor sex attractant pheromone in C. rhodesianus.

Most of the wireless sensor network's (WSN's) applications require getting accurate information as well as uninterrupted, prolonged service life. Among the constituting elements of WSN, an efficient routing protocol plays a significant role in attaining such service requirements. In this article, an energy efficient routing protocol, context-aware clustering hierarchy (CACH), is proposed where cluster formation is based on the context of the environment. Moreover, a technique is utilized to avoid similar data traffic across the network. The performance in the simulation shows energy saving which ensures prolonged service life. Copyright © 2009 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Introduction CD151 is a member of the tetraspanin family, which interacts with laminin-binding integrins and other tetraspanins. CD151 is involved in several pathologic activities associated with tumor progression, including metastasis and angiogenesis. The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical use of CD151 expression in gallbladder cancer (GBC). Methods Forty-five patients with GBC who had undergone operative treatment were enrolled in this study. Expressions of CD151 in the resected GBC specimens were evaluated with anti-CD151 antibody. The patients were divided into positive and negative groups according to CD151 expression: CD151-positive group ( n = 26) and CD151-negative group ( n = 19). Clinicopathologic factors, including Ki-67 and matrix metallopeptidase 9, also were compared between the two groups. Results CD151-positive expression was 58% and correlated with poorer prognosis; 5-year survival of CD151-positive and CD151-negative groups was 29% and 78%, respectively ( P = .006). CD151 expression also correlated with lymphatic invasion and curability. Multivariate analysis revealed that CD151-positive expression was an independent prognostic factor (hazard ratio 2.97, P = .02). In addition, CD151 expression correlated with matrix metallopeptidase 9 expression ( P Conclusion Those findings suggested that CD151-positive expression might be a potential prognostic indicator and one of the target molecules for the regulation of tumor metastasis for patients with GBC.

In the United States, immigration has long been considered as a field at the core of sociological investigation. Its origins are associated with the Chicago School, which remained dominant in American sociology between the two world wars. Urban change in Chicago became a major focus of empirical inquiry in the early 20th century and was stimulated by large-scale immigration, primarily from Southern and Eastern Europe. The tradition and themes that stem from the Chicago School have deeply influenced subsequent research. Keywords: immigration; identity politics; ethnocentrism; assimilation and exclusion; social policy

Background: Presence of neovascularization in plaque was reported as a reliable maker of plaque vulnerability. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can demonstrate the presence of intraplaque neovascularization. The aim of the present study was to investigate the neurological symptom and histopathologic findings of enhanced carotid plaque using CEUS. Methods: We studied consecutive 30 patients (27 men, age 68.2 ± 7.6 years) who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Enhanced plaque (enhanced group) was classified into two subgroups: a spotty pattern as moving bright spots within plaque (spotty subgroup, Figure A); and a linear pattern, where enhanced lesions appeared as a line from intima into plaque (linear subgroup, Figure B).Sonazoid, perflurobutane microbubbles, was used as the contrast agent. We investigated the association between the neurological symptom, CEUS findings and histopathologic findings. Results: CEUS revealed enhanced plaque in 22 (73.3%) of 30 patients. 10 patients were spotty subgroup, and 12 patients were linear subgroup. Symptomatic patients were more frequent in enhanced group than non-enhanced group (82.6% vs. 50%, p=0.037).The amount of neovascularization was larger in enhanced group than in non-enhanced group (6.3±4.2/2.5mm 2 vs. 1.5±1.6/2.5 mm 2 , P=0.001, Figure C). Furthermore, the enhanced group had more macrophage aggregation (11.1±12.5% vs. 4.2±1.5%, P=0.001) and intraplaque hemorrhage (20.2±15.9% vs. 9.4±12.2%, P=0.031) compared with the non-enhanced group. 11 of the linear subgroup (91.7%) had fibrous cap rupture, but this was observed in only 20% of those with a spotty subgroup (P=0.001, Figure D). Symptom and other histopathological findings were not different between the two subgroups. Conclusions: Enhanced plaque on CEUS indicates vulnerable plaque. A linear pattern of enhanced plaque indicates plaque rupture. Enhanced plaque on CEUS should become a new surrogate marker of vulnerable carotid plaque and patients.

Cachexia or obesity in adults with congenital heart disease (ACHD) are not uncommon and both groups have a feature of sarcopenia(the loss of skeletal muscle mass and strength). We assessed the reason for sarcopenia in ACHD. Prospectively, 172 consecutive patients (mean 35.4+/-12.8yrs) were enrolled

Oseltamivir, a prodrug of the neuraminidase inhibitor [3R, 4R, 5S]-4-Acetamide-5-amino-3-(1-ethylpropyl)-1-cyclohexene-1-carboxylate phosphate (Ro 64-0802), is widely used for treatment of influenza infections in Japan, but may be associated with mental instability and suicidal tendencies as a rare side effect, especially in infants and young patients. We examined developmental changes in the brain distribution of oseltamivir and Ro 64-0802, and in the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp) at the blood-brain barrier (BBB) in rats by 8 weeks. Brain concentration and Kp(,app,brain) (brain-to-plasma concentration ratio) of oseltamivir were highest in 2-week-old rats (1.45 µg/g brain and 0.14, respectively), and were negatively correlated with both age and P-gp expression at the BBB. In contrast, brain concentration and Kp(,app,brain) of Ro 64-0802 after oral gavage of oseltamivir were lowest in 2-week-old rats (0.02 µg/g brain and 0.02), and increased with age. Mass imaging analysis revealed that both compounds were distributed homogenously in brain cross-sections, including the hippocampus. From these results, it was estimated that oseltamivir concentration throughout the brain cross-sections was 70-fold and 0.9-fold higher than that of Ro 64-0802 in 2-week-old and 8-week-old rats, respectively. Such developmental changes of prodrug/drug concentration ratio, if they also occur in humans, may provide a rational basis for the putative central nervous system (CNS) side effects in young patients.

Protein kinase Cι (PKCι) is an important oncogenic K-ras effector, and its expression is correlated with tumor angiogenesis. The role of PKCι in gastric cancer remains unclear. The aim of this study was to clarify the role of PKCι in gastric cancer. Twenty-eight patients with gastric cancer who underwent gastrectomy were enrolled in this study. The expression of PKCι mRNA was determined, as were the clinicopathological factors. The patients were divided into PKCι high and low expression groups. The 5-year survival rate, ERK mRNA level and VEGF mRNA level were compared between the two groups. The prognostic factors were investigated by a multivariate analysis. High expression of PKCι was observed to be associated with a lack of differentiation, tumor invasion ≥muscularis propria≤, stage III and IV disease and peritoneal dissemination. The 5-year survival rate in the PKCι high group was lower than that in the PKCι low group. The multivariate analysis revealed that a high expression level of PKCι was an independent prognostic factor. The expression levels of ERK and VEGF in the PKCι high group were higher than those in the PKCι low group. Our results indicate that PKCι is correlated with tumor progression and angiogenesis. PKCι may be a new prognostic factor for gastric cancer.

Gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST) is the most common sarcoma of the intestinal tract. The risk category is usually determined by tumor size and mitotic count, but accurate preoperative diagnosis of GIST is very difficult. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of positron emission tomography (PET)-CT for predicting the malignant potential of gastrointestinal stromal tumors.Ten patients with GIST who underwent a preoperative PET-CT examination were divided into two groups by risk category, and various factors were compared between the two groups. The relationships between the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) and GIST parameters were examined.Patients were classified into two groups by their risk category: (low/intermediate-risk or high-risk). The SUVmax was significantly higher in the high-risk group (11.0 ± 3.04) than in the low/intermediate-risk group (2.1 ± 1.5). The Ki67 labeling index was also significantly higher in the high-risk group (8.63 ± 6.2) than in the low/intermediate-risk group (1.75 ± 0.52). There was a significant correlation between the Ki67 labeling index and the SUVmax (p = 0.028) and between the mitotic index and the SUVmax (p = 0.029).PET-CT can predict malignant potential. Cases with a SUVmax of over 5 may have malignant potential.

Background and Purpose Our aim is to investigate the diagnostic utility of diffusion weighted magnetic resonance imaging (DWI) for transient ischemic attack (TIA), not only admission but also 24 h after first study. Methods We prospectively enrolled TIA patients who were admitted within 24 h of onset. We examined trans-thoracic echocardiography, 24 h Holter electrocardiography, and carotid duplex ultrasonography in order to give the best medication. All of patients received DWI immediately after admission. At first, when we observed hyper-intense lesion considered as ischemia, additional DWI examination was not conducted. When there was no hyper-intense lesion on initial DWI study, we conducted follow-up DWI 24 h after initial examination. We defined a recurrence of ischemic event as an occurrence of symptomatic ischemic stroke or TIA at 3 months after onset. Regarding initial DWI study, we compared proportional frequency of recurrence between patients with ischemic lesion (i-positive group) and without any lesion (i-negative group), and also compared recurrence rate between patients with ischemic lesion on initial and/or follow-up studies (if-positive group) and without any lesion on both studies (if-negative group). Results We registered 100 TIA patients (men; 63, median age; 74 years, ABCD2 score Conclusions New ischemic lesions on follow up DWI appeared in approximately 20% of TIA patients who did not have ischemic lesion on initial DWI. Only initial DWI but initial and follow-up DWI was important role of predicting the recurrence of ischemic events in TIA patients.

Background: Ischemic stroke is one of causes of atherosclerotic diseases, and is closely associated with vulnerable plaque at the origin of the internal carotid artery. Several studies have shown that neovascularization in atheromatous plaque serves as a reliable maker of plaque vulnerability.Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) can demonstrate the presence of carotid intraplaque neovascularization. The aim of the present study was to investigate the histopathologic findings of enhanced carotid plaque on CEUS. Methods: We studied consecutive 18 patients (16 men, mean age 69.4 ± 6.7 years) who underwent carotid endarterectomy. Enhanced plaque was classified into two subgroups: a spotty pattern as moving bright spots within plaque ( Figure 1 A, Panel A); and a linear pattern, where enhanced lesions appeared as a line from intima into plaque ( Figure 1 B, Panel A). Sonazoid (Daiich-Sankyo, Tokyo, Japan), perflurobutane microbubbles, was used as the contrast agent. A bolus intravenous injection of Sonazoid (0.015 mL/kg body weight (0.12 μ L perflurobutane microbubble /kg body weight)) was performed via the peripheral venous line followed by a flush with 10 mL of normal saline. We investigated the association between enhanced plaque on CEUS and histopathologic findings. Results: CEUS revealed enhanced plaque in 11 (61.1%) of 18 patients. Only a spotty pattern (spotty subgroup) was observed in 5 patients, whereas both a spotty and linear pattern (linear subgroup) was observed in 6. The amount of neovascularization was larger in enhanced than in non-enhanced plaque (6.79 ± 5.17/2.5 mm 2 vs. 1.12 ± 0.90/2.5 mm 2 , P=0.001). Furthermore, the enhanced group had more macrophage aggregation (7.76 ± 3.70% vs. 4.23 ± 1.63%, P=0.030) and intraplaque hemorrhage (18.84 ± 14.88% vs. 5.52 ± 9.68%, P=0.013) compared with the non-enhanced group. Thin fibrous cap (Figure 1 B, Panel B). Conclusions: Enhanced plaque on CEUS indicates vulnerable plaque. A linear pattern of enhanced plaque indicates plaque rupture. Enhanced plaque on CEUS should become a new surrogate marker of vulnerable carotid plaque.

Background and Purpose: Diffusion-weighted imaging-Alberta Stroke Programme Early CT Score (DWI-ASPECTS) has been associated with short-term and long-term neurological recovery and outcome in acute stroke patients treated with intravenous tissue plasminogen activator (IV-tPA). However, previous reports did not analyze the DW-ASPECTS based on the presence of major arterial occlusion. We investigated whether initial DWI-ASPECTS can predict the short-term neurological recovery in acute stroke patients with the middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) treated with IV t-PA. Methods: Consecutive acute stroke patients with MCAO treated with IV t-PA within 3 hours of onset were enrolled from 2005 October to 2011 May. All patients were examined using DWI and magnetic resonance angiography on admission. Only patients with horizontal MCAO were included. Neurological deficits were assessed using National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) score on admission and day 7. On day 7, dramatic recovery (DR) was defined as a ≥10 point reduction or a total NIHSS score of 0 or 1. Good recovery (GR) was a ≥4 point reduction, excluding DR. Worsening was a ≥4 point increase. Results: Seventy-one patients (median age [quartiles]; 77 [70-83], male; 44 [62%]) were enrolled into the study. The median NIHSS score was 18 (12-22). The median DWI-ASPECTS was 4 (6-9). Median DWI-ASPECTS was 7 (6-9) in 27 patients with DR group, 5 (4-9) in 13 with GR group, and 3 (2-6) in 17 with worsening (p5 (sensitivity of 85% and specificity of 57%, area under curve [AUC] 0.692, p=0.007), and that for worsening group was 5 was significantly associated with DR (OR 9.75, 95%CI 1.41-67.67, p=0.021), and Conclusion: DWI-ASPECTS can predict the short-term outcome in acute stroke patients with MCAO treated with IV-tPA.

Background: Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) are associated with markedly higher risk of stroke and poor outcome. However, few studies have reported the detailed clinical features including patient outcome of acute intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (HD). Methods: From April 2004 to June 2011, we enrolled consecutive patients with acute ICH within 7 days onset. All patients had detailed clinical characteristics including patient outcome, blood tests, and CT scan. ICH volume was measured on admission CT and follow-up CT ( Results: 507 consecutive patients (320 males, 68.6±12.9 years old) were enrolled in the present study. 36 patients (7.2%) were receiving maintenance HD. HD group was younger (60.7±13.4 years vs. 69.2±12.7 years, P Conclusion: ICH patients on maintenance HD were independently associated with early stroke death.

Vasohibin is thought to be an important negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis that is selectively induced in endothelial cells by VEGF. Here, we assessed the role of vasohibin on HIF-1α expression under oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in HUVEC. VEGF induced significant cell growth that was associated with an increase in vasohibin expression. Following H2O2-pretreatment, VEGF further increased cell growth but this was contrastingly associated with a decrease in vasohibin expression when compared with VEGF alone. Interestingly, vasohibin inhibited cell proliferation through degradation of HIF-1α expression during H2O2-pretreatment. Furthermore, vasohibin elevated the expression of prolyl hydroxylase (PHD). These results suggest that vasohibin plays crucial roles as a negative feedback regulator of angiogenesis through HIF-1α degradation via PHD.

Cerebrovascular diseases in patients with Klippel-Trenaunay Syndrome (KTS) are uncommon, and the mechanism of stroke has remained elusive. We describe a patient with KTS who experienced a transient ischemic attack (TIA). Contrast-transcranial Doppler with the Valsalva maneuver revealed a right-to-left shunt and contrast-transesophageal echocardiography confirmed patent foramen ovale. Ultrasonography revealed dilated superficial and deep veins in the lower extremities; the D-dimer level was high and indicated hypercoagulability. Therefore, the mechanism of TIA was diagnosed as paradoxical embolism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of paradoxical embolism in a patient with KTS.

In a volunteer-based Grid, the system must be heterogeneous, and the computation capability of each node varies, and load distribution or load balancing is one of the most important issues in Grid. Some techniques have been proposed for dynamic load distribution which relocates jobs, by migrating running jobs keeping their execution states, from a high-loaded node to a lower-loaded node during execution. In this paper, we propose a dynamic load distribution between computation nodes using mobile threads which leads to lightweight, low-overhead job relocation. We present its effects using an example problem, parallel Prefix Span used in analysis of amino-acid sequences, whose computation cost is absolutely unpredictable.