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Evaporation from the forest floor (Ef) of a secondary broad-leaved forest was monitored for 1 year at 30 min intervals using a closed chamber system. The diurnal and seasonal variation of Ef and forest structure were analysed for days undisturbed by rainfall. The diurnal change in Ef reached a maximum at about 14:00 and gradually decreased towards midnight along with the vapour pressure deficit (D). Although Ef comprised about 20% of evapotranspiration from the dry canopy (Et), it had only a small influence on diurnal evaporation efficiency (β) characteristics above the canopy because its diurnal range was much smaller than that of Et. Although leaf emergence and leaf fall clearly affected available energy (Ae) beneath the canopy, the influence was not clear with Ef. In contrast, seasonal variation in Ef was strongly correlated with D and Ae above the canopy, and the determination coefficient (R2) changed with the Bowen ratio (B). At night, Et was almost equal to Ef when the friction velocity (u*) ranged between 0·2 and 0·4 m s−1. The ratio of Ef to Et was exponentially correlated with leaf area index (LAI) when the soil was not dry. The ratio of Ef to Et was mainly influenced by LAI and soil moisture, but the existence of understory vegetation did not have a strong influence. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Background and study aims: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) may lead to a successful margin-negative resection in patients with initially unresectable locally advanced Klatskin tumor (IULAKT). Use of removable plastic stents is preferable for the safe implementation of NAC in patients with IULAKT to reduce the risk of recurrent cholangitis. Our aim was to evaluate the efficacy associated with the use of plastic stents placed across the stenosis and above the papilla (above stent) during NAC. Patients and methods: In this study, we stratified the patients into two groups chronologically with respect to the period of stent placement: above stent group (n = 17) and across stent group (n = 23) (plastic stent across the sphincter of Oddi). Results: The median stent patency period was 99 days in the above stent group and 31 days in the across stent group (P

Background: MicroRNA (miRNA) molecules have been detected in many body fluids and used as biomarkers. However, blood cell-derived miRNA molecules due to hemolysis have been shown to affect the amounts of plasma miRNAs. It is important to check the quality of plasma samples for clinical applications. In the present study, an objective method for quality checking plasma samples was investigated using permitted color tone level and the absorbance at 414 nm. Material and method: An ROC analysis of the macroscopic color tone and the absorbance in 1213 clinical samples was performed. The optimal cut-off absorbance value was validated using the amount of plasma miRNA. Results: AUC for detecting hemolyzed samples was very high (0.986) at a cut-off absorbance value of 1.664. A sensitivity and specificity were 99% and 92%, respectively. For validation study, 3 candidate miRNAs were selected by a miRNA microarray between fresh and hemolyzed plasma samples; the amounts of miR-16 and miR-19b increased in hemolyzed samples, whereas that of miR-223 remained unchanged. The amounts of plasma miR-16 and miR-19b were significantly increased in 5 clinical samples with higher absorbance values (p=0.0001 and p=0.0003, respectively), while the amounts of these miRNAs were not increased in samples with lower absorbance values. Conclusions: A simple method for quality checking plasma samples using color tone and absorbance is very useful and significant.

We explored the relationship between directional variation (changes in direction from a reference point) in vegetation and wind profiles, and propose an empirical wind profile model that may reproduce the wind profile within the canopy (such as secondary wind maximum) and reduce calculation loads. Based on the results of our observations in secondary broad-leaved forest, we clarified the variation in secondary wind maximum and aerodynamic parameters in wind direction, and assessed the influence of forest structural heterogeneity on the wind profile. Wind blew from specific directions depending on the time of day and season, and secondary wind maxima were observed in particular wind directions. Outlier estimations of aerodynamic parameters were determined for wind directions of 45°, 120–210°, and 300°, and these did not show a logarithmic distribution. Our proposed model reproduced the wind profile within and above the canopy, closely resembling K-theory and closure models, and reduced the required number of calculations and observations. The influence of forest structural heterogeneity was greatest in the upper part of the canopy (9.14 m), and reproducibility of the wind profile was improved by 0.05 m/s (3.4% on average) by changing the forest structural parameters of the model according to the wind direction. It was clear that forest structural heterogeneity did not cause critical errors in estimation of the wind profile, even at our study site, which had complex forest structure.

The seaweed industry worldwide uses 7.5–8.0 million tonnes of wet seaweeds annually with a majority of it derived from cultivated farms, as the demand for seaweed based-products exceeds the supply of seaweed raw material from natural stocks. The main advantage of cultivation is that it not only obviates overexploitation of natural populations but also facilitates the selection of germplasm with desired traits. To enhance the economic prospects of seaweed cultivation, varied practices, such as simple and cost effective cultivation methods, use of select germplasm as seed stock coupled with good farm management practices, etc., are adopted. Nevertheless, in vitro cell culture techniques have also been employed as they facilitate development and propagation of genotypes of commercial importance. There are more than 85 species of seaweeds for which tissue culture aspects have been reported. Although the initial aim of these techniques focuses mostly on genetic improvement and clonal propagation of seaweeds for mariculture, recently the scope of these techniques has been extended for use in bioprocess technology for production of high value chemicals of immense importance in the pharmaceutical and nutraceutical sectors. Recently, there has been a phenomenal interest in intensifying seaweed tissue and cell culture research to maximize the add-on value of seaweed resources. This paper deals with the status of seaweed micropropagation techniques and their applications in the context of the marine biotech industry. Further, it also provides an analysis of the problems to be resolved for removing the barriers that are impeding the true realization of potentials offered by these techniques for sustainable development and utilization of seaweed resources.

Alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid isolated from Ulva fasciata showed toxic effects on red tide phytoplankters in a concentration-dependent manner. Among six species tested, raphidophycean flagellate Heterosigma akashiwo was the most susceptible to these fatty acids, and 50% lethal concentrations (LC50) of alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid were estimated to be 0.58 and 1.91 microg/ml respectively, whereas dinoflagellate Gymnodinium impudicum and Heterocapsa circularisquama were highly resistant and no significant toxic effects were observed up to 1,000 microg/ml. Both fatty acids were less toxic to fish (devil stinger), zooplankters (brine shrimp and rotifer), and mammalian cell lines (U937, HeLa, Vero, and CHO cells) than H. akashiwo.

This paper presents the observation method for the current in the surf zone where topography change is intensive, based on images taken from camera of the sea surface near the coast. To predict the current velocity, the images analysis technique proposed by Suzuki et al.(2005) has been used. The observation is carried out for the duration of one year, from January to December 2006, when the erosion process is actualized in Miyazaki coast. The result confirmed that the direction of current around Miyazaki coast is generally southward during the observation period. The short-term change of the shoreline ranges from 30 to 40m (the fluctuation is ±15-20m from the average shoreline Position).

We investigated the relationship between the development of aconite poisoning-induced arrhythmia and time of ingestion or the ingested aconite plant parts as well as the outcome of treatment for such arrhythmia for 10 patients.Three of them exhibited ventricular tachycardia (VT) and ventricular fibrillation (Vf),which are potentially fatal arrhythmias.Two of these patients ingested aconite roots in June or November,and the third patient ingested aconite leaves in April.The other seven patients did not develop any potentially fatal arrhythmias.Four of these patients ingested aconite leaves in April or May,and the remaining three patients ingested aconite roots in March,August or September.Nine of the ten patients ingested aconite leaves or roots at the same time as they gathered them.The antiarrhythmic agent lidocaine was ineffective against the VT and Vf that 3 patients developed.It was effective against the other ventricular arrhythmias with the effect differing depending on the part of the plant ingested.Effectiveness was seen for patients who had ingested leaves but not for those who had ingested roots.Our data did not show that the severity of the arrhythmia was influenced by the part of the plant ingested or the time of ingestion.They do however suggest that the effect of lidocaine was influenced by the type of arrhythmia and the part of the plant ingested and therefore should prove useful in determining the suitability of lidocaine treatment for arrhythmia due to aconite poisoning.

// Tomohiro Arita 1 , Daisuke Ichikawa 1 , Hirotaka Konishi 1 , Shuhei Komatsu 1 , Atsushi Shiozaki 1 , Shinpei Ogino 1 , Yuji Fujita 1 , Hidekazu Hiramoto 1 , Junichi Hamada 1 , Katsutoshi Shoda 1 , Toshiyuki Kosuga 1 , Hitoshi Fujiwara 1 , Kazuma Okamoto 1 , Eigo Otsuji 1 1 Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan Correspondence to: Daisuke Ichikawa, email: ichikawa@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp Keywords: gastric cancer, exosome, peritoneal metastasis, fibronectin 1, laminin gamma 1 Received: December 20, 2015 Accepted: July 18, 2016 Published: July 28, 2016 ABSTRACT Background: Peritoneal metastasis consists of a highly complex series of steps, and the details of the underlying molecular mechanism remain largely unclear. In this study, the effects of tumor-derived exosomes (TEX) on the progression of gastric cancers were investigated in peritoneal metastasis. Results: TEX were internalized in both mesothelial and gastric cancer cells in a cellular origin non-specific manner. Internalization of TEX into mesothelial cells promoted significant adhesion between mesothelial and gastric cancer cells, and TEX internalization into gastric cancer cells significantly promoted migratory ability, while internalization of mesothelial cell-derived exosomes did not. Expression of adhesion-related molecules, such as fibronectin 1 (FN1) and laminin gamma 1 (LAMC1), were increased in mesothelial cells after internalization of TEX from gastric cancer cell line and malignant pleural effusion. Methods: TEX were extracted from cell-conditioned medium by ultracentrifugation. The effects of TEX on the malignant potential of gastric cancer were investigated in adhesion, invasion, and proliferation assays. PCR array as well as western blotting were performed to determine the underlying molecular mechanisms. The molecular changes in mesothelial cell after internalization of TEX derived from malignant pleural effusion were also confirmed. Conclusions: TEX may play a critical role in the development of peritoneal metastasis of gastric cancer, which may be partially due to inducing increased expression of adhesion molecules in mesothelial cells.

We previously demonstrated the potential of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) for the amplification of detecting HER2 in patients with gastric cancer (GC). In the present study, we focused on the clinical courses of patients who developed recurrence with GC, and investigated the potential clinical utility of the ddPCR-based HER2 copy number (CN) as a marker for the temporal and/or spatial heterogeneities of GC during treatment progress. We enrolled 30 healthy volunteers and 60 patients with GC who underwent surgery, including 17 patients who developed recurrence. Using ribonuclease P RNA component H1 (RPPH1) as a reference gene, plasma HER2 to RPPH1 ratios (the HER2 ratio) were determined using ddPCR. The preoperative plasma HER2 ratio correlated with the tumor HER2 status (p

Reporting of the analytical and clinical findings of synthetic cannabinoids and cathinones is essential in carrying out a complete clinical assessment of new psychoactive substances.From 2012 to 2014, we examined synthetic cathinone and cannabinoid poisoning in six patients aged 22-42 years old. Analyses of these compounds were carried out using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.The observed clinical symptoms were similar to those reported for intoxication with synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids. In cases of intoxication with synthetic cathinones, the psychiatric and neurological symptoms were long-lasting, and these compounds were detected in serum for 15-48 h after use. Although the clinical symptoms induced by the synthetic cannabinoids disappeared within several hours after use, the range of serum concentrations of these compounds was ≤5 ng/mL for 1-3 h after use. In one fatal case, in which high serum concentrations of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids were detected, the most plausible cause of death was heart failure due to overdose with these drugs. The long-lasting symptoms induced by synthetic cathinones correlated with the long detection window in serum, whereas the early disappearance of symptoms induced by synthetic cannabinoids corresponded to the short detection window in serum.This study shows that the profiles of synthetic cathinones and cannabinoids in serum are closely related to the duration of the toxic symptoms and that concomitant use of two psychoactive drugs with different pharmacological actions may have the potential for fatal cardiotoxicity.

Some types of high-efficiency crystalline silicon PV technologies need longer time to accurately measure I-V due to the slow response caused by high-capacitance. We have already described in our previous paper ([2]) that we have developed a novel technology for I-V testers that can measure high-capacity solar cells and modules very accurate single short pulsed light. The pulsed light system has advantages over the continuous light system especially in module testing. Firstly, the system could be compact in size and far less expensive. Secondly, the maintenance is easy and its cost is far less. Thirdly, as it does not heat up the cell or the module, the temperature control is a lot easier. Our original technology (PDA: Photo and Dark Analysis technology, or KOPEL Method) needs a stable 20 50ms pulse, and makes two bidirectional sweeps while the light is on. We have already suggested a possibility in our previous paper ([6]) that we could use the method with a even high-capacitance solar cell measurement. In this paper, however, we focus on solar module measurement. If accurate measurement becomes possible for high-capacitance modules with 10ms pulse, it would be highly beneficial to the industry, for most of all the solar simulators installed in the laboratories and factories have capability to create a stable 10ms pulse, and can technology.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of barium impaction therapy for patients with colonic diverticular bleeding. METHODS: We reviewed the clinical charts of patients in whom therapeutic barium enema was performed for the control of diverticular bleeding between August 2010 and March 2012 at Yokohama Rosai Hospital. Twenty patients were included in the review, consisting of 14 men and 6 women. The median age of the patients was 73.5 years. The duration of the follow-up period ranged from 1 to 19 mo (median: 9.8 mo). Among the 20 patients were 11 patients who required the procedure for re-bleeding during hospitalization, 6 patients who required it for re-bleeding that developed after the patient left the hospital, and 3 patients who required the procedure for the prevention of re-bleeding. Barium (concentration: 150 w%/v%) was administered per the rectum, and the leading edge of the contrast medium was followed up to the cecum by fluoroscopy. After confirmation that the ascending colon and cecum were filled with barium, the enema tube was withdrawn, and the patient’s position was changed every 20 min for 3 h. RESULTS: Twelve patients remained free of re-bleeding during the follow-up period (range: 1-19 mo) after the therapeutic barium enema, including 9 men and 3 women with a median age of 72.0 years. Re-bleeding occurred in 8 patients including 5 men and 3 women with a median age of 68.5 years: 4 developed early re-bleeding, defined as re-bleeding that occurs within one week after the procedure, and the remaining 4 developed late re-bleeding. The DFI (disease-free interval) decreased 0.4 for 12 mo. Only one patient developed a complication from therapeutic barium enema (colonic perforation). CONCLUSION: Therapeutic barium enema is effective for the control of diverticular hemorrhage in cases where the active bleeding site cannot be identified by colonoscopy.

SUMMARY Ethyl methane sulfonate-induced mutagenesis techniques were used to obtain cerulenin and erythromycin resistant mutant strains, which show a marked increase of 29 and 12%, respectively, in eicosapentaenoic acid content compared to the wild type (WT) strain. The increase in eicosapentaenoic acid content in both strains correlated well with a concomitant increase in 14:0, 16:0, 16:1, 18:0 and 20:4 n − 6 content of fatty acids. However, the linoleic acid content increased only in the cerulenin resistant strain, whereas the erythromycin resistant strain was completely devoid of this fatty acid, providing a contrasting feature for further study. Partial characterization of the mutant strains based on whole cell ultrastructure, growth patterns with or without selection pressure as well as at different temperatures revealed that the mutants were more thermotolerant, and maintained their morphological and genomic fidelity, although minor changes in band patterns were noted with random amplified polymorphic DNA techniques compared to the WT strain. Therefore, the developed new strains could have wider applications as planktonic feed for the mariculture industry. Further characterization of the mutants at the molecular level revealed that steady-state mRNA transcript levels of chloroplast-localized Δ12 desaturase and stearoyl-ACP desaturase genes showed a contrasting transcript profile. However, the level of endoplasmic reticulum-localized Δ12 desaturase mRNA transcript in either of the mutant strains was almost equal to that of the WT strain. Based on this observation, we postulate that the complete loss of 18:2 fatty acid content in the erythromycin resistant strain might be a result of mutation in the chloroplast-localized Δ12 desaturase gene and that the increased content of very long chain-polyunsaturated fatty acids might result from extrachloroplastic lipid desaturase activity, a phenomenon similar to that in the majority of angiosperms.

Preparation of protoplasts and their subsequent applications for both basic and applied research of marine macroalgae remains largely under developed due to lack of development of reliable methods with consistent yields of viable protoplasts. An improved enzyme preparation with a single commercial enzyme, e.g. 2% Cellulase Onozuka R-10 in 1% NaCl solution, was developed to produce protoplasts rapidly from different green algal genera of Ulva , Enteromorpha and Monostroma . The simple dissolution of enzyme powder in 1% NaCl resulted in exclusion of 2% Macerozyme R-10 from the mixture consisting of 2% Cellulase Onozuka R-10 with 3% NaCl earlier reported as superior for the same algae. Optimal conditions for the isolation of maximum yields of viable protoplasts were found to be with 2% Cellulase Onozuka R-10 incubated at 20 °C for 2 h in 1% NaCl solution with 0.8 M mannitol adjusted to pH 6.0. The protoplast yield with optimized enzyme mixture was as high as 102.8 × 10 6 cells g − 1 f. wt for M. oxyspermum while it was in the range of 74.4–88.6 × 10 6 cells g − 1 f. wt thallus for seven species of Ulva , and 82.5–95.4 × 10 6 cells g − 1 f. wt for three species of Enteromorpha . The regeneration rate of protoplasts isolated using this method ranged from 89 to 92% with normal morphogenesis. The seeding of nylon threads with isolated protoplasts of M. oxyspermum was successful and after 3–4 weeks the entire frame with nylon threads became thick green in color with tiny germlings in laboratory culture. Thus, the method described in the present study allow for rapid mass production of viable protoplasts that could be potentially used as a source for seed material for mariculture and for other applied phycological research.

We developed a method for the determination of milnacipran in serum using a system combining liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry (LC/MS) in which electrospray ionization (ESI) was used. Milnacipran was extracted from serum by liquid-liquid extraction using an Extrelut® NT 3 column. The chromatographic separations of milnacipran and amoxapine (internal standard) were performed using a XTerra® RP 18 (150 × 2.1 mm I.D.) column with a gradient of 0.1% formic acid and 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile as the mobile phase. The extraction recoveries at concentrations of 10 and 100 ng/mL were 85.6 and 83.7%, respectively. The calibration curve was linear in a concentration range from 5 to 300 ng/mL and the detection limit was 1 ng/mL. The intra-day and inter-a day assay precision expressed as coefficients of variation (C.V.) were 1.94-2.17% and 5.75-6.20%, respectively. This method proved to be useful in quantifying milnacipran in serum obtained from a patient who took this drug.

患者は58歳の男性で, 腹痛を主訴に受診, 精査にて膵尾部の嚢胞性病変が認められた. 血中CA19-9が高値であり, またCT・血管造影より嚢胞腺癌などの膵臓の腫瘍性嚢胞が疑われた. 膵体尾部切除が施行され, その結果リンパ上皮腫と判明した. それから1年後にCA19-9の再上昇および残存膵の充実性腫瘤, および嚢胞性病変を認め内視鏡下針生検が施行された. その結果, 膵癌と診断され残存膵全摘が施行された. 膵臓のリンパ上皮嚢胞は扁平上皮に覆われる嚢胞で, 膵嚢胞としての発生はまれである. そのため, 発生機序および病的意義はいまだはっきりしていない. リンパ上皮嚢胞と膵臓の悪性腫瘍が合併した報告は著者らが調べえた範囲では本症例以外に認めない. 膵癌を併発した貴重な症例を経験したので報告する.

SUMMARY The purpose of the present paper is to clarify the effects of permeability and initial heterogeneity on the strain localization of fluid-saturated cohesive soil modelled by a strain gradient-dependent poroviscoplastic constitutive model. The effects of permeability and gradient parameters on the growth rate of the fluctuation were obtained by a linear instability analysis. Deformation behaviour of clay specimens modelled as a viscoplastic model with a second order strain gradient during shear was numerically analysed by a soil–water coupled FEM under both globally undrained and partially drained conditions. It was found that the deformation pattern and the stress–strain curve greatly depend on the permeability, the drainage conditions and the initial non-homogeneous properties. Copyright # 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

ポリプロピレン樹脂はその優れた特性が時代のニーズともよくマッチし,幅広い分野で用いられている。ポリプロピレンの高性能化には分子設計技術・成形加工技術を駆使した高次構造の制御が不可欠である。その研究の事例と今後のさらなる高性能化の可能性を紹介する。

Diarylethene derivatives having one or two chryso[b]thiophene ring(s) have been synthesized. In solution the derivatives underwent photochromism and the derivative with one chryso[b]thiophene ring exhibited photochromism even in the single crystalline phase. The color of the UV irradiated single crystal changed from blue to green by rotation the sample under polarized light.

We investigated a portable bioartificial renal tubule device (BRTD) consisting of renal tubule cells and hollow fibers, to improve the quality of life of patients. It is necessary for a BRTD system to be compact. A compact portable BRTB requires transfection of an appropriate water channel or electrical pump genes in tubular epithelial cells, which should be based on physiological similarities to human kidney function. LLC-PK(1) cells, into which rat kidney aquaporin 1 (AQP1) cDNA was stably transfected, were evaluated for water transport ability. The expression and localization of water AQP1 were examined by Western blotting, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. To measure transcellular water permeation, a simple method was applied, using phenol red as a cell-impermeant marker of concentration. In contrast to wild-type LLC-PK(1) cells, rat AQP1-transfected cells had high transcellular osmotic water permeability. The expression of rat AQP1 mRNA (ratio of AQP1 to beta-actin mRNA) and protein bands (a 28-kDa band and a broad, 35- to 45-kDa band) was confirmed to be stably maintained until a population doubling level of 24. In AQP1-transfected LLCPK(1) cells, the protein was localized mainly to the basolateral side, but also the apical side, of the plasma membrane. Wild-type LLC-PK(1) cells were not stained at the plasma membrane. It is possible that enough AQP1-transfected tubule epithelial cells were supplied for a bioartificial renal tubule device.

Nannochloropsis oculata was subjected to N-methyl-N-nitrosourea-induced mutagenesis under the selection pressure of quizalofop, a known inhibitor of acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACCase) activity with the objective of generating genetically tractable mutants with altered fatty acid metabolism. Two mutants, QUIZ1 and QUIZ2, with stable resistance to quizalofop were isolated and partially characterized. The growth properties and morphology of the mutants appeared identical with the parent strain. However thermo-tolerance was observed in the mutants. Enhanced resistance to quizalofop suggested the presence of herbicide resistant isoforms of ACCase. In vitro assays for ACCase activity showed that ACCase in the wild strains was much more sensitive to quizalofop than the mutant strains. Gas chromatographic analysis of fatty acids revealed that the mutant strains were rich in polyunsaturated fatty acids (n− 3PUFAs), as well as total fatty acid contents; this was accompanied by a concomitant increase in triacylglycerol (TAG) followed by linoleic acid (18:2), arachidonic acid (20:4 n− 6) and EPA (20:5 n− 3). These results suggest that an increased substrate pool (malonyl-CoA) (due to increased specific activity of ACCase) in the mutant strains in vivo and in vitro may have led to the increased TAG accumulation. Random mutagenesis was shown to be a good tool to manipulate PUFAs and EPA in Nannochloropsis. The strains developed will be useful in understanding fatty acid metabolism using genetic and biochemical approaches and also for their direct use in mariculture.

We investigated the crystalline morphology of isotactic polypropylene obtained by melt crystallization under carbon dioxide (CO2) at various pressures. Spherulites consisting of regularly arranged fibrils without subsidiary lamellae were obtained by crystallization under CO2 below 2 MPa, whereas large spherulites consisting of irregularly arranged fibrils with subsidiary lamellae were obtained under ambient pressure. Distorted domain crystals with uniform optical anisotropy consisting of α-form were found to be obtained under CO2 above 2 MPa, and needle crystals consisting of γ-form were obtained above 12 MPa. Transmission electron micrographs showed that straight and thick lamellae are regularly arranged in both the distorted domain crystals and the needle crystals. The uniformly thick lamellae were confirmed by differential scanning calorimetry thermograms; that is, the melting temperature is higher and the melting peak is sharper than those obtained under ambient pressure. Such characteristic crystalline morphologies obtained under CO2 may be attributed to local ordering in the melt state. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 42: 2738–2746, 2004

To understand the cause of discoloration of the sea laver "nori," which is found in the Ariake Sea, the concentrations of pigments and elements in the normal and discolored laver samples were determined. In the discolored samples, a decrease in all of the pigments, chlorophyll a and carotenoids, and proteinous pigments, phycobiliproteins, was clearly observed. This was accompanied by a decrease in the content of Fe, Zn, Mn, Cu, and P. Good correlations between these elements and chlorophyll a, as well as between these elements and phycobiliproteins, were confirmed, indicating that, in addition to the deficiency of nitrogen and phosphorus, the deficiency of trace elements (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu), which are specifically required for photosynthesis, could be a reason for the discoloration of nori. The cause of elemental deficiency is also discussed.

Primary ciliary dyskinesiaの一部分症であるKartagener症候群は内臓逆位・慢性副鼻腔炎・気管支拡張症を3主徴とする比較的まれな疾患である.気管支拡張症による喀血を繰り返した1例を経験したので報告する.症例は42歳, 女性で, 29才時副鼻腔炎手術の既往あり.3年前より喀血を認め, 内臓逆位, 気管支拡張症, 慢性気管支炎の診断で薬物療法が行われた.2年前に喀血増悪し, 気管支動脈塞栓術を2回施行した.再度多量の喀血を来たし, 外科に入院した.CT検査では完全内臓逆位, 右下葉および右舌区S5の円柱状気管支拡張・気管支壁肥厚を認めた.術中気管支鏡検査で責任病変を確認し, 右肺下葉およびS5区域切除術を施行した.術後2年6ヵ月の現在喀血の再発はなく, 経過観察中である.

A new type of surface acoustic wave (SAW) coupler has been proposed, which is composed of a cascaded group type unidirectional interdigital transducer (UDT) structure to achieve desired performances without gratings and external phase shifters. In order to confirm the performances, simulations and experiments are applied. Predictions are also verified by simulations and experiments. A linear circuit composition procedure for multiport elements is applied in order to explain the meander resistive effect. Cascade-connected ports are prepared for the meander electrode. An improved cascaded UDT structure has been proposed to achieve wideband performances. A filter with a bandwidth twice as that of the conventional one is obtained. Furthermore the structure is applied to a Ring-type filter. High sidelobe rejection and low loss performances, and the miniature chip size of the filer are observed.

術前原発性小腸癌が原因と診断しえた成人腸重積症の1例を経験したので報告する.症例は52歳の女性.平成11年9月より貧血の精査および保存的治療を受けていた.平成12年4月,貧血が悪化したため胸腹部造影CT施行し,左側腹部にmultiple concentric ring signを認め腸重積症の診断で入院となった.小腸透視・内視鏡検査および血管造影検査にて,原発性小腸腺癌による腸重積症と診断し手術を施行した.術中所見ではTreitz靱帯より約30cm肛門側の空腸が腫瘍を先進部に約10cmほど順行性に重積していた.用手整復後,所属リンパ節を含め小腸切除術を施行した.切除標本ではほぼ全周性の潰瘍浸潤型,大きさ9×5cmの腫瘍を認めた.病理組織学的には中分化型腺癌でリンパ節転移はなかった.術後2年8カ月の現在,再発の兆候なく外来経過観察中である.

極めてまれな回腸Burkittリンパ腫による成人腸重積症の1手術例を経験したので報告する. 症例は67歳の男性で, 1か月前より間欠的腹痛, 嘔気, 嘔吐および食欲不振を認め, 大腸内視鏡検査で多発性大腸ポリープ, 大腸癌の疑いと診断され当院紹介となった. 注腸検査, 腹部超音波検査, 大腸内視鏡検査で回腸結腸型腸重積症と診断し, 重積部を含めた結腸右半切除術を施行した. 病理組織学的にBurkittリンパ腫と診断され, 術後の血液検査でEpstein-Barr Virus (EBV)-Viral Capsid Antigen (VCR) IgG 320倍であった. 化学療法を施行し, 術後11か月の現在, 寛解生存中である. 本邦において成人腸重積症を合併したBurkittリンパ腫は自験例を含め5例の報告のみで, 考察を加えて報告する.

症例は72歳の女性. 胸背部痛および心窩部痛を主訴に当院救急外来へ救急車で搬送された. 胸腹部CTで胆嚢内腫瘤および胆嚢出血を疑われ緊急入院となった. 平成11年5月より本態性血小板血症の診断で近医にて内服治療中であった. 翌日の腹部エコー検査および腹部MRI検査にて胆嚢内出血と胆嚢壁の不整および軽度肥厚を認めた. 消化管内視鏡検査では胆道出血が認められた. 血液生化学検査で肝胆道系酵素の急上昇を認め, 胆道出血による血腫で胆管閉塞を来したと判断し緊急手術を施行した. 摘出した胆嚢を切開すると, 底部に腫瘍を認め同部より出血したと考えられた. 肝切離面より出血傾向を認めるため, マイクロ波による肝床部凝固とリンパ節郭清のみを行った. 胆管洗浄を行い術中造影にて胆管内の血腫が十分に除去されたことを確認した. 術後経過良好で, 術後5か月の現在も再発の兆候なく経過観察中である.

症例は82歳,男性.腹部拍動性腫瘤,食欲不振を主訴に来院.腹部USおよびCTで最大径76mmの巨大な腎動脈下腹部大動脈瘤を認めた.上部消化管精査で胃前庭部大彎に3型腫瘍,体中部前壁小彎にIIc病変を認め,胃透視後の腹部X線写真で上部直腸にapple core signを認めた.胃・直腸同時性重複進行癌を合併した腹部大動脈瘤の診断で一期的手術を施行した.手術は8×10cmの動脈瘤切除, Y型人工血管置換を先行させ,ひき続いて幽門側胃切除術を施行し,直腸癌に対してHartmann手術を一期的に施行した.術後合併症もなく49日で退院し,術後6カ月の現在再発なく生存中である.上部・下部消化管進行癌と腹部大動脈瘤に対する同時手術は人工血管感染予防に細心の注意を払えば,一期的手術が可能である.

Pythium porphyrae (Oomycota) is a microbial pathogen which causes red rot disease in the commercially cultivated red seaweed Porphyra. This disease is initiated by the motile zoospores of the fungus, which it has been suggested to recognize and process host specific signals by membrane bound receptors. Monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) were developed against the surface components of zoospores and cysts of this fungus in order to try and identify the putative receptor molecules involved in the zoospore encystment process. Screening of MAbs by immunofluorescence assays has revealed three different patterns of surface epitope binding, while labeling of zoospore and cysts components by FITC-conjugated lectins has identified different carbohydrate moieties. Of the MAbs and lectins tested, MAb 1A3 and wheat germ agglutinin have induced zoospore encystment under in vitro conditions. MAb 1A3 identified a 109 KDa band of a glycoprotein in western blot analysis which could be a putative receptor responsible for the induction of zoospore encystment.

The function of current hemodialysis as an artificial kidney is insufficient because of the lack of reabsorptive function. In this study, we intend to develop a bioartificial renal tubule cell device (RTD) using tubular epithelial cells and artificial membranes and to evaluate the reabsorptive function of the confluent layers. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were cultured on a nucleopore polycarbonate membrane for up to 4 weeks after confluence to examine the influence of the culture period on their ability to transport Na+ actively using Na+/K+ATPase (NKA). The results were (1) active Na+ transport of the cells averaged 24.8 mM/m(2) x 24 h during the initial 2 weeks after confluence and then decreased to about 4.2 mM/m(2) x 24 h during the next 2 weeks; (2) NKA localized on the basal-lateral sides of the cells during the initial 2 weeks, whereas it also localized on the apical side of the cells during the next 2 weeks; (3) long-term culture resulted in an increased number of upheaving cell mass, increased fatty droplets in the cells, and necrosis; and (4) scanning electron microscopy showed fewer microvilli 3-four weeks after confluence. It is concluded that the culture period is critical for developing RTD using cultured renal tubular epithelial cells.

Background Autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) with cyst formation (ACF) is often refractory to corticosteroid treatment (CST). Aim To determine the characteristic features for the development of ACF. Methods We studied characteristics in AIP patients (n = 116) whether any factors might be related to ACF. Additionally, an individual database of 24 patients was compiled to investigate factors included CST effectiveness. Result The results of univariate analysis for type 1 AIP patients revealed significant association of ACF with the elevation of pancreatic enzymes, peripancreas vascular involvement (PVI) and varix formation at disease onset (P < 0.05), while multivariate analysis revealed only the absence of varix formation (odds ratio = 0.033, P = 0.0015) as a significant independent predictor of the development of ACF. The comparison of the characteristic features in ACF grouped by the diameter of the cysts revealed that only the effectiveness of the CST was significantly recognized in ACF measuring less than 55 mm in diameter than that with patients in the group with smaller cysts (P < 0.05). Conclusion The varix formation is an independent predictor of the development of ACF. A pooled analysis indicated that the disease process might be irreversible in AIP patients with large cystic lesions exceeding 55 mm in diameter and those patients tended to show a refractory course even if CST were conducted.

Pythium porphyrae Takahashi et Sasaki, a facultative parasite of Porphyra spp., is the common microbial agent responsible for red rot disease of this red alga in Japan. Host infection by this species and other plant parasitic members of the Pythiaceae is initiated by motile biflagellate zoospores. Factors regulating host specificity and the initial steps involved in the infection process, consisting of attachment, encystment and appressorium formation, are not known. Zoospore encystment and appressorium formation of P. porphyrae were monitored by staining of the fungal cell walls using calcofluor. The zoospores infected only Porphyra spp. and Bangia atropurpurea (Roth) C. Agardh thalli, although they attached to, and encysted on, many other members of the Rhodophyceae (Stylonema alsidii[Zanardini] Drew, Gelidium elegans Kutzing, Pterocladiella capillacea[Gmelin] Santelices et Hommersand, Carpopeltis affinis[Harvey] Okamura, Gloiosiphonia capillaris[Hudson] Carmichael in Berkeley, Grateloupia turuturu Yamada, Callophyllis adhaerens Yamada, Gracilaria spp., Lomentaria hakodatensis Yendo, Rhodymenia intricata[Okamura] Okamura, Griffithsia subcylindrica Okamura, Wrangelia tanegana Harvey, and Polysiphonia morrowii Harvey). No attachment or encystment was observed on the red alga Kappaphycus striatum (Schmitz) Doty ex Silva in Silva et al., the brown algae Undaria pinnatifida (Harvey) Suringar, Scytosiphon sp., and Sargassum thunbergii (Mertens ex Roth) Kuntze as well as members of the Ulvaceae (green algae). Sequential extraction of carbohydrates from Porphyra yezoensis Ueda thalli and the addition of diverse monosaccharides, polysaccharides, and amino acids to zoospore suspensions indicated that encystment and appressorium formation were induced only by sulfated galactans (porphyran, commercial agar, agarose, and carrageenans). Zoospore attachment and encystment on thalli of P. yezoensis was abolished by periodate oxidation of the thallus surface and was reduced by 80–90% after enzymatic removal of sulfated galactan (porphyran). It appears that the interaction of zoospore surface receptors with sulfated galactan (porphyran) determinants on the thallus surface induced specific attachment and encystment on Porphyra spp. thalli. Zoospores encysted, germinated, and formed appressoria on sulfated galactan films and in suspensions of this carbohydrate. Attachment and encystment were induced on commercial agar and agarose films, but appressoria were not induced on agarose films. Supplementation of agarose media with both cold and hot water fractions and with porphyran from P. yezoensis–induced appressoria implicated sulfated galactans (porphyran) in appressorium formation.

Pythium porphyrae (Oomycota), a pathogen causing red rot diseasein Porphyra spp., can at present only be detected when colonizationof the host thallus has already occurred and so it is often too late to takeappropriate disease control measures. The paper presents an account of an effective methdology for early detection of the disease. Since Py.porphyrae zoospores are the primary means of pathogen dispersal,polyclonal antibodies (Pabs) were raised against the surface components ofzoospores and encysted zoospores. Using these Pabs the disease initiationstages of the Pythium porphyrae were detected on the surface of Porphyra thalli by immunofluorescence assay. The specificity of theseantibodies and the efficacy of immunofluorescence assay in the detectionof red rot disease are discussed.

We intend to develop a bioartificial kidney using tubular epithelial cells and artificial membranes, and to evaluate the reabsorptive function of the confluent layers. Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells were cultured on a nucleopore polycarbonate membrane for up to 4 weeks after confluence to examine the influence of culture period on their properties, such as the localization of Na+/K+-ATPase and active Na+ transport. The results were as follows. Ouabain-sensitive Na+ active transport declined at 3 to 4 weeks after confluence in each matrix. The localization of Na+/K+-ATPase indicated depolarization in the cell membrane 3 to 4 weeks after confluence. Prolongation of the culture period increased the formation of an upheaving cell mass after the formation of the confluent monolayer. Scanning electron microscopy revealed fewer microvilli and more flat cells after 3 to 4 weeks of confluency. We conclude that the decline of Na+ active transport in the MDCK cells was due to both the formation of multilayers and a decline of cell function throughout the long period of culture following the formation of the confluent monolayers. Further study for selection of membrane material, the extracellular matrix, and species of cells should be continued.

Advanced glycation and lipidoxidation of the peritoneal membrane: Respective roles of serum and peritoneal fluid reactive carbonyl compounds.BackgroundAdvanced glycation of proteins has been incriminated in the progressive alteration of the peritoneal membrane during chronic peritoneal dialysis (PD). Advanced glycation end products (AGEs) result from a modification of proteins by reactive carbonyl compounds (RCOs). RCOs resulting from glucose breakdown are present in commercial PD fluid. They also accumulate in uremic plasma. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the respective contribution of these two sources of RCOs in the genesis of peritoneal AGEs.MethodsThree major RCOs formed during heat sterilization of PD fluid, that is, glyoxal, methylglyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone, and total RCOs were measured in commercial PD fluid and in PD effluent. The generation of pentosidine, used as a surrogate marker for AGEs, during one-week incubations of PD fluid and effluent samples fortified with bovine serum albumin (BSA) was measured by high-performance liquid chromatography. Peritoneal samples were stained with antibodies specific for two AGEs derived from carbohydrate-dependent RCOs, Nε-(carboxymethyl)lysine (CML) and pentosidine, or for two advanced lipoxidation end products (ALEs) derived from lipid-dependent RCOs, malondialdehyde (MDA)-lysine and 4-hydroxynonenal (HNE)-protein adduct.ResultsGlyoxal, methylglyoxal, and 3-deoxyglucosone were identified in commercial PD fluid. Their levels in PD effluents decreased with dwell time probably by diffusion into blood circulation. In contrast, the levels of total RCOs were initially low in commercial PD fluid, increased in PD effluent with dwell time probably by diffusion from circulation into the peritoneal cavity, and after 12 hours, reached values observed in uremic serum. The relevance of the rise in total RCOs for AGE formation is demonstrated by a parallel increase in the generation of pentosidine during incubations of PD effluents. In contrast with RCOs present in glucose-rich PD fluid, RCOs diffusing from uremic circulation originate from both carbohydrates and lipids. Their role in the modification of peritoneal proteins is demonstrated by the immunohistochemical study of peritoneal tissue. Two AGEs and two ALEs increase in parallel in the mesothelial layers and in vascular wall of small arteries in the peritoneum.ConclusionsProtein modification of the peritoneum is determined not only by RCOs originating in PD fluid, but also by RCOs originating from the uremic circulation. The present data might be relevant to current attempts to improve PD fluid toxicity by lowering its glucose content.