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In the present study, the flow over a swept backward-facing step, at a Reynolds number (based on the step height and the free stream velocity) of 8 000 for the swept angle of 30 degrees, was investigated experimentally. Measurements were made for the mean flow field such as the surface flow direction, forward flow fraction, and mean velocity components. The flow field was examined in the regions of separation, reattachment, and following recovery to the two-dimensional flow. Lateral flows induced by the swept step significantly contribute to the variation of mean velocity profiles in the separated region. Reattachment distance of the flow over the swept step becomes about 10% shorter than that of the two-dimensional one. The mean velocity profiles collapse reasonably well on the Johnston's triangular model in the recovery region, and the profiles near the wall also collapse on the three-dimensional logarithmic law proposed by Johnston.

To examine the influence of interleukin (IL)-18 in acute pancreatitis from the points of view of the severity of the disease, presence of the complication of MODF and the prognosis, 17 patients with acute pancreatitis were enlisted. The IL-18 and TNF-α levels in the serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The levels of IL-18 were 4.3±5.3 pg/ml in the mild group, 18.7±67.1 pg/ml in the moderate group, and 269.6±2482.1 pg/ml in the severe group. The IL-18 levels increased significantly, corresponding to the severity of the disease. The group in which the complication of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) developed showed significantly higher IL-18 levels than that in which this complication did not develop. The IL-18 levels in the survivor group were 132.0±130.7 pg/ml, and those in the nonsurvivor group were 3028.6±480.8 pg/ml, the levels being significantly higher in the nonsurvivor group. Significant correlations were observed between the maximum serum IL-18 and TNF-α levels. Significant correlations were observed between the total bilirubin and IL-18 levels. The results suggest that IL-18 may be used as a good indicator of severity of acute pancreatitis and that involved in the development of liver dysfunction in acute pancreatitis.

The leakage of K(+) ions from Staphylococcus aureus in response to tea tree oil (TTO) was investigated with an ion-selective electrode. The amount of leaked K(+) ions and the rate of leakage of K(+) ions induced by TTO were dependent on the concentration of TTO. Measurements of initial rates required less time than measurements of total amounts and provided an index of the interaction between TTO and the cell membrane. Thus, the initial rate of leakage might be a more useful measure of the antibacterial activity of TTO than the total amount.

Recently, laparoscopy has been used as an effective diagnostic and therapeutic modality for traumatic injury and peritonitis. However, its clinical benefits are still under evaluation. The aim of this study was to assess the feasibility and safety of this technique, in comparison with traditional laparotomy, in the management of isolated bowel rupture. A further aim was to evaluate possible predictive clinical factors in the management of isolated bowel rupture.Patients with definite or suspected isolated gastrointestinal perforation who were hemodynamically stable underwent laparoscopic surgery for diagnosis and treatment.The traditional laparotomy control group (Group A, historical controls) included patients from a prior study. In this previous study, carried out between 1993 and 1997, 23 consecutive cases of traumatic gastrointestinal perforation were treated with traditional laparotomy. Retrospectively, 13 of these 23 cases would have been eligible for laparoscopic intervention. The laparoscopic group (group B) was made up of cases seen at our institution from 1998 to 2000. Of the 13 consecutive cases of traumatic gastrointestinal perforation, only one required immediate traditional laparotomy. Just one of the 12 cases of gastrointestinal perforation approached laparoscopically had to be converted to a traditional laparotomy. The following variables were evaluated in both groups: patient background, time from accident to onset of operation, operative time, blood loss, time to oral intake, incidence of peritoneal contamination, length of hospital stay, mortality, and intraoperative and postoperative complications. There were no statistical differences in age, gender ratio, and injury severity score (ISS). The mean operative times were 132.3 +/- 58.7 minutes and 143.6 +/- 27.3 minutes in group A and group B, respectively. The mean blood loss was 266.8 +/- 277.8 mL in group A and 57.6 +/- 57.1 mL in group B. The blood loss in group B was significantly lower (P =.0084) than that in group A. There were no significant differences in intraoperative and postoperative complications, hospital stay, and mortality between the two groups.Laparoscopic intervention offers better results in the management of patients with blunt abdominal trauma and isolated bowel rupture.

Hypercytokinemia is known to occur in severe acute pancreatitis, suggesting that the production, deposition, and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) occur actively as a result of the actions of the complicated cytokine network.To examine the influence of cytokines and growth factors on the ECM in acute pancreatitis from the points of view of the severity of the disease, the complication of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS), and the prognosis, 25 patients with acute pancreatitis were divided into three groups according to the severity of the condition as assessed by the Ranson score. The serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, the MMP-1.TIMP-1 complex, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha, and transfer growth factor (TGF)-beta1 were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Comparison of the three groups divided according to the severity of the disease revealed significant differences in the levels of MMP-1 and TNF-alpha among the three groups, with the levels being higher in patients with more severe disease. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-beta1 levels were found to be significantly lower in patients with more severe disease. Comparison between the group with the complication of MODS and the group without the complication showed that the levels of MMP-1, the MMP-1.TIMP-1 complex, and TNF-alpha were significantly higher in the former group than in the latter group. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-beta1 levels were significantly lower in the group with the complication of MODS than in the group without the complication. Comparison between the nonsurvivor group and the survivor group revealed significantly higher levels of MMP-1, TIMP-1, and TNF-alpha in the nonsurvivors than in the survivors. The TIMP-1/MMP-1 ratio and the TGF-beta1 levels were significantly higher in the survivors than in the nonsurvivors. A significant correlation was observed between MMP-1 levels and TNF-alpha levels. On the other hand, a significant negative correlation was noted between MMP-1 levels and TGF-beta1 levels.The results of our study suggest that the activity of the ECM catabolic enzyme MMP-1 and cytokines are related to the development of acute pancreatitis.

症例は67歳,女性.精神分裂病で入院中であった.平成11年12月7日より腹満・腹痛と嘔吐がみられた.腸閉塞が疑われ当科を受診した.腹部単純X線で著明な胃拡張を認めた.腹部超音波で肝内に遠肝性に移動するhigh echoic lesionを認めた.腹部CTで肝外側区域に門脈内ガス(HPVG)を認めた.上部消化管内視鏡検査で胃に多発するびらんを認めた.精神疾患に起因した摂食障害により,胃が急激に過伸展し,拡張とびらんを生じ,びらん部からガスが移行し, HPVGを形成したものと考えた.胃内容を吸引し,絶飲絶食とした.翌日の腹部超音波ではHPVGは消失していた.症状も消失したため退院した.HPVGは比較的稀な病態で,開腹術を要する予後不良の徴候と考えられてきた.しかしながら,腸管壊死を伴わない場合には必ずしも予後不良ではなく,治療方針の決定には常にHPVGの成因を推測し,不必要な開腹術を回避する必要があると思われた.

Background: While intussusception is relatively common in children, it is rare in adults. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the records of all patients older than 18 years with the diagnosis of intussusception between 1981 and 2001. Results: Eleven patients with surgically or endoscopically proven intussusception were encountered at the University-affiliated emergency center. The patients ranged in age from 19 to 88 years with a mean age of 45 years. Males predominated by a ratio of 7:4. Most patients (82%) presented with symptoms of bowel obstruction. The mean duration of symptoms was 4.5 days with a range of 4 h to 25 days. Correct pre-treatment diagnosis was made in 82% of the patients using abdominal ultrasonography and computed tomography (CT). The causes of intussusception were organic lesions in 64% of the patients, postoperative in 18% and idiopathic in 18%, respectively. 73% of patients had emergency operations, and an attempt at nonoperative reduction was performed and completed successfully in 3 patients with ileo-colic or colonic type of intussusception. There have been no cases of morbidity or mortality in our series and no recurrence has occurred up to the present time. Conclusions: Abdominal ultrasonography and CT were effective tools for the diagnosis of intussusception. Patients with ileo-colic and colonic intussusception without malignant lesions could be good candidates for nonoperative reduction prior to definitive surgery.

To investigate the mechanism of action by which farnesol functions as an antibacterial agent and inhibits Staphylococcus aureus growth, the growth rates of S. aureus cultured in farnesol versus S. aureus cultured in farnesol and supplemented with 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-CoA or mevalonate were compared. The investigation was designed to observe whether farnesol affected on the mevalonate pathway by using the intermediate metabolites of the pathway. The resulting growth curves demonstrated that mevalonate reduced the antibacterial activity of farnesol, but HMG-CoA did not inhibit farnesol. These results suggest that farnesol affects the mevalonate pathway. Moreover, farnesol inhibited HMG-CoA reductase activity in an in vitro enzymatic assay.

Few prospective studies have described the prognostic accuracy of presepsin for 28-day mortality during days 0 to 7, or its role in the diagnosis of disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC) in patients with infection.We aimed to evaluate the clinical usefulness of presepsin levels by comparing infection markers such as procalcitonin, interleukin-6 and C-reactive protein, as well as markers of DIC such as fibrin degradation products (FDPs) and D-dimer, from days 0 to 7.A prospective, multicentre, observational study.Four medical institutions between June 2010 and June 2011.A total of 191 patients who fulfilled at least one of the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) criteria were enrolled in the study.The presepsin levels were evaluated for their diagnostic accuracy in discriminating between SIRS and sepsis, the prognostic accuracy for 28-day mortality from days 0 to 7 and the diagnostic accuracy for DIC in patients with infection by comparison with other infection markers.The diagnostic accuracy for discriminating between SIRS and sepsis from combining the presepsin and procalcitonin measurements [area under the curve (AUC), 0.91; likelihood ratio, 4.96] was higher than that of presepsin (AUC, 0.89; likelihood ratio, 4.75) or procalcitonin (AUC, 0.85; likelihood ratio, 3.18) alone. Not only the correlation coefficient between the presepsin level and the sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score but also the prognostic accuracy of presepsin for 28-day mortality increased with the elapsed time, and both were highest at day 7. The diagnostic accuracy for DIC generated by combining presepsin and FDP (AUC, 0.84; likelihood ratio, 3.57) was higher than that of FDP (AUC, 0.82; likelihood ratio, 2.64) or presepsin (AUC, 0.80; likelihood ratio, 2.94) alone.The prognosis and severity of infection may be assessed more accurately by measuring the presepsin levels until day 7. Presepsin is a useful diagnostic tool for DIC with infection.

In the process (BC3F1 generation) of backcrossing an Avena isolate of Pyricularia oryzae with a Triticum isolate, color mutants with white mycelia were obtained. These white mutants lacked virulence on all (31/31) hexaploid and most (28/32) tetraploid wheat lines tested. In a BC4F1 population, white and black cultures segregated in a 1:1 ratio, suggesting that the mutant phenotype is controlled by a single gene. Furthermore, the mycelial color was perfectly linked with avirulence in the BC4F1 population; white cultures were all avirulent on common wheat (Triticum aestivum) ‘Norin 4’ (N4) whereas black cultures were all virulent. White cultures in the BC3F1 and BC4F1 generations were also avirulent on tetraploid wheat (T. dicoccoides) accession ‘KU109’ (Tat4), which was susceptible to all cultures derived from the parental wild isolates through the BC2F1 generation. A cross between Tat4 and a susceptible tetraploid (T. paleocolchicum) accession ‘KU196’ (Tat14) produced resistant and susceptible F2 seedlings in a 3:1 ratio against the white cultures. In the F3 generation homozygous resistant/segregating/homozygous susceptible lines segregated in a 1:2:1 ratio. These results suggest that the resistance of Tat4 to the white cultures is controlled by a single major gene. This gene, tentatively designated as RmgTd(t), is considered to be a hidden resistance gene because it was not detected with the Br58, F1, BC1F1, or BC2F1 cultures. Cytological analysis revealed that the moderate resistance controlled by RmgTd(t) was associated with a hypersensitive reaction of mesophyll cells.

Here we report the genetic analyses of histone lysine methyltransferase (KMT) genes in the phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. Eight putative M. oryzae KMT genes were targeted for gene disruption by homologous recombination. Phenotypic assays revealed that the eight KMTs were involved in various infection processes at varying degrees. Moset1 disruptants (Δmoset1) impaired in histone H3 lysine 4 methylation (H3K4me) showed the most severe defects in infection-related morphogenesis, including conidiation and appressorium formation. Consequently, Δmoset1 lost pathogenicity on wheat host plants, thus indicating that H3K4me is an important epigenetic mark for infection-related gene expression in M. oryzae. Interestingly, appressorium formation was greatly restored in the Δmoset1 mutants by exogenous addition of cAMP or of the cutin monomer, 16-hydroxypalmitic acid. The Δmoset1 mutants were still infectious on the super-susceptible barley cultivar Nigrate. These results suggested that MoSET1 plays roles in various aspects of infection, including signal perception and overcoming host-specific resistance. However, since Δmoset1 was also impaired in vegetative growth, the impact of MoSET1 on gene regulation was not infection specific. ChIP-seq analysis of H3K4 di- and tri-methylation (H3K4me2/me3) and MoSET1 protein during infection-related morphogenesis, together with RNA-seq analysis of the Δmoset1 mutant, led to the following conclusions: 1) Approximately 5% of M. oryzae genes showed significant changes in H3K4-me2 or -me3 abundance during infection-related morphogenesis. 2) In general, H3K4-me2 and -me3 abundance was positively associated with active transcription. 3) Lack of MoSET1 methyltransferase, however, resulted in up-regulation of a significant portion of the M. oryzae genes in the vegetative mycelia (1,491 genes), and during infection-related morphogenesis (1,385 genes), indicating that MoSET1 has a role in gene repression either directly or more likely indirectly. 4) Among the 4,077 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between mycelia and germination tubes, 1,201 and 882 genes were up- and down-regulated, respectively, in a Moset1-dependent manner. 5) The Moset1-dependent DEGs were enriched in several gene categories such as signal transduction, transport, RNA processing, and translation., Author Summary This paper provides two major contributions to the field of genetics. First, we systematically studied the biological roles of eight histone lysine methyltransferase (KMT) genes in the phytopathogenic fungus Magnaporthe oryzae. We investigated their roles, especially focusing on their involvement in infection-related morphogenesis and pathogenicity. The results showed that the eight KMTs were involved in various infection processes to varying degrees, and that MoSET1, one of the KMTs catalyzing methylation at histone H3 lysine 4 (H3K4), had the largest impact on the pathogenicity of the fungus. Second, we focused on the role of MoSET1 in global gene regulation. H3K4 methylation is generally believed to be an epigenetic mark for gene activation in higher eukaryotes. However, in Saccharomyces cerevisiae, SET1 was originally characterized as being required for transcriptional silencing of silent mating-type loci. We addressed this apparent discrepancy by examining genome-wide gene expression and H3K4 methylation during infection-related morphogenesis in M. oryzae. RNA-seq analysis of a MoSET1 deletion mutant revealed that MoSET1 was indeed required for proper gene activation and repression. ChIP-seq analyses of H3K4 methylation and MoSET1 suggested that MoSET1 could directly play a role in gene activation while MoSET1-dependent gene repression may be caused by indirect effects.

Photoactive drugs selectively accumulate in malignant tissue specimens and cause drug-induced fluorescence. Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) and fluorescence can distinguish normal from malignant tissue. From May 2012 to September 2013, a total of 70 patients underwent hepatic resections using 5-ALA-mediated PDD for liver tumors at our hospital. 5-ALA fluorescence was detected in all hepatocellular carcinoma cases with serosa invasion. In liver metastasis from colorectal cancer cases with serosa invasion, 18 patients (85.7 %) were detected, and three patients (14.2 %) whose tumors showed complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy showed no fluorescence. Both superficial and deep malignant liver tumors were detected with 92.5 % sensitivity. Using 5-ALA-mediated PDD, tumors remaining at the cut surface and postoperative bile leakage were less frequent than in our previous hepatic resections using conventional white-light observation. Moreover, all malignant liver tumors were completely removed with a clear microscopic margin using 5-ALA, with a significant difference in resection margin width between 5-ALA-mediated PDD (6.7 ± 6.9 mm) and white-light observation (9.2 ± 7.0 mm; p = 0.0083). With the detection of malignant liver tumors, residual tumor and bile leakage at the cut surface of the remnant liver were improved by PDD with 5-ALA. This procedure may provide greater sensitivity than the conventional procedure. Furthermore, 5-ALA-mediated PDD can ensure histological clearance regardless of the resection margin and preserve as much liver parenchyma as possible in patients with impaired liver function.

The effects of cilostamide, a cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 3 (PDE3) selective inhibitor, on vascular intimal hyperplasia were evaluated using a single-balloon injury model and a double-injury model in which the rat common carotid artery was subjected to a second injury at a site injured 14 days previously. In the double-injury model, the second balloon injury caused more severe intimal hyperplasia (intima/media (IM) ratio, 1.88+/-0.10) than in the single-injury model (1.09+/-0.08). Histopathological study revealed that vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) were the predominant cell-type in the affected neointimal area. Oral administration of cilostamide for 2 weeks after the second injury suppressed intimal hyperplasia in the double-injury model (30 mg kg(-1) bid, 83% inhibition in terms of the IM ratio, P

千葉県銚子地区小型底曳網漁業において, 2つの袋網を上下に重ねた2階式袋網と下部袋網前方に配した仕切網による構造の漁獲物分離装置の開発試験を行った。仕切網には一脚長43.5mmおよび55.0mm角目網とポリエチレン製枠に取り付けた24.6×49.8mmと24.6×101.8mm網目の矩形網地の4種類を用いた。試験では混獲生物を含む魚類を上部袋網へ, 小型エビ類を下部袋網へそれぞれ分離することを目標とした。Newtonの分級効率は, 24.6×101.8mmの矩形網地を用いた分離装置で最も高く, 0.31を示した。しかし, 小型エビ類の35%が上部袋網へと排除され実用性には乏しかった。これらの分離装置は漁獲物へのサイズ選択性をもち, 体長の大きな個体ほど上部袋網に分離される傾向が認められた。

Silver loaded zeolite (Ag-Z) was previously found to have effective bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli. To understand the mechanisms of bactericidal activity of Ag-Z, role of light irradiation was focused and investigated in this study. In this study, we focused on light irradiation. Antibacterial assay and spectroscopic study revealed that light irradiation enabled Ag-Z to reduce dioxygen to form a reactive oxygen species, which led to bactericidal activity. These results indicate that the onset of bactericidal activity can be controlled by light irradiation.

The fishing reports of one trawler from 1989 to 1994 covering 4499 hauls were analyzed to understand the catch characteristics of distant water small trawl operating in the Russian EEZ. Among 11 market categories of catch species, the sum of six categories reached 91.2% of the total catch. The catch composition of each haul was observed to have the wide range of multi-species, where the hauls of the single category exceeded 50% in catch weight ranged from 41.2% to 74.6% of the number of hauls according to the season and fishing grounds. Hauls exceeding 90% in catch weight by single category were likely to be observed in hauls which caught atka mackerel in Kuril Islands water in summer. In contrast, flatfish, Pacific cod and bighand thornyhead showed a lower catch percentage weight regardless of the season and fishing grounds even though they were major target categories in this fishery. Walleye pollock, a highly priority category, was often caught together with Pacific cod, flatfish, and sculpins. These differences in categories for the predominance tendency in catch composition could be explained from time/space distributions for each species as well as the operational strategy for such as towing durations.

The intercalation of layered inorganic materials, synthetic mica (TSM), with drugs and their drug release characteristics were investigated using intermediate intercalation compounds with phosphatidylcholine (H-PC). Oil-soluble indomethacin and water-soluble imipramine chloride were selected as model drugs. The drug intercalation compounds were prepared by two methods. The first one was the "solvent method" in which the intermediate intercalation compound of TSM with H-PC was prepared in advance using a chloroform solution of H-PC. The intermediate was then mixed with a drug and heated at 180°C to prepare the ternary TSM/H-PC/drug compound. The second one was the "heating method" in which the mixture of (TSM+H-PC+drug) was heated at 180°C to prepare TSM/H-PC/drug directly. The release rate was controlled using a disintegrator (L-HPC). In the case of a tablet sample, the release rate indomethacin was controllable from 60 min (10% L-HPC) to longer than 420 min (3% L-HPC) in the case of the solvent method. A similar result was obtained in the case of imipramine chloride.

The origin of the superimposed emissions in the green photoluminescence (PL) spectra of ZnO:Pr powders is discussed by comparing the PL excitation and photoacoustic (PA) spectra of ZnO:RE (Pr, Nd, and Ho) powders prepared by the evacuated sealed silica glass method. Assuming that the superimposed emissions are related to the shorter-wavelength-side light absorption of Pr3+, the absorption of Pr3+ is caused by the nonradiative recombination of excitons localized and delocalized at Pr3+ in the vicinity of the grain boudary and ZnO matrix.

Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty is an acceptable procedure for insufficient hemodialysis fistula flow, but the factors affecting the patency after angioplasty remain to be clarified. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was performed 29 times in 24 patients undergoing hemodialysis who had insufficient blood flow arising from stenosis in the venous limb of the arterio-venous fistula. We retrospectively investigated factors affecting patency of stenotic lesions after the angioplastic procedure. Cumulative patency rate after angioplasty in all patients, by using Kaplan-Meier's plot, amounted to 58% at 1 year and 54% at 2 years. Analysis by the Cox proportional hazard model showed that length of the stenotic lesions was the only significant factor for patency. The 1-year patency rate after percutaneous transluminal angioplasty was identified as 81% when original stenosis length had been less than 1 cm, 42% when stenosis length had been between 1 and 2 cm, and 16% when stenosis length had exceeded 2 cm. Short venous stenotic lesions in hemodialysis fistulas can be treated successfully with percutaneous transluminal angioplasty.

Square mesh codend selectivity experiments for walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma were carried out along the Pacific coast of the Kuril Islands and off Miyagi, Tohoku. Selection curves varied by differences in body shape. Catches taken off Miyagi tended to retain smaller individuals when compared with catches using the same codend mesh size off the Kuril Islands. A detailed investigation of the total length-body girth relationship showed that there were significant differences in the maximum body girth of walleye pollock for fish of the same length. It was also observed that when the catch of fish in the selection range was relatively small, the selection curve tended to be sharp. The selection master curve was expressed in terms of the retention ratio of the codend to the body girth (G) and mesh perimeter (P) ratio (G/P). From these findings, it is suggested that selectivity research should include investigations of changes in the target body shape in the fishing grounds.

Discrepanies between the central point of the ankle joint and the medial one-third of the tibial tubercle were evaluted using computed tomography (CT) to assess the reliability of landmarks which were used to decide the rotationally neutral position of the tibial component in total knee arthroplasty (TKA).Twenty-seven noamal knees and 23 knees with osteoarthritis were tested. CT scans were taken at the level of the femoral epicondyles, at the tibial tubercle and at the malleoli of the ankle joint with the knee fully extended. Three slices were superimposed and the central point of the medial and lateral femoral epicondyle was defined as the fiducial point. The angle between a line which was drawn perpendicular to the medial and lateral malleolar line and a line which was drawn from the central point of the patellar ligament to the fiducial point was measured. This angle represented the discrepancy between the tibial tubercle and the center of the ankle joint.The average angle of the discrepancy was 3.8°, which meant that the medial one-third of the tibial tubercle and the central point of the ankle joint were positioned in the central line of the tibial shaft. However, the discrepancy was more than 15° in 5 knees (10%), which meant that the landmarks were not reliable in some cases.Anatomic variations of the tibia should be evaluated before TKA, and operative procedures should be modified according the anatomic variations because a malrotated tibial component significantly affects the femoro-tibial and patello-femoral joints.

An elderly man in his 70s presented with pain in the right hypochondrium. Computed tomography revealed thickening of the gall bladder wall and liver invasion. In addition, fluorine-18-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (FDG-PET) revealed an abnormal accumulation in the gall bladder, leading to a suspicion of gall bladder carcinoma. To confirm the diagnosis, endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration was performed, which revealed a diagnosis of xanthogranulomatous cholecystitis (XGC). FDG-PET revealed decreased wall thickness and standardized uptake value a month later. Cholecystectomy was performed on the basis of a histological and clinical diagnosis of XGC. Histological examination revealed inflammatory and foamy cells and exuberant granulation of the gall bladder wall, confirming XGC.

Laparoscopic liver resection is currently performed in an increasing number of institutions as a minimally invasive treatment. However, no randomized controlled trials have compared laparoscopic and open liver resections. Twenty-three laparoscopic and 24 open liver resections for colorectal cancer liver metastases (CRCLM) were performed, and these data for both were retrospectively compared in the short-term results. The estimated blood loss was 99 ± 207 mL in the laparoscopic group and 397 ± 381 mL in the open group ( P = 0.0018); blood loss was significantly higher in the open group. There were no differences in the surgical procedure, blood loss, transfusion rate, pathological margins, postoperative complications, 30-day mortality, duration of intravenous drip, or hospital stay. On postoperative courses, the values of total bilirubin, white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein were significantly lower in the laparoscopic group. The data of the present series suggest the lesser invasiveness and safety of laparoscopic liver resection even for patients with CRCLM, and they showed that postoperative laboratory tests were better after laparoscopy than after the traditional open approach with better short-term results. Tumor diameter less than 5 cm appears to be the appropriate indication for laparoscopic liver resection for CRCLM.

A 73-year-old man presented with melena. After a thorough workup including esophageal endoscopy, computed tomography scans, and esophagography, the diagnosis of secondary aortoesophageal fistula was made. Two years previously, he had undergone endovascular stent-graft repair for the dissection of his descending thoracic aorta. Because of the generally poor condition of the patient and the high risk of any aggressive surgical intervention, we inserted a covered self-expanding esophageal stent on postadmission day 18. Esophagography after insertion did not show any evidence of a leak of contrast medium. Despite treatment with antibiotics, he developed sepsis and expired on day 52, but rebleeding did not occur in this period. We consider insertion of a covered self-expanding esophageal stent as a feasible option in the management of secondary aortoesophageal fistula in high-risk patients.

As a method for the diagnosis of sepsis, we previously reported an ELISA method for measuring the serum levels of presepsin. That method, however, took approximately 2 hours to yield results.

Serum nitrite/nitrate (NOx) levels in the early phase of septic acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) have recently been reported to possibly play a key role in pathogenesis of ALI/ARDS.

Socio-communicative impairments are salient features of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) from a young age. The anterior prefrontal cortex (aPFC), or Brodmann area 10, is a key processing area for social function, and atypical development of this area is thought to play a role in the social deficits in ASD. It is important to understand these brain functions in developing children with ASD. However, these brain functions have not yet been well described under conscious conditions in young children with ASD. In the present study, we focused on the brain hemodynamic functional connectivity between the right and the left aPFC in children with ASD and typically developing (TD) children and investigated whether there was a correlation between this connectivity and social ability. Brain hemodynamic fluctuations were measured non-invasively by near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) in 3- to 7-year-old children with ASD (n = 15) and gender- and age-matched TD children (n = 15). The functional connectivity between the right and the left aPFC was assessed by measuring the coherence for low-frequency spontaneous fluctuations (0.01 – 0.10 Hz) during a narrated picture-card show. Coherence analysis demonstrated that children with ASD had a significantly higher inter-hemispheric connectivity with 0.02-Hz fluctuations, whereas a power analysis did not demonstrate significant differences between the two groups in terms of low frequency fluctuations (0.01 – 0.10 Hz). This aberrant higher connectivity in children with ASD was positively correlated with the severity of social deficit, as scored with the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule. This is the first study to demonstrate aberrant brain functional connectivity between the right and the left aPFC under conscious conditions in young children with ASD.

Fisheries management policy to increase escapement of non-target species and sizes of fish from fishing gears is generally based on the assumption that injury and stress received during the capture-escape process do not result in a significant level of mortality after escape. However, there has been little research to validate this assumption. To investigate the stress response and mortality associated with capture-escape trauma, a series of comparative experiments were carried out using red sea bream Pagrus major captured by hook and line and trammel net. Cortisol levels in fish captured by hook and line were measured as an index of the stress associated with capture duration using commercially available plasma Cortisol RIA kits. Plasma cortisol levels of resting fish (12.21 ng ml−1, n = 12) were significantly lower than those for all fish captured. In hook and line caught fish, stress increased as capture duration was increased from 10 min to 3 h. Stress levels for capture periods of 6, 9, 12 and 18 h were lower than those for 1 and 3 h but above 10 min capture time and resting values. Fish behaviour during capture included initial flight response, successive struggles of decreasing magnitude, reverse swimming and finning to maintain position. Struggle activity reduced as time of capture increased. No mortalities occurred during capture or 38 days of post release monitoring. On the other hand, stress levels of fish after 10 min, 1.5, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 h captured by trammel net were significantly higher than resting fish and continued to rise with capture duration. Forty four percent of all fish captured by trammel net died, of which 28% occurred in the net in fish whose gill cover was held closed by the small mesh netting. Five percent of the fish died within 48 h post release and 11% were delayed mortalities between 8–18 days post release in fish with severe open wounds. No mortalities occurred between 19–38 days post release. We suggest that hook and line caught fish are able to exhibit an adaptive response to capture, in which a cessation of struggling resulted in the captured fish regaining their normal swimming position and allowed the fish to recover from struggling which reduces the probability of mortality. Adaptive behaviour was not possible in fish caught by trammel net in which the degree of entanglement remained constant or increased with capture duration. Ceasing or continuing to struggle did not reduce the degree of entanglement or reduce the constriction of netting around the fish body and gills. These results show that fish stress during capture may vary by gear type and that mortalities may be immediate or delayed after release from the fishing gear. Stress and injury incurred during encounter and subsequent escape may result in an unaccounted level of fishing mortality.

Cubic tantalic acid (C-TaA) was synthesized by Li + H + ion exchange reaction with a 3 M (mol dm−3) sulfuric acid solution from LiTaO3. The LiTaO3 reactant was obtained by heating a mixture of Li2CO3 and Ta2O5 with molar ratio of 1:1 at 700, 800, and 900 °C. The X-ray diffraction pattern of C-TaA was indexed as cubic (space group Im3), with the lattice constant a0 = 7.75 – 7.62 A. The C-TaA product showed an exchange reaction equivalent to one proton per one Li+ in a mixed solution of lithium nitrate and lithium hydroxide. The pH titration curves of C-TaA on the Li + H + exchange system indicated a weak monobasic acid. C-TaA showed high uptake for lithium ions, whereas no appreciable amount of uptake was observed for other alkali metal ions in the range studied of pH 4–12. An extremely high selectivity was found for lithium ions, and the separation factor (a) of lithium ion to other alkali metal ions was higher than 103.

Ion exchange reaction of lithium ions on cubic tantalic acid (C-TaA) was studied on the basis of pH titration curve for Li+ at 30, 45 and 60°C. The selectivity coefficients were plotted against equivalent fraction of lithium ions in the exchanger at a given temperature, which refers to the Kielland plot The selectivity coefficient on C-TaA was independent of the equivalent fraction of lithium ions in the exchanger up to a certain point and then decreased rapidly due to a phase transition. The results indicate that the reaction was preceded by an ion exchange mechanism for early stage and then phase transition to the hexagonal system.

The discarding of non-target species and sizes of fish by commercial fishing vessels is a common practice in many fisheries around the world. Efforts to reduce discarding in North Sea fisheries were initiated over 100 years ago, and were the precursor to development of mesh-selectivity research for many European countries. In most cases mechanical selection through fishing gear modifications has been carried out without research into the survival of fish after escape. In recent years, research into fish mortality after escape has shown that mortalities vary by gear type and species, may be immediate or delayed, and may be due to injuries or stressors associated with capture—escape trauma. Based on this information, a general model of fishing mortality has been developed. Measuring the level of catch, discards and escape mortality associated with each gear type may be one index for assessing the conservation aspects of fishing gears, and may lead to more realistic estimates of induced fishing mortality.

The design of the Ortholoc Total Knee System has changed 4 times since 1984. In this study, biomechanical studies which supported the design change are summarized. In 1989, the Ortholoc 3 was developed. The most important part of the design of this femoral component was the recessed patellar groove. In 1990, a biomechanical study was performed to get a large flexion angle for Japanese patients and the posterior flange of the femoral component was shortened. Other designs and operative techniques are established.However, antomical variation of the lower extremity has not been considered in the biomechanical studies. Clinically, a preoperative evaluation of each patient is important to minimize failures.

Mesh selectivity experiments were carried out using single and double codends in order to reduce the capture of small sizes of fish by northern trawlers in the Pacific coast of the Kuril Islands in September 1991. The mesh selectivity of the single codend was compared with that of the double codend commonly used in the experimental area. The estimated selection curves indicate the double codend has a for lower mesh selectivity for Walleye pollack and flounders than the single codend. It is suggested from underwater observations by video camera that the overlapped meshes decrease the mesh area, resulting in the low efficiency of mesh selection. From the results obtained the single codend of the presently employed mesh size is desirable to release undersized fish.

Computerized three-dimensional images derived from coronal CT scan series of 10 adult skulls from Macaca fuscata of both sexes served to evaluate the paranasal sinuses. The maxillary sinus was found as the only paranasal sinus of the Japanese macaque. The hemispherical or kidney shaped maxillary sinus was almost restricted to the body of the maxilla. The maxillary sinus volume amounted to 0.88cm3, with a bigger sinus in male than in female skulls. A regression analysis between the skull length and the maxillary sinus volume in the Japanese macaque and the same data of adult humans and great apes (Koppe and Schumacher, 1990) was carried out. Whereas close relations between these measurements were found in the hominoids, this relation was very weak in the Japanese macaque, suggesting that the primate maxillary sinus can't be explained solely by structural role.

Twelve parameters of the knee were evaluated using computed tomography to analyze possible etiological mechanisms leading to patello-femoral arthritis (PF-OA).Sixteen normal knees and 14 knees with PF-OA were tested. CT scans were taken at the level of the femoral epicondyles, the tibial tubercle and the malleoli of the ankle joint at full extension and 30° of flexion. The slices were superimposed and three parameters; tibial tubercle rotation angle (TT angle), malleolar line rotation angle (ML angle) and tibial tubercle and lateral condyle angle (TT-LC angle) were measured with the central point of the medial and lateral epicondyle line as the fiducial point. Differences in each parameter between full extension and 30° of flexion were also evaluated as dynamic factors. Three other parameters, Lateral condyle rotation angle (LC angle), Lateral and medial condyle angle (LC-MC angle) and Lateral condyle and patellar groove angle (LC-S) were also measured to evaluate the anatomical configuration.The position of the tibial tubercle at full extension relative to the femoral condyle was almost the same in both groups. The results, however, demonstrated that, in the PF-OA knee, the tibial tubercle stayed more lateral compared with the normal knee at 30° of flexion. It is obvious that the tibial tubercle exists laterally in knee flexion and the patella impinges against the lateral femoral condyle in knee flexion, which will cause PF-OA.

The introduction of Ag + ions into ZSM-5 zeolites appreciably enhances the selectivity for aromatic hydrocarbons in the conversion of methanol. Thus, the yield of aromatics over H-ZSM-5 and Ag-ZSM-5 was 43% and 80%, respectively, at 750 K. The distribution of aromatics over Ag-ZSM-5 at 750 K was 3, 12, 36 and 12% for benzene, toluene, xylenes plus ethylbenzene and C 10 +, respectively. It is concluded that Ag + ions have a capability of efficiently converting alkene intermediates into aromatic hydrocarbons.

Background Magnaporthe oryzae (anamorph Pyricularia oryzae) is the causal agent of blast disease of Poaceae crops and their wild relatives. To understand the genetic mechanisms that drive host specialization of M. oryzae, we carried out whole genome resequencing of four M. oryzae isolates from rice (Oryza sativa), one from foxtail millet (Setaria italica), three from wild foxtail millet S. viridis, and one isolate each from finger millet (Eleusine coracana), wheat (Triticum aestivum) and oat (Avena sativa), in addition to an isolate of a sister species M. grisea, that infects the wild grass Digitaria sanguinalis. Results Whole genome sequence comparison confirmed that M. oryzae Oryza and Setaria isolates form a monophyletic and close to another monophyletic group consisting of isolates from Triticum and Avena. This supports previous phylogenetic analysis based on a small number of genes and molecular markers. When comparing the host specific subgroups, 1.2–3.5 % of genes showed presence/absence polymorphisms and 0–6.5 % showed an excess of non-synonymous substitutions. Most of these genes encoded proteins whose functional domains are present in multiple copies in each genome. Therefore, the deleterious effects of these mutations could potentially be compensated by functional redundancy. Unlike the accumulation of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitutions, gene loss appeared to be independent of divergence time. Interestingly, the loss and gain of genes in pathogens from the Oryza and Setaria infecting lineages occurred more frequently when compared to those infecting Triticum and Avena even though the genetic distance between Oryza and Setaria lineages was smaller than that between Triticum and Avena lineages. In addition, genes showing gain/loss and nucleotide polymorphisms are linked to transposable elements highlighting the relationship between genome position and gene evolution in this pathogen species. Conclusion Our comparative genomics analyses of host-specific M. oryzae isolates revealed gain and loss of genes as a major evolutionary mechanism driving specialization to Oryza and Setaria. Transposable elements appear to facilitate gene evolution possibly by enhancing chromosomal rearrangements and other forms of genetic variation. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12864-016-2690-6) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The 1H magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (1H MAS NMR) spectra of acidic (bridging) hydroxyl (OH) groups on H-ZSM-5 zeolites were measured from room temperature to 373 K. The signal broadens with increasing temperature, indicating that the delocalization of the protons occurs at a temperature as low as 313 K. The broadening phenomena are less pronounced for H-ZSM-5 with higher Si Al ratios, indicating that the proton migration occurs more easily in H-ZSM-5 with higher aluminium concentrations. On the other hand, the linewidth of the signal due to protons of the non-acidic silanol groups does not depend on the temperature. The temperature dependence of the linewidths was also observed for 1H MAS NMR spectra of mordenite and Y zeolite.

We evaluated anatomical variations of the tibia measuring two indices. The first index was the difference between the central line of the tibial shaft and the center of the proximal tibia. The second index was the difference between the tibial tubercle rotational angle and the malleolar line angle relative to the most posterior edge of teh medial and lateral femoral condyle. In total knee arthropalsty, variations may affect the rotational and/or varus/valgus position of the tibial component, especially when the proximal tibia is cut with a posterior slope. It is recommended that the operative technique be modified according to the variation of the tibial configuration.