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Purpose: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) often recurs early after radical resection, which causes a poor prognosis. This study aimed to establish a scoring model to assess the optimal treatment in patients who underwent surgery for PDAC. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 127 patients who underwent radical resection for PDAC between 2005 and 2021. Early recurrence (ER) was defined as recurrence within 12 months after resection. The predictive effect for ER was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of preoperative parameters. Results: ER occurred in 43 (33.9%) patients. The ER group had a significantly worse prognosis than the non-ER group (p < 0.0001). The carbohydrate antigen 19-9 (CA19-9) level and lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) were the strongest diagnostic factors (areas under the ROC curves: 0.74 and 0.68, respectively). The ER prediction score was calculated using optimal cutoff values. A higher CA19-9-LMR score was associated with a worse prognosis in terms of the overall and recurrence-free survival (p = 0.0017 and p < 0.0001, respectively). A multivariate analysis identified a high CA19-9-LMR score as an independent predictor of ER. Conclusions: The CA19-9-LMR scoring model can predict ER after surgery and is applicable for risk stratification in the assessment of patients with resectable PDAC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although tapered-wedge short stem has been widely employed with its availability for minimally invasive surgeries in total hip arthroplasty (THA), post-operative stress shielding matter remains unresolved in cementless procedures. This study aimed to clarify the most optimal femoral canal contact regions of the stem design taking stress shielding incidence into consideration. This investigation included 60 joints from 60 patients (mean age at operation: 65.9 years), of which follow-up duration after primary THA had been more than 2 years. Frequencies of spot welds, subsidence, and stress shielding were examined 2 years after surgery. The most suitable femoral canal contact regions were evaluated by plain radiograph (2D) and 3D-computed tomography analyses according to Nakata's division for fitting manners. Spot welds were observed in 38 cases (63.3%), and no subsidence case was seen. Respective number of stress shielding cases, based on Engh's classification, categorized as degree 0, 1, and 2, were 2 (3.3%), 31 (51.7%), and 27 (45.0%), while no cases for degree 3 or 4 were found. When assessed by 3D fitting analysis, 27 cases of stress shielding degree 2 were constituted by 13/42 cases of mediolateral (ML) fit, 2/4 cases of flare fit, and 12/14 cases of multi point fit. In 42 cases of ML fitting, stem contact rate of the most proximedial region in stress shielding degree 0 and 1 was significantly higher compared to stress shielding degree 2 cases. Meanwhile, the rates of distal regions were significantly lower or absent in stress shielding degree 0 and 1 cases. The initial fixation of this stem design was very good in our cohort regardless of fitting manners. This study successfully revealed that ML fitting with femoral component, especially the most proximedial calcar site restricted fitting, would be optimal for reducing stress shielding occurrence in cementless short, tapered-wedge stem THA. Thus, the ideal stem contact region should be considered during THA procedures in light of the reduction of stress shielding development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Irregular regeneration or inappropriate remodeling of the axons of the primary afferent neurons after peripheral nerve trauma could be associated with the development of neuropathic pain. We analyzed the molecular mechanisms for the neuritogenesis and neurite outgrowth caused by prostaglandin E 2 (PGE 2) in mouse dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons, and evaluated their opioid modulation. PGE 2 in combination with IBMX, a phosphodiesterase inhibitor, caused neuritogenesis/neurite outgrowth in DRG cells, an effect abolished by a prostanoid EP 4 , but not EP 2 , receptor antagonist, and inhibitors of adenylyl cyclase or protein kinase A (PKA). Blockers of T-type Ca2+ channels (T-channels), that are responsible for window currents involving the sustained low-level Ca2+ entry at voltages near the resting membrane potentials and can be functionally upregulated by PKA, inhibited the neuritogenesis/neurite outgrowth caused by PGE 2 /IBMX or dibutylyl cyclic AMP, a PKA activator, in DRG neurons, an inhibitory effect mimicked by ZnCl 2 and ascorbic acid that block Ca v 3.2, but not Ca v 3.1 or Ca v 3.3, T-channels. Morphine and DAMGO, μ-opioid receptor (MOR) agonists, suppressed the neuritogenesis and/or neurite outgrowth induced by PGE 2 /IBMX in DRG neurons and also DRG neuron-like ND7/23 cells, an effect reversed by naloxone or β-funaltrexamine, a selective MOR antagonist. Our data suggest that the EP 4 receptor/PKA/Ca v 3.2 pathway is involved in the PGE 2 -induced neuritogenesis/neurite outgrowth in DRG neurons, which can be suppressed by MOR stimulation. We propose that MOR agonists including morphine in the early phase after peripheral nerve trauma might delay the axonal regeneration of the primary afferent neurons but prevent the development of neuropathic pain. [Display omitted] • PGE 2 causes neuritogenesis and neurite outgrowth in mouse DRG neurons. • The effect of PGE 2 is mediated by the EP 4 receptor/PKA/Ca v 3.2 channel pathway. • The effect of PGE 2 is reduced by μ-opioid receptor agonists. • Opioids modulate axonal regeneration or remodeling after sensory nerve trauma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Posthepatectomy liver failure (PHLF) is a life-threatening complication following hepatic resection. The aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) is a non-invasive model for assessing the liver functional reserve in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study aimed to establish a scoring model to stratify patients with HCC at risk for PHLF. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included 451 patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC between 2004 and 2017. Preoperative factors, including non-invasive liver fibrosis markers and intraoperative factors, were evaluated. The predictive impact for PHLF was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of these factors. Results: Of 451 patients, 30 (6.7%) developed severe PHLF (grade B/C). Multivariate logistic analysis indicated that APRI, model for end-stage liver disease (MELD) score, operating time, and intraoperative blood loss were significantly associated with severe PHLF. A scoring model (over 0–4 points) was calculated using these optimal cutoff values. The area under the ROC curve of the established score for severe PHLF was 0.88, which greatly improved the predictive accuracy compared with these factors alone (p < 0.05 for all). Conclusions: The scoring model-based APRI, MELD score, operating time, and intraoperative blood loss can predict severe PHLF in patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Inflammation-, nutrition-, and liver fibrosis-related markers are recognized as prognostic for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study, therefore, assessed the preoperative prognostic utility of the combination of these markers in patients with HCC. Methods: This single-center retrospective study included patients who underwent hepatic resection for HCC between 2004 and 2017. A total of 454 patients were divided into training (n = 334) and validation (n = 120) cohorts by random sampling. The predictive impact on surgical outcomes was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of these prognostic values in the training cohort. Results: The prognostic nutritional index (PNI) and aspartate aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio index (APRI) were the strongest diagnostic values (areas under the ROC curves: 0.627 and 0.646, respectively). A scoring system (over 0–2 points) was developed using optimal cutoff values (for PNI < 46.5 scored as 1 point; for APRI > 0.98 scored as 1 point). An increased PNI-APRI score was an independent prognostic factor for both the overall and disease-free survival in HCC patients. Finally, the clinical feasibility of the PNI-APRI score was confirmed in the validation cohort. Conclusions: The PNI-APRI score is a useful marker for predicting surgical outcomes of HCC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a case study of a 22-week gestation, 480 gram birthweight extremely preterm infant with refractory pneumothorax due to tracheal laceration, identified through bronchoscopy. Topics discussed include challenges in managing refractory pneumothorax, difficulties in identifying tracheal laceration causes, and the need for careful management strategies in extremely preterm infants.

Background: Systemic inflammation-related factors, either independently or in combination, are recognized as prognostic factors for various cancers. The ratio of lymphocyte count to C-reactive protein concentration (lymphocyte–CRP ratio; LCR) is a recently identified prognostic marker for several cancers. Here, we examined the prognostic value of the LCR in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: This was a single-center retrospective study of patients who underwent surgical resection for HCC between 2004 and 2017. Patients were divided into high- and low-LCR status groups, and the relationships between LCR status, prognosis, and other clinicopathological characteristics were analyzed. Results: A total of 454 patients with HCC were enrolled and assigned to the high- (n=245) or low- (n=209) LCR groups. Compared with the high-LCR group, patients in the low-LCR group had a significantly lower serum albumin level (median 4.1 vs. 3.9 g/dL, P <0.0001), lower platelet count (median 14.0 vs. 12.0 ×104/μL, P=0.0468), lower prothrombin time (median 93.2 vs. 89.6 %, P=0.0006), and larger tumor size (median 2.3 vs. 2.5 cm, P=0.0056). Patients with low-LCR status had significantly worse outcomes of overall survival and disease-free survival than patients with high-LCR status (P=0.0003 and P=0.0069, respectively). Low-LCR status was significantly associated with worse overall survival in multivariate analysis (hazard ratio 1.57, 95% confidence interval 1.14–2.17, P=0.0058). Conclusions: Low-LCR status may predict worse outcomes in patients with HCC. Measurement of LCR is routine and can easily be applied for risk stratification in the assessment of patients with HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brush or delta brush is a well-known characteristic waveform in preterm electroencephalograms. However, the longitudinal trajectory of brushes and its association with neurodevelopment remain uncertain. We analyzed the longitudinal incidence of brushes in 36 extremely low birth weight infants without severe brain lesions and its association with neurodevelopment and white matter abnormality. Conventional eight-channel electroencephalograms were recorded at 30, 32, 36, and 40 postmenstrual weeks (PMW). Incidence of brushes was calculated as the sum of brushes from each channel separated by active sleep and quiet sleep. A developmental delay was defined as a developmental quotient of <85 assessed at corrected age of 18 months. White matter abnormalities were evaluated with term-equivalent magnetic resonance imaging. The median incidence of brushes (per minute) in 36 infants at PMW 30, 32, 36, and 40 was 16.4, 20.4, 22.5, and 1.8 during active sleep and 7.5, 10.3, 11.5, and 1.7 during quiet sleep, respectively. Among the 36 infants, 14 infants were diagnosed with developmental delay. Longitudinal trajectories of the incidence of brushes were different between the normal and the delayed development groups. Brushes were observed most frequently at 36 PMW in the delayed development group. The incidence of brushes at 36 PMW was significantly correlated with the severity of white matter abnormalities and negatively correlated with the developmental quotient. The incidence of brushes at 36 PMW can be a unique predictor of early neurodevelopment in extremely low birth weight infants without severe brain lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The greatest advantage of a satellite-borne microwave radiometer (MWR) is that it can obtain information on the Earth’s surface with less influence by rain and clouds compared to an infrared radiometer; however, it has the disadvantage that the observing area is large so the spatial resolution is low. One example is the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2) loaded on the GCOM-W satellite. Hardware technologies to overcome this disadvantage are in progress, but software processings to improve spatial resolution are also needed, especially to process previously obtained data. The author was inspired by the experience of developing the L1R product for the AMSR2 and has investigated optimizing the Backus–Gilbert (BG) method to enhance spatial resolution. First, the BG method was used to calculate weighting coefficients to synthesize the brightness temperature equivalently obtained in a small observation area from those obtained in multiple larger areas. Next, a viable algorithm was developed and implemented in order to solve the problem appearing in this simple application of the BG method. The algorithm was verified and shown to reduce the observation area by about 17%, enhancing the spatial resolution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: There is increasing evidence that inflammation‐based prognostic scores are stage‐independent predictors of poor outcome in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, these findings were observed in a small‐sized study comparing the prognostic value of these scores for patients after curative resection for HCC. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 717 consecutive patients with HCC who underwent curative liver resection at Hiroshima Red Cross Hospital & Atomic Bomb Survivors Hospital. Clinicopathological variables including preoperative inflammation‐based prognostic scores, such as neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, Controlling Nutritional Status score, prognostic nutritional index (PNI), and Glasgow Prognostic Score were analyzed. The prognostic value of these scores was compared by the time‐dependent receiver operating characteristic curve analyses. Results: The integrate area under the curve of PNI, Controlling Nutritional Status score, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, and Glasgow Prognostic Score were 0.6751, 0.6435, 0.5845, 0.5276, and 0.5351 for overall survival (OS), respectively, and 0.5955, 0.5694, 0.4692, 0.4873, and 0.5272 for disease‐free survival, respectively. Multivariate analyses for prognosis factor in HCC patients showed that PNI was an independent predictor of both OS (HR 0.91, P < 0.001) and disease‐free survival (HR 0.94, P < 0.001). When the patients were divided into high and low PNI groups, the patients in the low PNI group had significant poorer OS (P < 0.001) and disease‐free survival (P < 0.001), even after background factors were matched between these two groups. Conclusions: PNI is superior to Controlling Nutritional Status score, neutrophil‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, platelet‐to‐lymphocyte ratio, or Glasgow Prognostic Score as a predictor of OS and recurrence‐free survival in patients with HCC who underwent curative hepatic resection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To elucidate the clinical factors having an impact on liver regeneration rate following preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) and subsequent extended hepatectomy. The correlation between liver volume and functional recovery after extended hepatectomy was also investigated. Methods: Records of patients who underwent extended hepatectomy with extrahepatic bile duct resection following PVE for perihilar cholangiocarcinoma were reviewed retrospectively with attention to liver regeneration. All patients underwent computed tomography before PVE, after PVE (immediately before surgery), and on postoperative day (POD) 7. The kinetic growth rate (KGR) was calculated as the percent increase in liver volume relative to the future liver remnant volume per day after PVE (KGRPVE) and after POD 7 (KGRPOD7) using the computed tomography images before PVE, after PVE, and on POD 7. Results: In the 289 study patients, the median of KGRPVE was 1.35%/day whereas that of KGRPOD7 was 5.56%/day. The extent of liver resection had the greatest impact on both KGRPVE and KGRPOD7 and the impacts of other factors were less. There was a significant negative correlation between KGRPVE and KGRPOD7 (P = 0.002). No correlations were observed between KGRPVE or KGRPOD7 and serum total bilirubin and prothrombin time – international normalized ratio on POD 7, nor in the incidence of liver failure after surgery. Conclusions: Early phase liver regeneration after extended hepatectomy was largely influenced by the extent of liver resection and showed no correlation with the indices of liver failure. There was a discrepancy between volume and functional recovery in early phase liver regeneration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Postoperative pancreatic fistula (PF) is a relatively frequent and occasionally fatal complication of pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). Several risk factors for PF have been reported, including high drain amylase level (D-AMY). Among the 140 consecutive patients who underwent PD, we analyzed 110 cases with D-AMY measurements over time after PD. According to the D-AMY change, we divided patients into five patterns and defined delayed PF cases. We analyzed clinical characteristics, including serum amylase and D-AMY, and examined the correlation between the period of drain insertion and PF grade. In 15 delayed PF cases, 12 cases were grade B or C, pancreatic cancer was less frequent, pancreatic ducts were smaller, and soft pancreas texture was more commonly observed. The D-AMY on postoperative day (POD) 1 was higher in cases of delayed PF compared with non-PF cases (P < 0.0001). In 28 cases with drain removal before POD 7, grade B or C PF was not observed afterward. The average D-AMY on POD 1 in cases with drain removal before POD 1 was significantly lower than in delayed PF cases. Although further studies are required to determine the most appropriate timing of drain removal, it is thought that intra-abdominal drains should be removed within seven days of PD in cases without signs of PF. On the other hand, delayed PF should be considered in cases of soft pancreas texture and/or high D-AMY on POD 1, even if D-AMY levels are low on POD 3 or decreasing on POD 5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inbound tourism plays an important role in local economies. To stimulate local economies,it is necessary to attract foreign tourists to various areas of a country. This research aims to developa method of extracting the locations of tourist destinations in a country and to understand what characteristics foreign tourists expect of areas near tourist attractions compared with what domestic tourists expect. In this paper, a tourist destination is defined as a small area that has places of interests for tourists such as historic sites, theme parks, hotels and restaurants. The methods proposed in this paper are applied to data acquired from Twitter and Foursquare in Japan. The proposed method successfully extracts the locations of tourist destinations and characterizes those locations based on the points of interest in the neighborhood. The results indicate that foreign tourists who come to Japan expect nightlife spots (bars, nightclubs, etc.) to be located in the neighborhood of tourist destinations,in contrast to the expectations of domestic tourists. The proposed methods are applicable to not only Japan, but to any country. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The genetic diversity of Saccharina japonica inhabiting the Hokkaido coastline and the surrounding area was investigated by AFLP and SSR analyses. A STRUCTURE analysis based on the AFLP data identified two clusters in the species, although a few local populations with genetic structures different from that of the neighboring populations were detected. The two clusters could be identified even within each current variety. In the SSR analysis, genetic variation in nucleotide sequences in all samples was located in four DNA regions (MS10, MS11, MS16, and MS29), and it is thought that these regions can be used as markers to detect individual-level variation in S. japonica. The STRUCTURE analysis of the SSR data identified four clusters in the species. Since the geographical distribution of these four different clusters does not correspond exactly to the currently recognized varieties in this species, it will be necessary to re-evaluate the distribution of the varieties of S. japonica. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Global Change Observation Mission 1st-Water (GCOM-W1) satellite, which was launched by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency in May 2012, contains an Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer-2 (AMSR2). The AMSR2 provides multifrequency measurements of microwave energy (brightness temperature) emitted by the Earth's surface and atmosphere. However, each frequency field of view (FOV) differs in size because of its hardware design. For the retrieval of more accurate geophysical parameters from multifrequency brightness temperatures, the brightness temperatures should be modified to be the same as measured in the same FOV. The Backus–Gilbert (BG) method is one of the antenna pattern matching techniques used for this modification. We applied the BG method to the AMSR2 data to define a new data set of modified brightness temperatures, a level 1R (L1R) product that is freely and widely available. We optimized the implementation of the BG method to obtain the L1R product, with smoothing factors dynamically determined for all modified brightness temperatures. This paper describes the implementation method, including the criterion used to determine the smoothing factors and presents a quality assessment of the L1R product. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Background: Pancreatic fistula (PF) remains the most important morbidity after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). Early drain removal was recently recommended. However, this is not applicable to all cases because the development of severe PF may not be obvious until a later postoperative day (POD). This study aimed to discover ways to detect clinically relevant PF early during the postoperative stage after PD.Methods: We studied 120 patients who underwent PD. Grades B/C PF classified according to the International Study Group of Pancreatic Surgery guidelines were defined as clinically relevant PF. Logistic regression was used to identify detection factors for clinically relevant PF. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to identify the optimal cutoff value for clinically relevant PF, and the k-fold cross-validation model to validate the cutoff value.Results: Drain amylase on POD 1 and C-reactive protein (CPR) on POD 2 were independent factors for clinically relevant PF. Drain amylase >1300 IU/l on POD 1 and CRP >12.8 g/dl on POD 2 were the best cutoff values for clinically relevant PF detection and were confirmed by k-fold cross-validation. The sensitivity and specificity values were 79 and 81 %, respectively.Conclusions: Values of drain amylase and CRP combined were useful to distinguish clinically relevant PF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For a nilpotent linear transformationf:V → Vof Jordan type λ, letS(T) be the set off-stable subspacesWofVassociated with an LR (Littlewood–Richardson) tableauT. We show that (i)S(T) is a disjoint union of locally closed sets parametrized by LR-fillings ofT, each of which is birationally isomorphic to an affine space, and that (ii) a~conjecture of Shimomura on semistandardd-tableaux in a rectangular diagram is true. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Abstract: This paper describes a field test to verify a newly discovered phenomenon of microwave emission due to rock fracture in a volcano. The field test was carried out on Miyake Island, 150km south of Tokyo. The main objective of the test was to investigate the applicability of the phenomenon to the study of geophysics, volcanology, and seismology by extending observations of this phenomenological occurrence from the laboratory to the natural field. We installed measuring systems for 300MHz, 2GHz, and 18GHz-bands on the mountain top and mountain foot in order to discriminate local events from regional and global events. The systems include deliberate data subsystems that store slowly sampled data in the long term, and fast sampled data when triggered. We successfully obtained data from January to February 2008. During this period, characteristic microwave pulses were intermittently detected at 300MHz. Two photographs taken before and after this period revealed that a considerably large-scale collapse occurred on the crater cliff. Moreover, seismograms obtained by nearby observatories strongly suggest that the crater subsidence occurred simultaneously with microwave signals on the same day during the observation period. For confirmation of the microwave emission caused by rock fracture, these microwave signals must be clearly discriminated from noise, interferences, and other disturbances. We carefully discriminated the microwave data taken at the mountaintop and foot, checked the lightning strike data around the island, and consequently concluded that these microwave signals could not be attributed to lightning. Artificial interferences were discriminated by the nature of their waveforms. Thus, we inferred that the signals detected at 300MHz were due to rock fractures during cliff collapses. This result may provide a useful new tool for geoscientists and for the mitigation of natural hazards. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) fragment analysis can become an effective tool to study genetic differences between species and individuals on saccharinan kelp from which the little genetic diversity has been reported. Here, extraction methods of DNA suitable for use in analysis with a capillary sequencer is examined on Saccharina japonica var. diabolica which contains abundant polysaccharide. When amplified fragment length polymorphism was performed using genomic DNA extracted by seven different methods: (1) commercial kit, (2) original cetyl trimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) method, (3)-(5) three types of modified CTAB method, (6) modified sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) method, (7) combination of CTAB method and SDS method, a high reproducible peak that was suitable for analysis was noticeable in the electropherogram in the experiment with the last combination method (7). It is considered that the pretreatment washing of polysaccharide and the subsequent purification for protein and ribonucleic acid in SDS method and for polysaccharide in CTAB method are effective to obtain the high-purity DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of using soft coagulation followed by the application of polyglycolic acid (PGA) felt and fibrin glue to prevent pancreatic fistula (PF) after distal pancreatectomy (DP). Methods: A soft coagulation system was applied on the cut surface of the pancreas after ligating the main pancreatic duct, followed by the application of layers of PGA felt and fibrin glue on the layers, to prevent the development of a PF after DP. Results: This technique was applied in nine patients, with mean drain amylase levels of 372 ± 296, 185 ± 209, 54 ± 40, and 47 ± 34 IU/l on days 1, 3, 5, and 7, respectively, after DP. Only one patient (11.1%) showed a Grade A PF on day 3 after surgery; none of the other patients developed a fistula. Conclusions: This technique is an effective prophylactic measure to prevent the development of a PF after DP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

CTRP3/cartducin, a novel C1q family protein, is expressed in proliferating chondrocytes in the growth plate and has an important role in regulating the growth of both chondrogenic precursors and chondrocytes in vitro. We examined the expression of CTRP3/cartducin mRNA in Meckel's cartilage and in condylar cartilage of the fetal mouse mandible. Based on in situ hybridization studies, CTRP3/cartducin mRNA was not expressed in the anlagen of Meckel's cartilage at embryonic day (E)11.5, but it was strongly expressed in Meckel's cartilage at E14.0, and then reduced in the hypertrophic chondrocytes at E16.0. CTRP3/cartducin mRNA was not expressed in the condylar anlagen at E14.0, but was expressed in the upper part of newly formed condylar cartilage at E15.0. At E16.0, CTRP3/cartducin mRNA was expressed from the polymorphic cell zone to the upper part of the hypertrophic cell zone, but was reduced in the lower part of the hypertrophic cell zone. CTRP3/cartducin-antisense oligodeoxynucleotide (AS-ODN) treatment of Meckel's cartilage and condylar anlagen from E14.0 using an organ culture system indicated that, after 4-day culture, CTRP3/cartducin abrogation induced curvature deformation of Meckel's cartilage with loss of the perichondrium and new cartilage formation. Aggrecan, type I collagen, and tenascin-C were simultaneously immunostained in this newly formed cartilage, indicating possible transformation from the perichondrium into cartilage. Further, addition of recombinant mouse CTRP3/cartducin protein to the organ culture medium with AS-ODN tended to reverse the deformation. These results suggest a novel function for CTRP3/cartducin in maintaining the perichondrium. Moreover, AS-ODN induced a deformation of the shape, loss of the perichondrium/fibrous cell zone, and disorder of the distinct architecture of zones in the mandibular condylar cartilage. Additionally, AS-ODN-treated condylar cartilage showed reduced levels of mRNA expression of aggrecan, collagen types I and X , and reduced BrdU-incorporation. These results suggest that CTRP3/cartducin is not only involved in the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes, but also contributes to the regulation of mandibular condylar cartilage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Although antegrade en bloc distal pancreatectomy is appropriate for invasive distal pancreatic malignancies, this technique is not easy to perform because the end-point of deep vertical resections cannot be controlled. This report describes the usefulness of the application of hanging maneuver in performing the radical surgery.Methods: A tape for guidance is passed in a space behind the bundles of the left celiac and mesenteric plexus, followed by sagittal resection of the distal pancreas exposing the root of the celiac artery and superior mesenteric artery. After dividing the pancreas down to the level of the roots of the celiac and superior arteries, the distal pancreas is dissected from the retroperitoneum in medial to lateral fashion.Results: This technique was applied in six patients with distal pancreas malignancies, without any positive cancer cells at the resected margin. The mean tumor size was 3.0±0.9 cm. The mean duration of surgery and intraoperative blood loss were 258±71 min and 226±240 ml, respectively.Conclusion: Antegrade en bloc distal pancreatectomy with plexus hanging maneuver is an appropriate technique for treating distal pancreatic malignancies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider constrained optimization problems with set-valued objective maps. First, we define three types of quasi orderings on the set of all non-empty subsets in n-dimensional Euclidean space and investigate their properties. Next, by using these orderings, we define the concepts of the convexities to set-valued maps and investigate their properties. Finally, based on these results, we define the concepts of optimal solutions to constrained optimization problems with set-valued objective maps and characterize their properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It was experimentally confirmed that microwave energy is emitted during the compression of rocks. Land-surface deformations are likely to be accompanied by rock failures. From the experimental results, we could conclude that the microwave signals generated by rock failures near the land surface are detectable by a satellite-borne radiometer. Therefore, we developed an algorithm to evaluate the microwave energy generated by rock failures on the land surface and applied the algorithm to the data of the Advanced Microwave Scanning Radiometer for the Earth Observing System for the earthquake that struck Al Hoceima, Morocco, on February 24, 2004. As a result, we detected definitive microwave signals around the epicenter two days before the earthquake only in the entire observation period of six years. This paper presents the details of the algorithm and the analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed and proposed the extended friction model which can consider the instantaneous sliding vector and velocity dependency of friction coefficient as a linear damping effect. By definition of this model, line pressure and braking speed can be taken into account in the brake squeal simulation by using FEM. Also the tendency of brake squeal characteristics by deploying the extended friction model to Multi DOF is presented. Furthermore, the tendency of brake squeal characteristics by the adoption of partial shims that changes the contact pressure distribution is presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As minimally invasive treatments for liver cancers, percutaneous ablation therapies represent a valid alternative to liver resections, especially in patients with poor liver function. Recently, image-guided surgical and interventional procedures using open magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) have been introduced. We performed percutaneous ablation therapy for 51 nodules of liver cancer in 34 patients using a navigation system based on open MRI. During the ablation therapy, the ultrasonography (US) probe, needle, and tumor were displayed on the MR image. Immediately after the procedure, the therapeutic effect was evaluated by open MRI. In all cases, percutaneous puncture into the tumors was successful, even in the case of tumor undetectable by US. Mean fiducial registration error was approximately 3 mm. MR images captured after the procedure clearly demonstrated the ablated area. No mortality or major complications occurred, except for mild hemorrhage, pyrexia, and ascites. We developed a novel navigation system integrating US and MR images using open MRI for percutaneous ablation therapy of liver cancers. The presented system allows a safe and accurate approach to liver cancers, especially certain tumors that cannot be adequately visualized by US, and an evaluation of therapeutic results immediately after the procedures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider fuzzy mathematical programming problems which involve fuzzy vectors only in the objective function. First, we define fuzzy vectors on n-dimensional Euclidean space and investigate their properties. Especially, we extend the concepts of the fuzzy max order and the possibility and the necessity measures given in fuzzy number to those of fuzzy vectors. Next, based on the results, we consider fuzzy mathematical programming problems, including fuzzy multicriteria optimization problems, which involve fuzzy vectors only in the objective function and we give the concepts of optimal solutions and characterize their properties. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Retinoic acid signaling plays important roles in establishing normal patterning and cellular differentiation during embryonic development. In this study, we show that single administration of retinoic acid at embryonic day 8.5 causes homeotic transformation of the lower jaw into upper jaw-like structures. This homeosis was preceded by downregulation of Fgf8 and Sprouty expression in the proximal domain of the first pharyngeal arch. Downregulation of mesenchymal genes such as Dlx5, Hand2, Tbx1 and Pitx2 was also observed. The oropharynx in retinoic acid-treated embryos was severely constricted. Consistent with this observation, Patched expression in the arch endoderm and mesenchyme was downregulated. Thus, retinoic acid affects the expression of subsets of epithelial and mesenchymal genes, possibly disrupting the regional identity of the pharyngeal arch. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to extract a local and faint variation generated by a specific source from a physical value obtained by a remote-sensing satellite, we should focus on the difference between physical values at two points. We have developed a new data- restructuring algorithm based on this concept. This algorithm enables us to obtain a distribution of physical values at any interval and to calculate the difference between any two points regardless of the sensor-sampling interval. This paper presents this algorithm and how to implement it on a computer. Based on this data-restructuring algorithm, we have established a new data-processing method and analyzed the brightness-temperature data obtained by a microwave radiometer. As a result, we have successfully extracted the feature associated with a volcanic eruption. This feature cannot be extracted from brightness temperatures directly. This paper demonstrates this data-processing method by analyzing a volcanic eruption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For a nilpotent linear transformation of a vector space V of Jordan type , i.e. the sizes of the Jordan blocks equal to the conjugate of λ, let be the set of f-stable subspaces of dimension d. is partitioned indexed by Littlewood–Richardson tableaux (LR-tableau) T of shapes ''s with , each of which corresponds to the set consisting of such that the dimension of the vector space is equal to the number of cells (squares) in the rth row of T filled with the letter t for all . We define a partial order on the set of LR-tableaux of shapes ''s with by if is contained in the closure of in the Grassmaniann . We give a certain sufficient condition (Corollary C), and a necessary condition (Corollary D) for . For this we introduce the notions of generic vectors, the generic subspace , the rational function field , and the LR-tableau associated to a tableau T, and then show; the map , , where is the subtableau of an LR-tableau T consisting of the cells filled with the letters greater than 1, is a fiber bundle with fiber isomorphic to a union of Schubert cells and is nonsingular (Theorem A); the generic subspace of a tableau T is a generic point of whose function field isomorphic to the rational function field associated to the LR-tableau (Theorem B). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

To study hematopoietic reconstitution in umbilical cord blood transplantation (CBT), bone marrow (BM) histology was investigated in 35 biopsies after bone marrow transplantation (BMT) and in 40 biopsies after CBT. BM biopsies were obtained at different times after transplantation and were evaluated for cellularity, number of megakaryocytes and CD34-positive cells, and fibrosis. In biopsies up to 29 days after BMT, cellularity was increased and megakaryocytes were observed, but at 29 days after CBT, biopsies showed severe cellular depletion and almost no megakaryocytes. In addition, fewer CD34-positive cells were observed after CBT compared to after BMT. After day 30 after CBT, hematopoietic recovery of the BM was gradually observed and after day 100 after transplantation, no essential differences were observed between BMT and CBT. Hematopoietic recovery of the BM after CBT was delayed compared to that after BMT, but engraftment of donor cells after CBT was also observed in histopathologically. To the best of the authors' knowledge this is the first histopathological description of BM reconstitution after CBT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Allogeneic stem cell transplantation (allo-SCT) is used as curative therapy for malignant lymphoma, and reduced-intensity hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (RIST) is sometimes performed to avoid the toxicity and mortality associated with myeloablative allo-SCT. RIST is generally preferred for elderly patients with malignant lymphoma. A 62-year-old woman with follicular lymphoma (FL) involving bone marrow (BM) suffered relapse after autologous SCT. RIST was performed; cells were from an unrelated, fully human leukocyte antigen-matched donor. To study the hematopoietic reconstitution, BM biopsy specimens that were obtained at different times after RIST, were evaluated. Engraftment of donor cells was observed on days 19 and 48 after RIST, and residual FL in BM had completely disappeared by day 73 after RIST. This is the first report to document histological BM regeneration after RIST and disappearance of FL involving the BM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We study a statistical model of random plane partitions. The statistical model has interpretations as five-dimensional ${\mathcal N}=1$ supersymmetric SU(N) Yang–Mills on ℝ4 × S1 and as Kähler gravity on local SU(N) geometry. At the thermodynamic limit a typical plane partition called the limit shape dominates in the statistical model. The limit shape is linked with a hyperelliptic curve, which is a five-dimensional version of the SU(N) Seiberg–Witten curve. Amoebas and the Ronkin functions play intermediary roles between the limit shape and the hyperelliptic curve. In particular, the Ronkin function realizes an integration of thermodynamical density of the main diagonal partitions, along one-dimensional slice of it and thereby is interpreted as the counting function of gauge instantons. The radius of S1 can be identified with the inverse temperature of the statistical model. The large radius limit of the five-dimensional Yang–Mills is the low temperature limit of the statistical model, where the statistical model is frozen to a ground state that is associated with the local SU(N) geometry. We also show that the low temperature limit corresponds to a certain degeneration of amoebas and the Ronkin functions known as tropical geometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Adipose differentiation-related protein (ADRP) and TIP47 show sequence similarity, particularly in their N-terminal PAT-1 domain. Under standard culture conditions, ADRP existed in most lipid droplets (LDs), whereas TIP47 was observed only in some LDs and recruited to LDs on treatment with fatty acids. By analyzing deletion mutants, we found that the C-terminal half of TIP47, or more specifically the putative hydrophobic cleft [S.J. Hickenbottom, A.R. Kimmel, C. Londos, J.H. Hurley, Structure of a lipid droplet protein; the PAT family member TIP47, Structure (Camb) 12 (2004) 1199–1207.], was involved in LD targeting and responsiveness to fatty acids. The result contrasted with that observed for ADRP and implied a distinct LD-targeting mechanism for TIP47. Consistent with this, overexpression of Rab18 decreased ADRP, but not TIP47, from LDs, and TIP47 did not displace pre-existing ADRP from LDs. But ADRP may be a factor to control the TIP47 behavior, because TIP47 in LDs increased upon down-regulation of ADRP. The results suggested that the putative hydrophobic cleft is critical for the unique characteristics of TIP47. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We study Kähler gravity on local geometry and describe precise correspondence with certain supersymmetric gauge theories and random plane partitions. The local geometry is discretized, via the geometric quantization, to a foam of an infinite number of gravitational quanta. We count these quanta in a relative manner by measuring a deviation of the local geometry from a singular Calabi–Yau threefold, that is a singularity fibred over . With such a regularization prescription, the number of the gravitational quanta becomes finite and turns to be the perturbative prepotential for five-dimensional supersymmetric Yang–Mills. These quanta are labelled by lattice points in a certain convex polyhedron on . The polyhedron becomes obtainable from a plane partition which is the ground state of a statistical model of random plane partition that describes the exact partition function for the gauge theory. Each gravitational quantum of the local geometry is shown to consist of N unit cubes of plane partitions. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

We previously reported that CORS26 gene, isolated from C3H10T1/2 cells treated with transforming growth factor-β1, was predominantly expressed in cartilage. Because the gene product is a kind of secretory protein produced by cartilage tissue, we named it “cartducin”. Cartducin shares a similar modular organization to adipocyte-derived hormone, adiponectin. In this study, we investigated cartducin function during chondrogenesis and cartilage development. In situ hybridization analysis showed that cartducin transcripts were restricted to the proliferating chondrocytes in the growth plate cartilage. Whole-mount in situ hybridization revealed that the first significant induction of cartducin expression occurred in the sclerotome, which contains a chondrogenic cell lineage between days 9.5 and 10.5 postcoitus (p.c.) during mouse embryogenesis. Chondrogenic differentiation by combined treatment with bone morphogenetic protein-2 and insulin induced cartducin expression along with type II and IXcollagen expression in chondrogenic progenitor N1511 cells. To elucidate the direct action of cartducin on the cells, recombinant cartducin protein was expressed in and purified from Escherichia coli. The recombinant cartducin potentially forms homo-oligomers and promoted the proliferation of chondrogenic progenitor N1511 cells, and chondrocytic HCS-2/8 cells in a dose-dependent manner. On the other hand, cartducin did not affect the production of sulfated glycosaminoglycan (sGAG) in these cells. These findings indicate that cartducin is a novel growth factor and plays important roles in regulating both chondrogenesis and cartilage development by its direct stimulatory action on the proliferation of chondrogenic precursors and chondrocytes. J. Cell. Physiol. 206: 537–544, 2006. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Esophageal perforation is an uncommon, but serious complication which can be caused with gastric tube placement. Physicians should suspect the malposition of the gastric tube when there is a straight course of the lower segment of the tube. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The number of proteins known to be associated with lipid droplets (LDs) is increasing. However, the reported distribution of a given protein in the LDs was, in some cases, found not reproduced by other groups. We report here that the choice of the fixation and permeabilization method is important in order to observe LD proteins using immunofluorescence microscopy. Formaldehyde fixation followed by treatment with Triton X-100, one of the most frequently used protocols for the immunolabeling of cultured cells, was not appropriate to label adipocyte differentiation-related protein (ADRP), TIP47, or Rab18 in LDs. Formaldehyde fixation followed by treatment with digitonin or saponin, allowed the visualization of all these proteins in LDs. When cells were fixed with glutaraldehyde, permeabilization by Triton X-100 could also be used for ADRP. These observations suggest that LD proteins are likely to be solubilized by some detergents, and strong cross-linkage to the surrounding protein matrix or mild permeabilization is necessary for their retention on the LD surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A model of random plane partitions which describes five-dimensional supersymmetric Yang–Mills is studied. We compute the wave functions of fermions in this statistical model and investigate their thermodynamic limits or the semi-classical behaviors. These become of the WKB type at the thermodynamic limit. When the fermions are located at the main diagonal of the plane partition, their semi-classical wave functions are obtained in a universal form. We further show that by taking the four-dimensional limit the semi-classical wave functions turn to live on the Seiberg–Witten curve and that the classical action becomes precisely the integral of the Seiberg–Witten differential. When the fermions are located away from the main diagonal, the semi-classical wave functions depend on another continuous parameter. It is argued that they are related with the wave functions at the main diagonal by the renormalization group flow of the underlying gauge theory. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase (AAH) expression in surgically resected intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma significantly correlated with tumor size, growth type, differentiation, vascular invasion, and prognosis after surgery. AAH may have a role in regulating invasive or metastatic tumor cell growth of human intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. Background: Recent studies demonstrated increased expression of the AAH gene in the majority of cholangiocarcinomas. The present study was undertaken to determine the relationship between high or low levels of AAH expression and the clinical course of intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC). Methods: AAH expression was examined in 50 surgically resected primary ICCs, 12 samples of normal liver, and 12 cases of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC). The sections were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining with the FB-50 monoclonal antibody to human AAH protein. The sections were examined under code and graded for relative levels of AAH immunoreactivity. The results were analyzed with respect to multiple clinical and histopathological variables to determine correlates of AAH expression in ICCs. Results: Forty-six of the 50 (92%) ICCs had AAH immunoreactivity, whereas the 12 normal liver and 12 PSC specimens were AAH negative. In the ICC specimens, the highest levels of AAH immunoreactivity were detected at the infiltrating margins that interfaced with uninvolved liver tissue, and the lowest levels occurred in the central portions of the tumors. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high levels of AAH expression were correlated with tumor size (P < 0.05), infiltrative growth pattern (P < 0.01), aggressive histological grade (P < 0.01), vascular invasion (P < 0.05), and poor prognosis (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggest that AAH has an important role in regulating invasive or metastatic tumor cell growth of human ICC, and that high levels of AAH expression correlate with poor prognosis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this paper, we consider fuzzy matrix games, namely, two-person zero-sum games with fuzzy payoffs. Based on fuzzy max order, for such games, we define three kinds of concepts of minimax equilibrium strategies and investigate their properties. First, we shall show that these equilibrium strategies are characterized as Nash equilibrium strategies of a family of parametric bi-matrix games with crisp payoffs. Second, we investigate properties of values of fuzzy matrix games by means of possibility and necessity measures. In addition, we give a numerical example to illustrate utility of our approaches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Aspartyl (asparaginyl) β-hydroxylase (AAH) is an α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenase that hydroxylates aspartate and asparagine residues in EGF-like domains of proteins. The consensus sequence for AAH β-hydroxylation occurs in signaling molecules such as Notch and Notch homologs, which have roles in cell migration.Aim: This study evaluated the potential role of AAH in cell migration using cholangiocarcinoma cell lines as models due to their tendency to widely infiltrate the liver.Methods: Five human cholangiocarcinoma cell lines established from human tumors were examined for AAH expression and motility. The effect of antisense oligodeoxynucleotide inhibition of AAH on cholangiocarcinoma cell migration was investigated.Results: Western blot analysis detected the ∼86 kDa AAH protein in all five cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, and higher levels of AAH in cell lines derived from moderately or poorly differentiated compared with well-differentiated tumors. Immunocytochemical staining and fluorescence activated cell sorting analysis revealed both surface and intracellular AAH immunoreactivity. Using the phagokinetic non-directional migration assay and a novel ATPLite luminescence-based directional migration assay, we correlated AAH expression with motility. Correspondingly, antisense and not sense or mutated antisense AAH oligodeoxynucleotides significantly inhibited AAH expression and motility in cholangiocarcinoma cells.Conclusions: AAH over-expression may contribute to the infiltrative growth pattern of cholangiocarcinoma cells by promoting motility. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Eosinophil cationic protein (ECP), one of the major components of basic granules of eosinophils, is cytotoxic to tracheal epithelium. However, the extent of this effect on other cell types has not been evaluated in vitro . In this study, we evaluated the effect of ECP on 13 mammalian cell lines. ECP inhibited the growth of several cell lines including those derived from carcinoma and leukemia in a dose-dependent manner. The IC50 values on A431 cells, MDA-MB-453 cells, HL-60 cells and K562 cells were␣estimated to be ≈ 1–5 µm. ECP significantly suppressed the size of colonies of A431 cells, and decreased K562 cells in G1 /G0 phase. However, there was little evidence that ECP killed cells in either cell line. These effects of ECP were not enhanced by extending its N-terminus. Rhodamine B isothiocyanate-labeled ECP started to bind to A431 cells after 0.5 h and accumulated for up to 24 h, indicating that specific affinity for the cell surface may be important. The affinity of ECP for heparin was assessed and found to be reduced when tryptophan residues, one of which is located at a position in the catalytic subsite of ribonuclease in ECP, were modified. The growth-inhibitory effect was also attenuated by this modification. These results suggest that growth inhibition by ECP is dependent on cell type and is cytostatic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The arrangement of molecules at crystal defects in organic crystals was examined with a high-resolution electron microscope, and the results from two examples are discussed from the viewpoint of the molecular interaction around the fault. The stacking fault found in a charge transfer complex of K[sup +]TCNQF[sub 4]- (TCNQF[sub 4] ≡ tetrafluoro-tetracyanoquinodimethane) is interpreted to be a defect produced by the deficiency of one molecular plane along the (001) or (010) plane. An edge dislocation found in a quaterrylene thin crystal is made by two excess half-planes along the a axis without forming stacking faults. At the core of the dislocation, some unpaired molecules are located to fill the spaces produced by the edge dislocation, although the molecules in the perfect crystal are packed in the sandwich herringbone-type arrangement (paired molecules). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the effects of the modification of the carboxyl groups with amines having a side chain moiety on the interaction of ribonuclease (RNase) with ribonuclease inhibitor. Ribonucleolytic activity; Enzymatic activity; Inactivation of native RNase; Cytotoxicity of the RNase derivatives; Adsorption of more cationic RNases; Efficiency of cellular uptake.

More than 30,000 thousand dc motors are used by the Japan Railway group companies alone as traction motors for railway vehicles. Insulation breakdown of armatures is one of the most important problems in traction motors. Therefore, various insulation tests are carried out for each motor in overhaul. The methods for insulation tests were determined more than 30 years ago. As insulating materials and the method to compose these materials have progressed in recent years, it is important to research what kinds of insulation tests are suitable for traction motors. We estimated the effects of various insulation tests by carrying out insulation breakdown tests for more than 150 motors. This paper describes the results of the study. © 1999 Scripta Technica. Electr Eng Jpn, 129(2): 90–97, 1999 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A letter to the editor is presented that discusses a case of a 29-year-old Japanese man with hemojuvelin hemochromatosis, treated with orak iron chelator deferasirox (DFX).

Key Clinical Message: The causes of pleural effusions in children are various. This case demonstrates the importance of considering rib fractures associated with child abuse in the differential diagnosis of pleural effusion in infants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]