Search

Background: Neuroendocrine neoplasms of the ampulla of Vater (ampullary NEN) have features of both gastrointestinal and pancreato-biliary (PB) NEN. However, the limited number of studies examining ampullary NEN makes it difficult to clarify their unique characteristics. This study aimed to elucidate the clinical characteristics of ampullary NEN. Methods: We enrolled 162 patients with PB-NEN diagnosed at Kyushu University Hospital between 2011 and 2020. Clinical features, pathological diagnoses, treatments, and prognoses were retrospectively analyzed. We also compared ampullary NEN with pancreatic NEN (PanNEN). Results: We analyzed 10 ampullary NEN cases and 149 PanNEN cases. The ampullary NEN cases consisted of 4 cases of neuroendocrine tumor Grade 1 (NET G1), 1 NET G2 (Grade 2), and 5 neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs). The incidences of NEC and cholangitis were significantly higher in ampullary NEN than in PanNEN. All ampullary NETs had a submucosal tumor-like appearance, as identified by endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine needle aspiration. We treated small NET G1 (Conclusions: Endoscopic findings showed identifiable distinctions between ampullary NETs and NECs.

Although the combination of nanoliposomal irinotecan plus fluorouracil/folinic acid (nal-IRI/FF) exhibited survival benefits in gemcitabine-refractory patients with advanced pancreatic cancer (APC) in the phase III NAPOLI-1 trial, there is limited data on the efficacy and safety of this regimen in real-world settings in Japan. This multicenter, prospective observational study enrolled patients with APC who received nal-IRI/FF after a gemcitabine-based regimen from July 2020 to June 2021. We collected and analyzed clinical data and conducted survival and multivariate analyses. Thirty-one (78%) of the 40 patients had metastases. Nal-IRI/FF was the second-line therapy in 36 patients (90%). The median duration was 3.2 months. The disease control rate was 57%. The median progression-free survival and overall survival (OS) were 4.5 months (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.8–5.5) and 7.4 months (95% CI: 5.1–10.6), respectively. Common ≥grade 3 toxicities included neutropenia (28%) and fatigue (23%). Fatigue led to treatment discontinuation in 6 out of 10 patients. Multivariate analysis showed that a neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio > 4 was a significant risk factor for a short OS (hazard ratio (HR) = 3.08, 95% CI: 1.21–7.85, p = 0.02). In conclusion, nal-IRI/FF is an appropriate treatment option for APC following gemcitabine-containing regimens.

Purpose The distribution of tissue infiltrating lymphocytes has been shown to affect the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer in some previous studies. However, the role of peripheral lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer remains debated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the peripheral subtypes of T lymphocytes, and establish their association with the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer. Methods Blood and tissue samples were collected from patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (n = 54), resectable pancreatic cancer (n = 12), and benign pancreatic cysts (n = 52) between April 2019 and January 2022 and analyzed. Results Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer had a larger proportion of both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting cells than those with benign pancreatic cysts. In addition, the proportion of peripheral CD4+ T cells positively correlated with the survival of patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer, and the proportion of peripheral CD8+CD122+ T cells was associated with early mortality (+CD122+ T cells decreased in patients who had a partial response or stable disease. Moreover, by analyzing resected specimens, we first proved that the existence of CD8+CD122+ T cells in a tumor microenvironment (TME) depends on their proportion in peripheral blood. Conclusion Circulating CD8+CD122+ T cells can be a prognostic indicator in patients with pancreatic cancer.

The distribution of tissue infiltrating lymphocytes has been shown to affect the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer in some previous studies. However, the role of peripheral lymphocytes in pancreatic cancer remains debated. The purpose of this study was to analyze the peripheral subtypes of T lymphocytes, and establish their association with the prognosis of patients with pancreatic cancer.Blood and tissue samples were collected from patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (n = 54), resectable pancreatic cancer (n = 12), and benign pancreatic cysts (n = 52) between April 2019 and January 2022 and analyzed.Patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer had a larger proportion of both tumor-suppressive and tumor-promoting cells than those with benign pancreatic cysts. In addition, the proportion of peripheral CD4Circulating CD8

Recently, endoscopic ultrasound-guided hepaticogastrostomy (EUS-HGS) procedures have been gradually established; nonetheless, some adverse events (AEs) have been reported. Dilation procedures using a non-cautery or cautery device increase the incidence of AEs in EUS-HGS.We evaluated EUS-HGS procedures without dilation and the factors associated with dilation.We enrolled 79 patients who underwent EUS-HGS between July 2015 and March 2021 at two centers, 72 of whom had technical success (72/79, 91%). During the EUS-HGS procedures, we defined patients without dilation procedures as the dilation (-) group. We divided the patients into two groups: the dilation (+) (35 patients) and dilation (-) (37 patients) groups. We performed a propensity score matching analysis to adjust for confounding bias between the two groups. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with dilation.There was no difference in clinical success rate between the dilation (+) and dilation (-) groups (91% vs. 95%, P = 0.545). The AE rate (P = 0.013) and long procedure time (P = 0.017) were significantly higher in the dilation (+) group than in the dilation (-) group before and after propensity score matching. Factors associated with dilation were plastic stent placement (odds ratio [OR], 6.96; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.68-28.7; P = 0.007) and puncture angle of ≤ 90° (OR, 44.6; 95% CI, 5.1-390; P 0.001).A dilation procedure in EUS-HGS may not always be necessary. However, patients with an angle of ≤ 90° between the needle and intrahepatic biliary tract or plastic stent deployment require dilation procedures.

Background/Objectives This single-center study aimed to evaluate treatment outcomes and long-term prognosis of patients with pancreatic neuroendocrine neoplasms (PanNENs) based on the World Health Organization (WHO) 2017 classification. Methods We enrolled 245 patients with PanNENs treated at Kyushu University Hospital between January 1987 and March 2018. PanNENs were categorized according to the WHO 2017 classification or further subdivisions of Ki-67 index. Clinicopathological features, median survival time (MST), and prognostic factors were retrospectively analyzed. Results The number of PanNENs, especially non-functioning PanNENs, has increased over the last decade. The mean MST of all patients was 202 months; which was longest in patients with NET G1 (n = 145, MST = 261 months) relative to NET G2 (n = 72, 132 months), NET G3 (n = 3, 34 months) and NEC G3 (n = 17, 9 months). Prognosis in patients with surgery as the first-line treatment was significantly better than in those with drug therapy. However, 26% of patients who underwent curative resection developed recurrence after a median time of 28.7 months. In unresectable PanNENs (n = 97), the MST and 5-year survival rate were 78 months and 55.8%, respectively. Poor differentiation, Ki-67 index of >10% and presence of liver metastasis were significant unfavorable predictors. Response to first-line therapy (stable disease/partial response) and three or more treatment regimens were significant favorable predictors for unresectable PanNENs according to multivariate analyses (p Conclusions We demonstrated the utility of the WHO 2017 classification for PanNENs in the real clinical setting. For better prognosis in PanNENs, the use of three or more regimens should be considered.

A 51-year-old woman underwent endoscopic biliary drainage with a plastic stent for obstructive jaundice due to unresectable pancreatic head cancer. During chemotherapy following heavy ion therapy for the cancer, she presented with acute cholangitis and massive rectal bleeding. The massive hemorrhage was caused by rupture of the biliary duct due to a pseudoaneurysm in the right hepatic artery. The position of the aneurysm coincided with the liver-side end of the plastic stent. Sustained irritation of the arterial and bile duct walls by the stent was considered to have contributed to formation of the aneurysm.

In the quasi-one-dimensional superconductor, Pr$_2$Ba$_4$Cu$_7$O$_{15-\delta}$, we found that the lattice parameter, $a$ increased against pressure, starting at 2.0 GPa at approximately 300 K. This result suggests that the two-dimensional inter-conducting-chain interaction along the $a$ axis is most enhanced at approximately 2.0 GPa. To discuss the dimensionality, we also measured the resistance under magnetic fields up to 14 T, because magneto-resistance is induced when a system changes from one-dimensional to two-dimensional.

Background: Green tea is a very popular beverage, and in vitro studies have shown that green tea polyphenols inhibit the growth and cellular adherence of periodontal pathogens and their production of virulence factors. We investigated the epidemiologic relationship between the intake of green tea and periodontal disease. Methods: We analyzed 940 Japanese men aged 49 to 59 years as part of a comprehensive health examination. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (AL), and bleeding on probing (BOP) were used as the periodontal parameters. We examined the relationship between the intake of green tea and periodontal parameters. The intake of green tea was defined as the number of cups per day in a self-administered questionnaire. Results: The intake of green tea was inversely correlated with the mean PD, mean clinical AL, and BOP. In multivariate linear regression models, every one cup/day increment in green tea intake was associated with a 0.023-mm decrease in the mean PD (P

本研究は，北海道の酪農・畑作混在地域を事例に，アンケート調査によって，家畜排せつ物や麦稈など有機性資源の処理・利用実態を解明するとともに，物質収支の視点から，畜産と畑作の間における有機性資源の需給バランス評価を試みたものである。この結果，雑草種子の混入など堆肥の品質を主な原因として畑作農家で堆肥の地域内循環利用が進んでいないこと，畜産農家では，経営規模が大きくなるほど家畜1頭あたりの農地面積が減少し，なおかつ麦稈などの資源を地域外から購入する傾向も高くなること，これらにより投入と生産のアンバランスが生じ，環境負荷の増大を招いていることが明らかとなった。さらに資源を地域内で適切に循環利用するためには，経産牛1頭あたりの飼料畑面積を約1ha確保する必要があること，現場でこれら環境負荷を把握する際に，生産履歴台帳のデータを活用したファーム・ゲート・バランス法に準じた手法が有効であることを確認した。

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a chronic lifelong condition characterized by alternating flare-ups and remission. There is no single known unifying cause, and the pathogenesis is multifactorial, with genetics, environmental factors, microbiota, and the immune system all playing roles. Current treatment modalities for UC include 5-aminosalicylates, corticosteroids, immunosuppressants (including purine antimetabolites, cyclosporine, and tacrolimus), and surgery. Therapeutic goals for UC are evolving. Medical treatment aims to induce remission and prevent relapse of disease activity. Infliximab, an anti-tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α monoclonal antibody, is the first biological agent for the treatment of UC. Over the last decade, infliximab and adalimumab (anti-TNF-α agents) have been used for moderate to severe UC, and have been shown to be effective in inducing and maintaining remission. Recent studies have indicated that golimumab (another anti-TNF-α agent), tofacitinib (a Janus kinase inhibitor), and vedolizumab and etrolizumab (integrin antagonists), achieved good clinical remission and response rates in UC. Recently, golimumab and vedolizumab have been approved for UC by the United States Food and Drug Administration. Vedolizumab may be used as a first-line alternative to anti-TNF-α therapy in patients with an inadequate response to corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressants. Here, we provide updated information on various biological agents in the treatment of UC.

The treatment of periodontal disease in diabetic patients is reported to have a beneficial effect on their glucose control. A recent study indicated that having deep pockets is significantly associated with past development of glucose intolerance in non-diabetic individuals using an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). These findings suggest that periodontal disease is a risk factor for diabetes, although more evidence is needed.A total of 193 Japanese men aged 50 to 54 years with at least 10 teeth were examined as part of a comprehensive health examination before retirement from the Japan Self-Defense Force. Alveolar bone loss of the posterior teeth was measured on a panoramic x-ray film. An OGTT was administered and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and diabetes were defined. The relationships between the mean ratio of alveolar bone loss to root length and OGTT results were analyzed after adjusting for known risk factors for diabetes.The proportion of subjects with IGT increased significantly in the subjects with higher tertiles of alveolar bone loss (P0.05). In the multivariate logistic regression analysis excluding diabetic subjects, the adjusted OR for IGT to normal glucose tolerance (NGT) increased in subjects with higher tertiles of alveolar bone loss (P for trend=0.03). In the subjects with the highest tertile of alveolar bone loss, the adjusted OR for IGT to NGT was 4.27 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.41 to 12.9; P=0.01).The degree of alveolar bone loss is significantly associated with IGT, suggesting that periodontitis with alveolar bone loss is associated with impaired glucose tolerance.

The inaugural version of the InGaP database (Integrative Gene and Protein expression database; http://www.kazusa.or.jp/ingap/index.html) is a comprehensive database of gene/protein expression profiles of 127 mKIAA genes/proteins related to hypothetical ones obtained in our ongoing cDNA project. Information about each gene/protein consists of cDNA microarray analysis, subcellular localization of the ectopically expressed gene, and experimental data using anti-mKIAA antibody such as Western blotting and immunohistochemical analyses. KIAA cDNAs and their mouse counterparts, mKIAA cDNAs, were mainly isolated from cDNA libraries derived from brain tissues, thus we expect our database to contribute to the field of neuroscience. In fact, cDNA microarray analysis revealed that nearly half of our gene collection is predominantly expressed in brain tissues. Immunohistochemical analysis of the mouse brain provides functional insight into the specific area and/or cell type of the brain. This database will be a resource for the neuroscience community by seamlessly integrating the genomic and proteomic information about the mouse KIAA genes/proteins.

Most skills and knowledge of cooperative software design can be obtained only through experiences. Especially, technical document writing and its polish involves the contexts such as author's editing intention, advices and questions. It is important but difficult for leaners to share such contexts. This research proposes a support system for drawing technical documents attaching greater importance to proper composition giving thought to the sharing the editing contexts and to relationships among the technical documents and their components. This paper mainly describes overview of a support system for cooperative editing of the technical documents and sharing editing contexts in its process.

Periodontitis has been shown to be closely related to diabetes, which was recently found to be associated with lower serum creatinine. Conversely, several studies have suggested a positive relationship between periodontitis and abnormally high concentrations of serum creatinine associated with renal dysfunction, seemingly contradicting the above. This study evaluates periodontal status and serum levels of creatinine within the normal range to resolve this apparent contradiction.A comprehensive health examination of 907 Japanese males, 49 to 59 years old, was performed from 2000 to 2002. A blood sample was collected from the antecubital vein after an overnight fast. The periodontal parameters were periodontal probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (AL). We examined the association between serum creatinine concentration within the normal range and periodontal parameters.Serum creatinine concentration within the normal range was inversely correlated with mean PD and mean AL. In multivariate linear regression analyses, every 0.1-mg/dL increment in serum creatinine concentration was associated with a 0.064-mm decrease in both mean PD and mean AL (P0.05) after adjusting for confounding variables.This study finds a significant inverse association between normal serum creatinine concentration and periodontal disease.

In this article, we would like to verify a positive or negative policy impact that comes from decreasing or increasing people’s distrust in Japanese public pension system. For the sake of tackling these issues, firstly, we pick up some network models that fit well in real people’s network. Secondly, we put the information, which is concerning about Japanese public pension system, on agent-to-agent network. Finally, we ascertain the effect of releasing the information and its expansion on Japanese public pension system. Consequently, it is revealed that releasing information over again have a profound effect on reducing distrust in public pension system and on pension premium fund. With releasing information to a limited extent and to a limited number of agents, there is limited effect on reducing agent’s distrust.

In the course of our research for biologically active constituents from coniferous plants, a chromone derivative (1) and an abietane derivative (2) were isolated along with several diterpenes from Chamaecyparis pisifera. Structures of the new compounds were determined to be 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(1-acetyl-2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-chromone and rel-(8R,10R,20S)-8,10,20-trihydroxy-9(10--20)-abeo-abieta-9,13-dien-12-one by means of spectral methods including two-dimensional NMR experiments. Some of these abietane-type compounds isolated from this plants showed antibacterial activitv against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.

In the course of our research for biologically active constituents from coniferous plants, a chromone derivative (1) and an abietane derivative (2) were isolated along with several diterpenes from Chamaecyparis pisifera. Structures of the new compounds were determined to be 5,7-dihydroxy-2-(1-acetyl-2-methoxycarbonylethyl)-chromone and rel-(8R,10R,20S)-8,10,20-trihydroxy-9(10→20)-abeo-abieta-9,13-dien-12-one by means of spectral methods including two-dimensional NMR experiments. Some of these abietane-type compounds isolated from this plants showed antibacterial activity against the gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis.

A multiagent system (Weiss, 2000); (Russell & Norving, 1995) is proposed as an approach to social phenomena and complex systems in recent years. Agents are connected with networks, and they cooperate and negotiate with each other to solve problems by exchanging information. In addition, many multiagent simulators (MAS) are proposed, and some frameworks for developing MAS are also developed. These frameworks make the amount of work reduce. But it is necessary to build models that are required to develop simulators from scratch. It becomes a burden to developers. The models correspond to a model of MVC (Model-View-Controller) pattern. These models would be specialized in the framework and lack in reusability. Problems of these simulator frameworks are shown in the following: • Implementing models takes time and cost. • Managing models is very difficult. • The reusability of models is low. To solve these problems, this paper proposes a graphical model editor that can build models diagrammatically and a simulator development method using the editor. The method is compared with a conventional method from the viewpoint of usability and workload. The proposed method is applied to some examples and the results show that our method is effective in construction of multiagent simulators.

The asymmetric Diels–Alder reaction of α,β-unsaturated aldehydes with cyclopentadiene is catalyzed by a novel chiral boron reagent generated in situ from boron tribromide and a chiral prolinol derivative, to afford the corresponding adducts in good yields with fairly good to excellent ees.

Since December 2001, we have been conducting a project to isolate and determine entire sequences of mouse KIAA cDNA clones, which encode polypeptides corresponding to human KIAA proteins. The ultimate goal of this project has been elucidation of the functions of KIAA proteins. To address this issue, we have been generating ‘libraries’ of antibodies against mKIAA proteins. We have, to date, already generated >800 antibodies. Using our ‘libraries’ of antibodies, we are now identifying endogenous mKIAA protein–protein interactions. In the present study, novel interactions were identified by MS/MS analysis following immunoprecipitation with anti-mKIAA antibodies. The interactions with biologically known molecules should enable us to predict the function of mKIAA/KIAA proteins, including hypothetical proteins identified in our cDNA project. These interactions are subsequently used for construction of an intracellular pathway related to the mKIAA protein, and the pathway is distributed through the InCeP (IntraCellular Pathway based on mKIAA protein–protein interactions) database. Users can freely access the InCeP through the internet and download the graphical display as well as the curated information.

Moderate elevation of C-reactive protein (CRP) is thought to predict type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease (CVD), both of which are associated with periodontitis. Recent studies indicate that periodontal disease is associated with moderate elevation of CRP; however, the relationship between alveolar bone loss (ABL) and CRP elevation is unclear.A total of 179 Japanese men aged 50 to 54 years old, with at least 10 teeth, were examined as part of a comprehensive health examination before retirement from the Japan Self-Defense Force. ABL was measured at proximal sites of posterior teeth on a panoramic x-ray film. The relationship between the mean ratio of ABL to root length and serum CRP level and other variables was analyzed.ABL was significantly correlated with serum CRP level (P = 0.008), alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.008), high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (P = 0.04, inversely), white blood cell count (P0.001), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (P = 0.002), age (P = 0.03), and smoking history (P0.001). In a multiple logistic regression model adjusted for age, smoking history, systolic blood pressure, body-mass index, triglyceride, and HDL cholesterol, subjects in the highest tertile of ABL had an increased risk for CRP elevationor = 1.3 mg/l (odds ratio [OR] = 8.20; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.6 to 40.7; P = 0.01) when compared to the lowest tertile of ABL.ABL around posterior teeth was associated with elevated CRP in Japanese men, suggesting an association between periodontal disease and increased risk of type 2 diabetes and CVD.

A unique catalyst, Au core and Pd shell bimetallic nanoparticles immobilized on porous silica exhibiting a considerable high activity for the hydrogenation of cyclohexene, was prepared via two steps composed of the sonochemical reduction method and the sol–gel process under a low temperature condition.

The Hot Laboratory of the Japan Atomic Energy Institute consists of two parts: JHL-1 and JHL-2. The former is a row of multi-purpose caves, and the latter consists of single-purpose caves. The latter's design was based on the JHL-1's operation data. In this paper the results of analysis of the JHL-1's 4 years of operation are reported. This evaluation of accumulated operational experience may serve as a guide for the rational planning and design development of similar hot laboratory installations.

A quantitative expression of the capacity of a hot laboratory for post-irradiation examinations and experiments should serve most usefully in scheduling hot laboratory operation. The method adopted in the Hot Laboratory of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute is what has been termed the "Cave-day method". It has been in trial use for half a year since Feb. 1966. The method has proved to be highly useful for formulating and adjusting the operating schedule of the Hot Laboratory, once the standard times required for the various kinds of cave work have been determined. Another key to its successful application is a good understanding between the utilizers and the hot cave administration concerning the principles applied in determining the yearly or half-yearly amounts of cave-days allotted in advance to utilizers.