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Purpose Human brown adipose tissue (BAT) is known to be a significant thermoeffector in non-shivering thermogenesis (NST), albeit with individual variations in the BAT activity. We hypothesized that humans with less BAT would have more contribution from the skeletal muscle (SM) to NST or earlier shivering onset and greater vasoconstriction to compensate for less BAT-mediated thermogenesis. Methods Eighteen males participated in this study. Their BAT activity and detectable volume were investigated. A gradual cold exposure was conducted for inducing NST at 18.6 degrees C and initiating shivering at 11.6 degrees C. The energy expenditure, electromyograph of the pectoralis major, skin blood flow, and rectal (T-re) and skin temperatures were evaluated. Results BAT volume significantly correlated with the change in metabolic heat production during mild cold phase relative to baseline (NST;r = 0.562,P < 0.05), but not with shivering initiation phase (NST+ ST). SM mass correlated with baseline metabolic heat production (M-base;r = 0.839,P < 0.01) but not withNSTorNST + ST. A positive correlation was noted between BAT volume andT(re)at the end of the 18.6 degrees C exposure period (r = 0.586,P < 0.05), which positively correlated with shivering onset time (r = 0.553,P < 0.05). The skin blood flow, mean skin temperature, and forearm and finger skin temperature difference at the end of the 18.6 degrees C exposure period did not correlate withNSTor BAT volume. Conclusion BAT volume positively correlated withNST. Notably, lowerT(re)in individuals with less BAT volume induced earlier shivering onset for offsetting the lessNST. Whereas, no correlation between metabolic and vasomotor responses was observed.

Background The thermoregulatory responses during simultaneous exposure to hypoxia and cold are not well understood owing to the opposite reactions of vasomotor tone in these two environments. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the influences of hypobaric hypoxia on various thermoregulatory responses, including skin blood flow (SkBF) during cold exposure. Methods Ten subjects participated in two experimental conditions: normobaric normoxia with cold (NC, barometric pressure (PB) = 760 mmHg) and hypobaric hypoxia with cold (HC, PB = 493 mmHg). The air temperature was maintained at 28 °C for 65 min and gradually decreased to 19 °C for both conditions. The total duration of the experiment was 135 min. Results The saturation of percutaneous oxygen (SpO2) was maintained at 98–99% in NC condition, but decreased to around 84% in HC condition. The rectal and mean skin temperatures showed no significant differences between the conditions; however, the forehead temperature was higher in HC condition than in NC condition. The pulse rate increased in HC condition, and there was a strong negative relationship between SpO2 and pulse rate (r = − 0.860, p = 0.013). SkBF and blood pressure showed no significant differences between the two conditions. Conclusion These results suggest that hypobaric hypoxia during cold exposure did not alter the overall thermoregulatory responses. However, hypobaric hypoxia did affect pulse rate regardless of cold exposure.

Background Physiological thermoregulatory systems in humans have been a key factor for adaptation to local environments after their exodus from Africa, particularly, to cold environments outside Africa. Recent studies using high-throughput sequencing have identified various genes responsible for cold adaptation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying initial thermoregulation in response to acute cold exposure remain unclear. Therefore, we investigated transcriptional profiles of six young Japanese male adults exposed to acute cold stress. Methods In a climatic chamber, the air temperature was maintained at 28°C for 65 min and was then gradually decreased to 19°C for 70 min. Saliva samples were obtained from the subjects at 28°C before and after 19°C cold exposure and were used for RNA sequencing. Results In the cold exposure experiment, expression levels of 14 genes were significantly changed [false discovery rate (FDR) < 0.05] although the degree of transcriptional changes was not high due to experimental conditions or blunted transcriptional reaction in saliva to cold stress. As a result, differential gene expression analyses detected the cathepsin L (CTSL) gene to be significantly upregulated, with FDR < 0.05 and log2 fold change value > 1; thus, this gene was identified as a differentially expressed gene. Given that the cathepsin L protein is related to invasion of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2), mild cold stress might alter the susceptibility to coronavirus disease-19 in humans. The gene ontology enrichment analysis for 14 genes with FDR < 0.05 suggested that immune-related molecules could be activated by mild cold stress. Conclusions The results obtained from this study indicate that CTSL expression levels can be altered by acute mild cold stress.

Background Energy cost of transport per unit distance (CoT) against speed shows U-shaped fashion in walking and linear fashion in running, indicating that there exists a specific walking speed minimizing the CoT, being defined as economical speed (ES). Another specific gait speed is the intersection speed between both fashions, being called energetically optimal transition speed (EOTS). We measured the ES, EOTS, and muscle activities during walking and running at the EOTS under hyperoxia (40% fraction of inspired oxygen) on the level and uphill gradients (+ 5%). Methods Oxygen consumption \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \left(\dot{V}{\mathrm{O}}_2\right) $$\end{document}V˙O2 and carbon dioxide output \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \left(\dot{V}{\mathrm{CO}}_2\right) $$\end{document}V˙CO2 were measured to calculate the CoT values at eight walking speeds (2.4–7.3 km h−1) and four running speeds (7.3–9.4 km h− 1) in 17 young males. Electromyography was recorded from gastrocnemius medialis, gastrocnemius lateralis (GL), and tibialis anterior (TA) to evaluate muscle activities. Mean power frequency (MPF) was obtained to compare motor unit recruitment patterns between walking and running. Results \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \dot{V}{\mathrm{O}}_2 $$\end{document}V˙O2, \documentclass[12pt]{minimal} \usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{wasysym} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage{amsbsy} \usepackage{mathrsfs} \usepackage{upgreek} \setlength{\oddsidemargin}{-69pt} \begin{document}$$ \dot{V}{\mathrm{CO}}_2 $$\end{document}V˙CO2, and CoT values were lower under hyperoxia than normoxia at faster walking speeds and any running speeds. A faster ES on the uphill gradient and slower EOTS on both gradients were observed under hyperoxia than normoxia. GL and TA activities became lower when switching from walking to running at the EOTS under both FiO2 conditions on both gradients, so did the MPF in the TA. Conclusions ES and EOTS were influenced by reduced metabolic demands induced by hyperoxia. GL and TA activities in association with a lower shift of motor unit recruitment patterns in the TA would be related to the gait selection when walking or running at the EOTS. Trial registration UMIN000017690 (R000020501). Registered May 26, 2015, before the first trial. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s40101-018-0177-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

A metal–metal bonding technique is described that uses nanoparticles composed of silver and copper. Colloid solutions of nanoparticles with an Ag content of 0–100 mol% were prepared by simultaneous reduction of Ag+ and Cu2+ using hydrazine with polyvinylpyrrolidone and citric acid as stabilisers. The nanoparticles ranged in size from 34 to 149 nm depending on the Ag content. Copper discs were strongly bonded at 400°C for 5 min under 1.2 MPa pressure in hydrogen gas; the maximum shear strength was as high as 23.9 MPa. The dependence of shear strength on the Ag content was explained by a mismatch between the d-spacings of Cu metal and Ag metal.

This study assessed the effects of clothing and air temperature combinations on workplace productivity and physiological response. Ten male Japanese subjects were exposed to six combinations of clothing (0.3 clo and 0.9 clo) and air temperature (16°C, 26°C, and 36°C) during which cognitive performance (Bourdon and calculation tests), manual motor performance (finger-tapping test), and physiological responses (heart rate, blood pressure, and skin and oral temperatures) were measured. Both cold exposure and lower clothing levels likely increased the Bourdon test performance. Calculation test performance tended to be affected by exposure to cold or neutral temperatures at the beginning of the test. Cold exposure undermined manual motor performance (especially when combined with fewer clothing items) while heat exposure significantly increased heart rate. Both cold exposure and higher clothing level during heat exposure increased blood pressure. Body temperature, particularly mean skin temperature, increased with higher air temperature and was significantly influenced by clothing insulation during cold exposure. These results provide novel evidence for the effects of clothing and air temperature (particularly cold) on human productivity and physiological responses in humans.

This work performs metal–metal bonding by using cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles prepared by reduction in aqueous solution. A colloid solution of Cu2O nanoparticles was prepared by mixing Cu(NO3)2 aqueous solution and NaBH4 aqueous solution. Cu2O nanoparticles with a size of 111 ± 34 nm, cubic crystal phase, and crystal size of 21.2 nm were produced at initial concentrations of 0.010 M Cu(NO3)2 and 0.010 M NaBH4 at a temperature of 40 °C. The Cu2O particles contained not only Cu O bonds but also Cu0 Cu0 bonds, which indicated formation of fine cluster-like domains composed of Cu0 Cu0 bonds. The shear strength required for separating the metallic Cu discs bonded by using the particles as a filler at 400 °C in H2 gas was as high as 27.9 MPa, which was comparable to the shear strengths of metallic Cu particles and CuO particles reported in our previous works. Metallic Cu single crystallites were produced during the bonding process. The presence of the fine cluster-like domains promoted epitaxial particle growth of the metallic Cu and formation of the micron-sized domains composed of nano-sized and submicron-sized single crystals, which provided the strong bonding.

(K,Na)NbO3 ceramics have attracted much attention as lead-free piezoelectric materials with high piezoelectric properties. High-quality (K,Na)NbO3 ceramics can be sintered using KNbO3 and NaNbO3 powders synthesized by a hydrothermal method. In this study, to enhance the quality factor of the ceramics, high-power ultrasonic irradiation was employed during the hydrothermal method, which led to a reduction in the particle size of the resultant powders.

This paper describes a metal–metal bonding technique using metallic Cu nanoparticles prepared in aqueous solution. A colloid solution of metallic Cu particles with a size of 54 ± 15 nm was prepared by reducing Cu2+ (0.01 M (CH3COO)2Cu) with hydrazine (0.6 M) in the presence of stabilizers (5 × 10−4 M citric acid and 5 × 10−3 M cetyltrimethylammonium bromide) in water at room temperature in air. Discs made of metallic materials (Cu, Ni/Cu, or Ag/Ni/Cu) were successfully bonded under annealing at 400 °C and pressurizing at 1.2 MPa for 5 min in H2 gas with help of the metallic Cu particle powder. Shear strength required for separating the bonded discs was 27.9 ± 3.9 for Cu discs, 28.1 ± 4.1 for Ni/Cu discs, and 13.8 ± 2.6 MPa for Ag/Ni/Cu discs. Epitaxial crystal growth promotes on the discs with a good matching for the lattice constants between metallic nanoparticles and metallic disc surfaces, which leads to strong bonding. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The present study describes metal-metal bonding process using mixture of CuO nanoparticles and Ag2O nanoparticles (Ag2O/CuO mixed particles). The leaf-like aggregates with a longitudinal size of 1116 nm and a lateral size of 460 nm composed of CuO nanoparticles with a size of ca. 10 nm and the Ag2O nanoparticles with a size of 20.6 nm were fabricated with a salt-base reaction. Metal-metal bonding could be successfully performed by using the mixed particles as a filler sandwiched between metallic discs and pressurizing the discs at 1.2 MPa for 5 min under annealing in H2 gas at 400oC. The mixed particles bonded not only metallic Cu discs but also metallic Ag discs strongly; The shear strengths were as large as 17.3 and 22.4 MPa for the Cu discs and the Ag discs, respectively.

Some colon cancer (CC) patients present synchronous cancers at diagnosis and others develop metachronous neoplasms, but the risk factors are unclear for non-hereditary CC. We showed previously that global DNA demethylation increased with aging and correlated with genomic damage in CC, and we show now that preferentially associates to CCs with wild-type p53. This study aimed to elucidate the extent of DNA hypomethylation in patients with single and multiple CC, its relationship with aging, and its potential as predictive tool. We compared by real-time methylation-specific PCR the relative demethylation level (RDL) of long interspersed nucleotide element-1 (LINE-1) sequences in matched cancer tissues and non-cancerous colonic mucosa (NCM) from patients with single and multiple right-sided CCs. Although no RDL difference was found in NCM from single CC patients and healthy volunteers (P =0.5), there was more demethylation (higher RDL) in NCM from synchronous cancer patients (P =1.1 × 10−5) multiple CCs also were more demethylated than single CCs (P =0.0014). High NCM demethylation was predictive for metachronous neoplasms (P =0.003). In multivariate logistic regression analyses RDL was the only independent predictor for metachronous (P =0.02) and multiple (P =4.9 × 10−5) tumors. The higher LINE-1 demethylation in NCM from patients with multiple (synchronous and metachronous) tumors (P =9.6 × 10−7) was also very significant in patients with tumors without (P =3.8 × 10−6), but not with (P =0.16) microsatellite instability. NCM demethylation increased with aging in patients with single tumors, but decreased in those with multiple tumors. Moreover, the demethylation difference between patients with single vs multiple tumors appeared higher in younger (P =3.6 × 10−4) than in older (P =0.0016) patients. These results predict that LINE-1 hypomethylation in NCM can be used as an epigenetic predictive biomarker for multiple CC risk. The stronger association of demethylation in NCM with multiple CC risk from younger patients also suggests an inherited predisposition for the apparent field cancerization effect of somatic demethylation.

Introduction The aim of this study was to review the impact of age (≥75 years) on the short-term outcomes of laparoscopic colorectal surgery. Methods Three hundred seventy-nine patients under 70 years of age and 91 patients 75 years and older were analyzed. Quantification of comorbidities was performed using the Charlson Weighted Comorbidity Index. Outcome measures were postoperative complications and 30-day mortality. Results There was no difference in the occurrence of postoperative complications between the younger and older patients. Bivariate analysis revealed that patient age was not a risk factor of major complications (odds ratio = 1.2; 95% confidence interval, .6–2.3). Although bivariate analysis revealed that older age had a statistically significant odds ratio for 30-day mortality (odds ratio = 12.8; 95% confidence interval, 1.3–125.4), multivariate analysis revealed that it was a weighted comorbidity index score of 5 or more (P = .02) and long operative time (P = .01) that were independent predictors of 30-day mortality and not age per se. Conclusions Age is not an independent predictor of morbidity and mortality in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery.

Genetic and epigenetic features of sessile serrated adenoma (SSA), a precursor lesion to colon cancer with microsatellite instability (MSI), were investigated. The aim of this study was to clarify whether there are location-dependent genetic and epigenetic features in SSA. Twenty-two patients with proximal SSAs and 8 with distal SSAs were recruited. Twenty-two patients with tubular adenoma (TA) and 66 with proximal colon cancer were studied for comparison. Genetic and epigenetic features were evaluated as BRAF and KRAS mutations, MSI, hMLH1 methylation and CpG island methylator phenotype (CIMP). BRAF mutation (p=0.007) and CIMP (p=0.012) were more frequently found in proximal than in distal SSAs. Furthermore, the KRAS mutation was found only in distal SSAs. In TAs, no location-related molecular features were observed. All SSAs, TAs and 42 colon cancer lesions were microsatellite stable (MSS). Twenty-four colon cancer lesions exhibited MSI and had more frequent BRAF mutations (p

The hydrothermal method enables the production of high-quality piezoelectric materials. In this study, we propose to irradiate the reaction solutions with ultrasonic power during the hydrothermal method to obtain a shorter reaction time and a smooth film surface. A high-pressure reaction container for the ultrasonic transducer was newly developed, and the ultrasonically-assisted hydrothermal method was examined by using this container. The effect of ultrasonic assist on the synthesis of lead-zirconate-titanate (PZT) thin films and (K,Na)NbO$_{3}$ powders was verified. Thicker PZT film, thickness around 10 ${\mu}$m, could be obtained in one process, and (K,Na)NbO$_{3}$ powder was synthesized in half the previous reaction time.

As a lead-free piezoelectric ceramics, (K,Na)NbO$_{3}$ is a promising material because of its good piezoelectric properties. In this study, (K$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$)NbO$_{3}$ ceramics were synthesized from a KNbO$_{3}$ and NaNbO$_{3}$ mixture powder prepared by the hydrothermal reaction. The hydrothermal reaction enables the production of high quality powder for the ceramics fabrication process. To obtain (K$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$)NbO$_{3}$ ceramics, these two powders KNbO$_{3}$ and NaNbO$_{3}$ were mixed and then sintered together. X-Ray diffraction analysis revealed that the solid solution ceramics (K$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$)NbO$_{3}$ was produced by the sintering process. The K/Na ratio in (K$_{1-x}$Na$_{x}$)NbO$_{3}$ ceramics was optimized for the best piezoelectric properties. The optimized forms was (K$_{0.48}$Na$_{0.52}$)NbO$_{3}$, which showed the following piezoelectric properties; k$_{33}$=0.56, d$_{33}$=114pC/N. In addition, the ferroelectric properties, P$_{r}$=7.72mC/cm$^{2}$, E$_{c}$=857V/mm, and the Curie temperature T$_{c}$=420$_{o}$C were also measured.

Cholesterol side chain cleavage cytochrome P450 (P450scc, Cyp11a) is responsible for the first step in steroidogenesis, catalyzing the conversion of cholesterol to prognenolone. To investigate the differentiation of steroid-producing cells and the function of sex steroids during gonadal differentiation in the teleost fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes), we isolated the full length cDNA of medaka P450scc and analyzed the expression pattern of P450scc mRNA during gonadal development using in situ hybridization. At hatching, and just after the initiation of morphological sex differentiation, we did not detect any P450scc expression in both sexes. In male gonads, expression of P450scc was detected in the interstitial somatic cells 15 days after hatching following the formation of the seminiferous tubule precursor, and was maintained in the interstitial somatic cells throughout testicular development. In the female gonad, expression of P450scc was initially detected in interstitial somatic cells 5 days after hatching. Subsequently, the expression of P450scc was continuously detected in the interstitial somatic cells of the developing ovary. This expression pattern of P450scc differed from that of female specific steroidogenic enzyme P450arom. Both P450scc and P450arom expressing cells, only P450scc expressing cells, and only P450arom expressing cells were observed. Our results suggest that expression of steroidogenic enzymes is regulated by various mechanisms during ovarian development.

Purpose In choosing the appropriate surgical option for patients with colon cancer and Lynch syndrome, goals of treatment are to maximize life expectancy while preserving quality of life. This study constructs a decision model that encompasses these two related considerations. Methods We constructed a state-transition (Markov) model based on assumptions obtained from available data sources and published literature. Two strategies were considered for the treatment of colon cancer in a patient with Lynch syndrome: segmental colectomy (SEG) and total abdominal colectomy (TAC) with ileorectal anastomosis. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) were calculated based on utility states for patients based on the colectomy they received. Multiple sensitivity analyses were planned to examine the impact of each assumption on model results. Results For young (30-year-old) patients with Lynch syndrome, mean survival was slightly better with TAC than with SEG (34.8 v 35.5 years). When QALYs were considered, the two strategies were approximately equivalent, with QALYs per patient of 21.5 for SEG and 21.2 for TAC. With advancing age, SEG becomes a more favorable strategy. Results of our model were most sensitive to the utility state of TAC (relative to SEG), rates of metachronous occurrence, and stage of cancer at the time of such occurrence. Conclusion SEG and TAC are approximately equivalent strategies for patients with colon cancer and Lynch syndrome. The decision regarding which operation is preferable should be made on the basis of patient factors and preferences, with special emphasis on age and the ability of the patient to utilize intensive surveillance.

Introduction The pattern of distribution of lymph node metastasis in resected specimens of colon cancer has been rarely reported in the English literature. The aim of this study was to determine the location of the first metastatic lymph node, giving insight into the drainage pattern of colon cancer lymphatics. Method All lymph nodes in the mesentery of the resected specimen were carefully harvested and their precise locations documented. Patients with a single metastatic node in the resected specimen were included in the study. Results Ninety-three patients with only one metastatic lymph node found on histology were studied. The mean number of lymph nodes per specimen was 22.3 (range: 8–72). The patients’ first metastatic node was not directly below the tumour in 48% of cases. The first metastatic node was found in the region either along the feeding vessels (skipping the pericolic nodes) or in the pericolic area outside 5 cm on either side of the tumour edge in 18% of cases. No factors were found to be predictive for lymph node metastasis occurring elsewhere other than in the pericolic region just below the tumour. Conclusion Although there has been recent resurgence of interest in using sentinel node biopsy to limit surgical dissection to facilitate minimally access and natural orifice surgery, the present study is a warning that this may compromise oncological clearance. Radical surgery should remain standard practice for colorectal cancer.

Among various lead-free piezoelectric materials, (K,Na)NbO 3 is a very promising candidate. In this study, (K,Na)NbO 3 ceramics were sintered from mixed KNbO 3 and NaNbO 3 powders prepared by hydrothermal reaction. These two powders were mixed with distilled water in a KNbO 3 /NaNbO 3 molar ratio of 1. After sintering the mixed powder, the solid solution of (Na,K)NbO 3 ceramics was obtained. The electrical properties such as the electromechanical coupling factors k p and k 33 , the mechanical quality factor, Q m , and the piezoelectric constant d 33 of the sintered (K,Na)NbO 3 ceramics were 0.32, 0.48, 71 (radial mode), 118 ((33)mode), and 107 pC/N, respectively.

Several risk factors for heatstroke among forestry workers were previously reported, but the effects of lifestyles of the workers on heatstroke symptoms remain unknown. This study examines the effects of lifestyles on heatstroke symptoms among Japanese forestry workers during the summer. We distributed a questionnaire to 97 forestry workers about heatstroke symptoms, hydration, hotness in workplace, lifestyles including food consumption, sleep duration, exercise, alcohol consumption, and smoking, age, and years of forestry service, and measured physical characteristics. The total health score was used as an index of healthy habits. Thirty-seven workers (38.1%) experienced heatstroke symptoms. Heatstroke and asymptomatic groups significantly differed in terms of age, years of forestry service, frequency and volume of hydration, frequency of urination, and perceived hotness. Logistic regression analysis selected the following key variables associated with the development of heatstroke symptoms: years of forestry service, frequency of hydration adjusted by frequency of urination, and total health score. In conclusion, the present study revealed that one third of forestry workers develop some early symptoms of heatstroke during work, and healthy habits reduce the risk of heatstroke in forestry workers.

Sodium hyaluronate and carboxymethylcellulose membrane (Seprafilm) reduced postoperative intraabdominal adhesion. In this study, we examined whether Seprafilm reduces operative difficulties in ileostomy closure. During the creation of the ileostomy, Seprafilm was cut in half and used to wrap both the ileum and mesentery. Patients who underwent ileostomy closure before February 2008 (without Seprafilm, Group T, n = 18) and after March (with Seprafilm, Group S, n = 18) were enrolled in this study. All operations were performed by surgical residents. Operative time and perioperative complications were analyzed. The mean operative time of Group S (106.88 min) was significantly less than that of Group T (120.6 min). The amount of intraoperative bleeding in Groups S and T was not significantly different and there were no major complications. Seprafilm applied to the two limbs of the ileostomy and mesentery facilitate ileostomy closure done by non-expert surgeons.

Aim. The aim of this study is to determine the significance of postoperative sequential measurements of serum CA19-9 in patients with extremely low serum level.Patients and Methods. Serum level of CA19-9 of 1096 patients who underwent surgery was measured preoperatively and every three months after surgery for 5 years. Patients with CA19-9 level of less than 2 U/mL at the time of diagnosis were defined as Extremely Low CA19-9 (ELCA).Results. One hundred and seven patients (9.8%) were ELCA. Of these, 86 underwent surgery with curative intent. Serum levels of CA19-9 in patients who did not undergo curative resection () and who developed recurrence () were less than 2.0 U/mL in all occasions during followup. In all patients without recurrence, serum level of CA19-9 also remained less than 2.0 U/mL.Conclusion. In patients with extremely low CA19-9, who consist of 9.8% of colorectal carcinoma cases, postoperative sequential measurement of serum level of CA19-9 contributed neither to assessment of curability of surgical resection nor to detection of recurrence.

Surgery for elderly patients pose a constant challenge. This study aims to review the outcome and find predictors of adverse outcome in octogenarians undergoing major colorectal resection for cancer.A review of 121 octogenarians who underwent colorectal cancer surgery between September 1992 and May 2008 was performed. Comorbidities were quantified using the weighted Charlson Comorbidity Index and ASA classification. CR-POSSUM scores and ACPGBI scores and the predicted mortality rates were calculated. Outcome measures were morbidity rates and 30-day mortality rates.The patients had a mean age of 83.5 years (range, 80-99). The mean index of comorbidity was 3.1 (2-7) and 12.5% of patients were classified ASA III and above. The mean predicted mortality rate based on CR-POSSUM and ACPGBI scoring models were 11.2% and 5.4% respectively. The overall observed morbidity rate was 30.7% and 30-day mortality was 1.6. Factors found on bivariate analysis to be significantly associated with an increased risk of morbidity were tumor presenting with complication, comorbid coronary heart disease, serum urea levels, ASA classificationor =3 and comorbidity index 3 of 5or = 5. Multivariate analysis revealed the latter two factors to be independent predictors of morbidity.Octogenarians undergoing major colorectal resection have an acceptable perioperative morbidity and mortality rate and survival rate and should not be denied surgery based on age alone. Comorbidity index scores and ASA scores are useful tools to identify poor risk patients.

This experiment tested effects of human eye pigmentation depending on the ethnicity on suppression of nocturnal melatonin secretion by light. Ten healthy Caucasian males with blue, green, or light brown irises (light-eyed Caucasians) and 11 Asian males with dark brown irises (dark-eyed Asians) volunteered to participate in the study. The mean ages of the light-eyed Caucasians and dark-eyed Asians were 26.4 ± 3.2 and 25.3 ± 5.7 years, respectively. The subjects were exposed to light (1,000 lux) for 2 h at night. The starting time of exposure was set to 2 h before the time of peak salivary melatonin concentration of each subject, which was determined in a preliminary experiment. Salivary melatonin concentration and pupil size were measured before exposure to light and during exposure to light. The percentage of suppression of melatonin secretion by light was calculated. The percentage of suppression of melatonin secretion 2 h after the start of light exposure was significantly larger in light-eyed Caucasians (88.9 ± 4.2%) than in dark-eyed Asians (73.4 ± 20.0%) ( P < 0.01). No significant difference was found between pupil sizes in light-eyed Caucasians and dark-eyed Asians. These results suggest that sensitivity of melatonin to light suppression is influenced by eye pigmentation and/or ethnicity.

We discussed the present research trends of mathematical models of heat transfer phenomena within human body. In addition we introduced our mathematical model expressing local characteristics of each segment including a subroutine of calculation of physiological thermoregulatory responses. By using this computer program several simulations under various combinations of thermal environmental conditions and working levels were performed. The calculated results were agreed with the measured results and suggested the validity of the present mathematical model to evaluate human responses.

Objective The purpose of this study is to determine whether the statistics from three published reports on Parkinson's disease (PD) are mutually interrelated and to clarify the relationship between the prevalence statistics and mortality statistics of PD. These statistics included data on "number of patients with PD (PD Patients)", "number of patients with PD receiving financial aid for treatment (PD Recipients)" as an indicator showing the prevalence of PD, and "number of deaths from PD (PD Deaths, i.e., mortality)". Methods The data on PD Patients, PD Recipients and PD Deaths were cited from "Patient Survey" by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, a report by the Research Committee on Epidemiology of Intractable Diseases and "Vital Statistics of Japan" by Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare, respectively. The expected PD Patients, PD Recipients and PD Deaths were calculated as products of their respective rates for the entire country and prefecture population, adjusting for a difference in population composition. Observed/expected number ratios (O/E ratio) of PD Patients, PD Recipients and PD Patients were calculated by prefecture. The correlation between the O/E ratios was examined. In addition, the relationships of the O/E ratios with the number of hospitals or physicians per person were examined. Results There were no significant correlations between the O/E ratios of PD Patients, PD Recipients or PD Deaths. The O/E ratio of PD Recipients significantly correlated with the numbers of hospitals and physicians per person. Conclusion PD Patients and PD Recipients were included in number of people with PD and PD Deaths was derived from people with PD. However, these statistics do not necessarily reflect the prevalence of PD in each prefecture. When using these published statistics as an indicator of the prevalence of PD, it is necessary to clarify the purpose of their use and to comprehend their characteristics.