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Background and Aims Previous studies conducted in Europe suggested that darvadstrocel, a suspension of expanded, allogeneic, adipose-derived, mesenchymal stem cells, is safe and effective for treatment-refractory complex perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of darvadstrocel for the treatment of complex perianal fistulas in Japanese adults with Crohn’s disease. Methods This is a phase 3, open-label, single-arm study conducted at nine sites in Japan. Adult patients with non-active or mildly active Crohn’s disease and complex perianal fistulas received a single 24-mL intralesional injection of darvadstrocel [120 × 106 cells]. The primary endpoint was combined remission (clinically confirmed closure of all treated external openings that were draining at screening, and absence of collections >2 cm, [confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging] among treated fistulas) at Week 24. Results Between March 6, 2019 and February 1, 2021, 22 patients received darvadstrocel and completed the 52-week follow-up. The proportion of patients achieving combined remission at Week 24 was 59.1% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.5–79.6). The effect was maintained at Week 52, with 68.2% [95% CI, 48.7–87.6] of patients achieving combined remission. Treatment-related adverse events included: one [4.5%] patient with worsening of Crohn’s disease and diarrhoea, and one [4.5%] patient with blood bilirubin increase. No new safety findings were identified in this study. Conclusions The efficacy and tolerability of darvadstrocel in Japanese adult patients with treatment-refractory complex perianal fistulas in Crohn’s disease were similar to those observed in the previous European study. ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT03706456.

Terpenoids are natural compounds originating from five-carbon isoprene units. Over 60,000 terpenoid structures have been identified, and they contribute to the flavor, color, growth, and development of plants. There are several reports on various physiological activities of terpenoids, such as antioxidative and anticancer activities. This study revealed that combinations of terpenoids have activities against a spectrum of bacteria. The combination of carvacrol and thymol has bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities. Four terpenoids (carvacrol, thymol, eugenol, and nootkatone) exhibited bacteriostatic and bactericidal activities when used at low concentrations for 5‒10 min. The most effective bactericidal activity was observed for gram-negative bacteria. A very weak bactericidal activity was observed against Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis. This study revealed the antibacterial potential of different combinations of terpenoids against several bacteria that were tested. Thus, new candidates for the development of antibacterial medicines are reported here for the effective treatment of infectious bacterial diseases.

Nondestructive testing of concrete materials is essential in civil engineering to maintain social infrastructure such as buildings or bridges. In this study, we constructed an ultralow-frequency, ultranarrow-bandwidth, coherent terahertz (THz) imaging system based on THz time-domain spectroscopy (THz-TDS). Based on its ultralow-frequency-localized THz wave and coherent detection, the present system achieved a wide dynamic range of THz power over 100 dB at 0.046 THz, which is appropriate to measure the mortar material. The achieved dynamic range of the THz power was 59 dB larger than that of a commercialized THz-TDS system and 49 dB larger than that of an ultralow-frequency noncoherent THz imaging system equipped with a high-power electric THz source. Ultimately, the proposed system could visualize the inner structure of a mortar sample with a thickness of 10 mm, and the present system can investigate a mortar sample with a thickness of over 130 mm. The proposed method is an attractive tool for non-destructive testing of thick concrete structures characterized by non-invasiveness and non-contact remoteness.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the joint contact area of the dominant side and that of the non-dominant side without valgus instability in symptomatic pitchers. Ten symptomatic elbow medial ulnar collateral ligament (UCL) deficient baseball pitchers participated in this study. Computed tomography (CT) data from the dominant and non-dominant elbows were obtained with and without elbow valgus stress. The CT imaging data of each elbow joint were reconstructed using a 3D reconstruction software package, and the radiocapitellar and ulnohumeral joint contact areas were calculated. The center of the contact area and the translation from the position without stress to the position with valgus stress were also calculated. With elbow valgus stress, the contact area changed, and the center of the radiocapitellar joint contact area translated significantly more laterally in the dominant elbow than in the non-dominant elbow (P = 0.0361). In addition, the center of the ulnohumeral joint contact area translated significantly more posteriorly in the dominant elbow than in the non-dominant elbow (P = 0.0413). These changes in contact areas could be the reason for cartilage injury at the posterior trochlea in pitchers with UCL deficiency.

Alternate wetting and drying (AWD) is an irrigation technique developed to save water in paddy rice farming. We investigated how local paddy irrigation conditions affected the adoption of AWD by farmers in An Giang province of the Mekong River Delta region, Vietnam. To this end, we used community-level statistics collected in the dry seasons of 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2013–2014, and 2014–2015. We focused on paddy elevation, density of channel networks, and degree of triple-cropping as indicators of irrigation conditions. We performed a partial rank order correlation coefficient analysis between AWD adoption rates and these irrigation conditions and several other related factors. Variations in irrigation conditions caused by paddy elevation and infrastructure status were identified as affecting AWD implementation. Although AWD is a knowledge-intensive practice for optimizing watering amounts and timing in paddy rice farming, and requires no extra infrastructure or machinery, it does require well-arranged irrigation conditions. Moreover, the significance of the channel network in AWD adoption was emphasized in a year with low rainfall, indicating that farmers prefer continuous flooding to AWD as a hedge against water shortages. In AWD, continuous flooding is considered a waste of water from the viewpoint of rice plant physiology; however, where irrigation conditions are less than ideal, continuous flooding includes the role of water reservoirs. Therefore, the prerequisite conditions for diffusion of AWD need to be reconsidered.

Background: The distribution pattern of subchondral bone density is considered to accurately reflect the stress distribution over a joint under long-term physiologic loading. The biomechanical characteristics of the surface of the ankle joint in soccer players can be determined by measuring this distribution pattern under long-term loading. Purpose: To evaluate the distribution of subchondral bone density across the ankle joint in soccer players and to determine the effects of soccer activities, including kicking motion, on the ankle joint surface under long-term loading conditions by computed tomography (CT) osteoabsorptiometry (CTOAM). Study Design: Cross-sectional study; Level of evidence, 3. Methods: CT imaging data were obtained from both ankles of 10 soccer players (soccer group) and 10 nonathletic volunteers (control group). The distribution patterns of subchondral bone density across the articular surface of the ankle joints were assessed by CTOAM. Quantitative analysis was performed of the locations and percentages of high-density areas on the articular surface. Results: Stress distribution patterns over the ankle joint differed between the soccer players and controls. In the soccer players, the high-density areas were found in the anterior part of the distal tibia and proximal talus as well as the distal fibula. The percentages of high-density areas were greater in the soccer players compared with controls ( P < .0001). Conclusion: Stress distribution over the articular surface of the ankle joint was affected by soccer activities. A high stress concentration was seen in soccer players in the anterior part of the tibia and talus and in the fibula; such excessive stress may lead to anterior impingement.

Background/Aims: A subgroup analysis was conducted in Japanese patients with moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC) enrolled in the phase 3 VISIBLE 1 study, which evaluated the safety and efficacy of a new vedolizumab subcutaneous (SC) formulation.Methods: Eligible patients received open-label infusions of vedolizumab 300 mg intravenous (IV) at weeks 0 and 2 in the induction phase. Patients with clinical response by complete Mayo score at week 6 entered the double-blind maintenance phase and were randomized to vedolizumab 108 mg SC every 2 weeks, placebo, or vedolizumab 300 mg IV every 8 weeks. The primary endpoint was clinical remission (complete Mayo score ≤ 2 points; no individual subscore > 1 point) at week 52.Results: Of 49 patients who entered the induction phase, 22 out of 49 patients (45%) had clinical response at week 6 and were randomized to vedolizumab 108 mg SC (n = 10), placebo (n = 10), or vedolizumab 300 mg IV (n = 2). At week 52, 4 out of 10 patients (40%) who received vedolizumab SC had clinical remission versus 2 out of 10 patients (20%) who received placebo (difference: 20% [95% confidence interval, –27.9 to 61.8]). Two patients (2/10, 20%) who received vedolizumab SC experienced an injection-site reaction versus none who received placebo.Conclusions: Our results indicate that the efficacy of vedolizumab SC in a subgroup of Japanese patients with UC are similar with those in the overall VISIBLE 1 study population, and with those established with vedolizumab IV. The safety and tolerability of vedolizumab SC were generally similar to that established for vedolizumab IV. (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT02611830; EudraCT 2015-000480-14)

Farmland abandonment has been a significant issue in mountain regions. Thus, many studies have attempted to uncover its driving factors. Most existing studies take a large- or meso-scale view of mountain regions, and there are a few studies that provide community-level analysis. Therefore, it is unclear how ecological and sociopolitical factors are actually combined to influence farmland abandonment at a community level. Thus, we conducted a field survey in the mountain village of Ladakh, northern India, beginning in 2009 and tried to understand the farmland abandonment occurrence process from the viewpoint of traditional altitudinal models of land use. Using data collected during the survey, a relationship between altitude and farmland abandonment was established. However, this relationship was complex, combining traditional forms of land use system in the village. The altitudinal model of land use was very common in mountain regions; thus, discussions of current land use issues should be based o...

Venous air embolism (VAE) can be observed in the right heart system on contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT), following injection of contrast media with a power injector system. Although most VAEs are mostly asymptomatic, they may result in paradoxical air embolism (PAE). To evaluate whether the incidence of VAE on coronary CT angiography is associated with the process of preparation of the intravenous access route. We retrospectively evaluated 692 coronary CT examinations at 3 institutions. Trained CT nurses placed an intravenous cannula in the forearm. Tubes connected to the cannula were prepared in the following ways: A, using an interposed three-way cock and a 20-mL syringe filled with normal saline to collect air contamination in the tube; B, through direct connection to the power injector system without the interposed 3-way cock; and C, using an interposed three-way cock and a 100-mL normal saline drip infusion bottle system to keep the tube patent. The incidence and location of VAE and preparation of intravenous injection were assessed. The overall incidence of VAE was 55.3% (383/692), most frequently observed in the right atrium (81.5%, 312/383). Its incidence varied significantly across the 3 techniques (A: 21.6% (35/162), B: 63.2% (237/375) and C: 71.6% (111/155); P

Leptospirosis, caused by spirochetes of the genus Leptospira, is a globally widespread, neglected and emerging zoonotic disease. The currently used diagnostic tests are time-consuming, require technical expertise or require the use of sophisticated equipment. Clinicians have pointed out the urgent need to develop a rapid test for the diagnosis of acute leptospirosis with a non-invasive and easy sampling method. In this study, we have focused on a leptospiral enzyme, 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydrogenase (3-HADH), as a urinary biomarker of acute leptospirosis. A specific antiserum for pathogenic Leptospira spp. was produced, targeting a peptide corresponding to amino acids 410 to 424 of 3-HADH. The antiserum was used to investigate whether 3-HADH is excreted in the urine by Western blotting. Among 70 suspected leptospirosis patients, 40 were laboratory confirmed by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) using paired sera samples and/or polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the acute phase of the laboratory-confirmed leptospirosis cases, sensitivity for 3-HADH, blood PCR and urine PCR were 52.5%, 57.5% and 12%, respectively. 3-HADH was detected from 2 days post-onset of illness (p.o) and could be detected at least until 9 days p.o. The combination of PCR and 3-HADH detection increased sensitivity of diagnosis to 100% in samples collected between 1 and 3 days p.o., and to 82% in samples collected between 4 and 9 days p.o. Our results suggested that the detection of 3-HADH can support a clinical diagnosis of leptospirosis, especially when serological methods are negative during the acute phase.

Focusing on agro-pastoralism and the change in farmland use by the highlanders in Ladakh, Domkhar valley in lower Ladakh was selected as the research site. Domkhar valley has a total population of 1,269 people and 193 households and is divided into three villages based on their locations: Domkhar Do (lower village, 3,000 to 3,100 meters altitude), Domkhar Barma (middle village, 3,400 to 3,500 meters altitude), and Domkhar Gonma (upper village, 3,600 to 4,000 meters altitude). There is a hamlet called Kuramric at the highest point of the upper village at 4,100 meters. The villagers release their livestock in the pastures in the U-shaped valley located above Kuramric. Barley is the main crop cultivated in all three villages. Wheat can be cultivated in the lower and middle villages, but not in the upper village. We created a list of households in the three villages in Domkhar valley before conducting interviews. We then created a map showing irrigation canals, the land ownership and usage of each household from the GeoEye-1 satellite images taken in September and November 2010. We elucidated the change in land use and water management based on this map of irrigation canals, land ownership and usage along with the interviews and on-site observations. For more than 30 years, Ladakhi people has been receiving government rations of cheap flour, rice, sugar, and petroleum in Ladakh where the Sino-Indian Border Conflict and the Indo-Pakistani War were fought. For this reason, their staple food has switched from barley to the rationed flour. The change in the livelihood of agro-pastoralism has brought about changes in the land use, but even in this case, the temperature constraint from the difference in altitude remains a major defining factor in the selection and introduction of cash crops.

Nootkatone is one of the sesquiterpenes contained in citrus peels, especially in grapefruits. It is known that nootkatone has various physiological activities such as antioxidative and antifibrotic actions. This study showed that nootkatone, a natural sesquiterpene, exhibited antibacterial activities against Gram-positive bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Listeria monocytogenes, Corynebacterium diphtheriae, and Bacillus cereus, with the antibacterial effect against C. diphtheriae being most pronounced. However, no growth-inhibitory effects or bactericidal activity was observed against Gram-negative bacteria. In addition, the bactericidal activity of nootkatone at a high concentration was observed against Gram-positive bacilli. These results suggested that nootkatone may exert an antibacterial effect by targeting cell wall structures or a particular metabolite. Moreover, even at a low concentration (0.25 mM), nootkatone was capable of inhibiting biofilm formation by Staphylococcus aureus. Thus, this study demonstrated antibacterial efficacy for nootkatone against Gram-positive bacteria, indicating that nootkatone could be a potential candidate for the development of new antibacterial agents.

Tamibarotene is a synthetic retinoid expected to inhibit tumor-cell proliferation and to induce apoptosis by selective interaction with retinoic acid receptor α/β. We conducted an open-label phase I/II study to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) and recommended dose (RD), and to evaluate the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety profiles for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).Patients with histologically confirmed, measurable, unresectable HCC of Child-Pugh classification A or B and with no effective systemic or local therapies were eligible. In phase I, patients were assigned based on the 3 + 3 dose escalation criteria to receive tamibarotene at 8, 12, and 16 mg/day. The RD determined in phase I was employed for phase II. The planned sample size in phase II was 25, including the RD-treated patients in phase I.Thirty-six patients were enrolled. No patients experienced dose-limiting toxicity (DLT) at 8 mg/day. However, two out of six patients experienced the DLTs at 12 mg/day: one experienced thrombosis in a limb vein and pulmonary artery, and the other experienced an increase of γ-GTP. The MTD and RD were determined as 12 and 8 mg/day, respectively. In phase II, one patient achieved partial response, and seven achieved stable disease. The disease control rate was 32 % (95 % CI: 15.0-53.5). The following drug-related serious adverse events were reported: thrombosis in a limb vein, pulmonary artery, and portal vein; interstitial lung disease; and vomiting.Tamibarotene demonstrated the inhibition of tumor cell growth in advanced HCC with acceptable tolerance.

Rationale and Objectives We have developed a new contrast enhancement protocol for subtraction coronary computed tomography (SCCTA) requiring a short breath-holding time. In the protocol, test and main boluses were sequentially and automatically injected, and correct timings for pre-contrast and contrast-enhanced scans for main bolus were automatically determined only by the test bolus tracking. Combined with a fixed short main bolus injection for 7 seconds, the breath-holding time was shortened as possible. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether use of this new protocol produced adequate quality images, taking into account calcified lesions and in-stent lumens. Materials and Methods Patients (n = 127) with calcium scores of >400 Agatston units or a history of stent placement were enrolled. Breath-holding times were recorded, and image quality was visually evaluated by two observers. Results The mean ± standard deviation breath-holding time was 13.2 ± 0.6 seconds. The mean ± SD computed tomography (CT) number of coronary arteries for the pre-contrast scan was sufficiently low [99.2 ± 32.2 Hounsfield units (HU)] and, simultaneously, that for SCCTA was 367.0 ± 77.2 HU. The rate of segments evaluated as unreadable was sufficiently low (3.8%). Conclusions Use of the SCCTA protocol was efficient and allowed for a shorter breath-holding time and adequate diagnostic accuracy of SCCTA images, including images of calcified and stent implantation segments.

It has been already known that people who temporarily stay at high altitude may develop insomnia as a symptom of acute mountain sickness. However, much less is known about people living at high altitude. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of high altitude environment on sleep quality for the elderly who have been living at high altitude for their whole lives. A cross-sectional study was conducted in Domkhar valley at altitudes of 2800-4200m, Ladakh. Sleep quality was assessed using Insomnia Severity Index (ISI). Measurement items include body mass index, blood pressure, blood sugar, hemoglobin, timed Up and Go test, oxygen saturation during wakefulness, respiratory function test, Oxford Knee Score (OKS), and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), and so on. The participants were Ladakhi older adults aged 60 years or over (n=112) in Domkhar valley. The participation rate was 65.1% (male: female=47:65, mean age: 71.3 years and 67.9 years, respectively). The prevalence of the high score of ISI (8 or more) was 15.2% (17 out of 112). Altitude of residence was significantly correlated with ISI. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that OKS and altitude of residence were significantly related with ISI.

Objectives: To clarify the association between glucose intolerance and high altitudes (2900-4800 m) in a hypoxic environment in Tibetan highlanders and to verify the hypothesis that high altitude dwelling increases vulnerability to diabetes mellitus (DM) accelerated by lifestyle change or ageing. Design: Cross-sectional epidemiological study on Tibetan highlanders. Participants: We enrolled 1258 participants aged 40-87 years. The rural population comprised farmers in Domkhar (altitude 2900-3800 m) and nomads in Haiyan (3000-3100 m), Ryuho (4400 m) and Changthang (4300-4800 m). Urban area participants were from Leh (3300 m) and Jiegu (3700 m). Main outcome measure: Participants were classified into six glucose tolerance-based groups: DM, intermediate hyperglycaemia (IHG), normoglycaemia (NG), fasting DM, fasting IHG and fasting NG. Prevalence of glucose intolerance was compared in farmers, nomads and urban dwellers. Effects of dwelling at high altitude or hypoxia on glucose intolerance were analysed with the confounding factors of age, sex, obesity, lipids, haemoglobin, hypertension and lifestyle, using multiple logistic regression. Results: The prevalence of DM (fasting DM)/IHG (fasting IHG) was 8.9% (6.5%)/25.1% (12.7%), respectively, in all participants. This prevalence was higher in urban dwellers (9.5% (7.1%)/28.5% (11.7%)) and in farmers (8.5% (6.1%)/28.5% (18.3%)) compared with nomads (8.2% (5.7%)/15.7% (9.7%)) (p=0.0140/0.0001). Dwelling at high altitude was significantly associated with fasting IHG+fasting DM/fasting DM (ORs for >4500 and 3500-4499 m were 3.59/4.36 and 2.07/1.76 vs

The purpose of this study is to clarify the effectiveness of the use of β-blocker in coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). In 1783 patients, heart rate was controlled by propranolol injection to patients with heart rates of 61 bpm or more. As a result, the scan heart rate (58.8±6.5 bpm) decreased significantly compared with the initial heart rate (72.7±9.4 bpm). Prospective gating method was used by 61.9% including 64.3% of the intravenous β-blocker injection group. Moreover, daily use of oral β-blocker had influence on reduction of the scan heart rate (daily use group: 60.1±6.5 bpm vs. unuse group: 58.5±6.3 bpm p

Vertical mobile grazing is typical in undulating mountain landscapes. However, recent social, economic, and political changes in China are impacting these traditional practices. This paper presents findings of a study conducted in the Tibetan communities of southwest China to assess the current status of mountain pastoralism and its future viability. Rangeland environment, livestock variety, and grazing form were found to be significantly related factors, which made it possible to analyze livestock distribution. The yak population—the main mobile grazer in alpine pasture— is currently stagnating while the population of cattle raised around settlements is steadily increasing. This situation is likely closely related to labor shortages in households, which have triggered the imbalanced distribution of livestock. The fact that the key to rangeland sustainability is to stimulate mobile grazing runs counter to current privatization policies.

The effect of molecular weight on fiber structure development during the continuous neck-drawing of the amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fiber was investigated by fiber temperature measurements and online WAXD analysis. The fiber temperature was also simulated using the energy balance equation. The simulated temperature increased differently with molecular weight immediately after the neck point, while the measured temperature showed no difference. The difference in the simulated temperature was caused by the potential energy increase with increasing molecular weight, which would result in a retardation effect in the initial stage of fiber structure development. Online X-ray measurements were carried out with a time resolution of 0.5 ± 0.06 ms. A two-dimensionally ordered mesophase was formed within 1 ms after the neck point and developed into a microfibrillar structure. The time required for the disappearance of the two-dimensionally ordered structure increased with increasing molecular weight, leading to a retardation effect. No molecular weight dependence was observed in the rate of transformation from the two-dimensionally ordered structure to the PET crystal.

Background/AimsWe have previously isolated a novel lysosomal cysteine protease, cathepsin Y, which produces a kinin-potenciating octapeptide from rat plasma. The present study aimed to elucidate the influence of protein-restriction on cathepsin Y mRNA expression in tissues of growing rat.MethodsWeaning rats were fed either 20% casein (normal-protein, NP) or 5% casein (low-protein, LP) diet for 12 weeks, from post-weaning period to maturity. Cathepsin Y mRNA expression in tissues was examined using RT-PCR and compared with that of cathepsin L, a general marker of muscle atrophy.ResultsBody, liver and spleen weights and diet intake of LP were significantly lower than those of NP. Cathepsin Y expression in LP was increased in liver (3.70 fold vs. NP) and spleen (1.28 fold) at early periods of protein-restriction, whereas that of cathepsin L was increased in liver and pectoral muscle through all intake periods. However, significant differences were detected in neither cathepsin Y expression in pectoral muscle nor cathepsin L expression in spleen throughout intake periods.ConclusionsA significant up-regulation of cathepsin Y was observed in spleen and liver, suggesting that it may associate with immunodepression in rats under protein-malnutrition during the early post-weaning period.

This is a preprint of an article published in Journal of Polymer Science: Part B: Polymer Physics. 46(19): 2126-2142 (2008)., The initial stage of fiber structure development in the continuous neckdrawing of amorphous poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers was analyzed by in situ wide-angle X-ray diffraction, small-angle X-ray scattering, and fiber temperature measurements. The time error of the measurements (\600 ls) was obtained by synchrotron X-ray source and laser irradiation heating. A highly ordered fibrillar-shaped two-dimensional (smectic-like) structure was found to be formed less than 1 ms after necking. By analyzing its (0010) and (0020) diffractions, the length of the structure 60–70 nm were obtained. A three-dimensionally ordered triclinic crystal began to form with the vanishing of the structure around 1 ms after necking. The amount and size of the crystal were almost saturated within several milliseconds of necking, during which time a mainly exothermic heat of crystallization was also observed., Article, Journal of Polymer Science: Part B: Polymer Physics. 46(19): 2126-2142 (2008)

FtsZ, a protein essential for prokaryotic cell division, forms a ring structure known as the Z-ring at the division site. FtsZ has a GTP binding site and is assembled into linear structures in a GTP-dependent manner in vitro. We assessed whether guanosine 5'-diphosphate 3'-diphosphate (ppGpp), a global regulator of gene expression in starved bacteria, affects cell division in Salmonella Paratyphi A. Elevation of intracellular ppGpp levels by using the relA expression vector induced repression of bacterial growth and incorrect FtsZ assembly. We found that FtsZ forms helical structures in the presence of ppGpp by using the GTP binding site; however, ppGpp levels required to form helical structures were at least 20-fold higher than the required GTP levels in vitro. Furthermore, once formed, helical structures did not change to the straight form even after GTP addition. Our data indicate that elevation of the ppGpp level leads to inhibition of bacterial growth and interferes with FtsZ assembly.

Background There have been no reports about the diagnostic ability of coronary computed tomography angiography (CTA) in evaluating collateral channels used for retrograde chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Objective We investigated the ability and diagnostic accuracy of coronary CTA compared with invasive coronary angiography to detect collaterals used in retrograde CTO PCI and to compared the success rates for wire crossing between collaterals that are detectable and not detectable in coronary CTA. Methods We retrospectively reviewed data from 43 patients (55 collaterals) who underwent coronary CTA and PCI for CTO with the retrograde approach. We compared the ability of coronary CTA to visualize collaterals to invasive coronary angiography and evaluated the rates of successful wire crossing between CTA-visible and invisible collaterals. Results The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and accuracy of coronary CTA for detecting collaterals which were used for the retrograde approach was 100.0%, 50.0%, 65.9%, 100.0%, and 74.5%, respectively. Guidewire collateral crossing was more successful in CT-visible collaterals than those not detectable in CT (74.1% vs. 46.4%, p = 0.034). There were fewer collateral vessel injuries in CTA-visible collaterals (11.1% vs. 32.1%, p = 0.041). Conclusion Coronary CTA provides good visualization of collaterals used in retrograde CTO PCI. For retrograde guidewire crossing, a higher success rate with fewer complications was observed in CTA-visible collaterals than in those not detectable in coronary CTA.

Leptospirosis is a worldwide zoonosis. The importance of urban leptospirosis is recognized in Japan: urban rats carry pathogenic leptospires and people acquire these pathogens through contact with surface water or soil contaminated by the urine of the infected animals. To determine the current Leptospira carriage rate in urban rats, 29 wild rats were trapped in the central area of Fukuoka and strains isolated from their kidneys and urine analyzed. When semi-solid Korthof's medium containing 0.1% agar was used for isolation, 72.2% and 30.8% of the kidney and urine cultures, respectively, were found to be Leptospira-positive. The isolates belonged to Leptospira interrogans, and were classified into two groups (serogroups Pomona and Icterohaemorrhagiae) based on the results of gyrB sequence analysis and microscopic agglutination testing (MAT). Strains belonging to serogroup Icterohemorrhagiae grew well in liquid medium. On the other hand, serogroup Pomona isolates multiplied very little in liquid medium, but did grow in a semi-solid medium. Although strains belonging to serogroup Pomona have not been recognized as native to Japan, this strain may be widely distributed in urban rats. Representative strains from each group were found to be highly pathogenic to hamsters. Our findings should serve as a warning that it is still possible to become infected with leptospires from wild rats living in inner cities of Japan. Furthermore, the use of semi-solid medium for culture will improve the isolation rate of leptospires from the kidneys of wild rats.

The energy balance on the laser drawing process of poly (ethylene terephthalate) was analyzed by the on-line fiber temperature measurement. The energy converting process from the external work for drawing to the thermal energy was quantitatively investigated by comparing the measured temperature profiles with the estimated temperature profiles using energy balance equations. From the result, it was shown that 9-24% of the applied work was stored as the elastic energy into the system just after the neck drawing point, and that the stored elastic energy was released as the thermal energy with the progress of orientation-induced-crystallization. It was also shown that the ratio of stored energy to the applied work tend to increase with the increase of fiber speed.

Sedimentation polymerization of an aqueous 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate solution with some crosslinkers was carried out using a simple sedimentation polymerization apparatus to give millimeter-size and very narrow size distributed poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) gel beads. Also, heterogeneous acetylation of the resulting PHEA gel beads with acylating agents such as acetic anhydride, a mixture of acetic anhydride and pyridine, and chloroacetic anhydride was performed under various conditions. The selective esterification of PHEA gel beads proceeded smoothly in toluene from surface to give a novel core-shell type gel consisting of an unreacted core and acetylated shell, and finally afforded almost quantitatively acetylated PHEA gel. The unreacted core became small while maintaining a spherical shape during reaction. The reaction resembled to that of the corresponding cylindrical PHEA gel, and was strongly affected by the network structure of the obtained PHEA gel beads and the reactivity of acylating agents.

This is a preprint of an article published in JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART B-POLYMER PHYSICS. Vol 43(9): 1090-1099 (2005)., Article, JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE PART B-POLYMER PHYSICS. 43(9): 1090-1099 (2005)

Heterogeneous esterification of poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) (PHEA) gel with acylating agents such as acetic anhydride, a mixture of acetic anhydride and pyridine, and chloroacetic anhydride was carried out under various conditions. The selective esterification of PHEA gel proceeded smoothly in toluene from surface to give a novel core-shell type gel (gel capsule) consisting of a hydrophilic unreacted core and hydrophobic acetylated shell, and finally afford almost quantitative acetylated PHEA gel. The reaction was strongly affected by kinds and concentration of acylating agents. The swelling of the obtained gel capsule was studied. Although the gel capsule obtained from the esterification of PHEA gel with acetic anhydride showed much the same swelling behavior as the original PHEA gel, the shell layer resulting from the esterification of PHEA gel with a mixture of acetic anhydride and pyridine showed a high degree of esterification and worked as a permeability barrier of water.

Pastoralism or stock farming is a livelihood difficult to explore in terms of its past practices and situations since ruins and relics seldom remain due to the rare use of tools and facilities. Therefore, pastoralism in the past has been investigated especially by geographers and anthropologists based on present techniques. They have tended to use a small number of case studies of pastoralism as representative characteristics of an entire area and to discuss the distribution and spread of pastoralism.This study aims to pose questions regarding the conventional methods of investigating the past situation based on present pastoralism techniques, and of establishing, a priori, the cultural geographic spheres based on only a small number of case studies-that is, whether current pastoralism techniques are static and remain unchanged, and whether the conventional categorization of cultural geographic spheres of pastoralism is relevant.A field survey was conducted in the southeastern part of Tibet, Yunnan and Sichuan provinces, for 15 months, from 2000 to 2002, to examine the distribution and transformation of the dairy processing technique, a crucial technique of pastoralism, since it is believed to make this livelihood long-standing and stable.Regarding the dairy processing technique, Tibet is categorized into the Indo-and West Asia cultural geographic sphere, where the churning process is practiced after lactic acid fermentation. On the contrary, in Shanggelila county, where the field survey was intensively conducted, the distinctive feature of milk processing is that the churning process is carried out without lactic acid fermentation. The omission of the fermentation process is found to be practiced all over Tibet. This fact suggests that the milk processing technique that originated in South or West Asia, has been gradually transformed into a process adapted to the cool and arid environment of Tibet. Three milk processing techniques employed in Tibet, which had not been cited in previous works, could be identified.Thus, it is necessary to consider the transformation of techniques while investigating the distribution and spread of pastoralism. Accumulating case studies is also required for a thorough examination. The regional differences among pastoralism techniques need to be closely examined before arriving at an agreement on the a priori categorization of geographic spheres.