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Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease presenting with motor and non-motor symptoms, including skin disorders (seborrheic dermatitis, bullous pemphigoid, and rosacea), skin pathological changes (decreased nerve endings and alpha-synuclein deposition), and metabolic changes of sebum. Recently, a transcriptome method using RNA in skin surface lipids (SSL-RNAs) which can be obtained non-invasively with an oil-blotting film was reported as a novel analytic method of sebum. Here we report transcriptome analyses using SSL-RNAs and the potential of these expression profiles with machine learning as diagnostic biomarkers for PD in double cohorts (PD [n = 15, 50], controls [n = 15, 50]). Differential expression analysis between the patients with PD and healthy controls identified more than 100 differentially expressed genes in the two cohorts. In each cohort, several genes related to oxidative phosphorylation were upregulated, and gene ontology analysis using differentially expressed genes revealed functional processes associated with PD. Furthermore, machine learning using the expression information obtained from the SSL-RNAs was able to efficiently discriminate patients with PD from healthy controls, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.806. This non-invasive gene expression profile of SSL-RNAs may contribute to early PD diagnosis based on the neurodegeneration background.

In March, 2011, large amounts of radioactive materials were released from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant after the nuclear accident. Especially, for humans, internal exposure to 137Cs and 90Sr radionuclides presents very high risks because of their very long physical half-lives (137Cs: 30.2 years, 90Sr: 28.9 years). Therefore, it is important to inhibit the absorption of radioactive materials and to promote the excretion of them from the body through feces. The aim of this study was to explore foods, their components and various chemicals showing adsorption properties to Cs and Sr. Sodium alginate (ALA-Na) strongly adsorbed Cs and Sr compared with other samples. Chondroitin sulfate, carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (CMC-Na), methyl cellulose (MC) and apple polyphenols (AP; high molecule weight) also showed adsorption potency to Cs in that order. For Sr adsorption, kelp, CMC-Na, MC, AP (high molecule weight), laminaran and Jew's mallow exhibited adsorbing effects in that order. These samples might be useful and safe tools to protect from the adverse effects induced by internal exposure to these radioactive materials.

Background and Aim: Surgical site infection (SSI) remains an important concern in Japan. The Japanese Soci‐ ety for Infection and Prevention Control disclosed that the incidence of SSIs has been lowered only by a fraction over the past 10 years. The importance of taking steps to reduce the occurrence of SSIs is recognized by many hospitals, but to date, no truly effective countermeasures have been reported. We executed a plan to better un‐ derstand the spec fic surveillance needs at St. Marianna University School of Medicine Hospital and then de‐ velop and institute procedures that would reduce the incidence of SSIs. Methods and Results: In 2005, we began development of an enhanced SSI surveillance system. With our basic CDC-based surveillance system in place, we assembled a team of doctors and nurses to oversee surveillance. We practiced strict record keeping and data analysis, gleaned information from staff, and enlisted the coopera‐ tion of other departments. New procedures were established accordingly and implemented in three phases. Be‐ tween 2005 and 2013, we witnessed informative fluctuat ons in the incidence of SSIs. Key components of our new system were standardized postoperative wound cleansing, use of buried absorbable sutures to close surgical wounds, consistent provision of 6 antibacterial agents, each one active against a common organ spec fic patho‐ gen, and establishment of a prophylactic protocol. New methods of information sharing were also instituted. We lowered the incidence of SSIs from 8% in 2006 to approximately 6.9% in 2012. We continue to monitor the number of SSIs occurring and are encouraged by a steady decline. Conclusion: Establishment of the SSI team at our hospital has proven to be a useful multidisciplinary approach to nosocomial infection awareness and control. Gradual introduction of the system to the various departments and step-by-step implementation have decreased the occurrence of SSIs and the nosocomial spread of infectious agents.

The dehydrogenation of tetralin to naphthalene in the liquid-film state on Pd/C and Te-Pd/C catalysts was investigated under reactive distillation conditions at 493 K. The conversion of tetralin was high, when observed using 0.3 g of Pd/C at a specific volume of tetralin (0.9 mL) was used, while the addition of tellurium into the Pd/C catalyst resulted in a similar high conversion using 0.3 g of Te-Pd/C with a somewhat wider volumetric range (0.8–1.1 mL) of tetralin.

A 62-year-old man was admitted with dyspnea. Computed tomography (CT) revealed left massive pleural effusion and a cystic lesion in the posterior mediastinal compartment extending to the pancreatic head via the esophageal hiatus. The pleural effusion had a high amylase content. Based on these findings, we diagnosed mediastinal pancreatic pseudocyst accompanied by pancreatic pleural effusion. We treated him with CT-guided puncture and endoscopic pancreatic drainage. Endoscopic pancreatic treatment is possible for pancreatic pseudocysts.