AIM:To identify the most effective endoscopic biliary drainage technique for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.METHODS:In total,118 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent endoscopic management[endoscopi...AIM:To identify the most effective endoscopic biliary drainage technique for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.METHODS:In total,118 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent endoscopic management[endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD)or endoscopic biliary stenting]as a temporary drainage in our institution between 2009 and 2014.We retrospectively evaluated all complications from initial endoscopic drainage to surgery or palliative treatment.The risk factors for biliary reintervention,post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(post-ERCP)pancreatitis,and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)were also analyzed using patient-and procedure-related characteristics.The risk factors for bilateral drainage were examined in a subgroup analysis of patients who underwent initial unilateral drainage.RESULTS:In total,137 complications were observed in92(78%)patients.Biliary reintervention was required in 83(70%)patients.ENBD was significantly associated with a low risk of biliary reintervention[odds ratio(OR)=0.26,95%CI:0.08-0.76,P=0.012].Post-ERCP pancreatitis was observed in 19(16%)patients.An absence of endoscopic sphincterotomy was significantly associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis(OR=3.46,95%CI:1.19-10.87,P=0.023).PTBD was required in 16(14%)patients,and Bismuth type III or IV cholangiocarcinoma was a significant risk factor(OR=7.88,95%CI:1.33-155.0,P=0.010).Of 102 patients with initial unilateral drainage,49(48%)required bilateral drainage.Endoscopic sphincterotomy(OR=3.24,95%CI:1.27-8.78,P=0.004)and Bismuth II,III,or IV cholangiocarcinoma(OR=34.69,95%CI:4.88-736.7,P<0.001)were significant risk factors for bilateral drainage.CONCLUSION:The endoscopic management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is challenging.ENBD should be selected as a temporary drainage method because of its low risk of complications.展开更多
The hepatic stellate cells in the liver are stimulated sustainably by chronic injury of the hepatocytes, activating myofibroblasts, which produce abundant collagen. Myofibroblasts are the major source of extracellular...The hepatic stellate cells in the liver are stimulated sustainably by chronic injury of the hepatocytes, activating myofibroblasts, which produce abundant collagen. Myofibroblasts are the major source of extracellular proteins during fibrogenesis, and may directly, or secreted products, contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs) are one of the components of the tumor microenvironment that promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells by secreting various growth factors and cytokines. CAFs crosstalk with cancer cells stimulates tumor progression by creating a favorable microenvironment for progression, invasion, and metastasis through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Basic studies on CAFs have advanced, and the role of CAFs in tumors has been elucidated. In particular, for hepatocellular carcinoma, carcinogenesis from cirrhosis is a known fact, and participation of CAFs in carcinogenesis is supported. In this review, we discuss the current literature on the role of CAFs and CAF-related signaling in carcinogenesis, crosstalk with cancer cells, immunosuppressive effects, angiogenesis, therapeutic targets, and resistance to chemotherapy. The role of CAFs is important in cancer initiation and progression. CAF-targeted therapy may be effective for suppression not only of fibrosis but also cancer progression.展开更多
Remnant gastric cancer(RGC) and gastric stump cancer after distal gastrectomy(DG) are recognized as the same clinical entity. In this review, the current knowledges as well as the non-settled issues of RGC are present...Remnant gastric cancer(RGC) and gastric stump cancer after distal gastrectomy(DG) are recognized as the same clinical entity. In this review, the current knowledges as well as the non-settled issues of RGC are presented. Duodenogastric reflux and denervation of the gastric mucosa are considered as the two main factors responsible for the development of RGC after benign disease. On the other hand, some precancerous circumstances which already have existed at the time of initial surgery, such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, are the main factors associated with RGC after gastric cancer. Although eradication of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in remnant stomach is promising, it is still uncertain whether it can reduce the risk of carcinogenesis. Periodic endoscopic surveillance after DG was reported useful in detecting RGC at an early stage, which offers a chance to undergo minimally invasive endoscopic treatment or laparoscopic surgery and leads to an improved prognosis in RGC patients. Future challenges may be expected to elucidate the benefit of eradication of H. pylori in the remnant stomach if it could reduce the risk for RGC, to build an optimal endoscopic surveillance strategy after DG by stratifying the risk for development of RGC, and to develop a specific staging system for RGC for the standardization of the treatment by prospecting the prognosis.展开更多
Although liver resection is considered the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory because of the high rate of HCC recurrence. Since we reported hepatitis B e-...Although liver resection is considered the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory because of the high rate of HCC recurrence. Since we reported hepatitis B e-antigen positivity and high serum hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA concentrations are strong risk factors for HCC recurrence after curative resection of HBV-related HCC in the early 2000 s, many investigators have demonstrated the effects of viral status on HCC recurrence and post-treatment outcomes. These findings suggest controlling viral status is important to prevent HCC recurrence and improve survival after curative treatment for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy after curative treatment aims to improve prognosis by preventing HCC recurrence and maintaining liver function. Therapy with interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogs may be useful for preventing HCC recurrence and improving overall survival in patients who have undergone curative resection for HBV-related HCC. In addition, reactivation of viral replication can occur after liver resection for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy can be recommended for patients to prevent HBV reactivation. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish treatment guidelines for patients with HBVrelated HCC.展开更多
Localized surface plasmon resonance(LSPR)can be supported by metallic nanoparticles and engineered nanostructures.An understanding of the spatially resolved near-field properties and dynamics of LSPR is important,but ...Localized surface plasmon resonance(LSPR)can be supported by metallic nanoparticles and engineered nanostructures.An understanding of the spatially resolved near-field properties and dynamics of LSPR is important,but remains experimentally challenging.We report experimental studies toward this aim using photoemission electron microscopy(PEEM)with high spatial resolution of sub-10 nm.Various engineered gold nanostructure arrays(such as rods,nanodisk-like particles and dimers)are investigated via PEEM using near-infrared(NIR)femtosecond laser pulses as the excitation source.When the LSPR wavelengths overlap the spectrum of the femtosecond pulses,the LSPR is efficiently excited and promotes multiphoton photoemission,which is correlated with the local intensity of the metallic nanoparticles in the near field.Thus,the local field distribution of the LSPR on different Au nanostructures can be directly explored and discussed using the PEEM images.In addition,the dynamics of the LSPR is studied by combining interferometric time-resolved pump-probe technique and PEEM.Detailed information on the oscillation and dephasing of the LSPR field can be obtained.The results identify PEEM as a powerful tool for accessing the near-field mapping and dynamic properties of plasmonic nanostructures.展开更多
Osteoporosis is a common metabolic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deteriorated bone structure, leading to increased susceptibility to fractures. With aging population, osteoporotic fracture...Osteoporosis is a common metabolic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deteriorated bone structure, leading to increased susceptibility to fractures. With aging population, osteoporotic fractures are of global health and socioeconomic importance. The three-dimensional microstructural information of the common osteoporosis-related fracture sites, including vertebra, femoral neck and distal radius, is a key for fully understanding osteoporosis pathogenesis and predicting the fracture risk. Low vertebral bone mineral density(BMD) is correlated with increased fracture of the spine. Vertebral BMD decreases from cervical to lumbar spine, with the lowest BMD at the third lumbar vertebra. Trabecular bone mass of the vertebrae is much lower than that of the peripheral bone. Cancellous bone of the vertebral body has a complex heterogeneous three-dimensional microstructure, with lower bone volume in the central and anterior superior regions. Trabecular bone quality is a key element to maintain the vertebral strength. The increased fragility of osteoporotic femoral neck is attributed to low cancellous bone volume and high compact porosity. Compared with age-matched controls, increased cortical porosity is observed at the femoral neck in osteoporoticfracture patients. Distal radius demonstrates spatial inhomogeneous characteristic in cortical microstructure. The medial region of the distal radius displays the highest cortical porosity compared with the lateral, anterior and posterior regions. Bone strength of the distal radius is mainly determined by cortical porosity, which deteriorates with advancing age.展开更多
AIM: To clarify the usefulness of a new method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy by using a fast-absorbable suture material irradiated polyglactin 910, and a temporary stent tube for a narrow pancreatic duct wit...AIM: To clarify the usefulness of a new method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy by using a fast-absorbable suture material irradiated polyglactin 910, and a temporary stent tube for a narrow pancreatic duct with a soft pancreatic texture.METHODS: Among 63 consecutive patients with soft pancreas undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2003 to 2006, 35 patients were treated with a new reconstructive method. Briefly, after the pancreatic transaction, a stent tube was inserted into the lumen of the pancreatic duct and ligated with it by a fast-absorbable suture. Another tip of the stent tube was introduced into the intestinal lumen at the jejunal limb, where a purse-string suture was made by another fast-absorbable suture to roughly fix the tube. The pancreaticojejunostomy was completed by ligating two fast-absorbable sutures to approximate the ductal end and the jejunal mucosa, and by adding a rough anastomosis between the pancreatic parenchyma and the seromuscular layer of the jejunum. The initial surgical results with this method were retrospectively compared with those of the 28 patients treated with conventional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis.RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative morbidity including pancreatic fistula were comparable between the two groups (new; 3%-17% vs conventional; 7%-14% according to the definitions). There was no mortality and re-admission. Late complications were also rarely seen.CONCLUSION: A pancreaticojejunostomy using an irradiated polyglactin 910 suture material and a temporary stent is easy to perform and is feasible even in cases with a narrow pancreatic duct and a normal soft pancreas.展开更多
We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with di...We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with different fertilizer management systems were used for this study. The total carbon and total nitrogen contents were higher in the organically fertilized orchard, while the total phosphorus and total potassium were at similar levels in both organically and conventionally fertilized orchards. The bacterial biomass did not differ between the two orchards, but the N circulation activity was clearly higher in the organically fertilized orchard from April to December. Total carbon from 50,000 to 60,000 mg/kg, total nitrogen at about 3000 to 4000 mg/kg, and a C/N ratio of 15 - 20 were suggested to be suitable conditions for a high level of apple production under an organic fertilizer management system.展开更多
In recent years, a deep learning model called convolutional neural network with an ability of extracting features of high-level abstraction from minimum preprocessing data has been widely used. In this research, we pr...In recent years, a deep learning model called convolutional neural network with an ability of extracting features of high-level abstraction from minimum preprocessing data has been widely used. In this research, we proposed a new approach in classifying DNA sequences using the convolutional neural network while considering these sequences as text data. We used one-hot vectors to represent sequences as input to the model;therefore, it conserves the essential position information of each nucleotide in sequences. Using 12 DNA sequence datasets, we evaluated our proposed model and achieved significant improvements in all of these datasets. This result has shown a potential of using convolutional neural network for DNA sequence to solve other sequence problems in bioinformatics.展开更多
Degradation of three kinds of bioplastics and their effects on microbial biomass and microbial diversity in soil environment were analyzed. The degradation rate of bioplastic in soil was closely related to the main co...Degradation of three kinds of bioplastics and their effects on microbial biomass and microbial diversity in soil environment were analyzed. The degradation rate of bioplastic in soil was closely related to the main components in the bioplastics. Poly (butylene succinate)-starch (PBS-starch) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) were degraded by 1% to 7% after 28 days in a soil with an initial bacterial biomass of 1.4 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/g-soil, however poly lactic acid (PLA) was not degraded in the soil after 28 days. When the powdered-bioplastics were examined for the degradation in the soil, PBS-starch also showed the highest degradability (24.4% degradation after 28 days), and the similar results were obtained in the case of long-term degradation experiment (2 years). To investigate the effect of bacterial biomass in soil on biodegradability of bioplastics, PBS-starch was buried in three kinds of soils differing in bacterial biomass (7.5 × 10<sup>6</sup>, 7.5 × 10<sup>7</sup>, and 7.5 × 10<sup>8</sup> cells/g-soil). The rate of bioplastic degradation was enhanced accompanied with an increase of the bacterial biomass in soil. 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE analysis indicated that the bacterial diversity in the soil was not affected by the degradation of bioplastics. Moreover, the degradation of bioplastic did not affect the nitrogen circulation activity in the soil.展开更多
Dear editor,Lung carcinoma is responsible for the highest fatal-ity rate among cancer-related deaths globally,with lung adenocarcinoma(LADC)emerging as the prevailing sub-type.
Inflammatory stimuli,such as a microbes or lipopolysaccharides,induce a rapid release of neutrophils from the bone marrow and promote neutrophil migration into inflamed sites to promote host defense.However,an excess ...Inflammatory stimuli,such as a microbes or lipopolysaccharides,induce a rapid release of neutrophils from the bone marrow and promote neutrophil migration into inflamed sites to promote host defense.However,an excess accumulation and retention of neutrophils in inflamed tissue can cause severe tissue injuries in the later stages of inflammation.Recent studies have reported that both CXCL12 levels in injured lungs and its receptor,CXCR4,on accumulated neutrophils in injured lungs,increased;furthermore,these studies showed that the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway participated in neutrophil accumulation in the later stages of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced lung injury.However,the mechanisms underlying this increase in surface CXCR4 expression in neutrophils remain unclear.In this study,we found that surface CXCR4 expression increased in extravascular,but not intravascular,neutrophils in the lungs of LPS-induced lung injury model mice.Furthermore,ex vivo studies revealed that CXCL12 acted not only as a chemoattractant,but also as a suppressor of cell death for the lung neutrophils expressing CXCR4.Sulfatide,one of the native ligands for L-selectin,induced the increase of surface CXCR4 expression on isolated circulating neutrophils,suggesting that the activation of L-selectin may be involved in the increase in surface CXCR4.Our findings show that surface CXCR4 levels on neutrophils increase after extravasation into injured lungs,possibly through the activation of L-selectin.The CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway plays an important role in the modulation of neutrophil activity during acute lung injury,not only by promoting chemotaxis but also by suppressing cell death.展开更多
The wheel loads of heavy trucks are the major source of pavement damage,given the repeated loadings imposed by them due to transient events and surface irregularities.While related studies focus on steady-state contex...The wheel loads of heavy trucks are the major source of pavement damage,given the repeated loadings imposed by them due to transient events and surface irregularities.While related studies focus on steady-state context regarding simplified vehicle’s parameters and ideal pavement conditions,this paper aims to analyze the vertical load applied to the pavement by considering cornering maneuver as a transient event,on a battery electric vehicle truck.In this concern,measurements were performed on a rigid truck,with two steering front axles,in a closed course proving ground.The relationship has been presented between vehicle’s speed,lateral acceleration and transferred vertical load for a given curve radius of 85.6 m and 3.7°of transversal slope.The measurements results indicated that for every 10 km/h increasing on the vehicle’s speed,additional 110 kgf will be transferred to the pavement on the outer side of the cornering radius.This value itself could not be considered high,but it will be also added to the static load,or overload in some truck applications.展开更多
The solar sail is one of the most promising space exploration systems due to its theoretically infinite specific impulse achieved through solar radiation pressure(SRP).Recently,researchers have proposed“transformable...The solar sail is one of the most promising space exploration systems due to its theoretically infinite specific impulse achieved through solar radiation pressure(SRP).Recently,researchers have proposed“transformable spacecraft”capable of actively reconfiguring their body configurations using actuatable joints.Transformable spacecraft,if used similarly to solar sails,are expected to significantly enhance orbit and attitude control capabilities owing to their high redundancy in control degrees of freedom.However,controlling them becomes challenging due to their large number of inputs,leading previous researchers to impose strong constraints to limit their potential control capabilities.This study focuses on novel attitude control techniques for transformable spacecraft under SRP.We developed two methods,namely,joint angle optimization to obtain arbitrary SRP force and torque,and momentum damping control driven by joint angle actuation.Our proposed methods are formulated in a general manner and can be applied to any transformable spacecraft comprising front faces that can predominantly receive the SRP on each body.The validity of our proposed method is confirmed through numerical simulations.Our study contributes to making most of the high control redundancy of transformable spacecraft without the need for expendable propellants,thus significantly enhancing the orbit and attitude control capabilities.展开更多
Inflammation has been shown to be a factor in tumorigenesis. The circulating platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a representative index of systemic inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the association between pr...Inflammation has been shown to be a factor in tumorigenesis. The circulating platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a representative index of systemic inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the association between preoperative PLR levels and clinicopathological variables in two hundred sixty-four Japanese patients with localized breast carcinoma. We also evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperative PLR levels using the Cox proportional hazard model. Seventy-five patients (28.4%) had elevated PLR values, whereas 189 (71.6%) had depressed PLR values. The PLR correlated significantly with venous invasion (P < 0.05). Disease-free survival rates were significantly worse among patients with elevated PLR values than among those with lower PLR value (5-year survival, 81.6% vs. 90.7%, respectively;P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, elevated PLR, nuclear grade, and lymph node involvement were significant prognostic factors for disease-free survival in patients with breast carcinoma (P < 0.05). Preoperative PLR levels may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with breast carcinoma.展开更多
Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common type of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors, although metastasis to the perigastric lymph nodes is relatively rare, compared with liver or peritoneal metasta...Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common type of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors, although metastasis to the perigastric lymph nodes is relatively rare, compared with liver or peritoneal metastasis. In this report, we describe a case of stomach GIST with a solitary simultaneous metastasis in the left axillary lymph node. A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with a large upper-stomach GIST, and computed tomography and positron emission tomography revealed masses in the left axilla and right mediastinum. We did not detect evidence of metastases to the liver, or other sites including the perigastric lymph nodes, although findings from the surgically resected axillary lymph nodes were compatible with GIST metastasis. Treatment using imatinib markedly reduced the gastric and mediastinal lesions, and this response persisted for 3 years. The patient subsequently experienced rapid growth of the gastric lesion without mediastinal or axilla recurrence, which required palliative surgery. Despite continuing medical treatment(sunitinib and regorafenib), the patient died of liver metastases 23 mo after the surgery. Based on our findings, it appears that the axillary lymph nodes can be a potential metastatic site for GIST metastasis.展开更多
文摘AIM:To identify the most effective endoscopic biliary drainage technique for patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma.METHODS:In total,118 patients with hilar cholangiocarcinoma underwent endoscopic management[endoscopic nasobiliary drainage(ENBD)or endoscopic biliary stenting]as a temporary drainage in our institution between 2009 and 2014.We retrospectively evaluated all complications from initial endoscopic drainage to surgery or palliative treatment.The risk factors for biliary reintervention,post-endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(post-ERCP)pancreatitis,and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage(PTBD)were also analyzed using patient-and procedure-related characteristics.The risk factors for bilateral drainage were examined in a subgroup analysis of patients who underwent initial unilateral drainage.RESULTS:In total,137 complications were observed in92(78%)patients.Biliary reintervention was required in 83(70%)patients.ENBD was significantly associated with a low risk of biliary reintervention[odds ratio(OR)=0.26,95%CI:0.08-0.76,P=0.012].Post-ERCP pancreatitis was observed in 19(16%)patients.An absence of endoscopic sphincterotomy was significantly associated with post-ERCP pancreatitis(OR=3.46,95%CI:1.19-10.87,P=0.023).PTBD was required in 16(14%)patients,and Bismuth type III or IV cholangiocarcinoma was a significant risk factor(OR=7.88,95%CI:1.33-155.0,P=0.010).Of 102 patients with initial unilateral drainage,49(48%)required bilateral drainage.Endoscopic sphincterotomy(OR=3.24,95%CI:1.27-8.78,P=0.004)and Bismuth II,III,or IV cholangiocarcinoma(OR=34.69,95%CI:4.88-736.7,P<0.001)were significant risk factors for bilateral drainage.CONCLUSION:The endoscopic management of hilar cholangiocarcinoma is challenging.ENBD should be selected as a temporary drainage method because of its low risk of complications.
基金Supported by Research Program on Hepatitis from Japan Agency for Medical Research and development,AMED
文摘The hepatic stellate cells in the liver are stimulated sustainably by chronic injury of the hepatocytes, activating myofibroblasts, which produce abundant collagen. Myofibroblasts are the major source of extracellular proteins during fibrogenesis, and may directly, or secreted products, contribute to carcinogenesis and tumor progression. Cancer-associated fibroblasts(CAFs) are one of the components of the tumor microenvironment that promote the proliferation and invasion of cancer cells by secreting various growth factors and cytokines. CAFs crosstalk with cancer cells stimulates tumor progression by creating a favorable microenvironment for progression, invasion, and metastasis through the epithelial-mesenchymal transition. Basic studies on CAFs have advanced, and the role of CAFs in tumors has been elucidated. In particular, for hepatocellular carcinoma, carcinogenesis from cirrhosis is a known fact, and participation of CAFs in carcinogenesis is supported. In this review, we discuss the current literature on the role of CAFs and CAF-related signaling in carcinogenesis, crosstalk with cancer cells, immunosuppressive effects, angiogenesis, therapeutic targets, and resistance to chemotherapy. The role of CAFs is important in cancer initiation and progression. CAF-targeted therapy may be effective for suppression not only of fibrosis but also cancer progression.
文摘Remnant gastric cancer(RGC) and gastric stump cancer after distal gastrectomy(DG) are recognized as the same clinical entity. In this review, the current knowledges as well as the non-settled issues of RGC are presented. Duodenogastric reflux and denervation of the gastric mucosa are considered as the two main factors responsible for the development of RGC after benign disease. On the other hand, some precancerous circumstances which already have existed at the time of initial surgery, such as atrophic gastritis and intestinal metaplasia, are the main factors associated with RGC after gastric cancer. Although eradication of Helicobacter pylori(H. pylori) in remnant stomach is promising, it is still uncertain whether it can reduce the risk of carcinogenesis. Periodic endoscopic surveillance after DG was reported useful in detecting RGC at an early stage, which offers a chance to undergo minimally invasive endoscopic treatment or laparoscopic surgery and leads to an improved prognosis in RGC patients. Future challenges may be expected to elucidate the benefit of eradication of H. pylori in the remnant stomach if it could reduce the risk for RGC, to build an optimal endoscopic surveillance strategy after DG by stratifying the risk for development of RGC, and to develop a specific staging system for RGC for the standardization of the treatment by prospecting the prognosis.
文摘Although liver resection is considered the most effective treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC), treatment outcomes are unsatisfactory because of the high rate of HCC recurrence. Since we reported hepatitis B e-antigen positivity and high serum hepatitis B virus(HBV) DNA concentrations are strong risk factors for HCC recurrence after curative resection of HBV-related HCC in the early 2000 s, many investigators have demonstrated the effects of viral status on HCC recurrence and post-treatment outcomes. These findings suggest controlling viral status is important to prevent HCC recurrence and improve survival after curative treatment for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy after curative treatment aims to improve prognosis by preventing HCC recurrence and maintaining liver function. Therapy with interferon and nucleos(t)ide analogs may be useful for preventing HCC recurrence and improving overall survival in patients who have undergone curative resection for HBV-related HCC. In addition, reactivation of viral replication can occur after liver resection for HBV-related HCC. Antiviral therapy can be recommended for patients to prevent HBV reactivation. Nevertheless, further studies are required to establish treatment guidelines for patients with HBVrelated HCC.
基金This study was supported by funding from the Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,Science,and Technology of Japan:KAKENHI Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research No.23225006,Nanotechnology Platform(Hokkaido University)and the Low-Carbon Research Network of Japan.
文摘Localized surface plasmon resonance(LSPR)can be supported by metallic nanoparticles and engineered nanostructures.An understanding of the spatially resolved near-field properties and dynamics of LSPR is important,but remains experimentally challenging.We report experimental studies toward this aim using photoemission electron microscopy(PEEM)with high spatial resolution of sub-10 nm.Various engineered gold nanostructure arrays(such as rods,nanodisk-like particles and dimers)are investigated via PEEM using near-infrared(NIR)femtosecond laser pulses as the excitation source.When the LSPR wavelengths overlap the spectrum of the femtosecond pulses,the LSPR is efficiently excited and promotes multiphoton photoemission,which is correlated with the local intensity of the metallic nanoparticles in the near field.Thus,the local field distribution of the LSPR on different Au nanostructures can be directly explored and discussed using the PEEM images.In addition,the dynamics of the LSPR is studied by combining interferometric time-resolved pump-probe technique and PEEM.Detailed information on the oscillation and dephasing of the LSPR field can be obtained.The results identify PEEM as a powerful tool for accessing the near-field mapping and dynamic properties of plasmonic nanostructures.
文摘Osteoporosis is a common metabolic skeletal disorder characterized by decreased bone mass and deteriorated bone structure, leading to increased susceptibility to fractures. With aging population, osteoporotic fractures are of global health and socioeconomic importance. The three-dimensional microstructural information of the common osteoporosis-related fracture sites, including vertebra, femoral neck and distal radius, is a key for fully understanding osteoporosis pathogenesis and predicting the fracture risk. Low vertebral bone mineral density(BMD) is correlated with increased fracture of the spine. Vertebral BMD decreases from cervical to lumbar spine, with the lowest BMD at the third lumbar vertebra. Trabecular bone mass of the vertebrae is much lower than that of the peripheral bone. Cancellous bone of the vertebral body has a complex heterogeneous three-dimensional microstructure, with lower bone volume in the central and anterior superior regions. Trabecular bone quality is a key element to maintain the vertebral strength. The increased fragility of osteoporotic femoral neck is attributed to low cancellous bone volume and high compact porosity. Compared with age-matched controls, increased cortical porosity is observed at the femoral neck in osteoporoticfracture patients. Distal radius demonstrates spatial inhomogeneous characteristic in cortical microstructure. The medial region of the distal radius displays the highest cortical porosity compared with the lateral, anterior and posterior regions. Bone strength of the distal radius is mainly determined by cortical porosity, which deteriorates with advancing age.
文摘AIM: To clarify the usefulness of a new method for performing a pancreaticojejunostomy by using a fast-absorbable suture material irradiated polyglactin 910, and a temporary stent tube for a narrow pancreatic duct with a soft pancreatic texture.METHODS: Among 63 consecutive patients with soft pancreas undergoing a pancreaticoduodenectomy from 2003 to 2006, 35 patients were treated with a new reconstructive method. Briefly, after the pancreatic transaction, a stent tube was inserted into the lumen of the pancreatic duct and ligated with it by a fast-absorbable suture. Another tip of the stent tube was introduced into the intestinal lumen at the jejunal limb, where a purse-string suture was made by another fast-absorbable suture to roughly fix the tube. The pancreaticojejunostomy was completed by ligating two fast-absorbable sutures to approximate the ductal end and the jejunal mucosa, and by adding a rough anastomosis between the pancreatic parenchyma and the seromuscular layer of the jejunum. The initial surgical results with this method were retrospectively compared with those of the 28 patients treated with conventional duct-to-mucosa anastomosis.RESULTS: The incidences of postoperative morbidity including pancreatic fistula were comparable between the two groups (new; 3%-17% vs conventional; 7%-14% according to the definitions). There was no mortality and re-admission. Late complications were also rarely seen.CONCLUSION: A pancreaticojejunostomy using an irradiated polyglactin 910 suture material and a temporary stent is easy to perform and is feasible even in cases with a narrow pancreatic duct and a normal soft pancreas.
文摘We compared chemical and biological properties of soils in organically and conventionally fertilized apple orchards in Nagano Prefecture (one of the major apple producing regions in Japan). Five apple orchards with different fertilizer management systems were used for this study. The total carbon and total nitrogen contents were higher in the organically fertilized orchard, while the total phosphorus and total potassium were at similar levels in both organically and conventionally fertilized orchards. The bacterial biomass did not differ between the two orchards, but the N circulation activity was clearly higher in the organically fertilized orchard from April to December. Total carbon from 50,000 to 60,000 mg/kg, total nitrogen at about 3000 to 4000 mg/kg, and a C/N ratio of 15 - 20 were suggested to be suitable conditions for a high level of apple production under an organic fertilizer management system.
文摘In recent years, a deep learning model called convolutional neural network with an ability of extracting features of high-level abstraction from minimum preprocessing data has been widely used. In this research, we proposed a new approach in classifying DNA sequences using the convolutional neural network while considering these sequences as text data. We used one-hot vectors to represent sequences as input to the model;therefore, it conserves the essential position information of each nucleotide in sequences. Using 12 DNA sequence datasets, we evaluated our proposed model and achieved significant improvements in all of these datasets. This result has shown a potential of using convolutional neural network for DNA sequence to solve other sequence problems in bioinformatics.
基金The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science—Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)(21H03725)The Japan Society for the Promotion of Science—Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(A)(21H04382)。
文摘Degradation of three kinds of bioplastics and their effects on microbial biomass and microbial diversity in soil environment were analyzed. The degradation rate of bioplastic in soil was closely related to the main components in the bioplastics. Poly (butylene succinate)-starch (PBS-starch) and poly (butylene succinate) (PBS) were degraded by 1% to 7% after 28 days in a soil with an initial bacterial biomass of 1.4 × 10<sup>9</sup> cells/g-soil, however poly lactic acid (PLA) was not degraded in the soil after 28 days. When the powdered-bioplastics were examined for the degradation in the soil, PBS-starch also showed the highest degradability (24.4% degradation after 28 days), and the similar results were obtained in the case of long-term degradation experiment (2 years). To investigate the effect of bacterial biomass in soil on biodegradability of bioplastics, PBS-starch was buried in three kinds of soils differing in bacterial biomass (7.5 × 10<sup>6</sup>, 7.5 × 10<sup>7</sup>, and 7.5 × 10<sup>8</sup> cells/g-soil). The rate of bioplastic degradation was enhanced accompanied with an increase of the bacterial biomass in soil. 16S rDNA PCR-DGGE analysis indicated that the bacterial diversity in the soil was not affected by the degradation of bioplastics. Moreover, the degradation of bioplastic did not affect the nitrogen circulation activity in the soil.
基金This research was supported in part by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development(AMED)(JP15ck0106096 to TK)Japan Science and Tech-nology Agency(JST)Core Research for Evolutionary Science and Technology(JPMJCR1689 to RH)+5 种基金Artifi-cial Intelligence,Big Data,IoT,Cyber Security Integration Project of the Public/Private R&D Investment Strategic Expansion Program(JPMJCR18Y4 to RH)the Japan Soci-ety for the Promotion of Science(JSPS)Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(S)(17H06162 to HN),Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research(B)(20H03695 to KS),Grants-in-Aid for the Tailor-Made Medical Treatment Program(BioBank Japan Project)from the Japanese Ministry of Education,Culture,Sports,ScienceandTechnology(MEXT),Princess Takamatsu Cancer Research Fund,and National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund(NCC Biobank and NCC Core Facility).The J-MICC study was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research for Priority Areas of Cancer(No.17015018 to KW)Innovative Areas(No.221S0001 to KW)from MEXTby JSPS Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research Grant(No.16H06277[CoBiA])The JPHC Study was supported by National Cancer Center Research and Development Fund since 2011(latest grant number:2020-J4)and a Grant-in-Aid for Cancer Research from the Ministry of Health,Labor and Welfare of Japan(1989-2010).ToMMoissupportedinpartbyMEXT-JSTand AMED(most recent grant numbers:JP20km0105001 and JP20km0105002)Iwate Tohoku Medical Megabank Orga-nization(Iwate Medical University)is supported in part by MEXT-JST and AMED(most recent grant numbers:JP20km0105003 and JP20km0105004).
文摘Dear editor,Lung carcinoma is responsible for the highest fatal-ity rate among cancer-related deaths globally,with lung adenocarcinoma(LADC)emerging as the prevailing sub-type.
基金grants from the Japanese Society for the Promotion of Science(no.17590776 to HK and no.17790524 to MY).
文摘Inflammatory stimuli,such as a microbes or lipopolysaccharides,induce a rapid release of neutrophils from the bone marrow and promote neutrophil migration into inflamed sites to promote host defense.However,an excess accumulation and retention of neutrophils in inflamed tissue can cause severe tissue injuries in the later stages of inflammation.Recent studies have reported that both CXCL12 levels in injured lungs and its receptor,CXCR4,on accumulated neutrophils in injured lungs,increased;furthermore,these studies showed that the CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway participated in neutrophil accumulation in the later stages of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced lung injury.However,the mechanisms underlying this increase in surface CXCR4 expression in neutrophils remain unclear.In this study,we found that surface CXCR4 expression increased in extravascular,but not intravascular,neutrophils in the lungs of LPS-induced lung injury model mice.Furthermore,ex vivo studies revealed that CXCL12 acted not only as a chemoattractant,but also as a suppressor of cell death for the lung neutrophils expressing CXCR4.Sulfatide,one of the native ligands for L-selectin,induced the increase of surface CXCR4 expression on isolated circulating neutrophils,suggesting that the activation of L-selectin may be involved in the increase in surface CXCR4.Our findings show that surface CXCR4 levels on neutrophils increase after extravasation into injured lungs,possibly through the activation of L-selectin.The CXCL12/CXCR4 signaling pathway plays an important role in the modulation of neutrophil activity during acute lung injury,not only by promoting chemotaxis but also by suppressing cell death.
文摘The wheel loads of heavy trucks are the major source of pavement damage,given the repeated loadings imposed by them due to transient events and surface irregularities.While related studies focus on steady-state context regarding simplified vehicle’s parameters and ideal pavement conditions,this paper aims to analyze the vertical load applied to the pavement by considering cornering maneuver as a transient event,on a battery electric vehicle truck.In this concern,measurements were performed on a rigid truck,with two steering front axles,in a closed course proving ground.The relationship has been presented between vehicle’s speed,lateral acceleration and transferred vertical load for a given curve radius of 85.6 m and 3.7°of transversal slope.The measurements results indicated that for every 10 km/h increasing on the vehicle’s speed,additional 110 kgf will be transferred to the pavement on the outer side of the cornering radius.This value itself could not be considered high,but it will be also added to the static load,or overload in some truck applications.
文摘The solar sail is one of the most promising space exploration systems due to its theoretically infinite specific impulse achieved through solar radiation pressure(SRP).Recently,researchers have proposed“transformable spacecraft”capable of actively reconfiguring their body configurations using actuatable joints.Transformable spacecraft,if used similarly to solar sails,are expected to significantly enhance orbit and attitude control capabilities owing to their high redundancy in control degrees of freedom.However,controlling them becomes challenging due to their large number of inputs,leading previous researchers to impose strong constraints to limit their potential control capabilities.This study focuses on novel attitude control techniques for transformable spacecraft under SRP.We developed two methods,namely,joint angle optimization to obtain arbitrary SRP force and torque,and momentum damping control driven by joint angle actuation.Our proposed methods are formulated in a general manner and can be applied to any transformable spacecraft comprising front faces that can predominantly receive the SRP on each body.The validity of our proposed method is confirmed through numerical simulations.Our study contributes to making most of the high control redundancy of transformable spacecraft without the need for expendable propellants,thus significantly enhancing the orbit and attitude control capabilities.
文摘Inflammation has been shown to be a factor in tumorigenesis. The circulating platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR) is a representative index of systemic inflammation. In this study, we analyzed the association between preoperative PLR levels and clinicopathological variables in two hundred sixty-four Japanese patients with localized breast carcinoma. We also evaluated the prognostic significance of preoperative PLR levels using the Cox proportional hazard model. Seventy-five patients (28.4%) had elevated PLR values, whereas 189 (71.6%) had depressed PLR values. The PLR correlated significantly with venous invasion (P < 0.05). Disease-free survival rates were significantly worse among patients with elevated PLR values than among those with lower PLR value (5-year survival, 81.6% vs. 90.7%, respectively;P < 0.05). In multivariate analysis, elevated PLR, nuclear grade, and lymph node involvement were significant prognostic factors for disease-free survival in patients with breast carcinoma (P < 0.05). Preoperative PLR levels may be an independent prognostic factor in patients with breast carcinoma.
文摘Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) are the most common type of gastrointestinal mesenchymal tumors, although metastasis to the perigastric lymph nodes is relatively rare, compared with liver or peritoneal metastasis. In this report, we describe a case of stomach GIST with a solitary simultaneous metastasis in the left axillary lymph node. A 68-year-old man was diagnosed with a large upper-stomach GIST, and computed tomography and positron emission tomography revealed masses in the left axilla and right mediastinum. We did not detect evidence of metastases to the liver, or other sites including the perigastric lymph nodes, although findings from the surgically resected axillary lymph nodes were compatible with GIST metastasis. Treatment using imatinib markedly reduced the gastric and mediastinal lesions, and this response persisted for 3 years. The patient subsequently experienced rapid growth of the gastric lesion without mediastinal or axilla recurrence, which required palliative surgery. Despite continuing medical treatment(sunitinib and regorafenib), the patient died of liver metastases 23 mo after the surgery. Based on our findings, it appears that the axillary lymph nodes can be a potential metastatic site for GIST metastasis.
