Dimethylformamide-stabilised palladium nanoclusters catalysed coupling reactions of aryl halides with hydrosilanes/disilanes.

N,N-Dimethylformamide-stabilised Pd nanocluster (NC) catalysed cross-coupling reactions of hydrosilane/disilane have been investigated. In this reaction, the coupling reaction proceeds without ligands with low catalyst loading. N,N-Dimethylacetamide is a crucial solvent in these reactions. The solvent effect was considered by various techniques, such as transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The Pd NCs can be recycled five times under both hydrosilane and disilane reaction conditions.

Usefulness of fecal calprotectin by monoclonal antibody testing in adult Japanese with inflammatory bowel diseases: a prospective multicenter study.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Noninvasive objective monitoring is advantageous for optimizing treatment strategies in patients inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Fecal calprotectin (FCP) is superior to traditional biomarkers in terms of assessing the activity in patients with IBD. However, there are the differences among several FCP assays in the dynamics of FCP. In this prospective multicenter trial, we investigated the usefulness of fecal FCP measurements in adult Japanese patients with IBD by reliable enzyme immunoassay using a monoclonal antibody. METHODS: We assessed the relationship between FCP levels and disease or endoscopic activity in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC, n=64) or Crohn's disease (CD, n=46) compared with healthy controls (HCs, n=64). RESULTS: FCP levels in UC patients strongly correlated with the Disease Activity Index (rs=0.676, P<0.0001) and Mayo endoscopic subscore (MES; rs=0.677, P<0.0001). FCP levels were significantly higher even in patients with inactive UC or CD compared with HCs (P=0.0068, P<0.0001). The optimal cutoff value between MES 1 and 2 exhibited higher sensitivity (94.1%). FCP levels were significantly higher in active UC patients than in inactive patients (P<0.001), except those with proctitis. The Crohn's Disease Activity Index tended to correlate with the FCP level (rs=0.283, P=0.0565). CONCLUSIONS: Our testing method using a monoclonal antibody for FCP was well-validated and differentiated IBD patients from HCs. FCP may be a useful biomarker for objective assessment of disease activity in adult Japanese IBD patients, especially those with UC.

Are the Symptoms of an NSAID-Induced Ulcer Truly Milder Than Those of an Ordinary Ulcer?

OBJECTIVE: The percentage of patients with nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and low-dose aspirin- (LDA-) induced ulcers who complain of gastrointestinal symptoms has generally been considered to be low. The aim of this study was to examine and compare the symptoms and quality of life (QOL) at peptic ulcer onset. METHODS: This study involved 200 patients who were confirmed by endoscopy to be in the acute stage of gastroduodenal ulcer (A1-H1). Patients completed a self-administered questionnaire (Global Overall Symptom score and SF-8) at ulcer onset, and data were compared between NSAIDs/LDA ulcers and non-NSAIDs/LDA ulcers. RESULTS: The upper gastrointestinal symptoms score was significantly lower for patients using LDA only (20.5 ± 9.4 in the nonusing group, 19.6 ± 8.6 in the NSAIDs-only group, 16.7 ± 11.6 in the LDA-only group, and 18.5 ± 7.2 in the NSAIDs/LDA group, P < 0.05). The QOL score (physical summary) was significantly lower in the NSAID group (42.1 ± 9.9) than in the nonusing group (47.6 ± 7.6) (P < 0.05). Patients' characteristics showed no significant differences among the groups, with the exception of age. CONCLUSION: The severity of upper abdominal symptoms at peptic ulcer onset was similar between NSAID users and nonusers.

Atypical symptoms and health-related quality of life of patients with asymptomatic reflux esophagitis.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Asymptomatic reflux esophagitis (RE) is simply regarded as RE without the typical reflux symptoms, but it is unknown whether patients with asymptomatic RE have atypical symptoms. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical characteristics and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of patients with asymptomatic RE. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Consecutive patients with RE were enrolled during January 2010 to August 2012, and of them, 41 who had taken acid-suppressing drugs were excluded, leaving 280 patients as the study group. The patients' symptoms were evaluated using a self-completed questionnaire (modified Frequency Scale for the Symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease [FSSG]), as well as an HRQOL questionnaire (SF-8). We defined the typical symptoms of RE as heartburn and regurgitation. Asymptomatic RE was defined if the total symptom score was 0 or the minimum (1 point) for typical reflux symptoms in the modified FSSG. RESULTS: Of the 280 RE patients, 71.8% (n = 201) were symptomatic and 28.2% (n = 79) were asymptomatic. The atypical symptom scores were significantly lower in asymptomatic RE (2.2 ± 2.2) than in symptomatic RE patients (6.9 ± 5.2) (P < 0.0001), and the HRQOL scores were significantly higher in asymptomatic RE than in symptomatic RE (P < 0.0001). Sleep was significantly less disturbed and chronic cough less frequent in asymptomatic RE than in symptomatic RE. CONCLUSION: Frequency and severity of atypical symptoms in patients with asymptomatic RE were significantly less than in patients with symptomatic RE, and the HRQOL score was significantly higher in those patients. These observations suggest a specific patient cohort that is truly unlikely to manifest symptoms.

Infusion rate of propofol and jugular venous oxygen saturation.

We compared jugular venous blood oxygen saturation (Sj(O) (2)) and the arterial-to-jugular-bulb venous oxygen content difference (AjD(O) (2)) between bispectral index (BIS) values of 40 and 60, adjusted by the infusion rate of propofol. Eighteen postoperative neurosurgical patients (Glasgow Coma Scale [GCS] scores, 11-15) were enrolled. Normocapnia, normothermia, and a mean arterial blood pressure greater than 70 mmHg were maintained. At BIS values of 40 and 60, hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, and the oxygen partial pressure of arterial and jugular venous blood were measured. Sj(O) (2) at BIS40 (58 +/- 9%) was significantly (P < 0.01) lower than that at BIS60 (63 +/- 10%), and AjD(O) (2) at BIS40 (6.3 +/- 1.5 ml.dl(-1)) was significantly (P < 0.01) higher than that at BIS60 (5.7 +/- 1.5 ml.dl(-1); mean +/- SD). At BIS40, status defined as Sj(O) (2) less than 50% was observed in 3 patients, while this status was observed in 1 patient at BIS60. In conclusion, in patients with postoperative neurosurgical surgery (GCS scores, 11-15), decreases of propofol infusion to adjust the BIS value from 40 to 60 increase the cerebral oxygen balance.

Ecological aspects of the Japanese eel, Anguilla japonica, collected from coastal areas of Japan.

The ecological characteristics of 597 yellow and silver-stage Japanese eels, Anguilla japonica, were examined and compared among collection sites located at three different latitudes of Japan (Amakusa Islands, Mikawa Bay, and Sanriku Coast) to provide basic data on this unusual catadromous fish species. Eels were sexed and their total length, body weight, age, and growth rate based on otolith analysis was compared among sexes, stages, and collection sites. The overall sex ratio favored females (94%), but the sex ratio differed among the three locations. The frequency of females was highest in the coastal waters at Sanriku in the north (100%), next highest at Mikawa Bay in central Japan (95%), and lowest in the Amakusa Islands in the south (70%). Silver eel males ranged from 41.2-66.3 cm in length and 4-10 years in age, and silver eel females from 44.3-97.2 cm in length and 5-17 years in age. Female eels generally grew faster (8.7+/-2.2 cm/year) than males (6.4+/-2.6 cm/year), and the growth rate slowed in the older eels. The growth rate of A. japonica at all three sites was much faster than that of other temperate anguillid species (< 4 cm/year), and their age at maturation was younger than that of other temperate species (approximately 7 to > 50 years), suggesting this species has important ecological differences from other similar species.

Homologue and isomer distribution of dioxins observed in water samples collected from Kahokugata Lagoon and inflowing rivers, Japan.

Water samples were collected at 17 sites in Kahokugata Water Basin, a closed water basin in central Japan. We determined the concentration of dioxins of the water samples. Linear relationships between toxic equivalent (TEQ) concentrations of dioxin and concentrations of suspended solid (SS) were obtained at sites in Kahokugata Lagoon and in the rivers flowing into the lagoon. Homologue composition of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and dibenzofurans (PCDFs) indicated that all the water samples were still strongly influenced by chlorinated herbicides, such as chloronitrofen (CNP) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) that had been widely used in rice fields. The main isomer distributions of the PCDD homologues were not significantly different among the sampling sites, while the main isomer distributions of the PCDF homologues were considerably different among the sampling sites. At a few sampling points in the downstream part of one of the rivers, high concentrations of 1,3,6,7,8-pentachloro dibenzofuran (1,3,6,7,8-PeCDF) and its related isomers (1,3,6,8-chlorine-substituted PCDFs) were traced to a dye manufacturing plant. These non-toxic isomers are usually only minor constituents in environmental water samples and are not indicators of any known dioxin sources. The dyeing discharge was found to make a contribution only in the water samples collected near the plant and the seasonal variation of the contribution might depend on the flow rate of the river.

[A case of bilateral diaphragmatic injury following resection of anterior mediastinal tumor].

A 58-year-old woman was scheduled for resection of anterior mediastinal tumor. Prolonged mechanical ventilation was required following surgery because of bilateral diaphragmatic injury. Pleural effusion, atelectasis, and syndrome of vena cava superior were observed during the treatment. BiPAP was useful for respiratory support. The patient was discharged from our hospital nine months after surgery. Oxygen therapy was not necessary in the day time. But the patient required respiratory support with BiPAP at night.

[Spinal anesthesia with isobaric 0.5% bupivacaine for lower limb surgery: effects of different volumes].

BACKGROUND: The effects of different volumes (2.4, 2.6, 2.8 and 3.0 ml) of isobaric 0.5% bupivacaine used for spinal anesthesia were compared in 206 patients scheduled for lower limb surgery. METHODS: The spinal anesthesia was performed with the patients in the lateral position and the isobaric 0.5% bupivacaine was injected intrathecally at the L3-4 interspace. RESULTS: The time to maximum cephalad spread of anesthesia (loss of cold sensation) varied between 25 and 40 min. A significant difference was found in cephalad spread between 2.4 ml group and 3.0 ml group (T11 vs T7), and between 2.6 ml group and 3.0 ml group (T11 vs T7). Severe hypotension did not occur during the study. CONCLUSIONS: Spinal anesthesia with 2.8 ml of isobaric 0.5% bupivacaine proved satisfactory for lower limb surgery.

[Complete response of primary tumor in a case of advanced gastric cancer with liver metastasis treated by TS-1 plus divided administration of CDDP].

A 62-year-old female patient was hospitalized for general fatigue and appetite loss. Type 3 gastric cancer (moderate differentiated adenocarcinoma) with liver metastasis (S8) and direct invasion to the retro-peritoneal space and duodenal third portion was detected by endoscopic and radiographic examination. This case was judged to be unresectable from these findings. TS-1 plus divided administration of CDDP was performed. TS-1 (100 mg/day) was administrated from day 1 to 21 followed by 14 days rest as one course. CDDP (20 mg/m2) was infused for 2 hours on day 1, 8, and 15. One course was done in the hospital, and the following 2 courses as ambulatory treatment. Grade 2 neutropenia was observed as an adverse reaction. At the completion of 3 courses, partial response in the primary tumor, complete response in the duodenal third portion and no change in the liver metastasis were assessed by examination. Because of this remarkable down-staging, distal gastrectomy and radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for liver metastasis were performed. There was no evidence of direct invasion to the other organs from the primary tumor in intraoperative findings. Pathological examination revealed the disappearance of carcinoma cell in the resected stomach and the surrounding lymphnodes. In conclusion, this chemotherapy regimen has an excellent antitumor effect with low toxicities. Therefore, this regimen was comparatively safe for outpatients and was an effective neo-adjuvant chemotherapy.

Development of lateral line organs in leptocephali of the freshwater eel Anguilla japonica (Teleostei, Anguilliformes).

A study of the ontogeny of the lateral line system in leptocephali of the Japanese eel Anguilla japonica reveals the existence of three morphologically different types of lateral line organs. Type I is a novel sensory organ with hair cells bearing a single kinocilium, lacking stereocilia, distributed mainly on the head of larvae, and morphologically different from typical superficial neuromasts of the lateral line system. Its developmental sequence suggests that it may be a presumptive canal neuromast. Type II is an ordinary superficial neuromast, common in other teleost larvae, which includes presumptive canal neuromasts that first appear on the trunk and accessory superficial neuromasts that later appear on the head and trunk. Type III is a very unusual neuromast located just behind the orbit, close to the otic vesicle, with radially oriented hair cells, suggesting that these serve as multiple axes of sensitivity for mechanical stimuli. The behavior of larval eels suggests that the radially oriented neuromasts may act as the sole mechanosensory organ until the ordinary superficial neuromasts develop. The finding that larval eels possess a well-developed mechanosensory system suggests the possibility that they are also capable of perceiving weak environmental mechanical stimuli, like other teleost larvae.

Air trapping and arboreal locomotor adaptation in primates: a review of experiments on humans.

A review was made of experiments on humans in which air trapping by glottis closure during three-dimensional movements were examined in four subjects including former Olympic gymnasts. In brachiation and horizontal bar exercises, the behaviour of the larynx was monitored with a fiberoptic endoscope, and EMG-data were recorded from shoulder muscles. The results revealed that immobilization of the polyaxial connection between the shoulder girdle and the thorax by air trapping occurs in phases of extreme loading of the upper limbs. The closure of the airway by the larynx in humans serves three functions: first, the prevention of errors in deglutition; second, the production of vocal sounds; third, the retention of air inside the thoracic cavity. The latter function, air trapping, allows the immobilization of the rib cage for the muscular fixation of the shoulder blade on the trunk in movements that imply unusually high external forces acting on the upper limbs. This morphological-functional innovation probably has been made when early mammals invaded the three dimensional arboreal habitat, because it gave the tree-dwelling early primates the device to anchor themselves by the arms alone and to avoid falling out of trees. The specific functional characteristic of primates is the hermetic closure of the vocal and vestibular folds by rapidly contracting muscles in the folds. So the closure of the glottis, which in humans seems primarily an adaptation to the production of vocal tones, seems to go back to the adaptation of Tertiary arboreal primates to movements in a three-dimensional environment. Our conclusions are in agreement with the results of other contributions to this volume.