Reduced-port robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy with optimized surgical field deployment: early results of single-site plus-two ports method.

BACKGROUND: The adoption of Robotic Pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD) is increasing globally. Meanwhile, reduced-port RPD (RPRPD) remains uncommon, requiring robot-specific techniques not possible with laparoscopy. We introduce a unique RPRPD technique optimizing surgical field exposure. METHODS: Our RPRPD utilizes a single-site plus-two ports technique, facilitated by a single-port platform through a 5-cm incision. The configuration of robotic arms (arm1, arm2, arm3, and arm4) were strategically designed for optimal procedural efficiency, with the arms2 and arm3, alongside the assistant trocar, mounted on the single-port platform, while the arms1 and arm4 were positioned laterally across the abdomen. Drainage was established via channels created at the arm1 and arm4 insertion sites. A "gooseneck traction" was principally employed with the robotic instrument to prop up the specimen rather than grasp, improving the surgical field's visibility and access. Clinical outcomes of patients who underwent RPRPD performed between August 2020 and September 2023 by a single surgeon across two centers in Taiwan and Japan were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty patients underwent RPRPD using the single-site plus-two ports technique. The gooseneck traction technique enabled goodsurgical field deployment and allowed for unrestricted movement of robotic arms with no collisions with the assistant instruments. The median operative time was 351 min (250-488 min), including 271 min (219-422 min) of console time and three minutes (2-10 min) of docking time. The median estimated blood loss was 80 mL (1-872 mL). All RPRPD procedures were successfully performed without the need for conversion to open surgery. Postoperative major morbidity (i.e., Clavien-Dindo grade ≥ IIIa) was observed in 6 (12%) patients and median postoperative hospital stay was 13 days. CONCLUSIONS: The single-site plus-two ports RPRPD with the gooseneck traction proves to be a safe, feasible option, facilitating surgical field visibility and robotic arm maneuverability.

Growth Promotion of Giant Duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza (Lemnaceae) by Ensifer sp. SP4 Through Enhancement of Nitrogen Metabolism and Photosynthesis.

Duckweeds (Lemnaceae) are representative producers in fresh aquatic ecosystems and also yield sustainable biomass for animal feeds, human foods, and biofuels, and contribute toward effective wastewater treatment; thus, enhancing duckweed productivity is a critical challenge. Plant-growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) can improve the productivity of terrestrial plants; however, duckweed-PGPB interactions remain unclear and no previous study has investigated the molecular mechanisms underlying duckweed-PGPB interaction. Herein, a PGPB, Ensifer sp. strain SP4, was newly isolated from giant duckweed (Spirodela polyrhiza), and the interactions between S. polyrhiza and SP4 were investigated through physiological, biochemical, and metabolomic analyses. In S. polyrhiza and SP4 coculture, SP4 increased the nitrogen (N), chlorophyll, and ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (RuBisCO) contents and the photosynthesis rate of S. polyrhiza by 2.5-, 2.5-, 2.7-, and 2.4-fold, respectively. Elevated photosynthesis increased the relative growth rate and biomass productivity of S. polyrhiza by 1.5- and 2.7-fold, respectively. Strain SP4 significantly altered the metabolomic profile of S. polyrhiza, especially its amino acid profile. N stable isotope analysis revealed that organic N compounds were transferred from SP4 to S. polyrhiza. These N compounds, particularly glutamic acid, possibly triggered the increase in photosynthetic and growth activities. Accordingly, we propose a new model for the molecular mechanism underlying S. polyrhiza growth promotion by its associated bacteria Ensifer sp. SP4, which occurs through enhanced N compound metabolism and photosynthesis. Our findings show that Ensifer sp. SP4 is a promising PGPB for increasing biomass yield, wastewater purification activity, and CO2 capture of S. polyrhiza.[Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license.

Enhanced lipid productivity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii with combination of NaCl and CaCl2 stresses.

Salinity (NaCl) stress treatment is a strategy to induce lipid accumulation in microalgae. This study aimed to investigate the effect of a combination of two salts (NaCl/CaCl2) on lipid productivity of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii. C. reinhardtii was cultured in a two-stage culture comprising 9-day active growth in C medium followed by 3-day salt stress in C medium with various concentrations of NaCl (50‒200 mM)/CaCl2 (100 mM). In salt stress stage, NaCl (200 mM), CaCl2 (100 mM), and the NaCl/CaCl2 mixture inhibited growth but increased the lipid content in C. reinhardtii in comparison with NaCl (0, 50, and 100 mM) conditions. Combinatorial treatment with 100 mM NaCl/100 mM CaCl2 resulted in the highest lipid content (73.4%) and lipid productivity (10.9 mg/L/days), being 3.5- and 2.1-fold, respectively, in salt-free control conditions, and 1.8- and 1.5-folds, respectively, with 200 mM NaCl. Furthermore, 100 mM NaCl/100 mM CaCl2 treatment markedly upregulated glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GPDH), lysophosphatidic acid acyltransferase (LPAAT), and diacylglycerol acyltransferase (DAGAT), which are involved in lipid accumulation in C. reinhardtii. The upregulation of these genes with 100 mM NaCl/100 mM CaCl2 resulted in the highest lipid content in C. reinhardtii. Therefore, stress treatment using two salts, 100 mM NaCl/100 mM CaCl2, is a potentially promising strategy to enhance lipid productivity in microalgae.

[Survey of the Implementation Status of Personal Counseling among Cancer Patients in Red Cross Hospitals].

Red Cross Pharmaceutical Association conducted a questionnaire-based survey to evaluate the status of implementation of pharmaceutical intervention as well as personal counseling for outpatients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Based on the survey results from 93 hospitals across the country, it was found that pharmacists performed an intervention on outpatients receiving chemotherapy in 68 hospitals(73.1%)and conducted personal counseling for outpatients with cancer in 48 hospitals(51.6%). Out of the 68 hospitals, 20 did not conduct personal counseling for outpatients with cancer. This was attributable to the fact that 14 hospitals did not have a qualified pharmacist, 3 did not have sufficient manpower, and 3 did not have the required system. The results of a logistic regression analysis showed that the number of pharmacists significantly affected implementation of pharmaceutical intervention as well as personal counseling for outpatients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy(p=0.042, p=0.023, respectively). The pharmacists can receive a fee for medical services only after conducting personal counseling for outpatients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy. However, in hospitals with a small number of pharmacists, they could not claim their fees owing to lack of manpower. This survey found that lack of manpower is currently the most important issue.

Early Diastolic Left Ventricular Relaxation in Normal Neonates is Influenced by Ventricular Stiffness and Longitudinal Systolic Function.

Tissue Doppler velocity during early diastole (e') is one of the most feasible and reproducible echocardiographic assessments to reflect active relaxation of the left ventricle. Although several reports have described the mechanisms of temporal diastolic dysfunction in the early neonatal period, factors influencing diastolic function have not been determined. The purpose of this study was to elucidate factors significantly influencing e' in the early neonatal period.A total of 179 consecutive normal neonates underwent echocardiographic studies performed at 0 days and 5-10 days after birth. The statistical relationships between e' and age, body weight, mean blood pressure, heart rate, shortening fraction of the left ventricle, peak systolic motion velocity (s'), early diastolic transmitral flow velocity over annulus velocity, Tei index, and diastolic wall strain (DWS) were analyzed.Between the 0 days and 5-10-days-after birth groups, significant differences were shown in mean blood pressure, shortening fraction of left ventricle, e', and Tei index. Age, body weight, mean blood pressure, s', and DWS showed significant correlations with e'. In multivariate regression analysis within these parameters, s' (ß = 0.6119, P < 0.0001) and DWS (ß = 0.1216, P = 0.0321) showed positive correlations with e'.Longitudinal systolic motion velocity and ventricular wall stiffness of the left ventricle influence diastolic relaxation in normal neonates. Age, body weight, and circumferential systolic function are not significant factors.

Pancreatic Chymotrypsin Activity Rather Than Amylase Level Better Predicts Postoperative Pancreatic Fistula.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the predictive value of chymotrypsin activity in pancreatic juice on clinically relevant postoperative pancreatic fistula (CR-POPF) after pancreatic resection, since pancreatic peptidases rather than glycolytic enzymes play a pivotal role in causing tissue damage due to pancreatic leakage. BACKGROUND: The risk of CR-POPF has been estimated based on amylase level in abdominal drainage fluid. METHODS: Eighty-one consecutive patients underwent pancreatoduodenectomy, and postoperative pancreatic juice and drainage fluids were collected for 14 days. The chymotrypsin activity and fluid amylase level in these fluids were measured, and their susceptibility to the elapsed postoperative time and circadian rhythm were evaluated. The predictive value for the development of CR-POPF was compared between assessment of pancreatic chymotrypsin activity versus fluid amylase level. RESULTS: No significant differences in the daily pancreatic chymotrypsin activity were observed, whereas the amylase level in pancreatic juice was susceptible to the postoperative interval and circadian rhythm. CR-POPF developed in 19 patients (23%). Assessment of pancreatic chymotrypsin activity on the first postoperative day predicted CR-POPF with a sensitivity/specificity of 84/87% (area under the curve, 0.855; cut-off value, 0.5 arbitrary units), which was better than measurement of fluid amylase level. Independent predictors of CR-POPF were the day-1 pancreatic chymotrypsin activity (≥0.5 arbitrary units, P < 0.001) and the main pancreatic duct index (<0.25, P = 0.039). CONCLUSIONS: Assessment of pancreatic chymotrypsin activity may allow for more rapid and accurate prediction of CR-POPF than use of conventional diagnostic criteria based on fluid amylase level, enabling individualized surgical procedures and postoperative drain management.

Efficacy of Preoperative Portal Vein Embolization Among Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma, Biliary Tract Cancer, and Colorectal Liver Metastases: A Comparative Study Based on Single-Center Experience of 319 Cases.

BACKGROUND: Efficacy of preoperative portal vein embolization (PVE) has been established; however, differences of outcomes among diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), biliary tract cancer (BTC), and colorectal liver metastases (CLM), are unclear. METHODS: Subjects included patients in a prospectively collected database undergoing PVE (from 1995 to 2013). A future liver remnant (FLR) volume ≥40% is the minimal requirement for patients with an indocyanine green retention rate at 15 min (ICGR15) <10%, and stricter criteria (FLR volume ≥50%) have been applied for patients with 20% > ICGR15 ≥ 10%. Patient characteristics and survivals were compared among those three diseases, and predictors of dropout and better FLR hypertrophy were determined. RESULTS: In 319 consecutive patients undergoing PVE for HCC (n = 70), BTC (n = 172), and CLM (n = 77), the degree of hypertrophy did not significantly differ by cancer types (median 10, 9.6, and 10%, respectively). Eighty percent (256 of 319) of patients completed subsequent hepatectomy after a median waiting interval of 24 days (range 5-90), while dropout after PVE was more common in BTC or CLM (odds ratio 2.75, p = 0.018), mainly because of disease progression. Ninety-day liver-related mortality after hepatectomy was 0% in the entire cohort, and 5-year overall survival of patients with HCC, BTC, and CLM was 56, 50, and 51%, respectively (p = 0.948). No patients who dropped out survived more than 2.5 years after PVE. CONCLUSION: PVE produced equivalent FLR hypertrophy among the three diseases as long as liver function was fulfilling the preset criteria; however, the completion rate of subsequent hepatectomy was highest in HCC. PVE followed by hepatectomy was a safe and feasible strategy for otherwise unresectable disease irrespective of cancer types.

Portal vein territory identification using indocyanine green fluorescence imaging: Technical details and short-term outcomes.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Portal vein (PV) territory identification during liver resection may be performed using indocyanine green (ICG) fluorescence imaging technique. However, the technical details of the fluorescence staining technique have not been fully elucidated. This study was performed to demonstrate the technical details of PV territory identification using fluorescence imaging and evaluates the short-term outcomes. METHODS: From 2011 to 2015, 105 underwent liver resection at the University of Tokyo Hospital with one of the following fluorescence staining techniques by transhepatic PV injection or intravenous injection of ICG: single staining (n = 36), multiple staining (n = 31), counterstaining (n = 22), negative staining (n = 13), or paradoxical negative staining (n = 3). RESULTS: The PV territory was identified as a region with fluorescence or a defect of fluorescence using one of the five staining techniques. ICG was administered by transhepatic PV injection in all but the negative staining technique, which employed intravenous injection. No adverse events associated with the ICG administration occurred. The mortality, postoperative total morbidity, and the major complication (Clavien-Dindo grade ≥III) rates were 0.0%, 14.3%, and 7.6%. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated the technical details of five types of fluorescence staining techniques. These techniques are safe to perform and facilitate clear visualization of the PV territory in real time, enhancing the efficacy of anatomical removal of such territories.

Crystal Structure of Pr3MgNi14Dx Studied by in Situ Neutron Diffraction.

The crystal structure of Pr3MgNi14D18 was determined by neutron diffraction. The determined structure of Pr3MgNi14D18 consisted of 89.0% Gd2Co7-type structure and 11.0% PuNi3-type structure. The lattice parameters of a and c of Gd2Co7-type structure were refined at 0.52903(7) nm and 3.90179(1) nm. The deuterium atoms were distributed among nine deuterium sites in both the CaCu5-type and MgZn2-type cells. The D2 occupancy in the Pr2Ni4 octahedral sites of the CaCu5-type cell was the largest (0.75) when compared with the other deuterium sites (<0.49). The deuterium content of the CaCu5-type cell showed 0.75 D/M, but the D/M value of the MgZn2-type cell was 1.53. The volume expansions during deuteration of the CaCu5-type and MgZn2-type cells were nearly equal. The cyclic hydrogenation property of Pr3MgNi14 is comparable to that of LaNi5. It is inferred that the similar expansion behavior of the CaCu5-type and MgZn2-type cells during deuteration is the origin of this cyclic stability.

Asunaprevir/daclatasvir and sofosbuvir/ledipasvir for recurrent hepatitis C following living donor liver transplantation.

AIM: This study aimed to clarify the efficacy and safety of interferon-free therapy using asunaprevir and daclatasvir, or sofosbuvir and ledipasvir for post living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) recipients with hepatitis C virus (HCV). METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of LDLT recipients with HCV genotype 1b treated with asunaprevir (100 mg twice daily) and daclatasvir (60 mg once daily), or sofosbuvir (400 mg/day) and ledipasvir (90 mg/day) was carried out. RESULTS: Ten patients without mutations in the area of L31 and Y93 completed the treatment with asunaprevir and daclatasvir. Five of them had end-stage chronic kidney disease, including three hemodialysis patients. Of the 10 patients, nine completed the protocol of 24 weeks; one stopped the treatment due to the development of aortic valve stenosis. All nine patients who completed the 24-week treatment protocol achieved end of treatment response. Nineteen patients received treatment with sofosbuvir and ledipasvir. Of the 19 patients, 18 completed the protocol of 12 weeks; one stopped treatment due to severe interstitial pneumonia. All 18 patients who completed the 12-week treatment protocol achieved end of treatment response. All patients in both treatment groups who completed the regimen and reached 3 months after the end of treatment achieved sustained virological response at 12 weeks after treatment. Liver functions were significantly improved at the end of treatment, and no adverse events were observed. CONCLUSIONS: Interferon-free therapy using asunaprevir and daclatasvir, or sofosbuvir and ledipasvir, is highly effective for post-LDLT recipients with HCV genotype 1b.

Five-year follow-up two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography in a juvenile with a double-chambered left ventricle.

Double-chambered left ventricle (DCLV) is a particularly rare congenital entity characterized by the presence of two ventricular cavities separated by an abnormal muscle band. An asymptomatic 15-year-old boy was referred to our hospital because of electrocardiographic (ECG) abnormalities. His initial transthoracic echocardiography (TTE) demonstrated a DCLV with mild left ventricular systolic dysfunction. During a 5-year follow-up period, he remained symptom free with no changes in ECG and conventional TTE findings. However, two-dimensional speckle tracking echocardiography revealed a subtle progressive deterioration of left ventricular systolic function during the 5-year follow-up.

Retrospective survey and evaluation of first-line antibiotics for chemotherapy-induced febrile neutropenia in patients with acute myeloid leukemia.

Patients with acute leukemia are susceptible to chemotherapy-induced severe myelosuppression, and therefore are at a high risk for febrile neutropenia (FN). In such cases, the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics such as fourth-generation cephalosporins and carbapenems is recommended as first-line antimicrobial treatment; however, the effectiveness of these agents in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has not been investigated in detail. We retrospectively examined and evaluated the effectiveness of first-line antibiotic treatment regimens for chemotherapy-induced FN in patients with AML in Japanese Red Cross Nagoya Daiichi Hospital. The evaluated first-line treatment regimens were as follows: cefozopran (CZOP) + amikacin (AMK) in 38 cases, cefepime (CFPM) alone in 2 cases, CFPM + AMK in 2 cases, piperacillin (PIPC) + AMK in 2 cases, and CZOP alone in 1 case. Additionally, prophylactic antifungal agents were administered in all cases. Markedly effective, effective, moderately effective, and ineffective responses occurred in 31.1%, 8.9%, 8.9%, and 51.1%, respectively, of the treated cases. The response rate, defined as the combination of markedly effective and effective outcomes, was 40.0%. In 11 cases, impairment of renal functions were observed, and they were associated with combination treatments including AMK; nine of these were associated with a glycopeptide. The combination of CZOP with AMK (84.4%) was the most commonly used first-line treatment for FN in patients with AML; carbapenem or tazobactam/PIPC has never been used for treatment of such cases. Our findings demonstrate that fourth-generation cephems will be an effective first-line treatment for FN in patients with AML in our hospital.

Mitral annular plane systolic excursion/left ventricular length (MAPSE/L) as a simple index for assessing left ventricular longitudinal function in children.

BACKGROUND: Assessment of longitudinal left ventricular (LV) function is important for early detection of cardiac dysfunction. Although mitral annular plane systolic excursion (MAPSE) obtained by M-mode echocardiography offers a simple method for assessing longitudinal LV function, normal values of MAPSE for children change according to body size. METHODS: To minimize the effects of body size, MAPSE was divided by LV long-axis length (MAPSE/L). MAPSE/L was measured in 210 healthy children from birth to 15 years of age and classified into five subgroups. MAPSE/L was then compared with 10 parameters in 136 children (age, heart rate, mean blood pressure, ejection fraction of the LV (EF), peak atrial flow velocity/peak early diastolic flow velocity of mitral flow, tissue Doppler velocity during systole (s') and early diastole (e'), E/e' ratio, Tei index, and global longitudinal strain (GLS) of the LV by the speckle tracking method). RESULTS: MAPSE/L was significantly lower in the neonate group than in the remaining four groups. MAPSE/L then increased with age to peak at 1-5 years and gradually decreased thereafter. In all cases beyond the neonatal period, MAPSE/L was more than 0.17. Among various parameters, GLS, age, EF, Tei index and s' were significantly associated with MAPSE/L in that order. In univariate analysis, GLS was most significantly associated with MAPSE/L (r=.56). CONCLUSIONS: We have established normal reference values for MPSE/L in healthy children. MAPSE/L is expected to offer a simple parameter to evaluate LV longitudinal systolic function during daily routine echocardiography in children.

Crystal Structure Analysis of La2Ni6CoD(x) During Deuterium Absorption Process.

The crystal structures of La2Ni6CoD(x) (x = 5.2 and 9.6) were determined by in situ neutron diffraction along the P-C isotherm. La2Ni6CoD(5.2) (phase I) was found to be orthorhombic with lattice parameters a = 0.500670(2) nm, b = 0.867211(4) nm, and c = 2.99569(7) nm. The 10 deuterium sites were located in the MgZn2-type and CaCu5-type cells, with deuterium contents of 0.95 D/M and 0.39 D/M, respectively. The full deuteride La2Ni6CoD(9.6) (phase II) was monoclinic with lattice parameters a = 0.516407(3) nm, b = 0.894496(6) nm, c = 3.11206(1) nm, and ß = 90.15(1)°. The phase II had 11 sites for deuterium occupation. The deuterium contents of the MgZn2-type and the CaCu5-type cell were 1.63 D/M and 0.78 D/M, respectively. The sequence of phase transformation of La2Ni6Co was hexagonal, followed by orthorhombic (phase I), and then monoclinic (phase II), for the first absorption process. The phase transformation resulted in lowered symmetry and the variation of deuterium atom occupation.

Mumps encephalitis with akinesia and mutism.

Measles-rubella-mumps vaccination is routine in many countries, but the mumps vaccine remains voluntary and is not covered by insurance in Japan. A 5-year-old Japanese boy who had not received the mumps vaccine was affected by mumps parotitis. Several days later, he presented with various neurological abnormalities, including akinesia, mutism, dysphagia, and uncontrolled respiratory disorder. Mumps encephalitis was diagnosed. Despite steroid pulse and immunoglobulin treatment, the disease progressed. Magnetic resonance imaging showed necrotic changes in bilateral basal ganglia, midbrain, and hypothalamus. At 1 year follow up, he was bedridden and required enteral feeding through a gastric fistula and tracheostomy. Mumps vaccination should be made routine as soon as possible in Japan, because mumps encephalitis carries the risk of severe sequelae.

Duckweed in bloom: the 2nd International Conference on Duckweed Research and Applications heralds the return of a plant model for plant biology.

More than 50 participants from around the world congregated at Rutgers University for 4 days to discuss the latest advances in duckweed research and applications. Among other developments in the field, exciting new information related to duckweed including genome sequencing, improved genetic transformation, and the identification of a novel plant growth promoting substance from bacteria were reported.

Sulfamethoxazole removal and fuel-feedstock biomass production from wastewater in a phyto-Fenton process using duckweed culture.

The phyto-Fenton process, which generates hydroxyl radicals through Fenton and Fenton-like reactions using plant-derived hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and ferrous iron (Fe (II)) can degrade organic pollutants. Duckweed, an aquatic plant, is promising for a co-beneficial phytoremediation process that combines wastewater treatment and biomass production for biofuel feedstock. However, the phyto-Fenton process using duckweed has not been extensively studied. Because sulfamethoxazole (SMX), a major antibiotic, is distributed widely and is an emerging contaminant, its effective removal from contaminated water is necessary. The present study investigated the possibility of the simultaneous efficient removal of SMX from polluted water and biomass production for fuel feedstock by the phyto-Fenton process using duckweed. This is the first attempt to demonstrate the co-benefits of SMX removal and biomass production using duckweed. Intracellular H2O2 was produced using four duckweeds, Lemna aequinoctialis, L. minor, Landolina punctata, and Spirodela polyrhiza, in the range of 16.7-24.6 µ mol g-1 fresh weight, and extracellular H2O2 was released into the water phase. Consequently, duckweed could be used as an H2O2 supply source for the phyto-Fenton process. Specifically, 0.5 g fresh duckweed almost completely eliminated 1 mg L-1 SMX after 5 d in 50 mL sterile modified Hoagland solution containing 10 mM Fe (II). Fe (II)-dependent elimination of SMX indicated the occurrence of phyto-Fenton reaction. The phyto-Fenton process using duckweed effectively removed SMX. S. polyrhiza duckweed similarly removed 1 mg L-1 SMX even in sewage effluent containing other organic contaminants. During this treatment, duckweed biomass was generated at 7.95 g dry weight m-2 d-1, which was converted into methane at 353 normal liters CH4 kg-1 volatile solids by anaerobic digestion. For the first time, this study clearly demonstrates the potential for simultaneous SMX removal and biomass production from SMX-contaminated wastewater using duckweed.

Successful Isolation of Diverse Verrucomicrobiota Strains through the Duckweed-Microbes Co-cultivation Method.

The "duckweed-microbes co-cultivation method" is a microbial isolation technique that effectively recovers diverse microbes, including rarely cultivated bacterial phyla, from environmental samples. In this method, aseptic duckweed and microbes collected from an environmental sample are co-cultivated for several days, and duckweed-associated microbes are then isolated from its roots using a conventional agar plate-based cultivation method. We herein propose several improvements to the method in order to specifically obtain members of the rarely cultivated bacterial phylum, Verrucomicrobiota. In systems using river water as the inoculum, the marked enrichment of Verrucomicrobiota was observed after 10 days of co-cultivation, particularly in the roots and co-cultivated media. We also successfully isolated 44 strains belonging to subdivisions 1, 3, and 4 of the phylum Verrucomicrobiota from these systems. This was achieved by changing the concentration of nitrogen in the co-cultivation medium, which is known to affect duckweed growth and/or metabolism, and by subjecting the fronds and co-cultivated media as well as the roots after co-cultivation to microbial isolation.

Crystal structure and cyclic hydrogenation property of Pr4MgNi19.

The hydrogen absorption-desorption property and the crystal structure of Pr4MgNi19 was investigated by pressure-composition isotherm measurement and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Pr4MgNi19 consisted of two phases: 52.9% Ce5Co19-type structure (3R) and 47.0% Gd2Co7-type structure (3R). Sm5Co19-type structure (2H) and Ce2Ni7-type structure (2H) were not observed in the XRD profile. The Mg atoms substituted at the Pr sites in a MgZn2-type cell. The maximum hydrogen capacity reached 1.14 H/M (1.6 mass%) at 2 MPa. The hysteresis factor, Hf = ln(Pabs/Pdes), was 1.50. The cyclic hydrogenation property of Pr4MgNi19 was investigated up to 1000 absorption-desorption cycles. After 250, 500, 750, and 1000 cycles, the retention rates of hydrogen were reduced to 94%, 92%, 91%, and 90%, respectively. These properties were superior to those of Pr2MgNi9 and Pr3MgNi14.

Effect of early measles vaccination (AIK-C strain) for preterm infants.

BACKGROUND: The level of maternal antibodies decreases more quickly in preterm than term infants, leaving them unprotected against measles. To protect premature infants from measles, an early vaccination trial was investigated. METHODS: Changes in the serum measles neutralization test (NT) antibody titer were examined in 152 infants (average gestational period, 29 weeks; average birthweight, 1203 g). RESULTS: The average antibody titer (2(n)) was 2(3.5) at birth and 2(2.2) at 1-3 months of age, and in all cases, NT antibody titer decreased to <1:4 (150 IU/mL). The AIK-C measles vaccine was given to 17 preterm infants at the age of 6 months, and induced sufficient serological responses without any serious adverse events. NT antibody level did not decay during 12 months after vaccination. CONCLUSION: Early immunization at 6 months of age is effective to protect preterm infants in the outbreak setting.