Detection of ranunculus mild mosaic virus in weed species in Japan.

Ranunculus (Ranunculus asiaticus L.) is one of the most popular cut flowers in Japan. However, the infection rate of ranunculus mild mosaic virus (RanMMV) in ranunculus plants has been gradually increasing during cultivation, suggesting that RanMMV may be transmitted from weeds to ranunculus plants in cultivation fields. In our survey, RanMMV in R. japonicus, R. tachiroei, R. cantoniensis, Geranium carolinianum, Vicia sativa, V. tetrasperma and V. hirsute in ranunculus fields and noncultivation regions in Japan was detected. Ranunculaceae weeds grow all year in cultivation fields, unlike R. asiaticus, indicating that these weeds may be a source of RanMMV infection. In addition, a pairwise comparison of CP genes between RanMMV isolates taken from R. asiaticus, R. japonicus, and R. tachiroei showed high nucleotide (98·1-100%) and amino acid (98·5-100%) identities. These results support the hypothesis that RanMMV may be transmitted between Ranunculaceae weeds and R. asiaticus plants. Thus, virus control should focus on removing host weeds from the cultivation fields.

Search for η

We measured missing mass spectrum of the ^{12}C(γ,p) reaction for the first time in coincidence with potential decay products from η^{'} bound nuclei. We tagged an (η+p) pair associated with the η^{'}N→ηN process in a nucleus. After applying kinematical selections to reduce backgrounds, no signal events were observed in the bound-state region. An upper limit of the signal cross section in the opening angle cosθ_{lab}^{ηp}<-0.9 was obtained to be 2.2 nb/sr at the 90% confidence level. It is compared with theoretical cross sections, whose normalization ambiguity is suppressed by measuring a quasifree η^{'} production rate. Our results indicate a small branching fraction of the η^{'}N→ηN process and/or a shallow η^{'}-nucleus potential.

Differential Cross Section and Photon-Beam Asymmetry for the γ[over →]p → π

Differential cross sections and photon-beam asymmetries for the γ[over →]p→π^{-}Δ^{++}(1232) reaction have been measured for 0.7

Interference Effect between ϕ and Λ(1520) Production Channels in the γp→K

The ϕ-Λ(1520) interference effect in the γp→K^{+}K^{-}p reaction has been measured for the first time in the energy range from 1.673 to 2.173 GeV. The relative phases between ϕ and Λ(1520) production amplitudes were obtained in the kinematic region where the two resonances overlap. The measurement results support strong constructive interference when K^{+}K^{-} pairs are observed at forward angles but destructive interference for proton emission at forward angles. Furthermore, the observed interference effect does not account for the sqrt[s]=2.1 GeV bump structure in forward differential cross sections for ϕ photoproduction. This fact suggests possible exotic structures such as a hidden-strangeness pentaquark state, a new Pomeron exchange, or rescattering processes via other hyperon states.

A novel technique of introducing the mesh at the distal dissection while performing laparoscopic ventral rectopexy.

AIM: Laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) is considered an effective treatment for rectal prolapse and/or rectoanal intussusception. After the dissection of the rectovaginal septum down to the pelvic floor, a strip of mesh is introduced and should be secured as distally as possible. We have developed a novel technique of introducing the mesh at the distal dissection. METHOD: A nylon thread with straight needle was passed through the posterior wall of vagina at the distal extent of the dissection, which was caught in the abdominal cavity and fixed at the end of the mesh extracorporeally. The mesh was then introduced, pulled toward the pelvic floor and settled at the pierced site by the perineal operator. RESULTS: Sixty-eight female patients underwent LVR using this technique. There were no intra-operative and postoperative mesh-related complications. The mean distance from the vaginal ostium to the point of passing a nylon thread through the posterior wall of the vagina was 2 cm. Postoperative proctography showed the anatomical correction in 47 of the 48 patients who were examined. CONCLUSION: The surgeon can confirm that the mesh is introduced and secured at the distal dissection by using this technique while performing LVR.

Quality of life after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy.

AIM: This study evaluated continence, constipation and quality of life (QOL) before and after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) METHOD: Between February 2012 and July 2014, patients who underwent LVR for external rectal prolapse (ERP) and/or rectoanal intussusception (RAI) were prospectively included. A standard questionnaire including the Fecal Incontinence Severity Index (FISI), the Constipation Scoring System (CSS) and QOL instruments (Short-Form 36 Health Survey, Fecal Incontinence QOL scale, Patient Assessment of Constipation-QOL) were administered before and after operation. Psychiatric patients and those with dementia were excluded from the study. Defaecography was performed 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: Fifty-nine patients were included in the study period and 44 (19 with ERP, 25 with RAI) completed the follow-up questionnaire and were reviewed after a median of 26 (range 12-42) months. There was no recurrent ERP. Postoperative defaecography showed new-onset RAI in 6 and persistent RAI in 1. One year after surgery, incontinence was improved in 30/39 patients (77%) and constipation in 19/32 (59%). The FISI scores reduced between preoperative status and 1 year after surgery [32 (13-61) vs 11 (0-33), P < 0.0001]. The CSS scores also reduced [preoperative 12 (5-18) vs 1 year 5 (1-12), P < 0.0001]. Compared with the preoperative scores, almost all of the scale scores on the three kinds of QOL instruments significantly improved over time. The presence of new-onset or persistent RAI did not have an adverse effect on the improvement of QOL. CONCLUSION: LVR improves both generic and symptom-specific QOL with good functional results.

New-onset rectoanal intussusception may not result in symptomatic improvement after laparoscopic ventral rectopexy for external rectal prolapse.

BACKGROUND: This study was designed to assess defecatory function in patients who underwent laparoscopic ventral rectopexy (LVR) for external rectal prolapse (ERP). METHODS: Thirty-one patients who underwent evacuation proctography 6 months postoperatively were assessed. Preoperative proctography had been performed in 21 patients of these patients. Defecatory function was evaluated using the constipation scoring system (CSS) and fecal incontinence severity index (FISI). RESULTS: The findings of postoperative proctography revealed no full-thickness ERP in any patient, although in 10 patients the ERP was replaced by rectoanal intussusception (RAI). Of the 31 patients, 30 presented with fecal incontinence preoperatively. Ten of 30 had new-onset RAI. Six months postoperatively, a reduction of at least 50 % in the FISI score of the patients with new-onset RAI tended to be significantly smaller than in the patients without RAI (6/10 vs. 18/20, p = 0.141). Seventeen patients presented with obstructed defecation preoperatively. Seven of them had new-onset RAI. Six months postoperatively, a reduction of at least 50 % in their CSS score in the patients with new-onset RAI was significantly smaller than in patients without RAI (0/7 vs. 8/10, p = 0.002). CONCLUSIONS: Evacuation proctography showed new-onset RAI in some patients with ERP who underwent LVR, which was associated with a lack of symptomatic improvement.

Anterior intussusception descent during defecation is correlated with the severity of fecal incontinence in patients with rectoanal intussusception.

BACKGROUND: Rectoanal intussusception (RAI) is a common finding on evacuation proctography in patients with defecation disorders. However, it remains unclear whether intussusception morphology affects the severity of fecal incontinence (FI). The aim of this study was to examine the effect of morphology during defecation on the severity of FI in patients with RAI. METHODS: We included 80 patients with FI who were diagnosed as having RAI on evacuation proctography. Various morphological parameters were measured, and the level of RAI was divided by the extent of descent onto (level I) or into (level II) the anal sphincter. FI symptoms were documented using the FI Severity Index (FISI). RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients had level I and 52 had level II RAI. The mean (range) FISI score was 24.0 (8-47). FISI scores tended to be significantly higher in level II than in level I [26.3 (10-47) vs. 21.8 (8-42); p = 0.05]. The mean anterior intussusception descent was significantly greater in level II than in level I [24.2 (9.2-39.5) vs. 17.7 (7.8-39.4) mm; p < 0.0001]. Regression analysis showed that anterior intussusception descent was predictive of increased FISI scores. CONCLUSIONS: The severity of FI may be affected by anterior intussusception descent in patients with RAI.

Association of the expression levels in the skeletal muscle and a SNP in the CDC10 gene with growth-related traits in Japanese Black beef cattle.

Growth performance, as well as marbling, is the main breeding objective in Japanese Black (JB) cattle, the major beef breed in Japan. The septin 7 (CDC10) gene, involved in cellular proliferation, is located within a genomic region of a quantitative trait locus for growth-related traits. In this study, we first showed that the expression levels of the CDC10 gene in the skeletal muscle were higher in JB steers with extremely high growth performance than in JB steers with extremely low growth, using real-time PCR. Further, a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP), NC_007302.5:g.63264949G>C, was detected in the promoter region of the CDC10 gene and genotyped in three Japanese cattle breeds (known as 'Wagyu' in Japan) and the Brown Swiss dairy cattle breed. All four cattle populations showed a moderate genetic diversity at the SNP of the CDC10 gene. An association analysis indicated that the SNP was associated with growth-related traits in JB cattle. These findings suggest possible effects of the expression levels in the skeletal muscle and the SNP of the CDC10 gene on growth-related traits in JB cattle. The CDC10 SNP may be useful for effective marker-assisted selection to increase beef productivity in JB beef cattle.

RISING beamline (BL28XU) for rechargeable battery analysis.

The newly installed BL28XU beamline at SPring-8 is dedicated to in situ structural and electronic analysis of rechargeable batteries. It supports the time range (1 ms to 100 s) and spatial range (1 µm to 1 mm) needed for battery analysis. Electrochemical apparatus for battery charging and discharging are available in experimental hutches and in a preparation room. Battery analysis can be carried out efficiently and effectively using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption fine-structure analysis and hard X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Here, the design and performance of the beamline are described, and preliminary results are presented.

Thoracoscopic esophagectomy with extended lymph node dissection in the left lateral position: technical feasibility and oncologic outcomes.

The aim of this study was to estimate the technical and oncologic feasibility of video-assisted thoracoscopic radical esophagectomy (VATS) in the left lateral position. From January 2003 to December 2011, 132 patients with esophageal cancer underwent VATS. The mean duration of the thoracic procedure and the entire procedure was 294 ± 88 and 623 ± 123 minutes, respectively. Mean blood loss during the thoracic procedure and the entire procedure was 313 ± 577 and 657 ± 719 g, respectively. The mean number of dissected thoracic lymph nodes was 32.6 ± 12.9. There were four in-hospital deaths (3.0%); two patients (1.5%) died of acute respiratory distress syndrome and two patients (1.5%) died of tumor progression. Postoperative unilateral or bilateral recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) palsy, or pneumonia was found in 33 (25.0%), 21 (15.9%), and 27(20.5%) patients, respectively. The patients were divided into the first 66 patients who underwent VATS (Group 1) and the subsequent 66 patients (Group 2). The numbers of cases who underwent neoadjuvant or induction chemotherapy for T4 tumor and intrathoracic anastomosis were higher in Group 2 than in Group 1. The duration of the procedure, amount of blood loss, and the number of dissected thoracic lymph nodes were not different between the two groups. The total number of dissected lymph nodes was higher in Group 2 than in Group 1 (72.6 ± 27.8 vs. 62.6 ± 21.6, P = 0.023). The rate of bilateral RLN palsy was less in Group 2 than in Group 1 (7.6% vs. 24.2%, P = 0.042). The mean follow-up period was 38.7 months. Primary recurrence consisted of hematogenous, lymphatic, peritoneal dissemination, pleural dissemination, and locoregional in 15 (11.3%), 20 (15.1%), 3 (2.3%), 4 (3.0%), and 5 patients (3.8%), respectively. The rate of regional lymph node recurrence within the dissection field was only 4.5%. The prognosis of patients with lymph node metastasis was significantly poorer than that of patients without lymph node metastasis. However, the prognosis of the 11 cases that had metastasis only around RLNs was similar to that of node-negative cases. Thirteen patients with pathological remnant tumor (R1 or R2) did not survive longer than 5 years at present. The overall 5-year survival rate of stage I, II, and III disease after curative VATS was 82.2%, 77.0%, and 52.3%, respectively. Expansion of VATS criteria for patients after induction chemotherapy for T4 tumor or thoracoscopic anastomosis did not adversely affect the surgical results by experience. Although the VATS procedure is accompanied by a certain degree of morbidity including RLN palsy and pulmonary complications, VATS has an excellent locoregional control effect. In addition, the favorable survival after VATS shows that the procedure is oncologically feasible.

Late events and mid-term results after endovascular aneurysm repair.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the late events and mid-term results after endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR). METHODS: Between December 2006 and May 2012, 175 abdominal aortic aneurysms were treated by EVAR. Aneurysm-related events were analyzed. RESULTS: The complications that occurred during the EVAR procedure were renal artery occlusion in two patients, access artery injury in two, delivery failure in one, retrograde aortic dissection in one, and death from hepatic failure in one patient. Five adverse endoleaks (four type I, one type III) remained at discharge, and the technical success rate was 97 %. On follow-up, limb occlusion had occurred in five patients. Unilateral renal atrophy was found in three patients, but none of the patients required new hemodialysis. Sac enlargement (≥5 mm) developed in ten patients. Their culprit endoleaks were type Ia in one, II in eight, and V in one patient. Transarterial embolization was performed for three out of the eight type II endoleaks. The rate of freedom from secondary re-intervention was 93 % at 3 and 5 years, respectively. The survival and freedom from aneurysm-related events rates were 74 % at 3 years and 47 % at 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: The mid-term results of EVAR were excellent with a low rate of aneurysm-related deaths, although there were relatively high aneurysm-related event rates. Sac re-enlargement from type II endoleaks was the most common major issue at the mid-term follow-up.

Magnetoplasmons in quasineutral epitaxial graphene nanoribbons.

We present an infrared transmission spectroscopy study of the inter-Landau-level excitations in quasineutral epitaxial graphene nanoribbon arrays. We observed a substantial deviation in energy of the L(0(-1)) → L(1(0)) transition from the characteristic square root magnetic-field dependence of two-dimensional graphene. This deviation arises from the formation of an upper-hybrid mode between the Landau-level transition and the plasmon resonance. In the quantum regime, the hybrid mode exhibits a distinct dispersion relation, markedly different from that expected for conventional two-dimensional systems and highly doped graphene.

High-cholesterol diet in combination with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin induces NASH-like disorders in the liver of rats.

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a general term for fatty liver disease not caused by viruses or alcohol. Fibrotic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma can develop. The recent increase in NAFLD incidence worldwide has stimulated drug development efforts. However, there is still no approved treatment. This may be due in part to the fact that non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) pathogenesis is very complex, and its mechanisms are not well understood. Studies with animals are very important for understanding the pathogenesis. Due to the close association between the establishment of human NASH pathology and metabolic syndrome, several animal models have been reported, especially in the context of overnutrition. In this study, we investigated the induction of NASH-like pathology by enhancing cholesterol absorption through treatment with hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (CDX). Female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a normal diet with normal water (control group); a high-fat (60 kcal%), cholesterol (1.25 %), and cholic acid (0.5 %) diet with normal water (HFCC group); or HFCC diet with 2 % CDX water (HFCC+CDX group) for 16 weeks. Compared to the control group, the HFCC and HFCC+CDX groups showed increased blood levels of total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase, and alanine aminotransferase. At autopsy, parameters related to hepatic lipid synthesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, and fibrosis were elevated, suggesting the development of NAFLD/NASH. Elevated levels of endoplasmic reticulum stress-related genes were evident in the HFCC+CDX group. In the novel rat model, excessive cholesterol intake and accelerated absorption contributed to NAFLD/NASH pathogenesis.

A case of breast milk-acquired cytomegalovirus infection in an extremely low birth weight infant.

INTRODUCTION: Although breast milk is considered the optimal nutrition for infants, it is also the primary cause of postnatal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Preterm infants with postnatal CMV infections are susceptible to a variety of life-threatening conditions. CASE SUMMARY: Twin male infants were delivered via emergency caesarian section at 27 weeks' gestation secondary to maternal complete uterine rupture. The Apgar scores at 1 and 5 min were 1 and 1 for the older twin (Twin A) and 0 and 3 for the younger twin (Twin B). Their birth weights were 1203 g (+ 0.65SD) and 495 g (- 3.79SD) respectively. On day 41, laboratory blood test results for Twin B showed a moderate elevation in C-reactive protein (CRP), thrombocytopenia. CMV quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) tests in Twin B's urine and blood as well as in the mother's breast milk were positive, but stored, dried umbilical cord CMV qPCR tests were negative. Twin B was diagnosed with a postnatal CMV infection secondary to infected breast milk and ganciclovir was commenced on day 52. Treatment was switched to valganciclovir at 74 days of age, but a negative CMV-DNA level in the blood was not achieved. Postnatal CMV infection in this infant led to an exacerbation of pre-existing bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) and he demised at 182 days of age. CONCLUSION: Postnatal cytomegalovirus infections may lead to exacerbations of BPD. Early use of raw breast milk in preterm infants should be done with careful consideration of this potential complication.

Unilateral nephrectomized SHR/NDmcr-cp rat shows a progressive decline of glomerular filtration with tubular interstitial lesions.

In patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) or creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) is always used as an index of decline in renal function. However, there are few animal models of DKD that could be used to evaluate renal function based on GFR or Ccr. For this reason, it is desirable to develop animal models to assess renal function, which could also be used for the evaluation of novel therapeutic agents for DKD. Therefore, we aimed to develop such animal model of DKD by using spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR)/NDmcr-cp (cp/cp) rats with the characteristics of obese type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome. As a result, we have found that unilateral nephrectomy (UNx) caused a chronic Ccr decline, development of glomerular sclerosis, tubular lesions, and tubulointerstitial fibrosis, accompanied by renal anemia. Moreover, losartan-mixed diet suppressed the Ccr decline in UNx-performed SHR/NDmcr-cp rats (UNx-SHR/cp rats), with improvement in renal anemia and histopathological changes. These results suggest that UNx-SHR/cp rats could be used as a DKD model for evaluating the efficacy of therapeutic agents based on suppression of renal function decline.

Spin-density matrix elements for γp→K*0Σ+ at Eγ=1.85-3.0 GeV with evidence for the κ(800) meson exchange.

The exclusive reaction γp→K(+)π(-)Σ(+) was measured for the first time using linearly polarized photons at beam energies from 1.85 to 2.96 GeV. Angular distributions in the rest frame of the K(+)π(-) system were fitted to extract spin-density matrix elements of the K(*0) decay. The measured parity spin asymmetry shows that natural-parity exchange is dominant in this reaction. This result clearly indicates the need for t-channel exchange of the κ(800) scalar meson.

Intralesional steroid injection to prevent stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection for esophageal cancer: a controlled prospective study.

BACKGROUND AND STUDY AIMS: The frequency of stricture after endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma with a mucosal defect involving more than three-quarters of the circumference is 70% - 90%. Stricture decreases quality of life and requires multiple endoscopic balloon dilation (EBD) sessions. We investigated the efficacy and safety of a single session of intralesional steroid injections to prevent post-ESD stricture. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted a prospective study on 30 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by ESD, who had a more than three-quarter but less than whole circumferential defect. A single session of intralesional steroid injections was undertaken immediately after ESD. Esophagogastroduodenoscopy was performed whenever patients reported dysphagia and 2 months after ESD in patients without dysphagia. Results were compared with a historical control group of 29 patients who underwent ESD without intralesional steroid injection. The primary endpoint was the post-ESD stricture rate. Secondary endpoints were the number of EBD sessions and the complication rate. RESULTS: Compared with the historical control group, the study group had a significantly lower stricture rate (10%, 3/30 patients vs. 66%, 19/29 patients; P < 0.0001) and a lower number of EBD sessions (median 0, range 0 - 2 vs. median 2, range 0 - 15; P < 0.0001). The study group had a complication rate of 7 % (2 /30 patients), comprising a submucosal tear in one patient and bleeding in another, which were not a direct result of EBD. CONCLUSIONS: A single session of intralesional steroid injections showed promising results for the prevention of stricture after ESD for esophageal cancer.

Cognitive and affective impairments of a novel SCA/MND crossroad mutation Asidan.

BACKGROUND: A variety of hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) develops a broad spectrum of both ataxia and non-ataxia symptoms. Cognitive and affective changes are one such non-ataxia symptoms, but have been described only in hereditary SCAs with exonic CAG gene expansion. METHODS: We newly found intronic hexanucleotide GGCCTG gene expansion in NOP56 gene as the causative mutation (=SCA36) in nine unrelated Japanese familial SCA originating from Asida river area in the western part of Japan, thus nicknamed Asidan for this mutation. These patients show unique clinical balance of cerebellar ataxia and motor neuron disease (MND), locating on the crossroad of these two diseases. In the nine families, 14 patients were clinically examined and genetically confirmed to Asidan. In the present study, we examined cognitive and affective analyses on 12 patients (seven men and five women) who agreed to join the examination with average age at onset of 53.1 ± 3.2 years, average duration of 12.1 ± 5.2 years, and current average age at 65.1 ± 6.2 years. RESULTS: The 12 Asidan patients demonstrated a significant decrease in their frontal executive functions measured by frontal assessment battery (FAB) and Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) compared with age- and gender-matched controls, whilst mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and Hasegawa dementia score-revised (HDS-R) were within normal range. The decline of frontal executive function was related to their disease duration and scale for the assessment and rating of ataxias (SARA). They also demonstrated mild depression and apathy. Single-photon emission tomography (SPECT) analysis showed that these Asidan patients showed decline of regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) in a particular areas of cerebral cortices such as Brodmann areas 24 and 44-46. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the patients with Asidan mutation show unique cognitive and affective characteristics different from other hereditary SCAs with exonal CAG expansion or MND.

Self-propelled motion of a fluid droplet under chemical reaction.

We study self-propelled dynamics of a droplet due to a Marangoni effect and chemical reactions in a binary fluid with a dilute third component of chemical product which affects the interfacial energy of a droplet. The equation for the migration velocity of the center of mass of a droplet is derived in the limit of an infinitesimally thin interface. We found that there is a bifurcation from a motionless state to a propagating state of droplet by changing the strength of the Marangoni effect.