Development of a Japanese version of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S): A structural topic modeling approach.

BACKGROUND: Awe, a complex emotion, arises in response to perceptually and conceptually vast stimuli that transcend one's current frames of reference, which is associated with subjective psychological phenomena, such as a sense of self and consciousness. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Awe Experience Scale (AWE-S), a widely used questionnaire that robustly measured the state of awe, and simultaneously investigated how the multiple facets of awe related to the narrative representations of awe experiences. METHODS: The Japanese AWE-S was created via back-translation and its factor structure and validity was investigated through an online survey in Japan. RESULTS: The results revealed that the Japanese AWE-S consisted of the same six factors as the original (i.e., time, self-loss, connectedness, vastness, physiological, and accommodation) and had sufficient internal consistency, test-retest reliability, construct validity, and also Japan-specific characteristics. The structured topic modeling generated seven potential topics of the descriptions of awe experiences, which were differently associated with each factor of the Japanese AWE-S. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of awe and reveal the constructs of awe in Japan through cross-cultural comparisons. Furthermore, this study provides conceptual and methodological implications regarding studies on awe.

A Case of Preserved Blood Flow to the Portal Vein Due to the Concurrent Reconstruction of the Superior Mesenteric Vein and the Splenic Vein Using an Artificial Blood Vessel.

Pancreatic cancer is often advanced and invades the major blood vessels around the pancreas. Portal vein (PV) and/or superior mesenteric vein (SMV) resection is performed for radical resection. In such cases, end-to-end anastomosis is best if the remnant vein is sufficiently long. However, when the excision distance is long, reconstruction requires an artificial blood vessel. In contrast, there is no consensus concerning the need for splenic vein (SV) reconstruction. We herein report a case in which portal vein thrombus and congestion of the bowel that occurred after PV-SMV reconstruction were improved by additional anastomosis of the PV-SV.

Successful Pre-Operative Local Control of Skin Invasion of Breast Cancer Using a Combination of Systemic Chemotherapy and Mohs Paste.

Locally advanced breast cancer (tumor > 5 cm, widespread infiltration of the skin and muscle, or metastases to lymph nodes) is difficult to resect by surgery, and even when it is resectable, there is a high probability of local recurrence and distant metastasis. Therefore, systemic therapy should be administered first. However, as cutaneous infiltration progresses, the patient's quality of life is impaired by pain, bleeding, presence of exudates, and a foul-smelling odor. Treatment with Mohs paste with systemic therapy can control symptoms associated with skin infiltration and can also be expected to decrease tumor volume. Herein, we report a case in which a tumor was resected following Mohs paste and systemic chemotherapy administration, and the skin defect was reconstructed with a latissimus dorsi myocutaneous flap. We also review the literature for previously reported cases of breast cancer involving Mohs paste.

Effect of Venous Superdrainage on Colon Interposition for Esophageal Reconstruction.

When performing esophageal reconstruction, a colonic pedicle graft is chosen as the next candidate to the stomach because of complications arising from the operation time and vascular anastomosis. Vascular anastomosis is not necessarily required for pedicle grafts, but it is necessary to perform additional vascular anastomosis in some cases. We herein report a case of superdrainage in which anastomosis of the colonic vein and the right internal thoracic vein was effective against congestion. A 68-year-old man with thoracic esophageal cancer and pyloric antrum gastric cancer was referred to our hospital. Complete resection was performed with subtotal esophageal resection and total gastrectomy. We added superdrainage (right internal thoracic vein - ileocolic vein) to the colonic pedicle graft, which showed congestion, and performed esophageal reconstruction. Venous superdrainage using a colonic pedicle graft is effective for esophageal reconstruction.

The Lymphocyte-to-monocyte Ratio Is an Independent Prognostic Indicator in Pancreatic Head Cancer that Correlates With Obstructive Jaundice.

BACKGROUND/AIM: Several indicators of systemic inflammation have been reported to predict the outcomes of patients with malignant tumors but have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the preoperative lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio (LMR) can predict the outcomes of patients with pancreatic head cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We studied 32 patients who underwent curative surgery for pancreatic head cancer in our hospital between 2006 and 2016. Patients were classified into high and low groups according to their LMR. RESULTS: The low LMR group had a significantly lower survival rate than the high LMR group (p=0.0313). A multivariate analysis showed that the pretreatment LMR (p=0.01) was an independent risk factor for cancer-related death. The LMR was correlated with obstructive jaundice (p=0.001). CONCLUSION: Preoperative LMR is a significant predictor of the outcome after pancreaticoduodenectomy in patients with pancreatic head cancer.

Genetic variation in rice (Oryza sativa L.) germplasm from northern Laos.

We assessed genetic variation in rice germplasm in northern Laos and Vientiane province from polymorphism data of SSR markers. We classified 314 accessions into three clusters; Ia (corresponding to the lowland Japonica Group), Ib (upland Japonica Group) and II (Indica Group). The accessions of cluster Ib grew mainly in mountainous fields, and those of cluster II grew commonly in basins and along rivers. The few accessions of cluster Ia grew in only three provinces: Houaphanh, Xiangkhouang and Vientiane. Lowland cultivars in cluster II were predominant in Vientiane. Variations in heading date under short-day conditions in 2014 and long-day conditions in 2015 indicate that many accessions were sensitive to the photoperiod on account of complex genetic mechanisms underlying both photoperiod sensitivity and basic vegetative growth. A total of 219 among whole accessions were classified into 6 groups: E1-3 and L1-3. E2 and E3 were dominant in clusters Ib and II; E1 and L1-3 were minor groups. These results demonstrate characteristic distributions of the Indica and Japonica Group's germplasms in northern Laos and their genetic variation in heading date.

Genetic diversity of the wx flanking region in rice landraces in northern Laos.

A glutinous texture of endosperm is one of the important traits of rice (Oyza sativa L.). Northern Laos is known as a center of glutinous rice diversity. We genotyped INDEL, SSR and SNP markers in a sample of 297 rice landraces collected in northern Laos. These glutinous varieties were confirmed to share a loss-of-function mutation in Granule bound starch synthase I (Wx). INDEL markers revealed a high frequency of recombinant genotypes between indica and japonica. Principal component analysis using SSR genotypes of Wx flanking region revealed that glutinous indica landraces were scattered between non-glutinous indica and glutinous-japonica types. High ratios of heterozygosity were found especially in glutinous indica. Haplotype analysis using SNP markers around Wx locus revealed that glutinous indica landraces would have a few chromosome segments of glutinous japonica. Frequent recombinations were confirmed outside of this region in glutinous indica. This intricate genetic structure of landraces suggested that glutinous indica landraces in Laos were generated through repeated natural crossing with glutinous-japonica landraces and severe selection by local farmers.

Use of the continuous suture technique in dunking pancreatojejunostomy without stenting.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the newly developed continuous suture technique in dunking pancreatojejunostomy without pancreatic duct stenting after pancreatoduodenectomy (PD). METHODS: Thirty-four consecutive pancreaticojejunostomies (patient age 73 ± 11, 41-88) with continuous sutures without stenting after PD were performed from 2006 to 2011. This study evaluated the operation time, intraoperative blood loss, initial postoperative day of oral feeding, postoperative hospital stay, postoperative early complications, and late complications. The indications for surgery included bile duct cancer (n = 12), pancreatic cancer (n = 11), intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (n = 3), cancer of the papilla (n = 3), duodenal cancer (n = 2), and others (n = 3). Portal vein or superior mesenteric vein resections and reconstructions were performed in 7 patients, and another organ was resected in 3. RESULTS: No operative or in-hospital deaths occurred. The operation time (minutes) was 315 ± 68 and, postoperative hospital stay (days) was 27 ± 16. Pancreatic fistula, wound infection, and delayed gastric emptying were observed in 15, 15, and 9 %, respectively. Grade C pancreatic fistula was seen in 2 patients. Both recovered after laparotomy and drainage and were successfully discharged. Worsening diabetes mellitus was seen in 2 of 34 patients, and dilatation of the pancreatic duct was seen in 3 of 28 patients. CONCLUSION: The newly developed continuous suture technique in dunking pancreatojejunostomy without stenting may therefore produce favorable results in PD.

[Hourglass transmural lipoma; report of a case].

A 52-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a pulmonary nodule detected by chest X-ray. Painless mass was located on the right anterior chest below the right clavicle, but enlarged recently. Chest computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed the hourglass shaped mass penetrating his right 2nd intercostal muscle, and growing to intra- and extra-thoracic areas. 60 x 40 x 50 mm in size. His laboratory findings were almost within normal ranges. We performed resection of the tumor and partial resection of the 2nd and 3rd ribs with a help of thoracoscopy. Pathological diagnosis was "intramuscular lipoma-infiltrating type, no malignancy". Assistance of thoracoscopic approach was found to be useful for complete resection of the tumor existing intra- and extra-thoracic areas.

Contact avoidance toward people with stigmatized attributes: mate choice.

If contact avoidance is used to avoid harmful people, then this can play an important role when people choose a spouse, by eliminating undesirable people from the list of candidates. The purpose of this study was to reveal the sex difference in contact avoidance toward people with stigmatic attributes, who are therefore disadvantaged as spouse candidates. A total of 228 university students (101 men, 127 women) participated in the survey. Seven types of men and women with stigmatic characteristics were presented and the respondents asked how much they wanted to avoid contact with each type of person in eight physical contact situations. Female respondents wanted to avoid contact with stigmatized men more than with stigmatized women. On the other hand, male respondents showed comparable responses to both stigmatized men and women. The results were considered from the perspective of mate selection based on evolutionary psychology.

[Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor suspected of lung cancer; report of a case].

A 57-year-old man admitted to our hospital with a pulmonary nodule detected by chest X-ray. Chest X-ray and chest computed tomography (CT) showed a solitary nodule with a spiculation in the right lower lobe (S8), 17 x 15 mm in size. His laboratory findings were almost within normal ranges. Positron emission tomography (PET) showed positive detection correspond to the nodule (SUV max: 5.76). Pathological diagnosis by CT-guided lung biopsy was suspected of gastrointestinal stromal tumor (GIST). Further examination of digestive organs revealed no abnormalities. The enlargement of the nodule was noted 2 weeks later, 23 x 18 mm in size. We couldn't rule out a malignant tumor and performed partial resection of the right lower lobe. Pathological diagnosis by intraoperative frozen section was "inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT), no malignancy". The patient is alive without any signs of recurrence for 4 months postoperatively.

[Synchronous multiple lung cancer including a lesion with a thin-walled cavity; report of a case].

A 79-year-old woman underwent video-assisted thoracic surgery (VATS)-left S6 segmentectomy for left lung cancer (papillary adenocarcinoma, pT1N0M0, stage IA), and were followed-up at our hospital. Chest X-ray and chest computed tomography (CT) showed ground-glass opacity (GGO) with thin-walled cavity in the right S1, 3 cm in size and small nodule in the right S2, S3 at 1st operation. The shadow in S1 was not changed but nodular lesion in S2, S3 enlarged 7 months later. CT-guided biopsy revealed well differentiated adenocarcinoma VATS-right upper lobectomy was performed and both lesions were diagnosed as "adenocarcinoma with mixed subtypes (BAC : acinar type), synchronous multiple lung cancer one of which formed thin-walled cavity" histopathologically. The patient was discharged on 20th-postoperative day and alive without any signs of recurrence for 16 months post-operatively.

TSU-16, (Z)-3-[(2,4-dimethylpyrrol-5-yl)methylidenyl]-2-indolinone, is a potent activator of aryl hydrocarbon receptor and increases CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 expression in human hepatocytes.

(Z)-3-[(2,4-dimethylpyrrol-5-yl)methylidenyl]-2-indolinone (TSU-16), is a potent anti-angiogenic agent that inhibits the tyrosine kinase of vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2. In clinical trials with daily or twice weekly intravenous administration of TSU-16, its increased clearance was observed. To understand the mechanism underlying this observation, we have investigated the TSU-16-mediated regulation of cytochrome P450 expression. In human hepatocytes, TSU-16 increased mRNA levels of CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, but not CYP2B6 and CYP3A4. The extent of increase and profiles of the time-dependent changes in CYP1A1 and CYP1A2 mRNA levels after TSU-16 treatment were similar to those after treatment with 3-methylcholanthrene (3MC), a well-known activator of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR). In reporter assays using a plasmid construct that contained the human CYP1A1 5'-flanking region including the region crucial for the AhR-dependent transcription of both human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2, TSU-16 treatment increased reporter activities to an extent similar to that obtained with 3MC. Treatment of HepG2 cells and human hepatocytes with AhR-targeting siRNA suppressed the increase in both mRNA levels and CYP1A activities after treatment with TSU-16 as well as after that with omeprazole or 3MC. TSU-16 also time-dependently reduced cellular AhR protein levels in HepG2 cells to a similar extent with 3MC treatment. Furthermore, we demonstrated that unlabeled TSU-16 and 3MC but not omeprazole completely inhibited the specific binding of [(3)H]-3MC to mouse Hepa1c1c7 cytosol, suggesting TSU-16 as an AhR ligand. In conclusion, our present results suggest that TSU-16 binds to and activates AhR to enhance the expression of both human CYP1A1 and CYP1A2. Because TSU-16 is metabolized mainly by CYP1A2, its increased clearance after repeated dosing may be attributed to the enhanced expression of hepatic CYP1A2.