Acute Infectious Purpura Fulminans Complicated by Bacterial Translocation after Rectal Cancer Surgery: A Case Report.

The patient was a man in his 80s who had undergone laparoscopic anterior resection for rectal cancer. Bowel obstruction occurred on the third postoperative day but improved with a decompression tube by the fifth postoperative day. A high fever (in the 38 °C range) was also observed. Blood culture tests detected two sets of the gram-negative bacilli Klebsiella aerogenes within 24 h of collection. On the seventh postoperative day, the patient subsequently went into septic shock with disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). On the eighth postoperative day, the fingertips and toes became black, and the palms and dorsal surfaces of both feet were dark purple due to peripheral circulatory failure. This suggested acute infectious purpura associated with sepsis (acute infectious purpura fulminans (AIPF)). Intensive care was provided; however, the necrosis of both middle fingers worsened, both middle fingers were gangrenous, and the patient died on the thirtieth postoperative day. AIPF is rarely reported, especially in early-onset cases after elective surgery. We encountered a rare complication of bacterial translocation from postoperative bowel obstruction, leading to AIPF.

Kinetically Enhanced Reaction Pathway to Form Highly Crystalline Layered LiCoO2 at Low Temperatures Below 300 °C.

Layered LiCoO2 is usually synthesized after a prolonged sintering process at high temperatures (≥800 °C) for 10-20 h. This study developed a "hydroflux process" to obtain highly crystalline and layered LiCoO2 at a low temperature of 300 °C within 30 min. Molten mixed hydroxide-containing water molecules significantly accelerated the formation of LiCoO2, which showed a highly reversible capacity of 120 mAh g-1 without postannealing. The reaction mechanism study showed fast growth of LiCoO2 crystals, suggesting that the excess molten hydroxides containing water dissolve the cobalt species of HCoO2-. Consequently, the accelerated LiCoO2 formation suppresses the competing reaction of Co3O4 formation, leading to spinel LiCoO2 formation at low temperatures. Excess water in the starting materials further accelerated the crystal growth of LiCoO2, forming large particles (>1 µm). Moreover, the layered LiCoO2 began to form at 150 °C. This study is the first experimental demonstration that proves the thermodynamic stability of layered LiCoO2 at low temperatures (150-300 °C) under ambient pressure. This novel process offers significant energy savings in the production process of LiCoO2 and other ceramics materials.

Mid-term outcomes of intracorporeal versus extracorporeal anastomosis after laparoscopic colectomy: a propensity score-matched cohort study from a single institution.

PURPOSE: There is still insufficient discussion of the mid- to long-term safety of the intracorporeal anastomosis (IA) method of reconstruction after laparoscopic colectomy (LAC) for colon cancer. The present study clarified the postoperative mid-term results of IA based on recurrence and the incidence of incision hernia. METHODS: This single-institution observational retrospective study included 268 patients with colon cancer who underwent IA or extracorporeal anastomosis (EA) after LAC at our institution between 2018 and 2021. The mid-term results of the IA group were compared with those of the EA group using a propensity score matching method. RESULTS: The median follow-up periods were 36 and 25 months in the EA and IA groups, respectively (p < 0.0001). In this matched cohort study, the recurrence-free survival (RFS) rates were comparable between the IA and EA groups (each group, n = 72; 3-year RFS: IA, 92.1%; EA, 88.2%; hazard ratio, 0.78; 95% confidence interval, 0.25-2.40; p = 0.66). The cumulative incisional hernia rates were 9.8% and 9.9% (p = 0.99) for the IA and EA groups, respectively. CONCLUSION: The safety of IA after LAC was demonstrated in this study, as IA after LAC showed good mid-term results, including with regard to the rates of recurrence and incisional hernia.

[A Case of Delayed Anastomotic Leakage after Ileocecal Resection in a Hemodialysis Patient].

A 66-year-old man was referred to our department with the diagnosis of ascending colon cancer. He was undergoing dialysis for chronic renal failure due to diabetic nephropathy. Laparoscopic ileocecal resection was planned for the ascending colon cancer, but the procedure was converted to laparotomy owing to intraoperative bleeding. The patient was discharged from the hospital after 7 days. On the 14th postoperative day, the patient presented with purulent drainage from the wound and fever and was diagnosed to have a minor anastomotic leak. The suture of the anterior sheath was exposed in part of the wound. The patient's general condition was stable, and conservative treatment was planned. However, when he coughed, the wound separated and the intestine prolapsed, and emergency surgery was performed. Intraoperative findings showed leakage of intestinal fluid from the anastomotic border, and we diagnosed delayed suture failure. We present a rare case of delayed anastomotic leakage in a hemodialysis patient.

[A Case of Anastomotic Recurrence 10 Years after Excision of Sigmoid Colon Cancer with Submucosal Invasion].

A 72-year-old woman underwent sigmoid colon resection plus D2 lymph node dissection in 2008, with additional resection after endoscopic mucosal resection(EMR). Histopathological examination revealed only atypical ducts in the EMR scar, with no invasion below the submucosa. No lymphatic, venous, or nerve invasions were confirmed, and oral and anal stumps and lymph node metastases were negative. She was followed up for 5 years after the surgery, and no recurrence was detected. In 2018, she visited our hospital with the chief complaint of diarrhea and constipation. Colonoscopy revealed a circumferential lesion around the anastomosis. She underwent laparoscopic low anterior resection for suspected anastomotic recurrence, which was confirmed by histopathological diagnosis. The anastomotic recurrence 10 years after surgery for SM cancer of the colon with negative lymph node metastasis and vascular factor was extremely rare. We recognized the importance of surveillance 5 years after surgery.

Detailed Analysis of the Crystal Structures and Magnetic Properties of a Dysprosium(III) Phthalocyaninato Sextuple-Decker Complex: Weak f-f Interactions Suppress Magnetic Relaxation.

In the research field of single-molecule magnets (SMMs), lanthanoid-lanthanoid interactions, so-called f-f interactions, are known to affect the SMM properties, although their magnitudes are small. In this article, an SMM with very weak f-f interactions is reported, and the effects of the interactions on the SMM properties are discussed. X-ray structural analysis of the DyIII -CdII -phthalocyaninato sextuple-decker complex (Dy2 Cd3 ) reveals that the intramolecular Dy-Dy length in Dy2 Cd3 is more than 13 Å, which is longer than the intermolecular Dy-Dy length. Even though the two DyIII ions are far apart, intermolecular ferromagnetic dipole-dipole interactions are observed in Dy2 Cd3 . From detailed analysis of ac magnetic susceptibilities, quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM) in Dy2 Cd3 is partially suppressed owing to the existence of very weak Dy-Dy interactions. Our results show that even very weak Dy-Dy interactions act as a dipolar bias, suppressing QTM.

DySc2N@C80 Single-Molecule Magnetic Metallofullerene Encapsulated in a Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube.

DySc2N@C80 is an endohedral metallofullerene showing single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior. In this work, we encapsulated DySc2N@C80-SMMs into the internal one-dimensional nanospace of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Using transmission electron microscopy, "peapod" structures were clearly observed. From magnetic field dependent measurements, DySc2N@C80 showed stepwise hysteresis characteristic of SMMs even inside the SWCNTs, and the coercivity increased from 0.5 to 4 kOe. In addition, it showed slow relaxation of the magnetization without an applied external magnetic field. This system is the first example where SMMs have been encapsulated in SWCNTs, and this system could be used in future molecular-spintronics devices.

Radical Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers in Porous Organic Cages.

The radical polymerization of vinyl monomers was performed in a tetrahedral imine-linked organic cage with extrinsic porosity (CC3). Because of its dynamic and responsive packing structure, CC3 endowed the polymerization with specific behaviors. The adsorption of styrene triggered a change in the CC3 assembly, resulting in a monomer arrangement that was suitable for polymerization within the host matrix. The polymerization reaction was strongly dependent on the crystallinity of CC3 and was promoted by amorphization of the host in a cooperative manner, which is not possible with conventional rigid porous materials. Furthermore, CC3 can recognize the polarity of substrates, and thus polar monomers, such as methyl methacrylate and acrylonitrile, could not induce the structural changes in CC3 that are required for polymerization. This monomer specificity governed by the flexibility of CC3 is useful to the prevent incorporation of unfavorable monomers into the polymeric products.

Core-level spectroscopy to probe the oxidation state of single europium atoms.

The valence of individual europium atoms confined in carbon nanotubes is successfully measured by using core-level electron energy loss spectroscopy. Changes in the oxidation state at the atomic scale have been observed in Eu atomic chains exposed to oxygen. A transitory behavior has been identified where multiple atoms show a signal consistent with a sum of Eu^{2+} and Eu^{3+}. This indicates that single atoms change their valence state multiple times during the reaction, suggesting that oxidation in confined spaces and with extra energy input (from the electron beam) might not be a simple one step electron transfer event.

Emergence of compact disordered phase in a polymer Potts model.

One of the central problems in epigenetics is how epigenetic modification patterns and chromatin structure are regulated in the cell nucleus. The polymer Potts model, a recently studied model of chromatins, is introduced with an offset in the interaction energy as a parameter, and the equilibrium properties are investigated using the mean-field analysis of the lattice model and molecular dynamics simulations of the off-lattice model. The results show that in common with both models, a phase emerges, which could be called the compact-disordered phase, in which the polymer conformation is compact and the epigenetic modification pattern is disordered, depending on the offset in the interaction energy and the fraction of the modified nucleosomes.

Understanding paleo-earthquakes in the Kuril Trench based on Late-Holocene tsunami deposits in the distal region from wave sources, northern Hidaka, Hokkaido, Japan.

Geological evidence, such as tsunami deposits, is crucial for studying the largest rupture zone of the Kuril Trench in Hokkaido, Japan, due to its poor historical record. Although 17th-century tsunami deposits are widely distributed across Hokkaido, the presence of multiple wave sources during that period, including the collapse of Mt. Komagatake, complicates the correlation with their wave sources. Understanding the regional distribution of these tsunami deposits can provide valuable data to estimate the magnitude of megathrust earthquakes in the Kuril Trench. The northern part of Hidaka, Hokkaido, where tsunamis from multiple wave sources are expected to overlap, is distant from the Kuril Trench. To clarify the depositional history of tsunami deposits in such distal areas, evaluating the influence of the depositional environments on the event layer preservation becomes even more critical. We conducted field surveys in Kabari, located in the northern Hidaka region, identifying three sand layers from the 10th to the 17th century and two layers dating beyond 2.3 thousand years ago. The depositional ages of most sand layers potentially correlate with tsunami deposits resulting from the Kuril Trench earthquakes. Utilizing reconstructed paleo-sea level data, we estimated that most sand layers reached approximately 2 m in height. However, it is noteworthy that the latest sand layer from the 17th century exhibited an unusual distribution, more than 3 m in height. This suggests a different wave source as the Mt. Komagatake collapse. The discovery of multiple sand layers and their distributions is crucial to constraining the maximum magnitude of giant earthquakes in the Kuril Trench and understanding the volcanic tsunami events related to Mt. Komagatake.

Comparison between DySc2N@C80 and Dy2ScN@C80 single-molecule magnetic metallofullerenes encapsulated in single-wall carbon nanotubes.

Encapsulation of a metallofullerene single-molecule magnet, Dy2ScN@C80, into single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) accelerates magnetic relaxation processes. In contrast, encapsulation of DySc2N@C80 suppresses them. The effects of the encapsulation are discussed in terms of intermolecular magnetic interactions and charge transfer among metallofullerenes and SWCNTs.

Laparoscopic low anterior resection for rectal cancer associated with Leriche syndrome: a case report.

A 78-year-old male presented with a positive fecal occult blood test. Rectal cancer was detected during lower gastrointestinal endoscopy, and further investigations led to a diagnosis of cT1N0M0 cStage I (UICC classification, 8th edition). Preoperative contrast-enhanced computed tomography (CT) showed that the patient also had Leriche syndrome, which is associated with reduced blood flow to the rectum that may result in ischemic anastomosis during rectal cancer surgery with anastomotic reconstruction. The inferior epigastric arteries often function as collateral pathways to the lower limbs in patients with Leriche syndrome; therefore, care is needed to avoid vascular damage during trocar insertion when performing laparoscopic surgeries. We herein described a case of safe laparoscopic low anterior resection in a rectal cancer patient with Leriche syndrome using vascular architecture images obtained by preoperative CT angiography.

Lentilactobacillus buchneri domination during the fermentation of Japanese traditional fermented fish (funazushi).

Funazushi is a Japanese traditional fermented fish made with boiled rice without the addition of microbial starter cultures. Isolates from various commercial funazushi products, as identified by 16S rDNA sequences, suggested that Lentilactobacillus buchneri strains are major lactic acid bacteria. Based on an analysis of the putative CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) region, the genetic diversity of L. buchneri strains was examined. The data suggested that the diversity of L. buchneri strains depended on the factories at which funazushi was produced. An analysis of samples during fermentation indicated that the transition of microbes occurred, and L. buchneri was the dominant species. To determine the factors associated with domination, bacteriocin production and environmental stress tolerance, including NaCl and organic acid (lactate and acetate) tolerance, were evaluated. L. buchneri isolates did not produce bacteriocin. Although the isolates did not exhibit NaCl tolerance, they displayed higher lactate tolerance than other lactic acid bacteria isolated during funazushi fermentation. Based on reports that L. buchneri can convert lactate to acetate, the previous and present results suggested that lactate tolerance and lactate conversion in L. buchneri could explain its domination in funazushi. Our study presented a model for the domination mechanisms of specific microbes in fermented foods by spontaneous fermentation.

An inguinal hernia that arose after robot-assisted radical prostatectomy and the repair of an intraoperative external iliac vein injury: A case report.

This case involved a 63-year-old man. He underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) for prostate cancer. One year after the operation, he consulted our hospital about left inguinal swelling. Under a diagnosis of a left external inguinal hernia, transabdominal preperitoneal repair (TAPP) was performed under general anesthesia. The inside of the hernia orifice had been damaged by the RARP, and the resultant fibrosis was so marked that it was difficult to dissect the preperitoneal space. Furthermore, an external iliac vein injury occurred during the operation. The bleeding was controlled, and we used laparoscopic continuous non-absorbable sutures to repair the external iliac vein injury. The number of TAPP procedures performed after radical prostatectomy has been increasing in recent years, but dissecting the preperitoneal space inside a hernia orifice is difficult. Although external iliac vein injuries are rare complications of TAPP procedures, they can be laparoscopically repaired.

Interdigitated Pt-Br chains with π-stacking: an approach toward Robin-Day class I mixed valency in MX-chain complexes.

The first interdigitated MX-type chain complex with infinite π-stacked arrays was synthesized. The synchronization between a Pt-Br⋯ chain and π-stacking periodicities led to the longest M-X-M distance (6.6978(15) Å) and nil or negligible intervalence charge transfer, which is essential to realize the Robin-Day class I mixed valence state in MX chains.

A dataset for distribution and characteristics of Holocene pyroclastic fall deposits along the Pacific coasts in western Hokkaido, Japan.

The tephra layers known with eruption ages play an important role in an investigation of tsunami history and archaeology in addition to volcanic history in Hokkaido, Japan. We investigated the event and tephra layers of the Late Holocene in the Pacific coast of western Hokkaido, where the stratigraphy of the Late Holocene has not been clarified. Surveys in coastal peatlands, mostly undisturbed deposits, have allowed for the discovery of thin tephra layers. The newly discovered tephra layers at the unexplored site were used to describe facies, observation under a polarization microscope, refractive index measurement of volcanic glasses, and chemical analysis, and correlated with the reported widespread tephras. We conducted wide-area field surveys and succeeded in revealing a wider distribution of tephra layers than previously known. The distribution of volcanic ash in the coastal area will contribute to the investigations of future volcanic and coastal hazards.

Cocrystals of Li+ encapsulated fullerenes and Tb(iii) double-decker single molecule magnet in a quasi-kagome lattice.

Cocrystallization of a lithium ion encapsulated fullerene Li+@C60 with a terbium(iii) phthalocyaninato porphyrinato double-decker single-molecule magnet [Tb(Pc)(OEP)] is reported. The cocrystal, containing PF6- as a counter anion, packs in a quasi-kagome lattice, which leads to intermolecular ferromagnetic interactions as well as the modulation of the single-molecule magnet (SMM) properties.

An enteric polymer mitigates the effects of gastric pH on oral absorption of poorly soluble weak acid drugs from supersaturable formulations: A case study with dantrolene.

This study demonstrated that an enteric polymer can mitigate the effects of gastric pH on the oral absorption of a poorly water-soluble weak acid drug, dantrolene (DNT). An amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) of DNT with hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) acetate succinate (ASD-HPMCAS) was prepared as the enteric released ASD (ER-SF). ASD with HPMC (ASD-HPMC) and DNT sodium salt were also used as immediate-release supersaturable formulations (IR-SFs) with and without water-soluble polymer, respectively. In vivo study with rats and in vitro study with a dissolution/permeation (D/P) system were performed to evaluate oral DNT absorption from each formulation under normal and high gastric pH conditions in rats and humans, respectively. The oral absorption of DNT from both IR-SFs in rats with a high gastric pH was significantly higher than that in rats with a normal gastric pH. In contrast, ASD-HPMCAS attenuated the difference in oral absorption between normal and high gastric pH conditions with significant improvement of DNT absorption. In vivo results implied that an enteric polymer delayed the onset of dissolution until after gastric emptying. ASD-HPMCAS generated supersaturation in the small intestine irrespective of gastric conditions, which was supported bythe in vitrostudy using the D/P system. This study suggested that an enteric polymer is useful to mitigate the inter- and intra-individual differences in oral absorption of poorly water-soluble weak acid drugs.