[Cancer of the Ascending Colon Diagnosed at the Same Time as Breast Cancer Following Leukemia Treatment for Which Laparoscopic Surgery Was Performed-A Case Report].

An 83-year-old woman received 8 courses of chemotherapy(mogamulizumab)for adult T cell leukemia in the hematolo- gy department of our hospital, after which she achieved complete remission and was followed up with chemotherapy(VP/ MST: sobuzoxane/etoposide)as an outpatient. Later, diarrheal symptoms appeared, and detailed examinations led to a diagnosis of cancer of the ascending colon. Although no distal metastasis was found, breast cancer was also revealed in the C area of the right breast. The general status of the patient was favorable; thus, right pectoral muscle-conserving mastectomy and concomitant sentinel lymph node biopsy were performed through laparoscope-assisted extended right hemicolectomy. The postoperative course was favorable, and she was discharged on hospital day 7. The excised tumors were pathologically diagnosed as stageⅠ breast cancer and stage Ⅲa colorectal cancer. Chemotherapy(VP/MST)was administered without adjuvant chemotherapy. Presently, 18 months after surgery, complete remission of adult T cell leukemia has been maintained, without metastasis and recurrence of cancer of the ascending colon and breast cancer.

A modified quadrant method for describing the femoral tunnel aperture positions in ACL reconstruction using two-view plain radiographs.

PURPOSE: A modified quadrant method was developed for description of femoral tunnel aperture positions on the sagittal plane after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, which can be measured by using two-view radiographs. The purpose of the study is to provide a new measurement method and to evaluate the reproducibility and accuracy of the method. METHODS: Forty-one patients who had undergone a double-bundle ACL reconstruction were investigated. Two-view plain radiographs, a 45-degree-flexion posterior-anterior standing (Rosenberg) and a lateral view, were taken at 1 year postoperatively, and the femoral tunnel positions were measured. Intra- and inter-observer reproducibility was calculated by means of intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC). Also, the accuracy of the method was evaluated by comparing the measurement from three-dimensional computed tomography (3D-CT). RESULTS: Intra-observer reproducibility was excellent (ICC > 0.9). Inter-observer reproducibility of antero-medial (AM) tunnel position was almost perfect (ICC > 0.8) and that of postero-lateral (PL) tunnel was substantial (ICC > 0.7). The accuracy of the method was assessed by comparing the measurement from 3D-CT and was found to be almost perfect (ICC > 0.8). With the modified quadrant method, the average height of AM and PL tunnels were 17.8 and 44.4 %, respectively, and the depth of AM and PL tunnels were 25.5 and 36.7 %, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A modified quadrant method was found to have acceptable reproducibility and accuracy. The method is useful for describing the femoral tunnel aperture positions in ACL reconstruction because of its easiness and simplicity. By using this method, it is possible to analyse the femoral tunnel position even in the cases without CT analysis. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: IV.

The kinematic analysis of female subjects after double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction during single-leg squatting.

BACKGROUND: The kinematic characteristics of female anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)-injured subjects were recognized in our previous study using an electromagnetic device comparing both female control groups and male ACL-injured subjects during single-leg squatting. OBJECTIVE: To assess the kinematic characteristics of female subjects after double-bundle ACL reconstruction during single-leg squatting. METHODS: Three-dimensional motion analysis was performed for single-leg squatting in female subjects after ACL reconstruction. We evaluated the relative angles between the pelvis, thigh, and lower leg using an electromagnetic device during single-leg squatting in 28 female subjects with ACL reconstruction. All patients included in this study restored their sports performance level to 90 % or higher. RESULTS: Comparing the involved leg to the uninjured leg of female subjects after ACL reconstruction, the involved leg demonstrated significantly more hip adduction and less knee varus than the uninjured leg. Comparing the anterior cruciate ligament-reconstructed female subjects to the healthy female controls, the involved leg after ACL reconstruction demonstrated significantly less hip flexion, more hip external rotation, more hip adduction, and more knee flexion than the dominant leg of the control group. CONCLUSION: This kinematic study exhibited kinematic characteristics of ACL-reconstructed knees of female subjects. Double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction could not quite restore the normal kinematics of female-involved legs compared with both uninjured legs of female subjects and healthy female controls. In future studies, restoring the correct alignment of ACL reconstructed knee during single-leg squatting would be expected to reduce ACL re-injury and to assist a safe return to sport activities.

High-flex posterior cruciate-retaining vs posterior cruciate-substituting designs in simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty: a prospective, randomized study.

The superiority between the posterior cruciate-retaining and the posterior cruciate-substituting designs still remains controversial. We performed a prospective, randomized control study for evaluation of the superiority of these designs. This study investigated 58 knees in 29 patients with simultaneous bilateral total knee arthroplasty, in which the high-flex CR design was randomly implanted in one knee and the high-flex PS design was implanted in the other knee. The follow-up duration averaged 5.0 years, with a minimum duration of 3 years. Postoperatively, Knee Score and pain points in Knee Score resulted in no significant differences between the 2 designs. However, postoperative arc of range of motion, patient satisfaction, and posterior knee pain at passive flexion in the PS design were significantly superior to that of the CR design.

[A case of breast cancer with large cancer ulcer and multiple bone and liver metastasis responding to combination therapy of radiation and chemotherapy].

We report a case of breast cancer in a 58-year-old female patient. In 2005, she was hospitalized for therapy of left breast cancer. The tumor observed was accompanied by invasion of the skin and ribs. At the same time, multiple liver and bone metastases were also observed(solid tubular adenocarcinoma, ER(+), PgR(±), HER2(3+), T4NxM1, stage IV). She was started on radiation therapy and chemotherapy(paclitaxel+trastuzumab). While the liver and bone metastases remained unchanged, the primary focus became noticeably smaller. In the course of follow-up visits, we began to administer her paclitaxel biweekly. This treatment, however, worsened her liver metastases and led us to switch to combination chemotherapy with vinorelbine and capecitabine. After 6 courses of the therapy, her liver metastases disappeared and her tumor marker levels became normal. The combination chemotherapy was continued for 1 year and then followed by 18 months of chemotherapy with capecitabine alone until recurrence of liver metastases was observed. Capecitabine along with cyclophosphamide was orally administered, bringing her tumor marker levels down to the normal range again. After approximately 6 years from the start of treatment, the patient is still alive.

MRI study of medial meniscus degeneration of osteoarthritic knees with or without posterior root tear.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to compare the medial meniscus (MM) degeneration, meniscus extrusion, and tibial joint inclination by using MRI to consider the pathogenesis of posterior root tear (PRT) in medial-type knee osteoarthritis (KOA) both with and without medial meniscus posterior root tear (MMPRT). METHODS: This study used open MRI with flexion sagittal view and included 324 medial-type osteoarthritic knees with a Kellegren-Lawrence grade of 2 or less. Following the exclusion process, 151 knees were selected for MRI analysis. MM degeneration grading was performed according to Jerosch by 5 degrees of 0-4 in four different portions from anterior to posterior. MM medial extrusion (MMME), MM posterior extrusion (MMPE), medial tibial medial slope (MTMS), and medial tibial posterior slope (MTPS) were measured according to previous studies. RESULTS: MM degeneration in the anterior portion to MCL averaged 1.72 ± 0.67 in the PRT group (n = 48) and 1.40 ± 0.78 in the non-PRT group (n = 103). The degeneration grade was statistically higher in the PRT group than in the non-PRT group (p = 0.050). There was no difference in MM degeneration in the other three portions. MMME averaged 4.02 ± 1.12 mm in the PRT group and 3.11 ± 1.11 mm in the non-PRT group. MMPE averaged 4.22 ± 0.87 mm in the PRT group and 2.83 ± 1.12 mm in the non-PRT group. Both MMME and MMPE in the PRT group were statistically larger than those in the non-PRT group (p < 0.001). There was no difference in MTMS between the two groups. MTPS averaged 6.34 ± 2.25° in the PRT group and 5.28 ± 2.23° in the non-PRT group. The MTPS of the PRT group was statistically larger than that of the non-PRT group (p = 0.007). CONCLUSION: The severity of MM degeneration, extrusion of MM, and degree of tibial slope were compared between medial-type KOA with and without PRT using an open MRI. MM degeneration was more severe anteriorly in the PRT group. The PRT group showed larger MMME and MMPE with greater MTPS. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: III. Retrospective cohort study.

Radiographic description of femoral tunnel placement expressed as intercondylar clock time in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to propose an objective description of femoral tunnel position expressed as time of the intercondylar clock in ACL reconstruction using a simple radiograph for the sake of objective discussion and technical improvement. The reproducibility of the method was evaluated in double-bundle (DB) reconstructions. METHODS: The first series of 54 knees in 54 patients who underwent primary "isometric" DB ACL reconstructions from 1995 to 2002 were randomly picked up. The second series of 48 knees in 48 patients with primary "anatomic" DB ACL reconstructions during 2007 were assessed as a recent femoral tunnel position with the same method. All DB reconstructions of ACL with the anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL) bundles were performed with an arthroscopically assisted trans-tibial technique. The o'clock description of femoral tunnel placement was expressed using a weight-bearing posterior-anterior view at 45° of flexion (45° W/B PA view) of the knee. Assessment was undertaken with radiographs 1 year postoperatively. RESULTS: The o'clock descriptions of femoral tunnel placement resulted in noon 40 min (standard deviation (SD): 10 min) for the AM bundle and one o'clock 40 min (SD: 20 min) for the PL bundle on average in the "isometric" reconstruction. In the "anatomic" reconstruction, the time descriptions of femoral tunnel placement were one o'clock 20 min (SD: 10 min) for the AM bundle and two o'clock 20 min (SD: 20 min) for the PL bundle on average. With the intra-examiner reproducibility assessment in the "anatomic" reconstruction, the differences between first and second assessments averaged 10 min (SD: 7 min) for femoral tunnel placement of the AM bundle and 12 min (SD: 9 min) of the PL bundle. Regarding the inter-examiner reproducibility, the differences between two examiners averaged 9 min (SD: 6 min) for femoral tunnel placement of the AM bundle and 14 min (SD: 9 min) of the PL bundle. CONCLUSION: This simple radiographic assessment is reproducible and reliable for clinical use, and useful for the evaluation of ACL reconstructive procedures.

Is light quality involved in the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus in attached rice leaves?

The regulatory effect of light quality on the photosynthetic apparatus in attached leaves of rice plants was investigated by keeping rice plants under natural light, in complete darkness, or under illumination with light of different colors. When leaves were left in darkness and far-red (FR)-light conditions for 6 days at 30 degrees C, there was an initial lag in chlorophyll (Chl) content, Chl a/b ratio, and maximum photosystem (PS) II photochemistry that lasted until the second day; these then rapidly decreased on the fourth day. In contrast, ribulose 1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) rapidly disappeared with no lag under low or zero light conditions. By using spectrophotometric quantitation, it was determined that the PSII and PSI reaction centers were regulated by light quality, but cytochrome (Cyt) f was regulated by light intensity. However, the PSII heterogeneity was also strongly modified by the light intensity; PSIIalpha with the large antenna decreased markedly both in content and in antenna size. Consequently, the PSIIalpha/PSI ratio declined under FR-light because the low intensity of FR-light dominated over its quality in the modulation of the PSIIalpha/PSI ratio. An imbalance between them induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), although the ROS were scavenged by stromal enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and glutathione reductase (GR). The activities of these stromal enzymes are also regulated by light quality. Thus, although the photosynthetic apparatus is regulated differently depending on light quality, light quality may play an important role in the regulation of the photosynthetic apparatus.

Ketoprofen absorption by muscle and tendon after topical or oral administration in patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Topical ketoprofen patches are widely used in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain, but the pharmacokinetics of ketoprofen following topical application remain unclear. This open-label, single-dose pharmacokinetic study was designed to determine the concentrations of ketoprofen in the semitendinosus muscle/tendon and plasma after topical application or oral administration to patients scheduled for anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Two ketoprofen patches (20 mg each) were applied over the semitendinosus muscle/tendon for 1, 6, 14, or 20 h before surgery in 21 patients, while one sustained-release 150 mg ketoprofen capsule was administered to six patients 14 h before surgery. Ten untreated patients served as the control group. The main outcome measures were the semitendinosus muscle/tendon and plasma concentrations of ketoprofen at 1, 6, 14, and 20 h. Ketoprofen was detected in the semitendinosus muscle/tendon from about 1 h after topical application. The peak concentration was reached at 6 h, and it decreased gradually until 20 h, although the concentration at 20 h was still higher than that at 1 h. Unlike the tissue concentration, the plasma concentration of ketoprofen increased gradually after topical application. At 14 h, there was no significant difference of the tissue concentration between the topical and oral groups, although the plasma concentration was about 17-fold higher in the oral group than in the topical group. In conclusion, following topical application in a patch, ketoprofen shows rapid and sustained delivery to the underlying tissues without a significant increase of the plasma drug concentration.

The Forced Magnetostrictions and Magnetic Properties of Ni2MnX (X = In, Sn) Ferromagnetic Heusler Alloys.

Experimental studies into the forced magnetostriction, magnetization, and temperature dependence of permeability in Ni2MnIn and Ni2MnSn ferromagnetic Heusler alloys were performed according to the spin fluctuation theory of itinerant ferromagnetism proposed by Takahashi. We investigated the magnetic field (H) dependence of magnetization (M) at the Curie temperature TC, and at T = 4.2 K, which concerns the ground state of the ferromagnetic state. The M-H result at TC was analyzed by means of the H versus M5 dependence. At 4.2 K, it was investigated by means of an Arrott plot (H/M vs. M2) according to Takahashi's theory. As for Ni2MnIn and Ni2MnSn, the spin fluctuation parameters in k-space (momentum space, TA) and that in energy space (frequency space, T0) obtained at TC and 4.2 K were almost the same. The average values obtained at TC and 4.2 K were TA = 342 K, T0 = 276 K for Ni2MnIn and TA = 447 K, T0 = 279 K for Ni2MnSn, respectively. The forced magnetostriction at TC was also investigated. The forced linear magnetostriction (ΔL/L) and the forced volume magnetostriction (ΔV/V) were proportional to M4, which followed Takahashi's theory. We compared the forced volume magnetostriction ΔV/V and mechanical parameter, bulk modulus K. ΔV/V is inversely proportional to K. We also discuss the spin polarization of Ni2MnIn and other magnetic Heusler alloys. The pC/pS of Ni2MnIn was 0.860. This is comparable with that of Co2MnGa, which is a famous half-metallic alloy.

Laparoscope-assisted superlow anterior resection combined with inter sphincteric rectal dissection for very low advanced rectal cancers combined with preoperative chemotherapy.

Transanal intersphincteric resection (ISR) has been increasingly used as a surgical treatment for extremely low rectal cancer. We hypothesized that high quality less invasive surgery could be achieved if ISR and laparoscopic surgery were combined. The patient was a 46-year-old male with advanced rectal cancer on the lower rectum adjacent to the dentate line. The patient refused abdomino-perineal resection (APR), so we performed laparoscope-assisted ISR after preoperative chemotherapy. Previous dissection of this patient facilitated the muscle layer-oriented curative dissection, and more importantly, made the subsequent laparoscopic rectal excision effortless. This patient showed favorable recovery including postoperative anal function with no complications or recurrent disease. This procedure is feasible and has favorable short-term results for the radical treatment of very low rectal disease, while preserving anal function. This operative procedure may be appropriate for locally advanced rectal cancers to avoid a permanent colostomy.

Pacific Ocean and Japan Sea ecotypes of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata) differ in photosystem responses to continuous high light.

Two ecotypes of Japanese beech (Fagus crenata Blume), the Pacific Ocean type (PAO) and the Japan Sea type (JAS), show different responses to high solar irradiance. When PAO and JAS saplings were grown in continuous high-light (H), leaves of JAS became pale green. To elucidate this phenomenon, we investigated in vivo photochemistry based on pigment concentrations of Photosystem (PS) I and PS II and Western blot analysis. In JAS-H leaves, the amount of D1-protein decreased, resulting in decreases in the maximal quantum yield of PS II (F(v)/F(m)) and electron transport rate, whereas PAO-H leaves maintained high activities. The PS I photochemistry determined by measurement of P-700 photo-oxidation showed that the intersystem electron pool size was 1.4 times greater in JAS-H leaves than in PAO-H leaves. Furthermore, the re-reduction kinetics of P-700(+) showed that cyclic electron transport around PS I was 1.2 times faster in PAO-H leaves than in JAS-H leaves. Analysis of the area over the fluorescence induction kinetics indicated that the relative abundance of the PS IIalpha center increased in PAO-H leaves, whereas JAS leaves were observed to have low acclimation capacity to high light. These results demonstrate that PAO leaves possess acclimation mechanisms to continuous high light, whereas JAS leaves are more vulnerable to continuous high light, resulting in reduced leaf longevity owing to photoinhibition caused by increases in the intersystem electron pool size and suppression of photochemistry at the level of PS I and PS II.

[Partial response of liver metastasis from colon cancer following intermittent oral administration of TS-1 after intra-hepatic arterial single injection of CDDP, doxorubicin and 5-FU].

An intrahepatic arterial injection of CDDP, doxorubicin and 5-FU, followed by 17 courses of oral TS-1 administration (80 mg/day x 14 days, q=28 days), induced a partial response for 9 months after 18 months of stable disease in a 76-year-old male with asynchronous liver metastasis due to ascending colon cancer. TS-1 showed an excellent anticancer effect against colorectal metastatic liver cancers for a long time without loss of QOL or safety.

Responses of the photosynthetic apparatus to winter conditions in broadleaved evergreen trees growing in warm temperate regions of Japan.

Photosynthetic characteristics of two broadleaved evergreen trees, Quercus myrsinaefolia and Machilus thunbergii, were compared in autumn and winter. The irradiance was similar in both seasons, but the air temperature was lower in winter. Under the winter conditions, net photosynthesis under natural sunlight (Anet) in both species dropped to 4 µmol CO2 m(-2) s(-1), and the quantum yield of photosystem II (PSII) photochemistry in dark-adapted leaves (Fv/Fm) also dropped to 0.60. In both species the maximum carboxylation rates of Rubisco (V(cmax)) decreased, and the amount of Rubisco increased in winter. A decline in chlorophyll (Chl) concentration and an increase in the Chl a/b ratio in winter resulted in a reduction in the size of the light-harvesting antennae. From measurements of Chl a fluorescence parameters, both the relative fraction and the energy flux rates of thermal dissipation through other non-photochemical processes were markedly elevated in winter. The results indicate that the photosynthetic apparatus in broadleaved evergreen species in warm temperate regions responds to winter through regulatory mechanisms involving the downregulation of light-harvesting and photosynthesis coupled with increased photoprotective thermal energy dissipation to minimize photodamage in winter. These mechanisms aid a quick restart of photosynthesis without the development of new leaves in the following spring.

Analysis of a severe head injury in World Cup alpine skiing.

UNLABELLED: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of death in alpine skiing. It has been found that helmet use can reduce the incidence of head injuries between 15% and 60%. However, knowledge on optimal helmet performance criteria in World Cup alpine skiing is currently limited owing to the lack of biomechanical data from real crash situations. PURPOSE: This study aimed to estimate impact velocities in a severe TBI case in World Cup alpine skiing. METHODS: Video sequences from a TBI case in World Cup alpine skiing were analyzed using a model-based image matching technique. Video sequences from four camera views were obtained in full high-definition (1080p) format. A three-dimensional model of the course was built based on accurate measurements of piste landmarks and matched to the background video footage using the animation software Poser 4. A trunk-neck-head model was used for tracking the skier's trajectory. RESULTS: Immediately before head impact, the downward velocity component was estimated to be 8 m·s⁻¹. After impact, the upward velocity was 3 m·s⁻¹, whereas the velocity parallel to the slope surface was reduced from 33 m·s⁻¹ to 22 m·s⁻¹. The frontal plane angular velocity of the head changed from 80 rad·s⁻¹ left tilt immediately before impact to 20 rad·s⁻¹ right tilt immediately after impact. CONCLUSIONS: A unique combination of high-definition video footage and accurate measurements of landmarks in the slope made possible a high-quality analysis of head impact velocity in a severe TBI case. The estimates can provide crucial information on how to prevent TBI through helmet performance criteria and design.

Management of postoperative follow-up and surgical treatment for Krukenberg tumor from colorectal cancers.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the clinical presentation as well as surgical intervention for ovarian metastasis from colorectal cancers identified during postoperative follow-up. METHODOLOGY: Nine cases of ovarian metastasis were observed among 452 female patients with colon cancers between 1990 and 2000. Initial symptoms were pain (67%), pelvic mass (50%), vaginal bleeding (33%), and uterine bleeding (17%). On pathological evaluation, six cases (67%) were found to be moderately differentiated, and three (33%) well differentiated adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: Early diagnosis is very difficult. The growth of metastatic ovarian tumors are slow in elder patients, its growth is rapid in younger patients, and frequently diagnosed as huge ovarian tumors. In some cases, as cystic ovarian lesions they were identified in their early stage but could not be diagnosed as ovarian metastases, later curative operation could not be performed. The consulting gynecologist could not reach the correct diagnosis. Regular postoperative pelvic CT or MRI should be helpful for diagnosis. Although serum CEA levels did not increase in most cases, tumor markers CA125 and SLX were elevated in several cases, and thus may be useful for the detection of ovarian metastases. Surgical treatment consisted of bilateral and unilateral salpingo-oophorectomy or pelvic exenteration and additional hysterectomy for one patient because of association with cervical cancer. The median survival time after the primary operation was 20.8 months, ranging from 3 to 96 months. Peritoneal dissemination and bone metastases were frequently observed as recurrence after these operations. Two cases (non-synchronous solitary metastasis or direct involvement, located in the pelvis) survived more than 5 years (85 and 96 months, respectively), and both patients were treated with pelvic exenteration. CONCLUSIONS: This suggests that in general most cases with ovarian metastasis have a poor prognosis and that radical operation such as pelvic exenteration can improve survival only in cases of recurrent solitary ovarian metastasis or local extended disease, i.e. when the lesion is located only in the pelvis.

Photoprotection of evergreen and drought-deciduous tree leaves to overcome the dry season in monsoonal tropical dry forests in Thailand.

In tropical dry forests, uppermost-canopy leaves of evergreen trees possess the ability to use water more conservatively compared with drought-deciduous trees, which may result from significant differences in the photoprotective mechanisms between functional types. We examined the seasonal variations in leaf gas exchange, chlorophyll fluorescence and the amounts of photosynthetic pigments within lamina of the uppermost-canopy leaves of three drought-deciduous trees (Vitex peduncularis Wall., Xylia xylocarpa (Roxb.) W. Theob., Shorea siamensis Miq.), a semi-deciduous tree (Irvingia malayana Miq.) and two evergreen trees (Hopea ferrea Lanessan and Syzygium cumini (L.) Skeels) in Thailand. Area-based maximum carbon assimilation rates (Amax) decreased during the dry season, except in S. siamensis. The electron transport rate (ETR) remained unchanged in deciduous trees, but decreased during the dry season in evergreen and semi-deciduous trees. In the principal component analysis, the first axis (Axis 1) accounted for 44.3% of the total variation and distinguished deciduous from evergreen trees. Along Axis 1, evergreen trees were characterized by a high Stern-Volmer non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ), high xanthophyll cycle pigments/chlorophyll and a high de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle, whereas the deciduous trees were characterized by a high ETR, a high quantum yield of PSII (ΦPSII = (Fm(') -F)/Fm(')) and a high mass-based Amax under high-light conditions. These findings indicate that drought-deciduous trees showing less conservative water use tend to dissipate a large proportion of electron flow through photosynthesis or alternative pathways. In contrast, the evergreens showed more conservative water use, reduced Amax and ETR and enhanced NPQ and xanthophyll cycle pigments/chlorophyll during the dry season, indicating that down-regulated photosynthesis with enhanced thermal dissipation of excess light energy played an important role in photoprotection. Trees with different water uses and leaf lifespans appear to employ different photoprotective mechanisms to overcome the unfavorable dry-season drought. Our data may suggest that future changes in precipitation will strongly impinge on forest structure and functions.

Seasonal changes in the excess energy dissipation from Photosystem II antennae in overwintering evergreen broad-leaved trees Quercus myrsinaefolia and Machilus thunbergii.

We monitored chlorophyll (Chl) fluorescence, pigment concentration and the de-epoxidation state of the xanthophyll cycle (DPS(1)) in two warm temperate broad-leaved evergreen species (Quercus myrsinaefolia and Machilus thunbergii). Reduction of the maximal quantum yield of Photosystem II (PSII) (calculated from Fv/Fm, variable to maximal Chl a fluorescence) and retention of a high DPS were observed in both species in the winter, and can be interpreted as acclimation to winter. In particular, the acclimation of PSII in these species can be chiefly attributed to thermal dissipation, which is correlated with the retention of high zeaxanthin. Furthermore, we attempted to divide the fate of the absorbed light energy by the PSII antennae into three components: (i) PSII photochemistry (represented by its quantum yield, ΦPSII), (ii) dissipation by down-regulation via non-photochemical quenching (ΦNPQ) and (iii) other non-photochemical processes (ΦONP). The estimated energy allocation of the absorbed light indicated that the proportion of ΦPSII decreased, whereas that of ΦNPQ+ΦONP increased during winter. This result suggests that the excess energy absorbed in the PSII complexes is safely dissipated from the PSII antennae. Based on these results, we conclude that thermal dissipation from the PSII antennae plays an important role in two overwintering broad-leaved evergreen trees growing in Japan.

Hip acetabular dysplasia and joint laxity of female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients.

BACKGROUND: It has been noted that some female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients have complaints of both coxalgia and joint laxity. HYPOTHESIS: Female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients tend to have both acetabular dysplasia and generalized joint laxity. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study (prevalence); Level of evidence, 2. METHODS: Hip radiographs of 100 female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients and 40 female athletes without any hip joint complaints or history of anterior cruciate ligament injury were evaluated by measuring their center-edge angle (CEA). In addition, generalized joint laxity tests using 8 items were performed for anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients. Anterior-posterior (A-P) tibiofemoral translation of the uninjured knee was measured using a KT-1000 knee arthrometer to evaluate joint laxity under anesthesia before anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. RESULTS: The average (± standard deviation) CEA of female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients was 25.5° ± 5.3° (uninjured side) and 25.8° ± 4.8° (injured side), and that of the control group was 28.2° ± 4.2° (right side) and 29.2° ± 5.7° (left side), both P < .05. Among the 100 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tears, both the generalized joint laxity score and A-P tibiofemoral translation of the group with acetabular dysplasia (CEA of <25°, n = 37) were significantly greater than that of the normal group (CEA of ≥25°, n = 63). There was a negative correlation between the CEA of female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients and both the generalized joint laxity score and A-P tibiofemoral translation. CONCLUSION: The CEA of female anterior cruciate ligament-injured patients was significantly smaller than that of the control group. Statstical analysis showed a moderate negative correlation between the CEA and generalized joint laxity score. Female athletes with an anterior cruciate ligament injury had an increased prevalence of acetabular dysplasia and generalized joint laxity.

Lysophosphatidic acid and thrombin receptors require both G alpha12 and G alpha13 to regulate axonal morphology in hippocampal neurons.

The G alpha subunits of the G(12) family of heterotrimeric guanine nucleotide-binding proteins (G proteins), defined by G alpha(12) and G alpha(13), have many cellular functions in common, including stimulation of stress fiber formation and focal adhesion assembly via the small GTPase RhoA activation. We and others previously showed that G alpha(12) and G alpha(13) mediate neurite retraction in neuronal cell lines, but their roles in primary cultured neurons have not been adequately understood. Here, we found that expression of constitutively active mutants of G alpha(12) or G alpha(13) caused growth cone collapse dependent on Rho-kinase activity in hippocampal neurons. The stimulation of thrombin and lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) receptors, which have been thought to selectively couple to G alpha(12) and G alpha(13), respectively, caused growth cone collapse and suppressed axon branching dependent on Rho-kinase activity in hippocampal neurons. Thrombin- and LPA-induced growth cone collapse was suppressed by both single knockdown of G alpha(12) and G alpha(13) with short hairpin RNAs and this suppression was augmented by double knockdown of both G alpha(12) and G alpha(13). These results suggest that thrombin and LPA receptors couple to both G alpha(12) and G alpha(13) for growth cone collapse.