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The relationship between duty hours (DH) and the performance of postgraduate residents is needed to establish appropriate DH limits. This study explores their relationship using the General Medicine In-training Examination (GM-ITE). In this cross-sectional study, GM-ITE examinees of 2019 had participated. We analyzed data from the examination and questionnaire, including DH per week (eight categories). We examined the association between DH and GM-ITE score, using random-intercept linear models with and without adjustments. Five thousand five hundred and ninety-three participants (50.7% PGY-1, 31.6% female, 10.0% university hospitals) were included. Mean GM-ITE scores were lower among residents in Category 2 (45–50 h; mean score difference, −1.05; p < 0.001) and Category 4 (55–60 h; −0.63; p = 0.008) compared with residents in Category 5 (60–65 h; Reference). PGY-2 residents in Categories 2–4 had lower GM-ITE scores compared to those in Category 5. University residents in Category 1 and Category 5 showed a large mean difference (−3.43; p = 0.01). DH <60–65 h per week was independently associated with lower resident performance, but more DH did not improve performance. DH of 60–65 h per week may be the optimal balance for a resident's education and well-being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radiocesium (RCs) discharged by the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant (Tokyo Electric Power Co., Inc.) accident has extensively contaminated agricultural land in Fukushima Prefecture and its neighboring areas. Many studies have demonstrated that Cs (RCs and 133Cs) uptake of plants is affected by the exchangeable K (Ex-K) concentration in soil. However, the precise plant–soil interaction in relation to Cs uptake is still unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate Cs uptake of plant in field by focusing on xylem exudate and roots because nutrients in xylem exudate reflect medium (soil) conditions and affect nutrient accumulation in shoots. Two varieties of amaranth, K4 (Amaranthus caudatus L.) and Mexico type (A. hypochondriacus L.), which have different Cs uptake abilities, were grown in four fields and in pots (750 to 3440 Bq kg−1 of RCs) in Fukushima Prefecture. Cs concentrations in xylem exudate, shoot, and soil; Ex-K concentration in soil; and root distribution in soil were determined. RCs concentration in xylem exudate varied from 0.04 to 164 Bq kg−1 and 133Cs concentration in xylem exudate ranged from 0.01 to 33.7 μg kg−1. The Cs concentrations were decreased by the high Ex-K concentration and the large amount of 2:1 type clay minerals in soil. The average of the ratios of Cs concentration in shoot to Cs concentration in xylem exudate for all samples was 127 ± 112 (mean ± standard deviation), although no clear correlation was found between them. The correlations betwee\n RCs and 133Cs concentrations in xylem exudate and shoot were strong in pot and in the field with low Ex-K concentration. Eighty-five percent of the total root length was distributed in the topsoil (0–20 cm soil layer). The positions where roots take up Cs were estimated from the differences in the vertical distribution of RCs and 133Cs concentrations in soil. The estimated Cs uptake ratios of topsoil to total soil layer ranged from 7% to 91% and varied with the concentration and the vertical distribution of Ex-K in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Yamakiya District in the town of Kawamata, Fukushima Prefecture, was evacuated after the nuclear accident at the Tokyo Electric Power Company's Fukushima Dai-ichi nuclear power plant in 2011. Since then, nuclear decontamination procedures have been applied to the surrounding environment, including agricultural fields. The decontamination procedure for agricultural fields consists of the removal of radiation-contaminated surface soil, followed by soil dressing and plowing. However, radioactive cesium (RCs) remains in the soil even after decontamination. In this study, we investigated the effect of applying nitrogen, potassium fertilizers, and cattle manure compost on buckwheat growth and the concentration of RCs in the grain of buckwheat cultivated in a decontaminated field from 2014 to 2016. Applications of potassium fertilizer and cattle manure compost increased the soil exchangeable potassium content and decreased the RCs concentration in the grain of buckwheat cultivated in the decontaminated field. Before the cultivation of the first buckwheat crop, the RCs concentration in soil varied widely and there were 'hot spots' with high RCs concentrations because of insufficient mixing of the original and the dressed soils. Therefore, soil had to be adequately mixed to avoid producing grain with a high RCs concentration. Buckwheat grew better when supplied with more nitrogen fertilizer than the conventional amount at the first cultivation, indicating that the dressed soil had low fertility. We also monitored buckwheat cultivation by local farmers in decontaminated fields from 2015 to 2017. By using potassium fertilizer, the farmers produced buckwheat grain with low RCs concentrations from 2015 to 2017. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Winter cover crops increase the amount of indigenous arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil, providing beneficial effects such as enhancement of phosphorus uptake by the subsequent crop. However, its impact on the AMF community structure is not well understood. In the present study, we aimed to reveal the effect of winter wheat cover cropping with no-till cultivation on the AMF community structures in soil and roots of the subsequent soybean. For this purpose, we conducted a field experiment consisting of two treatments, no-till soybean cultivation after winter wheat cover cropping (NTWC) and conventional soybean cultivation after winter fallow management as a control (CONT). At the flowering stage of soybean, higher AMF colonization of soybean roots was observed in the NTWC plots compared with the CONT plots. Additionally, aboveground biomass and phosphorus uptake of soybean in the NTWC plots were significantly higher than those in the CONT plots. Molecular community analyses based on PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of AMF 18S rRNA genes indicated that the AMF community structures in the soil and soybean root of the NTWC plots were clearly different from those of the CONT plots. The DGGE profiles showed that the wheat cover cropping preferentially increased some phylotypes belonging to Glomeraceae and Claroideoglomeraceae. In addition, most of the phylotypes were characteristically observed in the subsequent soybean root of the NTWC plots, strongly suggesting that these phylotypes colonizing the cover crop wheat were taken over by the subsequent soybean. Our study revealed the significant effect of winter cover cropping with no-till cultivation on the structure of AMF community colonizing the subsequent soybean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of soil exchangeable (plant-available) potassium (ExK) content on cesium (Cs) absorption and translocation in buckwheat was evaluated in a field contaminated with radioactive Cs (134Cs and137Cs, RCs) in 2013. The RCs concentration in buckwheat was significantly positively correlated with the naturally occurring stable Cs (133Cs, SCs) concentration, and was lower at higher soil ExK content. The RCs and SCs were actively absorbed by buckwheat until the flowering stage. The soil ExK content was significantly negatively correlated with soil exchangeable RCs and SCs (ExRCs and ExSCs) concentrations. Greater RCs and SCs absorption by buckwheat in soils with low ExK contents was mainly due to higher soil ExRCs and ExSCs concentrations. Reproductive organs showed the largest differences in SCs concentration between low-ExK and high-ExK plots. The root–shoot and shoot–reproductive organs translocations of SCs markedly decreased with increasing soil ExK content. In the root–shoot and shoot–reproductive organs translocations, the discrimination of SCs and K decreased with decreasing soil ExK content. Our main findings were as follows: (1) because RCs are mainly taken up at the earlier growth stage, potassium should be applied as a basal fertilizer to decrease the RCs concentration in buckwheat; (2) lower soil ExK content led to higher soil ExRCs concentrations, resulting in greater RCs absorption by buckwheat; (3) the high Cs absorption and translocation and weaker discrimination between Cs and K in low ExK content soil may be due to the expression of K transporter(s) with weak discrimination between Cs and K. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Size effect and lattice strain effect for charge ordered structure and magnetic properties were investigated on the nano particles of geometrically spin and charge frustrated system YbFe2O4. The lattice strain of the nano particle was controlled with the ratio of Yb and Fe (2.00 ≤ Fe/Yb ≤ 2.04) in liquid synthesizing method. It was found that the lattice strain is not affected by the magnetic transition temperature, however the anomalous behavior at a lower magnetic transition (TLT) with an increment of the Fe / Yb ratio was detected. The development of charge ordering was two-dimensional and magnetic ordering goes down for all samples in spite of the variation of the local lattice strain. This is the first report of the coupling of charge and spin ordering to the size effect in this material. These results suggest that the discussion on the electric polarization induced from the charge ordering in this material need to care the long-range interaction like surface effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report a possible charge ordering model of triangular mixed valence material YbFe2O4. It was found that a crystal synthesized with high stoichiometry on iron vacancy shows new and simple extinction rule in the superlattice reflections. The Laue class of the diffraction signal is expressed as 2/m. With the consideration of the charge neutrality and the superlattice signal of (1/3 1/3 0), we derived 5 possible charge ordering models of this material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study assessed soil contamination with high radioactive cesium (R–Cs) concentration in buckwheat grains by lodging, and assessed the possibility of R–Cs reduction in grain through post-harvest preparation. Analysis of buckwheat grain produced in farmers’ fields and reports from farmers indicated that grain from fields that had lodging showed higher R–Cs than grain from fields with no lodging. A field experiment demonstrated that R–Cs in grain after threshing and winnowing (TW) was about six times higher in lodged plants than in nonlodged plants. In lodged plants, R–Cs in grain was decreased to about one-fourth by polishing, and was decreased to about one-seventh by ultrasonic cleaning, compared with R–Cs in grain after TW. These results demonstrate that R–Cs of buckwheat grain of lodged plants can be decreased by removing soil from the grain surface by polishing and winnowing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary small intestinal lymphoma (PSIL) is often treated with surgical resection, and therefore response to non-surgical treatment is rarely known. We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological features of 19 patients with PSIL, who had been diagnosed by double-balloon endoscopy (DBE) and had not received surgical treatment. The immunohistological phenotypes of 18 patients were B-cell lymphomas. Five patients had tumors within the jejunum, nine within the ileum and five in multiple sites including the duodenum. Most cases were in the low or low-intermediate risk group of the International Prognostic Index score. Seventeen patients received chemotherapy, with an overall response rate of 82.4%. The estimated overall survival at 5 years was 72.2%. Response to initial chemotherapy and levels of hemoglobin (Hb) and albumin (Alb) were identified as favorable prognostic indicators. We conclude that PSIL can be effectively diagnosed by DBE and shows a good prognosis with chemotherapy alone. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species differences in the pharmacokinetics of KW-7158 [(2S)-(+)-3,3,3-Trifluoro-2-hydroxy-2-methyl-N-(5,5,10-trioxo-4,10-dihydrothieno[3,2-c][1]benzothiepin-9-yl)propanamide] were studied in in vivo and in vitro experiments. The exposure ratio of hydrolyzed metabolite (M2, primary metabolite in human plasma)/KW-7158 was higher than the ratio of thiophen-to-furan converted metabolite (M1)/KW-7158 in human subjects after oral administration, but the mouse, rat and dog studies gave opposite results. M2 was produced in the highest amount by the 9000g supernatant of small intestine, followed by that of liver and kidney in human subjects. After correction for protein contents, the results obtained suggested that the small intestine plays a major role in the metabolism to M2 for the first pass effect after oral administration of KW-7158. The formation of M2 was independent of the presence of NADPH and was inhibited by various esterase inhibitors. These observations suggested that the predominant enzymes or isozymes involved in the formation of M2 are esterases, which differ between humans and animals. Such differences may be one of the reasons for the species differences in the pharmacokinetics of KW-7158 between humans and animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the rituximab era, several large studies have suggested that full-dose rituximab plus cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisone (R-CHOP) might be the best treatment for patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) aged 60 years and older. However, it remains unclear whether this is also the case for those aged 70 years and older. Previously untreated patients with DLBCL aged 70 years and older (elderly) were treated with R-70%CHOP, and patients younger than 70 years (younger) were treated with full-dose R-CHOP every 3 weeks, for a total of 6-8 cycles. Complete remission (CR) rates in elderly versus younger patients were 75 vs. 78% ( p == 0.7), respectively. The 3-year overall survival, event-free survival and progression-free survival of elderly versus younger patients were 58 vs. 78% ( p < 0.05), 45 vs. 70% ( p < 0.05) and 64 vs. 72% ( p == 0.43), respectively. Severe adverse events were more frequent in the elderly, even with the dose reduction in that age group. Three-year PFS with R-70%CHOP for patients aged 70 years and older was not significantly worse than that with full-dose R-CHOP for younger patients, suggesting that R-70% CHOP might be a reasonable choice for patients with DLBCL aged 70 years and older, especially for those with comorbidities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the present study was to assess the relationship between serum eosinophil cationic protein levels and the severity of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children. The 48 asthmatic children were divided into exercise-induced bronchoconstriction group and non-exercise-induced bronchoconstriction group. In the exercise-induced bronchoconstriction group, the post-exercise serum eosinophil cationic protein levels were significantly increased as compared with the pre-exercise serum eosinophil cationic protein levels. These results suggested that eosinophil cationic protein may serve as a possible contributor to the pathophysiology of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction in asthmatic children. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ozonation of a nonionic surfactant, Sannonic SS-90 (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether), which is one of polyoxyethylene nonionic surfactants, in water has been investigated using a bubble column. The effects of initial nonionic surfactant concentration, ozone gas flow rate, inlet ozone concentration in the gas-phase, liquid-phase temperature and hydrogen peroxide dose on decomposition of Sannonic SS-90 were systematically examined. The decomposition rate of Sannonic SS-90 decreased with the increase in the initial surfactant concentration and increased with increasing ozone flow rate and temperature. It was found that the rate of Sannonic SS-90 mineralization was weakly dependent on the gas-phase inlet ozone concentration in the range of the gas-phase inlet ozone concentration in this study. The oxidation rate increased with increasing concentration of H2O2, reached a maximum value and then decreased with further increasing of H2O2 concentration. The dynamic performance of the ozonation in a semi-batch bubble column was simulated using a mathematical model based on a tanks-in-series model. Reasonable agreement between the present experimental data and the simulated results was found. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A monoclonal antibody (DEM-1) specific for the Dewar photoproduct is used for detection and quantification of photolesions in DNA. To help understand the molecular recognition of damaged DNA by the antibody protein, we have cloned and sequenced the variable region genes of DEM-1. We have also prepared Fab fragments of DEM-1 (DEM1Fab), and synthesized two kinds of 3′-biotinylated oligonucleotides of different lengths containing a central Dewar photoproduct of TpT to analyze the effects of the antigen size on the binding rates by means of surface plasmon resonance (SPR). Results obtained from SPR analyses suggest that DEM1Fab may recognize tetranucleotide unit as the epitope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents a case report of a 60 year old Japanese male diagnosed with carcinoma in the remnant pancreas after distal pancreatectomy. Medical history; Recognition of the annual monitoring for raised levels of serum concentration; Revelation of a tumor in the pancreatic tail through computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging; Discussion of the abdomen's condition after excision; Absence of microscopic lymph node metastases; Conduction of a pancreatoduodenectomy with regional lymph node disection resulting in total pancreatectomy.

A single-chain antibody specific for the pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproduct in DNA was constructed and its binding properties to the cognate oligonucleotides were investigated. The fluorescent property of 2-aminopurine was used to study the binding mode of the antibody fragment to the pyrimidine(6-4)pyrimidone photoproduct in double-stranded DNA. The results indicated that the single-chain antibody recognizes the lesion in the single-stranded state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Granulocytopenia is commonly observed in interferon-α (IFN-α) therapy. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) has been identified as a primary cytokine that regulates neutrophil production, but the kinetics of G-CSF in IFN-α-induced granulocytopenia remains unclear. We investigated the effects of IFN-α on serum G-CSF levels and peripheral neutrophil counts (NC) in 15 chronic hepatitis C patients treated with standard-dose (10 MU) recombinant IFN-α for 24 weeks by using a chemlluminescent enzyme immunoassay for G-CSF. The time course of change after a single IFN-α injection showed that mean serum G-CSF levels and NC increased significantly compared with pretreatment values ( p < 0.05 ), and were statistically correlated ( r = 0.914 , p = 0.0015 ). On repeating IFN-α administration, this change gradually became unclear, and granulocytopenia occurred, accompanied by a significant increase in serum G-CSF ( p < 0.01 ). Both values reached a plateau within 2 weeks after starting treatment, and recovered rapidly after the cessation of therapy. Although continuous administration of IFN-α caused a time-dependent granulocytopenia, our results suggest that a single injection of IFN-α would be a potent inducer of G-CSF and NC in vivo as a short-term effect and that there would be negative-feedback regulation between them during long-term IFN-α therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]