Search

Purpose: Incisional hernia is a major complication after stoma closure and can cause uncomfortable symptoms. In this study, we evaluated the risk factors for hernia formation with the aim of reducing the incidence of incisional hernia.Methods: A total of 134 oncology patients underwent closure of a temporary loop ileostomy between May 2004 and December 2013. The incidence of incisional hernia was determined by routine follow-up computed tomography scanning every 6 months. The relationships between patients' characteristics, including age, sex, obesity, diabetes mellitus, surgical site infection, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, hypertension, hypoalbuminemia, smoking, and presence of a midline hernia and the occurrence of incisional hernia were retrospectively evaluated.Results: The median follow-up time was 47 months (range 8-130). Hernias occurred in 23.9% of patients (32/134). The median time to detection of hernias was 8 months (range 2-39). The Chi-squared test revealed significant differences in obesity (P = 0.0003), hypertension (P = 0.0057), and incisional hernia history (P = 0.0000) between patients with and without incisional hernia. Multivariable analysis and univariate analysis revealed that hypertension and the presence of midline incisional hernia were risk factors for incisional hernia.Conclusions: Hypertension and the presence of a midline incisional hernia were the major risk factors for incisional hernia after loop ileostomy closure. These risk factors can be addressed before planning surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs), a small and elusive population of undifferentiated cancer cells within tumors that drive tumor growth and recurrence, are believed to resemble normal stem cells. Although surrogate markers have been identified and compelling CSC theoretical models abound, actual proof for the existence of CSCs can only be had retrospectively. Hence, great store has come to be placed in isolating CSCs from cancers for in-depth analysis. On the other hand, although induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) hold great promise for regenerative medicine, concern exists over the inadvertent co-transplantation of partially or undifferentiated stem cells with tumorigenic capacity. Here we demonstrate that the introduction of defined reprogramming factors (OCT4, SOX2, Klf4 and c-Myc) into MCF-10A nontumorigenic mammary epithelial cells, followed by partial differentiation, transforms the bulk of cells into tumorigenic CD44+/CD24low cells with CSC properties, termed here as induced CSC-like-10A or iCSCL-10A cells. These reprogrammed cells display a malignant phenotype in culture and form tumors of multiple lineages when injected into immunocompromised mice. Compared with other transformed cell lines, cultured iCSCL-10A cells exhibit increased resistance to the chemotherapeutic compounds, Taxol and Actinomycin D, but higher susceptibility to the CSC-selective agent Salinomycin and the Pin1 inhibitor Juglone. Restored expression of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p16INK4a abrogated the CSC properties of iCSCL-10A cells, by inducing cellular senescence. This study provides some insight into the potential oncogenicity that may arise via cellular reprogramming, and could represent a valuable in vitro model for studying the phenotypic traits of CSCs per se. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims/hypothesis Epidemiological studies have revealed that obesity and diabetes mellitus are independent risk factors for the development of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and hepatocellular carcinoma. However, the debate continues on whether insulin resistance as such is directly associated with NASH and liver tumourigenesis. Here, we investigated the incidence of NASH and liver tumourigenesis in Irs1−/− mice subjected to a long-term high-fat (HF) diet. Our hypothesis was that hepatic steatosis, rather than insulin resistance may be related to the pathophysiology of these conditions. Methods Mice (8 weeks old, C57Bl/6J) were given free access to standard chow (SC) or an HF diet. The development of NASH and liver tumourigenesis was evaluated after mice had been on the above-mentioned diets for 60 weeks. Similarly, Irs1−/− mice were also subjected to an HF diet for 60 weeks. Results Long-term HF diet loading, which causes obesity and insulin resistance, was sufficient to induce NASH and liver tumourigenesis in the C57Bl/6J mice. Obesity and insulin resistance were reduced by switching mice from the HF diet to SC, which also protected these mice against the development of NASH and liver tumourigenesis. However, compared with wild-type mice fed the HF diet, Irs1−/− mice fed the HF diet were dramatically protected against NASH and liver tumourigenesis despite the presence of severe insulin resistance and marked postprandial hyperglycaemia. Conclusions/interpretation IRS-1 inhibition might protect against HF diet-induced NASH and liver tumourigenesis, despite the presence of insulin resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ASACUSA collaboration has been making a path to realize high precision microwave spectroscopy of ground-state hyperfine transitions of antihydrogen atom in flight for stringent test of the CPT symmetry. For this purpose, an efficient extraction of a spin polarized antihydrogen beam is essential. In 2010, we have succeeded in synthesizing our first cold antihydrogen atoms employing a CUSP trap. The CUSP trap confines antiprotons and positrons simultaneously with its axially symmetric magnetic field to form antihydrogen atoms. It is expected that antihydrogen atoms in the low-field-seeking states are preferentially focused along the cusp magnetic field axis whereas those in the high-field-seeking states are defocused, resulting in the formation of a spin-polarized antihydrogen beam. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent developments of the Slow Positron Facility at the Institute of Materials Structure Science, High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK) are reported. We have modified the converter/moderator assembly for slow positron beam production, yielding an increase of an order of magnitude in the intensity of the beam. The first observation of the photodetachment of the positronium negative ion (Ps), and the installation of a reflection high-energy positron diffraction (RHEPD) station and the initial data obtained are reported. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our group “ASACUSA MUSASHI” has established an efficient way for accumulating antiprotons and extracting them as intense ultra-slow mono-energetic beams at the CERN-AD facility. This novel beam opens new frontiers for investigating a variety of physics. For realizing H̄ spectroscopy and the test for charge-parity-time symmetry, we have also developed the cusp trap, a combination of an anti-Helmholz superconducting coil and a multi-ring electrode trap, for trapping both antiprotons and positrons and then synthesizing antihydrogens. Recently, the cusp trap was practically used to accumulate antiprotons. The last piece for synthesizing antihydrogens in the cusp trap is the positron accumulator. We have developed a compact system to effectively accumulate positrons based on N2 gas-buffer scheme with a specially designed high precision cylindrical multi-ring electrode trap. The recent progress of the developing work is an important milestone for upcoming antihydrogen science of ASACUSA MUSASHI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In vitro accumulation of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and paralytic shellfish toxin (PST) in tiger puffer fish Takifugu rubripes was investigated using liver tissue slices. When T. rubripes liver slices were incubated with Leibovitz’s L-15 medium containing 0.13 mM TTX at 20 °C in air with saturated humidity, they accumulated 21.5 ± 7.3 μg TTX g−1 liver after the incubation for 12 h and increased to 55.3 ± 8.2 μg TTX g−1 liver at 48 h. In the incubation of T. rubripes liver slices with 0.13 mM PST-containing medium, PST was detected 6.3 ± 0.9 μg g−1 liver at 12 h and reached a plateau thereafter. These results reveal the difference between TTX and PST in accumulation in T. rubripes liver tissue slices. To examine the variation in PST accumulation among fish species, the liver tissue slices from tiger puffer fish T. rubripes, parrot-bass Oplegnathus fasciatus and green ling Hexagrammos otakii were incubated at a concentration of 0.027 mM PST. The toxin contents of 3.0 μg g−1 liver were observed at 8 h regardless of fish species but were not increased subsequently, showing no variety among these three species as to accumulation patterns of PST. It is noted that the tiger puffer fish T. rubripes liver specifically accumulate TTX in preference to PST. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an inducible heat shock protein that regulates heme metabolism to form bilirubin, ferritin and carbon monoxide. Based on recent evidence that HOI is involved in the resolution of inflammation by modulating apoptotic cell death or cytokine expression, the present study examined whether overexpression of exogenous HO1 gene transfer provides a therapeutic effect on a murine model of acute lung injury caused by the type A influenza virus. We demonstrate herein that the transfer of HO-1 cDNA resulted in (1) suppression of both pathological changes and intrapulmonary hemorrhage; (2) enhanced survival of animals; and (3) a decrease of inflammatory cells in the lung. TUNEL analysis revealed that HO-1 gene transfer reduced the number of respiratory epithelial cells with DNA damage, and caspase assay suggested that HO-1 suppressed lung injury via a caspase-8-mediated pathway. These findings suggest the feasibility of HO-1 gene transfer to treat lung injury induced by a pathogen commonly seen in the clinical setting. Since oxidative stress and lung injury are involved in many lung disorders, such as pneumonia induced by a variety of microorganisms and pulmonary fibrosis, HO-1 may be useful for wider clinical applications in gene therapy targeting lung disorders including acute pneumonia and pulmonary fibrosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oxygen saturation (StO2) and total hemoglobin volume in cutaneous blood are closely related to cutaneous metabolism and are important factors in determining the skin color. Most conventional apparatuses for the measurement of cutaneous metabolism have been designed to evaluate qualitative changes in the oxyhemoglobin volume, deoxyhemoglobin volume, and their sum (total Hb volume) relative to their baseline values. In this study, we developed an instrument for non-invasive evaluation of individual and regional differences in StO2 and Hb volume, a system unaffected by melanin (Kao PSA system model III), and examined the validity of its application. First, changes in StO2 and total Hb volume in the antebrachial region during venous occlusion and devascularization by compression of the brachial region were evaluated. Changes in total Hb volume following venous occlusion were found to reflect the cutaneous blood flow. Also, StO2 was considered to reflect the state of oxygen consumption by the skin, because it was markedly reduced during devascularization. Next, the subjects were exposed to graded hypobaric conditions, and the relationships among StO2, arterial blood oxygen saturation (SaO2), and venous blood oxygen saturation (SvO2) were studied. StO2 showed significant positive correlations with SaO2 ( r=0.811, P<0.001) and SvO2 ( r=0.966, P<0.001), and its correlation with SvO2 was particularly strong. Therefore, StO2 was found to be closely dependent on SvO2. Lastly, StO2, total Hb volume, and other parameters were measured in healthy women (aged 20–69 years), and their regional differences and age- associated changes were evaluated. These regional differences (angle of mouth > cheek > forehead) and age-associated decreases in StO2 are considered to be caused by the age-associated decreases in the cutaneous blood flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pure elastic and inelastic scattering cross sections have been measured for the systems 58Ni +90,94Zr at energies near the Coulomb barrier where not only quasi-elastic and fusion but also deep-inelastic process come into play. Coupled channels calculations including both projectile and target inelastic excitations can successfully explain the elastic and inelastic scattering angular distributions with an energy-independent semi-empirical bare potential. The calculation reproduces also the sum of the total quasi-elastic, fusion and deep-inelastic cross sections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Attempts were made to analyze the toxin composition of the toxic 'hiogi' scallop Chlamys nobilis. The toxins were partially purified from the digestive glands by column chromatography using Bio-Gel P-2 and Bio-Rex 70 (H form), resulting in separation into protogonyautoxin (PX), gonyautoxin (GTX) and saxitoxin (STX) fractions. Their total potencies were scored to be <100 mouse units (MU), 3200 MU and 3700 MU, respectively. A 5-min hydrolysis with 0.1 N HCl enhanced the potencies of PX and GTX fractions to 450 MU and 12000 MU respectively, whereas no enhancement occurred in the STX fraction at all. Electrophoretic, thin-layer chromatographic and high performance liquid chromatographic analyses demonstrated that the PX fraction consisted mainly of GTX and its epimer, the GTX fraction of GTX, GTX, along with two unidentified toxins, and the STX fraction exclusively of two unidentified toxins. This rather unique composition suggested a complex metabolism of PSP in this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine what information can be obtained from fission angular distributions through precise measurements and an analysis in terms of the simple statistical model of Ericson. We report on the systematics of the decoupling angle and present the role of the angular momentum coupling between the entrance and the exit channel. The results indicate that the directional coupling of the angular momentum in the entrance and the exit channel is always strong for heavy-ion induced fission, and the angular momentum coupling plays a decisive role on the angular distribution of fission fragments. The average channel spins of fission fragments 〈I〉 are deduced through the decoupling angles determined experimentally. They agree well with γ-multiplicity measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The energy damped reaction products fromCl+C,Al,Ti andO+Ti were measured over a wide range of angles (typically 18°< θ<70°), incident energies (160 < E(Cl)<200 MeV, E(O)=118 MeV) and charges Z, including two systems (Cl+Al andO+Ti) which lead to the same compound nucleusZn with the same excitation energy and comparable angular momenta. The angular dependences of total kinetic energy (TKE) and d σ/d θ were decomposed into two components (forward peaked and nearly constant at backward angles), and the elemental TKE and cross sections were derived. The backward components ofCl+Al andO+Ti exhibit very different Z-distributions, indicating that the fragments do not originate from compound nucleus decay. The results can be understood in terms of an energy damping process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Il Nuovo Cimento: A is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Long-lived chlorine, 36Cl (T1/2 = 301,000 y) in environmental samples has been measured by the AMS system installed in Tandem Accelerator Center, University of Tsukuba. A tri-carbon-molecular 12C3- pilot beam method is used to stabilize the terminal voltage of the tandem. A small amount of pure carbon graphite is well mixed into a AgCl target material for creating Cl- and 12C3- in the ion source. A 36S isobaric interference in the system is eliminated to determine 36Cl in environmental samples by chemical procedure. Some samples containing chlorine such as soil, chemical reagents and table salt have been collected in the JCO criticality accident site and analyzed to detect neutron-induced 36Cl. The experimental result has been compared with a theoretical calculation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photolysis is an attractive method in organic synthesis to produce free radicals through direct bond cleavage. However, in this method, specific irradiation wavelengths of light have been considered indispensable for excitation through S 0 -S n or S 0 -T n transitions. Here we report the photoinduced homolysis of electronegative interelement bonds using light at wavelengths much longer than theoretically and spectroscopically predicted for the S 0 -S n or S 0 -T n transitions. This long-wavelength photolysis proceeds in N-Cl, N-F, and O-Cl bonds at room temperature under blue, green, and red LED irradiation, initiating diverse radical reactions. Through experimental, spectroscopic, and computational studies, we propose that this "hidden" absorption is accessible via electronic excitations from naturally occurring vibrationally excited ground states to unbonded excited states and is due to the electron-pair repulsion between electronegative atoms., (© 2024. The Author(s).)