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Carotenoids are important color pigments that contribute to human health. Haskap (Lonicera caerulea subsp. edulis), a shrub mainly distributed in Hokkaido, produces violet-blue berries low in carotenoid amount. We have conducted interspecific hybridization between Miyama-uguisukagura (Lonicera gracilipes var. glandulosa) and haskap to obtain interspecific hybrids for improving fruit quality. In this study, we compared four carotenoid concentrations in fruits using liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) to reveal carot-enoid accumulation changes by interspecific hybridization. beta-Carotene was the main carotenoid, and the con-centration in interspecific hybrids (0.49-0.77 mg/100 g FW) was higher than Miyama-uguisukagura (0.37 mg/ 100 g FW) and haskap (0.25-0.35 mg/100 g FW). beta-Cryptoxanthin concentration was below the quantification limit in haskap strains; however, we could quantify beta-cryptoxanthin in interspecific hybrids. beta-Cryptoxanthin concentration in Miyama-uguisukagura fruits and the interspecific hybrid strain that contained higher beta-cryp-toxanthin tended to increase during maturation, although others did not increase. Our study revealed that interspecific hybridization changed carotenoid biosynthesis, increased beta-carotene, and induced the conversion of beta-cryptoxanthin to haskap. This study proposes a strategy to expand color variation by interspecific hybridization in fruit breeding programs and provides novel materials to analyze the vigor phenomenon in hybrid plants.

Liquid embolic agents are widely used for the endovascular embolization of vascular conditions. However, embolization based on phase transition is limited by the adhesion of the microcatheter to the embolic agent, use of an organic solvent, unintentional catheter retention, and other complications. By mimicking thrombus formation, a water-soluble polymer that rapidly glues blood into a gel without triggering coagulation was developed. The polymer, which consists of cationic and aromatic residues with adjacent sequences, shows electrostatic adhesion with negatively charged blood substances in a physiological environment, while common polycations cannot. Aqueous polymer solutions are injectable through clinical microcatheters and needles. The formed blood gel neither adhered to the catheter nor blocked the port. Postoperative computed tomography imaging showed that the polymer can block the rat femoral artery in vivo and remain at the injection site without nontarget embolization. This study provides an alternative for the development of waterborne embolic agents.

Background The purpose of this study was to find a utility of a newly developed 3D-printed sinus model and to evaluate the educational benefit of simulation training with the models for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Material and methods Forty-seven otolaryngologists were categorized as experts (board-certified physicians with >= 200 experiences of FESS, n = 9), intermediates (board-certified physicians with <200 experiences of FESS, n = 19), and novices (registrars, n = 19). They performed FESS simulation training on 3D-printed models manufactured from DICOM images of computed tomography (CT) scan of real patients. Their surgical performance was assessed with the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) score and dissection quality evaluated radiologically with a postdissection CT scan. First we evaluated the face, content, and constructive values. Second we evaluated the educational benefit of the training. Ten novices underwent training (training group) and their outcomes were compared to the remaining novices without training (control group). The training group performed cadaveric FESS surgeries before and after the repetitive training. Results The feedback from experts revealed high face and content value of the 3D-printed models. Experts, intermediates, and novices demonstrated statistical differences in their OSATS scores (74.7 +/- 3.6, 58.3 +/- 10.1, and 43.1 +/- 11.1, respectively, p < .001), and dissection quality (81.1 +/- 13.1, 93.7 +/- 15.1, and 126.4 +/- 25.2, respectively, p < .001). The training group improved their OSATS score (41.1 +/- 8.0 to 61.1 +/- 6.9, p < .001) and dissection quality (122.1 +/- 22.2 to 90.9 +/- 10.3, p = .013), while the control group not. After training, 80% of novices with no prior FESS experiences completed surgeries on cadaver sinuses. Conclusion Repeated training using the models revealed an initial learning curve in novices, which was confirmed in cadaveric mock FESS surgeri

Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a DNA-repairing enzyme activated by extreme genomic stress, and therefore is potently activated in the remnant liver suffering from ischemia after surgical resection. However, the impact of PARP on post-ischemic liver injury has not been elucidated yet. Materials and methods: We investigated the impact of PARP on murine hepatocyte/liver injury induced by hypoxia/ischemia, respectively. Results: PJ34, a specific inhibitor of PARP, markedly protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cell death, though z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor similarly showed the protective effect. PJ34 did not affect H/R-induced caspase activity or caspase-mediated cell death. z-VAD-fmk also did not affect the production of PAR (i.e., PARP activity). Therefore, PARPand caspase-mediated cell death occurred in a mechanism independent of each other in H/R. H/R immediately induced activation of PARP and cell death afterwards, both of which were suppressed by PJ34 or Trolox, an antioxidant. This suggests that H/R-induced cell death occurred redox-dependently through PARP activation. H/R and OS induced nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF, a marker of parthanatos) and RIP1-RIP3 interaction (a marker of necroptosis), both of which were suppressed by PJ34. H/R induced PARPmediated parthanatos and necroptosis redox-dependently. In mouse experiments, PJ34 significantly reduced serum levels of AST, ALT & LDH and areas of hepatic necrosis after liver ischemia/reperfusion, similar to z-VAD-fmk or Trolox. Conclusion: PARP, activated by ischemic damage and/or oxidative stress, may play a critical role in post-ischemic liver injury by inducing programmed necrosis (parthanatos and necroptosis). PARP inhibition may be one of the promising strategies against post-ischemic liver injury.

Background The purpose of this study was to find a utility of a newly developed 3D-printed sinus model and to evaluate the educational benefit of simulation training with the models for functional endoscopic sinus surgery (FESS). Material and methods Forty-seven otolaryngologists were categorized as experts (board-certified physicians with >= 200 experiences of FESS, n = 9), intermediates (board-certified physicians with <200 experiences of FESS, n = 19), and novices (registrars, n = 19). They performed FESS simulation training on 3D-printed models manufactured from DICOM images of computed tomography (CT) scan of real patients. Their surgical performance was assessed with the objective structured assessment of technical skills (OSATS) score and dissection quality evaluated radiologically with a postdissection CT scan. First we evaluated the face, content, and constructive values. Second we evaluated the educational benefit of the training. Ten novices underwent training (training group) and their outcomes were compared to the remaining novices without training (control group). The training group performed cadaveric FESS surgeries before and after the repetitive training. Results The feedback from experts revealed high face and content value of the 3D-printed models. Experts, intermediates, and novices demonstrated statistical differences in their OSATS scores (74.7 +/- 3.6, 58.3 +/- 10.1, and 43.1 +/- 11.1, respectively, p < .001), and dissection quality (81.1 +/- 13.1, 93.7 +/- 15.1, and 126.4 +/- 25.2, respectively, p < .001). The training group improved their OSATS score (41.1 +/- 8.0 to 61.1 +/- 6.9, p < .001) and dissection quality (122.1 +/- 22.2 to 90.9 +/- 10.3, p = .013), while the control group not. After training, 80% of novices with no prior FESS experiences completed surgeries on cadaver sinuses. Conclusion Repeated training using the models revealed an initial learning curve in novices, which was confirmed in cadaveric mock FESS surgeries. Level of ev

Background: Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) is a DNA-repairing enzyme activated by extreme genomic stress, and therefore is potently activated in the remnant liver suffering from ischemia after surgical resection. However, the impact of PARP on post-ischemic liver injury has not been elucidated yet. Materials and methods: We investigated the impact of PARP on murine hepatocyte/liver injury induced by hypoxia/ischemia, respectively. Results: PJ34, a specific inhibitor of PARP, markedly protected against hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R)-induced cell death, though z-VAD-fmk, a pan-caspase inhibitor similarly showed the protective effect. PJ34 did not affect H/R-induced caspase activity or caspase-mediated cell death. z-VAD-fmk also did not affect the production of PAR (i.e., PARP activity). Therefore, PARPand caspase-mediated cell death occurred in a mechanism independent of each other in H/R. H/R immediately induced activation of PARP and cell death afterwards, both of which were suppressed by PJ34 or Trolox, an antioxidant. This suggests that H/R-induced cell death occurred redox-dependently through PARP activation. H/R and OS induced nuclear translocation of apoptosis inducing factor (AIF, a marker of parthanatos) and RIP1-RIP3 interaction (a marker of necroptosis), both of which were suppressed by PJ34. H/R induced PARPmediated parthanatos and necroptosis redox-dependently. In mouse experiments, PJ34 significantly reduced serum levels of AST, ALT & LDH and areas of hepatic necrosis after liver ischemia/reperfusion, similar to z-VAD-fmk or Trolox. Conclusion: PARP, activated by ischemic damage and/or oxidative stress, may play a critical role in post-ischemic liver injury by inducing programmed necrosis (parthanatos and necroptosis). PARP inhibition may be one of the promising strategies against post-ischemic liver injury.

Case report, A man in his fifties was found dead in his bed. Using postmortem CT, the frontal sinus wall was seen to have been destroyed and a subcutaneous / intra-cranial mass-like lesion was detected. Postmortem blood biochemical examination demonstrated high values of urea nitrogen, c-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and precepsin, which were thought to be due to sepsis. Needle aspiration showed reddish viscous fluid, and the presence of Klebsiella oxytoca was confirmed by culture inspection. Based on these results, Pott's puffy tumor with intracranial empyema, and dehydration with sepsis in the agonal period was assessed as the cause of death. Using autopsy evaluation, it was possible to come to a concrete conclusion, but a minimally invasive autopsy might be an alternative approach to investigate the cause of death.

A man in his fifties was found dead in his bed. Using postmortem CT, the frontal sinus wall was seen to have been destroyed and a subcutaneous / intra-cranial mass-like lesion was detected. Postmortem blood biochemical examination demonstrated high values of urea nitrogen, c-reactive protein, procalcitonin, and precepsin, which were thought to be due to sepsis. Needle aspiration showed reddish viscous fluid, and the presence of Klebsiella oxytoca was confirmed by culture inspection. Based on these results, Pott's puffy tumor with intracranial empyema, and dehydration with sepsis in the agonal period was assessed as the cause of death. Using autopsy evaluation, it was possible to come to a concrete conclusion, but a minimally invasive autopsy might be an alternative approach to investigate the cause of death., Case report

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of the applied freezing technique in putrefied brain for macroscopic investigation. Materials and methods: From October 2015 to September 2016, first the brains of 10 cadavers (control group: male 6, female 4, age 20-80 (mean 61.5), postmortem intervals (PMI) 14-75 (mean 29.7) days) were inspected following the standard practice (without freezing preparation), and then with 10 cadavers (freezing group: male 7, female 3, age 41-88 (mean 60.4), PMI 7-75 (mean 29.2) days) the freezing technique was used before the autopsy. The cut brain was investigated, and the gray-white matter difference was evaluated macroscopically. Results: In the control group, the brain parenchyma leaked out like sludge in 5, and there was difficulty maintaining its structure in 7. The gray-white matter difference was well visible in 3, but hard to distinguish in 3, and the total scores ranged from 0 to 9 (mean 4.4) points. In the freezing group, the entire putrefied brain was extracted as a solid organ, the gray-white matter differences were well visible, and the total scores were 6.7-9 (8.3) points. The gray-white matter difference was preserved in the freezing group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The freezing procedures to evaluate the putrefied brain have been successfully applied, and it could be statistically more useful in putrefied brain investigation than the ordinary procedure. Postmortem CT can be useful to evaluate not only the degree of brain putrefaction, but also the degree of brain parenchyma freezing.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to estimate the lung weight using postmortem CT in well aerated lung autopsy cases. The correlation coefficients to the lung weight were also evaluated for the cadavers' height, weight, whole body surface area (WBSA), body mass index, and estimated lung volume. Materials and methods: From October 2015 to July 2016, 31 cadavers (male 12, female 19, age 20-98 (mean 66.9) y.o., postmortem interval 0.3-75.0 (5.7) days) were compared as regards body weight, height, whole body surface area (WBSA), body mass index (BMI), lung volume on CT, and total lung volume classified into several CT number categories, with their lung weight in autopsy. Results: The lung weight (mean ± SE) was 284.9 ± 14.8 g in right lung and 249.3 ± 12.9 g in left lung. The %ALV was 79.9 ± 0.9 HU (mean ± standard error (SE)) in both lungs, 80.3 ± 1.3 HU in right lung, and 77.6 ± 2.0 HU in left lung. Using a simple linear regression test, there was no statistically significant correlation between the lung weight and the categories (R2: body height 0.234, weight 0.224, WBSA 0.309, BMI 0.046, lung volume 0.059). The volume for each individual CT density category showed no significant correlation, but the stepwise regression test yielded an excellent correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.840). Conclusion: The well aerated lung weight was 284.9 ± 14.8 g in right lung and 249.3 ± 12.9 g in left lung, and the postmortem CT could estimate the lung weight with high correlation coefficient.

Purpose: To evaluate the usefulness of the applied freezing technique in putrefied brain for macroscopic investigation. Materials and methods: From October 2015 to September 2016, first the brains of 10 cadavers (control group: male 6, female 4, age 20-80 (mean 61.5), postmortem intervals (PMI) 14-75 (mean 29.7) days) were inspected following the standard practice (without freezing preparation), and then with 10 cadavers (freezing group: male 7, female 3, age 41-88 (mean 60.4), PMI 7-75 (mean 29.2) days) the freezing technique was used before the autopsy. The cut brain was investigated, and the gray-white matter difference was evaluated macroscopically. Results: In the control group, the brain parenchyma leaked out like sludge in 5, and there was difficulty maintaining its structure in 7. The gray-white matter difference was well visible in 3, but hard to distinguish in 3, and the total scores ranged from 0 to 9 (mean 4.4) points. In the freezing group, the entire putrefied brain was extracted as a solid organ, the gray-white matter differences were well visible, and the total scores were 6.7-9 (8.3) points. The gray-white matter difference was preserved in the freezing group (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The freezing procedures to evaluate the putrefied brain have been successfully applied, and it could be statistically more useful in putrefied brain investigation than the ordinary procedure. Postmortem CT can be useful to evaluate not only the degree of brain putrefaction, but also the degree of brain parenchyma freezing.

Purpose: The aim of this study is to estimate the lung weight using postmortem CT in well aerated lung autopsy cases. The correlation coefficients to the lung weight were also evaluated for the cadavers' height, weight, whole body surface area (WBSA), body mass index, and estimated lung volume. Materials and methods: From October 2015 to July 2016, 31 cadavers (male 12, female 19, age 20-98 (mean 66.9) y.o., postmortem interval 0.3-75.0 (5.7) days) were compared as regards body weight, height, whole body surface area (WBSA), body mass index (BMI), lung volume on CT, and total lung volume classified into several CT number categories, with their lung weight in autopsy. Results: The lung weight (mean ± SE) was 284.9 ± 14.8 g in right lung and 249.3 ± 12.9 g in left lung. The %ALV was 79.9 ± 0.9 HU (mean ± standard error (SE)) in both lungs, 80.3 ± 1.3 HU in right lung, and 77.6 ± 2.0 HU in left lung. Using a simple linear regression test, there was no statistically significant correlation between the lung weight and the categories (R2: body height 0.234, weight 0.224, WBSA 0.309, BMI 0.046, lung volume 0.059). The volume for each individual CT density category showed no significant correlation, but the stepwise regression test yielded an excellent correlation coefficient (R2 = 0.840). Conclusion: The well aerated lung weight was 284.9 ± 14.8 g in right lung and 249.3 ± 12.9 g in left lung, and the postmortem CT could estimate the lung weight with high correlation coefficient.

Purpose: We retrospectively evaluated the cerebro-spinal fluid (CSF) CT density at the lateral ventricle to compare the postmortem intervals in cadavers. Materials and methods: The number of cadavers enrolled in this study was 189 (male 120, female 69). According to the estimated postmortem time, the cadavers were divided into 13 groups (postmortem day 0.5, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 7, 10, 14, 21, 30), and were also re-grouped into 3 groups according to the postmortem time-width: group A (postmortem day 0.5-2.5), group B (day 3-7), and group C (day 10-30). Comparisons between the CSF density and estimated postmortem time were also analyzed. Results: The CSF density was around 20 HU up to day 2.5, and it increased gradually after day 3. Day 3 and 4 presented higher CSF density than day 1 and 1.5 (p < 0.05). Day 7 presented higher CSF density than day 3 (p < 0.05). According to the postmortem time-width, the CSF density increased with postmortem time (p < 0.05). The simple linear regression equations presented negative correlation between CSF density and estimated postmortem time, and R2 was 0.119. Conclusion: The CSF density increased, but not linearly, according to the postmortem time, and the 3rd postmortem day was the earliest time allowing the difference to be detected. The CSF density needs further evaluation to enable estimation of the postmortem time.

We measured concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in pleural effusion from forensic autopsy cases to examine whether they were useful for a diagnosis of drowning. We analyzed a total of 51 cases (15 seawater drowning, 10 freshwater drowning, and 26 non-drowning), and determined the following reference values. If the concentration of Na or Cl is under 65 mEq/l, a diagnosis of freshwater drowning can be made. If the concentration of Na is higher than 175 mEq/l, or that of Cl is higher than 155 mEq/l, or that of Ca is higher than 16 mg/dl, or that of Mg is higher than 15 mg/dl, a diagnosis of seawater drowning can be made. We recommend that pleural effusion from the left and the right thoracic cavities should be collected and analyzed separately because large differences may be observed between each side in the case of drowning. If one side corresponds to the reference value for seawater or freshwater drowning and the other side does not, a diagnosis of drowning can still be made according to the obtained value.

We measured concentrations of sodium (Na), chloride (Cl), calcium (Ca), and magnesium (Mg) in pleural effusion from forensic autopsy cases to examine whether they were useful for a diagnosis of drowning. We analyzed a total of 51 cases (15 seawater drowning, 10 freshwater drowning, and 26 non-drowning), and determined the following reference values. If the concentration of Na or Cl is under 65 mEq/l, a diagnosis of freshwater drowning can be made. If the concentration of Na is higher than 175 mEq/l, or that of Cl is higher than 155 mEq/l, or that of Ca is higher than 16 mg/dl, or that of Mg is higher than 15 mg/dl, a diagnosis of seawater drowning can be made. We recommend that pleural effusion from the left and the right thoracic cavities should be collected and analyzed separately because large differences may be observed between each side in the case of drowning. If one side corresponds to the reference value for seawater or freshwater drowning and the other side does not, a diagnosis of drowning can still be made according to the obtained value.