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The patient was a 75-year-old man who developed polyopia and exophthalmos. Chest computed tomography (CT) revealed a mass in the left upper lobe. A CT-guided biopsy suggested lung adenocarcinoma. He was treated by neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by left upper lobectomy. He was diagnosed with stage IIB pleomorphic carcinoma postoperatively. Preoperative head magnetic resonance imaging revealed exophthalmos and bilateral swelling of the extraocular muscles. The thyroid function of the patient was within the normal range, and he tested negative for autoantibodies. As his symptoms and swelling of the extraocular muscles improved postoperatively, he was diagnosed with paraneoplastic syndrome.

A 68-year-old man visited a physician with a chief complaint of difficulty breathing. Right pleural effusion was noted, and he was referred to our department for a close examination and treatment. Thoracoscopy was performed under local anesthesia, and pleural dissemination of lung adenocarcinoma was noted, so a chest drain was placed. Since poor right lung inflation persisted and whole right lung torsion was observed on computed tomography, thoracoscopy-assisted thoracotomic reduction of lung torsion was performed. In this patient, the right middle lobe and anterior chest wall were adhered, suggesting that whole right lung torsion occurred when atelectasis was formed due to pleural effusion.

Currently, gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Oncolytic virotherapy using herpes simplex virus (HSV) has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer. Telomerase is activated in >90of malignant tumors, including gastric cancer, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is one of the major components of telomerase enzyme. Therefore, in oncolytic HSV, placing the essential genes under the regulation of the hTERT promoter may enhance its antitumor efficacy. The present study examined the antitumor effect of fourth-generation oncolytic HSVs, which contain the ICP6 gene under the regulation of the hTERT promoter (T-hTERT). To examine the association between hTERT expression and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, immunohistochemical analysis of resected tumor specimens was performed. The enhanced efficacy of T-hTERT was determined in human gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in human gastric adenocarcinoma specimens in vivo. In in vitro experiments, enhanced cytotoxicity of T-hTERT was observed in MKN1, MKN28 and MKN45 cells compared with that of a third-generation oncolytic HSV, T-null. In particular, the cytotoxicity of T-hTERT was markedly enhanced in MKN45 cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that 36.7 and 54.9% of cells were found to be lysed 48 h after infection with T-null or T-hTERT viruses at 0.01 pfu/cell, respectively. The T-hTERT-treated group exhibited considerably lower cell viability than the control [phosphate-buffered saline (-)] group. Therefore, employing oncolytic HSVs that contain the ICP6 gene under the regulation of the hTERT promoter may be an effective therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to describe the effect of an oncolytic HSV with ICP6 expression regulated by the hTERT promoter on gastric cancer cells.

We extend and improve the known results about the boundedness of the bilinear pseudo-differential operators with symbols in the bilinear H\"ormander class $BS^{m}_{0,0}(\mathbb{R}^n)$. We consider wider classes of symbols and improve estimates for the corresponding operators. A key idea is to consider the operators in Wiener amalgam spaces., Comment: 35 pages, 2 figures. Some statements are added. Some typos are fixed

We consider bilinear pseudo-differential operators with symbols in the bilinear H\"ormander class, $BS_{\rho, \rho}^m$, $m \in \mathbb{R}$, $0 \leq \rho < 1$. The aim of this paper is to discuss low regularity conditions for symbols to assure the boundedness from $L^2 \times L^2$ to $h^1$ and from $L^2 \times bmo$ to $L^2$., Comment: 40 pages

In this paper, we study the boundedness of pseudodifferential operators with symbols in the Hormander class $$S^0_{\rho ,\rho }$$ on $$\alpha $$ -modulation spaces $$M_{p,q}^{s,\alpha }$$ , and consider the relation between $$\alpha $$ and $$\rho $$ . In particular, we show that pseudodifferential operators with symbols in $$S^0_{\alpha ,\alpha }$$ are bounded on all $$\alpha $$ -modulation spaces $$M^{s,\alpha }_{p,q}$$ , for arbitrary $$s\in \mathbb {R}$$ and for the whole range of exponents $$0 < p,q \le \infty $$ .

Currently, gastric cancer is the third most common cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Oncolytic virotherapy using herpes simplex virus (HSV) has emerged as a novel therapeutic strategy against cancer. Telomerase is activated in >90of malignant tumors, including gastric cancer, and human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is one of the major components of telomerase enzyme. Therefore, in oncolytic HSV, placing the essential genes under the regulation of the hTERT promoter may enhance its antitumor efficacy. The present study examined the antitumor effect of fourth-generation oncolytic HSVs, which contain the ICP6 gene under the regulation of the hTERT promoter (T-hTERT). To examine the association between hTERT expression and prognosis in patients with gastric cancer, immunohistochemical analysis of resected tumor specimens was performed. The enhanced efficacy of T-hTERT was determined in human gastric cancer cell lines in vitro and in human gastric adenocarcinoma specimens in vivo. In in vitro experiments, enhanced cytotoxicity of T-hTERT was observed in MKN1, MKN28 and MKN45 cells compared with that of a third-generation oncolytic HSV, T-null. In particular, the cytotoxicity of T-hTERT was markedly enhanced in MKN45 cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments demonstrated that 36.7 and 54.9% of cells were found to be lysed 48 h after infection with T-null or T-hTERT viruses at 0.01 pfu/cell, respectively. The T-hTERT-treated group exhibited considerably lower cell viability than the control [phosphate-buffered saline (−)] group. Therefore, employing oncolytic HSVs that contain the ICP6 gene under the regulation of the hTERT promoter may be an effective therapeutic strategy for gastric cancer. To the best of our knowledge, the present study was the first to describe the effect of an oncolytic HSV with ICP6 expression regulated by the hTERT promoter on gastric cancer cells.

We consider the multilinear pseudo-differential operators with symbols in a generalized $S_{0,0}$-type class and prove the boundedness of the operators from $(L^2,\ell^{q_1}) \times \dots \times (L^2,\ell^{q_N})$ to $(L^2,\ell^{r})$, where $(L^2, \ell^{q})$ denotes the $L^2$-based amalgam space. This extends the previous result by the same authors, which treated the bilinear pseudo-differential operators and gave the $L^2 \times L^2 $ to $(L^2, \ell^{1})$ boundedness., 33 pages

We extend the known result that the bilinear pseudo-differential operators with symbols in the bilinear H��rmander class $BS^{-n/2}_{0,0}(\mathbb{R}^n)$ are bounded from $L^2 \times L^2$ to $h^1$. We show that those operators are also bounded from $L^2 \times L^2$ to $L^r $ for every $1< r \le 2$. Moreover we give similar results for symbol classes wider than $BS^{-n/2}_{0,0}(\mathbb{R}^n)$. We also give results for symbols of limited smoothness., 31 pages, no figures

Oncolytic virotherapy is an encouraging treatment using herpes simplex virus (HSV) for gastric cancer patients. To treat gastric cancer, we generated and evaluated the efficacy of an attractive type of oncolytic HSV expressing the suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 (SOCS3). We constructed a third-generation type of oncolytic HSV (T-SOCS3) arming with SOCS3 by a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) system. We examined the viral replicative intensification and oncolysis of T-SOCS3 for human gastric cancer cell lines ex vivo. T-SOCS3 enhanced its replication and potentiated its cell-killing effect for MKN1 human gastric cancer cell lines, which are resistant to a non-armed third-generation type of oncolytic HSV (T-01) ex vivo. T-SOCS3 also induced the destruction within human gastric cancer specimens. Armed oncolytic HSVs expressing SOCS3 may be an efficacious therapeutic agent for gastric cancer treatment.

The purpose of this study was to clarify whether the novel lateral transfer assist robot facilitates easier transfers compared with a wheelchair in post-stroke hemiparesis patients.This cross-sectional study enrolled 20 post-stroke hemiparesis patients, and the task difficulty of transfers was compared between a wheelchair and lateral transfer assist robot. All participants were asked to transfer from either wheelchair or lateral transfer assist robot to a platform table and back. The primary outcome was the transfer score of the Functional Independence Measure. The secondary outcome was the time required for transfer.The transfer score of the Functional Independence Measure was significantly higher with lateral transfer assist robot than with wheelchair (Transfer with a lateral transfer assist robot is easier than with wheelchair and facilitates independence in post-stroke hemiparesis patients.IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATIONTransfer skill influences the functional independence and quality of life of a wheelchair userA novel structural mobility device-the lateral transfer assist robot (LTAR)-can facilitate transfersThe LTAR could improve the degree of independence for transfers than the wheelchair, without any time loss, in post-stroke hemiparesis patientsThe LTAR could potentially reduce the risk for falls in various medical and care facilities.

We consider the Cauchy problem for the generalized Zakharov–Kuznetsov equation ∂ t u + ∂ x 1 Δ u = ∂ x 1 ( u m + 1 ) on three and higher dimensions. We mainly study the local well-posedness and the small data global well-posedness in the modulation space M 2 , 1 0 ( R n ) for m ≥ 4 and n ≥ 3 . We also investigate the quartic case, i.e., m = 3 .

Blastic plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) neoplasm (BPDCN) is a relatively rare hematological malignancy with significantly complex clinicopathological features that are still unclear. This study aimed to analyze the clinicopathological data of BPDCN and evaluate immunohistochemical detection of minimal bone marrow (BM) involvement. In this study, we examined skin and BM lesions from 6 patients with BPDCN. Neoplastic cells tested positive for CD303 (polyclonal, 100%; monoclonal, 40%) in the skin lesions and for CD303 (polyclonal, 100%; monoclonal, 67%) in the BM clots. Although immunostaining of CD4, CD56, CD123, CD303, and TCLl detected minimal BM involvement in 3 patients, morphological identification was challenging in the BM clots stained with hematoxylin–eosin. In conclusion, our results demonstrate the significance of observing BM smears to detect neoplastic cells and that immunohistochemical examination, including CD303 antibodies, is useful to detect minimal BM involvement. This study is the first to report the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) and its receptor in BPDCN cells. Therefore, the TSLP/TSLP receptor axis may be associated with the proliferation of BPDCN, and consequently, the survival of patients.

Welded structures experiencing a small number of large plastic strain reversals during a strong earthquake, can lead to ductile or fatigue fracture. Experimental study on a series of welded T-joints under cyclic large plastic strain loading is carried out to clarify their failure mechanisms in the ultra low cycle fatigue range commonly with a crack initiation life of several dozens of cycles. Effects of post-weld treatment, notch size, notch location and loading protocol on the failure process of the joints are studied. The experimental results indicate that the fracture is a transition mode of ductile and fatigue fracture. It is also found that the post-weld treatment can greatly improve the crack initiation lives of the joints, and the Charpy impact energy has a great effect on the cracking propagation rate. Formulae to evaluate the crack initiation lives of the tested specimens respectively in terms of ductility ratio and equivalent plastic strain are also proposed, and the effect of small strain amplitudes on the damage accumulation is explained based on the test results under various loading protocols.

In this paper, we first discuss equivalent norms for α-modulation spaces which are composed from decomposition with non-compact (frequency) support. Then, we determine sharp inclusion relations between α-modulation spaces and L p -Sobolev spaces, and between α-modulation spaces and local Hardy spaces.

Background: Portal vein (PV) stenosis or obstruction is sometimes observed in patients who were performed pancreatobiliary surgery. These conditions such as pancreatic fistulas (PF) and intra-abdominal infections after pancreatobiliary surgery still represent significant clinical issues. In addition, insufficient attention is paid to the fact that severe stenosis of the PV can result in life-threatening complications. Material and Methods: At our institution, lymph node dissection within the hepatoduodenal ligament was performed for biliary or pancreatic neoplasms in 68 patients between October 2005 and April 2017. The diameter of the PV was measured on computed tomography scans obtained before and after the operation. PV stenosis was defined as a >50% reduction in the diameter of the PV. The degree of PF (Pancreatic Fistula) was defined by the International Study Group of Pancreatic Fistula after pancreaticoduodenectomy. Furthermore, the Clavien-Dindo (CD) classification was used to assess the complications that occurred in cases in which pancreatojejunostomy was not performed. The relationship between the degree of PV stenosis and the occurrence of postoperative complications was analyzed. Results: The overall frequency of PF was 56.3% (18 patients). Grade B or C PF occurred in 5 patients (15.6%). In the present small series, a correlation was detected between the degree of PV stenosis and the occurrence of postoperative complications after pancreatobiliary surgery (p < 0.05). Conclusions: Clinicians should keep in mind that the PV can narrow in cases in which grade B or C PF or intra-abdominal abscesses occur after pancreatobiliary surgery.

Objectives This study aims to examine the characteristics of muscle activity change of the tibialis anterior (TA) muscle in healthy adults while they walked on a split-belt treadmill with one fixed ankle. Patients and methods This randomized controlled trial was conducted between November 2017 and July 2018. Fourteen healthy male individuals (mean age 31.4 years; range, 23 to 50 years) were divided into two groups: right ankle joint fixed by ankle-foot orthosis (fixation group) and no orthosis (control group). Both groups were asked to walk on a treadmill with the same belt speed. After familiarizing with walking on both belts at 5.0 km/h, they walked for 6 min with the right belt slower (2.5 km/h) and the left faster (5.0 km/h). For analysis, the 6 min were divided equally among three time periods. The TA muscle activity was calculated at first and last time periods. We compared muscle activities in time periods (early and late phase) and in groups (fixation and control) using two-way mixed analysis of variance. Results The TA muscle activity decreased in the late phase regardless of ankle joint fixation, and also decreased in the fixation group regardless of the time periods. There was an interaction between these factors. Conclusion These data show that changes in the TA muscle activity were smaller in the fixation group, suggesting that the ankle joint fixation reduces the adaptation.

Membrane transport proteins undergo critical conformational changes during substrate uptake and release, as the substrate-binding site is believed to switch its accessibility from one side of the membrane to the other. Thus, at least two substrate-binding intermediates should appear during the process, that is, after uptake and before the release of the substrate. However, this view has not been verified for most transporters because of the difficulty in detecting short-lived intermediates. Here, we report real-time identification of these intermediates for the light-driven outward current-generating Na+-pump rhodopsin. We triggered the transport cycle of Na+-pump rhodopsin using a short laser pulse, and subsequent formation and decay of various intermediates was detected by time-resolved measurements of absorption changes. We used this method to analyze transport reactions and elucidated the sequential formation of the Na+-binding intermediates O1 and O2. Both intermediates exhibited red-shifted absorption spectra and generated transient equilibria with short-wavelength intermediates. The equilibria commonly shifted toward O1 and O2 with increasing Na+ concentration, indicating that Na+ is bound to these intermediates. However, these equilibria were formed independently; O1 reached equilibrium with preceding intermediates, indicating Na+ uptake on the cytoplasmic side. In contrast, O2 reached equilibrium with subsequent intermediates, indicating Na+ release on the extracellular side. Thus, there is an irreversible switch in "accessibility" during the O1 to O2 transition, which could represent one of the key processes governing unidirectional Na+ transport.

Composite pheochromocytoma (cPC) is extremely rare, arising in the adrenal medulla as a mixture of PC and other tumors of neural origin. We herein report on a case of adrenal incidentaloma post-operatively diagnosed as cPC with ganglioneuroblastoma (GNBL). The PC component had 7 points on the PASS, a Ki-67 index of 5.1%, a focal absence of sustentacular cells, and no genetic aberrations in succinate dehydrogenase subunit B. The GNBL component exhibited no N-myc amplification. Tumor cells of both components were stained positively for extracellular signal-regulated kinase 5 and ankyrin repeat domain 1. The aberrant activation of growth signaling may play a role in the marginal malignancy of cPC.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the localization of collagen modifying enzymes (CMEs) on fibroblastic reticular cells (FRCs) and follicular dendritic cells (FDCs) in non-neoplastic lymphoid tissues and various malignant lymphomas. The expression of prolyl 4-hydroxylase 1 (P4H1), lysyl hydroxylase 3 (LH3), and protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) was frequently observed on FRCs and FDCs in the germinal center (GC), except for the mantle zone. The expression of CMEs was lower in most lymphomas than in their respective postulated normal counterparts. The ratio of transglutaminase II+ FRCs/CD35+ FDCs was also lower in follicular lymphomas (FL) than in other lymphomas. The mRNAs of some CMEs (P4H1, prolyl 4-hydroxylase 3, LH3, and heat shock protein 47) were confirmed in almost all lymphomas. These results indicate that lymphoma cell proliferation suppresses/decreases the number of CMEs expressing FRCs and FDCs in most lymphomas.

Transient receptor potential melastatin 8 (TRPM8) is a member of the transient receptor potential superfamily of Ca2+ channels. The aim of the present study was to clarify TRPM8 expression in reactive lymphoid tissues and mature B-cell neoplasms. Reactive and neoplastic lymphoid tissues were used to evaluate TRPM8 expression by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). TRPM8+ cells were frequently detected in the follicular light zone and marginal zone of reactive lymphoid tissues. Double immunostaining revealed that TRPM8+ cells co-expressed cluster of differentiation (CD) 38, CD79a, CD138, interferon regulatory factor 4/melanoma associated antigen (mutated) 1, B cell CLL/lymphoma 6 and transmembrane activator and CAML interactor. TRPM8+ neoplastic cells were frequently detected in plasma cell myeloma. The positive band of TRPM8 mRNA was confirmed by RT-PCR in cases of myeloma. The present study is, to the best of our knowledge, the first to demonstrate the expression of TRPM8 in reactive lymphoid tissues and mature B-cell neoplasms, revealing that TRPM8 is frequently expressed in pre-plasmablasts, plasmablasts, plasma cells and mature B-cell lymphomas that are likely to differentiate into plasma cells.

We discuss when the nonlinear operation $f\mapsto F(f)$ maps the modulation space $M^{p,q}_s(\mathbb{R}^n)$ ($1 \leq p,q \leq \infty$) to the same space again. It is known that $M^{p,q}_s(\mathbb{R}^n)$ is a multiplication algebra when $s > n-n/q$, hence it is true for this space if $F$ is entire. We claim that it is still true for non-analytic $F$ when $q\geq4/3$., 18 pages

Tests and finite element (FE) analyses of smooth flat bar, U-notch and V-notch specimens are presented to demonstrate the application and validation of proposed three-stage and two-parameter ductile fracture model for evaluating the ductile crack initiation, propagation and final failure in steel welded joints under monotonic loading. Modeling concepts and procedures for characterizing the material parameters of ductile fracture model using smooth flat bar and U-notch tests are described. Accuracy of the model is validated through a series of tensile tests of U-notch, V-notch and welded smooth flat bar specimens. Three types of materials used in welded structures including base metal, weld metal and HAZ are investigated. Furthermore, the effect of notch position on ductile fracture behavior of HAZ specimens and the effect of mesh size on ductile fracture behavior of U-notch and V-notch specimens are studied. Detailed finite element analyses that employ the ductile fracture model are shown to predict ductile fracture behavior with good accuracy across the specimen geometries and material types in terms of ductile crack initiation point, ultimate load point and load–displacement curve.

In this paper, we discuss decay estimates and Strichartz estimates for dispersive equations with non-homogeneous symbols on modulation spaces M p , q s to obtain the global well-posedness of the Cauchy problems for nonlinear dispersive equations. As a result, we have a generalization of the result in [19] which treated the Schrodinger equations with a nonlinearity of wider class.

Myoepithelial carcinoma of the breast is extremely rare and only 33 cases have been reported in the English literature. Herein, we report a case of myoepithelial carcinoma of the breast with focal rhabdoid features. The patient was a 67-year-old woman, who presented with a lump of the left breast that rapidly grew to 3 cm in diameter within 3 months. Lumpectomy revealed a solid and whitish colored tumor, which was composed mainly of elongated spindle-shaped cells with mild atypia, focal necrosis, and infiltrative margin. In a small area of the lesion, ovoid tumor cells exhibited eccentric nuclei with centrally located nucleoli and plump cytoplasm including round eosinophilic inclusions, resembling a rhabdoid tumor. Immunohistochemically, both types of tumor cells exhibited a myoepithelial phenotype. MIB-1 index was 30%. The cytoplasmic inclusion of the ovoid cells exhibited immunopositivity for both vimentin and cytokeratin. From these findings, this tumor was diagnosed as a myoepithelial carcinoma with focal rhabdoid features. Although rhabdoid features have been reported in some types of malignant and benign tumors, this is the first report of such features in myoepithelial carcinoma of the breast.

Background Atrial fibrillation is common after oesophageal surgery. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether landiolol hydrochloride was effective and safe in the prevention of atrial fibrillation after oesophagectomy, and to see whether a reduction in incidence of atrial fibrillation would reduce other postoperative complications. Methods This single-centre study enrolled patients scheduled for transthoracic oesophagectomy in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial between March 2013 and January 2016. Enrolled patients were randomized with a 1 : 1 parallel allocation ratio to either landiolol prophylaxis or placebo. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of atrial fibrillation after oesophagectomy. Secondary endpoints were incidence of postoperative complications, and effects on haemodynamic and inflammatory indices. Results One hundred patients were enrolled, 50 in each group. Postoperative atrial fibrillation occurred in 15 patients (30 per cent) receiving placebo versus five (10 per cent) receiving landiolol (P = 0·012). The overall incidence of postoperative complications was significantly lower in the landiolol group (P = 0·046). In the landiolol group, postoperative heart rate was suppressed effectively, but the decrease in BP was not harmful. The interleukin 6 level was significantly lower on days 3 and 5 after surgery in the landiolol group (P = 0·001 and P = 0·002 respectively). Conclusion Landiolol was effective and safe in preventing atrial fibrillation after oesophagectomy. Registration number: UMIN000010648 (http://www.umin.ac.jp/ctr/).

In this paper, we consider the Cauchy problem for the nonlinear higher order Schrödinger equations on modulation spaces $M_{p,q}^s$ and show the existence of a unique global solution by using integrability of time decay factors of time decay estimates. As a result, we are able to deal with wider classes of a nonlinearity and a solution space. Moreover, we study time decay estimates of a semi--group $e^{it\phi(\sqrt{-\Delta})}$ with a polynomial symbol $\phi$. Considering multiplicities of critical points and inflection points of $\phi$ carefully, we have time decay estimates with better time decay rate.

The aim of this phase II study was to evaluate the feasibility of a neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimen consisting of divided-dose docetaxel and cisplatin, with 5-fluorouracil (NAC-DCF), for treatment of patients with stage II/III squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE).The NAC-DCF regimen, consisting of 2-h infusion of docetaxel at 35 mg/m(2) on days 1 and 8, 4-h infusion of cisplatin at 12 mg/m(2) on days 1-5, and continuous infusion of 5-fluorouracil at 600 mg/m(2) on days 1-5, was administered. We compared NAC-DCF with conventional NAC-CF.The DCF group comprised of 45 patients, and the CF group comprised of 28 patients. The incidence of grade 3/4 neutropenia was significantly higher in the DCF group (56%) than in the CF group (0%). Grade 2/3 pathological response was attained in a significantly higher percentage of patients in the DCF group (40%) than in the CF group (11%) (p=0.0153).This DCF regimen led to a high frequency of pathological responses among patients with advanced SCCE.

Photoinduced surface friction variations of the polished surface of polycrystalline rutile ceramics under UV illumination in different atmospheres was evaluated using FFM. When UV was irradiated onto the rutile surface, the surface friction force first increased and then decreased. Once the water contact angle of the rutile surface reached the lower limit, the surface friction force increased gradually. Increased friction force on the surface in the early stage of UV illumination was attributable to decomposition of the surface organic contaminant and the resultant increase of surface energy from the fitting of calculated contact angles to practical values. However, the friction force decrease and gradual increase after a certain period of UV illumination are attributed to the lubrication effect and either a capillary effect or the increased adsorbed water layer by humidity control. From the force curve measurement on the highly hydrophilic rutile single crystal (1 0 0), the repulsion force was detected from 2 to 3 nm separation distance.

The use of dye-sensitized solar cells (DSC) with zinc oxide as electrodes is expected to contribute to a CO2 emission-reduction. In this study we examined the CO2 emission-reduction effect by using Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). The Life Cycle Inventory (LCI) was estimated with the LCA software “AIST-LCA ver.4”. LCI was applied to predict the CO2 emission per unit of generated electricity for several potential technical developments of DSC. And the CO2 pay-back time for such solar cells based on conventional power generation systems in Japan was investigated, compared with those for polysilicon solar cells. In addition, according to several solar cell installation scenarios, the installation area and the number of years required by DSC to exceed the polysilicon solar cell in the amount of CO2 reduction were estimated. It was confirmed that DSC technologies are potentially capable of exceeding the polysilicon solar cell in the level of CO2 reduction. The LCI results have lead to an understanding of the differences and factors that influence them. This study offers many important suggestions that will be helpful in making decisions about future research and development into DSC.

A member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase superfamily, MAK, has been proposed to have an important role in spermatogenesis, since Mak gene expression is highly restricted to testicular germ cells. To assess the biological function of MAK, we have established MAK-deficient (Mak(-/-)) mice. Mak(-/-) mice developed normally, and no gross abnormalities were observed. Spermatogenesis of the Mak(-/-) mice was also intact, and most of the mice were fertile. However, Mak(-/-) male-derived litter sizes and their sperm motility in vitro were mildly reduced. These data show that function of MAK is not essential for spermatogenesis and male fertility.

The rapid outbreak of the highly pathogenic A/H5N1 avian influenza virus among domestic birds and its transmission to humans have induced world-wide fears of a new influenza pandemic. If a human-trophic strain of A/H5N1 is replicated in domestic animals, it might have high transmissivity and pathogenicity to humans. If the misassembling of both avian and swine influenza viruses occur in the same cells in domestic fowl, novel pandemic infections among humans might emerge due to human-fowl contacts. In the present study, examinations of mixed infections with A/H5N1 and A/H1N1 viruses were carried out using living chickens to elucidate the possibility of chimeric avian-swine influenza virus replication in domestic fowl. The sporadic strains of avian A/H5N1 and swine A/H1N1 viruses were co-infected into embryonated eggs and post-hatched chickens. A double staining method using the anti-A/H5N1 and anti-A/H1N1 antibodies indicated that A/H5N1 and A/H1N1 viruses were co-localized in the same cells in the chorioallantoic membrane of embryos, and in the lungs of chickens challenged by the double infections. This indicated that the avian influenza and swine influenza viruses might be assembling in the same cells of chickens, and chimeric viruses containing the characteristics of both viral strains might appear.

An 83-year-old man presented with a three-week history of dyspnea. The clinical features suggested a diagnosis of relapsing polychondritis (RP); however, the patient died of heart failure. An autopsy revealed active chondritis of the tracheal and bronchial cartilage. Furthermore, giant cell myocarditis (GCM) and myositis were detected. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of RP complicated by GCM and myositis. In patients with RP, GCM and myositis, CD163-positive macrophages and T-cells are most common, and the T-cell subset exhibits CD8 predominance. Common mechanisms of tissue damage caused by cytotoxic T-cells are likely to contribute to RP, GCM and myositis.