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Orange precipitate was collected at the mouth of groundwater drainage tubes from the Kumanashi Landslide slip zone in Toyama prefecture, Northwest Japan. Data from XRF, X-ray diffraction, and Mössbauer spectroscopy determined the precipitate as hydrous ferric oxide (HFO) bearing multi-elements such as phosphorous, silica, calcium, etc. The occurrence of HFO may indicate an oxidation of ferrous iron in the percolated groundwater from the slip zone. Moreover, the precipitate iron should be mobilized with groundwater circulation from the slip zone, whose reducing condition was determined by the iron speciation on the same type of landslide profiles within the study area in previous studies. The HFO precipitate may be considered as a secondary reliable indicator to locate the seepage of a slip zone on surface, especially for a landslide newly investigated under wet-warm climate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The larva of Chilostigma sieboldi McLachlan is described. This is the first positive association of adults and larvae in the genus Chilostigma, which involves only two species in the boreal region. We recorded and confirmed the Holarctic species C. sieboldi from Kushiro Mire in eastern Hokkaido by close examination of male and female genitalia. In Japan this species has been collected only from Kushiro Mire. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Premature ejaculation (PE) has negative personal consequences, such as distress, bother, frustration, and/or the avoidance of sexual intimacy. In Japan, no oral drugs or devices are approved or used clinically to treat PE. The Men's Training Cup Keep Training (MTCK), a masturbation aid, was developed for PE. MTCK offers 5 grades of tightness and strength. Objective: We aimed to investigate the efficacy of the MTCK in patients who are unable to delay ejaculation. Methods: Inclusion criteria were 20- to 60-year-old men feeling distressed and frustrated by PE and who had the same sexual partners throughout the study period. Exclusion criteria were neurologic disease and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus, as well as the use of antidepressants, α-blockers, and 5α-reductase inhibitors. The protocol comprised an 8-week training period with the MTCK from level 1 to level5, with each level used twice before moving to the next level. The main outcome measure was the extension of intravaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). The secondary outcome measures were score improvements on the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, Sexual Health Inventory for Men, Erection Hardness Score, and Difficulty in Performing Sexual Intercourse Questionnaire–5. Results: We enrolled 37 patients, and after 19 patients withdrew, 18 concluded the study without experiencing any adverse events. The mean patient age was 39.9 years. Geometric IELT after the 8 week training with the MTCK increased significantly (mean ± SE; 232.10 ± 72.16 seconds) vs baseline (103.91 ± 50.61 seconds, P=.006). Mean scores on the Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool, Difficulty in Performing Sexual Intercourse Questionnaire–5, and Erection Hardness Score after 8-week training improved significantly vs the baseline values. The mean score on the Sexual Health Inventory for Men did not improve significantly after the 8-week training, but domain 1 did significantly improve after 8 weeks of MTCK use. Conclusions: The MTCK may be one possible treatment option for patients who are unable to delay ejaculation. Also, the MTCK may offer benefits for erectile function. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we performed a year-long in situ incubation experiment on a common ferrous sulfide (Fe-S) mineral, pyrite, at the oxidative deep seafloor in the hydrothermal vent field in the Izu-Bonin arc, Japan, and characterized its microbiological and biogeochemical properties to understand the microbial alteration processes of the pyrite, focusing on Fe(II) oxidation. The microbial community analysis of the incubated pyrite showed that the domain Bacteria heavily dominated over Archaea compared with that of the ambient seawater, and Alphaproteobacteria and Gammaproteobacteria distinctively codominated at the class level. The mineralogical characterization by surface-sensitive Fe X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) analysis revealed that specific Fe(III) hydroxides (schwertmannite and ferrihydrite) were locally formed at the pyrite surface as the pyrite alteration products. Based on the Fe(III) hydroxide species and proportion, we thermodynamically calculated the pH value at the pyrite surface to be pH 4.9 to 5.7, indicating that the acidic condition derived from pyrite alteration was locally formed at the surface against neutral ambient seawater. This acidic microenvironment at the pyrite surface might explain the distinct microbial communities found in our pyrite samples. Also, the acidity at the pyrite surface indicates that the abiotic Fe(II) oxidation rate was much limited at the pyrite surface kinetically, 3.9 x 103- to 1.6 x 105-fold lower than that in the ambient seawater. Moreover, nanoscale characterization of microbial biomolecules using carbon near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure (NEXAFS) analysis showed that the sessile cells attached to pyrite excreted the acidic polysaccharide-rich extracellular polymeric substances at the pyrite surface, which can lead to the promotion of biogenic Fe(II) oxidation and pyrite alteration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitors (PDE5i) are the first-line treatment for erectile dysfunction (ED), but there is in approximately 30% of ineffective patients or contraindicated in patients taking nitrate medications. Although vacuum erection device (VED) is the second line in ED guidelines, they have long been unavailable in Japan, due to the withdrawal of their manufacturers. Objective: A new VED, Vigor 2020, has now been manufactured and received medical approval by the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency (PMDA) in Japan. It is very important to be able to sexual intercourse with VED, recommended in the ED guidelines. We conducted a retrospective observational study of patients with Vigor 2020 in clinical practice. Methods: We analyzed male patients aged 20 years or older who presented to an outpatient clinic with ED and were treated with Vigor 2020 as a second-line treatment, because PDE5i was ineffective or contraindicated. Sexual and ejaculatory function were assessed using questionnaires [Erection Hardness Score (EHS), International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF), Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for assessing ejaculatory dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD), the numerical rating scale (NRS)]. Results: There were 34 participants who could be evaluated before and after the use of Vigor 2020, with a mean age of 57.85 (27–86) years. Significant improvement in EHS and IIEF total score were observed with the use of Vigor 2020 in all participants. There was a significant improvement in MSHQ-EjD and NRS for participants who had an EHS of 3 or higher after the use of Vigor 2020. But no significant improvement in MSHQ-EjD and NRS for participants who had an EHS of 2 or lower after the use of Vigor 2020. The participants experienced no significant adverse events. Conclusions: Vigor 2020 may be one treatment tool for ED, as defined in the ED guidelines. There is not only significant improvement of erection with Vigor 2020 but also improvement of ejaculation in cases of significant erectile efficacy. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: In Japan, the treatment options for erectile dysfunction (ED) are very restricted, if phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors (PDE5Is) are not effective. In this situation, low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy (LiESWT) has gained increased attention as a new option for ED treatment in Japan. Objective: To clarify the efficacy of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for patients with erectile dysfunction, compare the efficacy between two types of lithotripters (ED1000 [focused type] and Renova [linear type]), and detect factors indicative of therapeutic gain with the treatment. Methods: This retrospective study included 76 patients (52.8 +/- 11.7 years) treated by ED1000 (12 times over 9 weeks) and 484 patients (52.5 +/- 11.6 years) treated by Renova (4 times over 4 weeks). Age, sexual symptoms scores, and blood examinations were assessed. Efficacy was judged by improvement of the scores and patient satisfaction and compared between patients at 1 month after treatment with the lithotripters. Independent factors influencing efficacy by Renova were also assessed. Results: Sexual symptom scores were improved significantly by both lithotripters, although the changes in the scores did not differ significantly between them. Efficacy rate as judged by patient satisfaction was 65.8% with the ED1000 and 71.1% with Renova, also without significant difference. Among several factors including age, sexual symptoms scores, endocrinological factors, metabolic factors, and the rate of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use, only age was found to be an independent factor influencing the efficacy of Renova. Conclusions: We clearly showed the high efficacy of both lithotripters. Although the efficacy rate did not differ between them, we speculated that the fewer treatment sessions needed with the Renova versus the ED1000 would be a great advantage for patients. We also suggest that Renova should be recommended for patients younger than 70 years of age. Disclosure: No. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The standard treatment for late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is testosterone replacement therapy (TRT). In Japan, testosterone enanthate intramuscular injection is recommended for LOH. But it needs regular clinic visits every 2-3 week, and it elicit pain. The 2% testosterone gel (AndroForte2®) is available for treatment LOH. Because of imported drug, AndroForte2® (AF2) is expensive. We have created a 2 % novel testosterone gel (NTG). We hypothesized that our NTG improves Aging males' symptoms (AMS) scores, and serum testosterone in patients with LOH. In this active control equivalence, randomized, double-blind, crossover study, it enrolled that were men with low serum free-testosterone (defined as below 11.8pg/mL), and symptoms of androgen deficiency (defined as AMS scores more than 27). The patients were randomly divided into two groups (A group, men receiving the NTG first; and B group, men receiving the AF2 first). Men with LOH received 2% AF2 for 28 days or 2% NTG for another 28 days separated by a 14-day washout period. The AMS score and serum hormonal data, and adverse events were assessed. Twenty-three patients aged 42–71 years old were enrolled in and concluded the study with no adverse events experienced. Serum testosterone and free-testosterone concentrations were significantly higher with NTG and AF2. And more, both concentrations were significantly higher in NTG than AF2. The AMS total score, physical subscore, mental subscore, and sexual subscore were significantly improved with NTG, but not significant with AF2. This is the first study to show that our NTG may not be effective for improvement serum testosterone level but also for physical, mental, and sexual symptoms in patient with LOH. Work supported by industry: no. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gold (or electrum) in hydrothermal fluid precipitates directly from gold sulfide complex and/or partly via suspended nanoparticles. The hydrothermal fluid contains "invisible gold" that is atomically dispersed in sulfide minerals or as nanoparticles with a size of less than 10 nm. However, the contribution of these gold nanoparticles to the formation of native gold and its alloy with silver (electrum) remains unclear. The Higashi-Aogashima Knoll Caldera hydrothermal field, south of Tokyo, Japan, is an area of significant seafloor hydrothermal activity that is known for high-grade gold-containing minerals in sulfide-rich rocks. In this study, dry-polished thin sections were created to minimize sample damage and scanning and transmission electron microscopy were used to investigated the cross-sectional and three-dimensional morphologies of native gold grains in a sulfide-rich mound rock from the Central Cone site of the caldera. The surfaces of the gold grains comprised nanoparticles with sizes of 5-50 nm that were also attached to their periphery, which suggests that gold nanoparticles in deep-sea hydrothermal fluid were involved in the mineralization of the gold. In addition, the distribution of silver was uneven within the gold grains, which suggests that the gold precipitation comprised multiple stages at different temperatures that resulted in the post-deposition or secondary remobilization of silver., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing interest., (Copyright: © 2025 Okada et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Objectives: The vacuum erection device (VED) is a second-line treatment tool recommended in erectile dysfunction (ED) guidelines but has long been unavailable in Japan. A new VED, Vigor 2020 ® (A & HB Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan), has now been manufactured and received medical approval from the Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency in Japan. We conducted a retrospective observational study of ED patients who used Vigor 2020 in clinical practice., Methods: We analyzed male ED patients aged ≥20 years treated with Vigor 2020 in our outpatient clinics. The primary endpoint was improvement of erection as evaluated by an Erection Hardness Score (EHS) of ≥1 point. Secondary endpoints were improvement of sexual function and adverse events as evaluated by the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF) and Male Sexual Health Questionnaire for assessing ejaculatory dysfunction (MSHQ-EjD)., Results: Thirty-three patients (mean age, 57.21 [27-86] years) could be evaluated before and after using Vigor 2020. Among the 16 patients with baseline EHS ≤2, 14 (93.33%) improved by ≥1 point, and 10 of these 16 patients (62.50%) improved to EHS ≥3 and could insert vaginally. Significant improvement was observed for IIEF total score and for the MSHQ-EjD in patients with an EHS of ≥3 after use of Vigor 2020. No patient experienced significant adverse events., Conclusions: The Vigor 2020 may be an efficacious treatment tool for ED. Patients with significant ED experienced not only significant improvement of erection but also improvement of ejaculation with its use., (© 2024 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Background: Cutis laxa constitutes a diverse group of connective tissue diseases, both inherited and acquired, characterized by loose skin and varying systemic involvement, including pulmonary lesions. While cutis laxa has been linked to conditions like emphysema, asthma, and bronchiectasis, the specific pathological and radiological characteristics underlying pulmonary complications related to cutis laxa remain unclear., Case Presentation: A 36-year-old woman, diagnosed with cutis laxa at birth, presented to our outpatient clinic with severe obstructive ventilatory impairment, evident in pulmonary function tests (expiratory volume in one second (FEV 1 )/forced vital capacity (FVC): 34.85%; %residual volume [RV]: 186.5%; %total lung capacity [TLC]: 129.2%). Pulmonary function tests also indicated small airway disease (%FEF50%, 7.9%; %FEF75%, 5.7%; and %FEF25-75%, 6.8%). Computed tomography (CT) revealed the lack of normal increase in lung attenuation on expiratory CT scan, with no discernible emphysematous changes. Exome sequencing was performed to confirm the association between the pulmonary lesions and cutis laxa, revealing a frameshift variant in exon 30 of the elastin gene (ELN). Further analysis employing a parametric response map revealed a longitudinal increase in the percentage of functional small airway disease (fSAD) from 37.84% to 46.61% over the 8-year follow-up, despite the absence of overt changes in CT findings, specifically the lack of normal increase in lung attenuation on expiratory CT scan. Over the same follow-up interval, there was a modest reduction of 25.6 mL/year in FEV 1 coupled with a significant increase in %RV. Pulmonary function test metrics, reflective of small airway disease, exhibited a continual decline; specifically, %FEF50%, %FEF75%, and %FEF25-75% diminished from 7.9% to 7.0%, 5.7% to 4.6%, and 6.8% to 5.4%, respectively., Conclusions: This case highlighted an instance of autosomal dominant cutis laxa arising from a frameshift variant in exon 30 of ELN, accompanied by small airway disease. Comprehensive investigation, utilizing quantitative CT analysis, revealed a longitudinal increase in fSAD percentage with a mild reduction in FEV 1 . These findings indicate that elastin deficiency may not only diminish elastic fibers in the skin but also be implicated in small airway disease by impacting components of the extracellular matrix in the lungs., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Pemuchiamides A and B ( 1 and 2 ) were isolated from a marine Hormoscilla sp. cyanobacterium collected from Pemuchi Beach on Hateruma Island, Japan. Although 1 and 2 existed as a complex mixture of rotamers in chloroform- d , detailed analyses of their 2D NMR and tandem mass spectra revealed their planar structures, respectively. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were established via the degradation and derivatization reactions. Pemuchiamide A ( 1 ) exhibited potent growth-inhibitory activity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense , the causative organism of African sleeping sickness, while 2 showed 10-fold weaker activity than 1 . This result indicates that the presence of a hydroxy group at the C-3 position of the 4-aminobutanoic acid moiety negatively affects antitrypanosomal activity.

We examined adult specimens of the Mystacides azureus Species Group (Trichoptera: Leptoceridae) collected in Japan and confirm three species including M. azureus Linnaeus 1761 and two new species, M. rivularis and M. moritai. Males and females of the new species are described. Mystacides azureus in Japan is shown to have a considerable variation in morphology of the male tergum X. We analyzed mitochondrial COI barcodes of the genus Mystacides including these three species to confirm their species status. A maximum likelihood phylogeny based on COI barcodes shows monophyly of the new species. It also supports the hypothesis that morphological variation of the male tergum X in Japanese populations is intraspecific in only M. azureus.

The rove beetle genus Andrikothelyna Pace, 2000 is reviewed. Speiraphallusa Pace, 2013 is synonymized with Andrikothelyna due to the morphological similarities. A revised diagnosis and redescription of the genus are presented, and three new species are described. As a result of this study, this genus consists of the following two known species and three new species: Andrikothelyna papuana Pace, 2000, from Papua New Guinea; Andrikothelyna orientis (Pace, 2013) comb. nov. from Malaysia; Andrikothelyna rubiginosa sp. nov. from Taiwan (Nantou); Andrikothelyna limbata sp. nov. from Japan (Honshu, Kyushu and Ryukyu); and Andrikothelyna naomichii sp. nov. from Japan (Ryukyu). This study reports the newly recorded presence of the genus Andrikothelyna in Taiwan and Japan. In addition, the key to the species is given and the taxonomic position of the genus is discussed. Observation of the living individuals reveals part of the biology of the new species.

Objectives: To clarify the efficacy of low-intensity extracorporeal shockwave therapy for patients with erectile dysfunction, compare the efficacy between two types of lithotripters (ED1000 [focused type] and Renova [linear type]), and detect factors indicative of therapeutic gain with the treatment., Methods: This retrospective study included 76 patients (52.8 ± 11.7 years) treated by ED1000 (12 times over 9 weeks) and 484 patients (52.5 ± 11.6 years) treated by Renova (4 times over 4 weeks). Age, sexual symptoms scores, and blood examinations were assessed. Efficacy was judged by improvement of the scores and patient satisfaction and compared between patients at 1 month after treatment with the lithotripters. Independent factors influencing efficacy by Renova were also assessed., Results: Sexual symptom scores were improved significantly by both lithotripters, although the changes in the scores did not differ significantly between them. Efficacy rate as judged by patient satisfaction was 65.8% with the ED1000 and 71.1% with Renova, also without significant difference. Among several factors including age, sexual symptoms scores, endocrinological factors, metabolic factors, and the rate of phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor use, only age was found to be an independent factor influencing the efficacy of Renova., Conclusion: We clearly showed the high efficacy of both lithotripters. Although the efficacy rate did not differ between them, we speculated that the fewer treatment sessions needed with the Renova versus the ED1000 would be a great advantage for patients. We also suggest that Renova should be recommended for patients younger than 70 years of age., (© 2022 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Background: We reviewed the results of cases of kidney transplant (KTx) that were conducted at the Toda Chuo General Hospital, a private hospital located in Saitama, Japan., Methods: A total of 312 patients with end-stage renal failure underwent KTx between January 1992 and December 2019 at Toda Chuo General Hospital. There were 191 men and 121 women. Their mean age was 45.7 years. Of the 312 cases, 310 were living-related KTx, while 2 were deceased donor KTx. The immunosuppressive treatment protocol mainly consisted of 4-drug therapy with methylprednisolone, tacrolimus, mycophenolate mofetil, and basiliximab., Results: Patient survival was 99.7% at 1 year, 99.3% at 5 years, and 97.3% at 10 years. Renal allograft survival was 98.4% at 1 year, 91.7% at 5 years, and 86.5% at 10 years. However, death-censored renal allograft survival was 98.7% at 1 year, 92.4% at 5 years, and 89.0% at 10 years. Among the 312 patients, 33 grafts were lost during the observation period. The loss was because of chronic antibody-mediated rejection in 19 patients, death with function in 6 patients, and acute antibody-mediated rejection in 2 patients., Conclusions: The prognosis of patients and their grafts, which were managed following the immunosuppression protocol at our institute, was relatively good. KTx in a private hospital in Japan is at par with the global standard., (Copyright © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Four Japanese species the rove beetle genus Myllaena are redescribed based on the type material. They are: M. japonica Sharp, 1888, M. lewisi Cameron, 1933, M. rufotestacea Cameron, 1933, and M. torrentum Cameron, 1933. Myllaena chinoculata Pace, 1998 described from China is synonymized with M. lewisi. All of these species are illustrated and mapped.

Abstract: Lymphatic malformations (LMs) are congenital malformations of the lymphatic system that cause considerable cosmetic and functional complications. In this study, we present 8 children with LM who were treated with the Kampo medicine eppikajutsuto (EKJT).Between 2001 and 2020, 8 children (male: 4, female: 4) with LMs who underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) evaluation both before and after treatment or observation were selected for investigating the effect of EKJT. Two patients were observed without any treatment for 24 and 60 months. EKJT was evaluated based on percentage reduction, defined as the percentage of total lesions that decreased in size, confirmed by radiological examination after initiating treatment with EKJT or determined by observation alone. Volumetric analysis of LMs on MRI was performed using the Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine viewer.Six patients were treated with EKJT. The mean observational period was 13.2 months (range: 6-24 months). The mean reduction in LM volume on MRI was 73.0% in treated patients and -66.3% in observed patients. Two of the 6 lesions exhibited complete reduction, 2 exhibited marked (>90%) reduction, 1 exhibited moderate reduction, and 1 exhibited a small response. The treatment was well-tolerated, with no severe adverse events.This preliminary study demonstrated the beneficial effects of EKJT. Prospective evaluations of this promising therapeutic modality are warranted based on the results of this study., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2021 the Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

The genus Diplectrona Westwood (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) is revised for the Japanese main islands, and four species are recognized, the three species D. aiensis Kobayashi, D. burha Schmid, and D. kibuneana Tsuda, and one new species, D. takaii sp. nov. Diplectrona difficultata (Kobayashi) is synonymized with D. kibuneana. Diplectrona japonica Banks and D. albomarginata Ulmer are transferred to the genus Homoplectra Ross.

Two new species of the genus Rhyacophila Pictet, R. kangae Park Nozaki sp. nov. and R. yamamotoi Nozaki sp. nov., are described from Korea and Japan, respectively. Both species belong to the Rhyacophila nigrocephala Species Group, and their genitalic morphology is very similar to those of R. confissa Botosaneanu 1970 and R. vicina Botosaneanu 1970 described from the Korean Peninsula. These four species can be distinguished from each other by the shape of the complex of preanal appendages and apicodorsal lobe of segment IX in males, and by the shape of the vaginal apparatus in females. Males of the two new species bear larger compound eyes in proportion to the head widths than those of R. confissa and R. vicina.

Iheyamide A ( 1 ) is an antitrypanosomal linear peptide isolated from a Dapis sp. marine cyanobacterium by our group in 2020, and based on structure-activity relationships of its natural analogues, the C-terminal pyrrolinone moiety has been identified as the phamacophore for its antiparasitic activity. Further, we isolated this pyrrolinone moiety by itself as a new natural product from the marine cyanobacterium and named it iheyanone ( 2 ). As expected, iheyanone ( 2 ) showed antitrypanosomal activity, but its potency was weaker than iheyamide A ( 1 ). To clarify more detailed structure-activity relationships, we completed a total synthesis of iheyamide A ( 1 ) along with iheyanone ( 2 ) and evaluated the antitrypanosomal activities of several synthetic intermediates. As a result, we found that the longer the peptide chain, the stronger the antitrypanosomal activity. As iheyamide A ( 1 ) showed selective toxicity against Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense , these findings can provide design guidelines for antitrypanosomal drugs.

Periodontal disease is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects various peripheral organs. The periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) quantifies periodontitis severity and the spread of inflammatory wounds. This study aimed to investigate the association between PISA and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), a systemic inflammation marker. This study included 250 community-dwelling septuagenarians (69-71 years). We collected information on their medical (e.g., diabetes and dyslipidemia) and dental examinations (e.g., measurement of the probing pocket depth). Generalized linear model analysis was used to explore the association between PISA and hs-CRP levels. There was a significant difference in hs-CRP levels between groups with PISA ≥ 500 and < 500 (p = 0.017). Moreover, the generalized linear model analysis revealed a significant association between PISA and hs-CRP levels (risk ratio = 1.77; p = 0.033) even after adjusting other factors. Further, we found a correlation between PISA and hs-CRP (Spearman's rank correlation coefficient, rs = 0.181; p = 0.023). Our findings suggest that PISA is an effective index for estimating the effect of periodontitis on the whole body, enabling medical-dental cooperation., (© 2021. The Author(s).)

Motobamide ( 1 ), a new cyclic peptide containing a C -prenylated cyclotryptophan residue, was isolated from a marine Leptolyngbya sp. cyanobacterium. Its planar structure was established by spectroscopic and MS/MS analyses. The absolute configuration was elucidated based on a combination of chemical degradations, chiral-phase HPLC analyses, spectroscopic analyses, and computational chemistry. Motobamide ( 1 ) moderately inhibited the growth of bloodstream forms of Trypanosoma brucei rhodesiense (IC 50 2.3 μM). However, it exhibited a weaker cytotoxicity against normal human cells (IC 50 55 μM).

Periodontal disease and arteriosclerotic disease are greatly affected by aging. In this study, the association of conventional risk factors and periodontal disease with atherosclerosis was longitudinally examined in Japanese older adults. Subjects in this study were 490 community-dwelling septuagenarians (69-71 years) randomly recruited from the Basic Resident Registry of urban or rural areas in Japan. At the baseline examination, all subjects underwent socioeconomic and medical interviews; medical examinations, including examinations for carotid atherosclerosis, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidemia; and conventional dental examinations, including a tooth count and measurement of probing pocket depth (PPD). After 3 years, 182 septuagenarians who had no atherosclerosis at the baseline examination were registered and received the same examination as at the baseline. In the re-examination conducted 3 years after the baseline survey, 131 (72.0%) of the 182 participants who had no atherosclerosis at the baseline examination were diagnosed with carotid atherosclerosis. Adjusting and analyzing the mutual relationships of the conventional risk factors for atherosclerosis by multiple logistic regression analysis for the 171 septuagenarians with a full set of data, the proportion of teeth with PPD ≥ 4 mm was independently related to the prevalence of atherosclerosis (odds ratio: 1.029, P < 0.022). This longitudinal study of Japanese older adults suggests that periodontal disease is associated with the onset/progression of atherosclerosis. Maintaining a healthy periodontal condition may be an important factor in preventing the development and progression of atherosclerosis.

Objectives: To investigate the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis and the relationship between testicular microlithiasis, semen parameters and endocrinological profiles in healthy newlywed men trying for first-time pregnancy., Methods: Men visiting Juntendo University Urayasu Hospital, Urayasu, Chiba, Japan, or D Clinic Tokyo, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, Japan, for a first-time examination of fertility underwent scrotal examination, semen analysis and blood tests. Testicular volume measured by orchidometer, semen parameters measured by the Makler counting chamber and endocrinological profiles were compared between men with testicular microlithiasis and without testicular microlithiasis. The correlation between sperm concentration and the number of calcifications, and sperm motility and the number of calcifications, were investigated., Results: Of 739 men, 60 (8.1%) were diagnosed as having testicular microlithiasis. Among them, testicular volume, semen volume and motility were lower than those in the men without testicular microlithiasis. Luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone levels were higher in those with than those without testicular microlithiasis. The sperm concentration correlated negatively with the number of calcifications. There was no significant correlation between sperm motility and the number of calcifications., Conclusion: Herein, we report the prevalence of testicular microlithiasis in healthy newlywed men. Furthermore, our findings suggest that semen parameters in men with severe testicular microlithiasis tend to be worse., (© 2020 The Japanese Urological Association.)

The objective was to prepare guidelines to perform the current optimum treatment by organizing effective and efficient treatments of hemangiomas and vascular malformations, confirming the safety and systematizing treatment, employing evidence-based medicine techniques and aimed at improvement of the outcomes. Clinical questions (CQ) were decided based on the important clinical issues. For document retrieval, key words for published work searches were set for each CQ, and work published from 1980 to the end of September 2014 was searched in PubMed, Cochrane Library and Japana Centra Revuo Medicina databases. The strengths of evidence and recommendations acquired by systematic reviews were determined following the Medical Information Network Distribution System technique. A total of 33 CQ were used to compile recommendations and the subjects included efficacy of resection, sclerotherapy/embolization, drug therapy, laser therapy, radiotherapy and other conservative treatment, differences in appropriate treatment due to the location of lesions and among symptoms, appropriate timing of treatment and tests, and pathological diagnosis deciding the diagnosis. Thus, the Japanese Clinical Practice Guidelines for Vascular Anomalies 2017 have been prepared as the evidence-based guidelines for the management of vascular anomalies., (This article has been co-published with the permission of The Journal of Dermatology, Pediatrics International and Japanese Journal of Radiology. All rights reserved. © 2020 The Authors. The articles are identical except for minor stylistic and spelling differences in keeping with each journal’s style. Either citation can be used when citing this article.)

A new species of the genus Goera, G. rupicola, is described based on adult and immature stages from Amami-Oshima, southwestern Japan. The larvae of this species inhabit wet cliff faces where water trickles over the surface. This is the first madicolous species reported in the genus Goera.

Five new species of the genus Homoplectra Ross 1938 (Trichoptera: Hydropsychidae) are described from Japan: H. crassa, H. ise, H. hattorii, H. occidens, and H. gracilis. Diplectrona tohokuensis Kobayashi 1973 is transferred to the genus Homoplectra. Geographic variations in the male genitalia are reported for four new species. Descriptions of the immature stages of H. crassa sp. nov. and H. tohokuensis are provided. Larvae of these species were found in small seeps and flows in hill or mountain areas.

The caddisfly family Hydropsychidae Curtis is revised for the Ryukyu Archipelago, southwestern Japan. Four new species are described based on adults: Diplectrona uken Ito and Nozaki sp. nov., Homoplectra crassicornea Nozaki and Ito sp. nov., Homoplectra trifurcata Nozaki and Ito sp. nov. and Cheumatopsyche aira Ito and Nozaki sp. nov. Based on examination of type specimens of species described from Taiwan in 1910-1930's: Cheumatopsyche uchidai Kobayashi 1987 and Hydropsyche yaeyamensis Tanida 1986 are synonymized with C. clavalis Martynov 1930 and H. orbiculata Ulmer 1911, respectively. Five East Asian species: Diplectrona burha Schmid 1961, Diplectrona albofasciata (Ulmer 1913), Cheumatopsyche clavalis Martynov 1930, Hydropsyche verrucosa (Ulmer 1911), and Macrostemum formosicolum (Matsumura 1931) are recorded from Japan for the first time and re-described. Adults of two known species, Cheumatopsyche okinawa Oláh and Johanson 2008 and Macrostemum okinawanum (Matsumura 1931) are re-described. Females of five species, previously known only as males, are described for the first time.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS) is used to treat symptoms by modulating the cortico-striato-thalamo-cortical (CSTC) loop in the central nervous system (CNS), and attempts to research loop circuit disorders have been globally initiated among the intractable neurological and psychiatric disorders. DBS treatment has been evaluated for all these newly found CNS loop circuit disorders. In 2011, neurosurgical treatments for psychiatric disorders were renamed from "psychosurgery" to "neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders (NPD)" by the World Society for Stereotactic and Functional Neurosurgery (WSSFN). Moreover, in 2014, "Consensus on guidelines for stereotactic neurosurgery for psychiatric disorders" was published by the WSSFN to address the differences in correspondence of stereotactic NPD. Globally, two multicenter prospective randomized control trials regarding DBS of the subcallosal cingulated gyrus and ventral anterior internal capsule/ventral striatum for intractable depression have been terminated after futility analysis. However, DBS for intractable obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), unlike for intractable depression, is showing steady development. In Japan, NPDs have not been performed since 1975 following the adoption of "Resolution of total denial for psychosurgery" by the Japanese Society of Psychiatry and Neurology. Nevertheless, a trend to adopt new neuro-modulation techniques for psychiatric disorders, including DBS, are emerging. We have created a clinical research protocol for the use of DBS in intractable OCD, which has been approved by the ethical committee of Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, with the hope of commencing DBS treatment for intractable OCD patients in the near future.

Many previous reports have indicated that atypical femur fractures (AFFs) are associated with the administration of bisphosphonates (BPs). A number of risk factors and hypotheses regarding the pathogenesis of AFFs have been reported to date. The purpose of the present study was to identify the factors associated with AFFs in Japanese individuals and to elucidate the association between bone metabolism and AFFs by evaluating bone turnover markers (BTMs). We prospectively reviewed all patients with femur fractures and identified the patients with AFFs and typical femur fractures (TFFs). We collected the demographic and clinical data that were relevant to the present study, namely age, gender, affected side, affected site, concomitant medical history, and comorbid conditions, and measured the levels of BTMs within 24h after trauma. Welch's test and Fisher's exact probability test were used for the statistical analyses. A total of 338 patients, including 10 patients with AFFs and 328 patients with TFFs, were analyzed under the inclusion criteria. The use of BPs (p<0.001) and collagen disease and chronic granulomatous disease (CD/CGD) (p=0.025) were more frequently observed in patients with AFFs than in patients with TFFs, while the levels of BTMs, including N-terminal propeptides of type 1 procollagen (P1NP), isoform 5b of tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRACP-5b) and undercarboxylated osteocalcin (ucOC) were significantly lower in patients with AFFs than in patients with TFFs. Furthermore, the level of TRACP-5b was found to be significantly lower in patients with atypical subtrochanteric fractures than in atypical diaphyseal fractures (p=0.025). Moreover, the levels of P1NP (p=0.016) and TRACP-5b (p=0.015) were found to be significantly lower in patients with AFFs than in patients with TFFs in a subgroup analysis of BPs users. The use of BPs was considered to be a factor associated with AFFs. Our comparison of the BTMs in patients with AFFs and TFFs indicated that the severe suppression of bone turnover was associated with the pathogenesis of AFFs. The extent of the influence of suppressed turnover on the pathogenesis of AFFs may differ depending on the fracture site., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

An improved analytical method was developed for determining of low levels of radiostrontium in environmental freshwater samples. Emphasis was placed to the in situ pre-concentration of radiostrontium with Powdex resin in large volumes (100-300 L) of freshwater samples from many locations without using of deleterious substances such as NaOH and mineral acids. Measuring electric conductivity (EC) of water samples enabled the estimation of the amount of Powdex resin required for quantitative recovery of Sr from the large water samples in the field. The Powdex resin that adsorbed Sr was brought back to the laboratory, and Sr adsorbed in the resin was eluted by 8 M HNO3 together with Sr carrier added. Strontium was radiochemically separated by the cation exchange method for β counting after removal of most of the Ca using Ca(OH)2 precipitation. Through the procedure the Sr chemical yield was 88% on average. This analytical method was verified by analyzing 170 L of water samples with different salinity values, to which a known amount of (90)Sr was added. The detection limits of (90)Sr activities obtained using the 170 L water samples was estimated to be approximately 0.1 mBq L(-1) for a counting time of 100 min. The method was also applied to environmental samples collected from Ibaraki and Fukushima prefectures; their (90)Sr activities ranged from 0.16 to 0.93 mBq L(-)(1)., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

There has been an increasing interest in seafloor exploitation such as mineral mining in deep-sea hydrothermal fields, but the environmental impact of anthropogenic disturbance to the seafloor is poorly known. In this study, the effect of such anthropogenic disturbance by scientific drilling operations (IODP Expedition 331) on seabed landscape and megafaunal habitation was surveyed for over 3 years using remotely operated vehicle video observation in a deep-sea hydrothermal field, the Iheya North field, in the Okinawa Trough. We focused on observations from a particular drilling site (Site C0014) where the most dynamic change of landscape and megafaunal habitation was observed among the drilling sites of IODP Exp. 331. No visible hydrothermal fluid discharge had been observed at the sedimentary seafloor at Site C0014, where Calyptogena clam colonies were known for more than 10 years, before the drilling event. After drilling commenced, the original Calyptogena colonies were completely buried by the drilling deposits. Several months after the drilling, diffusing high-temperature hydrothermal fluid began to discharge from the sedimentary subseafloor in the area of over 20 m from the drill holes, 'artificially' creating a new hydrothermal vent habitat. Widespread microbial mats developed on the seafloor with the diffusing hydrothermal fluids and the galatheid crab Shinkaia crosnieri endemic to vents dominated the new vent community. The previously soft, sedimentary seafloor was hardened probably due to barite/gypsum mineralization or silicification, becoming rough and undulated with many fissures after the drilling operation. Although the effects of the drilling operation on seabed landscape and megafaunal composition are probably confined to an area of maximally 30 m from the drill holes, the newly established hydrothermal vent ecosystem has already lasted 2 years and is like to continue to exist until the fluid discharge ceases and thus the ecosystem in the area has been altered for long-term.

Balamuthia mandrillaris is an amoeba found in fresh water and soil that causes granulomatous amoebic encephalitis. We report herein an autopsy case of B. mandrillaris amoebic encephalitis, which was definitely diagnosed by PCR. An 81-year-old man, who had Sjögren's syndrome, manifested drowsiness 2 months before his death with progressive deterioration. Neuroimaging demonstrated foci of T2- and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery high and T1 low-intensity with irregular post-contrast ring enhancement in the cerebral hemisphere, thalamus and midbrain. Pathologically, multiple hemorrhagic and necrotic lesions were found in the cerebrum, thalamus, midbrain, pons, medulla and cerebellum, which were characterized by liquefactive necrosis, marked edema, hemorrhage and necrotizing vasculitis associated with the perivascular accumulation of amoebic trophozoites, a few cysts, and the infiltration of numerous neutrophils and microglia/macrophages. The trophozoites were ovoid or round, 10-60 μm in diameter, and they showed foamy cytoplasm and a round nucleus with small karyosome in the center. The PCR and immunohistochemistry from paraffin-embedded brain specimens revealed angioinvasive encephalitis due to B. mandrillaris. Human cases of B. mandrillaris brain infection are rare in Japan, with only a few brief reports in the literature., (© 2014 Japanese Society of Neuropathology.)

Background: Endothelial dysfunction is a key component of vascular vulnerability. Reactive hyperemia index (RHI), as assessed by the peripheral arterial tonometry, can noninvasively evaluate endothelial function. This study was designed to determine the additional prognostic value of endothelial function to the Synergy Between PCI With Taxus and Cardiac Surgery Score (SYNTAXsc) and the Framingham Risk Score (FRS) in predicting cardiovascular events in high-risk patients., Methods and Results: We undertook a two-center prospective study in 528 stable patients at high-risk for cardiovascular events from the years 2006-2011. The RHI was measured before coronary angiography and coronary complexity was assessed by SYNTAXsc. After optimal therapies including coronary revascularization, there was follow-up with patients until August 2012. Cardiovascular events consist of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, ischemic stroke, coronary revascularization, heart failure-induced hospitalization, aortic disease, and peripheral arterial disease. During 1468 person-years of follow-up, 105 patients developed cardiovascular events. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP), SYNTAXsc, and RHI as independent cardiovascular event predictors (hazard ratio [95% confidence interval]: natural logarithm of BNP per 0.1: 1.019 [1.002 to 1.037]; P=0.023, SYNTAXsc per tertile: 2.426 [1.825 to 3.225]; P<0.0001, RHI per 0.1: 0.761 [0.673 to 0.859]; P<0.0001). When RHI was added to the FRS, BNP, and SYNTAXsc, net reclassification index was significantly improved (27.5%; P<0.0001), with a significant increase in the C-statistic (from 0.728 [0.679 to 0.778] to 0.766 [0.726 to 0.806]; P=0.031)., Conclusions: Advanced endothelial dysfunction significantly correlated with near future cardiovascular events in high-risk patients. This physiological vascular measurement improved risk discrimination when added to the FRS, BNP, and SYNTAXsc., Clinical Trial Registration Url: clinicaltrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov). Unique identifier: NCT00737945.

Anomalously high platinum group element concentrations have previously been reported for Upper Triassic deep-sea sediments, which are interpreted to be derived from an extraterrestrial impact event. Here we report the osmium (Os) isotope fingerprint of an extraterrestrial impact from Upper Triassic chert successions in Japan. Os isotope data exhibit a marked negative excursion from an initial Os isotope ratio ((187)Os/(188)Osi) of ~0.477 to unradiogenic values of ~0.126 in a platinum group element-enriched claystone layer, indicating the input of meteorite-derived Os into the sediments. The timing of the Os isotope excursion coincides with both elevated Os concentrations and low Re/Os ratios. The magnitude of this negative Os isotope excursion is comparable to those found at Cretaceous-Paleogene boundary sites. These geochemical lines of evidence demonstrate that a large impactor (3.3-7.8 km in diameter) produced a global decrease in seawater (187)Os/(188)Os ratios in the Late Triassic.

Background: In spite of the accumulating evidence on the interaction between the immune and endocrine systems based on the recent progress in molecular genetics, there have been few epidemiological studies focused on the endocrine complications associated with primary immunodeficiency diseases (PID)., Objective: To investigate the prevalence and clinical features of endocrine complications in patients with PID in a large-scale study., Design and Participants: This survey was conducted on patients with PID who were alive on 1 December 2008 and those who were newly diagnosed and died between 1 December 2007 and 30 November 2008 in Japan. We investigated the prevalence and the clinical data of the endocrine complications in 923 patients with PID registered in the secondary survey., Results: Among 923 PID patients, 49 (5·3%) had endocrine disorders. The prevalence of the endocrine diseases was much higher in patients with PID than in the general population in the young age group, even after excluding patients with immune dysregulation., Conclusions: Endocrine disorders are important complications of PID. Analysis of the endocrine manifestations in patients with PID in a large-scale study may provide further insights into the relationship between the immune and endocrine systems., (© 2012 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

Invasive amebic diseases caused by Entamoeba histolytica are increasing among men who have sex with men and co-infection of ameba and HIV-1 is an emerging problem in developed East Asian countries. To characterize the clinical and epidemiological features of invasive amebiasis in HIV-1 patients, the medical records of 170 co-infected cases were analyzed retrospectively, and E. histolytica genotype was assayed in 14 cases. In this series of HIV-1-infected patients, clinical presentation of invasive amebiasis was similar to that described in the normal host. High fever, leukocytosis and high CRP were associated with extraluminal amebic diseases. Two cases died from amebic colitis (resulting in intestinal perforation in one and gastrointestinal bleeding in one), and three cases died from causes unrelated to amebiasis. Treatment with metronidazole or tinidazole was successful in the other 165 cases. Luminal treatment was provided to 83 patients following metronidazole or tinidazole treatment. However, amebiasis recurred in 6 of these, a frequency similar to that seen in patients who did not receive luminal treatment. Recurrence was more frequent in HCV-antibody positive individuals and those who acquired syphilis during the follow-up period. Various genotypes of E. histolytica were identified in 14 patients but there was no correlation between genotype and clinical features. The outcome of metronidazole and tinidazole treatment of uncomplicated amebiasis was excellent even in HIV-1-infected individuals. Luminal treatment following metronidazole or tinidazole treatment does not reduce recurrence of amebiasis in high risk populations probably due to amebic re-infection.

Highly polymorphic, non-coding short tandem repeats (STR) are scattered between the tRNA genes in Entamoeba histolytica in a unique tandemly arrayed organization. STR markers that correlate with the virulence of individual E. histolytica strains have recently been reported. Here we evaluated the usefulness of tRNA-linked STR loci as genetic markers in identifying virulent and avirulent strains of E. histolytica from 37 Japanese E. histolytica samples (12 diarrheic/dysenteric, 20 amebic liver abscess (ALA), and 5 asymptomatic cases). Twenty three genotypes, assigned by combining the STR sequence types from all 6 STR loci, were identified. One to 8 new STR sequence types per locus were also discovered. Genotypes found in asymptomatic isolates were highly polymorphic (4 out of 5 genotypes were unique to this group), while in symptomatic isolates, almost half of the genotypes were shared between diarrhea/dysentery and ALA. One asymptomatic isolate (KU27) showed unique STR patterns in 4 loci. This strain, though associated with the typical pathogenic zymodeme II, failed to induce amebic liver abscess by animal challenge, which suggests that inherently avirulent E. histolytica strains exist, that are associated with unique genotypes. Furthermore, STR genotyping and in vivo challenge of 2 other asymptomatic isolates (KU14 and KU26) verified the covert virulence of these strains., (Copyright 2009. Published by Elsevier Ireland Ltd.)

Introduction: We examined the tolerability of dosage methods of naftopidil in the treatment of male lower urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH/male LUTS)., Patients and Methods: A total of 80 patients with BPH/male LUTS who had an International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) >or=8 and IPSS quality of life (QoL) >or=2 were enrolled and randomly administered naftopidil for 8 weeks at either 75 mg once daily (OD) in the evening (group O; n = 41) or 25 mg thrice daily (TID) in the morning, afternoon and evening (group T; n = 39)., Results: IPSS total score, IPSS-QoL and BPH impact index (BII) were significantly improved for both groups at 8 weeks after starting treatment compared to baseline. IPSS total score and daytime and 24-hour voiding frequencies were significantly improved at 8 weeks after starting treatment for group O in comparison to group T. Group O showed a significantly better degree of change in BII in comparison to group T., Conclusions: Naftopidil 75 mg OD in the evening was better tolerated than naftopidil 25 mg TID for the objective parameter and BII., (Copyright (c) 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.)

Objective: Autoantibodies to aminoacyl transfer RNA synthetases, such as histidyl (Jo-1), threonyl (PL-7), alanyl (PL-12), glycyl (EJ), and isoleucyl (OJ), are closely associated with a subset of patients with polymyositis/dermatomyositis (PM/DM) complicated by interstitial lung disease (ILD). Anti-Jo-1 is by far the most common, found in 15-25% of patients with PM/DM, whereas the other types are found in only approximately 3% of these patients. In this study, the clinical associations of these autoantibodies in Japanese patients with PM/DM were investigated., Methods: The diagnoses of PM/DM and amyopathic DM (ADM) were based on the Bohan and Peter criteria and Sontheimer's definition, respectively. Sera from 36 Japanese patients with PM/DM (13 with PM, 20 with DM, 3 with ADM) were screened by immunoprecipitation and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (for Jo-1). Clinical and laboratory data were collected., Results: The frequencies of autoantibodies to Jo-1 (22%) and to EJ, OJ, and PL-12 (3-6%) were similar to those found in previous studies, including studies of Japanese subjects. However, anti-PL-7 was found in 17% of patients, in contrast to a frequency of 1-4% in previous studies (P < 0.02-0.0002). The 6 anti-PL-7-positive patients were not related, and no skewing in year or month of disease development, place of residence or work, or occupation was found. All patients had ILD, consistent with the clinical features of antisynthetase-positive patients. The patients with anti-PL-7 had lower serum muscle enzyme levels and milder muscle weakness (P < 0.05) compared with anti-Jo-1-positive patients., Conclusion: Anti-PL-7 was found at an unusually high frequency in this group of Japanese patients with myositis. Although anti-PL-7, similar to anti-Jo-1, is associated with PM/DM with ILD, muscle involvement in the patients with anti-PL-7 appeared to be milder than that in the anti-Jo-1 subset.

In Japan, amebiasis is domestically transmitted by two major populations: male homosexuals and mentally handicapped persons, which is remarkably different from most other developed countries where Entamoeba dispar infection is predominantly observed. Here we briefly summarize epidemiology of amebiasis in Japan. We also review our current understanding of the diversity of Entamoeba histolytica clinical isolates in Japan, based on polymorphic genetic markers, clinical representations, and in vivo virulence, using an animal model.

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine which physical and psychological factors influence the autonomic nervous system (ANS) of patients with anorexia nervosa (AN)., Methods: The subjects were 14 AN patients and 12 healthy controls. Beat to beat heart rate variability recorded in a supine position with a controlled respiratory rate of 15/min, was analyzed using power spectral analysis. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed by State and Trait Anxiety Inventory and Zung's Self-rating Depression Scale respectively., Results: Anxiety had a significant negative correlation with the ANS of AN patients. The illness duration times body mass index (BMI), a measure of sustained extreme loss of weight, was also significantly associated with changes in the ANS of AN patients., Conclusion: Although the ANS is influenced by various factors, sustained extreme loss of weight seems to be more influential factor in AN patients.

In order to understand genetic polymorphisms among Entamoeba histolytica strains in a limited geographic area and among restricted social populations, we studied nucleotide polymorphism in DNA regions that do not encode proteins (locus 1-2 and locus 5-6) and in genes coding for chitinase and for serine-rich E. histolytica protein. Thirty E. histolytica isolates from domestically infected Japanese amebiasis patients (male homosexuals and residents in institutions for the mentally handicapped) and four reference strains were examined. PCR revealed remarkable polymorphisms in both the number and size of the PCR fragments containing these loci. Polymorphisms in lengths, types, and numbers of internal repeat units were observed in locus 1-2 and the repeat-containing region of serine-rich E. histolytica protein among the Japanese isolates. In contrast, polymorphism at locus 5-6 was observed almost exclusively in the number of repeats of a 16-nucleotide unit. The repeat-containing region of chitinase appeared to be the least polymorphic among the four loci with a single dominant genotype representing 66% (20 out of 30) of all of the isolates. Isolates obtained from male homosexuals showed a more complex genetic polymorphism than those from residents in institutions. Considering all four polymorphic loci together, all 19 Japanese isolates from male homosexuals were distinct. In contrast, all isolates obtained from mass-infection cases at a single institution had an identical genotype, suggesting that these cases were caused by a single E. histolytica strain. No significant correlation was found between genotypes and zymodemes or between genotypes and clinical presentations, e.g., colitis or liver abscess. Certain genotypes were observed with higher frequencies in male homosexuals or residents of institutions. These data indicate that genotyping of the E. histolytica isolates by using these four polymorphic loci could serve as a tool to fingerprint individual isolates. We propose that genotyping of ameba isolates should help to determine geographic origins of isolates and routes of transmission.

Patients with prostate cancer generally respond to androgen withdrawal therapy, but progression to androgen-independence is frequently observed later. To examine whether pretreatment serum androgen status could predict disease progression in metastatic prostate cancer, pretreatment serum testosterone, histological grade, extent of bony metastasis, serum prostate-specific antigen (PSA) response to hormone therapy, and prognosis of the 40 patients with untreated metastatic prostate cancer who received endocrine therapy were evaluated. Although there were no differences in age, pretreatment PSA level, extent of bony disease and histological grade between patients with normal testosterone and those with low testosterone, PSA response after endocrine therapy was better in normal testosterone group. There was a significantly longer interval to disease progression in patients with normal testosterone than in those with low testosterone. The patients with metastatic prostate cancer with low serum testosterone were in the high risk group of worse response to endocrine therapy. Additional therapy might be considered in those patients.

Amebiasis is epidemic in two major populations in Japan: male homosexuals and institutionalized people. Currently available diagnostic, chemotherapeutic, and prophylactic measures and their problems are discussed. Recent advances in basic research on amebiasis are also described with new findings of unique metabolisms and intracellular structures and organization. Discoveries and analyses of the unique features presented by this parasitic protist help in our elucidation of the pathogenic mechanisms of the parasite and may eventually lead to the development of new drugs and vaccines against amebiasis.

A list was drawn up of wild plants growing on Tanegashiama island that were identified in our field work, and the list was compared with the flora of the rest of Japan and the flora of Taiwan. There were 166 families and 1,218 species consisting of 23 families and 159 species of Pteridophyta, 4 families and 7 species of Gymnosperma, 113 families and 700 species of the dicotyledous Angiosperma, and 26 families and 353 species of monocotyledous Angiosperma. There are 229 families and 5,500 species of plants in Japan, 196 families and 3,019 species in Kyushu, and 228 families and 3,477 species in Taiwan. There are 11 species of endemic plants on Tanegashima and Yakushima, and the best known of them is Pinus armandii Francht. var. amamiana Hatsushima. There are 181 species of flora of flora limited to the northern element, including several important medicinal plants, such as Akebia quinata Decaisne and Zanthoxylum piperitum DC. The 69 species of flora limited to the southern element include several important tropical plants, such as Messerschmidia argentea Johnston and Clerodendrum inerme Gaertn. Most of these plants are distributed on both island, but some of are distributed only Tanegashima. We concluded that one of the temperate borderlines of Japanese flora in the temperate zone is the islands of Tokara. The flora of Tanegashima and Yakushima are having a closely affinity of plant species and having the rich plant species.

Boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) of malignant brain tumors has been efficiently performed since March 1977, and the first human case of malignant melanoma was also successfully treated on July 1987 in our reactor (Musashi reactor, TRIGA-II, 100 kW). To obtain both good irradiation field characteristics and a better irradiation facility, some tests and developments have been continued in accordance with the study of medical and biological irradiations. The results of these evaluations and a new approach are presented.