Search

Advances in systemic chemotherapy have increased the resectability in colorectal cancer (CRC) associated with metastases even if it was initially unresectable. However, what determines the prognosis of stage IV CRC patients treated by preoperative therapy and surgery remains unclear. We attempted to identify prognostic factors in such CRC patients. We reviewed stage IV CRC patients who underwent curative resection between December 2007 and May 2019. The patients who underwent conversion chemotherapy for initially unresectable disease and those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for resectable synchronous metastases or neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NACRT) for advanced lower rectal cancer with resectable metastases were included. Recurrence-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS) were examined by multivariate analyses using Cox proportional hazard models. The RFS and OS curves were analyzed according to postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy (AC). Among 70 patients who underwent curative surgery (34 men, mean age: 60 years old), 33 had initially unresectable disease, 23 received NAC, and 14 NACRT. By multivariate analyses, AC was an independent predictor for improved RFS and OS (hazard ratio = 0.29, p = 0.0002, and hazard ratio = 0.37, p = 0.025). Patients treated with AC showed improved RFS and OS than those without AC (2-year RFS rate = 30% vs 19%, p = 0.031, and 3-year OS rate = 87% vs 67%, p = 0.045). Because of its association with improved prognosis, AC should be considered for stage IV CRC patients after curative resection regardless of initial resectability status and preoperative therapy.

Aim Endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer, such as endoscopic mucosal resection and endoscopic submucosal dissection, causes inflammation, oedema and fibrosis in the surrounding tissue. However, little is known about the effect of these endoscopic therapies on salvage laparoscopic rectal surgery. The objective of this retrospective cohort study was to analyse the effect of preceding endoscopic treatment on the outcomes of laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer. Method We analysed 53 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for rectal cancer with clinical Tis or T1 at our department between May 2011 and June 2019. Data from 30 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery after preceding endoscopic treatment (Group E + S) were compared with those of 23 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery alone (Group S). Results There was no significant difference between the groups with respect to preoperative details. The mean operative time tended to be longer in Group E + S, and the volume of intra-operative blood loss was greater in Group E + S than in Group S (median 63 ml vs 10 ml, P = 0.049). There were no significant differences between the groups in other surgical parameters or oncological outcomes. Conclusion Laparoscopic surgery after endoscopic treatment for rectal cancer may be difficult due to an increased risk of intra-operative bleeding. Long-term prognosis after surgery was not affected by preceding endoscopic treatment in rectal cancer.

Background We present a cellular phone-enhanced GPS tracking system (GPS mobile with CTG-001G receiver triangulation) suitable for urban carnivores, in tandem with appropriate home range analysis, as an additional tracking technology option in metropolitan settings. We conduct this proof-of-concept study working with the management of introduced invasive raccoons in Japan (and conditions implicit to this control program). Results Each tracking period averaged 17 days, and a tracking accuracy of Conclusions As a proof of concept, these prototype collars were successful in tracking raccoons in the difficult suburban environment, where this system (CTG) made fixes against FOMA antennae-augmented GPS and yielded data that could support home range analysis. We advocate further research and development to refine this system, with broad application as a tool to diversify wildlife tracking technology options in urbanized environments, where synanthropic and/or invasive species can cause a nuisance warranting effective management.

Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article ( https://doi.org/10.1007/s10151-019-02065-z ) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

One-stage resections of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases have been reported to be feasible and safe. Minimally invasive approaches have become more common for both colorectal and hepatic surgeries. This study aimed to investigate outcomes of these combined surgical procedures among different approaches.We retrospectively analyzed patients diagnosed as having primary colorectal cancer with synchronous liver metastases and who underwent 1-stage primary resection and hepatectomy with curative intent in our hospital. According to the surgical approach for the primary tumor and hepatic lesions, namely open laparotomy (Op) or laparoscopic approach (Lap), patients were classified into Op-Op, Lap-Op (laparoscopic colorectal resection plus open hepatectomy), and Lap-Lap groups, respectively. Clinicopathological factors were reviewed, and short- and long-term outcomes were compared among the groups.The Op-Op, Lap-Op, and Lap-Lap groups comprised 36, 18, and 17 patients, respectively. The superior/posterior hepatic segments were more frequently resected via an open approach. There was no laparoscopic major hepatectomy. The median volume of intraoperative blood loss was smaller in the Lap-Lap and Lap-Op groups (290 and 270 mL) than in the Op-Op group (575 mL, P = .008). The hospital stay after surgery was shorter in the Lap-Lap and Lap-Op groups (median: 17 days and 15 days, vs 19 days for the Op-Op group, P = .033). The postoperative complication rates and survivals were similar among the groups.Application of laparoscopy to 1-stage resections of primary colorectal cancer and liver metastases may offer advantages of enhanced recovery from surgical treatment, given appropriate patient selection.

This paper investigates how to assign individuals to suitable positions effectively and fairly. Firstly, some related standard mathematical evaluation methods such as DEA, total ranking method based on DEA and consensus formation method are reviewed. Secondly, using these methods and combining them under multi-criteria and scenarios, in Ishii (2014) we proposed two allocation models to assign suitable individuals to suitable positions, i.e., a ranking data model with respect to each position and a scenario model. Modifying a previous paper and the relative distance method by Cook and Kress (1984), a new consensus method is then proposed and applied to these two models. These models are firstly transformed into a transportation problem with a special structure since our model assumes that the number of positions does not exceed that of individuals, that is, it includes the case in which the number of positions is insufficient to cover all individuals. The transportation problem is then transformed into the classic assignment problem. From an optimal solution of the assignment problem, an optimal allocation of individuals to positions is found for each model. Finally the paper concludes by showing the results and discussing applicability of the model to other allocation problems and to other evaluation methods that use linguistic terms denoting the suitability of individuals to positions.

Aim The rate of extension of proctitis in Western countries has been reported, but no data regarding long-term follow-up have been described for the Japanese population. Additionally, patients with long-standing or extensive ulcerative colitis have an increased risk for developing colorectal cancer. This study evaluated both the rate of extension of the disease and the development of neoplasia among patients with an initial diagnosis of ulcerative proctitis. Method We retrospectively investigated the medical charts of patients with proctitis from 1979 to 2014. The primary focus of this research was the extension of the inflammatory area. The secondary focus included risk factors for disease extension and the development of neoplasia. Results Sixty-six patients satisfied the inclusion criteria. Proximal extension of the disease occurred in 34 patients: 19 patients had left-sided colitis and 15 had pancolitis. According to a multivariate analysis, disease extension was significantly higher in patients with disease onset before 25 years of age (P-value = 0.043). The cumulative rates of disease extension at 10 and 20 years were 33.8% and 52.2%, respectively. Three patients were diagnosed with dysplasia during follow-up, all of whom experienced disease extension before the development of dysplasia. Conclusion The rate of extension of ulcerative colitis in the Japanese population was comparable to that in Western countries. A younger age of disease onset was associated with disease extension. Extension of proctitis may be associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer.

Few cases of recurrent colorectal carcinomas were treated non-surgically and cured. Here, we report 3 such cases. Case No. 1 was of a 66-year-old woman, who underwent ISR for very low rectal cancer. Her disease Stage was tub2, T2N0M0. Two years and 6 months later, she developed intrapelvic recurrence involving sacral bones(S1-S3). Radiotherapy of 50 Gy followed by mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab was administered for a year. She has been cancer-free for 6 years. Case No. 2 was of a 47-year-old man who underwent preoperative CRT of 40 Gy with 5-FU plus Leucovorin, and LAR was performed for very low rectal cancer. The disease Stage was tub2, T3N2M0. One year later, he was diagnosed with recurrent aortic lymph node metastasis. After 7 months of mFOLFOX6 with bevacizumab, he developed an anastomotic fistula. His chemotherapy was discontinued; he was cancer-free for 6 years. Case No. 3 was of a 56-year-old man who underwent TPE for low rectal cancer. The disease Stage was muc, T4b(urinary bladder)N0M1a(perianal skin). One year and 6 months later, he developed ileus and was diagnosed with intrapelvic recurrence. He underwent intestinal bypass operation, and CRT of 46 Gy with capecitabine was administered. He attained CR quickly, and was cancer-free for 5 years. Collecting similar cases to analyze the key to successful treatment is important.

We experienced 3 impressive colorectal cancer patients who developed peritoneal recurrences and underwent surgery several times and survived for more than 5 years. Case No. 1 was of a 44-year-old woman who underwent right hemicolectomy for her stage II A ascending colon cancer. She developed left ovarian metastasis, which was resected 3 years later. Five years later, she developed a pelvic peritoneal recurrence, which was resected successfully. Thirteen years later, she is doing well. Case No. 2 was of a 61-year-old man who underwent transverse colectomy for his stage II B colon cancer. He developed ileus 2 years 9 months later due to peritoneal recurrence, which was removed successfully. He underwent another resection for peritoneal metastasis 2 years 6 months later. He was administered 15 courses of FOLFOX6. He has remained cancer-free since 2009. Case No. 3 was of a 62-year-old man who underwent sigmoidectomy for his stage II A colon cancer. One year 8 months later, he underwent resection for a painful abdominal wall metastasis. Eight months later, he developed another abdominal wall recurrence, which was resected successfully. He underwent thoracoscopic resection 4 times for lung metastases and was given 16 courses of FOLFOX6. In 2009, he developed pelvic peritoneal nodules, which were resected. He later needed lymphadenectomy twice. He has remained cancer-free for the last 5 years and 6 months. Curative resection must be performed for a patient with peritoneal recurrence of colorectal cancer when surgery is indicated.

To evaluate the effectiveness of active management on ecological restoration of urban forest fragments, we investigated recovery of the native vegetation in an urban shrine forest in central Japan after complete removal of the invasive warm-temperate palm, Trachycarpus fortunei Wendl. Nine years after removal, stand density and basal area of the remaining tree species had recovered to pre-removal values. Number and basal area of native evergreen trees, such as Cinnamomum japonicum Sieb. and Ficus erectus Thunb., had increased, especially in the lowest canopy layer where T. fortunei had dominated. As a result, species composition of the shrub layer shifted from dominance by single invasive species (T. fortunei) to multiple native species. However, exotic species and escaped ornamentals, such as Lingustrum lucidum Ait. and Euronymus japonicus Thunb., had also increased, especially in the forest edge. Our results indicate that removal of invasive species contributes to recovery of native vegetation. However, to maintain near-natural conditions considered ideal for shrine forests, continuous monitoring and management will be needed to prevent invasion by exotic and ornamental species.

Total proctocolectomy with ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (IPAA) is the standard surgical treatment for patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term functional outcomes and quality of life (QOL) associated with hand-sewn and stapled IPAA. Ninety-one patients with UC had undergone IPAA using hand-sewn anastomosis with mucosectomy (32 patients) or stapled anastomosis (59 patients) from January 1988 to May 2010. Patients were evaluated according to patient characteristics, postoperative complications, functional outcomes and QOL. The QOL of patients were evaluated using the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Questionnaire (IBDQ). Numbers of patients with colorectal cancer or dysplasia were significantly greater in the hand-sewn IPAA group (P < 0.01). These patients had longer disease durations and were older (both P < 0.01). There was no difference in the incidence of complications between the groups, except for a greater incidence of postoperative anal fistula in the stapled group (P = 0.03). In the early postsurgery period, both the frequency of bowel movements and the rate of soiling were significantly higher in the hand-sewn group, but in a later period, there was no difference in these events >3 years after surgery. The SF-36 and IBDQ results were similar in the two groups, indicating that hand-sewn and stapled IPAA result in similar QOL in the late postoperative period. Postoperative complications, functional outcomes, and long-term QOL were similar in patients who had received hand-sewn or stapled IPAA.

Long-standing ulcerative colitis patients are known to be at high risk for the development of colorectal cancer. Therefore, surveillance colonoscopy has been recommended for these patients. Because colitis-associated colorectal cancer may be difficult to identify even by colonoscopy, a random biopsy method has been recommended. However, the procedure of carrying out a random biopsy is tedious and its effectiveness has also not yet been demonstrated. Instead, targeted biopsy with chromoendoscopy has gained popularity in European and Asian countries. Chromoendoscopy is generally considered to be an effective tool for ulcerative colitis surveillance and is recommended in the guidelines of the British Society of Gastroenterology and the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Although image-enhanced endoscopy, such as narrow-band imaging and autofluorescence imaging, has been investigated as a potential ulcerative colitis surveillance tool, it is not routinely applied for ulcerative colitis surveillance in its present form. The appropriate intervals of surveillance colonoscopy have yet to be determined. Although the Japanese and American guidelines recommend annual or biannual colonoscopy, the British Society of Gastroenterology and the European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation stratified their guidelines according to the risks of colorectal cancer. A randomized controlled trial comparing random and targeted biopsy methods has been conducted in Japan and although the final analysis is still ongoing, the results of this study should address this issue. In the present review, we focus on the current detection methods and characterization of dysplasia/cancer and discuss the appropriate intervals of colonoscopy according to the stratified risks.

We describe a case of type B insulin resistance syndrome associated with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) that was refractory to rituximab and successfully treated with a combination of oral glucocorticoids and cyclosporine. Prior to treatment, insulin resistance was severe, and application of a hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp was not possible despite the continuous intravenous infusion of insulin at a maximum rate of 9.0 mU/kg/min. The addition of cyclosporine to oral glucocorticoid therapy resulted in remission of insulin resistance. The combination of oral prednisolone and cyclosporine might be effective in treating type B insulin resistance syndrome, particularly in rituximab-resistant cases. However, nephrotoxicity is a particular concern for patients receiving long-term cyclosporine therapy.

To integrate human-disturbed hillslopes with the regional landscape, natural forest restoration has become an important objective of hillslope re-vegetation in Japan. At Kobe Municipal Sports Park (KMSP), seedlings of native species were planted in 1980 to restore semi-natural secondary forest (satoyama) in an urban setting. Here, we present 21 years of stand dynamics based on vegetation surveys conducted in 1992, 2000, and 2013 in two research plots (control and managed) at KMSP in relation to a reference forest to evaluate management effects and restoration success. Total basal area continued to increase in both the plots, but diameter-growth decreased in the control plot, whereas it continued to increase in the managed plot, which had been thinned by volunteers. In the control plot, which was planted at higher initial density than the managed plot, Quercus phillyraeoides (evergreen, mid-canopy tree) dominated the single-layered canopy and vertical development was delayed. In the managed plot, Quercus serrata (deciduous, canopy tree) dominated the upper canopy layer and evergreen broadleaved trees dominated the mid- to lower-canopy layers, resulting in a vertically well-developed canopy similar to the reference forest. The basal area of Robinia pseudoacacia decreased due to shading by evergreen trees, whereas that of Nerium oleander, an exotic species, had increased in the control plot. Ordination results indicated that vegetation of the control plot was diverging away from the reference forest, whereas thinning had directed the managed plot toward it. Our results confirm that simultaneously planting seedlings of native species does not lead to natural forest stand structure. In the future, adaptive management, such as periodic thinning, removal of shade-tolerant, exotic species and enrichment planting of native species, will be needed to integrate forest restoration sites with the surrounding mid-successional, secondary forest.

A problem of single machine parallel-batching problem with fuzzy due-date and fuzzy precedence relation is investigated. Each job has a positive processing time. Set-up times are assumed to be identical for all batches. All batch sizes cannot exceed a common upper bound. The length of a batch is equal to the largest processing time among all jobs in the batch. Fuzzy due-date denotes the degree of satisfaction with respect to completion times of jobs. Fuzzy precedence constraint expresses the satisfaction level about precedence between two jobs. The objective is to minimise maximum completion time, maximise the minimum value of desirability of the fuzzy due-date and the minimum value of desirability of the fuzzy precedence. First, we propose a fuzzy due-date and ordinary precedence model, which maximises the minimum satisfaction degree of fuzzy due-date. An efficient iterative algorithm based on Procedure HL is designed. On that basis, another efficient algorithm to seek non-dominated solution is presented...

120 Background: Which patients with lower rectal cancer are at risk of inguinal lymph node metastasis (ILNM) and how to treat ILNM remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify the predictors of ILNM and clinical significance of treatment for ILNM. Methods: Consecutive patients with rectal adenocarcinoma invading the anal canal who underwent curative surgery between 2003 and 2019 at a single institution were retrospectively reviewed. The pathological nodal involvement in mesorectal, lateral pelvic or inguinal lymph nodes (ILN) at the time of rectal surgery and of later onset were collectively defined as final nodal metastasis (f-LNM) in this study. Factors associated with f-LNM were analyzed. Moreover, the ‘modified therapeutic value index’ defined by the 5-year overall survival rate of patients treated against f-LNM multiplied by their frequency was calculated for each lymph node area. Results: A total of 145 patients were enrolled, among whom16 patients developed ILNM. For predicting f-ILNM, the cutoff 8.5 mm of ILN diameter gave area under the curve of 0.889. Dentate line involvement and ILN larger than a simplified cutoff of 8 mm were independently associated with the development of ILNM (odds ratio: 33.4 and 11.9, respectively). The modified therapeutic value indice of inguinal, lateral pelvic and mesorectal LNs in the entire population were 6.1, 8.2 and 20.3 points, respectively. In patients with dentate line invaded by cancer, they were 11.7, 5.8 and 16.2 points, respectively. Moreover, the index of ILN was 21.1 points when confined to patients with ILN larger than 8 mm. Conclusions: Dentate line involvement and ILN larger than 8 mm were predictive of developing ILNM in patients with rectal cancer invading the anal canal. Treatment of ILNM may be recommended for patients manifesting the above predictors, given the significant therapeutic outcomes.

We compared acclimation potential of three native, evergreen tree species to wind-exposure in an urban green-roof environment. One year after planting on the green roof, Machilus thunbergii retained all leaves and produced new leaves. In contrast, Fraxinus griffithii, and Quercus myrsinifolia shed all leaves but produced more new leaves than the previous year. After two years, current-year leaves of all three species had acclimated hydraulically (lower osmotic potentials at saturation and turgor loss) to wind-induced water stress and leaf number increased to four to eight times the initial amount. When trees were exposed to simulated winds in a greenhouse experiment, osmotic adjustment was observed for current-year leaves of M. thunbergii, whereas leaves of F. griffithii and Q. myrsinifolia had hydraulic traits more vulnerable to wind-induced water stress (higher osmotic potential and relative water content at turgor loss). We inferred that, M. thunbergii invests in hydraulic acclimation to retain current-year leaves in response to increased wind, whereas F. griffithii and Q. myrsinifolia allocate resources to new leaf production. Our results suggest both strategies achieve tree-level acclimation to wind exposure.

μ-Crystallin (CRYM) is also known as NADPH-dependent cytosolic T3-binding protein. A study using CRYM-null mice suggested that CRYM stores triiodothyronine (T3) in tissues. We previously established CRYM-expressing cells derived from parental GH3 cells. To examine the precise regulation of T3-responsive genes in the presence of CRYM, we evaluated serial alterations of T3-responsive gene expression by changing pericellular T3 concentrations in the media. We estimated the constitutive expression of three T3-responsive genes, growth hormone (GH), deiodinase 1 (Dio1), and deiodinase 2 (Dio2), in two cell lines. Subsequently, we measured the responsiveness of these three genes at 4, 8, 16, and 24 h after adding various concentrations of T3. We also estimated the levels of these mRNAs 24 and 48 h after removing T3. The levels of constitutive expression of GH and Dio1 were low and high in C8 cells, respectively, while Dio2 expression was not significantly different between GH3 and C8 cells. When treated with T3, Dio2 expression was significantly enhanced in C8 cells, while there were no differences in GH or Dio1 expression between GH3 and C8 cell lines. In contrast, removal of T3 retained the mRNA expression of GH and Dio2 in C8 cells. These results suggest that CRYM expression increases and sustains the T3 responsiveness of genes in cells, especially with alteration of the pericellular T3 concentration. The heterogeneity of T3-related gene expression is dependent on cellular CRYM expression in cases of dynamic changes in pericellular T3 concentration.

To determine risk factors for systemic air embolism by percutaneous computed tomography (CT)-guided lung biopsy.This case-control study used data from 2216 percutaneous lung biopsy procedures performed over 11 years at 12 institutions in Japan. Systemic air embolism was identified by retrospective review of CT images obtained during and immediately after the procedures. To fulfill our objective, multiple variables were compared between cases and controls with univariate analyses by using Student's t test and Fisher's exact test for numerical and categorical values, respectively. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was then performed using selected variables.Ten cases of systemic air embolism and 2,206 controls were identified. Univariate analyses showed that the lesions in the lower lobe (P = 0.025) and occurrence of parenchymal hemorrhage (P = 0.019) were significant risk factors. Multivariate analysis showed that the use of a larger biopsy needle was a significant risk factor (P = 0.014).Parenchymal hemorrhage during the procedure, lesions in the lower lobe, and the use of larger biopsy needles may be risk factors for systemic air embolism by percutaneous CT-guided lung biopsy. Our findings may provide clues toward minimizing the risk of this complication.

We conducted a study on the intercropping of mustard with four spice crops to evaluate whether intercropping is effective in suppressing the abundance of the mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi Kalt.). Eight intercropping systems (various combinations of mustard with onion, garlic, coriander and ajwain) were compared with mustard monoculture as the control. At different stages of crop growth, aphid abundance was significantly suppressed in the mustard + two rows of coriander intercropping system, while the abundance of the predator, ladybird beetle, increased relative to the control. Among the intercropping systems, mustard + two rows of coriander recorded the highest mustard equivalent yield (2311.5 kg/ha), gross return (US$ 1433.2/ha) and benefit–cost ratio (3.14 : 1.00), while these values were lowest for the control (987.5 kg/ha, $612.3/ha, and 1.27 : 1.00, respectively).

Although radiofrequency ablation for lung cancer is generally safe (with a mortality rate

Existing concepts and models for glucose‐stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) are overviewed and a newer perspective has been formulated toward the physiological understanding of GSIS. A conventional model has been created on the basis of in vitro data on application of a square wave high glucose in the absence of any other stimulatory inputs. Glucose elicits rapid insulin release through an adenosine triphosphate‐sensitive K+ channel (KATP channel)‐dependent mechanism, which is gradually augmented in a KATP channel‐independent manner. Biphasic GSIS thus occurs. In the body, the β‐cells are constantly exposed to stimulatory signals, such as glucagon‐like peptide 1 (GLP‐1), parasympathetic inputs, free fatty acid (FFA), amino acids and slightly suprathreshold levels of glucose, even at fasting. GLP‐1 increases cellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate, parasympathetic stimulation activates protein kinase C, and FFA, amino acids and glucose generate metabolic amplification factors. Plasma glucose concentration gradually rises postprandially under such tonic stimulation. We hypothesize that these stimulatory inputs together make the β‐cells responsive to glucose independently from its action on KATP channels. Robust GSIS in patients with a loss of function mutation of the sulfonylurea receptor, a subunit of KATP channels, is compatible with this hypothesis. Furthermore, pre‐exposure of the islets to an activator of protein kinase A and/or C makes β‐cells responsive to glucose in a KATP channel‐ and Ca2+‐independent manner. We hypothesize that GSIS occurs in islet β‐cells without glucose regulation of KATP channels in vivo, for which priming with cyclic adenosine monophosphate, protein kinase C and non‐glucose nutrients are required. To understand the physiology of GSIS, comprehensive integration of accumulated knowledge is required.

We retrospectively evaluated the accumulation of fluorodeoxy glucose (FDG) in pulmonary malignancies without local recurrence during 2-year follow-up on positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) after radiofrequency ablation (RFA). Thirty tumors in 25 patients were studied (10 non-small cell lung cancers;20 pulmonary metastatic tumors). PET/CT was performed before RFA, 3 months after RFA, and 6 months after RFA. We assessed the FDG accumulation with the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) compared with the diameters of the lesions. The SUVmax had a decreasing tendency in the first 6 months and, at 6 months post-ablation, FDG accumulation was less affected by inflammatory changes than at 3 months post-RFA. The diameter of the ablated lesion exceeded that of the initial tumor at 3 months post-RFA and shrank to pre-ablation dimensions by 6 months post-RFA. SUVmax was more reliable than the size measurements by CT in the first 6 months after RFA, and PET/CT at 6 months post-RFA may be more appropriate for the assessment of FDG accumulation than that at 3 months post-RFA.

Cytosolic 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine-binding protein plays pivotal roles in the regulation of intracellular 3,5,3'-triiodo-l-thyronine concentration in vivo. The expression of the protein, which is identical to μ-crystallin, is regulated by various factors. To elucidate the mechanisms of its expression, we evaluated the promoter transactivity and insulin signaling via the AP-1 site in the promoter. The isolated 600 bp human and 1976 bp mouse 5'-flanking regions were cloned in a luciferase reporter plasmid. The luciferase activity was estimated in GH3, dRLh-84, HEK293, and insulin receptor-overexpressing CHO-IR cells. The effects of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate and insulin on μ-crystallin mRNA expression were evaluated in various cells. The region between -200 and the transcriptional start site was crucial for constitutive expression in μ-crystallin-expressing dRLh-84 cells. This region contained an AP-1 site. 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate increased the level of μ-crystallin mRNA expression in HEK 293 cells. The compound also increased luciferase activity through the promoter. Mutation in the AP1 site diminished the response to the compound. The promoter was also activated by insulin treatment in CHO-IR cells. Insulin treatment increased μ-crystallin mRNA expression in Raw264.7 cells, but decreased in HEK293, P19, and dRLH-84 cells. The expression of μ-crystallin was regulated through the AP-1 site in the promoter. The signals related to AP-1 activation, such as insulin signaling may have diverse effects on μ-crystallin mRNA expression.

Because of their overwhelming size over other organisms, trees define the structural and energetic properties of forest ecosystems. From grasslands to forests, leaf area index, which determines the amount of light energy intercepted for photosynthesis, increases with increasing canopy height across the various terrestrial ecosystems of the world. In vertically well-developed forests, niche differentiation along the vertical gradient of light availability may promote species coexistence. In addition, spatial and temporal differentiation of photosynthetic traits among the coexisting tree species (functional diversity) may promote complementary use of light energy, resulting in higher biomass and productivity in multi-species forests. Trees have evolved retaining high phenotypic plasticity because the spatial/temporal distribution of resources in forest ecosystems is highly heterogeneous and trees modify their own environment as they increase nearly 1,000 times in size through ontogeny. High phenotypic plasticity may enable coexistence of tree species through divergence in resource-rich environments, as well as through convergence in resource-limited environments. We propose that the breadth of individual-level phenotypic plasticity, expressed at the metamer level (leaves and shoots), is an important factor that promotes species coexistence and resource-use complementarity in forest ecosystems. A cross-biome comparison of the link between plasticity of photosynthesis-related traits and stand productivity will provide a functional explanation for the relationship between species assemblages and productivity of forest ecosystems.

In pancreatic β-cells, glucose metabolism leads to closure of ATP sensitive K⁺ channels (K(ATP) channel) and Ca²⁺ influx, which is regarded as a required step for triggering of insulin release. Here, we demonstrate that glucose triggers rapid insulin release independent from its action on K(ATP) channels given the cellular cAMP is elevated. We measured insulin release from rat pancreatic islets by static and perifusion experiments. Changes in cytosolic free Ca²⁺ concentration ([Ca²⁺]i) were monitored using fura-2 loaded rat pancreatic β-cells. Glucose-induced insulin release was abolished when Ca²⁺ influx was inhibited by a combination of 250 μM diazoxide, an opener of K(ATP) channel, and 10 μM nifedipine, a blocker of L-type voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels. However, with both nifedipine and diazoxide, glucose induced a 5-fold increase in insulin release in the presence of 10 μM forskolin, an activator of adenylyl cyclase. In the presence of diazoxide, nifedipine, and forskolin, 22 mM glucose sharply increased the rate of insulin release within 2 min which peaked at 6 min: this was followed by a further gradual increase in insulin release. In contrast, it lowered [Ca(2+)]i with a nadir at 2-3 min followed by a gradual increase in [Ca²⁺]i. The glucose effect was mimicked by 20 mM α-ketoisocaproic acid, a mitochondrial fuel, and it was nullified by 2 mM sodium azide, an inhibitor of mitochondrial electron transport. Cerulenin, an inhibitor of protein acylation, decreased the glucose effect. In conclusion, a rise in [Ca²⁺]i through voltage-dependent Ca²⁺ channels is not mandatory for glucose-induced triggering of insulin release.

The present study was performed to develop a simple procedure for assessment of body temperature and to determine whether postprandial thermoregulation is related to metabolic regulation in diabetic patients.We examined 101 male and female subjects with diabetes. Axillary temperature was measured prior to and after all meals (3 meals per day) and self-recorded for 1 week. The averages were calculated. Positive postprandial thermoregulation (PPT) was defined as a pattern in which each of 3 average postprandial temperatures was higher than the corresponding 3 preprandial temperatures. Negative postprandial thermoregulation (NPT) was defined as the pattern except for PPT.A significant increase in postprandial temperature was observed. With the exception of high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol levels, there were no relationships between the categorized postprandial thermoregulation and other factors, including age, sex, body mass index, thyroid function, HbA1c, diabetic complications, lipid metabolism, and calorie intake. Logistic analysis indicated an independent positive relation between HDL-cholesterol and PPT.A simple method for measurement of body temperature indicated that HDL-cholesterol level was predominantly associated with thermic effects of food in diabetic patients, while other metabolic factors showed no such relations. HDL-cholesterol may affect the postprandial regulation of body temperature in diabetic patients.