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Based on results of nannofossil analysis and 10Be dating in ferromanganese crusts M1-1 and A1-1 (no nannofossils were found in it), from the western and central Pacific respectively, it is found that the crust growth ages from nannofossil biostratigraphy agree well with those based on 10Be isotope analysis. Both crusts have three growth layers, and the oldest layer was deposited in Miocene at about 12.80 Ma. The maximum, minimum, and average growth rates of crust A1-1 (from the central Pacific) are 8.11, 1.92 and 3.47 mm/Ma, and those of crust M1-1 (from the western Pacific) are 2.93, 0.47, and 0.94 mm/Ma. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Provides information on a study which examined the predicted protein structure of forkhead box genes from an embryonic cDNA library of medaka. Materials and methods; Sequencing of medaka Fox genes; Sequence comparison of the forkhead box.

The detection of nystagmus using video oculography experiences accuracy problems when patients who complain of dizziness have difficulty in fully opening their eyes. Pupil detection and tracking in this condition affect the accuracy of the nystagmus waveform. In this research, we design a pupil detection method using a pattern matching approach that approximates the pupil using a Mexican hat-type ellipse pattern, in order to deal with the aforementioned problem. We evaluate the performance of the proposed method, in comparison with that of a conventional Hough transform method, for eye movement videos retrieved from Gifu University Hospital. The performance results show that the proposed method can detect and track the pupil position, even when only 20% of the pupil is visible. In comparison, the conventional Hough transform only indicates good performance when 90% of the pupil is visible. We also evaluate the proposed method using the Labelled Pupil in the Wild (LPW) data set. The results show that the proposed method has an accuracy of 1.47, as evaluated using the Mean Square Error (MSE), which is much lower than that of the conventional Hough transform method, with an MSE of 9.53. We conduct expert validation by consulting three medical specialists regarding the nystagmus waveform. The medical specialists agreed that the waveform can be evaluated clinically, without contradicting their diagnoses.

Summary: Dupilumab an inhibitor of the interleukin (IL)-4R-alpha subunit is used for the treatment of allergic diseases. The patient was a 49-year-old man who received dupilumab for the treatment of severe atopic dermatitis. He presented hyperthyroidism with elevated thyroglobulin and anti-thyroid antibody negativity at 4 months after the initiation of therapy. On scintigraphy, the thyroid radioiodine uptake was low. Ultrasonography showed a diffuse hypoechoic area in the thyroid gland. A pathological study revealed lymphocytic infiltration. The administration of dupilumab was continued because of his atopic dermatitis that showed an excellent response. The patient`s hyperthyroidism changed to hypothyroidism 3 weeks later. Six months later his thyroid function normalized without any treatment. We herein describe the case of a patient with atopic dermatitis who developed painless thyroiditis under treatment with dupilumab. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of this event in the literature., Learning Points: Dupilumab, a fully human monoclonal antibody that blocks interleukin-4 and interleukin-13, has been shown to be effective in the treatment atopic dermatitis and asthma with eosinophilia. Painless thyroiditis is characterized by transient hyperthyroidism and hypothyroidism and recovery without anti-thyroid treatment. This is the first report of painless thyroiditis as an adverse effect of dupilumab, although conjunctivitis and nasopharyngitis are the main adverse effects of dupilumab.

The aim of this research is to quantify individual willingness-to-pay (WTP) to test effectiveness of Digital terrestrial broadcasting elderly tele-care system.We used contingent valuation method (CVM) to estimate the WTP for this system among 400 citizens living in Japan. The median WTP for this services's monthly fee is estimated to be 431 JPY. The finding suggests that people who cares their health were pay more to use this system.

Rhabdoid glioblastoma (RGBM) is rare, but the most malignant among astrocytic tumors. Accumulating evidence indicates its highly aggressive nature and distinct histopathological features. Here, we report a new case of RGBM and review previously reported cases of astrocytic tumors with rhabdoid components. We describe a 58-year-old man who presented with aphasia and right-sided weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a well-delineated intramedullary tumor in the left cerebral hemisphere. Partial resection of the tumor was performed. The tumor was histologically found to contain two distinct areas: a typical glioblastoma, and a rhabdoid component. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and focal loss of the INI1 protein in rhabdoid cells, although fluorescence in situ hybridization analysis showed no loss of the INI1 gene. Despite subsequent radiochemotherapy for the glioblastoma, the patient died 4.3 months after surgery. Our literature review illustrates the aggressive clinical course and histopathological features of these tumors with GFAP and INI1 expression. INI1 protein dysfunction may be a possible cause of the rhabdoid phenotype. Gross total resection of the tumor and intensive radiochemotherapy may lead to better survival outcomes.

A female in her twenties was found dead in her room. She had received medications for depression and panic disorder, and had attemped suicide several times. Many packets of prescribed drugs, including paroxetine, were found near the corpse. At autopsy, the lungs were edematous. The organs were slightly congested with putrefactive change. Autolytic rupture, considered as gastromalasia, was observed in the anterior cardiac portion of stomach wall. Toxicological examination revealed 0.78, 3.20 and 17.63 microg/ml of paroxetine in the heart blood, femoral blood and urine, respectively. Acetaminophen and phenobarbital were also identified within therapeutic or sub-lethal levels. Taking into consideration postmortem diffusion of drugs, we evaluated postmortem data and concluded that the death was mainly due to toxicity of paroxetine with serotonin syndrome.

We report the case of a 76-year-old woman who developed a colonic adenocarcinoma and a stone in an Indiana pouch 15 years after the urinary diversion. The colonic adenocarcinoma was treated endoscopically and we were able to preserve the Indiana pouch. To our knowledge, this is the sixth case of colonic adenocarcinoma in an Indiana pouch.

We present here a case of sepsis due to infectious endocarditis in a methamphetamine abuser. A 32 year-old male presented high fever and abdominal pain last two weeks. He was admitted to the hospital on the diagnosis of infectious endocarditis. In the evening on the day of admission, he suddenly collapsed. Despite of cardiopulmonary resuscitation, his death was confirmed. From the autopsy findings, toxicological analysis and results of the microbiological examination, we concluded that the cause of death was septic shock due to infectious endocarditis, presumably based on the methamphetamine abuse. The result obtained from microbiological examination gave us useful information. We shall have to be on the lookout, not only for acute poisoning, but also for cases of drug abuse related deaths.

Genetic factors may contribute to the development of bronchial asthma. However, results of traditional epidemiological studies have not clarified exactly which genes are involved. Recent advances in molecular genetics have resulted in the discovery of some candidate genes. Although there is still only a little information about the role of these genes in the development of asthma, we attempted to classify asthma based on genetics and here we present one example of such a classification. Classification of asthma based on genetics may be useful in screening for people susceptible to asthma and in developing prophylactic procedures. It may also enhance our understanding of the mechanisms of asthma and may promote the development of new therapeutic strategies.

Late occlusive complication of implanted graft may occur 6 months to 5 years after operation. The most frequent cause of this condition is considered to be an intimal thickening at the anastomotic sites. The relationship between this intimal thickening and cholesterol feeding in rabbits was investigated. Twenty eight male New Zealand White Rabbits were assigned following 4 groups. Group 1: given 0.1% cholesterol containing rabbit pellets after denudation of endothelium Group 2: given standard laboratory rabbit pellets after denudation Group 3: given 0.1% cholesterol rabbit pellets without denudation Group 4: given standard rabbit pellets without denudation Anterior half of infrarenal abdominal aorta of all rabbits was incised and then continuous over and over suture was carried out. Three months later, rabbits were killed and specimens were obtained. In group 1, 3 specimens out of 7 were found significant intimal thickening near anastomosis, whereas, in group 2 specimens showed regular thickening which seemed to be affected by denudation of endothelium. In group 3, intimal thickening localized only near anastomosis was found. From these results, we concluded intimal thickening at the anastomotic sites can be considered as the initial stage of atherosclerosis and cholesterol would be one of the important factors which promote this thickening.