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BACKGROUND: The correlation between fine surface patterns of gastric mucosal lesions and early gastric cancer is not sufficiently clear. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of surface pattern classification by enhanced-magnification endoscopy (EME) for identifying early gastric cancers. DESIGN: Observational study. SETTING: All procedures were performed at Mie University Hospital. PATIENTS: A total of 380 consecutive patients who underwent EGD by using magnification endoscopy. Among these subjects were found 250 newly detected lesions suspected of being gastric cancer. METHODS: Conventional magnification endoscopy (CME), magnification chromoendoscopy (MCE), and EME were performed, and surface patterns of lesions were classified into 5 types: type I, small round pits of uniform size and shape; type II, slit-like pits; type III, gyrus and villous patterns; type IV, irregular arrangement and size; and type V, destructive pattern. Biopsy specimens were obtained from all lesions. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Correlation between surface pattern classification by EME and histopathologic findings of early gastric cancer. RESULTS: Surface patterns were evident by CME/MCE in only 66.4% (166/250) of lesions but in 100% (250/250) of lesions by EME. Classification by EME was as follows: type I, 52 lesions; type II, 12; type III, 146; type IV, 32; and type V, 8. By histopathologic examination, 16 early gastric cancers were detected between type IV or V lesions. Thus, classification of types IV-V strongly correlated with the presence of gastric cancer (sensitivity 100%, specificity 89.7%). LIMITATIONS: Single-center study. CONCLUSIONS: Surface pattern classification by EME may be useful for identifying early gastric cancers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study discusses a method of evaluating multiaxial creep damage for high temperature components subjected to multiaxial creep damage utilizing a miniature creep testing. A new model of the damage evaluation is proposed based on a linear creep damage accumulation and von Mises equivalent stress being a measure of multiaxial creep damage. The model clearly indicates that conventional creep damage evaluation methods utilizing a unidirectional miniature creep testing give an unconservative estimate in some cases for multiaxially creep damaged components. To verify the appropriateness of the proposed model, multiaxial creep tests were performed using cruciform specimens of a Mod.9Cr-1Mo steel. Miniature specimens in two directions were machined from a pre-damaged cruciform specimen and the uniaxial creep rupture lifetimes of the miniature specimens demonstrate the validity of the proposed model.

Background: Cactus contains dietary fiber and minerals and is expected to have preventive effects against diabetes, arteriosclerosis, and other diseases. Additionally, cactus intake induces the production of short-chain fatty acids derived from the gut microbiota, which might influence immune functions. In this study, we examined the effects of a cactus ( Nopalea cochenillifera : NC)-supplemented diet on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced immune responses and intestinal barrier function., Methods: Male C3H/HeN mice were randomly divided into three groups-no fiber (NF), cellulose-containing fiber (Cellu), and cactus-added (NC) diets-for 6 weeks. The TNF-α and IL-10 responses to LPS, antibody titers, and intestinal barrier function, as well as the fecal microbiota, were analyzed., Results: The plasma TNF-α but not the IL-10 concentrations were significantly higher in the NC group than in the NF and Cellu groups. Furthermore, the plasma IgG antibody titers were significantly higher in the NC group than in the other groups. The NC group showed higher mucin content and IgA antibody titers in their feces compared with the Cellu group. The succinate and lactate contents, which induce a reduction in TNF-α secretion by macrophages, in the cecum of the NC group were significantly lower than those in the Cellu and NF groups. In contrast, the butyrate content was significantly higher in the cecum of the NC group compared to that of the Cellu group, with a significantly higher relative abundance of butyrate-producing bacteria., Conclusions: Taken together, we found that cactus intake regulates innate and adaptive immune function via the gut microbiota in mice. Therefore, cactus supplementation might serve as a strategy to develop novel functional foods with dietary fiber.

Edible canna rhizomes contain extremely high levels of resistant starch among cereals and potatoes. We previously showed that feeding canna rhizome starch to mice may increase intestinal barrier function and improve the intestinal environment. Here, we investigated the effects of canna starch intake in a murine food allergy model. Five-week-old female BALB/c mice were divided into four groups: Control and OVA groups fed on the control diet (AIN-93G) ad libitum and Canna and OVA-Canna groups fed on the canna diet (AIN-93G with 10% replaced with canna starch). The OVA and OVA-Canna groups were sensitized to ovalbumin (OVA), and the anaphylactic response was assessed by measuring body temperature. Body temperature was significantly lower in the OVA group than in the non-sensitized group, but no decrease was observed in the OVA-Canna group. Fecal weight, fecal mucin content, and goblet cells of colorectal tissue were significantly increased in the Canna and OVA-Canna groups compared with those in the Control and OVA groups. Allergen uptake into the liver was also increased in the OVA group and decreased in the OVA-Canna group to the same level as in the non-sensitized group. These results indicate that canna starch supplementation in a murine food allergy model suppresses anaphylactic symptoms by improving the intestinal environment and reducing allergen uptake by increasing intestinal barrier function.

Background: For normothermic ex vivo heart perfusion (EVHP), a resting mode and working mode have been proposed. We newly developed a left ventricular assist device (LVAD) mode that supports heart contraction by co-pulse synchronized LVAD., Methods: Following resting mode during time 0 to 1 hour, pig hearts (n = 18) were perfused in either resting, working, or LVAD mode during time 1 to 5 hour, and then myocardial function was evaluated in working mode at 6 hour. The preservation ratio was defined as the myocardial mechanical function at 330 minute divided by the function at 75 minute. In LVAD mode, LVAD unloaded the pressure and the volume in the left ventricle in the systolic phase., Results: The LVAD group was significantly associated with higher preservation ratios in cardiac output (resting, 33 ± 3; working, 35 ± 5; LVAD, 76% ± 5%; p < 0.001), stroke work, dP/dt maximum, and dP/dt minimum compared with the other groups. Glucose consumption was significantly reduced in the resting group. The LVAD group was significantly associated with higher myocardial oxygen consumption (resting, 2.2 ± 0.3; working; 4.6 ± 0.5; LVAD, 6.1 ± 0.5 mL O 2 /min/100 g, p < 0.001) and higher adenosine triphosphate (ATP) levels (resting, 1.1 ± 0.1; working, 0.7 ± 0.1; LVAD, 1.6 ± 0.2 μmol/g, p = 0.001) compared with the others., Conclusion: These data suggest that myocardial mechanical function was better preserved in LVAD mode than in resting and working modes. Although our data suggested similar glycolysis activity in the LVAD and working groups, the higher final ATP in the LVAD group might be explained by reduced external work in LVAD., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)