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Regional magnetic data in the southeastern segment of the Nigerian Niger Delta were evaluated with the aim of mapping deep-seated tectonic elements. Enhanced filtering operations and 3D forward modelling were applied on the magnetic data. These geologic features triggered the formation of rollover anticlines and faults that serve as structural traps in the study area. The filtered residual magnetic data revealed geologic structures characterized with NE - SW, N - S, and E - W orientations. The 3-D models detected the faulted crustal blocks, gradient zones, and intra-basement compositional magnetic variations. Furthermore, some prominent horst and graben structures as well as related normal faults characterized with distinct magnetic signatures were observed. Faults of base magnetic (of various compositions) were observed to be the fabricating mechanisms of the magnetic anomalies. Collectively, these structures influenced the patterns of magnetic anomalies with direct effects on the hydrocarbon trapping systems, as well as the pathways and accumulation zones for hydrothermal minerals. On the whole, the interpreted results revealed that the basement surface is rippling. Additionally, the depth result showed sedimentary thicknesses that ranged from 4–10 km. Again, the estimated crustal thickness varied from 14 to 19 km. This study has displayed the capabilities of the magnetic method in mapping the depth and configuration of basement rocks, which are crucial in controlling the formation of structural traps. Identifying these basement structures early helps in understanding the overall geological framework and potential hydrocarbon systems.

Regional magnetic data in the southeastern segment of the Nigerian Niger Delta were evaluated with the aim of mapping deep-seated tectonic elements. Enhanced filtering operations and 3D forward modelling were applied on the magnetic data. These geologic features triggered the formation of rollover anticlines and faults that serve as structural traps in the study area. The filtered residual magnetic data revealed geologic structures characterized with NE -- SW, N -- S, and E -- W orientations. The 3-D models detected the faulted crustal blocks, gradient zones, and intra-basement compositional magnetic variations. Furthermore, some prominent horst and graben structures as well as related normal faults characterized with distinct magnetic signatures were observed. Faults of base magnetic (of various compositions) were observed to be the fabricating mechanisms of the magnetic anomalies. Collectively, these structures influenced the patterns of magnetic anomalies with direct effects on the hydrocarbon trapping systems, as well as the pathways and accumulation zones for hydrothermal minerals. On the whole, the interpreted results revealed that the basement surface is rippling. Additionally, the depth result showed sedimentary thicknesses that ranged from 4-10 km. Again, the estimated crustal thickness varied from 14 to 19 km. This study has displayed the capabilities of the magnetic method in mapping the depth and configuration of basement rocks, which are crucial in controlling the formation of structural traps. Identifying these basement structures early helps in understanding the overall geological framework and potential hydrocarbon systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We developed five microsatellite primer pairs for the yellowtail Seriola quinqueradiata. The loci were highly polymorphic, with eight to 14 alleles per locus, and can be used to study kinship and/or population structure. Many of these primer pairs amplified polymorphic loci in cross-species amplification tests for two other Seriola species ( S. lalandi and S. dumerili). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate who needs a careful postoperative monitoring for prostate cancer (PCa) after holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP). We examined characteristics and oncological outcomes of HoLEP-related PCa., Methods: Patients who underwent HoLEP during 2002-2017 in a Japanese tertiary center were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into non-PCa, PCa with HoLEP specimen (PCa-Ope), and PCa diagnosed during follow-up (PCa-Post). Outcomes of all HoLEP-related PCa were monitored., Results: Of the total 758, 60 (7.9%) were diagnosed with PCa from resected specimen of HoLEP and 9 (1.2%) were diagnosed postoperatively. Preoperative prostate-specific antigen (iPSA), postoperative PSA (pPSA), and PSA density were significantly higher in both PCa groups than those in non-PCa group. While iPSA significantly correlated to prostate volume (PV), pPSA was not associated with PV. A receiver-operating-characteristics curve demonstrated that pPSA 1.2 ng/mL achieved the optimal cut-off (AUC 0.95) for the incidence of PCa-Post. In addition to the incidence of PCa and iPSA, lower enucleation efficiency (enucleated volume /PV) was significantly associated with pPSA >1.2 ng/mL. Among PCa-Ope, 51 were Grade Group (GG) ≤2 and 42 were followed-up with active surveillance, whereas 8 of 9 PCa-Post were GG ≥3 and 2 progressed to death., Conclusions: Patients undergoing HoLEP are associated with some risk of potential PCa. While oncological outcomes were favorable among PCa-Ope, postoperative PSA should be carefully monitored even if not diagnosed with PCa with HoLEP specimen. Enucleation efficiency should be also considered not to misread pPSA value., (© 2023 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Objectives: To investigate how much minimal residual membranous urethral length (mRUL) and maximal urethral length (MUL) measured on MRI preoperatively affect postoperative urinary incontinence (PUI) and recovery in robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP) and open radical prostatectomy (ORP)., Methods: The subjects were 190 and 110 patients undergoing RARP and ORP, respectively, in our institution. Patients underwent preoperative MRI for prostate cancer evaluation and completed the quality of life questionnaire of the Expanded Prostate Cancer Index Composite instrument before and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The parameters of mRUL and MUL were measured on MRI and analyzed along with other parameters including age, body mass index, and nerve sparing., Results: The median mRUL and MUL were 7.81 and 14.27 mm in the RARP group and 7.15 and 13.57 mm in the ORP group, respectively. Recovery rates from PUI were similar in the two groups. Multivariate analyses showed that mRUL was a predictor of baseline continence, whereas shorter MUL was a predictor of poor recovery from PUI. Patients with both shorter mRUL and MUL had significantly worse recoveries from PUI after RARP and ORP than patients with longer mRUL and MUL., Conclusions: Minimal residual membranous urethral length contributes to urethral function as basal urinary continence, whereas MUL represents the potential of recovery from PUI in RARP and ORP. The MUL measured by preoperative MRI can predict poor recovery from PUI after radical prostatectomy and combined evaluation of MUL and mRUL support to anticipate poor recovery of PUI., (© 2022 The Japanese Urological Association.)

Background: Multiple medication use among older patients is reported to increase fracture risk. But this association is unclear in different subgroups and has not been confirmed by a case-crossover study, which can eliminate measurable and unmeasurable time-invariant confounders., Objective: To estimate the fragility fracture risk associated with concurrent use of multiple central nervous system (CNS) agents in older patients using a case-crossover design., Methods: This study targeted almost all patients aged ≥65 years in Japan who incurred fragility fractures from May 2013 to September 2014, based on the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan (NDB Japan). Conditional logistic regression analysis estimated the risk of fragility fracture associated with the daily number of CNS agents, including subgroup analyses stratified by sex, age, and fracture location., Results: For 446,101 patients, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of fragility fracture increased almost linearly with number of CNS agents; 0, 0-1, 1-2, 2-3, 3-4, 4-5, and >5: OR reference, 1.21 (95% confidence interval, 1.18-1.23), 1.40 (1.35-1.46), 1.58 (1.49-1.67), 1.89 (1.74-2.05), 1.80 (1.60-2.03), and 1.90 (1.61-2.23; trend p < 0.001), respectively. A similar trend was observed for several subgroups, especially in males and those aged ≥85 years, showing marked linearity., Conclusions: The increased risk of fragility fracture associated with the use of multiple CNS agents was robust in older people in Japan., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Basal cell carcinoma of the prostate is a rare prostate malignancy. Its diagnosis and treatment have not been well established yet., Case Presentation: An 80-year-old man was referred to our hospital for undergoing holmium laser enucleation of the prostate with persistent lower urinary tract symptoms. Ultrasonography showed enlarged prostate (41.3 cc) with mid-lobe hypertrophy. His prostate-specific antigen and testosterone levels were 0.437 ng/mL and 873 ng/dL, respectively. Histological examination of the enucleated tissue confirmed basal cell carcinoma. The cells were positive for bcl-2, 34βE12, p63, and cytokeratin 5/6. Ki-67 labeling index was 5%. Subsequent staging computed tomography scan and bone scintigram showed neither lymph node nor distant metastasis. Currently, the patient is under close follow-up with imaging, endoscopy, and urodynamic study., Conclusion: It is difficult for physicians to detect prostate basal cell carcinoma before benign prostatic hyperplasia surgery. In case of organ-confined disease, age and Ki-67 labeling index could be suggestive of subsequent treatment decision-making., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (© 2021 The Authors. IJU Case Reports published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd on behalf of the Japanese Urological Association.)

Aims/introduction: Recent randomized clinical trials have suggested that sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors might reduce cardiovascular events and heart failure, and have renal protective effects. Despite these remarkable benefits, the effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitors on bone and muscle are unclear., Materials and Methods: A subanalysis of a randomized controlled study was carried out to evaluate the effects of the sodium-glucose cotransporter 2 inhibitor, ipragliflozin, versus metformin on bone and muscle in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (baseline body mass index ≥22 kg/m 2 and hemoglobin A1c 7-10%) who were already receiving sitagliptin. These patients were randomly administered ipragliflozin 50 mg or metformin 1,000-1,500 mg daily. The effects of these medications on the bone formation marker, bone alkali phosphatase; the bone resorption marker, tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b); handgrip strength; abdominal cross-sectional muscle area; and bone density of the fourth lumbar vertebra were evaluated., Results: After 24 weeks of treatment, the changes in bone density of the fourth lumbar vertebra, handgrip strength and abdominal cross-sectional muscle area were not significantly different between the two groups. However, TRACP-5b levels increased in patients treated with ipragliflozin compared with patients treated with metformin (median 11.94 vs -10.30%, P < 0.0001), showing that ipragliflozin can promote bone resorption., Conclusions: There were no adverse effects on bone or muscle when sitagliptin was used in combination with either ipragliflozin or metformin. However, ipragliflozin combination increased the levels of TRACP-5b. A long-term study is required to further understand the effects of this TRACP-5b increase caused by ipragliflozin., (© 2020 The Authors. Journal of Diabetes Investigation published by Asian Association for the Study of Diabetes (AASD) and John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.)

Central nervous system (CNS) agents cause fractures among the elderly, but fracture risks of a wide range of CNS agent classes have not been analyzed in a study with the same population and definitions of variables. This study aimed to estimate the degree of fragility fracture risk of a wide range of CNS agent classes in elderly Japanese people. A case-crossover design study, with a case window and three control windows of 3 d each, as well as longer windows up to 15 d, was conducted among opioid non-users who lived without hospitalization for ≥13 months and incurred fragility fractures at ≥65 years of age, using the National Database of Health Insurance Claims and Specific Health Checkups of Japan. Conditional logistic regression estimated adjusted odds ratios (ORs) of CNS agent classes for fragility fractures for groups including and excluding users of pro re nata CNS agents (PRN-CNS agents) and for windows of 3-15 d. Antiepileptic agents had the highest adjusted ORs, 2.4 (95% confidence interval 2.3-2.5) for the group including PRN-CNS agent users (n = 446101). The next-highest classes were anti-dementia agents 1.5 (1.5-1.6), antipsychotics 1.5 (1.4-1.6), anti-Parkinson agents 1.3 (1.2-1.5), and antidepressants 1.1 (1.1-1.2). Similar ORs were found when PRN-CNS agent users were excluded (n = 352828), and slightly higher ORs were found for longer windows, with almost the same order of classes. Elderly individuals who use antiepileptic agents or a combination of antiepileptic agents and CNS agent classes with the next-highest ORs should be carefully monitored.

A prospective, multicentre, open-label, blinded-endpoint, randomized controlled study was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of treatment with ipragliflozin (sodium-dependent glucose transporter-2 inhibitor) versus metformin for visceral fat reduction and glycaemic control among Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes treated with sitagliptin, HbA1c levels of 7%-10%, and body mass index (BMI) ≥ 22 kg/m 2 . Patients were randomly assigned (1:1) to receive ipragliflozin 50 mg or metformin 1000-1500 mg daily. The primary outcome was change in visceral fat area as measured by computed tomography after 24 weeks of therapy. The secondary outcomes were effects on glucose metabolism and lipid metabolism. Mean percentage reduction in visceral fat area was significantly greater in the ipragliflozin group than in the metformin group (-12.06% vs. -3.65%, P = 0.040). Ipragliflozin also significantly reduced BMI, subcutaneous fat area, waist circumference, fasting insulin, and homeostatic model assessment (HOMA)-resistance, and increased HDL-cholesterol levels. Metformin significantly reduced HbA1c and LDL-cholesterol levels and increased HOMA-beta. There were no severe adverse events. The use of ipragliflozin or metformin in combination with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors, widely used in Japan, may have beneficial effects in ameliorating multiple cardiovascular risk factors., (© 2019 The Authors. Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)