Concentrations and biological half-life of radioactive cesium in epigeic earthworms after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident.

To understand the long-term behavior of radiocesium in the biological processes of a forest ecosystem, its concentration in Japanese epigeic earthworms (Megascolecidae), litter, and soil, and the ambient dose equivalent rates, were investigated after the Fukushima Dai-ichi Nuclear Power Plant accident. The metabolism of radiocesium in the earthworms was also investigated in the laboratory, and its biological half-life (T) was estimated. The concentration of Cs in the habitat soil and litter changed from 2014 to 2016, with levels in the litter going from 44.

Seasonal Occurrence and Interspecific Interactions of Egg Parasitoids of Megacopta cribraria (Heteroptera: Plataspidae) in Japan.

We conducted a field study to determine seasonal egg parasitism rates of the kudzu bug Megacopta cribraria (F.) on the kudzu plant, Pueraria montana (Lour.) Merr.

Erratum to: 36th International Symposium on Intensive Care and Emergency Medicine: Brussels, Belgium. 15-18 March 2016.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s13054-016-1208-6.].

Radioactive contamination of arthropods from different trophic levels in hilly and mountainous areas after the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident.

In order to understand the influence of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident on the ecosystem in hilly and mountainous areas of Fukushima Prefecture, chronological changes in the levels of radiocesium in arthropod species were investigated. From 2012 to 2014, arthropods from different trophic levels were sampled and the air radiation dose rates at the sampling sites were analyzed. The air radiation dose rates showed a significant and constant reduction over the 2 years at the sampling sites in Fukushima.

Identification of sex pheromone components of the box tree pyralid, Glyphodes perspectalis.

Analysis of ovipositor extracts of the box tree pyralid, Glyphodes perspectalis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), by coupled gas chromatography-electroantennogram detection and gas chromatography yielded three candidate pheromone compounds. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, and reaction with dimethyl disulfide (DMDS), identified these compounds as (Z)-11-hexadecenal (Z11-16:Ald), (E)-11-hexadecenal (E11-16:Ald), and (Z)-11-hexadecenol (Z11-16:OH). The ratio of these three compounds in crude extract was 5:1.

Extradigital glomus tumor causing para-Achilles tendon pain. A case report.

A 48-year-old woman with a 15-year history of a painful nodule in the para-Achilles tendon area was evaluated by clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasonography, then treated by simple surgical excision of the nodule. Pathology revealed a glomus tumor, which is extremely rare in the para-Achilles tendon area. This is the first report of a glomus tumor in this location.