Data of subsurface velocity structures beneath the Japan Islands retrieved from horizontal-to-vertical ratios of earthquake with diffuse field concept.

The present data are subsurface velocity structures retrieved by applying the theory of diffuse field concept to the strong motion data of earthquakes observed at 1744 sites of K-NET and KiK-net (operated by the National Institute of Earth Science and Disaster Resilience) in Japan. Additionally, the data include peak fundamental and predominant frequencies as identified from the observed and theoretical horizontal-to-vertical spectral ratios for earthquakes (eHVSR). Based on our novel proposed quarter wavelength approach, we could define the effective bedrock depths and correlate them with the corresponding peak frequencies.

Identifying the Essential Portions of the Skill Acquisition Process Using Item Response Theory.

Objective: Item response theory (IRT) was originally developed to make performance assessments more accurate. However, IRT analysis of the intraoperative performance of surgical trainees could help identify the elements that the trainees find difficult during the skill acquisition process. The aim of this study was to identify the essential portions of the skill acquisition process of a surgical procedure using the IRT.

Development of a novel training system for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair.

Laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair is considered technically difficult. Although a simulation-based curriculum has been developed to help trainees, access to simulation training outside North America is limited. This study aimed to develop an educational system for the transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) approach based on the TAPP checklist, an assessment tool we had developed and validated earlier.

Simple rules for construction of a geometric nest structure by pufferfish.

A small (~10 cm) male pufferfish (Torquigener albomaculosus) builds a large (~2 m) sandy nest structure, resembling a mysterious crop circle, to attract females. The circle consists of radially arranged deep ditches in the outer ring region, and maze-like shallow ditches in the central region. The configuration is geometrical.

Educational system based on the TAPP checklist improves the performance of novices: a multicenter randomized trial.

Background: Despite recent developments in surgical education, obstacles including inadequate budget, limited human resources, and a scarcity of time have limited its widespread adoption. To provide systematic training for laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair, we had previously developed and validated a checklist to evaluate the recorded performance of transabdominal preperitoneal (TAPP) repair. We had also developed an educational system that included didactic materials based on the TAPP checklist and incorporated remote evaluation and feedback system.

Validation of histological diagnostic methods for detecting endothelin B receptor expression.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) has an extremely poor prognosis. Recently, it was reported that the endothelin B receptor (ETBR) of tumor endothelial cells prevents antitumor immunity. However, the immuno-histochemistry (IHC) conditions required to detect ETBR expression remain unclear.

Left upper lobectomy can be a risk factor for thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump.

Background: Thrombosis in the left upper pulmonary vein stump after left upper lobectomy is a very rare but important complication because it occurs in the systemic circulation system. We previously made the first ever report on the frequency and risk factors of thrombosis in the pulmonary vein stump after lobectomy. In this study, we conducted an investigation in a different hospital to determine whether this was a common complication.

Role of huge geometric circular structures in the reproduction of a marine pufferfish.

We report that male pufferfishes (Torquigener sp., Tetraodontidae) constructed large geometric circular structures on the seabed that played an important role in female mate choice. Males dug valleys at various angles in a radial direction, constructing nests surrounded by radially aligned peaks and valleys.

[A case of serous cystadenoma of the pancreas communicating with the main pancreatic duct synchronously diagnosed with pancreatic ductal carcinoma].

A 65-year-old woman who had been followed up for a cystic lesion of the tail of the pancreas was found to have cancer of the body of the pancreas. ERP showed stenosis of the main pancreatic duct (MPD) with dilatation of the distal side of the duct, and communication between the cystic lesion and MPD. She underwent distal pancreatectomy under a diagnosis of intraductal papillary-mucinous neoplasm associated with cancer of the body of the pancreas.

Pulmonary embolism caused by intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery.

We herein report the case of a 39-year-old woman with a pulmonary embolism caused by intimal sarcoma of the pulmonary artery. She presented with shortness of breath and leg edema. Computed tomography showed a low density area that extended from the main pulmonary artery to the bilateral pulmonary arteries.

Differential LC-MS-based proteomics of surgical human cholangiocarcinoma tissues.

Cholangiocarcinoma is an intractable cancer for which there is no effective therapy other than surgical resection, and many patients are not candidates for this treatment. Even for patients who undergo surgical resection, the 5-year survival rate is low. One reason for this is that the disease is often detected in late stages.