Factors associated with seedling establishment on logs of different fungal decay types-A seed-sowing experiment.

Wood decay fungi alter the abiotic and biotic properties of deadwood, which are important as nurse logs for seedling regeneration. However, the relationship between fungal decay type and seedling performance has not been evaluated experimentally. In this study, we examined the germination, growth, and survival of six arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) and six ectomycorrhizal (ECM) tree species on three substrates (pine logs with brown and white rot and soil) by conducting seed-sowing experiments in a mixed forest dominated by and .

A case of malignant peritoneal mesothelioma with a Fitz-Hugh-Curtis syndrome-like imaging finding.

Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPeM) is a rare disease with a poor prognosis that develops in the mesothelial cells of the peritoneum. We encountered a 48-year-old man with no prior asbestos exposure who visited our hospital with abdominal pain. Laboratory findings showed elevated C-reactive protein of 15.

Association between endotoxemia and histological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Aim: To assess whether surrogate biomarkers of endotoxemia were correlated with the histological features of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Methods: One hundred twenty-six NAFLD patients who had undergone percutaneous liver biopsy were enrolled. Serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-binding protein (LBP) and anti-endotoxin core immunoglobulin G (EndoCab IgG) antibody concentrations at the time of liver biopsy were measured using the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to examine for relationships between biomarker levels and histological scores.

Development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma from follicular lymphoma of the duodenum: changes in endoscopic findings during a 6-year follow-up.

A 71-year-old Japanese man was diagnosed as having stage I primary follicular lymphoma (FL) of the duodenum according to Lugano International Conference Classification and began receiving annual checkups. Endoscopic examination disclosed white villi swelling with depressed red mucosal lesions. Biopsy specimens from the area of white villi exhibited histopathological features that met the diagnostic criteria for low-grade FL.

Controlled attenuation parameter is correlated with actual hepatic fat content in patients with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease with none-to-mild obesity and liver fibrosis.

Aim: Non-invasive steatosis-quantifying methods are required for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) patients in order to monitor disease severity and assess therapeutic efficacy. Controlled attenuation parameter (CAP) evaluated with vibration-controlled transient elastography can predict the presence of steatosis, but its application to absolute hepatic fat quantitation remains unclear. The aim of this st\udy was to examine whether CAP is correlated with real hepatic fat content in NAFLD patients.

Mechanism of the development of nonalcoholic steatohepatitis after pancreaticoduodenectomy.

Background And Aim: It is recognized that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), including nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), may develop after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD). However, the mechanism of NASH development remains unclear. This study aimed to examine the changes in gene expression associated with NASH occurrence following PD.

Serum sodium concentration is associated with increased risk of mortality in patients with compensated liver cirrhosis.

Aim: Although hyponatremia is associated with a poor prognosis in liver cirrhosis, little is known about the clinical significance of serum sodium concentration in cirrhosis in Japan. This study investigated associations of mortality in Japanese cirrhosis patients taking conventional diuretics with serum sodium concentration and other clinical characteristics.

Methods: A total of 171 consecutive patients with cirrhosis who were taking diuretic medication were enrolled retrospectively.