Evaluation of vehicle running performance on ash-covered roads.

The scale of volcanic eruptions influences the effects of wide-ranging disasters involving ashfall, such as the disruption of lifelines and paralysis of urban functions. This highlights the importance of vehicle availability on ash-covered roads for disaster management personnel involved in rescue and recovery efforts and for citizens who must evacuate or continue their social lives. We conducted tests to scientifically verify the running ability of vehicles on ash-covered roads.

Preparation of amphotericin B-loaded hybrid liposomes and the integration of chitin-binding proteins for enhanced antifungal activity.

Amphotericin B (AMB) is a gold standard antifungal drug because of its broad-spectrum activity toward pathogenic yeasts and molds. Because of its low solubility in water and toxicity toward humans, several lipid-based formulations that either increase the aqueous solubility or decrease the side effects have been employed in practical use. In our previous research, we found that the combination of AMB with an artificial palmitoylated chitin-binding domain from Pteris ryukyuensis chitinase (LysM-Pal) resulted in synergistic antifungal action against Trichoderma viride.

Enhancement of the Antifungal Activity of Chitinase by Palmitoylation and the Synergy of Palmitoylated Chitinase with Amphotericin B.

Combinations of antifungal drugs can have synergistic antifungal activity, achieving high therapeutic efficacy while minimizing the side effects. Amphotericin B (AMB) has been used as a standard antifungal drug for fungal infections; however, because of its high toxicity, new strategies to minimize the required dose are desirable. Chitinases have recently received attention as alternative safe antifungal agents.

Visualizing and Evaluating Finger Movement Using Combined Acceleration and Contact-Force Sensors: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

The 10-s grip and release is a method to evaluate hand dexterity. Current evaluations only visually determine the presence or absence of a disability, but experienced physicians may also make other diagnoses. In this study, we investigated a method for evaluating hand movement function by acquiring and analyzing fingertip data during a 10-s grip and release using a wearable sensor that can measure triaxial acceleration and strain.

Therapeutic strategy for acute spinal cord paralysis by epidural hematoma derived from the application of non-operative observation and the optimal timing to convert to surgical intervention.

Some cases of acute spinal cord paralysis by epidural hematoma have made complete recovery through natural progression. This group cannot be ignored in choosing a therapy. We have considered the applications of non-operative observation and the optimal timing to convert to surgical intervention.

HER2-positive gastric cancer identified by serum HER2: A case report.

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence hybridization (FISH) are the current standards methods for the determination of tissue human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) status in gastric cancer, as for breast cancer. However, HER2-positive gastric cancer occasionally exhibits heterogeneous tissue HER2 overexpression, raising concern regarding false-negative results in unresectable cases diagnosed by biopsy samples. Serum HER2, the concentration of the extracellular domain of HER2 protein shed into the bloodstream, has the potential to supplement the use of IHC or FISH to determine HER2 status.

Loss of HER2 Positivity after Trastuzumab in HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer: Is Change in HER2 Status Significantly Frequent?

Trastuzumab has recently been introduced as a treatment for HER2-positive metastatic and/or unresectable gastric cancer (MUGC); however, compared with breast cancer, some issues concerning HER2 and trastuzumab therapy for gastric cancer remain unclear. A 74-year-old woman received trastuzumab-containing chemotherapy for HER2-positive MUGC. She had a marked response to 8 months of chemotherapy, and gastrectomy and hepatic metastasectomy with curative intent were performed.

[Perioperative primary thrombosis prophylaxis for colorectal cancer in an asymptomatic antiphospholipid antibody carrier -a case report and literature review-].

An 82-year-old woman presented with hematochezia and was diagnosed with resectable colon cancer. Laboratory analysis revealed prolonged activated partial thromboplastin time and false-positive reactions in serological tests for syphilis; results that were subsequently found to be caused by the presence of antiphospholipid antibody. Because she had no history of thrombotic events or pregnancy morbidity, she was considered to be an asymptomatic antiphospholipid antibody carrier (aaPL carrier).

[Colorectal carcinoma with hemiparesis due to isolated brain metastases as an initial symptom - a case report].

We present a rare case of colorectal carcinoma in which hemiparesis was the initial symptom. A 75-year-old woman presented with incomplete left-sided hemiparesis. Brain magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)revealed a 13-mm mass in the right frontal lobe; the mass was resected via craniotomy.

[Gallbladder cancer with elevated serum α-fetoprotein, α-fetoprotein-L3, and human chorionic gonadotropin levels].

A 61-year-old woman presented with fever and was diagnosed with choledocholithiasis, which was removed endoscopically. Incidentally, a markedly elevated serum α-fetoprotein(AFP)level was detected(1,951 ng/mL), but computed tomography( CT)showed only diffuse gallbladder wall thickening. Subsequently, markedly elevated serum AFP-L3 and human chorionic gonadotropin(HCG)levels were detected(99.