A fusion protein of polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1) and a Nudix hydrolase is involved in inorganic polyphosphate accumulation in the unicellular red alga Cyanidioschyzon merolae.

Inorganic polyphosphate (polyP) is a linear polymer of phosphate that plays various roles in cells, including in phosphate and metal homeostasis. Homologs of the vacuolar transporter chaperone 4 (VTC4), catalyzing polyP synthesis in many eukaryotes, are absent in red algae, which are among the earliest divergent plant lineages. We identified homologs of polyphosphate kinase 1 (PPK1), a conserved polyP synthase in bacteria, in 42 eukaryotic genomes, including 31 species detected in this study and 12 species of red algae.

Factors Associated with Defecation Satisfaction among Japanese Adults with Chronic Constipation.

Constipation causes substantial morbidity worldwide. This survey assessed constipation-related factors in Japan using the Japanese version of the Irritable Bowel Syndrome Quality of Life (IBS-QOL-J) instrument. We also examined the relationship among laxative type, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) scores, and treatment cost.

Universal screening for social-emotional and behavioral risk: Differential item functioning on the SAEBRS.

Universal screening for social-emotional and behavioral (SEB) risk is one strategy for schools to proactively identify students in need of additional supports and services. As schools serve an increasing number of children from racially and culturally diverse backgrounds, further research is needed to examine the differential functioning of brief behavior rating scales. The present study examined differential item functioning (DIF) on the Social, Academic, and Emotional Behavior Risk Screener (SAEBRS)-Teacher Rating Scale.

Background factors involved in the epidemiology of functional constipation in the Japanese population: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Functional constipation (FC), a functional bowel disorder with symptoms of constipation, has considerable impact on quality of life. As data regarding its prevalence and epidemiology are lacking, this study aimed to evaluate the prevalence, population composition, lifestyle, quality of life, and clinical characteristics of these individuals by comparing people with and without FC. These parameters were also compared among individuals with strong and weak awareness of constipation.

Application of precise neutron focusing mirrors for neutron reflectometry: latest results and future prospects.

Neutron reflectometry (NR) is a powerful tool for providing insight into the evolution of interfacial structures, for example via measurements for electrode-electrolyte interfaces, with a spatial resolution of nanometres. The time resolution of NR, which ranges from seconds to minutes depending on the reflection intensity, unfortunately remains low, particularly for small samples made of state-of-the-art materials even with the latest neutron reflectometers. To overcome this problem, a large-area focusing supermirror manufactured with ultra-precision machining has been employed to enhance the neutron flux at the sample, and a gain of approximately 100% in the neutron flux was achieved.

Development and validation of the Intervention Skills Profile-Skills: A brief measure of student social-emotional and academic enabling skills.

The purpose of this study was to support the development and initial validation of the Intervention Selection Profile (ISP)-Skills, a brief 14-item teacher rating scale intended to inform the selection and delivery of instructional interventions at Tier 2. Teacher participants (n = 196) rated five students from their classroom across four measures (total student n = 877). These measures included the ISP-Skills and three criterion tools: Social Skills Improvement System (SSIS), Devereux Student Strengths Assessment (DESSA), and Academic Competence Evaluation Scales (ACES).

[Study on Fipronil and Other Pesticide Residues in Chicken Eggs Produced and Sold in Japan].

In some of the EU member countries, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan, chicken eggs contaminated by fipronil used without authorization were identified and widely reported. The Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare of Japan stated no contaminated imports had been found in the country while promising to strengthen monitoring chicken eggs coming from those areas. Meanwhile, there are no reports published to show whether or not chicken eggs produced in Japan contain such pesticide.

Differences in specific learning disability identification with the Woodcock-Johnson IV.

The Ability Achievement Discrepancy model remains the primary identification method used by school personnel. This study examined identification of a specific learning disability using the Ability Achievement Discrepancy model with the Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ-IV). Two different test scores can be used to represent the ability construct: one that maintains the overlap between intelligence quotient (IQ) and basic psychological processes (i.

Reliability, validity, and accuracy of the intervention selection profile-Function: A brief functional assessment tool.

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the reliability, validity, and accuracy of scores from the Intervention Selection Profile-Function (ISP-Function): a brief functional assessment tool founded upon Direct Behavior Rating (DBR) methodology. Participants included 34 teacher-student dyads. Using the ISP-Function, teachers rated the extent to which students exhibited disruptive behavior, as well as the frequency with which disruptions were met with four consequences.

Co-occurrence of academic and behavioral risk within elementary schools: Implications for universal screening practices.

The purposes of this study were twofold. The first was to use latent class analysis to identify groupings of students defined by the presence or absence of academic or behavioral risk. The second was to determine whether these groups differed across various dichotomous academic and behavioral outcomes (e.

Oral Litholysis in Patients with Chronic Calcific Pancreatitis Unresponsive to or Ineligible for Extracorporeal Shock Wave Lithotripsy and Endoscopic Therapy.

Background/aims: Our study aimed to evaluate the effect of oral litholysis in patients with chronic calcific pancreatitis (CCP) unresponsive to or ineligible for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) and endoscopic therapy.

Methods: Trimethadione, an antiepileptic agent, was administered orally at a dose of 0.6-0.

Small Bowel Obstruction Caused by the Ingestion of a Wooden Toothpick: The CT findings and a Literature Review.

We present a case in which the accidental ingestion of a toothpick caused duodenal perforation and small intestinal obstruction. A 58-year-old man visited our emergency room with acute abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) showed obstructive ileus as well as a foreign body penetrating the duodenum, which was identified as a toothpick and removed endoscopically.

Complete nationwide survey on umbilical cord blood freezing bag breakage in Japan.

Background Aims: Although umbilical cord blood (UCB) has now become a common stem cell source, UCB bag breakage is a known risk in UCB transplantation (UCBT). This survey provides the first comprehensive data on the frequency and causes of UCB bag breakage in Japan.

Methods: Data regarding UCB bag breakage from all causes, identified between April 1, 2010, and September 3, 2013, were collected from all transplant centers registered for UCBT (209 hospitals) and all public cord blood banks (CBBs) (8 CBBs) in Japan.

Sensory interaction between attractant diacetyl and repellent 2-nonanone in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans.

In the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans, the odorant diacetyl is sensed by AWA sensory neurons in the amphid sensory organ and elicits an attractive response, whereas 2-nonanone is sensed by AWB amphid sensory neurons and elicits an avoidance response. In the present study, we report that nematodes exhibit a sensory interaction between the attractant diacetyl and repellent 2-nonanone. In the presence of food, the chemotactic response to 0.

Ultrasound-induced ordering in poly(3-hexylthiophene): role of molecular and process parameters on morphology and charge transport.

Facile methods for controlling the microstructure of polymeric semiconductors are critical to the success of large area flexible electronics. Here we explore ultrasonic irradiation of solutions of poly(3-hexylthiophene) (P3HT) as a simple route to creating ordered molecular aggregates that result in a one to two order of magnitude improvement in field effect mobility. A detailed investigation of the ultrasound induced phenomenon, including the role of solvent, polymer regioregularity (RR) and film deposition method, is conducted.

CT findings of spontaneous intraperitoneal rupture of the urinary bladder: two case reports.

We report two cases of spontaneous bladder rupture. Preoperative diagnosis was difficult and the correct diagnosis was made at surgery. Reviewing the initial abdominopelvic CT of our second patient, the bladder wall defect and blood attenuation near the bladder were observed.

Computed tomography findings of spontaneous perforation of pyometra.

We report herein a case of spontaneous perforation of pyometra leading to diffuse peritonitis. This pathological condition is rare, and preoperative diagnosis is difficult. We were able to make the correct diagnosis preoperatively using contrast-enhanced abdominopelvic computed tomography.

Gallbladder hernia into the foramen of Winslow: CT findings.

We present a case of gallbladder hernia into the foramen of Winslow. During the diagnosis of hernia, ultrasonography, computed tomography and intravenous computed tomography, cholangiography of the abdomen were performed. Ultrasonography detected gallstone, but did not provide sufficient information to diagnose gallbladder hernia.

Tumor-liver contrast and subjective tumor conspicuity of respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo sequence compared with T2*-weighted gradient recalled-echo sequence for ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of hepatic malignant tumors.

Purpose: To compare respiratory-triggered T2-weighted fast spin-echo (RTT2W-FSE) and gradient T2*-weighted recalled-echo (T2*W-GRE) images for visualization of malignant hepatic tumors using ferucarbotran-enhanced magnetic resonance (MR) imaging.

Materials And Methods: Ferucarbotran-enhanced RTT2W-FSE and breath-hold long-TE 2D-fast spoiled gradient recalled acquisition in the steady state (FSPGR) images as T2*W-GRE were used to evaluate 128 malignant hepatic tumors (77 metastases, 37 hepatocellular carcinomas, 14 other) in 62 patients. Tumor-to-liver contrast (TLC) was quantitatively compared using the paired Student's t-test, and the score of lesion conspicuity was qualitatively compared using Wilcoxon's signed rank test.

REG Ialpha is a reliable marker of chemoradiosensitivity in squamous cell esophageal cancer patients.

Background: A reliable marker of chemoradiosensitivity that would enable appropriate and individualized treatment of thoracic squamous cell esophageal cancer has long been sought. We investigated whether regenerating gene (REG) Ialpha is such a marker.

Methods: We assessed expression of REG Ialpha in untreated endoscopic biopsy specimens and examined the correlation between REG Ialpha expression and the clinical responses to definitive chemoradiotherapy and prognosis.

Characterization of ESR active species on lithium chloride-modified mesoporous silica.

The surface of mesoporous silica with regular nanometer-sized pores and high surface area has been modified by metal ions or functional groups to introduce specific interactions. We found that ESR active species were formed on lithium chloride (LiCl)-modified mesoporous silica after heat treatment. The structure and the surface properties of LiCl-modified mesoporous silica were characterized by XRD, ESR, nitrogen adsorption, UV-vis-NIR, and TPD.

Diffusion changes in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation for brain tumors: possible prediction of treatment response.

Objective: Changes in apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) in a tumor and peritumoral tissue after stereotactic irradiation (STI) were evaluated, and then the therapeutic efficacy of ADC measurement was assessed.

Methods: In 20 tumors, diffusion-weighted imaging within 1 week before and 2-4 weeks after STI was performed. The normalized ADC (nADC) was measured.

Comparison of the MR findings on indirect MR arthrography in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Purpose: To compare indirect magnetic resonance (MR) arthrography findings in patients with rotator cuff tears with and without symptoms.

Materials And Methods: Indirect MR arthrography results of 15 asymptomatic and 23 symptomatic rotator cuff tears were retrospectively reviewed, comparing the type and size of tears and amount of subacrominal-subdeltoid bursal fluid.

Results: There were 14 partial-thickness tears and one full-thickness tear in the asymptomatic group, with 4 small and 11 medium tears.

Dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging in radiotherapeutic efficacy in the head and neck tumors.

Purpose: The purpose to this study is to identify correlations between pathology and dynamic contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and to assess the utility of this technique in the evaluation of radiation response for head and neck cancer.

Materials And Methods: MRI was prospectively performed after radiotherapy in 27 patients with various head and neck tumors. After bolus injection of contrast material, a dynamic study was performed using a spoiled gradient-recalled imaging sequence.