Physical Function and Low Back Pain in Leek Farmers: A Comparison with Non-Farmers.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the low back pain (LBP) and physical function of young to middle aged farmers of leeks in western Tottori Prefecture.

Methods: Fifteen farmers (55 years old or younger) cultivating leeks in western Tottori Prefecture were recruited as the subjects, and 14 non-farmers matching the age and sex of the subjects were recruited as the control group. A questionnaire survey was conducted to determine the presence or absence of LBP, smoking, and alcohol consumption.

4'-Nitrobiphenyl thioglucoside as the Smallest, fluorescent photosensitizer with cancer targeting ligand.

We have previously developed a glucose-linked biphenyl photosensitizer that can pass through glucose transporters, aiming for cancer-selective photodynamic therapy (PDT). Its small size (MW: 435) will allow oral administration and a fast clearance avoiding photosensitivity. However, its fluorescence efficiency was quite low, causing difficulty in monitoring cellular uptake.

Inaudible components of the human infant cry influence haemodynamic responses in the breast region of mothers.

Distress vocalizations are fundamental for survival, and both sonic and ultrasonic components of such vocalizations are preserved phylogenetically among many mammals. On this basis, we hypothesized that ultrasonic inaudible components of the acoustic signal might play a heretofore hidden role in humans as well. By investigating the human distress vocalization (infant cry), here we show that, similar to other species, the human infant cry contains ultrasonic components that modulate haemodynamic responses in mothers, without the mother being consciously aware of those modulations.

A Twist-Assisted Biphenyl Photosensitizer Passable Through Glucose Channel.

While the development of low-molecular-weight drugs is saturating, agents for photodynamic therapies (PDTs) may become alternative seeds in pharmaceutical industry. Among them, orally administrative, cancer-selective, and side effect-free photosensitizers (PSs) that can be activated by tissue-penetrative near-infrared (NIR) lights are strongly demanded. We discovered such a PS from scratch by focusing on a twist-assisted spin-orbit charge transfer intersystem crossing (ISC) mechanism in a biphenyl derivative, which was demonstrated by thorough photophysical studies.

Randomized, double-blind, phase III study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of once-daily treatment with alogliptin and metformin hydrochloride in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes.

This randomized, double-blind, phase III study evaluated the efficacy and safety of once-daily treatment with alogliptin (25 mg once daily), alone or with metformin hydrochloride (500 mg once daily or 250 mg twice daily), in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to the end of treatment (week 24). The least squares (LS) mean (standard error) change in HbA1c from baseline to the end of treatment (week 24) was 0.

Enzymatic synthesis of novel oligosaccharides from N-acetylsucrosamine and melibiose using Aspergillus niger α-galactosidase, and properties of the products.

Two kinds of oligosaccharides, N-acetylraffinosamine (RafNAc) and N-acetylplanteosamine (PlaNAc), were synthesized from N-acetylsucrosamine and melibiose using the transgalactosylation activity of Aspergillus niger α-galactosidase. RafNAc and PlaNAc are novel trisaccharides in which d-glucopyranose residues in raffinose (Raf) and planteose are replaced with N-acetyl-d-glucosamine. These trisaccharides were more stable in acidic solution than Raf.

Community spread of extended-spectrum β-lactamase-producing bacteria detected in social insurance hospitals throughout Japan.

We surveyed the status of community-acquired infections involving four extended-spectrum β-lactamase (ESBL)-producing bacteria (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella oxytoca, Proteus mirabilis) isolated from clinical specimens from 11 social insurance hospitals in Japan in 2012. These are member hospitals of the Japan Community Healthcare Organization, an independent administrative hospital organization. The isolation rates for E.

Gene expression changes triggered by end-of-day far-red light treatment on early developmental stages of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn.

To better understand the molecular mechanisms related to growth promotion in the early developmental stages of Eustoma grandiflorum (Raf.) Shinn. under end-of-day far-red light (EOD-FR) treatment, we analyzed the leaf transcriptome of treated (EOD) and untreated plants (Cont) by using RNA-seq technology.

Efficacy and safety of pioglitazone added to alogliptin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative study.

A phase IV, multicentre, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group, comparative study was conducted in Japanese subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who had inadequate glycaemic control, despite treatment with alogliptin in addition to diet and/or exercise therapy. Subjects with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) concentrations of 6.9-10.

Long-term and perioperative outcomes of laparoscopic versus open liver resection for colorectal liver metastases with propensity score matching: a multi-institutional Japanese study.

Background: The aim of the present study was to clarify the surgical outcome and long-term prognosis of laparoscopic liver resection (LLR) compared with conventional open liver resection (OLR) in patients with colorectal liver metastases (CRLM).

Methods: A one-to-two propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was applied. Covariates (P < 0.

Efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes: a randomized, double-blind, 12-week, placebo-controlled trial followed by an open-label, long-term extension phase.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of alogliptin added to insulin in Japanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) who are poorly controlled with insulin and diet or exercise.

Study Design: This was a randomized, double-blind, 12-week comparative trial of alogliptin and insulin versus placebo and insulin in 179 patients with T2DM followed by a 40-week, open-label phase in 169 patients on alogliptin and insulin.

Primary Outcome Measure: Change in glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline to the end of double-blind phase (week 12).

Quantitative and qualitative analysis of rat pup ultrasonic vocalization sounds induced by a hypothermic stimulus.

Ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) are essential communicative sounds used between rodent pups and their mother. Rat pups emit USVs in stressful situations, such as when they are cold or separated from the nest. We verified the ontogenetic changes in USVs emitted by infant rats isolated from their mother during the pre-weaning period.

[A case of inverted papilloma of the renal pelvis, associated with metachronous urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder].

The patient visited our hospital because of macrohematuria. Cystoscopical examination did not reveal any bladder tumors but a tumor shadow in the right renal pelvis was revealed by computed tomographic scan. Urothelial carcinoma was suspected and right nephroureterectomy was performed.

Sepantronium bromide (YM155) induces disruption of the ILF3/p54(nrb) complex, which is required for survivin expression.

YM155, a small-molecule survivin suppressant, specifically binds to the transcription factor ILF3, which regulates the expression of survivin[1]. In this experiment we have demonstrated that p54(nrb) binds to the survivin promoter and regulates survivin expression. p54(nrb) forms a complex with ILF3, which directly binds to YM155.

Palm-top-size, 1.5 kW peak-power, and femtosecond (160 fs) diode-pumped mode-locked Yb+3:KY(WO4)2 solid-state laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror.

We report a palm-top-size femtosecond diode-pumped mode-locked Yb(+3):KY(WO(4))(2) solid-state laser with a semiconductor saturable absorber mirror utilizing soliton mode locking for shortening the cavity to 50 mm. An average output power of 680 mW and a pulse width of 162 fs were obtained at 1045 nm with a repetition rate of 2.8 GHz, which led to a peak power of 1.

Disruption of the ether-a-go-go K+ channel gene BEC1/KCNH3 enhances cognitive function.

The K+ channel, one of the determinants for neuronal excitability, is genetically heterogeneous, and various K+ channel genes are expressed in the CNS. The therapeutic potential of K+ channel blockers for cognitive enhancement has been discussed, but the contribution each K+ channel gene makes to cognitive function remains obscure. BEC1 (KCNH3) is a member of the K+ channel superfamily that shows forebrain-preferential distribution.

[Influence of position of ionization chamber and leaf-end on verification value in IMRT verification for prostate cancer].

In IMRT for prostate cancer, MU verification is performed by the actual measurement. We have experienced a remarkable improvement in results, once succeeding in finding out the more suitable and optimal evaluation dose point in some cases even though the deviation between a designed MU score and our actual record gained at the iso-center was more than 3%. In this study, we tried to demonstrate how much influence would be given to the point dose verification by the 3D arrangement between an ion chamber and tips of the MLC.

Central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome due to surgical resection for bulbar hemangioblastoma.

A 29-year-old man with a history of resected bulbar hemangioblastoma was admitted to hospital with nighttime breathing disturbance, but with apparently normal breathing while awake. After diagnostic work-up, including polysomnographic testing, he was diagnosed as having central alveolar hypoventilation syndrome due to surgical resection for bulbar hemangioblastoma. Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (NIPPV) via oronasal facemask was given for nocturnal ventilatory support.

[Development of a respiratory monitoring device for truncal stereotactic radiotherapy using an abdominal pressure-detecting system with Stereotactic Body Frame].

The Stereotactic Body Frame, which was devised as a fastening unit for the irradiation of various truncal lesions, has obtained a good reputation for its high-precision reproductivity. This device is accessorized with 'Diaphragm Control', which can reduce the respiratory movement of intra-thoracic organs. In this study, to investigate the possibility of a respiratory monitor using our device, we try to clarify the relationship between the pressure against the abdominal board of 'Diaphragm Control' and each constrained tidal respiratory movement.

Small cell carcinoma of the prostate treated with amrubicin.

We describe the use of amrubicin hydrochloride to treat small cell carcinoma of the prostate in a 23-year-old man. Initial radiological examinations of the patient revealed a pelvic tumor associated with bilateral hydronephrosis, pelvic lymph node swelling, and lumbar vertebral bone metastases. The pathological diagnosis was small cell carcinoma originating in the prostate, based on positive immunohistochemical staining for neuron-specific enolase, synaptophysin, and myoglobulin; and negative staining for CD3e, CD20, leukocyte common antigen, and CD99.

-Chloroamphetamine-induced rat ejaculation is not associated with the preoptic nucleus or medial nucleus amygdala.

In the rat, intraperitoneal injection of -chloroamphetamine (PCA), which releases central 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) from serotonergic nerve terminals, induces ejaculation, even in the absence of an estrus female or female-related smell information. It is well known that the medial preoptic nucleus (MPN) and the medial nucleus amygdala (MEA) play a major role in the control of male sexual behavior in mammals. We examined whether or not neuronal activity of the MPN and/or the MEA was associated with PCA-induced ejaculation.

Ontogenetic changes of ultrasonic vocalizations emitted from infant rats.

Ontogenetic changes of USVs were investigated to establish an index of stress in infant rats. The USVs were obtained by exposing infant rats to cold stress and were analyzed by real-time spectrography. USV waveforms consisted of four types, R-I, II, III and IV.

[Assessment of image display of contrast enhanced T1W images with fat suppression].

Unlabelled: The effects of imaging conditions and measures for their improvement were examined with regard to recognition of the effects of contrast on images when T1-weighted imaging with selective fat suppression was applied.

Method: Luminance at the target region was examined before and after contrast imaging using phantoms assuming pre- and post-imaging conditions. A clinical examination was performed on tumors revealed by breast examination, including those surrounded by mammary gland and by fat tissue.

[Effects of landiolol hydrochloride on cardiohemodynamics in patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting].

Background: It is important to control heart rate for coronary artery bypass grafting. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of landiolol hydrochloride, ultra-short-acting beta-blocker, on cardiohemodynamics in 10 patients who underwent coronary artery bypass grafting.

Methods: Anesthesia was induced and maintained with midazolam and fentanyl.

Identification of MrgX2 as a human G-protein-coupled receptor for proadrenomedullin N-terminal peptides.

Proadrenomedullin N-terminal 20 peptide (PAMP[1-20]/PAMP-20) and its truncated analog, PAMP[9-20]/PAMP-12, are endogenous peptides that elicit hypotension through inhibiting catecholamine secretion from sympathetic nerve endings and adrenal chromaffin cells. Although the binding sites for PAMP are widely distributed, the nature of its receptor has been elusive. In an effort to identify potential PAMP receptor(s), we found that a human G-protein-coupled receptor, MrgX2, was specifically activated by PAMP.