Radioisotopic chronology of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a: Framework for analysis of driving mechanisms.

The timing, tempo, and causative mechanisms of Ocean Anoxic Event 1a (OAE1a), one of several such abrupt perturbations of the Mesozoic global carbon cycle, remain uncertain. Mudstones interbedded with tuffs in Hokkaido, Japan preserve carbon and osmium isotope shifts recording OAE1a. U-Pb zircon ages of tuffs constrain the OAE1a onset to 119.

Column-free purification of an artificial protein nanocage, TIP60.

Protein nanocages, which have inner cavities and surface pores, are attractive materials for various applications, such as in catalysts and medicine. Recently, we produced an artificial protein nanocage, TIP60, and demonstrated its potential as a stimuli-responsive nanocarrier. In the present study, we report a simple purification method for TIP60 that can replace time-consuming and costly affinity chromatography purification.

Evaluation of fertilizer and water management effect on rice performance and greenhouse gas intensity in different seasonal weather of tropical climate.

Intensively double cropping rice increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emission in tropical countries, and hence, finding better management practices is imperative for reducing global warming potential (GWP), while sustaining rice yield. This study demonstrated an efficient fertilizer and water management practice targeting seasonal weather conditions effects on rice productivity, nitrogen use efficiency (NUE), GWP, and GHG intensity (GHGI). Two-season experiments were conducted with two pot-scale experiments using urea and urea+cattle manure (CM) under continuous flooding (CF) during the wet season (2013WS), and urea with/without CaSiO application under alternate wetting and drying (AWD) during the dry season (2014DS).

Effects of a short-term parental education program on childhood atopic dermatitis: a randomized controlled trial.

Parental education is important in managing childhood atopic dermatitis (AD). We evaluated the long-term effects of a 2-day parental education program (PEP) on childhood AD. In an investigator-blinded, randomized controlled trial, 59 children age 6 months to 6 years with moderate to severe AD and their mothers were recruited in Japan.

[Clinical evaluation of ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE test].

Objective: To reveal the clinical utility of an IgE test specific to ω-5 gliadin in the diagnosis of immediate-type wheat allergy.

Methods: We detected ω-5 gliadin-specific IgE in sera from all patients examined for wheat-specific IgE in our allergy clinic between January and October, 2008. The diagnostic value of the test was analyzed against the true diagnosis of wheat allergy based on oral wheat challenge or convincing clinical history.

Prevailing oxic environments in the Pacific Ocean during the mid-Cretaceous Oceanic anoxic event 2.

The occurrence of Oceanic Anoxic Event 2 (OAE2) 94 million years ago is considered to be one of the largest carbon cycle perturbations in the Earth's history. The marked increase in the spatial extent of the anoxic conditions in the world's oceans associated with OAE2 resulted in the mass accumulation of organic-rich sediments. Although extensive oceanographic studies of OAE2 have been undertaken in the Atlantic Ocean, the Tethys Sea, and the epicontinental seas of Europe and America, little is known about OAE2 in the Pacific Ocean.

[Actigraphy for the assessment of sleep quality in pediatric atopic dermatitis patients].

Background: Good sleep is essential for the growth and the development of children. However, sleep is often impaired in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD). It is important to assess the sleep quality in pediatric AD patients.

[Effects of "Skin Care School," a parental education program on childhood atopic dermatitis conducted during short hospitalization stays].

Background: We have been conducting a two-day in-hospital parental education program -"Skin Care School"- on childhood atopic dermatitis since April 2007. The program comprises three lecture- and- practical session courses on skin care, the correct skin-cleaning procedure, and the application of ointments based on the "Finger Tip Unit." The program addresses caregivers of patients less than six years old suffering from moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

Intracolonic capsaicin stimulates colonic motility and defecation in conscious dogs.

Background: The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of intracolonic capsaicin on colonic motility and defecation.

Methods: The effects of capsaicin (1, 2, 5, and 10 mg) administrated into the proximal colon on ileocolonic motility and defecation were studied in neurally intact dogs with or without various antagonists (atropine, hexamethonium, ondansetron, propranolol, and FK224), dogs with extrinsic denervation of an ileocolonic segment, and dogs with enterically isolated ileocolonic loops equipped with strain gauge force transducers.

Results: Capsaicin at 5 and 10 mg evoked giant migrating contractions in a dose-independent manner, and it induced defecations with more than 90% probability in neurally intact dogs.

The effect of growth hormone releasing peptide-2 on upper gastrointestinal contractile activity and food intake in conscious dogs.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of growth hormone releasing peptide (GHRP)-2, a synthetic ligand for the growth hormone secretagogue receptor, on upper gastrointestinal motility and food intake.

Methods: Five neurally intact dogs and five dogs with vagotomy and pyloroplasty were equipped with strain gauge force transducers on the stomach, duodenum and jejunum. GHRP-2 (0.

[Carcinoma arising from ileorectal fistula in a patient with Crohn's disease].

A 72-year-old man was given a diagnosis of Crohn's disease in 1976 at age 44, and partial resection of is ileum was performed. In November 1982, barium enema examination revealed on ileorectal fistula. As he had no complaint, conservative therapy was chosen.

Effect of calcium polycarbophil on bowel function after restorative proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis: a randomized controlled trial.

The aim of the present study was to determine if calcium polycarbophil ameliorates diarrhea after ileal J-pouch anal anastomosis for ulcerative colitis. Twenty-one randomized patients were given either bifidobacterium (3 g/day) plus calcium polycarbophil (3 g/day), in the polycarbophil group (11 patients), or bifidobacterium (3 g/day), in the control group (10 patients), p.o.