Sustainable Plant Growth Promotion and Chemical Composition of Pyroligneous Acid When Applied with Biochar as a Soil Amendment.

The pyrolysis of biomass material results in pyroligneous acid (PA) and biochar, among other by-products. In agriculture, PA is recognized as an antimicrobial agent, bio-insecticide, and bio-herbicide due to antioxidant activity provided by a variety of constituent materials. Application of PA to crop plants and soil can result in growth promotion, improved soil health, and reduced reliance on polluting chemical crop inputs.

Evaluation and Comparison of Daiokanzoto and Lubiprostone for Constipation: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Daiokanzoto (DKT) and lubiprostone (LPS) are drugs used for constipation, but few studies have compared them. This study examined the effectiveness, adverse events, and medical economic efficiency of DKT and LPS for constipation. Patients who received DKT (DKT group) and those who received LPS (LPS group) during admission to Ogaki Municipal Hospital between November 2012 and May 2016 were enrolled.

Efficacy and Safety of Daikenchuto for Constipation and Dose-Dependent Differences in Clinical Effects.

Background: Daikenchuto (DKT) is a Kampo medicine used for the treatment of constipation. In this study, we evaluated the effectiveness of DKT against constipation.

Patients And Methods: Thirty-three patients administered DKT for constipation were selected and divided into low-dose (7.

Efficacy of daiokanzoto in chronic constipation refractory to first-line laxatives.

There are only a few treatment options for constipation and limited evidence of suitable treatments. Daiokanzoto (DKT) is a Kampo medicine often used clincally to treat constipation. DKT is a laxative used predominantly in Japan; however, clinical data on its efficacy and safety is lacking.

Effects of green tea polyphenols on iodide-induced autoimmune thyroiditis in nonobese diabetic mice.

Because green tea polyphenols (GTPs) possess anti-inflammatory properties and are effective in inhibiting autoimmune diseases in experimental settings, we examined whether GTPs prevented the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in iodide-treated nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, an animal model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Mice were given 0.05% iodide water or iodide water supplemented with 0.

Does the gut microbiota trigger Hashimoto's thyroiditis?

Hashimoto's thyroiditis is an organ-specific autoimmune disease in which both genetic predisposition and environmental factors serve as the trigger of the disease. A growing body of evidence suggests involvement of viral infection in the development of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. However, not only pathogenic microorganisms but also non-pathogenic commensal microorganisms induce proinflammatory or regulatory immune responses within the host.

Assisting the diagnosis of overt hypothyroidism with pattern recognition methods, making use of a set of routine tests, and their multiple correlation with total T4.

In our previous papers we proposed a novel screening method that assists the diagnosis of patients with overt Graves' hyperthyroidism by making use of routine test data and pattern recognition methods. This method can be applied by non-specialists during physical check-ups at low cost and is expected to lead to rapid referrals for examination and treatment by thyroid specialists, that is, to improve patients' QOL. In this report, we investigate whether a similar screening method is also applicable for overt hypothyroidism.

Phase I and pharmacologic study of weekly amrubicin in patients with refractory or relapsed lung cancer: Central Japan Lung Study Group (CJLSG) 0601 trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the safety and tolerability of amrubicin (AMR), determine its maximum tolerated dose (MTD), its dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs), and its recommended dose (RD), and to conduct a pharmacokinetic study of weekly AMR administrations in patients with chemotherapy-refractory or recurrent small cell or non-small cell lung cancer.

Patients And Methods: Patients with refractory or relapsed non-small cell and small cell lung cancer after 1 or 2 regimens of chemotherapy were eligible. AMR was initiated at 45 mg/m(2) weekly (repetition of dose on 1st and 8th day with a rest on day 15).

Viral infection and innate pattern recognition receptors in induction of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Hashimoto's thyroiditis, a common organ-specific autoimmune disease, is multifactorial in which both genetic susceptibility and environmental factors including infection play a critical role in its pathogenesis. Viral infection activates both the innate and adaptive immunity and is implicated as a trigger of Hashimoto's thyroiditis. Candidate viruses include hepatitis C virus and human parvovirus B19.

Effects of synthetic retinoid Am80 on iodide-induced autoimmune thyroiditis in nonobese diabetic mice.

We examined whether a synthetic retinoid Am80 prevented the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in iodide-treated nonobese diabetic mice, an animal model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT). Am80 (0, 0.1 or 1 mg/kg/day) was orally administered in feed during the 8-week iodide treatment.

The sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor modulator FTY720 prevents iodide-induced autoimmune thyroiditis in non-obese diabetic mice.

FTY720 is an immunomodulator that alters migration and homing of lymphocytes via sphingosine 1-phosphate receptors. This compound has been shown to be effective in suppressing autoimmune diseases in experimental and clinical settings. In the present study, we tested whether FTY720 prevented autoimmune thyroiditis in iodide-treated non-obese diabetic (NOD) mice, a model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) in humans.

Experimental autoimmune thyroiditis in human parvovirus B19 transgenic mice.

Viral infection is implicated as a cause of autoimmune diseases. Whereas its role in Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT) remains undefined, recent studies suggested a link between human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection and HT. We tested such possibility by using B19 nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) transgenic C57BL/6 mice, which harbor nonpermissive genetic background (H-2(b)).

Assisting the diagnosis of Graves' hyperthyroidism with pattern recognition methods and a set of three routine tests parameters, and their correlations with free T4 levels: Extension to male patients.

In our previous paper, we proposed a novel screening method that aids the diagnosis of female patients with Graves' hyperthyroidism via two types of neural networks and the use of routine test data. This method can be applied by non-specialists during physical checkups at a low cost and is expected to lead to rapid referrals for examination and treatment by thyroid specialists; i.e.

Erythrocyte zinc concentration as an indicator to distinguish painless thyroiditis-associated transient hypothyroidism from permanent hypothyroidism.

Red blood cell (RBC) zinc (Zn) concentration reflects a patient's mean thyroid hormone level over the preceding several months. The aim of this study was to examine whether RBC Zn level can be used as an indicator to distinguish painless thyroiditis-associated transient hypothyroidism (TH) from permanent hypothyroidism (PH). RBC Zn level was measured in 30 untreated PH patients with Hashimoto's thyroiditis and 7 untreated TH patients with painless thyroiditis in whom preceding transient thyrotoxicosis had been confirmed.

Viral infection in induction of Hashimoto's thyroiditis: a key player or just a bystander?

Purpose Of Review: Viral infection activates both the innate and adaptive immunity and is implicated as a trigger of autoimmune diseases including Hashimoto's thyroiditis. This review summarizes our knowledge respecting the role of viral infection in the cause of Hashimoto's thyroiditis.

Recent Findings: Components of several viruses such as hepatitis C virus, human parvovirus B19, coxsackie virus and herpes virus are detected in the thyroid of Hashimoto's thyroiditis patients.

Spontaneous formation of multinucleated giant cells with bone resorbing activity by long culture of human peripheral blood CD14-positive monocytes in vitro.

Several reports indicate that multinucleated giant cells that derived from human peripheral blood CD14-positive monocytes have osteoclastic properties, and although the mechanism is not completely understood, the authors have previously demonstrated that spontaneous osteoclastogenesis from monocytes can occur. Here, the authors investigated the effect of detachment and long-term cultures in this process. When monocytes were incubated for 2 weeks, spontaneous formation of polykaryocytes was rarely observed.

Endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial biopsy using novel thin bronchoscope for diagnosis of peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic utility of endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial biopsy (TBB) using a novel 3.4-mm thin bronchoscope and a 1.4-mm ultrasonic probe for peripheral pulmonary lesions.

Double Y-stent placement for tracheobronchial stenosis.

The silicone stent has been widely used to re-establish airway patency for patients with airway stenosis. The ideal shape of the stent should be well adapted to the tracheobronchial anatomic structures, and its optimal length should cover the entire inner wall of the stenotic airway. Although the silicone Y-stent was developed as a dedicated prosthesis for main carinal stenosis, we often encounter patients with tracheobronchial stenosis that cannot be treated by a single silicone Y-stent.

Effects of interleukin-6 blockade on the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in nonobese diabetic mice.

We explored the role of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the development of autoimmune thyroiditis in nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice, an animal model of Hashimoto's thyroiditis, using anti-mouse IL-6 receptor antibody (MR16-1). Thyroiditis was induced by iodide ingestion or mouse thyroglobulin (Tg) immunization. Mice were injected intraperitoneally with saline, control rat IgG, or MR16-1 (2 or 8 mg).

Emergence of delayed methylmercury toxicity after perinatal exposure in metallothionein-null and wild-type C57BL mice.

Background: Although a long latency period of toxicity after exposure to methylmercury (MeHg) is known to exist in humans, few animal studies have addressed this issue. Substantiation of delayed MeHg toxicity in animals would affect the risk evaluation of MeHg.

Objectives: Our goal in this study was to demonstrate the existence of a latency period in a rodent model in which the toxicity of perinatal MeHg exposure becomes apparent only later in life.

Autonomously functioning thyroid nodule associated with thyrotoxic periodic paralysis.

Thyrotoxic periodic paralysis (TPP) is mainly associated with Graves' disease but rarely with autonomously functioning thyroid nodule (AFTN). We herein report a case of AFTN associated with TPP in which the latter resolved after (131) I therapy for the former. We analyzed the genes encoding thyrotropin receptor (TSHR), the alpha-subunit of the stimulatory G protein (Gsalpha), calcium channel CACNA1S and potassium channel KCNE3, and found that the patient does not carry the known mutations in these genes.

Real-time endobronchial ultrasound-guided transbronchial needle aspiration is useful for diagnosing sarcoidosis.

Background And Objective: Several studies of real-time endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS)-guided transbronchial needle aspiration (TBNA) have reported a sensitivity of approximately 90% in the diagnosis of mediastinal and hilar malignancies. However, few studies have addressed its role in the diagnosis of sarcoidosis. The aim of the present study was to assess the utility of EBUS-TBNA in confirming a pathological diagnosis of sarcoidosis.