Overview of regular dialysis treatment in Japan (as of 31 December 2009).

A nationwide statistical survey of 4196 dialysis facilities was conducted at the end of 2009, and 4133 facilities (98.5%) responded. The number of patients undergoing dialysis at the end of 2009 was determined to be 290 661, an increase of 7240 patients (2.

Rendering of specular surfaces in polygon-based computer-generated holograms.

A technique is presented for realistic rendering in polygon-based computer-generated holograms (CGHs). In this technique, the spatial spectrum of the reflected light is modified to imitate specular reflection. The spectral envelopes of the reflected light are fitted to a spectral shape based on the Phong reflection model used in computer graphics.

Phosphorylation in protein-protein binding: effect on stability and function.

Posttranslational modifications offer a dynamic way to regulate protein activity, subcellular localization, and stability. Here we estimate the effect of phosphorylation on protein binding and function for different types of complexes from human proteome. We find that phosphorylation sites tend to be located on binding interfaces in heterooligomeric and weak transient homooligomeric complexes.

Cardiac surgery in patients with Gilbert's syndrome.

We report the case of a 58-year-old patient with Gilbert's syndrome and multiple cardiovascular pathologies, including aortic regurgitation with a dilated aortic root, severe mitral regurgitation, and chronic atrial fibrillation. A Bentall procedure, mitral valve repair, and modified radiofrequency MAZE procedure were performed. The management of Gilbert's syndrome in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is reviewed.

Contagious equine metritis eradicated from Japan.

Contagious equine metritis (CEM), a contagious venereal disease of horses, invaded Japan in 1980 and spread in the Thoroughbred population of the Hidaka-Iburi district of Hokkaido. To eradicate CEM, we ran a program aimed at detecting Taylorella equigenitalis, the causal agent, in carrier horses by using the PCR test, followed by culling or treatment. In 2001, the first year of the program, 12,356 Thoroughbred racing stallions and mares were tested and 11 carriers were found.

Initial experience of conversion of Toyobo paracorporeal left ventricular assist device to DuraHeart left ventricular assist device.

Background: This report details experience of the conversion of the Toyobo left ventricular assist device (LVAD; Nipro, Osaka, Japan) to the DuraHeart LVAD (TerumoHeart, Ann Arbor, MI, USA) in patients awaiting heart transplantation.

Methods And Results: Eight patients (4 male, 4 female) with Toyobo paracorporeal LVAD underwent conversion to the third-generation centrifugal (DuraHeart) LVAD. The apical cuff of the Toyobo was not exchanged because the size was the same as that of the DuraHeart.

[Anesthetic management with remifentanil during thoracic surgery in a pediatric patient--case report of a patient with congenital cyst adenoid malformation].

We gave general anesthesia for the lower right lobe resection in an infant with congenital cystic adenomatoid malformation (CCAM). Anesthesia was performed with sevoflurane inhalation, intravenous infusion of remifentanil and intermittent injection of fentanyl. Intraoperative anesthetic course was uneventful except for failure of one lung ventilation.

A case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from endometriosis of the ovary.

Ovarian endometriosis sometimes develops into ovarian cancer, especially clear cell adenocarcinoma and endometrioid adenocarcinoma. However, endometriosis rarely develops into squamous cell carcinoma. We present a case of squamous cell carcinoma arising from endometriosis.

NMR analysis of the fibronectin cell-adhesive sequence, Arg-Gly-Asp, in a recombinant silk-like protein and a model peptide.

It is well established that by introducing the cell-adhesive sequence Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) from fibronectin into Bombyx mori silk fibroin by covalent coupling or bioengineering techniques, excellent biomaterials have been developed with the modified silk fibroin. However, there is no report about the structure and dynamics of the RGD moiety in the silk fibroin. To clarify the origin of such a high cell adhesion character and to design new recombinant silk protein with higher cell adhesion ability, it is necessary to characterize the structure and dynamics of the RGD moiety introduced into silk fibroin.

Exchange of DuraHeart left ventricular assist device via a subcostal approach.

We report a successful case of a DuraHeart left ventricular assist device (LVAD) exchange via a subcostal approach. A 35-year-old woman was implanted with a DuraHeart LVAD due to dilated cardiomyopathy. Approximately 8 months after the implantation, the magnetic levitation system failed.

Fc domain mediated self-association of an IgG1 monoclonal antibody under a low ionic strength condition.

Recently, we reported that IgG1 monoclonal antibody A (MAb A) underwent liquid-liquid phase separation and separated into light and heavy phases under a low ionic strength condition. The liquid-liquid phase separation was induced due to self-association of MAb A in the heavy phase when the initial concentration of MAb A was between the two critical concentrations [Nishi et al., Pharm.

Cover and spacer insertions: small nonhydrophobic accessories that assist protein oligomerization.

We investigated fragmental sequences that were inserted into proteins during long molecular evolution and relevant to the association of homo-oligomers. Seventeen insertions in 12 SCOP (structure classification of proteins) families were examined and were classified into large and small insertions. The large insertions are composed of interface-like residues and effectively increase the interface area.

Increased microRNA-1 and microRNA-133a levels in serum of patients with cardiovascular disease indicate myocardial damage.

Background: Recently, elevation of circulating muscle-specific microRNA (miRNA) levels has been reported in patients with acute myocardial infarction. However, it is still unclear from which part of the myocardium or under what conditions miRNAs are released into circulating blood. The purpose of this study was to identify the source of elevated levels of circulating miRNAs and their function in cardiovascular diseases.

Electrolytic aminated carbon materials for the electrocatalytic redox reactions of inorganic and organic compounds.

Some kinds of amine groups can be introduced to the glassy carbon surface by the electrode oxidation of the carbon electrode surface in ammonium carbamate solution, and this amine groups modified electrode is named as an aminated glassy carbon electrode. The existences of not only primary amine but also secondary and tertially amines were confirmed by X ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The applications of the aminated carbon material for the electrocatalytic reductions of oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and organic compounds such as quinones were carried out, and the effects of amination on the formation of electrocatalytic sites for many species were revealed.

Spinal cord injury in patients undergoing total arch replacement: a cautionary note for use of the long elephant technique.

Objectives: Spinal cord injury in patients undergoing total arch replacement via median sternotomy is a rare but catastrophic complication. With recent surgical advances, including the long elephant trunk technique or open stent procedure, the incidence of spinal cord injury is increasing. In our institute, the long elephant trunk procedure is routinely performed when appropriate to the patient's status.

Caught in self-interaction: evolutionary and functional mechanisms of protein homooligomerization.

Many soluble and membrane proteins form homooligomeric complexes in a cell which are responsible for the diversity and specificity of many pathways, may mediate and regulate gene expression, activity of enzymes, ion channels, receptors, and cell adhesion processes. The evolutionary and physical mechanisms of oligomerization are very diverse and its general principles have not yet been formulated. Homooligomeric states may be conserved within certain protein subfamilies and might be important in providing specificity to certain substrates while minimizing interactions with other unwanted partners.

In vivo optical imaging for evaluating the efficacy of edaravone after transient cerebral ischemia in mice.

Detection and protection of apoptosis, autophagy and neurovascular unit (NVU) are essentially important in understanding and treatment for ischemic stroke patients. In this study, we have conducted an in vivo optical imaging for detecting apoptosis and activation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), then evaluated the protective effect of 2 package types of free radical scavenger edaravone (A and B) on apoptosis, autophagy and NVU in mice after transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). As compared to vehicle treatment, edaravones A and B showed a significant improvement of clinical scores and infarct size at 48 h after 90 min of tMCAO with great reductions of in vivo fluorescent signal for MMPs and early apoptotic annexin V activations.

A case of uterine cervical carcinosarcoma recurrence who obtained a clinically complete response by ifosfamide, doxorubicin and cisplatin.

Cervical carcinosarcoma (CS) is a rare gynecologic tumor. The histogenesis, clinical features, and optimal treatment remain unclear. We report a case of cervical CS recurrence to the right lung, which had complete response by treating with ifosfamide, doxorubicin and cisplatin (IAP).

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.

Sonodynamically-induced antitumor effect of mono-l-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6).

Background: The sonodynamically-induced in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects of mono-l-aspartyl chlorin e6 (NPe6) was investigated.

Materials And Methods: Both in vitro and in vivo antitumor effects were tested in combination with ultrasound at 2 MHz.

Results: The rate of ultrasonically-induced damage on isolated sarcoma 180 cells in air-saturated suspension was enhanced two-fold with 80 μM NPe6.

Regulation of human neutrophil Fcγ receptor IIa by C5a receptor promotes inflammatory arthritis in mice.

Objective: Rheumatoid arthritis culminates in joint destruction that, in mouse models of disease, is supported by innate immune molecules, including Fcγ receptors (FcγR) and complement. However, these findings may not be predictive of the outcome in humans, given the structural differences between murine and human activating FcγR on neutrophils, a prominent component of joint exudates. The aim of this study was to examine the role of human neutrophil FcγRIIa in the development of arthritis and probe the underlying mechanism by which FcγRIIa initiates disease.

Malnutrition and inflammation determine prognosis of patients with CRS type 4.

Background/aims: A significant number of uremic patients develop ischemic heart disease before hemodialysis (HD) is initiated. Recently, chronic cardiorenal syndrome among predialysis patients has been recognized. However, little is known about prognostic factors in this subgroup of incident HD patients.

Cytoglobin, a novel member of the globin family, protects kidney fibroblasts against oxidative stress under ischemic conditions.

Cytoglobin (Cygb) is a novel member of the vertebrate globin superfamily. Although it is expressed in splanchnic fibroblasts of various organs, details of its function remain unknown. In the present study, kidney ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) increased the number of Cygb-positive cells per area and up-regulated Cygb mRNA and protein expression in kidney cortex tissues.

Endoscopic surgery for young athletes with symptomatic unicameral bone cyst of the calcaneus.

Background: Open curettage with bone graft has been the traditional surgical treatment for symptomatic unicameral calcaneal bone cyst. Endoscopic procedures have recently provided less invasive techniques with shorter postoperative morbidity.

Hypothesis: The authors' endoscopic procedure is effective for young athletes with symptomatic calcaneal bone cyst.