Transboundary Movement of Yezo Virus via Ticks on Migratory Birds, Japan, 2020-2021.

Migratory birds carry ticks harboring various pathogens, including the zoonotic Yezo virus. In Hokkaido, Japan, we collected ticks from migratory birds during 2020-2021. Eight of 385 pools, comprising 2,534 ticks, tested positive for Yezo virus RNA, suggesting Yezo virus might be spread through the flyways of migratory birds.

Atmospheric blocking as a traffic jam in the jet stream.

Atmospheric blocking due to anomalous, persistent meandering of the jet stream often causes weather extremes in the mid-latitudes. Despite the ubiquity of blocking, the onset mechanism is not well understood. Here we demonstrate a close analogy between blocking and traffic congestion on a highway by using meteorological data and show that blocking and traffic congestion can be described by a common mathematical theory.

Oxygen isotope anomaly observed in water vapor from Alert, Canada and the implication for the stratosphere.

To identify the possible anomalous oxygen isotope signature in stratospheric water predicted by model studies, 25 water vapor samples were collected in 2003-2005 at Alert station, Canada (82°30'N), where there is downward transport of stratospheric air to the polar troposphere, and were analyzed for δ(17)O and δ(18)O relative to Chicago local precipitation (CLP). The latter was chosen as a reference because the relatively large evaporative moisture source should erase any possible oxygen isotope anomaly from the stratosphere. A mass-dependent fractionation coefficient for meteoric waters, λMDF(H2O) = 0.

Wind, waves, and wing loading: morphological specialization may limit range expansion of endangered albatrosses.

Among the varied adaptations for avian flight, the morphological traits allowing large-bodied albatrosses to capitalize on wind and wave energy for efficient long-distance flight are unparalleled. Consequently, the biogeographic distribution of most albatrosses is limited to the windiest oceanic regions on earth; however, exceptions exist. Species breeding in the North and Central Pacific Ocean (Phoebastria spp.

Piggyback technique in adult orthotopic liver transplantation: an analysis of 1067 liver transplants at a single center.

Background: Orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT) in adult patients has traditionally been performed using conventional caval reconstruction technique (CV) with veno-venous bypass. Recently, the piggyback technique (PB) without veno-venous bypass has begun to be widely used. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of routine use of PB on OLTs in adult patients.

Intrahepatic biliary strictures after liver transplantation.

Biliary complication has been one of the most common complications after liver transplantation. Nonanastomotic strictures and dilatations involving the intrahepatic biliary tree have been recognized as biliary complications. These lesions were reported to be associated with hepatic artery thrombosis; prolonged preservation time; ABO-incompatible organs; and immunological injury, including injuries to vascular endothelial cells (chronic rejection) and the bile duct (primary sclerosing cholangitis).

Porcine model of auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation for acute liver failure.

Background: Auxiliary partial orthotopic liver transplantation (APOLT) has been an effective alternative in acute liver failure (ALF), but clinically several problems remain to be resolved. Thus, we attempt to establish an APOLT model for ALF using a large animal and demonstrate the validity of our model.

Methods: In experiment 1, we created an animal model of ALF using pig.

First detection of Rickettsia in soft-bodied ticks associated with seabirds, Japan.

Rickettsia was first detected in seabird soft-bodied ticks, Carios capensis and C. sawaii in Japan. According to sequence analysis, Rickettsia in Japan was identical to Rickettsia scc31 in C.

99mTc-DTPA-galactosyl-human-serum-albumin liver scintigraphy for evaluating hepatic functional reserve before hepatectomy in a patient with indocyanine green excretory defect: report of a case.

A 78-year-old woman with indocyanine green (ICG) excretory defect underwent left hepatectomy for cystadenocarcinoma. The retention rate of ICG at 15 min (ICGR(15)) was high, at 79.3%, despite all other liver function tests showing normal values.

Metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas.

Background: Metastasis of uterine leiomyosarcoma to the pancreas is extremely rare.

Case: A 46-year-old woman presented with hypermenorrhea and dysmenorrhea and underwent surgery. The histologic and immunohistochemical diagnosis was uterine leiomyosarcoma stage I with no metastasis to the ovaries or the pelvic lymph nodes.

Carcinosarcoma of the extrahepatic bile duct.

A rare case of a carcinosarcoma of the extrahepatic bile duct demonstrating interesting features is described. A 75-year-old woman with a history of choledocholithotomy presented with acute obstructive suppurative cholangitis. Ultrasonography and computed tomography showed a thickened choledochal wall, with calcification.

Intrahepatic biliary strictures without hepatic artery thrombosis after liver transplantation: an analysis of 1,113 liver transplantations at a single center.

Background: Intrahepatic biliary strictures (IHBS) without hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT) is a serious complication and known to increase the risk of graft failure after liver transplantation. This manuscript describes the incidence, risk factors, clinical pictures, management, and outcomes.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2002, 1,113 liver transplantations were performed in 974 adult patients.

Intestinal and multivisceral transplantation after abdominal trauma.

BACKGROUND Some trauma victims who survive acute illness develop lingering, debilitating syndromes that are incompatible with any semblance of normalcy. Intestinal failure, in particular, exacts a high price in terms of quality of life. Total parenteral nutrition (TPN) has served these patients well, but complications limit its long-term therapeutic effect.

Serotonin activity and liver dysfunction following hepatic ischemia and reperfusion.

Serotonin (5-hydroxytriptamine; 5-HT), which is stored in platelets, is known to induce vasoconstriction and promote platelet aggregation. More recent studies suggest that serotonin also plays a role in organ injury after ischemia and reperfusion. The purpose of this study was to characterize the role of 5-HT and platelet function in the pathogenesis of hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Donor intracaval thrombus formation and pulmonary embolism after simultaneous piggyback liver transplantation and aortic valve replacement.

Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a well known and serious complication that may develop after abdominal surgery. Liver transplant recipients are not immune to PE and tend to share many of the same risk factors with surgical patients who are stricken with this potential fatal complication. Liver transplantation using the piggyback (PB) technique is widely accepted, although there are reports of technique-specific-related vascular complications.

Use of older controlled non-heart-beating donors for liver transplantation.

Background: Use of liver grafts from non-heart-beating donors (NHBDs) warrants consideration so to expand the donor pool. Because the results of controlled NHBDs (CNHBDs) were acceptable, we have recently tried to expand the criteria to older CNHBDs. Here, we report our experience using liver grafts from older CNHBDs.

Effect of protocol Doppler ultrasonography and urgent revascularization on early hepatic artery thrombosis after pediatric liver transplantation.

Hypothesis: Protocol Doppler ultrasonography of the liver (DUSL) is useful for detecting early hepatic artery thrombosis (HAT). Urgent exploration based on DUSL findings and immediate revascularization of the liver may avoid HAT-related sequelae, namely, biliary complications and retransplantation after pediatric liver transplantation.

Design: Case-control study.

Chlorine isotope fractionation during reductive dechlorination of chlorinated ethenes by anaerobic bacteria.

Chlorine isotope fractionation during reductive dechlorination of trichloroethene (TCE) and tetrachloroethene (PCE) to cis-1,2-dichloroethene (cDCE) by anaerobic bacteria was investigated. The changes in the 37Cl/35Cl ratio observed during the one-step reaction (TCE to cDCE) can be explained by the regioselective elimination of chlorine accompanied by the Rayleigh fractionation. The fractionation factors (alpha) of the TCE dechlorination by three kinds of anaerobic cultures were approximately 0.