[Well Differentiated Liposarcoma of a Lung:Report of a Case].

A 61-year-old woman was referred for further evaluation of an intracystic nodule in her left upper lung. Computed tomography( CT) showed a 15 mm nodule in a pulmonary cyst adjacent to aortic arch and mediastinum. Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography (FDG-PET)-CT showed little uptake of FDG in the lesion.

Primiparas' prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, and salivary oxytocin level predict early postnatal maternal-infant bonding: a Japanese longitudinal study.

Purpose: It was reported that maternal-infant bonding failure predicts abusive parenting. Maternal-infant bonding is important to prevent child abuse. This study aimed to investigate the association between prenatal depressive symptoms, anxiety, cortisol, and oxytocin levels, and postnatal maternal-infant bonding.

Kinetic properties of Cs uptake by the cesium-accumulating eustigmatophycean microalga.

Cesium-137 (Cs) is one of the radioactive substances that was released into the environment as a result of the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Radiocesium exposure is of great concern due to its potential environmental implications. However, research on Cs removal using algae is still limited.

Improvement of beta-cell function in conjunction with glycemic control after medical nutrition therapy in newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Background: The current study aimed to reveal the correlation of beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity with glycemic control and weight control before and after medical nutrition therapy (MNT) in patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed consecutive 68 patients with newly-diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus who started MNT without antihyperglycemic medications and underwent a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) before and after the therapy. Beta-cell function was evaluated by the OGTT-derived disposition index, whereas insulin sensitivity was evaluated by Matsuda's insulin sensitivity index.

Screening for a Decreased Masticatory Function by a Color-changeable Chewing Gum Test in Patients with Metabolic Disease.

Objective This study aimed to reveal the screening performance of a color-changeable chewing gum test for a decreased masticatory function in the assessment of oral hypofunction in patients with metabolic diseases. Methods We analyzed 1,000 patients with metabolic diseases, including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia. A decreased masticatory function was diagnosed by a gummy jelly test.

Clinical Outcomes of Rescue Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection at Different Timings Following In Vitro Fertilization.

Background: Although rescue intracytoplasmic sperm injection (r-ICSI) is extensively used worldwide, the indication of r-ICSI and its optimal timing remains obscure. This study aimed to assess the outcomes of r-ICSI following in vitro fertilization in different timings when fertilization is confirmed.

Methods: This study included 5,156 cycles (47,785 eggs).

Lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan.

Aims/introduction: This study aimed to reveal lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Japan.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 1,402 outpatients with diabetes at a clinic in Osaka, Japan, who responded to an interview sheet regarding lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic between 28 March and 30 May 2020. The association of lifestyle changes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes from February to May 2020 was investigated using the linear regression model.

Association of obesity, diabetes, and physical frailty with dental and tongue-lip motor dysfunctions in patients with metabolic disease.

Objective: This study aimed to reveal the clinical features associated with decreased dental (or shearing/crushing) and tongue-lip motor functions in patients with metabolic diseases.

Methods: One thousand patients with metabolic diseases including diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, and hyperuricemia were recruited. Dental function was assessed with a gummy jelly test, wherein glucose elution from a chewed gummy jelly was measured.

Investigation of the Effect of Canagliflozin on the Disposition Index, a Marker of Pancreatic Beta Cell Function, in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes.

Aim: Our aim was to investigate the effects of add-on canagliflozin with glimepiride dose adjustment or glimepiride dose adjustment on pancreatic beta cell function in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and inadequate glycemic control despite stable triple therapy (metformin, teneligliptin, and glimepiride) plus diet/exercise therapy.

Methods: Forty patients on stable triple therapy were randomized to glimepiride dose adjustment without (glimepiride group) or with add-on canagliflozin 100 mg (canagliflozin group) for 24 weeks. The glimepiride dose was adjusted every 4 weeks based on continuous glucose monitoring over the previous 2 weeks according to a prespecified algorithm.

Association of Phosphatidylinositol-Specific Phospholipase C with Calcium-Induced Biomineralization in the Coccolithophore .

Biomineralization by calcifying microalgae is a precisely controlled intracellular calcification process that produces delicate calcite scales (or coccoliths) in the coccolithophore (Haptophycea). Despite its importance in biogeochemical cycles and the marine environment globally, the underlying molecular mechanism of intracellular coccolith formation, which requires calcium, bicarbonate, and coccolith-polysaccharides, remains unclear. In CCMP 371, we demonstrated that reducing the calcium concentration from 10 (ambient seawater) to 0.

Role of Dysregulated Ion Channels in Sensory Neurons in Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus.

We investigated ion channels at the skin, including peripheral nerve endings, which serve as output machines and molecular integrators of many pruritic inputs mainly received by multiple G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Based on the level of chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus (CKD-aP), subjects were divided into two groups: non-CKD-aP (no or slight pruritus; n = 12) and CKD-aP (mild, moderate, or severe pruritus; n = 11). Skin samples were obtained from the forearm or elbow during operations on arteriovenous fistulas.

Different daily glycemic profiles after switching from once-daily alogliptin plus twice-daily metformin to their once-daily fixed-dose combination in Japanese type 2 diabetic patients.

The aim of this study was to investigate whether daily glycemic profiles and treatment satisfaction would be changed after switching from once-daily 25-mg alogliptin plus twice-daily 250-mg metformin to the fixed-dose combination of 25-mg alogliptin and 500-mg metformin once daily in type 2 diabetic patients. Twenty adult Japanese type 2 diabetic patients in whom once-daily 25-mg alogliptin plus twice-daily 250-mg metformin were switched to the fixed-dose combination of 25-mg alogliptin and 500-mg metformin once daily participated. Before and one month after the switch, participants were asked to perform one day of seven-point self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG), to wear a sensor of flash glucose monitoring for up to 14 days, and to respond to a questionnaire for treatment satisfaction.

Cold-induced metabolic conversion of haptophyte di- to tri-unsaturated C alkenones used as palaeothermometer molecules.

The cosmopolitan marine haptophyte alga Emiliania huxleyi accumulates very long-chain (C-C) alkyl ketones with two to four trans-type carbon-carbon double bonds (alkenones). These compounds are used as biomarkers of haptophytes and as palaeothermometers for estimating sea-surface temperatures in biogeochemistry. However, the biosynthetic pathway of alkenones in algal cells remains enigmatic, although it is well known that the C tri-unsaturated alkenone (K) becomes dominant at low temperatures, either by desaturation of K or by a separate pathway involving the elongation of tri-unsaturated alkenone precursors.

Measurements of ionic concentrations along with endocochlear potential in wild-type and claudin 14 knockout mice.

Objective: To examine whether the changes in endolymphatic ion concentrations were involved in hair cells degeneration in claudin-14 knockout (KO) mice (Cldn14), we measured the endocochlear potential (EP) along with concentrations of K, Na, H, or Ca ([K], [Na], pH, [Ca]) in Cldn14, in which hair cells were selectively damaged, and compared with measurements in wild type mice (Wt).

Methods: We used the Cldn14 from 3 weeks of age, in which the auditory brain responses (ABR) was severely diminished. Using double-barreled ion-selective microelectrodes, we measured [K], [Na], pH, and [Ca] in both Wt and Cldn14 at 8-10 weeks of age.

Total Calcium and Albumin Are Decreased in the Deeper Epidermis of Patients with Chronic Kidney Disease-Associated Pruritus.

Background/aims: In our earlier studies, we reported high concentrations of intra- and extracellular calcium ions (Ca2+) in the deeper epidermis of patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and associated pruritus. To determine the cause of this phenomenon, we measured total calcium (TCa) concentrations in the deeper epidermis and performed immunostaining of epidermal albumin, which binds to Ca2+.

Methods: This study included 45 patients with CKD-stage 5, which was defined as severely reduced kidney function (i.

Construction of a cyanobacterium synthesizing cyclopropane fatty acids.

Microalgae have received much attention as a next-generation source of biomass energy. However, most of the fatty acids (FAs) from microalgae are multiply unsaturated; thus, the biofuels derived from them are fluid, but vulnerable to oxidation. In this study, we attempted to synthesize cyclopropane FAs in the cyanobacterium Synechocystis sp.

Characterization of a novel gene involved in cadmium accumulation screened from sponge-associated bacterial metagenome.

Metagenome research has brought much attention for the identification of important and novel genes of industrial and pharmaceutical value. Here, using a metagenome library constructed from bacteria associated with the marine sponge, Styllisa massa, a high-throughput screening technique using radioisotope was implemented to screen for cadmium (Cd) binding or accumulation genes. From a total of 3301 randomly selected clones, a clone 247-11C was identified as harboring an open reading frame (ORF) showing Cd accumulation characteristics.

Light intensity modulation by coccoliths of Emiliania huxleyi as a micro-photo-regulator.

In this study, we present experimental evidence showing that coccoliths have light-scattering anisotropy that contributes to a possible control of solar light exposure in the ocean. Changing the angle between the incident light and an applied magnetic field causes differences in the light-scattering intensities of a suspension of coccoliths isolated from Emiliania huxleyi. The magnetic field effect is induced by the diamagnetic torque force directing the coccolith radial plane perpendicular to the applied magnetic fields at 400 to 500 mT.

Proteomic analysis of lipid body from the alkenone-producing marine haptophyte alga Tisochrysis lutea.

Lipid body (LB) is recognized as the cellular carbon and energy storage organelle in many organisms. LBs have been observed in the marine haptophyte alga Tisochrysis lutea that produces special lipids such as long-chain (C37 -C40) ketones (alkenones) with 2-4 trans-type double bonds. In this study, we succeeded in developing a modified method to isolate LB from T.