Robot-assisted radical cystectomy using real-time transrectal ultrasound guidance in a patient who had radical prostatectomy and salvage external beam radiation therapy.

Introduction: Radical cystectomy for patients who previously underwent both radical prostatectomy and prostatic bed radiation is technically challenging.

Case Presentation: A 78-year-old man with a history of radical prostatectomy and salvage radiation for prostate cancer was referred to our hospital for radical treatment of bladder cancer. After two cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy, he underwent robot-assisted radical cystectomy with real-time transrectal ultrasound guidance during dissection of the rectovesical space to minimize the risk of rectal injury.

TGF-β inhibitor treatment of H₂O₂-induced cystitis models provides biochemical mechanism for elucidating interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome patients.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic disease for which no effective treatment is available. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of IC/PBS, and previous studies have suggested that administrations of a TGF-β inhibitor significantly ameliorated IC/PBS in a mouse model. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of a TGF-b inhibitor on IC/PBS has not been comprehensively analyzed.

Novel device for dividing core needle biopsy specimens to provide paired mirror image-like tissues for genetic and pathological tests.

In a world that seeks precision medicine, genetic testing is gaining importance in clinical decision making. We previously reported the utility of a novel tool for longitudinally dividing core needle biopsy (CNB) tissues into two filamentous tissues that can provide paired mirror image-like tissues (mirror-tissues) that spatially match each other. In this study, we investigated its application in gene panel testing in patients who underwent prostate CNB.

Optimization of Very Low-Dose Formulation of Vitamin D3 with Lyophilizate for Dry Powder Inhalation System by Simple Method Based on Time-of-Flight Theory.

It has been previously reported that active vitamin D3 (VD3) is a candidate drug that can repair alveolar damage in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease at a very low dose. We herein report the optimization of a very low-dose formulation of VD3 for dry powder inhalation by a simple method based on time-of-flight (TOF) theory. As the preparation content of VD3 is very low, aerodynamic particle size distribution cannot be measured by pharmacopeial methods that require quantification of the main drug.

Characterization of raft microdomains in bovine mammary tissue during lactation: How they are modulated by fatty acid treatments.

The objective of the current study was first to characterize lipid raft microdomains isolated as detergent-resistant membranes (DRM) from mammary gland tissue, and second to determine how dietary fatty acids (FA) such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), 19:1 cyclo, and long-chain n-3 polyunsaturated FA affect lipid raft markers of mammary cells, and to finally establish relationships between these markers and lactation performance in dairy cows. Eight Holstein cows were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square design with periods of 28 d. For the first 14 d, cows received daily an abomasal infusion of (1) 406 g of a saturated FA supplement (112 g of 16:0 + 230 g of 18:0) used as a control; (2) 36 g of a CLA supplement (13.

Simple Method to Measure the Aerodynamic Size Distribution of Porous Particles Generated on Lyophilizate for Dry Powder Inhalation.

Recently, statistical techniques such as design of experiments are being applied for efficient optimization of oral formulations. To use these statistical techniques for inhalation formulations, efficient methods for rapid determination of the aerodynamic particle size distribution of many samples are needed. Therefore, we aimed to develop a simple method to measure aerodynamic particle size distribution that closely agrees with the results of inhalation characteristic tests.

Usefulness of a novel device to divide core needle biopsy specimens in a spatially matched fashion.

We developed a novel dividing device that can split needle biopsy tissues along longitude axis aiming to achieve definitive molecular-biological and genetical analysis with reference of pathological diagnosis of the side-by-side divided tissue as spatially matched information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential usefulness of the novel dividing device to provide the appropriate materials for molecular diagnosis. The new device was examined using mouse xenograft tumors.

Gradual reduction in the STOP score in patients with obstructive sleep apnea undergoing oral appliance therapy.

Purpose In the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), there is not yet a convenient tool for deciding whether a mandibular advancement oral appliance (OA) is adequately adjusted or when to perform post-treatment sleep-testing. We hypothesized that a gradual reduction in the STOP (snoring, tiredness during daytime, observed apnea, high blood pressure) score, i.e.

Significant cases of central cusps, enamel pits, and oral fibromas in tuberous sclerosis complex.

Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is an autosomal dominant disorder in which benign nodular tumors form in the cerebral cortex, cerebellum, and throughout the body causing various symptoms. In this study, we summarized the incidence of dental findings in patients with TSC at our hospital and its association with diseases in various organs. Patients diagnosed with TSC at our hospital between January 2013 and September 2017, and who were examined in the dental and oral surgery department were included in this study.

The success rate of oral appliances based on multiple criteria according to obstructive sleep apnoea severity, BMI and age: A large multicentre study.

Background: The efficacy of oral appliance (OA) varies greatly in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).

Objective(s): The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the success rate of OA for OSA patients.

Methods: This study was based on a cross-sectional multicentre survey of OA therapy for the management of OSA called the JAMS (Japanese Cross-sectional Multicenter Survey) Study performed at 10 medical institutions.

Porous niobia spheres with large surface area: alcothermal synthesis and controlling of their composition and phase transition behaviour.

Submicron-sized niobia (NbO) porous spheres with a high specific surface area (300 m g) and nano concave-convex surfaces were synthesized a rapid one-pot single-step alcothermal reaction. Prolonged reaction time or high reaction temperatures resulted in a morphology change of NbO from amorphous sphere to rod crystals with hexagonal crystal phase. A similar alcothermal reaction yielded TiO-NbO composite porous spheres, whose Ti : Nb molar ratio was controlled by changing the precursor solution component ratios.

Direct conversion of fibroblasts into urothelial cells that may be recruited to regenerating mucosa of injured urinary bladder.

Urothelial cells play essential roles in protection of urine exudation and bacterial invasion at the urothelial mucosa, so that defect or damage of urothelial cells associated with urinary tract diseases may cause serious problems. If a sufficient number of functional urothelial cells are prepared in culture and transplanted into the damaged urothelial lesions, such technology may provide beneficial effects to patients with diseases of the urinary tract. Here we found that human adult dermal fibroblasts were converted into urothelial cells by transducing genes for four transcription factors, FOXA1, TP63, MYCL and KLF4 (FTLK).

Japanese Cross-Sectional Multicenter Survey (JAMS) of Oral Appliance Therapy in the Management of Obstructive Sleep Apnea.

We conducted a multicenter survey for oral appliance (OA) therapy to grasp and analyze the current situation of OA therapy, including efficacy, side effects, and follow-up, in Japan. The Japanese cross-sectional multicenter survey (JAMS) for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) was undertaken by patients in 10 institutions associated with oral appliance therapy during two years, from 2014 to 2015, retrospectively. Age, sex, body mass index (BMI), baseline apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), OA type, adjustment, adverse reactions with OA, and AHI with OA were elicited from the patient clinical record.

Community composition and methane oxidation activity of methanotrophs associated with duckweeds in a fresh water lake.

Methanotrophs are the only biological sink of the greenhouse gas methane. To understand the ecological features of methanotrophs in association with plants in the methane emitting environments, we investigated the community composition and methane oxidation of methanotrophs associated with duckweeds in a fresh water lake. Duckweeds collected from Lake Biwa, Japan over three summers showed methane consumption activity between 0.

[A Case of Primary Testicular Mucinous Carcinoma].

A 68-year-old man presented withleft testicular painless swelling. His carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and carcinoembryonic antigen levels were elevated but his germ cell tumor markers were not high. Magnetic resonance imaging showed multiloculated cystic lesions with solid components in his left testis.

KaiC family proteins integratively control temperature-dependent UV resistance in Methylobacterium extorquens AM1.

KaiC protein is the pivotal component of the circadian clock in cyanobacteria. While KaiC family proteins are well-conserved throughout divergent phylogenetic lineages, studies of the physiological roles of KaiC proteins from other microorganisms have been limited. We examined the role of the KaiC proteins, KaiC1 and KaiC2, in the methanol-utilizing bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens AM1.

Effects of abomasal infusion of conjugated linoleic acids, Sterculia foetida oil, and fish oil on production performance and the extent of fatty acid Δ⁹-desaturation in dairy cows.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), Sterculia foetida oil (STO), and fish oil (FO) on milk yield and composition, milk FA profile, Δ(9)-desaturation activity, and mammary expression of 2 isoforms of stearoyl-coenzyme A desaturase (SCD-1 and SCD-5) in lactating dairy cows. Eight multiparous Holstein cows (69 ± 13 d postpartum) were used in a double 4 × 4 Latin square design with 28-d periods. For the first 14 d of each period, cows received an abomasal infusion of (1) 406 g of a saturated fatty acid (SFA) supplement (112 g of 16:0 + 230 g of 18:0) used as a control (CTL), (2) 36 g of a CLA supplement (13.

The effect of oral appliances that advanced the mandible forward and limited mouth opening in patients with obstructive sleep apnea: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.

Oral appliances (OAs) have demonstrated efficacy in treating obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), but many different OA devices are available. The Japanese Academy of Dental Sleep Medicine supported the use of OAs that advanced the mandible forward and limited mouth opening and suggested an evaluation of their effects in comparison with untreated or CPAP. A systematic search was undertaken in 16 April 2012.

Pilot study of changes in salivary metabolic profiles induced by template therapy.

Background: Occlusal raising method (so-called 'Template therapy') has been reported to alleviate various diseases and symptoms, but the underlying mechanism is not clear. We searched the low-molecular weight metabolite(s) in the saliva, the concentration of which is significantly changed by the template therapy.

Materials And Methods: One female patient with headache underwent the template therapy for 12 days, and her total saliva was subjected to non-targeted analysis using capillary electrophoresis time-of-flight mass spectrometry (CE-TOF-MS).

Foetal bovine intermuscular adipose tissue exhibits histological and metabolic features of brown and white adipocytes during the last third of pregnancy.

This study reports the metabolic and morphological characteristics of bovine intermuscular adipose tissue (AT) throughout foetal growth. Our hypothesis was that the histological and molecular features of intermuscular AT would be different from those previously reported for foetal perirenal AT, based on its anatomical location near the muscle and the recent identification of two distinct adipocyte precursors in mouse AT depending on their locations. To address this question, intermuscular AT was sampled from Charolais and Blond d'Aquitaine foetuses at 180, 210 and 260 days post conception (dpc).

Effects of changes in vertical occlusal dimension on heart rate fluctuations in guinea pigs.

Background: We have previously reported that the decrease of the vertical occlusal dimension (VOD) led to heart failure and abnormalities in creatine phosphokinase (CPK) in guinea pigs. In the present study, we investigated the autonomic activity and the origin of the abnormality in CPK under different occlusal conditions.

Materials And Methods: Guinea pigs were separated into the following five groups: untreated control, reduced VOD, slit, restored VOD and increased VOD groups and compared for their electrocardiogram and heart rate fluctuations for two weeks using Fluclet, computer software.

Mode multiplexer for multimode transmission in multimode fibers.

We have numerically demonstrated an efficient mode multiplexer which can tailor the input field patterns by using a phase controller and a mode coupler formed by four single-mode fibers (SMFs). By connecting the mode multiplexer to a multimode fiber (MMF), two orthogonal higher-order modes of the MMF can be simultaneously excited to form two communication channels. The simulated results show that very low modal interference between the two excited modes can be achieved by using the proposed mode multiplexer.

Cellular and molecular large-scale features of fetal adipose tissue: is bovine perirenal adipose tissue brown?

Epidemiological and fetal programming studies point to the role of fetal growth in adult adipose tissue (AT) mass in large mammals. Despite the incidence of fetal AT growth for human health and animal production outcomes, there is still a lack of relevant studies. We determined the cellular and large-scale-molecular features of bovine fetal perirenal AT sampled at 110, 180, 210, and 260 days post-conception (dpc) with the aim of identifying key cellular and molecular events in AT growth.

Adipocyte metabolism and cellularity are related to differences in adipose tissue maturity between Holstein and Charolais or Blond d'Aquitaine fetuses.

This paper reports the metabolic and morphological characteristics of bovine adipose tissue (AT) at end of fetal life and its variability with breed and anatomical site of AT. Our hypothesis was that, in cattle, end-of-fetal-life differences in adipocyte number, size, and histology may account for differences in AT maturity. To address this question, perirenal and intermuscular AT were sampled from Charolais, Blond d'Aquitaine, and Holstein fetuses at 260 d postconception.

Impact of dispersion map design upon transmission performance of long-haul RZ-DPSK system using dispersion flattened fiber.

This paper describes a theoretical study of the impact of dispersion map design upon the long-haul RZ-DPSK system using the dispersion flattened fiber. Numerical simulations are conducted to clarify the transmission performance of different dispersion map designs. As a result, number of dispersion blocks has a significant impact upon the transmission performance, and reduction of the number improves the nonlinear tolerance of the system.