A new species of Enchytraeus (Enchytraeidae, Clitellata) from sewage sludge of a plum processing plant in Japan.

Enchytraeus ohtakai sp. nov. (Enchytraeidae, Clitellata, Oligochaeta) was discovered in the organic matter of a wastewater treatment facility of a plums processing plant in Honshu, Japan.

Hyporheic zone, a blind spot: Discovery of the larva of Kisaura (Trichoptera: Philopotamidae) from Japan.

Four genera of Philopotamidae (Trichoptera) are known from Japan: Chimara, Dolophilodes, Kisaura, and Wormaldia. Among them, adults of the genus Kisaura are known in the Oriental and East Palearctic region; but until now, larvae of this genus have not been observed. In this study, molecular evidence is presented to support the relationship between adults and larvae of Kisaura minakawai Arefina 2005 from hyporheic zones of Japanese rivers.

Redescription of Rhyacophila yukii Tsuda 1942 and description of three new Rhyacophila species from Japan (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae).

Three new species of Rhyacophila (Trichoptera: Rhyacophilidae) from Japan are described. Among them, R. hattorii n.

An interlaboratory comparison exercise for the determination of microplastics in standard sample bottles.

An interlaboratory comparison exercise was conducted to assess the consistency of microplastic quantification across several laboratories. The test samples were prepared by mixing one liter seawater free of plastics, microplastics made from polypropylene, high- and low-density polyethylene, and artificial particles in two plastic bottles, and analyzed concurrently in 12 experienced laboratories around the world. The minimum requirements to quantify microplastics were examined by comparing actual numbers of microplastics in these sample bottles with numbers measured in each laboratory.

Differences in the ability of two marine annelid species, Thalassodrilides sp. and Perinereis nuntia, to detoxify 1-nitronaphthalene.

Bioremediation is a promising method for remediating environmentally polluted water. We investigated the abilities of two benthic annelid species to biotransform 1-nitronaphthalene, a nitrated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon. We used an oligochaete, Thalassodrilides sp.

Descriptions of two new and one newly recorded enchytraeid species (Clitellata, Enchytraeidae) from the Ozegahara Mire, a heavy snowfall highmoor in Central Japan.

Three species of semi-aquatic freshwater Enchytraeidae of the genera Mesenchytraeus Eisen, 1878, Chamaedrilus Friend, 1913 and Globulidrilus Christensen & Dózsa-Farkas, 2012 are described from stream, wet soil or snow habitats in the Ozegahara Mire, an extensive high moor in heavy snowfall area in central Japan. Among Mesenchytraeus speies, Mesenchytraeus nivalis sp. nov.

Long-term effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on anemia in chronic hemodialysis.

Background: The therapeutic role of L-carnitine (LC) on the anemia of chronic hemodialized patients is still controversial. In order to clarify the long-term effects of LC administration on renal anemia, an open, observational 12-month study was performed.

Methods: Twenty stable outpatients undergoing hemodialysis were administered LC 900 mg p.

The effects of oral L-carnitine supplementation on physical capacity and lipid metabolism in chronic hemodialysis patients.

Background: It is well known that the physical activity in chronic hemodialysis patients decreases compared to that in normal subjects. In order to investigate the effects of L-carnitine on physical capacity and lipid metabolism, a cardiopulmonary exercise test using a bicycle ergometer was performed before and after 3 months of oral L-carnitine supplementation under double-blind conditions.

Methods And Results: A total of 20 stable outpatients undergoing hemodialysis treatment were randomly divided into 2 groups: controls receiving placebo and patients receiving 900 mg L-carnitine p.

[Ampulla cardiomyopathy induced by meningitis: two case reports].

Two patients presented with ampulla cardiomyopathy induced by meningitis. A 71-year-old man with meningitis was admitted to our neurosurgery division. Emergent coronary angiography was performed, because of sudden blood pressure fall and ST elevation in the precordial leads.