Contamination of habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis) in Okinawa, Japan by persistent organochlorine chemicals.

Persistent organochlorine chemicals (OCs), including chlordane compounds (CHLs), DDTs, PCBs, and chlorinated dioxins and related compounds (DRCs), were examined in the adipose tissue and liver from 33 specimens of habu (Protobothrops flavoviridis), a species of venomous pit viper endemic to the Japanese Southwest Islands. The median concentrations of CHLs, DDTs, and PCBs in adipose tissue of 22 habus collected from an urban area were 4400 ng g lipid weight (lw), 610 ng g lw, and 1600 ng g lw, respectively. Their DDT and PCB concentrations were higher in comparison with the specimens from a rural area.

Coastal biomonitoring survey on persistent organic pollutants using oysters (Saccostrea mordax) from Okinawa, Japan: Geographical distribution and polystyrene foam as a potential source of hexabromocyclododecanes.

The present study determined contamination levels of POPs, such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane and its metabolites (DDTs), chlordane compounds (CHLs), polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs), in oysters (Saccostrea mordax) collected throughout the seacoast of Okinawa, Japan and their geographic distribution. PCBs, DDTs, CHLs, PBDEs and HBCDs were detected in almost all the oyster samples analyzed and higher concentrations of PCBs, DDTs and CHLs were found in oysters from southwestern populated areas. On the other hand, HBCDs in oysters showed similar levels throughout Okinawa and the highest concentration in a northern rural site with less human and industrial activities, although oyster concentrations of PBDEs were relatively lower.

Difference in electromyographic activity between the trapezius muscle and other neck accessory muscles under an increase in inspiratory resistive loading in the supine position.

The activity of the trapezius muscle is reportedly higher than that of other neck accessory muscles under a condition of increased inspiratory pressure in the standing position. The present study aimed to compare the activity of the trapezius muscle with those of the scalene and sternocleidomastoid muscles under a condition of increased inspiratory pressure in the supine position. This study included 40 subjects, and the muscle activity was measured using surface electromyography.

Table tennis match analysis: a review.

In table tennis, many different approaches to scientific founded match analysis have been developed since the first ones in the 1960s. The aim of this paper is to give a review on some of the most acknowledged methods of match analysis in table tennis. The first chapter presents a historical overview of match analysis from all over the world.

Esophageal Xanthoma: Presence of M2 Macrophages Suggests Association with Late Inflammatory and Reparative Processes.

Esophageal xanthoma is a rare lesion which is an asymptomatic small yellowish polyp, and most of the reported cases were solitary lesion. Histologically, aggregations of foam cells are found under the papillary hypertrophic squamous epithelium and the foam cells express CD68. The etiology of esophageal xanthoma is unknown.

Molecular Signature of Tumors with Monoallelic 13q14 Deletion: a Case Series of Spindle Cell Lipoma and Genetically-Related Tumors Demonstrating a Link Between FOXO1 Status and p38 MAPK Pathway.

Spindle cell/pleomorphic lipomas (SCLs), cellular angiofibromas (CAFs) and mammary-type myofibroblastomas (MFBs) are rare benign mesenchymal tumors with monoallelic 13q14 deletion. They are predicted to have a common pathogenic mechanism due to shared similar histological and immunohistochemical features; however, pathological consequences of monoallelic 13q14 deletion remain unknown. We previously reported a CAF case with monoallelic 13q14 deletion in which the tumor expressed decreased levels of FOXO1 and RB1, both of which were encoded in 13q14, and increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels.

Effect of Changing Table Tennis Ball Material from Celluloid to Plastic on the Post-Collision Ball Trajectory.

The official material used in table tennis balls was changed from celluloid to plastic, a material free of celluloid, in 2014. The purpose of this study was to understand the differences and similarities in the two types of ball materials by comparing their behavior upon collision with a table. The behavior of the balls before and after collision with a table, at various initial speeds ranging from 15 to 115 km/h, was captured using high-speed cameras.

A Shot Number Based Approach to Performance Analysis in Table Tennis.

The current study proposes a novel approach that improves the conventional performance analysis in table tennis by introducing the concept of frequency, or the number of shots, of each shot number. The improvements over the conventional method are as follows: better accuracy of the evaluation of skills and tactics of players, additional insights into scoring and returning skills and ease of understanding the results with a single criterion. The performance analysis of matches played at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London was conducted using the proposed method.

Does degree of alteration in effort sense caused by eccentric exercise significantly affect initial exercise hyperpnea in humans?

Previous research has shown an exaggeration in exercise hyperpnea 2 days after eccentric exercise (ECC). Enhancement in central command has been suggested as one candidate to account for this effect given that ECC-induced neuromuscular dysfunction increases relative exercise intensity, thus resulting in reinforcement of effort sense. The purpose of this study was, therefore, to elucidate whether the degree of alteration in effort sense caused by ECC affects exercise hyperpnea.

Homonegative Attitudes and their Correlates Among Vietnamese College Students.

This study investigated sex differences in homonegativity and their correlates among 197 Vietnamese college students (males = 49, females = 148, M = 20.9 years, SD = 2.9) in Ho Chi Minh City.

Research on the Effect of the Foot Bath and Foot Massage on Residual Schizophrenia Patients.

Researchers performed foot baths and massages for residual schizophrenia patients to gauge the effects on psychiatric symptoms. Subjects were six residual schizophrenia patients hospitalized in a psychiatric hospital. Three times a week for 4weeks, they received an 8-minute effleurage massage to their legs after a 10-minute foot bath.

CD10 expression in the neuroendocrine carcinoma component of endometrial mixed carcinoma: association with long survival.

Backgound: Endometrial mixed carcinoma with the neuroendocrine carcinoma (NEC) component is rare and is believed to have a poor prognosis. CD10 expression is reported to be a favorable prognostic marker for some tumors such as B-lymphoblastic leukemia/lymphoma, but unfavorable for others. Here, we report the case of a 33-year-old woman diagnosed with endometrial mixed carcinoma with the NEC component expressing CD10 who showed a favorable outcome.

Expression profile of doublesex/male abnormal-3-related transcription factor-1 during gonadal sex change in the protogynous wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus.

Sex change in fish involves a dramatic transformation of gonadal tissue and a switch in gametogenesis. Doublesex/male abnormal-3-related transcription factor-1 (DMRT1), encoded by the DMRT1 gene, is involved in testicular differentiation in a wide range of vertebrates as well as in sexual differentiation and gonadal sex change. In the present study, we investigated changes in the expression of dmrt1 during artificial gonadal sex change in the three-spot wrasse, Halichoeres trimaculatus, by real-time quantitative PCR and immunolocalization, using an anti-wrasse-Dmrt1 antibody that we prepared.

Concentration of organic sun-blocking agents in seawater of beaches and coral reefs of Okinawa Island, Japan.

The concentration of UV filters (UVFs) and UV light stabilizers (UVLSs) were measured in seawater and river water collected from sites at four beaches, two reefs, and one river on Okinawa Island, Japan. UVFs and/or UVLSs of 8-10 types were detected in beaches samples and 6-9 types were detected in reef samples. The total UVF concentrations at the beach sites were highest either in July or August with a maximum of 1.

Effects of the menstrual cycle on language and visual working memory: a pilot study.

This study aimed to examine the effects on language and visual working memory of the follicle, luteal, and menstruation phases. The subjects were 12 female students. We added visual information and the assignment of experimental tasks, which requires the faculty of sight, to the previous study; therefore, this study has an index of visual and linguistic working memory.