Successional changes in mycorrhizal type in the pioneer plant communities of a subalpine volcanic desert on Mt. Fuji, Japan

Isolated island-like plant communities dominated by the perennial herb Polygonum cuspidatum are typical pioneer vegetation in the subalpine volcanic deserts of Japan. To study the relationship between mycorrhizal associations and plant community development, we conducted a survey of the mycorrhizal status of plants in subalpine island communities in a volcanic desert on Mt. Fuji. Roots of 45 native species, belonging to 23 families, were collected from island communities at 3 different successional stages: (I) pioneer communities dominated by P. cuspidatum, (II) mixed communities of herbs and grass, and (III) mixed communities of herbs and shrubs. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) was the predominant mycorrhizal type in the early stages of community successions (I and II). P. cuspidatum, which had previously been reported as a non-mycorrhizal species, formed AM at the study site. In the later stage (III), 5 mycorrhizal types, AM, ecto-, ericoid, arbutoid and orchid mycorrhizal, were observed. Seven woody species had two types of mycorrhizas (AM and ectomycorrhiza). High spore densities of AM fungi were observed in the soil of the island communities, whereas few spores were observed in bare ground without vegetation cover. The average colonization levels of the AM fungi were within a wide range of 0.1 to 72%, independent of successional progress. These data show that marked increases in mycorrhizal types occur during the succession of island communities, although AM is the predominant mycorrhizal type throughout the successional process

Mycorrhizal status of alpine plant communities on Mt. Maedake Cirque in the Japan South Alps

To clarify the mycorrhizal status of alpine plants, we sampled roots of 33 species from 15 families growing on Mt. Maedake Cirque in the Japan South Alps. Ericoid mycorrhiza, ectomycorrhiza and arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) were observed in the study site. Colonization classified as ericoid mycorrhizal was observed with Phyllodoce aleutica, Tripetaleia bracteata, Vaccinium uliginosum, Rhododendron aureum, Arcterica nana and Shortia soldanelloides f. alpina, and ectomycorrhizal colonization with Pinus pumila and Polygonum viviparum. AM plants were found in species belonging to the following families: Compositae, Geraniaceae, Ranunculaceae, Rosaceae, Gramineae, Liliaceae, Violaceae, Crassulaceae, Gentianaceae and Campanulaceae. AM was the predominant mycorrhizal type in the study site and average colonization levels of AM fungi were within a wide range of 1.2 to 76.1%. In conclusion, mycorrhizal associations were observed in most (91%) of the plant species examined under the severe climate conditions of the study site

Multiple Magnetoelectric Plateaux in Polar Magnet Fe2_2Mo3_3O8_8

The magnetization and electric polarization of a polar antiferromagnet Fe$_2$Mo$_3$O$_8$ are studied up to 66 T for spin-saturation magnetic fields applied along the polar axis. The magnetization process at 1.4 K exhibited multistep structures below the saturation field of 65 T. The electric polarization along the polar axis exhibits a similar multistep behavior with a total change of 1.2 $\rm{\mu}C/cm^{2}$. A combined triangular-lattice antiferromagnetic model with strong Ising-type spin anisotropy reproduces this multistep magnetoelectric (ME) effect. The exchange striction mechanism explains the remarkable ME response in the two sub-lattice type-I multiferroic materials. These results and interpretation demonstrate a method for realizing multistage magnetoelectric effects in hybrid spin systems.Comment: 10 pages, 5 figure

A multi-center, prospective, clinical study to evaluate the anti-reflux efficacy of laparoscopic double-flap technique (lD-FLAP Study)

Background: Double-flap technique (DFT) is a reconstruction procedure after proximal gastrectomy (PG). We previously reported a multi-center, retrospective study in which the incidence of reflux esophagitis (RE) (Los Angeles Classification ≥Grade B [LA-B]) 1 year after surgery was 6.0%. There have been many reports, but all of them were retrospective. Thus, a multi-center, prospective study was conducted. Methods: Laparoscopic PG + DFT was performed for cT1N0 upper gastric cancer patients. The primary endpoint was the incidence of RE (≥LA-B) 1 year after surgery. The planned sample size was 40, based on an estimated incidence of 6.0% and an upper threshold of 20%. Results: Forty patients were recruited, and 39, excluding one with conversion to total gastrectomy, received protocol treatment. Anastomotic leakage (Clavien–Dindo ≥Grade III) was observed in one patient (2.6%). In 38 patients, excluding one case of postoperative mortality, RE (≥LA-B) was observed in two patients (5.3%) 1 year after surgery, and the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval was 17.3%, lower than the 20% threshold. Anastomotic stricture requiring dilatation was observed in two patients (5.3%). One year after surgery, body weight change was 88.9 ± 7.0%, and PNI Conclusion: Laparoscopic DFT showed anti-reflux efficacy. Taken together with the acceptable incidence of anastomotic stricture, DFT can be an option for reconstruction procedure after PG

Improved detection of air-filled lesions using computed tomography in dogs with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax through reduction of pulmonary atelectasis via positive pressure ventilation

IntroductionSpontaneous pneumothorax in dogs is predominantly caused by the rupture of air-filled lesions, such as bullae or blebs. The efficacy of Computed Tomography (CT) in detecting these lesions has been deemed limited due to its reportedly low sensitivity. This retrospective, cross-sectional study investigates the utility of CT in eight dogs diagnosed with recurrent pneumothorax, all of which had surgical confirmation of the cause of the pneumothorax.Materials and methodsThoracic radiographs were obtained before and the day following the CT studies. Initially, a CT study was conducted without positive pressure ventilation (pre-PPV CT). Subsequent CT studies were performed post-evacuation of pneumothorax and with positive pressure ventilation of 15 cmH2O until lung atelectasis was resolved (post-PPV CT). The pre-PPV CT and post-PPV CT images were anonymized and reviewed by two board-certified radiologists. The presence and morphology of air-filled lesions were evaluated on all images. Surgical findings were recorded and compared to the CT findings.ResultsAir-filled lesions were detected in 5 out of 8 dogs in the pre-PPV CT studies and in all 8 dogs in the post-PPV CT studies. The CT findings of air-filled lesions were consistent with surgical findings. None of the dogs showed increased severity of pneumothorax in radiographs taken the day following the CT studies.DiscussionsThe study concludes that the resolution of lung atelectasis by evacuation of pneumothorax and positive pressure ventilation during CT studies is feasible and enhances the detection of air-filled lesions in dogs with recurrent spontaneous pneumothorax. This could potentially aid in improving surgical planning

Malignant Triton tumor in the retroperitoneal space associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case study

We report an extremely rare case of malignant Triton tumor developing in the retroperitoneal space in a patient with neurofibromatosis type 1. A 21-year old man who had been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 was admitted to our hospital with the chief complaint of a palpable abdominal mass. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a huge heterogeneous tumor measuring approximately 17 cm in diameter occupying the left retroperitoneal space, and numerous metastatic lesions between the left psoas muscle and the left thigh with dissolution of the left hip joint. After the diagnosis of a retroperitoneal malignant neurogenic tumor, resection of the tumor with reconstruction of the abdominal aorta was conducted, followed by postoperative transarterial infusion chemotherapy. The histopathological diagnosis was malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor with rhabdomyosarcomatous differentiation, namely malignant Triton tumor. Postoperative chemotherapy was in vain and the patient died 14 months after the surgery as a result of lung metastasis

Plexiform neurofibroma in the hepatic hilum associated with neurofibromatosis type 1: a case report

We present an extremely rare case of plexiform neurofibroma involving the hepatic hilum. A 24-year old woman who had been diagnosed with neurofibromatosis type 1 was referred to our hospital for evaluation of an abdominal mass found on computed tomography and progressive aggravation of intermittent abdominal pain. Abdominal computed tomography revealed a multilobulated non-enhancing mass involving the celiac trunk and hepatic artery, that extended to the hepatic hilum through the hepatoduodenal ligament. Magnetic resonance imaging showed the lesion extending along the intrahepatic Glisson's sheath. Based on the imaging findings, the patient was diagnosed to have a neu-rofibroma, although sarcomatous differentiation could not be excluded. The tumor was resected, leaving behind the intrahepatic extension, with the aim of alleviating the abdominal pain and preventing obstructive jaundice. Histopathological examination revealed the diagnosis of plexiform neurofibroma. At present, three years after the surgery, the patient remains symptom-free, without any evidence of recurrence

University Students\u27 Body Image and Mental Health : Part 2 : Comparison among Healthy Group, Unidentified Complaints Group, and Athlete

特集1 葉賀弘教授退職記

Establishment of Immunodeficient Retinal Degeneration Model Mice and Functional Maturation of Human ESC-Derived Retinal Sheets after Transplantation

Increasing demand for clinical retinal degeneration therapies featuring human ESC/iPSC-derived retinal tissue and cells warrants proof-of-concept studies. Here, we established two mouse models of end-stage retinal degeneration with immunodeficiency, NOG-rd1-2J and NOG-rd10, and characterized disease progress and immunodeficient status. We also transplanted human ESC-derived retinal sheets into NOG-rd1-2J and confirmed their long-term survival and maturation of the structured graft photoreceptor layer, without rejection or tumorigenesis. We recorded light responses from the host ganglion cells using a multi-electrode array system; this result was consistent with whole-mount immunostaining suggestive of host-graft synapse formation at the responding sites. This study demonstrates an application of our mouse models and provides a proof of concept for the clinical use of human ESC-derived retinal sheets

Hepatic Sarcoidosis Mimicking Hilar Cholangiocarcinoma: Case Report and Review of the Literature

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic granulomatous disease of unknown etiology. Hepatic involvement was reported in about 11% of patients with sarcoidosis. However, cases of sarcoidosis in which the granuloma is solitary and limited in the liver are very rare. A 51-year-old woman with tumors in the liver underwent extended left lobectomy with caudate lobectomy and bile duct resection. The tumor was located between segment 4 and the hilar region. Some daughter nodules were found in the left lobe, which were regarded as intrahepatic metastasis. Our case displayed clinical and radiologically distinct findings, which are very similar to those of hilar cholangiocarcinoma restricted to the liver. This report demonstrates that sarcoidosis can show solitary hepatic involvement in the absence of thoracic lymphadenopathy. In such a case, it is difficult to distinguish the diagnosis from other malignant neoplasms. In conclusion, the diagnosis of hepatic sarcoidosis has to be made through prudent and comprehensive investigations that include a full clinical history of sarcoidosis in other organs. Despite utilizing several detailed diagnostic modalities, the definitive diagnosis of cases of solitary sarcoidosis may remain difficult. In these cases, surgical treatment including liver resection should be considered in order to avoid missing a suitable opportunity for treatment