Stability, Adsorption and Diffusion of CH4, CO2 and H2 in Clathrate Hydrates

We present a study of the adsorption and diffusion of CH4, CO2 and H2 molecules in clathrate hydrates using ab initio van der Waals density functional formalism [Dion et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 92, 246401 (2004)]. We find that the adsorption energy is dominated by van der Waals interactions and that, without them, gas hydrates would not be stable. We calculate the maximum adsorption capacity as well as the maximum hydrocarbon size that can be adsorbed.The relaxation of the host lattice is essential for a good description of the diffusion activation energies, which are estimated to be of the order of 0.2, 0.4, and 1.0 eV for H2, CO2, and CH4, respectively.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures, 3 table

Universalities in One-electron Properties of Limit Quasi-periodic Lattices

We investigate one-electron properties of one-dimensional self-similar structures called limit quasi-periodic lattices. The trace map of such a lattice is nonconservative in contrast to the quasi-periodic case, and we can determine the structure of its attractor. It allows us to obtain the three new features of the present system: 1) The multi-fractal characters of the energy spectra are {\it universal}. 2) The supports of the $f(\alpha)$-spectra extend over the whole unit interval, $[0, 1]$. 3) There exist marginal critical states.Comment: 4 pages, 2figure

Surgical Results of Patients with Peritoneal Carcinomatosis Treated with Cytoreductive Surgery Using a New Technique Named Aqua Dissection

During 2004 to 2011, 81, 420, and 166 patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), epithelial appendiceal neoplasm (APN), and gastric cancer (GC) with PC were treated with cytoreductive surgery (CRS) plus perioperative chemotherapy. CRS was performed by peritonectomy techniques using an aqua dissection. Results. Complete cytoreduction was done in 62/81 (76.5%), 228/420 (54.3%), and 101/166 (60.8%) of patients with CRC, APN, and GC. The main reasons of incomplete resections were involvement of all peritoneal regions and diffuse involvement of small bowel. The incidence (64%, 302/470) of CC-0 resection after introduction of an aqua dissection was significantly higher than before (42%, 82/197). A total of 41 (6.1%) patients died postoperatively. Major complication (grade 3-4 complications) occurred in 126 patients (18.9%). A reoperation was necessary in 36 patients (5.4%). By the multivariate analysis, PCI scores capable of serving as thresholds for favorable versus poor prognosis in each group and CC scores demonstrated as the independent prognostic factors. Conclusions. Peritonectomy using an aqua dissection improves the incidence of complete cytoreduction, and improves the survival of patients with PC. Patients with PCI larger than the threshold values should be treated with chemotherapy to improve the incidences of complete cytoreduction

A novel missense mutation of SLC7A9 frequent in Japanese cystinuria cases affecting the C-terminus of the transporter

Cystinuria is caused by the inherited defect of apical membrane transport systems for cystine and dibasic amino acids in renal proximal tubules. Mutations in either SLC7A9 or SLC3A1 gene result in cystinuria. The mutations of SLC7A9 gene have been identified mainly from Italian, Libyan Jewish, North American, and Spanish patients. In the present study, we have analyzed cystinuria cases from oriental population (mostly Japanese). Mutation analyses of SLC7A9 and SLC3A1 genes were performed on 41 cystinuria patients. The uptake of 14C-labeled cystine in COS-7 cells was measured to determine the functional properties of mutants. The protein expression and localization were examined by Western blot and confocal laser-scanning microscopy. Among 41 patients analyzed, 35 were found to possess mutations in SLC7A9. The most frequent one was a novel missense mutation P482L that affects a residue near the C-terminus end of the protein and causes severe loss of function. In MDCK II and HEK293 cells, we found that P482L protein was expressed and sorted to the plasma membrane as well as wild type. The alteration of Pro482 with amino acids with bulky side chains reduced the transport function of b0,+AT/BAT1. Interestingly, the mutations of SLC7A9 for Japanese cystinuria patients are different from those reported for European and American population. The results of the present study contribute toward understanding the distribution and frequency of cystinuria-related mutations of SLC7A9

Tumor disappearance on positron emission tomography computed tomography after S-1 treatment for postoperative local recurrence of gallbladder cancer

Objective: Gallbladder cancer (GBC) typically follows an aggressive course with the standard of care for advanced disease; complete responses are rarely encountered. We report a case in which tumor disappearance on positron emission tomography computed tomography (PET-CT) was treated with S-1 as the second-line treatment for local recurrence of GBC after gemcitabine (GEM) plus cisplatin (CDDP) (GC) combination therapy. Case Presentation: A 69-year-old woman was referred to our hospital with complaints of right hypochondrial pain. Based on ultrasound, CT, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings, we diagnosed patient with suspected GBC. Results: We performed the resection of the gallbladder base, partial resection of the transverse colon, and partial resection of the stomach for GBC. At four months after the surgery, PET-CT showed local recurrence. First-line chemotherapy with GC therapy was initiated. After 9 courses, PET-CT showed increased local recurrence. We concluded that GC treatment was ineffective. Second-line chemotherapy with S-1 was initiated for two weeks, followed by a 7-day rest period. PET-CT in September 2019 showed the markedly reduction of the local recurrence, and PET-CT in October 2021 showed the complete disappearance of the local recurrence. At 20 months after the discontinuation of S-1, PET-CT showed the complete disappearance of the local recurrence. Conclusions: Chemotherapy with S-1 can be managed safely and was demonstrated to be effective in treating the local recurrence of GBC recurrence

Clinicopathological study of small bowel gastrointestinal stromal tumor with surgical intervention

Objective: Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) present with different clinical and immunohistochemical characteristics depending on the anatomic site. The present study clarified the clinicopathological characteristics of small bowel (SB) GISTs, which are relatively infrequent. Patients and Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of 15 cases of small intestinal GISTs resected at our hospital were reviewed. SBGISTs were divided into duodenal (d) GISTs and jejunal/ ileal (ji) GISTs for the comparison. Results: The tumors included six cases in the duodenum, six in the jejunum, and three in ileum. All patients underwent duodenal wedge resection for dGIST and partial SB resection for jiGIST. The stage was I in seven patients, II in two patients, IIIB in five patients, and IV in one patient. The median postoperative observation period was 67 (11-175) months. Ten patients had no recurrence, two had hepatic and peritoneal recurrence, one had multiple hepatic recurrence, one had peritoneal recurrence, and one had lymph node recurrence. On comparing dGISTs and jiGISTs, recurrence was significantly more frequent in jiGISTs than in dGISTs. Conclusions: In five cases of recurrence, chemotherapy and surgery at the appropriate time seemed effective for achieving a long-term survival. Recurrence was significantly more frequent in jiGISTs than in dGISTs

S-1 and oxaliplatin regimen neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by surgery for resectable advanced gastric cancer with multiple lymph-node metastasis

Objective: The prognosis of patients with advanced gastric cancer (GC) with multiple lymph-node metastasis is poor. The present study evaluated a neoadjuvant S-1 and oxaliplatin regimen (SOX) followed by D2 gastrectomy for advanced GC with lymph-node metastasis. Patients and Methods: Ten patients with resectable clinical advanced gastric cancer with multiple lymph-node metastasis who received preoperative SOX therapy were included in this study from 2015 to 2021. Results: A clinical evaluation by RECIST version 1.1 criteria after SOX therapy showed 8 cases of partial response (PR), 2 cases of stable disease (SD), and no progress disease (PD). The histopathological stages were IB in 3 patients, IIA in 2, IIB in 2, IIIA in 2, and IIIB in 1, and downstaging was observed in 8 of 10 patients (80%). Histopathological effects were Grade 1a in 4 patients, Grade 1b in 3 patients, Grade 2a in 2 patients, and Grade 2b in 1 patient; there were no Grade 3 patients. Adverse events of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) according to the CTCAE criteria were Grade 1 anemia, nausea, dysgeusia, and peripheral neuropathy in one patient each; Grade 2 anemia in two patients; and diarrhea in one patient. No grade ≧3 adverse events were observed. The surgical techniques were distal gastrectomy in four cases, total gastrectomy in five cases, and total gastrectomy and caudal pancreatectomy in one case; all patients underwent D2 dissection, and all received R0 surgery. One patient had local recurrence, and one patient had peritoneal recurrence and is on chemotherapy. The remaining eight patients are alive without recurrence. Conclusions: In the future, neoadjuvant chemotherapy with SOX therapy may become a treatment option for advanced resectable GC with multiple lymph-node metastasis

Morphology for Image Processing. Part I

In this article we defined mathematical morphology image processing with set operations. First, we defined Minkowski set operations and proved their properties. Next, we defined basic image processing, dilation and erosion proving basic fact about them [5], [8].Yamazaki Hiroshi - Shinshu University, Nagano, JapanByliński Czesław - University of Białystok, PolandWasaki Katsumi - Shinshu University, Nagano, JapanCzesław Byliński. Functions and their basic properties. Formalized Mathematics, 1(1):55-65, 1990.Czesław Byliński. Functions from a set to a set. Formalized Mathematics, 1(1):153-164, 1990.Yuzhong Ding and Xiquan Liang. Preliminaries to mathematical morphology and its properties. Formalized Mathematics, 13(2):221-225, 2005.Noboru Endou, Takashi Mitsuishi, and Yasunari Shidama. Dimension of real unitary space. Formalized Mathematics, 11(1):23-28, 2003.H. J. A. M. Heijimans. Morphological Image Operators. Academic Press, 1994.Krzysztof Hryniewiecki. Basic properties of real numbers. Formalized Mathematics, 1(1):35-40, 1990.Beata Padlewska. Families of sets. Formalized Mathematics, 1(1):147-152, 1990.P. Soille. Morphological Image Analysis: Principles and Applications. Springer, 2003.Wojciech A. Trybulec. Vectors in real linear space. Formalized Mathematics, 1(2):291-296, 1990.Zinaida Trybulec. Properties of subsets. Formalized Mathematics, 1(1):67-71, 1990

Clinical study of small bowel adenocarcinoma with surgical intervention

Objective: Small bowel adenocarcinoma (SBA) is a rare disease but its clinical features have been clearly elucidated. The present study clarified the clinicopathological characteristics, the effectiveness of the surgical procedure, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and adjuvant chemotherapy of the patients with SBA. Patients and Methods: The clinicopathological characteristics of 9 cases of SBA resected at our hospital were reviewed between 2004 and 2017. Results: The mean age of the 9 patients (4 men, 5 women) was 69.6 (57-83) years. The sites included the duodenum (n=3), jejunum (n=3), and ileum (n=3). As neoadjuvant chemotherapy, S-1 was administered to a patient with a large duodenal adenocarcinoma invading the portal vein. The surgical procedures included partial resection of jejunum (n=3); partial resection of ileum (n=3); pylorus-preserved pancreatoduodenectomy (PD) (PPPD) with right hemicolectomy due to invasion of ascending colon (n=1); subtotal stomach-preserving PD (SSPPD) (n=1); and wedge resection of the duodenum (n=1). The stage was classified as follows: stage I (n=1), stage IIA (n=1), stage IIB (n=3), stage IIIA (n=1), stage IIIB (n=2), and unknown, (n=1). As adjuvant chemotherapy, S-1 was administered to three stage IIB patients, one IIIA patient, and one IIIB patient. Tegafur uracil (UFT) + calcium folinate (LV) was administered to one stage IIIB patient. The cumulative five-year survival rate was 77.8%. Conclusions: Aggressive esophagogastroduodenoscopy, double-balloon endoscopy, and colonoscopy for symptoms such as anemia and abdominal pain, as well as intraoperative during abdominal surgery, would improve the prognosis of SBA

Clinicopathological outcomes and risk factors for postoperative recurrent and hospital mortality in patients with perforated colorectal cancer

Objective: Even after surgery and intensive postoperative treatment, the mortality rate of patients with perforated colorectal cancer (CRC) is high. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate risk factors for postoperative recurrence and hospital mortality in patients with perforated CRC. Patients and Methods: We experienced a total of 142 patients who were diagnosed with colorectal perforation and who underwent emergency surgery from 2008 to 2021. First, we performed a clinicopathological study of patients with perforated CRC. Next, we examined the clinicopathological characteristics of the CRC and non-CRC groups. We investigated the histopathological characteristics and risk factors for postoperative recurrence and hospital mortality in 32 patients with perforated CRC. Results: The Hinchey stage of the CRC group was significantly higher than that of the non-CRC group (p=0.00619), and that in the proximal site group was significantly higher than that of the cancer site group (p=0.00489). The rate of recurrence in the proximal site perforation group was significantly higher than that in the cancer site perforation group (p=0.0135). Patients with T4 disease showed a significantly higher rate of recurrence than those with T3 disease (p=0.0443). The number of dissected lymph nodes in the recurrence-free group was significantly higher than that in the recurrence group (p=0.0377). There was a tendency for more patients in the recurrence-free group to receive postoperative adjuvant chemotherapy; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The preoperative shock rate in the hospital mortality group was significantly higher than that in the alive at discharge group (p=0.0169). Conclusions: The proximal site perforation, T4 disease, and the small number of dissected lymph nodes were the risk of the recurrence. The large number of preoperative shocks was the risk of the hospital mortality