A Meta-Analysis of the Short- And Long-Term Results of Randomized Controlled Trials That Compared Laparoscopy-Assisted and Open Colectomy for Colon Cancer

Purpose: We conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate and compare the short- and long-term results of laparoscopy-assisted colectomy (LAC) and open colectomy (OC) for colon cancer

Characteristics of a half-wave rectified brushless synchronous generator

The paper proposes the half-wave rectified brushless synchronous generator and analyzes the basic characteristics using the finite element method. It is based on the half-wave rectified excitation theory and doesn\u27t need brush and slip ring system or permanent magnets for field excitation.7th International Power Electronics Conference, IPEC-Hiroshima - ECCE Asia 2014; Hiroshima; Japan; 18 May 2014 through 21 May 201

Adaptability and selectivity of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) pan agonists revealed from crystal structures

The structures of the ligand-binding domains (LBDs) of human peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARα, PPARγ and PPARδ) in complexes with a pan agonist, an α/δ dual agonist and a PPARδ-specific agonist were determined. The results explain how each ligand is recognized by the PPAR LBDs at an atomic level

Tsunami run-up heights of the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake

Tsunami height survey was conducted immediately after the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake. Results of the survey show that the largest tsunami height was 4 m to the east of Cape Erimo, around Bansei-onsen, and locally at Mabiro. The results also show that the tsunami height distribution of the 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquake is clearly different from that of the 1952 Tokachi-oki earthquake, suggesting the different source areas of the 1952 and 2003 Tokachioki earthquakes. Numerical simulation of tsunami is carried out using the slip distribution estimated by Yamanaka and Kikuchi (2003). The overall pattern of the observed tsunami height distribution along the coast is explained by the computed ones although the observed tsunami heights are slightly smaller. Large later phase observed at the tide gauge in Urakawa is the edge wave propagating from Cape Erimo along the west coast of the Hidaka area.The 2003 Tokachi-oki earthquak

Association between PPARGC1A polymorphisms and the occurrence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD)

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Genetic factors as well as environmental factors are important in the development of NAFLD and in this study we investigated associations between polymorphisms of peroxisome proliferators-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α polymorphism (<it>PPARGC1A</it>) and NAFLD.</p> <p>Aims</p> <p>We recruited 115 patients with biopsy-proven NAFLD, 65 with NASH and 50 with simple steatosis, and 441 healthy control subjects and investigated 15 SNPs of <it>PPARGC1A</it>.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>SNP rs2290602 had the lowest <it>p </it>value in the dominant mode (<it>p </it>= 0.00095), and the odds ratio for NAFLD (95% CI) was 2.73 (1.48 – 5.06). rs2290602 was significantly associated with NAFLD even when the most conservative Bonferroni's correction was applied (<it>p </it>= 0.0143). The frequency of the T allele of rs2290602 was significantly higher in the NASH patients than in the control subjects (<it>p </it>= 0.00093, allele frequency mode), and its frequency in the NASH patients tended to be higher than in the simple steatosis patients (<it>p </it>= 0.09). The results of the real-time RT-PCR study showed that intrahepatic mRNA expression of <it>PPARGC1A </it>was lower in the TT group than in the GG or GT group at SNP rs2290602 (p = 0.0454).</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This is the first study to demonstrate a significant association between genetic variations in <it>PPARGC1A </it>and NAFLD. This finding suggested that <it>PPARGC1A </it>polymorphism and lower expression of <it>PPARGC1A </it>mRNA in the liver are an important genetic contribution to etiology of NAFLD.</p