Analysis of partially penetrating slug tests in a stratified formation by alternating piezometer and tube methods

In partially penetrating slug tests, hydraulic conductivity (K) estimates might not necessarily be valid because of vertical flows in heterogeneous formations. We assess the error in hypothetical stratified formations by numerical sensitivity analysis, and propose an effective method for compensation by incorporating two types of casing configuration (piezometer and tube). The hypothetical stratified formation consists of completely horizontal layers, each 1 m thick; the permeability is different between, but not within, layers. In this study, conductivity estimates in the piezometer and tube methods are calculated by assigning various patterns of conductivity to the test, upper, and lower layers: KT, KU, and KL. The effect of vertical flow becomes significant when KT is small relative to KU or KL, and KL is more important than KU because the base of the borehole is open to the lower formation. The conductivity ratios (estimate over actual value) are treated as approximately linearly dependent on logarithms of KT/KU and KT/KL, so that conductivity estimates can be straightforwardly derived from one piezometer measurement and two tube measurements at the top and bottom of the screen. The linear relations are evaluated and constant parameters are determined under specific conditions. This study also recommends alternating piezometer and tube methods in the drilling procedure because the actual variation of K with depth is larger than that found using isolated measurements, as shown in a field study of alluvial fan gravel deposits in Sapporo, Japan

Abscess Formation of the Round Ligament of the Liver: Report of a Case

Abscess formation of the round ligament of the liver is very rare. We report a case of a 70-year-old female with abscess of the round ligament after an endoscopic papillotomy for choledocholithiasis. On the 21st day following papillotomy, abscess formation of the round ligament was found by ultrasonographic examination. Surgical treatment was performed because conservative therapy was not effective. The purulent fluid and necrotic tissue at the round ligament were completely removed. Cultures obtained from the abscess grew Staphylococcus epidermidis, but the mechanism of abscess formation in this case remains unclear.</p

Multiple gastrointestinal stromal tumors in neurofi bromatosis type 1 treated with laparoscopic surgery

Gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GISTs) have been reported to occasionally occur in patients with neurofi bromatosis type 1 (NF-1), and many cases have had multiple lesions predominantly involving the small intestine. We report herein a case of multiple GISTs associated with NF-1 from whom laparoscopic surgery was benefi cial. In a 79-year-old female admitted with anemia and melena, the abdominal computed tomography revealed a tumor arising from the small intestine. Laparoscopic surgery was performed, and another small tumor was revealed during laparoscopic observation. Extracorporeal partial and wedge resection of the small intestine were undertaken. Both lesions were diagnosed as typical GISTs of low risk. Laparoscopic surgery would be useful for examination and a minimally invasive approach to tumors of the small intestine, especially on cases with the possibility of multiple tumors.</p

Abdominal wall and thigh abscess resulting from the penetration of ascending colon cancer.

An unusual case is described in which an abdominal wall and thigh abscess was an initial symptom of ascending colon cancer. A 76-year-old woman was referred to our hospital for investigation of fever and abdominal and thigh swelling. Computed tomography revealed a right abdominal wall, retroperitoneal, psoas and thigh abscess formation suspected to be caused by colon perforation. Due to the patient's poor general condition, local drainage of the abscess was performed on the following day of hospitalization. Histological examination of necrotic tissues removed form the retroperitoneal cavity demonstrated adenocarcinoma of the colon. The patient subsequently underwent right hemicolectomy with lymph nodal dissection after 19 days of the drainage procedure and was transferred to another hospital on the 49th day following the second surgery.</p

Rapid-onset dystonia-Parkinsonism phenotype consistency for a novel variant of ATP1A3 in patients across 3 global populations

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Medium-chain fatty acids suppress lipotoxicity-induced hepatic fibrosis via the immunomodulating receptor GPR84

食事性肥満から肝炎発症に関わる制御因子の同定 --中鎖脂肪酸油による予防・GPR84標的NASH治療薬の可能性--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2023-01-18.Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which consist of medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), are unique forms of dietary fat with various health benefits. G protein–coupled 84 (GPR84) acts as a receptor for MCFAs (especially C10:0 and C12:0); however, GPR84 is still considered an orphan receptor, and the nutritional signaling of endogenous and dietary MCFAs via GPR84 remains unclear. Here, we showed that endogenous MCFA-mediated GPR84 signaling protected hepatic functions from diet-induced lipotoxicity. Under high-fat diet (HFD) conditions, GPR84-deficient mice exhibited nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and the progression of hepatic fibrosis but not steatosis. With markedly increased hepatic MCFA levels under HFD, GPR84 suppressed lipotoxicity-induced macrophage overactivation. Thus, GPR84 is an immunomodulating receptor that suppresses excessive dietary fat intake–induced toxicity by sensing increases in MCFAs. Additionally, administering MCTs, MCFAs (C10:0 or C12:0, but not C8:0), or GPR84 agonists effectively improved NASH in mouse models. Therefore, exogenous GPR84 stimulation is a potential strategy for treating NASH

Thymidine Catabolism as a Metabolic Strategy for Cancer Survival

Thymidine phosphorylase (TP), a rate-limiting enzyme in thymidine catabolism, plays a pivotal role in tumor progression; however, the mechanisms underlying this role are not fully understood. Here, we found that TP-mediated thymidine catabolism could supply the carbon source in the glycolytic pathway and thus contribute to cell survival under conditions of nutrient deprivation. In TP-expressing cells, thymidine was converted to metabolites, including glucose 6-phosphate, lactate, 5-phospho-α-D-ribose 1-diphosphate, and serine, via the glycolytic pathway both in vitro and in vivo. These thymidine-derived metabolites were required for the survival of cells under low-glucose conditions. Furthermore, activation of thymidine catabolism was observed in human gastric cancer. These findings demonstrate that thymidine can serve as a glycolytic pathway substrate in human cancer cells