オオツチワン ノ エゾノネジモク コタイグン ニ オケル グンラク コウゾウ ノ ドウタイ

The population dynamics of Sargassum yezoense (Yamada) Yoshida et T. Konno, occurring at the 3 m depth at the mouth of Otsuchi Bay in Iwate Prefecture, were examined throughout a year. The average length of main branch reached the maximum in June and thereafter decreased to the minimum in October. On the other hand, the main branch density, leaves area and standing crop of the Sargassum community increased steeply from June to August ; during the other period these values were almost constant at a relatively low level. The annual net production of the community was estimated as 0.996 kg (d.wt.)/m^2 from the difference between the maximum value and the constant value of standing crop

Primary Pancreatic Mantle Cell Lymphoma Diagnosed via Endoscopic Ultrasound-Guided Fine-Needle Aspiration

Primary pancreatic lymphomas (PPLs) are rare, and the histological classification of these tumors is difficult. To accurately diagnose and determine the appropriate treatment for PPLs, sufficient sample amounts are necessary. Here, we report a 73-year-old man with a primary pancreatic mantle cell lymphoma. Histological samples were obtained via endoscopic ultrasound-guided fine-needle aspiration (EUS-FNA). The tumor cells predominantly composed of atypical small to medium round cells, with diffuse immunoreactivity of CD20 and cyclin D1. In addition, immunoglobulin gene H chain rearrangement was detected. The patient underwent chemotherapy, resulting in complete remission. Eight years after the initiation of chemotherapy, the patient was still alive. EUS-FNA could be a useful and safe diagnostic modality for PPLs by providing enough samples for testing

米の研ぎ汁の水質汚濁負荷および無洗米使用による汚濁抑制の可能性

無洗米の認知度や使用実態ならびに普通精白米の洗米回数などに関するアンケート調査、洗米回数と汚濁負荷との関係の把握、河川水による研ぎ汁由来汚濁物質の分解実験、官能試験による無洗米と普通精白米の好まれ方の比較などを行い、普通精白米の使用による環境汚濁負荷の実態や無洗米への転換による台所排水の水質汚濁負荷低減の可能性を検討した。アンケート結果から、通常の一回の洗米作業では研ぎ汁を3～4回排出していることなどが分かった。一定の条件化ではあるが、米の研ぎ汁から排出されるCOD、窒素、リンの濃度および汚濁負荷を定量的に把握した。室内実験により、米の研ぎ汁中のCODは河川水中の微生物によって90%が分解されるが、微生物に分解されない難分解性の有機物に由来するCODも10%含まれており、これらが処理の困難な汚濁負荷となると推測された。また、無機態窒素やリン酸態リンは河川水中でほとんど除去されないことを定量的に確認した。通常の調理法では研ぎ汁の出ない無洗米と普通精白米の嗜好性試験を行い、無洗米は普通精白米と同様に食すことができるとの結果を得た。普通精白米を研がずに用いた米飯は、4回研いでから炊いた米飯より評価が低かった。アンケートでは無洗米の使用割合は多くないのが現状であるが、コスト面・環境面で有利であれば無洗米を使いたいという回答も多かった。したがって、今後、無洗米の使用が増えれば、汚濁負荷の低減につながるものと考えられる

DOCK2 is involved in the host genetics and biology of severe COVID-19

「コロナ制圧タスクフォース」COVID-19疾患感受性遺伝子DOCK2の重症化機序を解明 --アジア最大のバイオレポジトリーでCOVID-19の治療標的を発見--. 京都大学プレスリリース. 2022-08-10.Identifying the host genetic factors underlying severe COVID-19 is an emerging challenge. Here we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) involving 2, 393 cases of COVID-19 in a cohort of Japanese individuals collected during the initial waves of the pandemic, with 3, 289 unaffected controls. We identified a variant on chromosome 5 at 5q35 (rs60200309-A), close to the dedicator of cytokinesis 2 gene (DOCK2), which was associated with severe COVID-19 in patients less than 65 years of age. This risk allele was prevalent in East Asian individuals but rare in Europeans, highlighting the value of genome-wide association studies in non-European populations. RNA-sequencing analysis of 473 bulk peripheral blood samples identified decreased expression of DOCK2 associated with the risk allele in these younger patients. DOCK2 expression was suppressed in patients with severe cases of COVID-19. Single-cell RNA-sequencing analysis (n = 61 individuals) identified cell-type-specific downregulation of DOCK2 and a COVID-19-specific decreasing effect of the risk allele on DOCK2 expression in non-classical monocytes. Immunohistochemistry of lung specimens from patients with severe COVID-19 pneumonia showed suppressed DOCK2 expression. Moreover, inhibition of DOCK2 function with CPYPP increased the severity of pneumonia in a Syrian hamster model of SARS-CoV-2 infection, characterized by weight loss, lung oedema, enhanced viral loads, impaired macrophage recruitment and dysregulated type I interferon responses. We conclude that DOCK2 has an important role in the host immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection and the development of severe COVID-19, and could be further explored as a potential biomarker and/or therapeutic target

An Isolated Intestinal Juvenile Polyp Diagnosed by Abdominal Ultrasonography and Resected by Double-Balloon Endoscopy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Juvenile polyps, typically localized in the rectum and sigmoid colon, are a common cause of pediatric bloody stool. An isolated small intestinal juvenile polyp is uncommon and generally difficult to diagnose. The first case of an isolated juvenile polyp diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography before acute abdomen had developed and resected by double-balloon endoscopy is presented along with a review of previous reports including this case. A two-year-old Japanese boy was referred to our institute for further evaluation of anemia persisting from one year of age. Laboratory findings showed mild iron deficiency anemia and elevated fecal human hemoglobin (Hb) and fecal calprotectin values. Upper and lower endoscopic findings showed no abnormalities. Because the abdominal ultrasonography performed one year later demonstrated a 15 mm jejunal polyp, combined with a similar finding on small intestinal capsule endoscopy, this was diagnosed as an isolated lesion. The lesion was resected by cautery with double-balloon endoscopy and diagnosed as a juvenile polyp pathologically. All clinical symptoms disappeared, and all laboratory data improved after treatment, without recurrence for more than one year after the procedure. Abdominal ultrasonographic screening and the fecal calprotectin value led to the diagnosis and non-surgical invasive treatment of an isolated small intestinal juvenile polyp

An Isolated Intestinal Juvenile Polyp Diagnosed by Abdominal Ultrasonography and Resected by Double-Balloon Endoscopy: A Case Report and Literature Review

Juvenile polyps, typically localized in the rectum and sigmoid colon, are a common cause of pediatric bloody stool. An isolated small intestinal juvenile polyp is uncommon and generally difficult to diagnose. The first case of an isolated juvenile polyp diagnosed by abdominal ultrasonography before acute abdomen had developed and resected by double-balloon endoscopy is presented along with a review of previous reports including this case. A two-year-old Japanese boy was referred to our institute for further evaluation of anemia persisting from one year of age. Laboratory findings showed mild iron deficiency anemia and elevated fecal human hemoglobin (Hb) and fecal calprotectin values. Upper and lower endoscopic findings showed no abnormalities. Because the abdominal ultrasonography performed one year later demonstrated a 15 mm jejunal polyp, combined with a similar finding on small intestinal capsule endoscopy, this was diagnosed as an isolated lesion. The lesion was resected by cautery with double-balloon endoscopy and diagnosed as a juvenile polyp pathologically. All clinical symptoms disappeared, and all laboratory data improved after treatment, without recurrence for more than one year after the procedure. Abdominal ultrasonographic screening and the fecal calprotectin value led to the diagnosis and non-surgical invasive treatment of an isolated small intestinal juvenile polyp

A Large Substernal Goiter that Extended to Both Sides of the Thorax

Most substernal goiters can be managed through the transcervical approach, but a sternotomy is required in some cases. This report is about a large substernal goiter, which was resected via a transcervical and full sternotomy approach. The patient was a 57-year-old female, who visited our hospital for surgical treatment for a large substernal goiter. Computed tomography of the neck and chest revealed that the substernal goiter extended to both sides of the thorax and had compressed the trachea. We performed total thyroidectomy safely via a transcervical and full sternotomy approach. No postoperative complications occurred, except transient hypocalcemia. A histopathological examination did not reveal any malignancy, and the lesion was diagnosed as an adenomatous goiter. Most substernal goiters can be managed through the transcervical approach, but a full sternotomy is required when a substernal goiter extends to both sides of the thorax and/or has a larger diameter than the thoracic inlet or airway constriction is revealed. A full sternotomy provides excellent exposure and can help reduce the risk of complications, such as recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy and injuries to major blood vessels

A Case of Pneumothorax after Treatment with Lenvatinib for Anaplastic Thyroid Cancer with Lung Metastasis

A 63-year-old man was diagnosed with multiple lung metastases from anaplastic thyroid cancer and received lenvatinib. Follow-up computed tomography on day 34 of lenvatinib treatment showed pneumothorax. The pneumothorax was temporarily improved with chest drainage. However, pleurodesis was performed to treat a relapse of the pneumothorax. Pneumothorax during chemotherapy for a malignant tumor is considered a relatively rare complication. This case is the first documentation that pneumothorax may develop during lenvatinib treatment. The possible development of pneumothorax should be considered when lenvatinib is used in patients with lung metastasis

Nephrectomy for Metastatic Kidney Tumor in Patients with Differentiated Thyroid Cancer: A Report of Two Cases

The occurrence of renal tumors originating from thyroid cancer is extremely rare with a few effective treatments for renal metastases. Here, we report the cases of two patients with differentiated thyroid cancer who underwent nephrectomy for a metastatic kidney tumor. Case 1 was a 74-year-old man who was diagnosed with right kidney tumor 10 years after initial surgery for papillary thyroid cancer (PTC). Right nephrectomy was performed, and the pathology was metastatic PTC. Case 2 was a 68-year-old woman who was diagnosed with left kidney tumor 24 years after surgery for follicular thyroid carcinoma (FTC). Left nephrectomy was performed, and the pathology was metastatic FTC. Nephrectomy for single renal metastasis could be considered a treatment option if the patients’ general condition is positive