Big-bang nucleosynthesis with a long-lived charged massive particle including 4^4He spallation processes

We propose helium-4 spallation processes induced by long-lived stau in supersymmetric standard models, and investigate an impact of the processes on light elements abundances. We show that, as long as the phase space of helium-4 spallation processes is open, they are more important than stau-catalyzed fusion and hence constrain the stau property.Comment: 12 pages, 4 figures, 1 table, references added, all figures correcte

Intraoperative ultrasound as an educational guide for laparoscopic biliary surgery

AIM: To analyze the efficacy of routine intraoperative ultrasound (IOUS) as a guide for understanding biliary tract anatomy, to avoid bile duct injury (BDI) after laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC), as well as any burden during the learning period

A Case of Cryptogenic Liver Cirrhosis with Huge Splenomegaly

Introduction We never knew how the liver function goes after splenectomy in case of huge splenomegaly because of the dramatic portal flow alteration. In this report, we will present a case of cryptogenic liver cirrhosis with huge splenomegaly. Case presentation A 14 years old male was admitted with huge splenemogaly and hepatomegaly. Computed tomography showed enlarged liver and huge spleen that occupied large volume of abdominal and pelvic cavity. His ADL was significantly deteriorated, and the patient could not stand up because of exertional dyspnea. Although the etiology of the patient was not determined in spite of several liver biopsies and laboratorial tests, we planned splenectomy to improve his ADL. Also, the progression of liver insufficiency was expected because the portal flow could be dramatically changed after the removal of the huge spleen. Therefore, we prepared for the living donor liver transplantation at first, and then splenectomy was performed. After the first operation, his general condition was improved and the liver function was not deteriorated for 6 months. Unfortunately, rapid progression of jaundice from his primary disease was occurred, and living donor liver transplantation using left lobe graft from his mother was performed 4 months later. The patient survived the two-stage liver transplantation procedure without major complications. Conclusion Our case suggests that we should consider the possibility of liver deterioration after splenectomy for the huge splenomegaly. In case of rapid deterioration of liver function, liver transplantation is the only feasible option.弘前医学. 64(Suppl.), 2013, p.S113-S11

Eight-Year Survival and Growth of Sakhalin Fir (<i>Abies sachalinensis</i>) Seedlings with One Weeding Operation: Impact of Mechanical Site Preparation, Vegetation Release, Summer Planting, Stock Type, and Forwarder Trail

In Hokkaido, northern Japan, bareroot Sakhalin fir seedlings are conventionally planted in spring and fall, following strip site preparation that alternates managed and unmanaged strips. However, this method requires seven years of weeding due to encroachment of evergreen dwarf bamboo. Given diminishing forest labor availability, a shortage of workers for planting and weeding operations has become a problem in reforestation following clearcutting. We examined whether comprehensive mechanical site preparation (MSP) could reduce weeding frequency by preventing regrowth of dwarf bamboo and whether container seedlings could extend the planting season into summer. Over eight years, the survival and growth of summer-planted bareroot and container seedlings were examined on a fully MSP-treated site with only one weeding operation in the fifth year. Full-site MSP resulted in a shift of the vegetation from dwarf bamboo to deciduous plants, leading to high survival and growth rates of Sakhalin fir seedlings despite minimal weeding. Container seedlings exhibited superior establishment and maintained higher survival rates over eight years than bareroot seedlings. However, planting on the forwarder trail decreased seedling growth, and ultimately decreased survival under rare summer drought. Our findings indicate that container seedling summer planting and full-site MSP may represent an alternative approach to reforestation of Sakhalin fir, potentially reducing the need for weeding and extending the planting season

Role of Nurses in Early Ambulation of Living Donor Liver Transplant Recipients

［Introduction］ Liver transplant recipients suffer more complications than do patients undergoing other gastroenterological surgeries. Many factors inhibit ambulation in liver transplant patients, such as the level of restriction to bed rest and length of stay in the intensive care unit（ ICU）. Patients thus face ambulation difficulties. Support for ambulation is one of the major daily tasks of nurses. We reviewed the ambulation situations of patients who underwent living donor liver transplantation to investigate factors that contributed to ambulation and the nurse’s role therein. ［Patients］ Ten recipients underwent living donor liver transplantation in our hospital between April 2009 and December 2010. Records of the 8 patients who survived were evaluated for this study. ［Result］ According to the postoperative day of initiation of independent walking in the hospital ward, there were no significance difference among operation time, intraoperative bleeding, length of stay in ICU, bed rest level, complications, and rehabilitation intervention. However, the patients who received preoperative guidance were more highly motivated about ambulation than were patients who did not receive preoperative guidance. ［Discussion］ Although initiation of independent walking in the hospital ward differed depending on the patient's general status, it was found that volition is also a strong factor in patient ambulation. Preoperative orientation helps patients to understand perioperative management and clinical course. Moreover, it is necessary to share information with the rehabilitation team and to assist in the activities of daily living for early ambulation