Comparative Quality of Laparoscopic and Open Cholecystectomy in the Elderly Using Propensity Score Matching Analysis

The safety of laparoscopic cholecystectomy (LC) in patients ≥65 years of age requires further investigation of postoperative outcomes before it becomes more widely accepted as a safe technique. The advantages of using LC versus open cholecystectomy (OC) in elderly patients were analyzed using propensity score matching. The demographics, cholecystitis severity, comorbidities, complications, and admission and discharge Barthel Index (BI) scores of patients with benign gallbladder diseases were analyzed. Outcomes were analyzed by age, length of stay (LOS), total charges (TCs), BI improvement, and postoperative complications. OC, which was indicated in severe disease cases, increased hospital resource use and caused more complications than LC, but did not improve BI. Advanced age and OC resulted in greater LOS and TCs and was the best indicator of BI deterioration. Whenever possible, surgeons should use LC in elderly patients to minimize postoperative complications and allow them to regain a good quality of life

スケトウダラ着底トロール調査におけるワープ長の違いが網形状と漁獲に与える影響

We examined variation in trawl dimension, bottom contact, and catch with differing warp lengths during walleye pollock surveys conducted by the Fisheries Research Agency. The ratio of warp length to fishing depth (scope ratio) was set at 2.5, 3.0 and 3.5 at depths of 110 m. At a 2.5 scope ratio, the net mouth shape and footgear contact fluctuated, as the trawl door did not contact the bottom. Footgear contact was complete when the scope ratio was 3.0 or more. Walleye pollock, sculpins, and flatfishes were the main catch in all tows, and the catch increased with scope ratio. There was no difference in the length frequency of n= 300 walleye pollock captured at 2.5 and 3.0 scope ratio. However, the length frequency at 3.5 was significantly different from that of other scope ratios. These results suggest the following: at a scope ratio of 3.0 or more, the trawl door will not leave the bottom at any depths. To compliment echo surveys for walleye pollock, a 3.0 scope ratio would be optimal, since the catch data for a 3.5 scope ratio was dissimilar from that of scope ratios

Selective electroless plating of 3D-printed plastic structures for three-dimensional microwave metamaterials

A technique of selective electroless plating onto PLA-ABS (Polylactic Acid-Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) composite structures fabricated by three-dimensional (3D) printing is demonstrated to construct 3D microwave metamaterials. The reducing activity of the PLA surface is selectively enhanced by the chemical modification involving Sn2+ in a simple wet process, thereby forming a highly conductive Ag-plated membrane only onto the PLA surface. The fabricated metamaterial composed of Ag-plated PLA and non-plated ABS parts is characterized experimentally and numerically to demonstrate the important bi-anisotropic microwave responses arising from the 3D nature of metallodielectric structures. Our approach based on a simple wet chemical process allows for the creation of highly complex 3D metal-insulator structures, thus paving the way toward the sophisticated microwave applications of the 3D printing technology. Published by AIP Publishing

Activation routes for high surface area graphene monoliths from graphene oxide colloids

Graphene monoliths made from graphene oxide colloids by unidirectional freeze-drying method were activated by typical activation processes of CO2 activation, chemical activation using ZnCl2 or H3PO4, and KOH activation. The porosity development of graphene monolith markedly depends on the activation method. The monoliths with highest surface area are obtained by the KOH activation method; only the KOH activation is effective for production of the graphene monolith of which surface area is in the range of 1760–2150 m2 g−1. The mechanism of the porosity development by KOH activation method is proposed. This work provides a promising route for the bottom-up design of pore width-tunable nanoporous carbons.K.K., F.T., T.F., R.C-S, M.T. and M.E. were supported by Exotic Nanocarbons, Japan Regional Innovation Strategy Program by the Excellence, JST. This work was supported by Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (24241038) and Concert-Japan project: Efficient Energy Storage and Distribution, JST. D. M., and this study were partially supported by JST CREST “Creation of Innovative Functional Materials with Advanced Properties by Hyper-nano-space Design”

FGF2 Has Distinct Molecular Functions from GDNF in the Mouse Germline Niche

Both glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) are bona fide self-renewal factors for spermatogonial stem cells, whereas retinoic acid (RA) induces spermatogonial differentiation. In this study, we investigated the functional differences between FGF2 and GDNF in the germline niche by providing these factors using a drug delivery system in vivo. Although both factors expanded the GFRA1+ subset of undifferentiated spermatogonia, the FGF2-expanded subset expressed RARG, which is indispensable for proper differentiation, 1.9-fold more frequently than the GDNF-expanded subset, demonstrating that FGF2 expands a differentiation-prone subset in the testis. Moreover, FGF2 acted on the germline niche to suppress RA metabolism and GDNF production, suggesting that FGF2 modifies germline niche functions to be more appropriate for spermatogonial differentiation. These results suggest that FGF2 contributes to induction of differentiation rather than maintenance of undifferentiated spermatogonia, indicating reconsideration of the role of FGF2 in the germline niche

Concomitant administration of radiation with eribulin improves the survival of mice harboring intracerebral glioblastoma

Glioblastoma is the most common and devastating type of malignant brain tumor. We recently found that eribulin suppresses glioma growth in vitro and in vivo and that eribulin is efficiently transferred into mouse brain tumors at a high concentration. Eribulin is a non‐taxane microtubule inhibitor approved for breast cancer and liposarcoma. Cells arrested in M‐phase by chemotherapeutic agents such as microtubule inhibitors are highly sensitive to radiation‐induced DNA damage. Several recent case reports have demonstrated the clinical benefits of eribulin combined with radiation therapy for metastatic brain tumors. In this study, we investigated the efficacy of a combined eribulin and radiation treatment on human glioblastoma cells. The glioblastoma cell lines U87MG, U251MG and U118MG, and SJ28 cells, a patient‐derived sphere culture cell line, were used to determine the radiosensitizing effect of eribulin using western blotting, flow cytometry and clonogenic assay. Subcutaneous and intracerebral glioma xenografts were generated in mice to assess the efficacy of the combined treatment. The combination of eribulin and radiation enhanced DNA damage in vitro. The clonogenic assay of U87MG demonstrated the radiosensitizing effect of eribulin. The concomitant eribulin and radiation treatment significantly prolonged the survival of mice harboring intracerebral glioma xenografts compared with eribulin or radiation alone (P < .0001). In addition, maintenance administration of eribulin after the concomitant treatment further controlled brain tumor growth. Aberrant microvasculature was decreased in these tumors. Concomitant treatment with eribulin and radiation followed by maintenance administration of eribulin may serve as a novel therapeutic strategy for glioblastomas