ESTIMATION OF SOIL CARBON STORAGE IN SHINJUKU GYOEN NATIONAL GARDEN BASED ON LAND USE HISTORY AND SOIL COMPACTNESS PROFILES

This study aims to estimate soil carbon storage in Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden,Tokyo Metropolis. Undisturbed soil samples were collected in the Gyoen from regions of differentland use using a core cylinder. A modified investigation was used by combining measurement ofvertical structure of soil compactness in order to estimate cumulative carbon content withoutinterfering with the park landscape. Softness obtained using a cone penetrometer was converted tosoil bulk density (g cm-3) and samples for measurement of total carbon content (g kg-1) werecollected using a boring stick. The carbon storage in the Gyoen (0 – 100 cm) was estimated as 316± 83.1 t C ha-1 in turf areas and 198 ± 61.3 t C ha-1 in forest areas, respectively, which areequivalent or slightly larger than the standard values obtained for Andosols and Brown Forest soils,respectively. The large difference in the cumulative carbon storage between turf area and forestarea for the entire profile (0 – 100 cm) can be explained by the difference in the pedogenesisprocess of humus accumulation together with the diagenesis process of humus decomposition,both of which depend on the humus quality of vegetation and land use history. The use of theSoftness obtained from measurement of vertical soil compactness was discussed as a proxy ofbulk density. It is shown that vertical soil compactness differs in same land use regions in theGyoen. Although the estimated values of cumulative carbon content had issues withoverestimation in some cases, we suggest that the use of the Softness as a substitute for bulkdensity is applicable for estimating soil carbon storage. Subsurface structure, regulated by land usehistory and land creating history should be taken into account for the reliable evaluation of soilcarbon storage in urban areas

Multicenter questionnaire survey for sporadic inclusion body myositis in Japan

Background: Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the most prevalent acquired muscle disease in the elderly. sIBM is an intractable and progressive disease of unknown cause and without effective treatment. The etiology of sIBM is still unknown; however, genetic factors, aging, lifestyles, and environmental factors may be involved. The purpose of this study is to elucidate the cross-sectional profile of patients affected by sIBM in Japan. Methods: We surveyed patient data for 146 cases diagnosed at a number of centers across Japan. We also issued a questionnaire for 67 patients and direct caregivers to further elucidate the natural history of the disease. Results: The mean age at the onset was 63.4 ± 9.2 years. The mean length of time from the onset to diagnosis was 55.52 ± 49.72 months, suggesting that there is a difficulty in diagnosing this disease with long-term consequences because of late treatment. 73 % described the psychological/mental aspect of the disease. The most popular primary caregiver was the patient’s spouse and 57 % patients mentioned that they were having problems managing the finances. Conclusions: Through these surveys, we described the cross-sectional profiles of sIBM in Japan. Many patients described psychological/mental and financial anxiety because of the aged profile of sIBM patients. The profiles of sIBM patients are similar to those in Western countries

The updated retrospective questionnaire study of sporadic inclusion body myositis in Japan

Background: Sporadic inclusion body myositis (sIBM) is the most prevalent muscle disease in elderly people, affecting the daily activities. sIBM is progressive with unknown cause and without effective treatment. In 2015, sIBM was classified as an intractable disease by the Japanese government, and the treatment cost was partly covered by the government. This study aimed to examine the changes in the number of patients with sIBM over the last 10 years and to elucidate the cross-sectional profile of Japanese patients with sIBM. Methods: The number of sIBM patients was estimated through a reply-paid postcard questionnaire for attending physicians. Only patients diagnosed as “definite” or “probable” sIBM by clinical and biopsy sIBM criteria were included in this study (Lancet Neurol 6:620-631, 2007, Neuromuscul Disord 23:1044-1055, 2013). Additionally, a registered selfadministered questionnaire was also sent to 106 patients who agreed to reply via their attending physician, between November 2016 and March 2017. Results: The number of patients diagnosed with sIBM for each 5-year period was 286 and 384 in 2011 and 2016, respectively. Inability to stand-up, cane-dependent gait, inability to open a plastic bottle, choking on food ingestion, and being wheelchair-bound should be included as sIBM milestones. Eight patients were positive for anti-hepatitis C virus antibody; three of them were administered interferon before sIBM onset. Steroids were administered to 33 patients (31.1%) and intravenous immunoglobulin to 46 patients (43.4%). From 2016 to 2017, total of 70 patients applied for the designated incurable disease medical expenses subsidy program. Although the treatment cost was partly covered by the government, many patients expressed psychological/mental and financial anxieties. Conclusions: We determined the cross-sectional profile of Japanese patients with sIBM. Continuous support and prospective surveys are warranted

Myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy associated with psoriasis: a case report

Abstract Introduction Psoriasis vulgaris is a common inflammatory disease of the skin, and myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy is a chronic sensory-predominant polyneuropathy. Although both of these diseases are considered autoimmune diseases, psoriasis with concomitant myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy is very rare. Here, we report a case of myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy associated with psoriasis. Case presentation A 66-year-old Japanese man, having experienced sternocostoclavicular pain for ten years, was admitted to our hospital because of gait disturbance and numbness of the limbs. Our patient had normal cranial nerve function and normal limb muscle strength. His vibratory and position sense was severely impaired and his touch, temperature and pinprick sensations were mildly disturbed in a glove and stocking distribution. A myelin-associated glycoprotein western blot analysis showed the presence of a 91 to 94kDa band using purified human myelin-associated glycoprotein antigen. His skin lesions were moderately pruritic and Auspitz’s sign was positive. Our patient also showed osteitis of his clavicle and manubrium. We diagnosed our patient with myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy associated with psoriatic arthritis. Five days after intravenous immunoglobulin therapy, his deep sensory impairment began to improve and his sternocostoclavicular pain diminished dramatically. Conclusions Because myelin-associated glycoprotein-related neuropathy and psoriatic arthritis are both considered autoimmune diseases, we conclude that intravenous immunoglobulin therapy is very effective for patients with an association of these diseases.</p

Balloon Dilation in Sporadic Inclusion Body Myositis Patients with Dysphagia

Here, we describe balloon catheter dilation at the upper esophageal sphincter (UES) in three sporadic inclusion body myositis (s-IBM) patients with dysphagia. Initially, we performed IVIg therapy, and, three months later, switched to balloon dilation therapy. A 12-Fr balloon catheter was inserted from the mouth under fluoroscopy and the balloon inflated at the UES. The catheter was pulled back and re-inserted several times. We examined videofluoroscopy (VF) and pressure at the oropharynx, hypopharynx and UES using computed pharyngoesophageal manometry (CPM). Before both therapies, the VF study revealed a very small amount of barium paste passing through the UES. After balloon dilation therapy, as well as IVIg, subjective complaints of dysphagia disappeared and the VF study revealed an increased amount of barium paste passing through the UES. We conclude that balloon dilation therapy is a complementary method for conventional dysphagia therapies in s-IBM patients with dysphagia

The metabolic profile of a rat model of chronic kidney disease

[Background]The kidney is always subjected to high metabolic demand. The aim of this study was to characterize metabolic profiles of a rat model of chronic kidney disease (CKD) with cardiorenal syndrome (CRS) induced by prolonged hypertension. [Methods]We used inbred male Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats fed an 8% NaCl diet from six weeks of age (high-salt; HS group) or a 0.3% NaCl diet as controls (low-salt; LS group). We analyzed function, pathology, metabolome, and the gene expression related to energy metabolism of the kidney. [Results]DS rats with a high-salt diet showed hypertension at 11 weeks of age and elevated serum levels of creatinine and blood urea nitrogen with heart failure at 21 weeks of age. The fibrotic area in the kidneys increased at 21 weeks of age. In addition, gene expression related to mitochondrial function was largely decreased. The levels of citrate and isocitrate increased and the gene expression of alpha-ketoglutaratedehydrogenase and succinyl-CoA synthetase decreased; these are enzymes that metabolize citrate and isocitrate, respectively. In addition, the levels of succinate and acetyl Co-A, both of which are metabolites of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, decreased. [Conclusions]DS rats fed a high-salt diet were deemed a suitable model of CKD with CRS. Gene expression and metabolites related to energy metabolism and mitochondria in the kidney significantly changed in DS rats with hypertension in accordance with the progression of renal injury

Rotigotine vs ropinirole in advanced stage Parkinson's disease: A double-blind study

AbstractObjectiveTo confirm the superiority of transdermal rotigotine up to 16 mg/24 h over placebo, and non-inferiority to ropinirole, in Japanese Parkinson's disease (PD) patients on concomitant levodopa therapy.MethodsThis trial was a randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, three-arm parallel group placebo- and ropinirole-controlled trial. Four-hundred and twenty PD patients whose motor symptoms were not well controlled by levodopa treatment were randomized 2:2:1 to receive rotigotine, ropinirole (up to 15 mg/day) or placebo during a 16-week treatment period followed by a 4-week taper period. The primary variable was change in the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS) Part III (ON state) sum score from baseline to the end of the treatment period.ResultsThe difference in the change in the UPDRS Part III (ON state) sum score from baseline to the end of treatment between rotigotine and placebo groups was −6.4 ± 1.2 (95% CI: −8.7 to −4.1; p < 0.001), indicating superiority of rotigotine over placebo. The difference between rotigotine and ropinirole groups was −1.4 ± 1.0 (95% CI: −3.2 to 0.5), below the non-inferiority margin, indicating the non-inferiority of rotigotine to ropinirole. Application site reaction was seen in 57.7% of the patients in the rotigotine group and in 18.6% in the ropinirole group (P < 0.001). No other safety issue was noted.ConclusionsRotigotine was well tolerated at doses up to 16 mg/24 h and showed similar efficacy to ropinirole except that the application site reaction was much higher in the rotigotine group