75%-efficiency blue generation from an intracavity PPKTP frequency doubler

We report on a high-efficiency 461 nm blue light conversion from an external cavity-enhanced second-harmonic generation of a 922 nm diode laser with a quasi-phase-matched KTP crystal (PPKTP). By choosing a long crystal (LC=20 mm) and twice looser focusing (w0=43 $\mu$m) than the "optimal" one, thermal lensing effects due to the blue power absorption are minimized while still maintaining near-optimal conversion efficiency. A stable blue power of 234 mW with a net conversion efficiency of eta=75% at an input mode-matched power of 310 mW is obtained. The intra-cavity measurements of the conversion efficiency and temperature tuning bandwidth yield an accurate value d33(461 nm)=15 pm/V for KTP and provide a stringent validation of some recently published linear and thermo-optic dispersion data of KTP

Type III hyperlipoproteinemia exaggerated by Sheehan\u27s syndrome with advanced systemic atherosclerosis - A 28-year clinical course

金沢大学大学院医学系研究科　A 38-year-old Japanese woman was admitted to hospital for further examination of systemic xanthomas. She had a past history of genital bleeding during her third delivery at the age of 21 years. She was diagnosed with Sheehan\u27s syndrome. Her serum total cholesterol and triglyceride concentrations were 500 and 898 mg/dl, respectively. She was also diagnosed as having type III hyperlipoproteinemia on the basis of the presence of a broad-β-band on agarose gel electrophoresis and extremely high concentrations of very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (310 mg/dl). The diagnosis was later confirmed by her apolipoprotein E isoforms (E2/E2) and genotypes (epsilon2/epsilon2). Thyroid and corticosteroid hormone replacement therapy cured the xanthomas, but also elevated her blood pressure. The serum concentration of intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol was consistently high, whereas that of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol was relatively low during the follow-up. Coronary atherosclerosis had already developed by the age of 38 years, and progressed significantly over the following 28 years. Severe stenotic lesions were observed in the bilateral renal arteries and carotid arteries, and in the abdominal aorta when she was 66 years old. These findings suggest that the continuous elevation of intermediate-density lipoprotein cholesterol for a long period contributed to the development of the atherosclerotic lesions

Fish fauna of shallow waters of Aki Nada, Seto Inland sea, Japan

瀬戸内海安芸灘に位置する大崎上島の沿岸魚類相について，餌釣りと潜水観察による調査を実施した。ガラモ場の存在する桟橋を中心に調査定点を島の南部北部それぞれに設定し，オキアミ類とゴカイ類を餌に約10名が1時間釣りを行う作業を2007年5月から2008年3月まで隔月で実施し，出現魚類の季節変化を検討した。また，2007年5月から7月にかけて，屋代島から竹原までの安芸灘広域に9ゾーン26調査点を設け，同様の調査を実施し，出現魚類の水域ゾーン間の相違を検討した。本調査により総計29科63魚種を記録した。そのうち高水温期にのみ出現する南方系魚種は4種のみであった。記録した魚種の76％（48種）は伊予灘で記録されているものであった。一方，宇和海での魚類相データとの魚種共通率は30％前後に留まり，安芸灘を含む伊予灘以北の水域が生物地理学的に中間温帯区（西村，1981）と定義されていることの妥当性が裏付けられた。大崎上島において周年および冬期を除き常時記録されたのは，カサゴ，メバル，ハオコゼ，クジメ，アサヒアナハゼ，マダイ，ウミタナゴ，スズメダイ，メジナ，コブダイ，ホシササノハベラ，キュウセン，ホンベラ，クラカケトラギス，ホシノハゼ，イトヒキハゼ，ヒガンフグ，コモンフグであった。これら18魚種の多くは安芸灘広域調査においても広く出現が認められ，安芸灘の浅海魚類群集の基本構成種と考えられた。ホシササノハベラは愛媛県中島周辺水域での出現頻度が極めて高く，同種の安芸灘における主要な個体群が安芸灘南西エリアに存在する可能性が示唆された。また，過去に瀬戸内海での記録のないホシノハゼが安芸灘広くに確認され，急速に分布拡大を進めていることが示唆された。We surveyed fish fauna at shallow waters of Aki Nada, Seto Inland Sea by the line fishing census, using small hooks attaching clamworms or krills as baits, during May 2007 - March 2008. We set up survey points at piers with Sargassum belt in Osaki-Kami Shima Island, and conducted the census (ca. 10 person x 60 min at each) bimonthly to analyze seasonal differences of fish fauna. In order to evaluate geographic variation of fish fauna, we also held the census at 26 survey points of nine zones situated a wide area in Aki Nada during May-July, 2007. A total of 63 species of 29 families were recorded. Of 63 species, 76 % were commonly recorded in Iyo Nada region. In contrast, the common species ratio fell to ca. 30% in comparison with data recorded in Uwa Sea region, which strongly supports the validity of the border of biogeographical regions between “Warm temperate region” including Uwa Sea and “intermediate temperate region” including Iyo Nada and Aki Nada (Nishimura, 1981). The almost year-round occurrences in the Osaki-Kami Shima were admitted in the following 18 species, Sebastiscus marmoratus, Sebastes inermis, Hypodytes rubripinnis, Hexagrammos agrammus, Pseudoblennius cottoides, Pagrus major, Ditrema temmincki, Chromis notata notata, Girella punctata, Semicossyphus reticulatus, Pseudolabrus sieboldi, Halichoeres poecilopterus, Halichoeres tenuispinnus, Parapercis sexfasciata, Istigobius hoshinonis, Cryptocentrus filifer, Takifugu pardalis, Takifugu poecilonotus. Most of these species commonly occurred in the survey zones in Aki Nada waters, suggesting that these are core components of fish fauna in shallow waters of Aki Nada

Skin Cancer Incidence among Atomic Bomb Survivors from 1958 to 1996

The radiation risk of skin cancer by histological types has been evaluated in the atomic bomb survivors. We examined 80,158 of the 120,321 cohort members who had their radiation dose estimated by the latest dosimetry system (DS02). Potential skin tumors diagnosed from 1958 to 1996 were reviewed by a panel of pathologists, and radiation risk of the first primary skin cancer was analyzed by histological types using a Poisson regression model. A significant excess relative risk (ERR) of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) (n = 123) was estimated at 1 Gy (0.74, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.26, 1.6) for those age 30 at exposure and age 70 at observation based on a linear-threshold model with a threshold dose of 0.63 Gy (95% CI: 0.32, 0.89) and a slope of 2.0 (95% CI: 0.69, 4.3). The estimated risks were 15, 5.7, 1.3 and 0.9 for age at exposure of 0-9, 10-19, 20-39, over 40 years, respectively, and the risk increased 11% with each one-year decrease in age at exposure. The ERR for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ (n = 64) using a linear model was estimated as 0.71 (95% CI: 0.063, 1.9). However, there were no significant dose responses for malignant melanoma (n = 10), SCC (n = 114), Paget disease (n = 10) or other skin cancers (n = 15). The significant linear radiation risk for BCC with a threshold at 0.63 Gy suggested that the basal cells of the epidermis had a threshold sensitivity to ionizing radiation, especially for young persons at the time of exposure

Machi: Neighborhood and Small Town—The Foundation for Urban Transformation in Japan

The term machi, signifying both neighborhood and small town, is a key element for understanding Japanese urban form and city planning. After tracing the origins of the term, this article explores the historic and contemporary significance of the concept and its particular spatial and socioeconomic forms. The article then argues that the concept of machi influenced the ways in which Japanese planners picked up foreign concepts through the nineteenth and particularly the twentieth century, absorbing some ideas and rejecting others. Building on their perception of the city as composed of urban units that allowed for planning in patchwork patterns, leading Japanese planners carefully selected models—independently of international appreciation—making, for example, the book The New Town by the German planner Gottfried Feder a standard reference. The article concludes by arguing that foreign observers must understand the concept of machi to comprehend contemporary Japanese neighborhoods, city life, and urban forms

Iron status in the elderly: a review of recent evidence

A comprehensive literature review of iron status in the elderly was undertaken in order to update a previous review (Fairweather-Tait et al, 2014); 138 papers were retrieved that described research on the magnitude of the problem, aetiology and age-related physiological changes that may affect iron status, novel strategies for assessing iron status with concurrent health conditions, hepcidin, lifestyle factors, iron supplements, iron status and health outcomes (bone mineral density, frailty, inflammatory bowel disease, kidney failure, cancer, cardiovascular, and neurodegenerative diseases). Each section concludes with key points from the relevant papers. The overall findings were that disturbed iron metabolism plays a major role in a large number of conditions associated with old age. Correction of iron deficiency/overload may improve disease prognosis, but diagnosis of iron deficiency requires appropriate cut-offs for biomarkers of iron status in elderly men and women to be agreed. Iron deficiency (with or without anemia), anemia of inflammation, and anemia of chronic disease are all widespread in the elderly and, once identified, should be investigated further as they are often indicative of underlying disease. Management options should be reviewed and updated, and novel therapies, which show potential for treating anemia of inflammation or chronic disease, should be considered

Pituitary Apoplexy Manifesting as Massive Intracerebral Hemorrhage : Case Report

A 68-year-old man presented with severe conscious disturbance caused by pituitary apoplexy resulting in massive intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). He had been periodically followed up for asymptomatic pituitary adenoma at another hospital for 8 years. Neuroimaging examination revealed pituitary apoplexy and massive ICH located in the left frontal lobe, and the ICH was directly connected to the intratumoral hemorrhage. The diagnosis was massive ICH from pituitary apoplexy. The patient underwent emergent evacuation of hematoma and removal of the pituitary adenoma via bi-frontal craniotomy. Postoperatively, he continued to exhibit deep consciousness disturbance and died 1 month after the operation. Pituitary apoplexy is usually characterized by intra-tumoral hemorrhage. The treatment strategy for asymptomatic pituitary adenoma is still controversial. This case shows that we should always consider the risk of pituitary apoplexy manifesting as ICH which may cause a fatal outcome

Bilateral Chronic Subdural Hematomas of the Posterior Fossae : Case Report

An 86-year-old female presented with rare bilateral chronic subdural hematomas (CSHs) of the posterior fossae which were successfully treated by surgical intervention. She had experienced mild head trauma one month before admission. She was transferred to our hospital because of consciousness disturbance and tetraparesis. Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging showed simultaneous occurrence of supratentorial and infratentorial CSHs. We tried to evacuate the CSHs of the bilateral posterior fossae because brainstem compression was markedly severe. Through bilateral burr-hole trepanations, chocolate-colored fluid, not containing clotted components, gushed out under great pressure. Postoperative course was uneventful. MR imaging revealed that the CSHs of the posterior fossae had completely disappeared and brainstem compression had also improved. The patient's neurological deficits were immediately improved after the operation. The patient was discharged one month after the operation for further rehabilitation. Trepanation and evacuation of the hematoma through the posterior fossa might be one of the therapeutic options for posterior fossa CSH, which is similar to supratentorial CSH. However, we considered that the emergency of this rare entity and the method of anesthesia were quite different from supratentorial CSH