Periostin as a novel biomarker for postoperative recurrence of chronic rhinosinitis with nasal polyps

We previously reported that chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP) was subdivided into four chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) subtypes using the JESREC scoring system. We sought to identify the gene expression profile and biomarkers related with CRSwNP by RNA-sequence. RNA-sequencing was performed to identify differentially expressed genes between nasal polyps (NPs) and inferior turbinate mucosa from 6 patients with CRSwNP, and subsequently, quantitative real-time PCR was performed to verify the results. ELISA was performed to identify possible biomarkers for postoperative recurrence. In the RNA-sequencing results, periostin (POSTN) expression was the highest in NP. We focused on POSTN and investigated the protein level of POSTN by immunohistochemistry and ELISA. POSTN was diffusely expressed in moderate and severe eosinophilic CRS using immunohistochemistry, and its staining pattern was associated with the severity of the phenotype of the CRSwNP (P < 0.05). There was a significant difference between the POSTN high/low groups for postoperative recurrence when the cutoff point was set at 115.5 ng/ml (P = 0.0072). Our data suggests that the protein expression level of POSTN was associated with the severity of CRSwNP, and serum POSTN can be a novel biomarker for postoperative recurrence of CRSwNP

A case of double inferior vena cava with a literature review and proposal for new classification

Summary We encountered a case of double inferior vena cava (DIVC) in a 76 year old male cadaver during anatomy practice at Matsumoto Dental University in 2015. The left and right internal iliac veins drained into the interiliac vein ran horizontal in front of the cape angle and joined the left and right external iliac veins. Then the inferior vena cava on each side originated.The width of the origin of the inferior vena cava were 13.7 mm and 11.6 mm on the right and left side, respectively. Based on the previous DIVCʼs classifications, we attempted to classify the DIVC and iliac venous system by combining the direction of the internal iliac veins (lateral (l), vertical (s), and medial (m)), the inclination of the interiliac veins (lower left to upper right (L to R), horizontal (H), and lower right to upper left (R to L)),and the width of the right and left IVC (RIVC>LIVC, RIVC=LIVC, and RIVCLIVC, H, l-l. In this case, hemi-azygos vein was not found, and the height of the left kidney was lower than the right one. We therefore investigated the co-existence of the venous system and the height of the kidney to the 53 cases and referred to the embryological relationship between them. The present classification provides basic knowledge for the clinical anatomy and surgery of the pelvic region

Finishing the euchromatic sequence of the human genome

The sequence of the human genome encodes the genetic instructions for human physiology, as well as rich information about human evolution. In 2001, the International Human Genome Sequencing Consortium reported a draft sequence of the euchromatic portion of the human genome. Since then, the international collaboration has worked to convert this draft into a genome sequence with high accuracy and nearly complete coverage. Here, we report the result of this finishing process. The current genome sequence (Build 35) contains 2.85 billion nucleotides interrupted by only 341 gaps. It covers ∼99% of the euchromatic genome and is accurate to an error rate of ∼1 event per 100,000 bases. Many of the remaining euchromatic gaps are associated with segmental duplications and will require focused work with new methods. The near-complete sequence, the first for a vertebrate, greatly improves the precision of biological analyses of the human genome including studies of gene number, birth and death. Notably, the human enome seems to encode only 20,000-25,000 protein-coding genes. The genome sequence reported here should serve as a firm foundation for biomedical research in the decades ahead

Mercury profile of Mizuho ice sheet, Antarctica

Mercury concentration in ice-core samples has been determined by the newly developed atomic absorption techniques. As shown in the attached Table, mercury concentration is by far larger in recent snows than in ancient ice. This fact reflects the increasing worldwide consumption of this element and the progressive atmospheric pollution by heavy metals including lead since the Industrial Revolution Age

A Case of Spontaneous Pneumothorax During Pregnancy and Review of the Literature

Spontaneous pneumothorax is rare during pregnancy. A case of spontaneouspneumothorax occurring at 34 weeks' gestation in a healthy 25-year-old primigravidais described. Its occurrence was accompanied by sudden onset of dyspnea andpleuritic chest pain while the patient was walking. Diagnosis was made by chestradiograph and treatment was by tube thoracostomy. At 41 weeks' gestation, afternormal labor progression, she successfully gave birth to a male infant with a birthweight of 2,744 g. We discuss spontaneous pneumothorax during pregnancy and reviewthe literature

Report on the Abolition Experience of Several Unsealed RI Facilities in Tokushima University

The aim of this study is to report our experiences we had on decommissioning of four unsealed radioisotopes facilities during five years, 2010-2015. In this study, we investigated not only the relationship between decommissioning cost and facility's scale or radioisotope use, but also the purpose and cost of facility renovation. In addition, the problems conducting decommissioning of the facilities and the effect were also done a survey for the radiation protection supervisors or safety manager

A drainage strategy for postoperative pancreatic fistula after left-sided pancreatectomy based on the wall status of collected fluid

Purpose Postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) after pancreatectomy is one of the severe postoperative adverse events. We aimed to clarify the outcomes of a strategy for POPF after left-sided pancreatectomy with one-step endoscopic ultrasonography-guided drainage (EUSD) and percutaneous drainage (PCD) based on the wall status of collected fluid. Methods From January 2012 to September 2017, 90 of 336 patients developed grade B/C POPF and were retrospectively analyzed. Primary outcome measures were the technical and clinical success and resolution rates. Secondary outcome measures were time from surgery to intervention, and time from intervention to discharge/resolution or stent/tube removal and adverse events. Results Seventeen patients underwent EUSD and 73 patients underwent PCD for POPF. The technical success rates were 100% in both the EUSD and PCD groups. The clinical success and resolution rates in the EUSD group were 100%, while those in the PCD group were 98.6%. The time from surgery to intervention was significantly longer in the EUSD group than in the PCD group (20 vs. 11 days, p < 0.001). The time from intervention to discharge/resolution was significantly shorter in the EUSD group than in the PCD group (11 vs. 22 days, p < 0.001/10 vs. 20 days, p < 0.001). The time from intervention to stent/tube removal was significantly shorter in the PCD group than in the EUSD group (20.5 vs. 873 days, p < 0.001). Adverse event rates were similar in the two groups (11.8% vs. 5.5%). Conclusion A drainage strategy for POPF based on the wall status of collected fluid is appropriate